Who’s Who Geek Edition: Kai Charles

I decided to do a set of mini interviews with people I’ve interacted with and have extraordinary backgrounds. Many I’ve met via Facebook and many I’ll meet when I attend SDCC for the first time this July. Next up is book reviewer, Kai Charles!

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Name:Kai Charles
Online Handle: @yogikai
Site: Fiction State of Mind and Comicbook Therapy
Age: Timeless ;)

L: You take on the daunting task of reviewing numerous books and manga. How do you find time to do it all?

KC: Reading is like breathing to me, a necessity. I read something every day even if it’s just a few pages from a magazine or a poem. I’m also a self- employed Massage Therapist so my schedule fluctuates which makes it easier to schedule reading time.

L: You are also participating in not one, not two, but several reading challenges during 2012. What makes these challenges special?

KC: I do well with accountability. If I make a commitment to something I’m more likely to complete it, especially if it’s out there for the world to see. I like my blog to be well rounded so I picked challenges that reflect many things :

Personal goals: 100 books a year

My love of horror: Zombie Reading Challenge,  and also challenges that would help me clear my shelves and my e-reader: Chunkster Reading Challenge and Netgalley Reading Challenge.

L:  Since you seem constantly doing something amazingly cool, what kind of projects do you have in the works?

KC: Right now I’m working on a Summer Reading Challenge, I want to host on my blog and also preparing for my two big summer events: the American Library Association National Convention in Anaheim and San Diego Comic-Con. I was also extremely inspired by the women who created the Womanthology book so I’m working on adapting a short story I wrote into a comic script and hopefully finding an artist to work with.

L:  Everyone has a science fiction property that means the world to them, be it Star Wars, Back to the Future, or even E.T. What’s yours?

KC: Star Wars! I was always a fantasy & adventure girl growing up. I lived on fairy tales, the Legends of King Arthur and Robin Hood. My life changed forever after seeing Star Wars for the first time. It was the first time a movie shaped my habits. I started collecting action figures,  trading cards and Ill confess to wearing those famous Cinnamon Buns for quite some time ( thank goodness for long hair!) My family life was going through a tremendous change during my Star Wars Summer and I found a comfort in that movie that I still feel today.

L:  Do you have a book that changed your life?

KC: Clive Barkers Books of Blood! Amazing, Amazing books! It’s also Clive’s fault that I live in California! I came to Southern California for the first time for Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors that Clive was the main guest for. The few days’ I dragged myself away from the convention I fell in love with California and vowed to move here.

L: I LOVE Clive Barker. He’s such a fantastic writer. Ugh, I think I love you! I ask this question of everyone, so be honest: If aliens landed in front of you and, in exchange for anything you desire, offered you any position on their planet, what position would you want? I know I’d crap my pants.

KC: I’d convince them that with my CPR certification, First Aid and Massage skills they should keep me around for their medical crew. I’m sure their tentacles get tired after a long day of conquering humans ;)