Blog
The Broke and the Bookish is a group of college aged kids that have an unhealthy obsession with reading and would spend every last penny on books even if it meant skipping a few meals. We are the people who lurk in the library, buy handbags based on how many books can be stashed in them, and who refer to characters in books as if they are personal friends.
We sought after other bookish college students to share in our love for reading and were brought together by the College Students group on Goodreads that was created in September 2008. Our desire to share great books with each other in and our tendency to be opinionated and passionate about all things book related naturally led to the birth of The Broke and the Bookish in June 2010.
Regular Contributors
Jamie
Jamie is the creator and moderator of the College Students book group. She graduated from college with her degree in Business Administration in December 2008. She currently works for Style 1900 and Modernism magazines as a Marketing Assistant. She adores Jonathan Safran Foer, Sylvia Plath, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and JD Salinger. She doesn't discriminate when it comes to genres as she believes in variety being the spice of life. If she doesn't have her nose in a book, you can find her cooking, traveling, spending time with the love of her life, car dancing, and practicing a little retail therapy. Contact her at itsahitinsweden{at}gmail{dot}com
Lori
Lori is a co-moderator of the Broke and Bookish and of the College Students book group. She recently graduated with a dual degree in history and English and will be starting work on a masters in Public History in the fall. When pressed to pick a favorite author, she'd say Hemingway, but she also enjoys Twain, Plath, and Steinbeck. However, her favorite novels are Gone With the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Fountainhead, and Catch-22. When she's not reading, she can be found watching the Yankees play ball, watching black and white movies or cooking something delicious in the kitchen, being perfectly Southern all the while. Contact her at LLindsey217@gmail.com
Jana
Avid world traveler, singer, music lover, graphic designer, and art connoisseur, Jana calls the majestic mountains of Utah her home. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in December of 2009 with her Bachelor's degree in Art and Visual Communications with emphases in graphic design and art history. She loves shopping, sewing, eating out, traveling, spending time with her friends, and especially reading. Her favorite authors include Mary Higgins-Clark and Lynn Kurland. She'll read anything by those two, as they have earned her trust... but she loves to meet new authors and explore all genres if a good book gives her a reason to do so! Feel free to contact her at JanaSparkles{at}yahoo{dot}com!
Jess
Jess is a regular contributor to The Broke and the Bookish. A long-time resident of Rochester, New York, she'll be relocating this fall to Columbus, Ohio to start graduate school. Her favorite authors include J.K. Rowling and John Steinbeck, though her favorite genres are mysteries and religion. When she's not reading, Jess enjoys running, cooking, laughter, and being outdoors. Reach her at jessica{dot}gambacurta{at}gmail{dot}com!
Jessi
Jessi is a central Pennsylvania native who has been reading ever since she can remember. A soon-to-be college senior at teeny, tiny Juniata College, majoring in Wildlife Conservation, Jessi splits her time between reading and exploring the outdoors. Her favorite authors include Stephen King and J.K. Rowling, but she'll read just about anything, including general fiction, horror, YA, children's/middle grade, and classics. She is known amongst family and friends to always have her nose in a book, but when she's not reading, she enjoys spending as much time as she can outside, baking goodies, gardening, and listening to music. If you would like to reach her, she can be found at countrygirl922{at}verizon{dot}net
Julia
A Cleveland native, Julia graduated with a degree in Computer Science in 2010. While in school she had the opportunity to study a year in Chengdu, China and a summer in Seoul, South Korea. One can usually find her in the romance section of the library perusing the new releases of her favorite authors among them Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Elizabeth Hoyt and Laura Lee Guhrke. When not reading romance, YA or fantasy novels are close at hand. Other times Julia enjoys swimming, singing, traveling and competing. You can reach her at bambbles{at}gmail{dot}com.
Kelly
Kelly is a California native currently living in Orlando, Florida. She is slowly working her way towards a degree in psychology and advertising. A great lover of historical books, her favorite authors are Alison Weir, Anya Seton and Margaret George. When she's not spending way too much money in thrift stores paroozing for books, you can find her at the beach, studying Italian, playing with her cat, or at Disney World. She can be reached at karmenta90{at}gmail{dot}com
Kimberly
Kimberly is a quintessential bookworm! She happily goes about her day with the beautiful Utah Mountains as a backdrop. She’s an English Major at Weber State University, with a minor in Theatre. She also works as an intern for the US Air Force. She has her book or nook with her wherever she goes. She loves her crazy family and spends as much time with them as she can, whether it’s having lunch with them, camping trips, family dinners or no mercy water fights. Traveling is one of her true loves and jumps at any chance she gets to see new places. Aside from reading, Theatre is her true love. She does anything she can to be involved, even if it’s just spending the day crawling around in dusty catwalks hanging stage lights. She reads books from every genre, but her favorites are YA and Fantasy. Her favorite authors are J.K. Rowling, Maria V. Snyder, Michael Crichton and many others. She also loves to blast her favorite songs while driving around in her new car that has a speedometer that actually works. Contact her at defygravity0606{at}gmail{dot}com.
Natanya
Natanya is from the Seattle, Washington area but currently attends school in upstate New York, where she is planning on double majoring in Comparative Literature and Sociology with a minor in French Studies. She loves to travel and is extremely excited to study abroad in France. Her favorite authors are Margaret Atwood and Haruki Murakami, but she tries to read every book recommended to her and loves reading books of many different genres. She wishes she could spend her days sitting in a comfy little sunlit nook, reading good books and eating chocolate, strawberries, and/or gummy bears, but instead she generally can be found in front of her computer or textbooks. Should you feel like chatting with her, she can be reached at mangoberries{at}gmail{dot}com.
Nathan
Nathan is an 18 year old college freshman who wants to be an English major. Nathan hopes that some day he will be a published author who will have his books reviewed on a blog like this. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah and goes to college there at the Salt Lake Community College. Besides reading and writing, Nathan loves his dog and computers. He loves working with computers and loves his job as a computer nerd. He loves reading most types of fiction and especially fantasy series. His favorite book is always changing, and he's not really sure what it is at the moment. Contact him at mananddog2{at}gmail{dot}com.
R
Reena is a History undergraduate with the nasty habit of going by her initial. She recognizes reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy as having been a formative experience, and regards it as the cornerstone of her direction in life. Activities that she can be found engaged in include going for long walks, playing the piano, playing bridge, and stubbornly reading on the train during rush hour. R lives in Singapore, hence her propensity for spelling color with a u and referring to soccer as football. She can be contacted at push{dot}sisyphus{dot}push{at}gmail{dot}com.
Stephany
Stephany is a huge book reader. You will hardly ever see her leave the house without a book in hand. When she visits bookstores/libraries, she's like a little kid in a candy store! She grew up in a small town, but 4 years ago she moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where shes been going to school and is studying Business Management so she can own her own business someday -- a bookstore! By the end of the year, however, she will be moving to Chicago, IL where she will be attending Roosevelt University to continue her Bachelor of Science Business Management Degree! Some of her favorite authors include: Jodi Picoult, Karen Kingsbury, Janet Evanovich and many more! When she's not reading, she's either babysitting, cooking, or out enjoying the sun! If you would like to contact her, she can be reached at: monkeybabe85{at}hotmail{dot}com
Snickers
Snickers, also called Megan, is a Northern California native, and enjoys reading amongst the sun-drenched vineyards of her hometown. When she's not reading whatever she can get her hands on, she attends her local community college, though she plans to transfer to a private four-year next fall. Her majors of choice are Economics and sarcasm. In her spare time, she drinks tea, belly dances, and works helping friendly neighborhood grannies play dress-up at Talbots. She can be reached at savarna.blue{at}gmail{dot}com, and will respond to flattery and cookies.
Tahleen
Tahleen has been an avid reader since she was little, reading the Boxcar Children series by the light from the hallway (since bedtime was at 8 and she couldn't very well have her light on in her room). She graduated in 2009 from Ithaca College with a bachelor's degree in English, and began a master's program at Simmons College the following January in library science. She one day plans to be a young adult librarian in a public library, and right now she's looking for any library jobs that might be available. In the meantime, she works at Barnes & Noble, where she has helped customers find books for almost 6 years. In addition to all these book-related life activities, she is a singer, walker, runner and adventurer (though many of her adventures may not take her far from home!). She can be contacted at tahleen.ovian{at}gmail{dot}com.
Guest Contributors
Anna
Hi there! I’m Anna, and I’m from a 21 year old from Ireland. I’ve lived here all of my life, and it’s grand, but the weather is awful! My favourite book is ‘The Amber Spyglass’ by Philip Pullman. The last book I hated was ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ by Elizabeth Gilbert, and I’m sickened that there’s going to be a movie as well. I recently finished university, where I studied psychology, political science and sociology. I’ll be reviewing non-fiction books. Other than reading, I like cycling, hanging out with my friends and going to gigs. That’s all, hope ye enjoy the blog!
Daisy
Daisy hails from Holland and is known to all as having her nose in a book for as long as anyone (including she herself) can remember. She’s currently busy with Medical School, doing her internships and this can sometimes get in the way of reading (and a social life). Her favourite genres are fantasy, YA, romance and historical romance. Other loves are her boyfriend, buying way too many books, chocolate, going to concerts, watching movies, cooking and shopping.
Jen
Jen hails from the small state of Rhode Island. She has a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management and is still on the hunt for her perfect job. She'll read all genres but loves historical fiction and is not a fan of poetry. Besides reading, Jen also loves the beach, traveling, playing card games, her two cats, and spending too much money at the bookstore.
Paula
Paula is a senior at UNCW, but she is currently avoiding thinking about the future. She is a self-declared voracious reader and has a book with her wherever she goes. When she is not reading she also enjoys sewing and playing guitar. She also tends to trip over her dog.
The Broke and the Bookish is a group of college aged kids that have an unhealthy obsession with reading and would spend every last penny on books even if it meant skipping a few meals. We are the people who lurk in the library, buy handbags based on how many books can be stashed in them, and who refer to characters in books as if they are personal friends.
We sought after other bookish college students to share in our love for reading and were brought together by the College Students group on Goodreads that was created in September 2008. Our desire to share great books with each other in and our tendency to be opinionated and passionate about all things book related naturally led to the birth of The Broke and the Bookish in June 2010.
Regular Contributors
JamieJamie is the creator and moderator of the College Students book group. She graduated from college with her degree in Business Administration in December 2008. She currently works for Style 1900 and Modernism magazines as a Marketing Assistant. She adores Jonathan Safran Foer, Sylvia Plath, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and JD Salinger. She doesn't discriminate when it comes to genres as she believes in variety being the spice of life. If she doesn't have her nose in a book, you can find her cooking, traveling, spending time with the love of her life, car dancing, and practicing a little retail therapy. Contact her at itsahitinsweden{at}gmail{dot}com
LoriLori is a co-moderator of the Broke and Bookish and of the College Students book group. She recently graduated with a dual degree in history and English and will be starting work on a masters in Public History in the fall. When pressed to pick a favorite author, she'd say Hemingway, but she also enjoys Twain, Plath, and Steinbeck. However, her favorite novels are Gone With the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Fountainhead, and Catch-22. When she's not reading, she can be found watching the Yankees play ball, watching black and white movies or cooking something delicious in the kitchen, being perfectly Southern all the while. Contact her at LLindsey217@gmail.com
JanaAvid world traveler, singer, music lover, graphic designer, and art connoisseur, Jana calls the majestic mountains of Utah her home. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in December of 2009 with her Bachelor's degree in Art and Visual Communications with emphases in graphic design and art history. She loves shopping, sewing, eating out, traveling, spending time with her friends, and especially reading. Her favorite authors include Mary Higgins-Clark and Lynn Kurland. She'll read anything by those two, as they have earned her trust... but she loves to meet new authors and explore all genres if a good book gives her a reason to do so! Feel free to contact her at JanaSparkles{at}yahoo{dot}com!
JessJess is a regular contributor to The Broke and the Bookish. A long-time resident of Rochester, New York, she'll be relocating this fall to Columbus, Ohio to start graduate school. Her favorite authors include J.K. Rowling and John Steinbeck, though her favorite genres are mysteries and religion. When she's not reading, Jess enjoys running, cooking, laughter, and being outdoors. Reach her at jessica{dot}gambacurta{at}gmail{dot}com!
JessiJessi is a central Pennsylvania native who has been reading ever since she can remember. A soon-to-be college senior at teeny, tiny Juniata College, majoring in Wildlife Conservation, Jessi splits her time between reading and exploring the outdoors. Her favorite authors include Stephen King and J.K. Rowling, but she'll read just about anything, including general fiction, horror, YA, children's/middle grade, and classics. She is known amongst family and friends to always have her nose in a book, but when she's not reading, she enjoys spending as much time as she can outside, baking goodies, gardening, and listening to music. If you would like to reach her, she can be found at countrygirl922{at}verizon{dot}net
JuliaA Cleveland native, Julia graduated with a degree in Computer Science in 2010. While in school she had the opportunity to study a year in Chengdu, China and a summer in Seoul, South Korea. One can usually find her in the romance section of the library perusing the new releases of her favorite authors among them Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Elizabeth Hoyt and Laura Lee Guhrke. When not reading romance, YA or fantasy novels are close at hand. Other times Julia enjoys swimming, singing, traveling and competing. You can reach her at bambbles{at}gmail{dot}com.
KellyKelly is a California native currently living in Orlando, Florida. She is slowly working her way towards a degree in psychology and advertising. A great lover of historical books, her favorite authors are Alison Weir, Anya Seton and Margaret George. When she's not spending way too much money in thrift stores paroozing for books, you can find her at the beach, studying Italian, playing with her cat, or at Disney World. She can be reached at karmenta90{at}gmail{dot}com
KimberlyKimberly is a quintessential bookworm! She happily goes about her day with the beautiful Utah Mountains as a backdrop. She’s an English Major at Weber State University, with a minor in Theatre. She also works as an intern for the US Air Force. She has her book or nook with her wherever she goes. She loves her crazy family and spends as much time with them as she can, whether it’s having lunch with them, camping trips, family dinners or no mercy water fights. Traveling is one of her true loves and jumps at any chance she gets to see new places. Aside from reading, Theatre is her true love. She does anything she can to be involved, even if it’s just spending the day crawling around in dusty catwalks hanging stage lights. She reads books from every genre, but her favorites are YA and Fantasy. Her favorite authors are J.K. Rowling, Maria V. Snyder, Michael Crichton and many others. She also loves to blast her favorite songs while driving around in her new car that has a speedometer that actually works. Contact her at defygravity0606{at}gmail{dot}com.
NatanyaNatanya is from the Seattle, Washington area but currently attends school in upstate New York, where she is planning on double majoring in Comparative Literature and Sociology with a minor in French Studies. She loves to travel and is extremely excited to study abroad in France. Her favorite authors are Margaret Atwood and Haruki Murakami, but she tries to read every book recommended to her and loves reading books of many different genres. She wishes she could spend her days sitting in a comfy little sunlit nook, reading good books and eating chocolate, strawberries, and/or gummy bears, but instead she generally can be found in front of her computer or textbooks. Should you feel like chatting with her, she can be reached at mangoberries{at}gmail{dot}com.
Nathan
Nathan is an 18 year old college freshman who wants to be an English major. Nathan hopes that some day he will be a published author who will have his books reviewed on a blog like this. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah and goes to college there at the Salt Lake Community College. Besides reading and writing, Nathan loves his dog and computers. He loves working with computers and loves his job as a computer nerd. He loves reading most types of fiction and especially fantasy series. His favorite book is always changing, and he's not really sure what it is at the moment. Contact him at mananddog2{at}gmail{dot}com.
RReena is a History undergraduate with the nasty habit of going by her initial. She recognizes reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy as having been a formative experience, and regards it as the cornerstone of her direction in life. Activities that she can be found engaged in include going for long walks, playing the piano, playing bridge, and stubbornly reading on the train during rush hour. R lives in Singapore, hence her propensity for spelling color with a u and referring to soccer as football. She can be contacted at push{dot}sisyphus{dot}push{at}gmail{dot}com.
Stephany
Stephany is a huge book reader. You will hardly ever see her leave the house without a book in hand. When she visits bookstores/libraries, she's like a little kid in a candy store! She grew up in a small town, but 4 years ago she moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where shes been going to school and is studying Business Management so she can own her own business someday -- a bookstore! By the end of the year, however, she will be moving to Chicago, IL where she will be attending Roosevelt University to continue her Bachelor of Science Business Management Degree! Some of her favorite authors include: Jodi Picoult, Karen Kingsbury, Janet Evanovich and many more! When she's not reading, she's either babysitting, cooking, or out enjoying the sun! If you would like to contact her, she can be reached at: monkeybabe85{at}hotmail{dot}com
SnickersSnickers, also called Megan, is a Northern California native, and enjoys reading amongst the sun-drenched vineyards of her hometown. When she's not reading whatever she can get her hands on, she attends her local community college, though she plans to transfer to a private four-year next fall. Her majors of choice are Economics and sarcasm. In her spare time, she drinks tea, belly dances, and works helping friendly neighborhood grannies play dress-up at Talbots. She can be reached at savarna.blue{at}gmail{dot}com, and will respond to flattery and cookies.
TahleenTahleen has been an avid reader since she was little, reading the Boxcar Children series by the light from the hallway (since bedtime was at 8 and she couldn't very well have her light on in her room). She graduated in 2009 from Ithaca College with a bachelor's degree in English, and began a master's program at Simmons College the following January in library science. She one day plans to be a young adult librarian in a public library, and right now she's looking for any library jobs that might be available. In the meantime, she works at Barnes & Noble, where she has helped customers find books for almost 6 years. In addition to all these book-related life activities, she is a singer, walker, runner and adventurer (though many of her adventures may not take her far from home!). She can be contacted at tahleen.ovian{at}gmail{dot}com.
Guest Contributors
Anna
Hi there! I’m Anna, and I’m from a 21 year old from Ireland. I’ve lived here all of my life, and it’s grand, but the weather is awful! My favourite book is ‘The Amber Spyglass’ by Philip Pullman. The last book I hated was ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ by Elizabeth Gilbert, and I’m sickened that there’s going to be a movie as well. I recently finished university, where I studied psychology, political science and sociology. I’ll be reviewing non-fiction books. Other than reading, I like cycling, hanging out with my friends and going to gigs. That’s all, hope ye enjoy the blog!
Daisy Daisy hails from Holland and is known to all as having her nose in a book for as long as anyone (including she herself) can remember. She’s currently busy with Medical School, doing her internships and this can sometimes get in the way of reading (and a social life). Her favourite genres are fantasy, YA, romance and historical romance. Other loves are her boyfriend, buying way too many books, chocolate, going to concerts, watching movies, cooking and shopping.
Jen
Jen hails from the small state of Rhode Island. She has a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management and is still on the hunt for her perfect job. She'll read all genres but loves historical fiction and is not a fan of poetry. Besides reading, Jen also loves the beach, traveling, playing card games, her two cats, and spending too much money at the bookstore.
Paula
Paula is a senior at UNCW, but she is currently avoiding thinking about the future. She is a self-declared voracious reader and has a book with her wherever she goes. When she is not reading she also enjoys sewing and playing guitar. She also tends to trip over her dog.
