Just let me vent... I'm a bad reviewer.

OK, I think this post is necessary, cos am I really on hiatus? It is a holiday. I got back into blogging during November, just a bit, as I promised to but now... I'm back, worse than I was in October. I've read more books & still not reviewed enough.

I'm not in bliss... close to stess... but ignorant all the same.

I'm what other bloggers have recently been calling a 'blogging fail'* or a 'messy blogger'. I'm slightly different though as I'd say my main problem is: I could easily post for you*, guys. There's lots of things I want to post but I won't until I'm ready to be back for good, and that means reviews. If it comes to it, and this doesn't go soon, I'll post meme's or something but I want to see if I can re-read the books I should've reviewed in either October, November or the recent ones from this month. I can't believe the type of reviewer I've become. Have I forgotten to review? Surely not. I used to love it. I think it's the fact I'm more passionate about other things - lots of them still bookish - which affects it. There's so many things I'm giving time to which I probably could give to reviewing. I still read. But then I go on Pottermore, I tweet even more & get tons more bookish discussions than I need (less for blogging :/), I read other blogs (but I haven't commented, except on Asti's Bookish Games, I know. But my blog's empty & commentless most of the time... you don't want to come & return the favour on something months old, if you do intend to return it, that is.) & I just... I don't know. School's not much busier (surprise, I know). Family, or friends, are not more demanding.
Hence, I know the problem lies with me. And my issue I can't define.

I'm now more messy than ever (in answer to BookRockBetty @ this post!), on this website. I shouldn't be now I'm essentially a year old. Yep, it's my blogoversary this month but I don't deserve to have a song & dance made of it cos how much time have I actually spent here? Over a year, a lot. But last bit of this year? Yeah, you get my drift.
I think I'm irritated cos I did use to be neat here too. I commented on blogs, I scheduled posts, I kept to TBRs mostly, I knew what I had to post & roughly when & although sometimes I decided to do things differently it was for the better, didn't last long & my plan still worked.
Yeah, blog planning. Did that. Woopity do. I'm mood-reading & deciding my mood also means reviewing seems about as appealing as walking into a dung heap & leaping around... I don't even do meme's, even the ones I like as they were a bit random. I just can't. Not reviewing means I can't call myself a book blogger. Book bloggers review. They get requests for books & then read them. The review goes up around publication. It's a process. Book bloggers do post other things but reviews... shouldn't they be first priority? This is just what I've always thought & been able to do for months before falling flat on my face.

But first I do this. So brave, I know. Fight or flight?
(Harry Potter is sooo old, look at the quality of the GIFs... Yikes, I'm sorry, but I like the GIF).

Do I plan with ARCs, or even any books I have to read, now? A little. Only thanks to Goodreads though. Which may I point out I'm checking less as reviews are everywhere & I don't want to be reminded which ones I have to review. I'm not helping myself. It's gone beyond procrastination cos when I do that I know I'll come back & be able to do that thing I'm delaying.

That's me. F-grade. Or E-. All the same :P

Now, I think I'm having to learn from scratch. I will re-read books I had for review & read but didn't review. I will make myself do that as it's fair... right? It will make me do it & I can't think of a better way. I tried the easy approach. That was trying to ease myself in... But I just read more & did not spend more time, or enough time even, reviewing! I could even use the term Asti @ A Bookish Heart did here, and say I'm a fail. Cos if I got a grade in book blogging based on these last few months I'd see a drop down to an F, or at best an E!

Do you think I'm now someone who is lazy or can you think of a way I can get out of this? Perhaps I can turn back to the person I liked better a year ago (a much more organized & a nicer person than this Amy, take it from me)... What's the impression you're getting from me? Please help if you can. If you can, you're a hero. I love you.

Amy Bookworm... does love you. Whether you can help or not. *fingers crossed I'm gonna get through this horribleness*

{PS: I know Asti & Betty got a lot of comments on their posts & perhaps help, I'm honestly not expecting that but anything is appreciated. Feel free to check out their posts, I love them & they made me want to be honest with you guys, like them, and post this. All my respect to both of those wonderful bloggers, who I think are great for the record & definitely are still doing better than me XD}.

A tree my cat could not:
a) eat decorations of (I know he doesn't eat books).
b) actually hide under. He wouldn't fit.
SUCCESS! HURRAH, HAPPY CHRISTMAS DAYS! :D

((PPS: If I haven't said it already to you, via Twitter I assume but whatever, MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU LOVELY BOOKISH PEOPLE :D))

*besides the old review which I just posted again... That was this special review with Harry Potter (the first book)! Please check it out if you like... it does need feedback, lol :P

Book Blogger Confessions (#9): Vlogging

Book Blogger Confessions is a meme that posts the 1st Monday of every month, where book bloggers "confess" and vent about blogging/bookish topics. If you haven't guessed the idea is to answer a question & you can share, vent and offer solutions. Ranting if the question demands it works & you'd really enjoy it if you did participate as there's a ton of respect between each other, even more than normal. We understand they are your solutions & if they work? Great. If the question isn't a hunky dory one? We're asked to:

Keep it respectful - no bashing authors or other bloggers!

Hosted by For What It's Worth and Midnyte Reader
(Grab their button and include it in your post with a link to the feature co-hosts)

So, if you want to participate here's the meme question for August 5th. You can participate any day in this following fortnight (or maybe any day throughout the month, I suggest you check out the host's blogs above!) Yes, this week I suggested the question so you kinda have to participate (jokes! But I do!)

Vlogging. Have you ever vlogged (video blogging)? Why or why not? What do think makes for an interesting vlog? How does a book review vlog compare to a written review in your opinion? What are few of your favorite book review/author vlogs? 

So many are vlogging these days. It seems like my twitter friends, people I may have met on YouTube & just random people, bookish or not, are all talking about this massive thing. It's so hyped, and it seems like I've discovered a love for Vlogging too. Wait, I should just say vloggers. I admit to finding the bookish equivalent, we know them as BookTubers, through the non-bookish, such as Charlieissocoollike. There are numerous others, some I've abandoned as I find bookish ones more interesting & others, like Charlie, who I still like to see grow & give me some food for thought which competes against my BookTube followings. So, I love many vloggers.
BookTube has a special place in my heart. After being introduced to this community on YouTube through the mainstream lot, who may vlog about anything else (Charlie still being a prime example, I love that guy) I... well, I'm here. Yes, that's right, for those of you who don't know (and didn't see in my latest Liebster's), I was inspired by vlogging. As you know, I don’t mean I vlogged. I haven't & I don't think I will (don't say I owe it to them, I don't- I think it'd wreck it for me... maybe). Anyway, these BookTubers often had goodreads (I mean that makes sense, lots of book lovers do... I didn't know that then). I suppose I’d been a referral from google many a time as I sometimes googled bookish things and it’d direct me there even for quotes! I didn’t realize much about it until I signed up, followed these vloggers, started reviewing, doing other stuff & ended up finding out about the non-video equivalent. I liked those reviews too and the blogs were a good idea so... hey, presto! I wish I could say a certain blogger did but really it was a journey which took months & eventually I blogged myself, not understanding quite the size of the community just knowing that I’d seen some pop up here & there. Now I know the truth ;)

Do you know how long it took to review? I actually started with an audio review because I was like, "I can get that close". It may happen again (I mean never again since Dec 2012 sounds pretty bad), but if I'm honest I hated my voice. Imagine what my anxiety would be if I allowed the internet to see my face as well! I'm not going to do that to myself, sorry...


But look at that audio review (not related to the GIF). How does it compare? Does it? I think it's very different! It's not actually comparable to me, though it might be to you. Especially as they both are opinions on books. Some people prefer to read, some prefer to hear & I've come to realize although I like both if the vlogger has a written one as well, some work twice as hard, then I'll read. It's not because it's necessarily quicker (ie. less rambling on paper/screen, you can ramble on a normal post as you know I can) but just because... well, it seems to sometimes sink in better. I might come back to it later... Vloggers are here for now, and very popular, but I think many are rooted in this traditional way of blogging. Even me, one of the 1990's generation.
So, can we please have both? Please can I continue to read & watch reviews depending on what I need at that type? Can I watch or view book hauls (interesting note: vloggers don't always link but I view this as a must or I'm unlikely to watch the haul... linking, or lack of, doesn't matter as much to me as I can just copy into google but for vlogs?!) as well? How about bookshelf tours? Content which exists on both, as far as I know. I can't yet think of stuff only vloggers do but they do everything a blogger might, apart from (I haven't seen any but correct me if I'm wrong) blog tours. Do blog tours accept vloggers? If vloggers are interested, they should be allowed! It's a changing world where names who don't pen their thoughts for the internet are household names, probably.
Heard of Charlie? I bet! That's the only non-book vlogger I shall mention but a ton exist. Some bloggers, or authors, do one-off's but they are not going to be know for vlogging.
booksandquills is. getbookish is. heyheybooks is. Do you need more? OK, Katytastic, PippityBop, sandraareads, thereadables, thestorysiren, virtualbookshelves... I can't mention them all, all probably 100 of them (some I watch regularly, others am just subscribed cos they deserve it as I've watched a few in this past, say, year) :P There's a lot! Lot of my blogger friends vlog too. They aren't necessarily at 1000 subscribers or something, but some are.
It's a revolution. I hope this post will stick with you. It may come in handy. Especially as now you know what vlogging is, and my opinions of it... (Sorry I didn't include many GIF's, I'm sorry that I'm not in an especially GIFy mood).

Book Blogger Confessions (#8): BEA/ALA thoughts (I've never been)!

Book Blogger Confessions is a meme that posts the 1st Monday of every month, where book bloggers "confess" and vent about blogging/bookish topics. If you haven't guessed the idea is to answer a question & you can share, vent and offer solutions. Ranting if the question demands it works & you'd really enjoy it if you did participate as there's a ton of respect between each other, even more than normal. We understand they are your solutions & if they work? Great. If the question isn't a hunky dory one? We're asked to:

Keep it respectful - no bashing authors or other bloggers!

Hosted by For What It's Worth and Midnyte Reader
(Grab their button and include it in your post with a link to the feature co-hosts)

So, if you want to participate here's the meme question for June 17th (and following that, once again I've really ranted this week). You can participate any day in this following fortnight just answer to let us know this regarding BEA/ALA:

Have you ever been before? If you've been before, share your experiences; both pro & con. If you haven't gone before, do you participate in online events like Armchair BEA? Do you hope to go one day? Do you feel too intimidated to go? Are you jealous of the big book hauls and tweets during the events?

I haven’t been yet, but hopefully I’ll experience one in the UK someday, and I did participate in one Anti-BEA event- the #bookishparty! It wasn’t a readathon but I did need lots of coffee! If you were part of it you’ll know why! So, that answers part of the above doesn’t it? I’m not jealous of the tweets during the events & truth be told, I’m more intimidated by the heap of readathons that happen during it! It scares me & I’m still attending, and am busy, at school so I only have time for a few hour-long bookish party! Not readathons & unfortunately not the conferences either or many real life bookish events. It sucks and sometimes travel might be the bigger issue but I keep my head high & look at the...

BOOK HAULS!

They should depress me more than they do. So many bloggers get jealous but WHY, WHY, WHY? OK, I admit, it’s not that terrible to get jealous but I struggle when I get jealous so I try not to as much as possible. When I do get jealous it’s awful- I get annoyed. But often I’m jealous if I think they’re doing something wrong. Basically, if book bloggers are really greedy I’ll go... scream. Or something. Most of the time it’s not a blogger gloating. It’s their way of publicizing books, telling you what’s coming up & maybe if they’re ARC’s you’ll think of requesting them. You now have an opportunity- will you make the best of it or the worst?
Well, I want to know your opinions but for me if I get jealous to the point I’m annoyed I will stop looking & I think people should do that. Some times are better for looking at hauls & some hauls are easier to look at. One person might love a blogger’s hauls, another may not (but please if you’re this person don’t put the blogger off, there truly are lots who probably do like the haul).

If I’m honest, I don’t post my hauls a lot because I know they’re not impressive. Maybe that’s wrong & one day it’ll flip? I don’t expect it to though; I wouldn’t ask bloggers with impressive hauls to stop posting them. Hauls are great.

I might’ve said that but now I must confess- bloggers should get a nice haul from BEA. They’ve paid for travel to go & are going to do a favour (hopefully). But you see, that’s down to them reading them. It is stupid, I’m sorry but it is, to get boxes & boxes. Or multiple copies for giveaways. That is so rude! What if a blogger there couldn’t get a copy? They’ve made the effort & your readers that haven’t? We don’t deserve those books. We might have good intentions but they don’t seem quite as good as BEA-attenders who may now be missing out. I’ve seen that & I will interpret it as greediness, not goodwill. Host your own giveaway if you feel bad for us non-goers. Don’t take those books. It’ll probably cost a pretty penny in shipping/postage whereas we’d really appreciate an ebook giveaway (especially those who aren’t in the US) & I personally would more.

*Sigh*


Bet you're glad I only rant once a month! To be fair my last proper rant like this was more than you'd expect ago... I was actually looking at some of my old posts & things have changed, like since The Sidebar Rant (on the 18th of March). Of course, you know I now use Feedly (which I've only had minor issues with really recently but now I'm fixated with it). I've also installed in my sidebar the link to feedburner which works for ANY feeds (the second feedly button doesn't link specifically to feedly). Not only that but there's a contact feature & it does work as I received a message via it. I don't care if you don't have an official reason for using it if you ever feel like dropping me some lines which won't fit in a tweet then feel free to use that not GR message. I'm open to either, of course.
I've also found my bloglovin' page & although I don't have an account I was glad I'd found it & saw 24 people were following me! It means a lot to know that although these don't all equate to my GFC followers lots of you have still stuck around & email subscribers are some of my favourite!
Basically what I'm trying to say is, if you are following by GFC & you'd like to see my content please follow via other method! I'll happily follow back other book bloggers too and not just the "Blogger" kind either. If you have an RSS option you can expect me to follow back & hopefully exchange some comments with you.
I've met so many great bloggers via this meme so HOORAY!

Anyway, do you agree or are your thoughts a good contrast?

Book Blogger Confessions (#7): Promotion, Repetition... is it?

I realized I'd never introduced my normal readers to this meme. How am I supposed to get you involved in it if I just shove a picture & question in your face? *thinks* I'm not allowed to expect that, am I? Truthfully, I did. It'd be one of the best things you guys have done for me (: But it's my responsibility to now share with you more about this meme. Here goes:

Book Blogger Confessions is a meme that posts the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, where book bloggers "confess" and vent about blogging/bookish topics. If you haven't guessed the idea is to answer a question & you can share, vent and offer solutions. Ranting if the question demands it works & you'd really enjoy it if you did participate as there's a ton of respect between each other, even more than normal. We understand they are your solutions & if they work? Great. If the question isn't a hunky dory one? We're asked to:

Keep it respectful - no bashing authors or other bloggers!

So, if you want to participate here's the meme...

Hosted by For What It's Worth and Midnyte Reader
(Grab their button and include it in your post with a link to the feature co-hosts)

I think the questions are in a bit of a weird order this month *giggles* But anyway, I'll do them in the right order. I'm not a Helian (sorry, reference to what I just finished reading- it'll be the next review for the Indie month).
So here's the one for June 3rd (or whatever day you're completing it for this fortnight's link-up):

Do participating in book tours/cover reveals and author guests post drive traffic to your blog? What type of problems have you encountered when hosting them? (please keep it civil - no names or calling specific people out) As a blog follower, are you ever turned off by these kinds of posts? How much publicity is too much?

It drives traffic to my blog. I'll admit that, especially when there's a giveaway! I've had more traffic for some posts which weren't but I do like participating in book tours. I'd much rather write a review or do a character interview, something which isn't just a book blast where all (or most) have the same information. I try to do this & even in my own promotions and/or cover reveals where there is less fidgeting space I always try & mention something about this book that nobody else has. Even if it's just my opinion, but surely you guys want to know why this book appealed to me (seriously, if you don't tell me & I'll stop the digression!) There are sometimes minor issues (regarding, for example, the review copy). It always tend to be communication & in this instance the organizer? They aren't going to be in my good books but it doesn't mean I'll avoid them unless the issue is bigger than those small things you can overlook. For example, there are mistakes in the tour schedule or you're not listening to the dates I can do? Big issue. I'm OCD enough without this huge issue knocking me back! That would be the only way a tour could be really wrecked. I've definitely had fantastic experiences with promotion (like this month) & there's others further in the distance I'm also looking forward to (July blog tour, guys) but there's always going to be ones that just could've gone smoother.

*headdesk* (GIF free use)

Personally, promotion-style tours etc. aren't the biggest thing which turns me off. Too much of anything is bad & that includes reviews. I'm personally careful to keep posts to a certain amount & it doesn't matter which type. I will only post something 2-3 times a week. You'll hopefully notice there's a balance between promotions, reviews & meme's. Reviews take the most effort but if there's a post I would care least about someone I follow overdoing it's that. People read at different speeds & I realize reviews can be some of the hardest to schedule. If you have blanks for that week & you've just finished a book go post a review. It doesn't matter about frequency so much. Meme's? Let's be honest. It does.

They can be just as repetitive as blog tours but people seem to put more effort into blog tours sometimes? Not always but there's likely to be, as mentioned above, reviews & things which could add some distinction. It depends on the meme but there are certain ones (I'm not thinking of one on a Monday, don't worry!) that I always skip. I can't expect something too original from reading out your teaser's or telling me a synopsis of a book you're dying to read. It doesn't matter if it's for a meme or a blog tour (just remember to stand out). Your originality is at it's strongest in reviews. You're not just providing me links to excerpts, places to connect with an author or buy a few books. More time is probably put into these posts & it shows. I see you & your reactions more clearly & that's how my book blogger friends sell a book to me. I obviously check out books in book hauls & often cover reveals too but who is to say I give it a second glance when all it has going for it is a link, cover or snippet of text in my feed? I love seeing the covers, authors & much more too! I'm not expecting you to speed up your reading so you have less of those posts but remember: I'm watching for something unique. Go interview characters if all else fails (I actually suggest that officially), OK? ;)
Or, maybe... And I know there's lots of them (I'm a mod in a group which gets a ton of giveaway interest) but, hosting a giveaway could always work? 

Don't forget to comment on today's confession if you like. I'll try & stop by... That's the thing about meme's in this community, they bring comment love ;)

Book Blogger Confessions [#6] Reading Challenges... YAY!

Hosted by For What It's Worth and Midnyte Reader

Reading challenges: Do you host or join in any? What is your success rate on completing them? Do they keep your reading goals on track, put too many restrictions/pressure on you? What do you think makes for a successful reading challenge?

I don't join challenges in abundance (and haven't hosted one). I always tell myself that the Goodreads Challenge is a minimum- it keeps me on track reading a book a week (or more). I may change it late on but yes, it's started at 52 both my GR years!

This is (and has been yearly) a good start- it's a simple challenge that gets you in the community. I don't consider it too imposing but see why it's not for everyone (some people don't like cataloguing books at all). 
My Goodreads Challenge & my British Book Challenges read amounts don't really fluctuate & they are the same- what I don't count for one (ie. short stories) don't count for the other. I'm also only reading British Books until I've reached the aim- that's 50. That means a slight number will be tagged on the end that aren't by authors living/born in the UK.

I wouldn't consider challenges if books read for one couldn't crossover. I think this is how challenges are kept fun- you can perhaps read one book that counts for several and that's a boost (I'd never decide which challenge a book counted for). 
Recently I've found that challenges where you don't link up reviews and completion posts to be half the challenge they could be. I like finding more books even if I find more than I read because on the way you often find reviewers, genres or authors that are absolutely amazing. You end up enjoying the challenging- it's not just about numbers. Set an achievable target & watch as your enjoyment & book count soar.

Cheer on "Challenge FC", yeah? XD Perhaps pop over to a certain
challenge competitor (if you think of them as that) & wave the pom-poms?

<--- It was a Football weekend really...

Challenges, for me, are great. I don't often lag behind- I don't really think you can fail a challenge. There's often different levels and everybody experiences the challenge in different ways. If somebody, somewhere is getting something out of it (ie. they aren't reading half the books they would) then it's worth it. It doesn't matter if they add pressure or have restrictions as long as it's accessible. Often you may have a rough idea of what you read but aren't sure how you'll plan it out or if you'll reach it. Well, go easier on yourself.
If the challenge comes later when you really put your blogger heart into it then that's fine. Just keep reaching for the moon, you'll land among the stars- yes?
Challenges can be eye-openers. You can realize you read a certain thing much more than you thought- it often isn't a fluke for me (hmm... apart from the UK element, even so I read about half/half before!) or frankly you might just be heading in a new, different direction. The BBC (yeah, same abbreviation as this meme, oops) has really helped me explore fantastic UKYA. It's got to the point where I know I'm not just reading for the sake of it (yeah, I may not have known what to expect *shifty eyes*). 
Authors, I'm not meaning to include one over another but if you hadn't guessed- it's a challenge which I am falling in love with. There are plenty more goals and challenges I set myself. This is just the obvious one (:

It's OK if you react to challenges like I do! *cough* You get into them... *cough*

I'm actually, these days, considering & enjoy signing up for read-a-thons and other short while challenges- things that I hope to get into & feel the pressure. Challenges are odd... Pressure, then no pressure, then.... Yeah, well.

Book Blogger Confessions [#5] What do we owe authors?

Book Blogger Confessions returns... It's the second week running & if all goes smoothly on Bank Holiday Monday it'll be the third consecutively. How can this be? It's supposed to be the 1st and 3rd Monday's, right? Haven't you heard of bonuses in meme's? Well, we have an extra Monday this month and thought we’d address some hot topics in the book blogosphere.
Yeah, well book bloggers... Special Edition: Today is ventivicious (I don't even know how I got that new word) and there's no wait- get venting (offering solutions if you CAN, can I? Nope).
Pick one – or answer them all! It’s up to you. I'm counting on the vent 'n' share factor. You have that?

1) Amazon buys Goodreads   2) What do we owe authors?   3) The Death Of Google Reader

Hosted by For What It's Worth and Midnyte Reader

What are your thoughts on this? Do they have a point? Do they go too far in expecting readers to only buy their books at indie bookstores, avoid Amazon or expecting readers to go forth and publicize their book after a purchase?

Most authors aren't attacking us for following our instinct and reading books from the library, taking up offers on books & buying from Amazon. OK, I'm wearing slight rose-tinted glasses (I don't care what egotistical authors tweet so don't look) but I genuinely believe it's the publishing industry as a whole that are expecting readers to go to lengths to avoid what they may consider "stealing" from them. There is more danger for the publishing industry, especially in the indie bookstore corner. Believe me, when they've fallen you can't expect them to come back. That's indie stores, libraries, small publishers (and in time, maybe self-publishing will flourish, thanks Amazon- so are bigger publishers at risk?) & probably some other sectors. But it's not authors that will fall.
Some will not make it in the way they're hoping. There isn't room for as many J.K Rowling's or Suzanne Collin's as authors may hope. I think they should hope but not for fame or fortune. I understand they want to commit to their dream career & as I reader & book blogger I would love to support authors & hope in some way I'm helping them becoming a more successful author. But I'm not here to sell books, I'm here to recommend them. If selling is what helps the publishing industry and not libraries then that's life. It's not fair & I'm not sure if everyone can be a winner.
But here's the way for authors to be a winner (and some are- they really do believe this, they are inspirations):
Recognize readers aren't here to sell your books, not every reader anyway. They are here to spend their time on your books and enjoy them if they can. They care about reading and the community but aren't here to give you fame or fortune. You've only fallen if NOBODY has read your book. I bet friends/family have and I bet if it's up for grabs then they're shouting it from the rooftops (...or blogging, listening friends/family? Get writing!) But it's not such a fall, it's not a fail. Someone hasn't read it now? If you're waiting to let someone or nobody has got round to it yet, DON'T PANIC. Someone will. I haven't got round to books I'm dying to read. And? The author hasn't failed in my eyes. The fact I've looked at that books reviews, synopsis or sample tells you something!
The author needs to pick themselves up because I truly believe this is a world for confident authors who aren't JUST looking for fame & fortune. They are looking for readers. And that I can be. I cannot be a source for an author's wealth. If I could, I would- I'd have way more books than right now (and probably always). As I've said, we're following our instinct. We can't hate libraries or indie book stores but we can't support them as much as we'd like ALL the time. I frequent both (expensive) book stores, places with book offers (not just Amazon... but for ebooks, yes) & libraries. Not just one or the other. I've bought/borrowed books from a host of places & most of these places/sites are important to me.
Which are most important? The ones that aren't online definitely. They give us happiness & are of a huge sentimental value to many.
As Radiant Shadows said the services these places offer include...
“Book clubs and author events, getting book recommendations from fellow book lovers who are as passionate about books as you are, the social aspect of getting to talk books with other book-lovers, being able to walk out the door with your new book the same day you pay for (or take out to borrow) it”

I care about all of these and it's completely fair to say that both libraries and indie bookstores somehow manage to do these even in these harder times. They do inspire authors and I found out that one of my favourite authors did their first public author event in a library... Yay for... (find out)!
 I really hope they don't go away and I really hope I've addressed that the issue isn't just for authors (even if the question umm... yeah, I'm not going there). Authors can expect us to spread the word (but not extensively as 'The Care And Feeding of an author On Amazon', eh?). I mean how would their books be read otherwise? But they shouldn't want libraries/Amazon to die *cough* Deary style *cough*... That'll be a major step back for the bookish community. MAJOR. 

We need to support BOOKS in their whole existence by publicizing them- sometimes Amazon helps us to do this. If it's the easiest option, go for it. Y'know that you should check out Goodreads, Twitter & BOOK BLOGS too, don't you? Yes. Authors, just keep paddling (did I mention this post?) authors!

Don't feel the need to share books more or pick up a book that an author is asking you to read/buy if you have a massive TBR. I sure as hell don't (sorry!)

A reader picking up (and buying, sure- that's nicer) should be worth a thousand tweets. And if it's not, I'm scared I'm doing this wrong!

So, you gathered I picked the second (and then adapted it to address a much wider topic)- I think a high number have discussed the third hot topic, you've probably seen lots more of it over this month... Many may be discussing the google reader DEATH so here goes my last thoughts:
I am not using bloglovin’. I’m Feedly & it bugs me how people don’t want to try Feedly just because they are happy with bloglovin’ but don’t see that it’s the same with me- I found Feedly & do I like it? Yes. I could yabber on about why it’s just as good (at least for me) but some have done it & they tend not to get far. Well, blogs, you can follow me via GFC (and therefore Feedly) or Feedburner. Please don’t ask about bloglovin’ or shove it down my throat in every new post that I can follow you via Bloglovin’. Only certain blogs (my blogger bud’s blogs) can get away with that this late after the news had been broken. I will unfollow; I have done so for this reason.
Yes, I’m a big cow but seriously... There's a choice for a reason! XD

Book Blogger Confessions [#4] Blogging Longevity

Book Blogger Confessions returns... A week late Amy? Today isn't the 3rd Monday of the month. *shakes head* It's the... 4th! Gutted that I'm posting late, ain't ya?
Yeah... Who am I kidding? You book bloggers don't need my "confessions" about any topic really ;) But you're getting it! This week I wasn't opting out it because for me it’s been answered before and is sort of easy for me to say, honest! It’s just a week late because of other blogging events. Forgive me, blogging is a busy and not always organized thing. You know this... right?
Perhaps you'll join in one week then, or in the comments! Feel free to share, vent and offer solutions (politely) wherever, whenever. Monday's are best though ;)

Hosted by For What It's Worth and Midnyte Reader

How long do you see yourself blogging for? Do you think it's ok for a blog to evolve over time? For example: You may have started out as a book review blog but now your interest is in cooking as well. Do you incorporate that or start over?

You think I'd leave my blog EVER? Haha, no. I already said blogging is not always organized. How can I cope? Aargh! Especially with my blogger friends telling me about their Bookish OCD habits (3 blogs I follow posted this in the Rewind Top Ten Tuesday- yes, I do watch you meme :D) They don't help me in the slightest XD
Wait... off topic. Is Blogging FOREVER? No. That's why (organization). We’re not really scared about the internet disappearing... It can’t. It won’t abandon me. Like I won’t abandon you (even if you beg for me to, ha!)
I see myself blogging for... not really ‘about’ 253 days more. Not every day... I’ll give it up real soon if you even try & make me post that often. I will burn out. If I had to burn out from something I’d prefer it to be Twitter or Art or reading. Not blogging.
It’s not my fourth priority but it’s just not a long-term commitment. Believe me, just over 12 months isn’t a long time (it’s going to be longer). My blog won’t evolve as it’s spreading UKYA in 2013. Pretty specific, right? I am reviewing elsewhere- the blog shall be revealed officially in May (as in not on Twitter). I will read and review even it’s not here in 2014... Hopefully not just in 2014 but I can't really say. I aim to review others places & never leave my Goodreads/Twitter accounts to die. Dying accounts is NOT cool. Neither is blogs.
So... am I going to delete it? Nope.
It’ll be like an archive site probably ;) Or I’ll rename it. Who can tell? You can? The future is at your disposal? You're either the Doctor or Clara. Clara Who? The question.
By that I mean back to the confession. I'm really not doing well :/ I have little clue exactly but I am to NOT change my blog name or my blog specifications this year. If I leave you it won’t be long and it won’t be forever. So yes... I suppose one day I will start over. It’s not thanks to other interests (I am not good enough at Art to post it & you need a blog about Twitter? Uhh... no!)
So... books. I love ‘em. I need ‘em. I review ‘em.

Dear bookshelf AND kindle (now obviously- you know since Friday),
Til’ death do us part.
From Amy Bookworm

I'm done! Bye guys... For now *goes off to stalk blogs which I will do until 2113... just not 24/7*
How do you feel about a ghost haunting your blog? *wiggles eyebrows*

LINK UP if you haven't?:

Book Blogger Confessions (#3) - Blogging and real life...

Perhaps this isn't just a Book Blogger Confession post (as seen the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month)... It's also a 3 things: Feature post.

Hosted by For What It's Worth and Midnyte Reader

Feel free to share, vent and offer solutions (politely).

How does blogging effect your *real* life? Are friends and family supportive? Do you find that blogging cuts into family time? How do you strike a balance between the two?

Probably a lot of time is spent blogging and doing things for my blog but that doesn't matter too much to my family (I believe) as when it's a big family thing I put the book and computer away & support my family like they support me with my blogging. Mum sometimes reads my posts and discusses it, she's a Bookworm too! Ashleigh has also seen my blog and read some of my reviews... The guys of the family are less bookish and that means they can't understand as well... Striking a balance between family and blogging isn't so hard- schoolwork and blogging as a balance is harder... Y'know all about that though too! Work & blogging... Do you find that harder as obviously they are closer priorities? Family is the biggest one and it isn't close. If my family need me then I'm not blogging. Blogging may cut into time when I could be having family time but it's great as I'd get fed up of quality time and it wouldn't be quality anymore.
Even if I thought that my family weren't having enough hobby time or enjoying themselves with time for other things due to my actions I would cut down and act... differently. However I don't believe I'm doing much more than other teens. Book blogging might be different (depends how different, eh?) but I don't keep it within my family. I don't want EVERYONE to know but Mum encourages (or rather, does it herself) sharing and even if people don't know they are aware I love reading. Some just think I review, or tweet. Most people know some of it.
I'm at an age where I really am trying to find my... not really 'self' but elements- like hobbies! I'm sort of an ambivert and I can honestly spend whole days offline or whole days online. There's plenty of days that are in the middle but not so much in the holidays! I obviously have, as you'd have guessed by above, school-related things that keep me busy! What are holidays and weekends for then? Pajama days? Yes. Blogging? Yes. Tweeting? Yes. Reading? Yes. Homework? hmm... yes!
If it's a hobby I'm wasting my time with I don't mind. I've done that with people, clubs, other sites and the list goes on. One thing I like about blogging is you don't have to please anyone with 'fakeness'. Many authors and fellow bloggers love honesty & as I'm so good with that I'm using this as a stepping stone.
I hope to have other stepping stones which are things I love as much as this- I know family is one of the things on my path & they needn't be an obstacle. Hopefully I'll take them with me on my various journeys but I can't take them everywhere and all the time! I don't need to find them and turns out...
I didn't need to find you! You found me and my honesty (with added cheese for this confession). Wait, confessions? *cough* The 3 things? *cough*
That was an April Fools- I had two things for you... And this is the next one:

MY QUARTERLY UPDATE! :D (NO-CHEESE STYLE!)

Firstly... I've been having some freebie books and swag arrive recently- not a lot, mind. This means that I'd like to thank those bloggers, authors & publishers who have made it possible. You win some, you lose some! I'm just counting my blessings...

S = Squishy (tweet!)

And I must have some because...
I've got lots of twitter followers & love discussing everything from A-Z (quite literally if you know about April's tradition!)



I've done...
2 x Levels of The Woman Challenge (that's more than half- see SUPER GIRL post + tag, short stories not included)
3 x Book Blogger Confessions posts (including this one! There were 3- don't you forgive me!)
5 x 3 Thing posts.
and quite a lot of reviews too! I'm ahead of schedule and have read more I expected, here are the reviews - some count towards women author challenge too, doesn't include short stories even if tagged.

I've added...
Feedly to my blog!

Reasons to follow me via feedly (there are 3... can you think of any more? Click to follow!)

I've watched...
Doctor Who
Voice UK

I've read...
16 British books up to last Malorie Blackman month (that basically means I've reviewed all of those- you can expect a review on Wednesday! In the mean time this is my goodreads challenge, also short stories not included!)
12 books I own (does include Challenging Zed & all of these are British, of course!)...

So what next you may ask...?
Reading: Bridget Jones: Edge Of Reason, Black Heart Blue*, Sky Song, Girl, Aloud, Zelah Green (books 1+2), Young Moon, Afterlife Academy and more Avaliable-to-review (because I'm reviewing some of these books somewhere special... this is roughly the right order!)
...Now you're thinking what is also to come is a reveal of where I shall be co-blogging... When I set up a blogger archive you'll find out.

So, how are you?
Leave me your comments to let me know what you've been up to! Non-bookish things are allowed but remember in whatever you want to discuss: NO SPOILERS ALLOWED.
Bookish love ~ox

*that author does love my honesty. I twitter on like I've nothing better to do. I'm not linking another tweet though so you'll have to go & find it if you want it (hint: Louisa).

Book Blogger Confessions (#2) - Sidebar RANT

Book Blogger Confessions returns and will come again in April! This is my inaugural meme that posts the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, where book bloggers "confess" and vent about topics that are unique to us. Feel free to share, vent and offer solutions (politely).

Hosted by For What It's Worth and Midnyte Reader

What is important in design for the blogs you follow? What features/elements do you appreciate? What are big turn off's?

...Appearance. You've seen this blog, right? Obviously design isn't something I focus on (apart from the GIF's of course- just check out my reviews)! At least I don't think it is...
The only important thing is there can't be too much in the sidebars and if the sidebars are too wide or things from the sidebars overlap into the main blog it just looks sloppy. I like sidebars that understand that less is more. I quite frankly will not look for something specific in sidebars like GFC if I think I'll end up scrolling almost endlessly. Perhaps the sidebars won't be an issue... GFC isn't at the bottom? Thank heavens.
I'm going to overlook things which just... are so random. I appreciate the automated scroll thing that some bloggers use to display a range of other blog buttons (you can find out how to do it here (caffeinated book reviewer). But blog buttons aside, what else do see shoved into the sidebar (please say they are in sidebar/footer... You put them all into the header? Ugh!)
(Key: Œ€ = less than 1 but not always necessary |  = equal OR more than 0 |  ü = great (if numbers are specified I mean within those limits, it means I like it concise!) | û = not useful | MD = most disliked point)

1. Social networking buttons or buttons that say stuff like ‘tweet me’ than link to the place where you can do said thing (it’s not common for them to be like mine but hey...)
ü  ‚ MD - Google+ (especially when it's a substitute of a blogger about me or account... don't advertise that bigger than any others... unfortunately it often is!)

2. Buttons/lists with links to recent/important posts/pages (includes blog archive but I also like specific to certain posts lists/buttons)
ü should link to approx.  (give/take- but no long label lists please!) MD - too many labels (best to add buttons for main ones- you can click via post to see a label if it matters!)

3. Guide to ratings
ü MD - it being more than half way down probably annoys me...

4. Groups/challenges a blog is part of/participating in
ü  MD - massive, not thumbnails (more likely to overlap into main blog unless sidebars are really wide!)

5. Polls
ü Ž MD - also don't like these to be buried- how can you get votes?

6. Blog search tools
ü  MD - it doesn't need to be there from start, best on big blogs otherwise may not be utilized

7. Following stuff.
ü ③ MD -  Wordpress. No Follow simply :P Don't talk to me about the google issues. If I stick my fingers in my ears it'll be no issue?

8. Shelves/books (ie. Currently reading)
ü MD -   if more than one I like it to look like the goodreads embedding things- you don't need to embed, obviously, all your shelves on goodreads?)

9. Stats for the blog
 (sometimes better in footer! It fits more there & I like it more... just me?)  MD - big graphs, more into maps if anything...

10. Comment/tweets/statutes etc. shown
ü  MD - too much irrelevance.

11. Quotes
û ❷ MD - BIG FONT.

12. 'Team ... ' graphics (and series graphics)
û MD - the amount... Normally blogs have lots or none.

13. Ads (including book ads)
Ž MD - add it on everything ever. Ugh... per book = Amazon, Book Depository & if you want to support local bookstore that too. Don't advertise loads of randomness or books everywhere, authors or not.

...That pretty much brings a close to the list of pros & cons of stuff in the footer/sidebar. What is important also is the header... I can tell you the same applies to headers as covers... People judge by the headers in part. Especially as that is where the blog name goes. Before you click onto a blog you'll have seen the name often... If it's lengthy or easy to overlook (I like an inbetween, awkward I know) I'm unlikely to follow... Unless of course it's a follow/follow in which case you're unlikely to bother me even if the header doesn't fit onto the laptop screen because it's so large (I obviously care about appearance).
I have no problems with following others in return- if they look like a nice book blog (I look at the content as I've mentioned) I'm likely to click that follow button as quick as lightning... Just make sure that I can find GFC there!... Sorry wordpress!

Hope this helps (:

Book Blogger Confessions (#1) - Giveaways

Giveaways.
Confessions, umm... no giveaway, sorry! There is one down below though. That's always nice...
This is the topic of a meme (which you won't see weekly, it runs every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month).

Hosted by For What It's Worth and Midnyte Reader

Trust me to join when it's a really long topic... (I like things that abbreviate to 'BBC' as you can see)

As a blogger, how do you feel about extra entries, required entries etc? Do you have a system to choose/announce winners and keep prizes organized? What method works best for you when hosting a giveaway? (Rafflecopter/Google Doc's or other) What do you do about people who enter your giveaways but don't follow instructions exactly? Have you ever had problems hosting a giveaway sponsored by an author or publisher who is supposed to send the prize to the winner and doesn't? How have you handled these issues?
I mostly see Rafflecopter (although that is a blogger thing, so vloggers use different methods) and I haven't used it to run any giveaways but I've embedded Rafflecopter giveaways on my blog with permission of the creator & helped host it before... I don't take credit for any organization or financial input (yeah, my blog doesn't take money...) It would bug me deeply if I found out that anybody cheated in anyway... I don't mean the publisher/author. I have full faith in them... I love Indie authors & I am always glad when I get to support them.

As a prize winner - what do you do if your prize never arrives? Do you contact the blogger or just let it go?
I'm probably incredibly awful at any other giveaways other than goodreads, I haven't entered many since beginning my tweeting journey so y'know... I'm a great blogger :P I mostly tweet about freebies/discounts in ebooks & that means that I grab lots myself (and occasionally get a review request).
Anyway, back to the question... That has never happened to me. I've only ever won (and known about it) goodreads giveaways - prizes always have arrived! :D
I'd probably let it go if it was only one prize but if it was a whole pack I wouldn't- you don't want a 'fake offer' to be gaining a blogger publicity. I would want to push it just in case.

You know the book promo for tethers I had? Well, if you haven't already, grab it- it's free on Amazon today! Spread the word please and if you review this brill book tweet Jack who is great at RTing!