Soundtrack Of My Life - What Aimee Reads

First up, apologies for the short break we've taken. Life was a little rough for a couple of weeks, but the attitude of finding solutions rather than being dragged down by the problems, has got us through.

Let's meet our latest guest on Soundtrack Of My Life. Amy is a book reviewer and podcast host under the name Whataimeereads (social media links are below). She also hosts a podcast Indie Talks with Whataimeereads. It's well worth following her on social media or visiting her website. She'll make you laugh as well as giving insightful reviews and great advice for authors.

Amy with her book collection

Amy's links are:

Website www.whataimeereads.net

X @whataimeereads_

Instagram @whataimeereads_

GoodReads @whataimeereads_

TikTok @whataimeereads_

Spotify Indie Talks

You have an amazing website with interviews and book reviews. How did you come up with the idea?

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that, I do try my hardest to get it to look good! I'm not a content creator or anything, so designing has never been something I excel at, but a few people have commented now so it makes the hard work worth it! I just knew I had a love for reading, so I first started on bookstagram, built up a little following there and thought I was missing out on Twitter. Then, of course, I meddled in the Indie world. I remember authors called Bruno Beaches and Ali Fischer (brilliant authors may I add) who took a chance on me with only about 200 followers to read their books. I realised that there are so many talented people, and not enough marketing or supporters. I enjoyed the indie books more than I was enjoying the traditional books at the time. Don't get me wrong, I love trad books as much as anyone, but I think I focus more on the indie/small press so they get the content and exposure they deserve.

What do you look for when deciding who to interview and which books to review?

I started off doing blog tours, and ended up connecting with a few authors in the indie community and we started talking and creating bonds, and then after a while our conversations grew more and more, interacting and getting to know each other, then it usually ended up with me buying their book/ or they send them to me and I review them! So, when I read them, I post on GoodReads, Amazon, Insta, the blog and now my new podcast. I try to give every genre a go, just because I'm a mood reader, and just because I haven't liked one sort of genre, doesn't mean I should stop reading any others if you know what I'm trying to say? In terms of interviewing, I try to interview as many as possible, if I have more to talk about in terms of the book I'm reviewing I'll most likely approach them first, but I think people have got to the point now where they know I'll offer an interview at some point, whether it's written or video call. The thing that stops most of us finally getting to it, is that we are adults. Our lives get in the way! I'm hoping to stop the written ones now, and move onto podcast and video calls/live so that the readers can actually get to know the authors on a personal level, and hear their own authentic voices.

Do you have a favourite genre of book?

I wouldn't say a typical favourite as I really enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, romance, smut, thriller...pretty much everything. So I dabble everywhere really! I like to discover and hear about new genres that I wouldn't have even noticed before, so that's exciting!

Where does your love of books come from?

Honestly? Don't laugh. Belle from Beauty and the beast, and the film Matilda. My mom and dad read a lot, and I always got to read to them as a child, and they did the same to me. I always wanted to be 'that girl' from the Disney films who walked around carrying a book in their arms! The way my brain feels in a library, or a bookshop is a weird feeling, it's like my safe place. The amount of adventures that you can enter just by opening a page of a book is unreal. I also studied English Language and Literature as an A-Level, so I think my passion was spiked there knowing that my coursework is literally just me rambling onto a page about a book I read, the historical aspects and the detail that was written in the likes of Shakespeare...I knew I was doing the right with my life.

What other projects do you have in the pipeline?

Ok so! I have a podcast that has recently just been set up, it's fairly new at the moment, but I'm hoping to expand as much as I can with some other guests on there. I'm currently in the process of some other collabs with a few indie businesses, and trying to start a magazine! I'm also writing a book at the moment, it's a WIP as I get writer's block quite easily, so I get back to that whenever my mind is in the right place to do so. NOT MUCH! ha!

Don't forget you can listen to Amy's playlist on Spotify by clicking the image below.

Can't Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley

When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I used to play this on my phone and lay it on my stomach, and she used to kick like crazy when it was playing so that made me smile, always reminds me of that moment.

Dear God by Avenged Sevenfold

I suffered with mental health, depression and anxiety for a long time when I was in my late teens, this song always got me through it, I don't know why, but it did.

Paradise By The Dashboard Light by Meat Loaf

This was the first song me and my father used to play together on the guitar, so it holds some great memories for me.

Slipping Through My Fingers by ABBA

I CANNOT listen to this without crying. Me and my mother are massive ABBA fans, and as I was growing up she used to cry to this song, I never understood why until I had children myself, now I blub like a baby. 

Put A Donk On It by The Blackout Crew

This is a silly song, and it's the worst song ever, but me and my brother used to bounce around to this as kids and it always makes me laugh to this day with the amount of silly stuff we used to get up to!

You're Still The One by Shania Twain

The lyrics in this song makes my heart go all funny, reminds me of my partner. My safe place.

A Little Bit Of Soap by Showaddywaddy

Showaddywaddy have always been a massive part of my life, seeing them five times, going with my mother and also my daughter's have known the full lyrics to this song since they were toddlers!

Indestructible by Disturbed

Makes me feel like I can take on the entire world hahaha!

Smile by Nat King Cole

This reminds me of my Grandad on my fathers side, he sang it to me whilst on holiday to Spain because he thought I looked sad, it's on a video that my father took, and it stayed with me for the rest of my life, he's sadly passed away but when I'm feeling down I always listen to that song. 

You're The Voice by John Farnham

The first song I heard on my dad's surround sound headphones he had. I was only a kid so I was amazed! Children of this generation will never experience that for the first ever time. 

Thank you so much to Amy. Don't forget to visit her website and follow her on social media.

TTFN

MaxS and The Stray Army