Friday—Future Treasures

 

We’ve been visiting each other and getting to know each other better…now is your chance to share what you enjoyed about BBAW and also what your blogging goals are for the next year!

I enjoyed getting to know new bloggers.  I've loved having new visitors to  my own blog.  It's great connecting with other's who share the same love of books that I do (no matter what the genre is).  I've loved interviewing Michelle from The True Book Addict.  I love that publishing companies are recognizing the new face of reviews.  We aren't like the critics.  We do what we do because we love books.  We aren't seeking fame and fortune.  We don't get paid for this.  

As for me, I plan on continuing on.  I want to read a few more classics and contemporary fiction.  I want to refine my reviews.  They have come a long ways since those first days, but I know there is still room for improvement.  I want to reach out more to other bloggers.  I don't network as much as I feel I could.  And my main goal is to find a unique feature or idea for my blog.  I'm coming up with a big blank for that one and I've been working on it for awhile.

So, if you are new followers from this week... Welcome!  I hope you stick around.  And to my older followers... a big thank you to you as well.  There must be something here you like because you keep coming back to visit.  I love having this outlet in my life.  I find it amazing everyday that this is just an extension of what I love to do!  So please, feel free to follow me on google friends, twitter, goodreads, or facebook.  Don't be shy, leave comments, send me tweets, book recommendations, or even just an email!  I'm always looking for a good book!

Thursday — Forgotten Treasure

Sure we’ve all read about Freedom and Mockingjay but we likely have a book we wish would get more attention by book bloggers, whether it’s a forgotten classic or under marketed contemporary fiction. This is your chance to tell the community why they should consider reading this book!

Actually, what I wish I saw more of was reviews of older books.  Maybe it's just the blogs that I'm following, but the trend seems to be the latest and greatest.  I'm sure there are tons of great books that I'm missing that were published 5, 10 or even more years ago.  From like 1995 until last year pretty much all I read was stuff like Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, Dean Koontz, and Patricia Cornwell (not a bad thing, but it's all I looked for).  Occasionally something different was thrown in there but they were few and far between.  I

I'm behind on classics.  I haven't read them and what I have read seems to be hit of miss.  I disliked The Scarlet Letter and Wuthering Heights, but really loved Pride and Prejudice and Little Women.  It's so hard to know what to read and what to stay clear from.

Wednesday—Unexpected Treasure

We invite you to share with us a book or genre you tried due to the influence of another blogger. What made you cave in to try something new and what was the experience like?

Probably at very least half the books I have on my to-read list I've seen on other book blogs.  Book bloggers have introduced me to young adult, paranormal, and fantasy.  Without them I probably would never have read The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, The Study series by Maria Snyder, Graceling, Fire, Thirteen Reasons Why and many more.  I would never had thought to pick up Scott Westerfeld, Carrie Ryan, Michelle Moran, Diana Peterfreund, or Patricia Briggs.

I love my fellow book bloggers.  They've introduced me to a world of books that I didn't realize was out there (I was stuck in a major reading rut when I discovered book blogs).  My list of books I want to read has grown to the point I don't think I will ever catch up.  I add at least a few every week.  I'm thankful for that because I realize I will always have a great book to look forward to!

Interview Swap with Michelle from The True Book Addict

I'm really pleased to have Michelle from The True Book Addict at One Book At A Time.  I'm so glad we were paired for the interview swap.  I love her blog and look forward to discovering more historical fiction through her reviews!

Tell us a little about yourself? 

I'm a stay-at-home mom of two boys.  Until recently, I was a part-time student majoring in history and English, but I capped out on student loans so I was unable to go back this semester.  I've turned this bad news into good by deciding to focus full time on writing my novel.  Now...if I can just stop procrastinating! Five things I love: my boys, books, cats, history and Christmas!

When did you start blogging and why?

I actually started dabbling with blogging about books on MySpace two years ago.  Then, last summer I met some book bloggers on Twitter (namely, Ryan at Wordsmithonia) and was introduced to the book blogging world.  I had no idea that the community was like this and I was so enamored of it.  I launched my blog early in August of 2009.  And the why?  I live, breathe, and eat (just kidding) books! I just love talking about books, whether anyone is listening or not.  It's cathartic and it helps me to enjoy books all the more.

I see you have 7 different book blogs?  Do you update each regularly?

The True Book Addict is my main blog, my book blog, and I update it many times per week.  Historical Fiction Connection is a historical fiction hub for authors and bloggers that I co-produce/edit with Marie from The Burton Review...updated whenever we receive content from authors/contributors.  Challenges of the True Book Addict is where I keep track of the reading challenges I'm participating in...updated as I finish and review books (ideally).  The Christmas Spirit is my year round Christmas blog (Christmas fanatic here!)...updated every 25th of the month, throughout July, and from Thanksgiving week through 12th night (or Epiphany).  101 Fantasy Reading Challenge and The Michener Challenge are dedicated blogs for two perpetual challenges I host...updated as needed for the challenges.  Finally, The Story Inside Me is my writing blog that I am planning to use for writing updates, inspiration, and accountability.  Sorry you asked?

How much time do you spend on your main blog?  How about the others?

I spend a lot of time on my main blog.  It's hard to gauge in time, but I am constantly posting and changing things there.  When I update my challenge blog, I usually spend a large block of time because I made the mistake of joining too many challenges and it takes me forever to update.  Believe me, I've learned my lesson! As for the other blogs, pretty much what I said in question 3.


What’s your favorite thing about blogging?

I love the book blogging community.  I have made some great friends on the blogs.  It's amazing that there are this many people who are of the same mind as me, at least when it comes to the love of books!

When is your favorite time to read?

My best time for reading is night time because I'm such a night owl.  I tend to drowse while reading during the day, unless I'm reading away from home.

Do you have any family members that enjoy reading as well?

My mom, my sister, and my dad.  My mom and I are the ones with HUGE home libraries, although mine is more huge than hers! My sister and I probably have the most in common in our reading tastes.  My sons also love books, although sometimes laziness rears its ugly head.  But I think my love of reading has rubbed off on them enough so that when they are really comfortable with reading, they will love it for life. *fingers crossed*


I counted 32 current challenges and 1 complete!  How do you keep up with them all?

It's very difficult and I do not recommend it.  Last year was the start of my first year blogging and when I found out about reading challenges and saw all the new ones coming out in the new year, I was like a kid in a candy store.  I just recently updated my challenge blog and I have conceded to failure on several.  So, again, lesson learned.  I will be much more selective next year.


Do you read anything that wouldn’t fit into a challenge (besides the page count and 100+ challenge)?

Not really.  I can usually manage to even fit review books into challenges since most of them don't require you to list your books ahead of time.


What’s been your favorite challenge so far?

My favorite challenge is the R.I.P. Challenge hosted every September/October by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings.  Second would be any historical fiction challenge.


Do you have a favorite genre?  I would say historical fiction based on your blog and some of your challenges, but I could be wrong?

Yes, historical fiction is my favorite.  Followed by horror and fantasy.  I'm a pretty eclectic reader, but I'm drawn to historical fiction.

Is there a genre that you’ve recently discovered?

Dystopian, which I have read and Steampunk, which I have learned about, but have not had the pleasure of reading yet.

Do you have a favorite book of all time?

This is such a hard question because I have so many favorites.  But the book I have read the most times is the one I feel is my favorite and that is Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice.  I have read it four times!

How about favorite of this year?

This is going to sound funny, but I can usually judge how much I loved a book on whether it made me cry or not.  While I will read a sad book, I'm not fond of sad endings so it seems kind of a contradiction, but tears do not always mean sadness for me.  Tears are often a release or a sign that I've felt something deeply.  Two books have had this effect on me so far this year....The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney.


What book that is on your to-read list are you looking forward to most?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling.  No, I have not read it yet! Shocking, huh?  I read the books each time within six months before the movie was released.  The first part of the last movie comes out November 19th so I'm looking forward to getting the book read before I see it.

Thanks Michelle for answering my questions!   And if your interested I answered some question for Michelle which are posted on her site!

Monday—First Treasure

We invite you to share with us about a great new book blog you’ve discovered since BBAW last year!  If you are new to BBAW or book blogging, share with us the very first book blog you discovered.  Tell us why this blog rocks your socks off and why you keep going back for more.

It's so hard to pick just one.  I was still very green at last years BBAW and I wasn't following very many blogs.  My list has grown exponentially since then.  So here are a few that I love

Girls In The Stacks - I love what these ladies do!  Their blog is very unique and I like how they review different books.  Plus, if they both read the book that doesn't mean they both liked it!

Polish Outlander - I can't tell you when I discovered this blog.  But, it's one of my favorites.  We seem to like the same books.  Plus, she's always posting about new historical fiction that I almost always add to my to read list!

Princess Bookie - I love Cindy!  Not only does she have a fabulous blog, but she also runs Around The World Tours.  It's my favorite tour website hands down! 

Steph Su Reads - Have you ever read her reviews?  They are fantastic.  I wish I had 1/4 of her review writing ability.  Plus, she doesn't sugar coat her reviews.  If she doesn't like it, she tells you exactly why.  And about 90% of the time, I completely agree with her!

I hope I've been able to point you in the direction of a new blog.  Feel free to share yours!

My Thoughts And Dreams

Hopefully this week you’ve been visiting a bunch of new book blogs and maybe noticing some things about them you’d like to try yourself.  Or maybe you’ve just had some ideas for improvements to your blog you’d like to put into place or new ideas for content.  But there’s also probably something you really love about your blog, too, something you’re really proud of.  It’s time to show off!  Tell us and this is really important, in 50 words or less what you love best about your blog!  And then in 50 words or less where you want your blog to be by the next BBAW!  Ready?  GO!

I started this blog mostly for myself and hopefully to connect with others who love to read.  I love that I'm getting comments which means I'm getting visitors!  I obviously hope to continue that!

For the next year, I want to work on networking more.  I didn't realize before this week how large the book blogging community was.  I also want to work on my content.  It's getting there, but no were near were I would like to be!

I want to thank those who work behind the scenes for book blogger appreciation week.  It's helped open my eyes a little and realize I'm part of something bigger than myself!

What book did you first discover on a blog?

Let’s talk about that book you know, the one you discovered only because you read about it on a book blog and then you realized you couldn’t live without it!  And then you read it and you loved it!

    

   For me, that book was The Hunger Games.  How this book managed to escape my attention is beyond me.  I'm sure I first saw it over at Debbie's World of Book.  I didn't pay much attention to it then.  But, it kept showing up on almost every blog I found.   So, I looked it up on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.  I immediately noticed the fantastic reviews it received.  So it went on my TBR list.  But, I didn't jump out and buy it.  I was browsing the library one day and found it on the shelf.  I picked up and haven't looked back since!  I loved it!!!  I haven't read Catching Fire yet, but intend on buying copies of both.  I know I'll read them again, so I would rather own them!  Now, I'm sure I would have discovered this series eventually.  But, I'm so glad I was introduced to it through the book blogging community!

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick Giveaway #BBAW (CLOSED)

My Review of the book is here

In honor of Book Blogger Appreciation Week, I'm giving away a used ARC of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick.  Contest is open to US residents only and will end September 19 at 11:59 pm (PT).  To enter please leave a comment below with contact information.  For extra entries ...

                  + 1 entry if you become a follower through Twitter (+2 for those who already are)
                  + 1 entry if you post about this on your blog (please supply the link)

Thanks for entering and Happy Book Blogger Appreciation Week!

 

Book Blogger Meme - You And Your Reading Habits

Do you snack while you read? Very rarely. 

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of
writing in books horrify you?  I've never written in a book (except a text book).  It's crossed my mind when I come across a passage I like.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears?
Laying the book flat open?  Usually I just remember what page I'm on, sometimes a bookmark or the jacket flap.  I will lay the book upside down if I'm stopping for a moment.  I never dog-ear or lay it open flat.

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?  Mostly fiction

Hard copy or audiobooks? Hard copy

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you
able to put a book down at any point? usually until the end of the chapter

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?No.  I can usually figure out the meaning

What are you currently reading?  The Man Who Love Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett

What is the last book you bought?  I think it was Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can
you read more than one at a time?  I prefer one book at a time

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?  I love to take a hot bath and read at the end of the day

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?  I would have said stand alone, but lately I've been reading a lot of series books.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?  The Harry Potter Series and The Twilight Saga

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)  All books by the same author are always grouped together, as for the rest there's really no organization just how they fit onto the shelves the best.

Book Blogger Appreciation Week - My Appreciation!

It's the start of the 2nd annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week.  First off, I want to give a shout out to Amy at My Friend Amy for putting this whole thing together.  I can only image the scope of this project!   I'm just beginning to understand how big the book blogging community it.  This lets me see a few more blogs that I would never known existed!

First off I want to thank Debbie over at Debbie's World of Books.  Her blog was the reason I got started on this project.  I watched her blog for 3 or 4 months before I decided to give it a try.  Her blog is also the reason I have a new found love for young adult books and why I'm constantly adding to my TBR list!

Now I know this blog is shortlisted, but I want to give a shout-out to J. Kaye over at J. Kaye's Book Blog.  She left me my very first comment!  Plus, I was able to add my info to her list that she passes to anyone who contacts her about books she is unable to review.  I'm very thankful for that.  And her blog is awesome!!

Last I would like to thank MizB over at Should Be Reading.  There are some great weekly book meme's there.  Participating in these has brought some new readers to my blog.  I love seeing the visit counts getting a little higher everyday!  I hope those that visit continue to come back!

Now, I know that's not very many, but I've just tipped the surface of the book blogging community that I didn't know existed until very recently.  I can't wait to discover more!