Q and A with Breakeven Books

A little something different from the book reviews. I asked Erik from Breakeven Books some questions and he’s kindly answered. I have a bit at the end about Erik and what I’ve learned from him.

Do you remember at what age you realized just how much you liked reading?

I can’t remember what age exactly. I pretty much loved reading since the day I started learning how to.

Are there any specific memories from your early reading experiences that stand out?

I can remember reading the Magic Treehouse books on my couch and looking over at my mom when I finished it and feeling so accomplished. I would then proceed to get up and go get the next book in the series then come sit down and start it right away.

If something happened and you could no longer read how would you compensate?

I would turn to audiobooks or have people read to me. I have always found music to be a creative outlet too. I am very fond of listening so I would find a way to do that or learn an instrument.

What is it about reading that you like?

I like that I can escape into another life and see what it is like to be in their shoes. I can become informed on other cultures and learn about far away places. And of course magic because who doesn’t want a little magic in their lives.

Relate a story that highlights just how far you’d go to read something when you were not supposed to be reading.

Well I wasn’t supposed to be reading Harry Potter but kind of went against the rules and did it anyway. I was given The Chronicles of Narnia by my babysitter and loved that series which sparked me wanting to read more and more. I also spent many nights, under the bedsheets reading by this little backlight to avoid getting caught. I think my mom knew but was just happy I was reading.

What’s the first book you remember reading that completely pulled you into its world? How old were you?

The Lion, The Witch, And the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis and I was 9 I believe.

Is there a book (not including religious texts) that you can point to and say, “That book changed the course of my life”?

Simon Vs The Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli because it helped me gain a better understanding of my own sexuality that I was struggling with at the time. I am bisexual but was raised in a religious family and was pretty much taught that what I felt is wrong and I should hide it away. The book helped me accept myself and was actually a bonding item for me and my current boyfriend so I would say it changed the course of my life.

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Erik has reviewed Simon Vs The Homosapiens Agenda if you want to read it for yourselves.

Erik was one of my classmates a few years back. In class I heard him praising The Martian by Andy Weir so I grabbed it, read it, loved it. I discovered Erik was an avid reader (“Just a guy that likes to read. A lot”), and there was overlap in the book genres we liked. If Erik liked it, I probably would too.

Shortly after we all graduated, he started his book review blog, and later branched out into being a book tuber on Youtube.  

I did some book reviews for him at his site, and he encouraged me when I considered starting this site; and he’s still providing me with helpful advice as I navigate the “being social” thing. Also, thanks to him, my To Be Read list keeps getting larger.

Browse his site, check out his videos. In addition to featuring books from mainstream authors many of his books feature quality gems from lesser known or beginning authors.