One of the first book blogs I happened upon was Kristi’s of The Story Siren. You can’t help but feel completely inspired when you visit Kristi’s book blog. She does a phenomenal job of promoting books and authors, featuring POC and GLBT literature, and even hosts the Debut Author Challenge. She also helps out other book bloggers by answering the burning questions we all have about getting started through her Dear Story Siren series, an excellent resource about everything from contacting authors for interview requests to getting involved in the book loving community.
But believe it or not, the siren behind the story isn’t always reading… or is she?
When I’m not reading…..
But I’m always reading! I do read a lot, but there are times when I’m not, fortunately, or this post would be very boring.
Probably the number one thing I’m doing when I’m not reading is hanging out with my boys. My husband and my dog. These two are my bestest friends! My husband is actually the reason why I have so much time to read. Not only does he kill spiders for me (hate spiders) but he also cleans the house, dusts, vacuums, cooks.. mows the yard. I mean honestly the only thing I really do is laundry. I heart my hubby something fierce. And my puppy Xander is my constant form of entertainment. He is my feet warmer, and always has a knack for putting a smile on my face no matter what kind of mood I’m in.
I also have a job. I know you probably thought that blogging was my “job” (I wish) but it’s not. I work at a family orthodontic practice. It’s a regular 8 to 5 job… I like to complain about it, but I do actually like my job. It’s kind of silly… but I hardly smiled before I had orthodontics and was very self conscious about my smile… having straight teeth gave me a small confidence that I didn’t have before. And it makes me feel good inside knowing that I might help someone else feel that way.
I’m very close with my family, especially my sisters. We’re a lot closer now that we are older, although I am six and seven years older than them… When I’m not reading, I like to hit up a movie or dinner with one of them…. when they aren’t busy being in college and all the other stuff they do!
I love to cook and bake. Cooking helps me wind down after work. I have a very big collection of cookbooks… which sometime result in culinary disasters, but I’ve had some gems too!
I love to travel, when I can afford it. Someday I hope to make it to Europe… but I’ve had an excellent time visiting the places I’ve been so far!
I also do a lot of running. Although I honestly really HATE running! But my husband and I do a 5K at least once a month in the summer to the fall. I usually slow down the running in the winter. I’m hoping one day to run a marathon or a half marathon… we’ll see if or when that happens!
And of course I should probably have blogging on this list… I spend WAY to much time doing that when I SHOULD be reading!
Thanks so much for having me, Missie!!
Kristi! Your hubby sounds like a total keeper, and your sisters and Xander are adorable, though Xander is pretty giant for a puppy! And who knew we had so much in common? I hate to run too, so I don’t, and I collect cookbooks, though I don’t do that either. LOL
Thanks for stopping by and for all you do in the name of love for books!
When I’m Not Reading is my meme turned feature used to spotlight various book bloggers I follow. To find out more, click here. Would you like to be featured on When I’m not Reading? Well, I’d love to have you. Please, feel free to contact me. Or share with a post on your website/blog. Make sure to add your link below in the comments and I will go check it out. 
oh gosh, Xander is too cute!!! lovely post, and your husband sounds awesome
Reply
Hey Kristi!
Your wedding picture is wonderful! Xander is so adorable
Reply
Kristi you husband sounds super sweet and Xander is the cutest dog. I love to travel too and want to go back to Europe one day soon
Reply
thanks so much for the comments!!!
(and geez… what a nice typo I've got up there first thing…. *cringes* that should be “doing” not “going”
)
and thanks for having me Missie!!
Reply
What a beautiful wedding photo! And, I love running…Good for you for entering 5Ks and such!
Reply
Lovely wedding photo and you are very lucky to have a husband that does all that for you!! Can't say l have heard a male do all that before lol
Awww your dog is SO SO cute!!
Reply
Your husband is awesome.
Reply
Awesome post!!!! I love the Story Siren so it was really great learning more about Kristi.
Reply
Glad to learn more about Kristi. She's kind of like the superstar of blogging! Lol. By the way, Kristi, your puppy is adorable, and your husband sounds amazing!
Reply
I'm envious of your hubby! Mine is pretty awesome but he's such a complainer that I don't contribute to the daily household chores!
Great post. I enjoyed learning more about Kristi. And Xander is HUGE! He doesn't seem that big when you catch him on video for IMM vlogs.
Reply
Yay Kristi! Look at how cute you and hubs are! And Xander is adorable as well, he's obviously an enormous lap dog like my two boxers. Good for you with the running! I HATE running as well, but unlike you working through that hate, I just don't do it. At all:)
Reply
*high five* Xander rocks!
Oh and another *high five* for having a kick butt honey! That is so awesome.
(Mr. Whimsy is so supportive of my reading too. He's always encouraging to go read because he knows it helps me center my self.)
Yay for good book blogging husbands
LOVED your wedding picture. Thanks for sharing it.
I am super close with my sis too
So what do you do at the doctor's office?
Reply
What a fun post! Love getting to know more about Kristi and enjoyed the fantastic pics!
Reply
I love your post Kristi. I'm an avid reader and I follow your blog everyday. I also have a rottweiler and he's also a puppy.
Reply
Thanks for sharing. Loving Xander!
Reply
Loved learning more about you Kristi. It's always nice to see what others are up to! I'm jealous that your husband does all of that cleaning, mine can't seem to find the cleaning supplies in the house (I suspect it's a strategic move on his part).
Reply
Your husband DOES sound awesome. You should shoot for a half marathon. I just ran one and i still sort of hate running but it as really worth it.
Reply
Kristi is the cutest thing evah! What wonderful pics!
Reply
Xander is so cute! <3 I've a big puppy too XDDD And the wedding picture was so beautiful… I'm jealous now hahaha XD
Reply
Kristi you have a totally beautiful wedding pic up there, very happy smiles on both your faces!
Man girl you are calling Xander a puppy, more like a small horse! How cute is that doggy grin too!
Thanks for sharing a little bit about your life outside blogging and reading books, it was a nice glimpse at you at your family..
Reply
Beautiful wedding pic.
I hate running too, can't do it if i try, swimming's more for me.
Would love to participate in this.
Reply
Your wedding pic is gorgeous, Kristi! I love getting to know more about the people behind the blogging.
Reply
You have such a cute little puppy! He is just too precious!
Btw, after your description of your hubby, I have to ask… does he have a single brother???
Reply
Very cool feature! I love learning about bloggers! =)
Reply
This post made my day. I love the pix w/ you and your dog. I had a Rottie like that once named Zuma. I still miss him. And I love the fact that you shared your life with us. Keep living, keep running and most of all keep blogging because what would we do without you! :0)
Reply
Wow! You and your sister look so much alike. And I wish I had someone to do all my chores! (Except cooking. I like to cook.)
Reply
Kristi is a genius…pure and simple!
I just love her dog, too. Big dogs are the best!
Reply
Kristi's hubby sounds wonderful. And I always love seeing Xander in her IMM posts.
I also spend way too much time blogging or just online in general when I should be reading… like now. LOL
Reply
So cool to see bloggers outside of the reading world. It sounds like we have a lot in common. I love cooking and running too – although I actually do love running. I'd like to do a marathon someday.
Reply
thanks so much for all the lovely comments!! i'm glad everyone didn't find that terribly normal and dull! ha! and thanks Missie for fixing that typo!
Reply
I have been a huge fan of Xander for a long time.
Reply
What a great post!! Kristi your wedding picture is so amazing! You were such a beautiful bride! It's really great that you shared what you do when you're not reading
! By the way, I really admire that you run when you get the chance! I would love to run, but like you, I don't really like it much lol! Thank you for sharing!
P.s. Xander is sooo adorable!!!
Reply
Your dog is adorable.
Ann
Reply
Great feature! Glad to learn more about Kristi.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Reply
Argh, hate spiders, too – make my hubs get rid of them and all other species with more than four legs for me, as well
That picture of you with Xander is adorable! He looks like he towers over you!
Great feature, as always, Missie!
Reply
Xander is SOOOOO CUTE! I want a puppy that adorable! I admire your ability to actually run (I can't abide running). My orthodontist was named Dr. Martin but he looked like Mr. Ferley (sp?) from Three's Company so I called him Dr. Ferley behind his back.
Reply
Thanks for sharing a piece of your life with us. Xander is really showing that movie star smile (I think he knows you were also smiling behind him) and really posed for that pic.
dentist Sydney city dental veneers
Reply