Booktuber Interview with Samantha from Cold Tea and Crumbs (Interview #6)

Hi fellow readers and welcome back for another booktuber/blogger interview.

This week is a little bit different and as it's recently been my birthday, I thought I'd share my answers to the interview questions so you guys can get to know me a little better :-) Enjoy.



Please describe your channel and the type of books which you enjoy reading.
My BookTube channel is where I like to share my thoughts on the books I've read, bought or are on my 'To Be Read' pile. I mainly read Young Adult books but I do branch out from time to time and read classics, adult fiction and graphic novels. My favourite books are anything involving an alternative world, supernatural aspect or adventure/survival story. I'm a sucker for any kind of book that I can get lost within and escape from everyday life for a moment or two.

What made you decide to start your channel and what are the main reasons you keep making videos?
I first became away of blogging and YouTube in 2008 via the beauty community and since then I've played around with blogs but never really stuck with anything. When I finished University and began full-time employment in 2012, I began reading frequently again and after reading a great book (Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl), I wondered what other people's thoughts about the book were. This was when I came across Bookables' review and discovered the BookTube community. As I began watching more and more videos and following more and more blogs, I gained the passion to share my own thoughts via these methods and hence Cold Tea and Crumbs was born. It's the community element, great friends I've made and the ability to share great recommendations that keeps me making videos.

What is your favourite book?
This question is always the hardest as I don't think there is just one book that is my favourite and if I could, I'd pick about 10 :-) but if I could only have one book that I'd take to a desert island though, I'd pick Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games Book 2). I can vividly remember thoroughly enjoying this book and the topic might also help my survive on that desert island too :-) Seriously though, the whole Hunger Games series was a comfort for me whilst I dealt with the loss of a family member and the escape it provided really helped me through that period of my life. 



If you could read one genre for the rest of your life, which genre would you choose?
Dystopia, definitely. Going back to the last question, my top 10 favourite books are mostly dystopias and I think that whole end of the world, alternative world, survival mode just applies to me. There's so many different possibilities too that it could be a varied genre to read also.

If you could live in any book world created, which would you choose?
I would love to live in the I Heart Series world. It's a real world setting but the books are set in different locations such as New York, London, Paris, Hollywood and Las Vegas. I would love to be Angela Clark or even be one of her best friends - she has the most fashionable job, such a hilarious outlook on life and she gets to travel the world. Sign me up for that!
 

What has been your best/favourite booktubing moment so far and why?
I would have to say all the friends I've made as it's their interaction and support that is the most enjoyable element. Being able to share your favourite book with someone who's never heard of it or someone else sharing their favourite book with me, it's the best part. :-) It constantly reminds me of why I love reading.

Where do you store/show-off your books and how many do you own in total?
I don't have that many physical books (maybe around 50?) but the one's I do have are all stored together in an organisation chaos on my bookshelf. I've done a video recently showing all my paperback and hardback books which you can watch on my YouTube channel. The rest of the books I own are on my Kindle and I have well over 100+ on there, most of which I haven't even read yet :-S whoops! I'll get around to them all one day though.

Where is your usual place to read and what would your dream reading place look like?
My usual reading place is in or on my bed and also at my desk at work, during my lunch break and right before bed is when I get most of my reading done. If I could pick a dream reading place though it would have to be someone comfortable and light with a good area of snacks nearby. It would have no distractions and no clock so that I could just read and read. Perfection!

Lastly, which blogs/channels can we usually find you stalking when you're not creating content for your own channel?
This would be one long list if I listed everyone and their channels and blogs but these guys are the ones which I watch every video or read everything blog post.  
Christine (from PolandBananasBooks) /   Jesse (from JessetheReader) /   Kat (from Katytastic) /   Jamie (from jhaughn18) /   Heather (from Bookables) /   Samantha (from SamanthaStewart93) /   Dani (from Dani on Books /   Whytnee (from BooksAreLovex3) /   Beth (from BethJune327) /   Kassidy Voinche    
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Don't forget to follow Cold Tea and Crumbs to read another BookTuber/Blogger Interview in 2 weeks.
See you all then. x

Missed an interview, see all interviewees on the BookTuber/Book Blogger Interview Archive Page

Paperbacks & Hardbacks Bookshelf Tour

Ever wondered what's on my bookshelf?

Well now you can wonder no longer because I've filmed a video showing you all the paperback and hardback books I own and how I organise them.

So grab yourself a cup of tea and a biscuit and I hope you enjoy the video :-)

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau | A Dystopia Thriller Book Review

The Testing (The Testing #1)
Joelle Charbonneau
Genres: Dystopia, Sci-fi, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 1st August 2013
Number of Pages: 384
Source: Borrowed from my local library

Add to your TBR shelf:    
The Testing Goodreads Page

Sixteen-year-old Cia Vale is honoured to be chosen for The Testing – a series of exams set by the United Commonwealth that selects the brightest young adults to become leaders of their war- stricken world. But when candidates start disappearing and Cia witnesses unimaginable horrors done in the United Commonwealth’s name it becomes clear that these are no ordinary exams, and Cia is forced to realise the truth: this is no longer about winning, but surviving.




Bump in the Night Book Tag

Hello fellow readers

I'd like to introduce you to the
Bump in the Night Book Tag
which is a little Halloween/Scary tag I've created on YouTube and would also like to bring to the bloggersphere. The tag includes 12 questions, 6 of which are during the quick fire round, but they are all themed around Halloween and books you've enjoyed/not enjoyed. I hope you enjoy watching the video. I had so much fun creating this tag and sharing it with you guys. Feel free to create your own video or even make a blog post of your answers, you'll find the questions written under the video. I'd love to watch/read your version so feel free to mention me in a tweet on twitter (@ColdTeaCrumbs) I'll be sure to watch/read it.



Questions:
1) Which are your favourite supernatural/horror/scary characters to read about? (e.g. vampires, werewolves, witches, monsters, serial killers, murderers etc).
2) Which scene from any book would be your ultimate nightmare to have been part of?
3) If you could visit and explore any one scary or evil setting which would you pick and why?
4) Which book was so frighteningly terrible that you almost fell asleep for eternity trying to finish it?
5) Name one book you wish you could pull certain pages out of and swap for others to make it better?
6) If you could turn any 'bad or evil' character into a good character, who would you pick and why?

Quick fire round:
1) Favourite vampire character?
2) Favourite werewolf character?
3) Favourite witch character?
4) Favourite monster character?
5) Favourite ghost character?
6) Favourite serial killer/murderer character?


If you want to check out other people's video versions of the tag here's a couple more you can watch:

Booktuber Interview with Jessica from priceiswong (Interview #5)

Hello again and welcome back to Cold Tea and Crumbs.

It's Wednesday again and I have another Blogger/BookTuber Interview for you. This time around I would like to introduce you the beautiful Jessica from priceiswong. Jessica is such a friendly and down-to-earth booktuber and I love the fact that when she's talking to her camera and recording her videos its like she's just talking to a friend. Here are Jessica's answers to my questions and don't forget to check out her channel and say I sent you!




Hi Jessica, please describe your channel and the type of books which you enjoy reading.
My channel is full of random bits and pieces of my life. I share more personal parts of my life through my Document Your Life videos and vlogs. I recently even just shared tips on how I do my makeup in my newest video! One of my favorite things to do though, is to read (of course). So that's why the majority of my videos are about me discussing amazing books that I've read! I personally love watching book hauls and seeing all of the new books, and so I really enjoy showing everyone my newest books that I've bought as well! Book tags are fun too! 
I really enjoy reading a variety of books. Fiction is definitely my favorite. Lately I've mainly stuck with Young Adult fiction. I love reading books full of fantasy that just sweeps you away to far off places. I do enjoy reading what I call "normal" books as well (contemporary books) but I have to be in the right mood.

What made you decide to start your channel and what are the main reasons you keep making videos?
I decided to try and start my own channel back in January of this year when I started watching Christine from PolandBananasBooks. We have really similar tastes in books and seem to have a lot in common. Before, I couldn't have imagined making a channel and putting out videos for everyone to see. I figured people would just laugh at me. Christine made it look just so effortless and fun, so I wanted to give it a try. I would see in the comments how people interacted with her by discussing their favorite parts of the book, which I thought was very cool. That is why I've continued to make these videos. I love gushing about my favorite parts with people. I lack that in my life and I'm glad that I found it on the internet. :)

What is your favourite book?
I'm pretty sure I thought about this question for about 10 minutes before answering this. I'm going to have to cheat and tell you three. I'm obsessed with the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, the Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare, and the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. All are so amazing. I would reread these books over and over again.

If you could read one genre for the rest of your life, which genre would you choose?
I feel like I can easily get bored with reading just contemporary. It's just real life, so although I like it occasionally, I can't read it for the rest of my life. I'm going to go with Fantasy. I love that genre so much and have loved just about every single book that I've read so far in that genre. It hasn't led me astray yet.

If you could live in any book world created, which would you choose?
I'm sorry if you are tired of this answer by now, but I'm going to have to say the world created by J.K. Rowling. I wish I could go back to being 11 years old, and receive my owl with my letter to Hogwarts. I would probably be a teacher somewhere teaching kids Transfiguration or something by now. :)

What has been your best/favourite booktubing moment so far and why?
There have been so many great moments so far! One really big moment was when I reached 1,000 subscribers. I couldn't believe that so many people wanted to watch my videos! I remember running upstairs to show my mom my sub county. (I'm so cool) 
I also distinctly remember when I received emails saying that some on my favorite booktubers had subscribed to me. ME. I couldn't believe it. I remember when Jesse (from JessetheReader) and Christine (from PolandBananasBooks) subscribed and I thought I was going to die. I had watched both of them for so long and thought it was awesome that they were now going to be watching me! Now I consider those two friends and can't wait to meet them at Vidcon next year! :)

Where do you store/show-off your books and how many do you own in total?
I have two bookshelves where I store my books! One is a big tall wooden one that my husband Jake made me last Christmas that sits in our living room. The other is a little white one that I've always had in my bedroom growing up. I'm not sure how many books I have now. I would guess around 200.

Where is your usual place to read and what would your dream reading place look like?
I usually read on my bed :) Anywhere I can sit for a long time without my bum falling asleep is perfect! haha This picture of a little reading nook by shelves and a huge window would be my ideal place. I would probably sit a tall lamp nearby and how amazing would that space be when it rained?!

Lastly, which blogs/channels can we usually find you stalking when you're not creating content for your own channel?
Oh man, I admit I'm on the internet a lot so this is longing to be one long list. Prepare yourself :) I've already mentioned that I love Christine's channels (PolandBananasBooks and PolandBananas20) I also love Jesse (from JessetheReader) There's also Liz (from Elizziebooks), Kat (from Katytastic), Jacob (from TheEighthPotter), Jamie (from jhaughn18), Priscilla (from thereadables), astridthebookworm, the list goes on and on. I also really enjoy watching crabstickz, dailygrace, smosh, WatchUsLiveandStuff, Tyler Oakley, Troye Sivan, Jacks Gap... I spend too much time on YouTube. I remember the days when I used to spend this much time on sites, such as Facebook (which now I hardly ever get on in comparison). 
I'm just now really getting into blogs. I've been trying to post more on my own blog, www.priceiswong.com and I'm starting to have more fun on it! I enjoy reading your blog Cold Tea and Crumbs, Astrid the Bookworm, Frilly + Fancy, The Broke and Bookish, The Mile Long Bookshelf, and Anna Reads
Thanks for interviewing me Samantha! These questions were fun to answer! :) - Jess

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A big thank you to Jessica for taking the time to answer my questions. Check out her channel for friendly book discussions and personal life snippets. If you enjoyed this interview just click the red subscribe button above to have her videos show up in your YouTube subscriptions page.

Don't forget to follow Cold Tea and Crumbs to read another BookTuber/Blogger Interview in 2 weeks.
See you all then. x

Missed an interview, see all interviewees on the BookTuber/Book Blogger Interview Archive Page

Fever by Lauren DeStefano | Dystopia Romance YA Book Review

Fever (The Chemical Garden #2)
Lauren DeStefano
Genres: Dystopia, Romance, Fantasy, Sci-fi
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 21st February 2012
Number of Pages: 341
Source: Borrowed from my local library

Add to your TBR shelf:    
Fever Goodreads Page

Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind. 
Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness. 
The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary. 
In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.


This series chills my core. I don't know exactly what aspect of this dystopian world throws my world off edge but this book in particular affected me so much that I actually lost sleep whilst reading it.

The struggles faced within this world are horrifying: definite death at 20 for females or 25 for males, no hope of a cure being found, only the United States of America's landmass survives and the rest of the world is just ocean, women are either sold into or stolen for a life of prostitution whether it be with many men or birthing new heirs for a wealthy housemaster, many children are left orphaned and the world in general isn't safe and secure. You try sleeping at night when your mind is processing all that!

Fever leaves straight off where Wither (Book 1) finished. Rhine has left the mansion but life is no more comfortable and enjoyable than it was before. In fact Rhine soon realises she might have let herself in for more than she expected. Captured by a circus, hunted down by Vaughn, having to take care of a mute little girl with a broken arm and a friend who's trying to defeat his addiction to a drug he was inflicted to. I definitely wouldn't want to be in her shoes!

This book was as good if not better than Wither in my opinion and although it has such a dark and depressed world, Lauren DeStefano writes with such ease and lightness that it's an enjoyable yet thought-provoking read. A definite for fans of dystopias.


Starstruck in Seattle by Juliet Madison | Romantic Comedy Short Story

Starstruck in Seattle - Juliet Madison
Starstruck in Seattle
Juliet Madison
Genres: Romance, Chick-Lit, Supernatural
Publication Date: 1st October 2013
Number of Pages: 54
Source: NetGalley (Published by Escape Publishing)

Add to your TBR shelf:     Grab yourself a copy now:
Starstruck in Seattle Goodreads Page Amazon UK
Amazon US

A sparkling story from the Queen of Ro-magic comedy! 
Aspiring actress Anna Hilford might only have a small role in a leading television drama, but she longs to be dreamboat Karl Drake’s leading lady. Sick of being loveless and overlooked, Anna seeks the help of intuitive love coach, Lulu, from LuluTheLoveAngel.com to give her the courage and determination to follow her destiny. 
But fate has different ideas, Lulu has undisclosed power, and Anna is about to realise that life happens while you’re busy making plans…


Starstruck in Seattle is an enjoyable romantic comedy short story that I just couldn't put down. One of the longer novellas I've read but every page was a turner and kept me wanting to read more about Anna and who her Mister Right was. Although this story was at times predictable, I didn't mind that as the writing style was so lively and snappy that you weren't 100% sure what was going to happen next.

Anna is a girl just starting out within acting and seeking love. She has the biggest crush on Karl, the male lead in the sitcom she's currently working in, who's your typical tall and handsome heartthrob. When Anna's told her soulmate's name will begin with K she's 100% positive that it's Karl but doesn't know what to do about as certain events unfold with her acting career and friends. After writing a letter to LuluTheLoveAngel.com for advice, Lulu the Cloud 8 (not quite 9 yet) Angel steps in to weave her cupid's magic to help Anna catch her soulmate.

The characters within this book were all so enjoyable and I warmed to Anna searching for her Mister Right. This was such an enjoyable quick read and is suitable for all age groups.

Also what is not to love about this cover? If Lulu could magic me into that image I'd be happy :-)

September Book Haul

Skulk by Rosie Best | Urban Fantasy YA Book Review

Skulk by Rosie Best
Skulk
Rosie Best
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Horror
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 1st October 2013
Number of Pages: 387
Source: Netgalley (Published by Strange Chemistry)

Add to your TBR shelf:     Grab yourself a copy now:
Skulk Goodreads Page Amazon UK
Amazon US
Book Depository

When Meg witnesses the dying moments of a shapeshifting fox and is given a beautiful and powerful stone, her life changes forever. She is plunged into the dark world of the Skulk, a group of shapeshifting foxes.
As she learns about the other groups of shapeshifters that lurk around London – the Rabble, the Horde, the Cluster and the Conspiracy – she becomes aware of a deadly threat against all the shapeshifters. They must put aside all their enmity and hostility and fight together to defeat it.


London's true essence portrayed and paired with fantasy elements that perfectly match it's urban setting.

Skulk was truly one of those fantastic books that you only come across every so often. It was gripping and gruesome, and kept you guessing as to who the bad and goods guys actually were. The London setting within this book was perfect as it portrayed London's tourist, business and 'upmarket' areas brilliantly as well as showing the other side of London through its gritty back alleys and run-down tube stations. 

The main character, Meg, is also not your typical YA heroine. She's a curvy, food-loving graffiti artist from the luxurious and expensive Kensington in West London. Her mother, a Member of Parliament, would be mortified if she knew her daughter roamed the streets at night painting graffiti art on the side of bridges or run-down buildings but Meg (aka Thatch) has high aspirations of becoming as well known in the underground graffiti scene as her idol, E3. 

As Meg is out one night painting graffiti on her school's wall, she encounters an injured fox carrying a gem-like stone in its mouth, but what shocks Meg more is when the fox turns into a naked man and utters the words 'the fog' as his last words. What fog? What's the significance of this gem-like stone? A fox turns into a man? What the f***? All these questions are answers throughout the book and as more twists and turns are thrown at Meg (and us as the readers), we learn more and more about the shape-shifting world and how Meg fits into it all. 

My favourite aspect of this book is the seamless joining of all the 'normal' London elements with the urban fantasy elements. I mean shape-shifters whose animal shapes are foxes, spiders, ravens, rats and butterflies - these are all such British, especially London, creatures and not the most luxurious ones at that. It this true sense of London mixed with such realistic urban fantasy elements that makes for such great world-building within this book. I mean evil pigeons- perfection - name me one British person who likes pigeons? 

I strongly recommend this book to everyone, whether you're British or not, you will no doubt love this book!

5 Star Rated Read
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