Armchair BEA Day 1: Introducing Offbeat YA

This is Day 1 of Armchair BEA 2014, so

I'm an Armchair BEA newbie. Are you too? Or maybe you've been around before...Well, no, it's the same difference, really. Pleased to meet you :). *shakes hand* Let's grab a drink, will you?

Design by Amber of Shelf Notes

First off, a huge thanks to all the wonderful people who created this virtual event and are working hard in order to keep it alive. This year, they gave us a couple of topics per day between which to choose...of course, we can decide to do both. Being a first timer, I thought it best not to overdo things. So, here's my 5-point

Introduction!

Greetimgs from Italy!

Q: Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? Where in the world are you blogging from? 

I'm Roberta...free thinker, stubborn individual, strong colour lover, music addict, picky reader - and last but not least, an adult with a huge penchant for YA.

I've been blogging for 19 months now. One day I realised there were all those great books on my shelves that weren't getting the attention they deserved from other would-be readers - because they hadn't been marketed strongly enough I suppose. Well, whatever the reason, they had this huge potential but not many people seemed to know about them - at least judging from the number of reviews they got on blogs and/or on Goodreads. So I embarked on my first blogging adventure. In a relaxed way though. I don't believe in posting every single day...or even every other day...so don't expect me to drive into a posting frenzy. Once a week is enough for me, unless I do have something to say...

I'm blogging from Italy, which seems to be quite unusual, as far the international blogging crew goes. Having been studying English since I was a teen, and being a fan of YA lit. (most of which is U.S. based, or originally written in English), it was only natural for me to become an international blogger...of course, this doesn't mean I can't incur the odd mistake here and there LOL.

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No thanks...rather be reading :)

Q: Describe your blog in just one sentence. Then, list your social details - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. - so we can connect more online.

Offbeat YA is the home for all those stray books that you haven't had the chance to love...yet ;).

As for Twitter and the like...er...I may be the only (blogging) individual out there who doesn't have a social profile *ducks*. I don't feel comfortable with social networks, and besides, they're too time-consuming for me. But I do have a Goodreads account here.

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Afterlife books...I can't resist (most of) them!

Q: What genre do you read the most? I love to read because...

As far as Italian books go, I like to read modern poetry. In general, I like quirky books, which the YA market seems to have an endless supply of. I revel in afterlife, mystery, time travel, and always have an eye out for stories of people who don't fit in. Romance? No, thanks...

I love to read because it's limit-conquering and rule-bending.

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Hello, blogging friends!

Q: Spread the love by naming your favorite blogs/bloggers (doesn’t necessarily have to be book blogs/bloggers). 

In strictly alphabetical order...
Amy @ Amy Bookworm - Spreading UK YA is a passionate reviewer (complete with appropriated GIFs) and a sparse, but eloquent commenter...
Anila @ A Writer's Dark Corner is a witty person, and a horror lover with a soft heart...though I'm sure she will slay me for saying this, eek. *goes undercover*
Guinevere and Libertad @ Twinja Book Reviews are two girls with a mission...spreading the love for diverse books. Which I endorse...

Karen @ For What It's Worth may review a lot of romance books (that are not in my chords), but I do like her voice...also, she's a fun and friendly lady.
Kate @ Midnight Book Girl always makes me laugh, or smile at least. Also, she's a fellow Christopher Pike fan!

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Coincidentally, I have 3 quotes pages on my blog... [Quotes Room 1] [Quotes Room 2] [Quotes Room 3]

Q: Share your favorite book or reading related quote.
I recently came across this one (I haven't read the book though)...
"What is normal? Normal is only ordinary; mediocre. Life belongs to the rare, exceptional individual who dares to be different." (V.C. Andrews, "My Sweet Audrina")

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Well, that's it...now I'm looking forward to meeting you all :). Please keep in mind that this post was scheduled in advance, and I won't be able to approve your comments and reply to them/visit your blogs until tomorrow (or even the day after), due to a particularly busy day this Monday. Also, I won't be able to post again till Thursday (and then Friday). Sigh. I was planning on being more active during my first Armchair BEA, but such is life...