Feature and Follow Friday

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read! 

The wonderful Alison and Parajunkee picked me this week to be one of the featured blogs on Follow Friday! 

Of course, this fills me with joy - so let's get the party started! 

My Questions and Answers! 

When did you start blogging? 
I actually started blogging back in 2009 which seems crazy now! I took a break while beginning college but am now back to the blogosphere I’d missed so much. It doesn’t feel like I started blogging seven years ago, but time flies when you’re having fun. 

What is your favorite part of book blogging?
I really enjoy being able to keep up with the book-ish world. I love knowing what books are coming out, and being able to talk about something that I love. I love the fact that I need a planner JUST for my blog schedule and reading schedule. I feel very thankful to receive emails from real publicists who care what I say. It is insane and I am so, so grateful. 

What type of books do you mainly blog about?
I love all things YA, particularly fantasy, contemporary, and historical fiction. I also enjoy books with crossover appeal - especially if they involve epic adventures or furry four legged friends. 

What are your favorite books?
The Truth About Forever, The Study Series, The Sin Eater’s Daughter, 17 First Kisses, Going Too Far, Harry Potter, Snow Like Ashes, Lord of the Rings, etc… I’m an English major so I also have a soft spot for classics and poetry. I often cry reading Tennyson in my spare time. 

What has been the best thing that has happened to you because of book blogging?
The relationship that I have built with publishers and other bloggers has been fantastic, but there are many things I look back on and can’t believe have happened.  I have had breakfast with best selling authors, and have met more authors than I ever thought I would at festivals and signings, etc..  I met Stephanie Meyer before there was a movie! 

Honestly though, book blogging is all about the community and all about the people you meet physically and virtually. When you write a review and have the author contact you with thanks it feels great, and when you’re able to help other bloggers it is a wonderful feeling. Blogging is just the best. 

This Week's Question... 

Share a random quote from a book you are currently reading!

I am reading On Writing by Stephen King (again!) for a writing class, and a wonderful quote from that book is... 

"The road to Hell is paved with adverbs." 

Which is just true. 

Don't forget to add your link, and let me know if you're hopping by! 

 

Follow Friday!

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read! 

This week's question... 

If you could have any pet in the world, what would it be? 

I am a huge animal lover, so really I would just choose to have all of them. I really have dreams of opening up an animal sanctuary and having a safe place for all animals in need... though I know that it is easier said than done. 

I currently have two cats, two rabbits, and a dog that I adore, but if another showed up on my door step I would take them in a heart beat. I actually have issues with not accepting more when I see poor animals who need homes. 

I love animals as much as books... but animals take up even more room! 

If I had to pick a fantastic animal, I would go with a big cat - perhaps a tiger? I would love to have a nice tame tiger friend. 

What about you guys? 

Let me know if you stop by - especially if you follow! 

Follow Friday!

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Prajunkee and Alison Can Read! 

This week's question: 
If you could have unlimited food what would it be? 
The Answer: 
Definitely pasta, because I like to make bad decisions. Seriously though, you can put anything with pasta and I would be game.  

Let me know if you're hopping by! 

(especially if you follow :])

Follow Friday!

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read! 

This week's question... 

IF YOU WERE TO GET A TATTOO, WHAT WOULD IT SAY OR WHAT WOULD THE GRAPHIC BE? OR IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, SHARE A PICTURE AND ITS MEANING. 

I have thought about getting a tattoo on multiple occasions but I'm kind of afraid of commitment... I would want something literary, but also deeply personal. I'm sure there will be a time when both of those things overlap and I discover the perfect thing, but that hasn't happened yet. 

Obviously, I would need something so special i don't mind carrying it with me forever.

What about you guys, do you have tattoos? Want tattoos? Plan on getting any tattoos? 

Let me know if you follow so I can visit you and thank you for hopping by! 

Feature Follow Friday: How Do You Decide What Books to Read Next?

How do you decide what books to read next?

This is really quite the loaded question because there are SO many factors involved in what I'm reading and when I'm reading it. I keep a master list that isn't too fancy, but since I just made out "The List" for Summer and Fall so far I will show you

As you can see the above is really nothing special. It is simply a list of books that I need to read, and their release dates. Some of them are older and I haven't gotten around to them - some of them have not come out yet. It is truly a mixture. This is a brand new list (made it yesterday) so unfortunately, I have not highlighted or crossed anything off. Making a physical list helps me because it allows me to feel accomplished. I also have a calendar with all the books and the dates they come out so I know time frames required to get everything done. 

Level of importance goes as follows: 

1.) Books for blog tours/ interviews /requested reviews. 

These books are the ones I know I need to get to first because someone else is depending on it and a schedule exists. 

2.) Books requested from Publishers. 

These books are the ones that I wanted really, really, really bad... so I have to read them. Sometimes I request a book that just isn't for me, and these things happen. The occasional DNF is acceptable, but with the books I request I REALLY try. I read these books in the order of publication... most of the time. 

3.) Unsolicited books sent for review: 

These books were from the publisher but I did not request them. They are being provided in hopes a review will happen. These books I go to for the genres I often wouldn't normally seek out. Normally these books are Middle Grade and I read them when I want to feel accomplished by reading a simple, cute book extremely fast. One of my favorite books last year THE LUCK UGLIES occurred this way, it was an unsolicited Middle Grade fantasy that I LOVED. I received it unsolicited and as you can see, its sequel has made its way onto the "real" list. See, the system works! haha

4.) Books I buy for myself: 

Life of a reviewer means you often buy books that stay on your shelves for what feels like forever before you're able to get to them. I try to read one book that I bought for myself a month, but recently it has been more far apart than that. You can see on the bottom of the Summer TBR list I have just a few books that I didn't receive for review and this is primarily to remind me that it is okay to read things that aren't on the "schedule". 

Ultimately I read whenever I have the time, but I'm also a senior in college majoring in English so life happens and sometimes I have so much reading for school that I can't read for a few days and that is okay. 

I don't always follow this exactly, and that is also okay. Ultimately,  I decide what I'm going to read by this thought process... but that doesn't mean I stick to it religiously. I'm a person who does this as a hobby (the best hobby EVER, but still a hobby). If I'm not feeling a contemporary when it's the next up... it's okay for me to skip it and come back. If I receive the sequel to my favorite series 7 months in advance... I'm going to read it earlier than what is technically "allowed". 

I think it is important to not get hung up on what our system is... because that isn't fun. Reading is fun. And we love reading... so let's just focus on reading. 

Savvy? 

What does your process look like? 

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter, Bloglovin, Facebook, or all if you're feeling daring! 

Follow and Feature Friday!

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read! 

Hello! If you're stopping by from the hop I hope you'll stay awhile! Let me know if you follow me and I will be sure to share the favor! 

This week's question is... 

Have you started any features on your blog?

Yes, I have some features that I do on my own, I've never done one for the general public, though I don't mind if people borrow mine! I do the Let's Talk discussions fairly often and have done a Weekly Write feature to keep the world updated on writing worries (when I am writing...). 

My features are tiny though - I do participate in the larger ones as well, Top Ten Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday... and of course Follow Friday! 

If you guys have started any fantastic features let me know! 

Be sure to check out all of my social media, I'm active on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook... you name it  and I'm probably there! 

Book Blogger Hop & Follow Friday!!

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books!

This Week's Question:

What do you like most about reading book blogs?

My Answer:

Really for me it's not the guest posts or the reviews even, my favorite thing about book blogs and any blog in general is the person who runs it and seeing their personality come through in what they do. Just in the way they write reviews and do discussions, the books they like, how they portray their excitement. I like getting a sense of the person behind the blog. That's my favorite.

Follow Friday is hosted by the awesome Parajunkee at Parajunkee's" View

This Week's Question:

Do you have an undernoticed author you think we should all know about?

My Answer:

YES! Maria V. Snyder is a personal favorite of mine and I think she is amazing so you should definitely go read her. Her Study Series is one of my favorites. Also, Tara Altebrando's The Pursuit of Happiness was one of the first YA books I ever fell in love with. It's a must read.

Book Blogger Hop & Follow Friday!!

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books!

This Week's Question:

What hyped about book did you not enjoy?

My Answer:

The first one to come to mind was Fallen by Lauren Kate, it just didn't work for me for whatever reason. There's not really many though that I haven't enjoyed, I am a reader who is very easily pleased. I didn't necessarily enjoy writing my review for Fallen but I was honest. We just weren't meant to be book friends.

Follow Friday is hosted by the awesome Parajunkee at Parajunkee's" View

This Week's Question:

What do you do besides reading/reviewing as a hobby?

My Answer:

Great question! It's almost hard for me to think of a hobby I do outside of reading and blogging honestly... because that's really the main thing I do in my spare time. I guess when I'm not blogging I'm writing, crocheting, or doing something with friends. My biggest hobby is still definitly reading though, I get grumpy if I don't get reading time. I actually give up quite a bit of sleep to guarantee I have my reading time. :)

Book Blogger Hop + Follow Friday!

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books!

This Week's Question:

If you see a book that looks good, but it is part of a series, do you start with book one or just read the one you want to read?

My Answer:

I always, always, always start with book one. I can't read just part of a series. Series are all about getting indebted in the characters and becoming immersed in the world and I can't do that just reading the last book or book 2. My brain just doesn't work that way, plus I'm kind of nosy when it comes to my characters. I want to know as much as I can.

Follow Friday is hosted by the awesome Parajunkee at Parajunkee's" View

This Week's Question:

What is your monthly book budget?

My Answer:

I don't have a monthly book budget really, maybe if I did I would be more organized with my buying but really I just pick up things randomly. I do try to only go once a month in order to pick up things I only really, really want, but that normally doesn't happen... and when I go to signings (which seems to be fairly often recently) that idea goes out the window.

Book Blogger Hop & Follow Friday!!

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books!

This Week's Question:

How do you feel about losing followers? Have you ever stopped following a blog?

My Answer:

Losing followers leaves me paranoid. I always wonder what I have done wrong and I begin to really hope it was a Blogger mistake, but it is what it is. I myself have never unfollowed a blog because if I'm following you, that means there was something about your blog I liked. I'm not a big fan of seeing my numbers drop, but thankfully it doesn't happen that often.

Follow Friday is hosted by the awesome Parajunkee at Parajunkee's" View

This Week's Question:

Who are your favorite authors?

My Answer:

I have a ton. Sarah Dessen, John Green, Stephenie Meyer, Richelle Mead, Jennifer Echols and the list goes on, and on, and on...

Book Blogger Hop & Follow Friday!!

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books!

This Week's Question:

What is the one bookish thing you would love to have?

My Answer:
I've always wanted a home library with walls lined with shelves, it's kind of a dream thing at this point. The other thing I would love to have is a bit less realistic and that is one of first editions of Harry Potter from its first ever UK printing. They're terribly rare but I think it would be amazing to have one.

Follow Friday is hosted by the awesome Parajunkee at Parajunkee's" View

This Week's Question:

If you have, or think you will ever have a daughter, what book would you want her to read?

My Answer:

There are a lot of books that I would want a future child/daughter of mine to experience. Reading is a huge part of who I am so I would want them to experience the books that made me want to be a reader. I feel like I would read Harry Potter to them from the day they were born. I grew up with Harry, so I would love for them to do the same. The one book though I feel I would have to share would be The Diary of Anne Frank simply because that is the only book me and my mother ever talked about, and Anne's story is just very important to me. Also, she would read Twilight, I would love to hear what she thinks of our Vampires and Werewolves. :)

Book Blogger Hop & Follow Friday!!

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books!

This Weeks Question:
What is your favorite beverage while reading or blogging?

My Answer:

Definitely coffee. I adore coffee. I actually would say that I pretty much live off of coffee during the week with school. I have such a busy day, coffee is pretty much all I have time for! I love, love, love curling up with a book and a HUGE cup of coffee. It's amazing. I highly recommend it.

Follow Friday is hosted by the awesome Parajunkee at Parajunkee's" View

This Weeks Question:

How many reviews do you like to post a week?

My Answer:

How many do I like to? At least 3. How many do I? 1 normally, sometimes 2 and I hate it! I can't stand it but with school I just can't post as many as I would like to. I'm doing my best to maintain the blog and school and so far I have been very happy with how I've been, but I miss writing reviews and I am making it a goal to try and post at least 2 a week from now on.

If you're here from the Hop or Follow Friday be sure to let me know so I can come see your blog! If you follow, be sure to let me know!

Comments are my form of happy. :)

Book Blogger Hop + Follow Friday!

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books!

This Weeks Question:

How do you spread the word about your site?

My Answer:

Ummm.... *Looks away*

I don't know. I actually have an issue with spreading the word because I always feel so bad doing it. I don't want to seem like, "Hey! Look at me! I'm over here!! I have reviews! Come look!"

That's what I don't want and sometimes, I feel like that's what I'm doing. I don't feel I really do a good job at spreading the word if that's what I am doing, I mean it was more than a year before I had 100 followers.

Primarily though I have now started posting on Twitter and I do Blog Hop and Follow Friday. That's how I spread the word right now. I'm sure there are a ton of people who spread the word wonderfully, but I like to sit back and hide in the corner. I love followers, and I love comments and discussions, but I'm constantly afraid any type of promotion I do could be Spam... and I despise Spam.

Follow Friday is hosted by the awesome Parajunkee at Parajunkee's View

If you're here from the Hop or Follow Friday be sure to let me know so I can come see your blog! If you follow, be sure to let me know!

Comments are my form of happy. :)

Book Blogger Hop!

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books!

This Week's Question: Do you listen to music when you read?

My Answer: Definitely not. When I listen to music I listen to the lyrics so it is very distracting. I love music and reading, but I have never put them together.

:)