15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 14 - (Dealbreakers).

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Tell us your dealbreakers.  

I have a lot of dealbreakers because I'm picky.

If we're talking about writing, a dealbreaker would be bad grammer and typos.

If we're talking about authors -- bad behavior!!!  Also, I really don't like when authors contact me on Goodreads.  And of course plagiarism.

If we're talking about the stories themselves, I have a whole list.
-Beautiful girl who doesn't know she's beautiful and all the boys love her.
-When a character has no flaws.
-When a story is wrapped up too fast and neatly.
-TELLING instead of showing.
-When the hero lifts the chin of the heroine, whether to kiss her or tell her something.  UGH!
-Contrived plot points.  Example: FMC and MMC must have sex for some reason, to save the world, or to be bonded, or to trick someone.   I think the only time it might work is in arranged marriages.


What are *your* dealbreakers?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 13 - (Describe an underappreciated book everyone should read!)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Describe one underappreciated book EVERYONE should read. 

Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint.  I bet that fans of the author really like the book, but I feel like in the blogging world, this author is very underappreciated.  I've tooted his horn quite a few times, but alas, no one has come forward to tell me that they tried one of his books and loved it.

Memory and Dream is an Urban Fantasy.  de Lint wrote UF before the genre was even named (well practically) and is oftened called the Father of UF.  His characters are relatable and likeable and his writing is gorgeous.  It's better than gorgeous.  The story is about an artist, Isabella, who receives a letter from an old friend.  The thing is, that friend is dead.  The letter opens up old wounds and tragedies that Isabella must face.  You see, Isabella has a unique magic and her wand is her paintbrush. I don't want to give too much away, but I urge everyone to read this book and anything by this author.  Charles de Lint doesn't write the hyped up Urban Fantasy (not that there is anything wrong with many of the UF's on the shelves today, some of them are awesome...but you know what I mean) with a heroine who has superpowers.  His books are about regular people who come in contact with the magical and mysterious, who realize that there is more to this world than meets the eye and he does it in such a believable and approachable style.

Have you ever heard of Charles de Lint?  What book do you love that you wish *everyone* would read?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 12 - (How do you fight blogger fatigue?)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

How do you fight blogger fatigue?  

I don't. I just go with it and hope it ends soon.

I know this seems like a cop out and I should be "doing" tons of stuff to comba it, but the more I fight it the more it seems like work and I don't want blogging to seem like work.  I want it to be fun.   I do complain to my blogging BFFs and we commiserate and I'll tweet about it and usually get support and that actually helps validate my feelings so I don't feel so guilty.

Do you guys have any tips for fighting the blogger doldrums?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 11 (Show off 5 of your best blog posts!)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Show off! 5 of your best blog posts.  

Surprisingly 3 of my top 5 have to do with my favorite authors. Two feature Stephen King. Go figure!  Another has to do with the night I met Robert McCammon and actually rode in a care with him.  Can you imagine riding in a car with an author you have followed and adored for over twenty years!?

The remaining two is a feature and a meme.  I started Midnyte Finds and would love to continue but haven't because I feel like I can't "find" anything worthy.   It's hard to follow up such a special event as making earrings for battered women and children in shelters.  The last one is a Book Blogger Confessions post that I participated before I was a co-host.  The topic is blogging controversies and I I'm proud that I was able to express my opinion without getting overly dramatic and mean.  (Well, I think, maybe you can be the judge of that.)

1. Happy Birthday Stephen King!

2. A Conversation with Stephen King.

3. The Night I Got To Ride in a Car with Robert McCammon & Sherilynn Kenyon (or, best night EVER)!

4. Midnye Finds: Bling's The Thing.

5. Book Blogger Confessions: Blogging Controversies.


What about you?   Do you have any posts that you are particularly proud of?  I'd love to know.

15 Book Blogger Challenge /Day10 (How I choose which book to read next!)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these fabulous bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

How do I choose which book to read next?

Sometimes I'l go by my Challenge lists and sometimes it's just what I'm in the mood for. Sometimes it's becuase I have to review something by a certain time, but that's rare because I don't often take review books.  A lot of times, I'll read the first sentence or page and if I'm interested I'll keep reading.  If not, I'll put it down and try something different.  Sometimes, I'll open a book because it has caught my attention through word of mouth and I've become excited about it.

Regarding audio books, I predominantly take them out of the library so I don't have a ton of choices. I basically do the same thing as with a physical book.  I'll read the synopsis.  I usually check more than more than one audio book out of the library just in case the first one I choose doesn't work for me.

Whatever method I use, the one thing I can count on is that the decision is always agonizing!

How do you choose which book to read next?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 9 - (Why do I blog about books?)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Why do I blog about books? 

(Channelling Buddy from Elf). I blog about books because I love books!  Books are my favorite!  And reading too.  Reading's my favorite.   I love reading.  (End Buddy channelling).

There just never seems to be a defecit of material does there?  There are just soooo many books to read and authors to get to know and stories to appreciate.  With books there is always something new and different.  Even if a book is old and has been read before, it's the first time *I've* read it. Even if it's a re-read (which TBH I rarely do)there is always something new to be discovered.

I also blog about books because I love discussing books with others.  I love hearing what other people are reading, even if it's a book I will never read. That is one reason I'll read blogs/reviews that are kind of different genres than I would normally read.  I love to hear the stories and why people like the characters and what they have to say about the book is always fascinating.   I like to hear the story from their point of views.

I never really thought to blog about anything else, except maybe Halloween and travelling, but I feel like while I do keep Halloween in my heart 24/7 and I travel whenever I can, books are more prevalent to my everday life.

15 Day Book Blogging Challenge/Day 8 - (What appeals to me on blogs!)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Quick!  Write 15 bullet points of things that appeal to you on blogs. 

• Easy to read. 
• Easy to navigate.
• Has info I'm looking for (e-mail, twitter button, search field).
• Dark colors (purples, reds, blues).
• A cool design.  I love headers!
• Themes.  I looove when a blog has a theme and it is carried throughout the blog. The ratings, the lingo, the graphics. 
• Streamlined.  Not a lot of clutter.  Especially on the sidebars
• A clever or interesting blog name.
• Fun stuff! Cool memes, pretty graphics, clever features. 
• When the blogger interacts with you.  Either they will comment on a comment you left, visit your blog or talk to you on Twitter.
• Easy to comment.  No captchca.  
• Easy to load.  I know this isn't always the blogger's fault, but there are some blogs that freeze my computer. 
• When some of their personal life shows through.  It can be as simple as mentioning their dog's name to being extremely and open with many aspects of their life. 
• Approachability.  I love when a blogger really encourages and welcomes EVERYONE to comment, participate and discuss books.  
• Personal style.  This just doesn't encompass the design, but the tone of the blog and the way the person writes their posts or even formats them. (Also love when a review or post is formatted in a clever way).   So many bloggers out there have a flair for getting their opinion heard and information out there.  Definitely something I would like to improve upon.  Maybe these said bloggers could write a blog post! : )

What about you? Do you agree or disagree with any of the above?  Tell me if I missed anything!

15 Day Book Blogging Challenge/Day 7 - (Blogging Quirks).

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Blogging Quirks. 

1. Well for one thing, I'm a huuuge last minute blogger.  I hardly have any posts ahead of time. I don't know why.  I think it's because working on posts takes a lot of time to me and to sit down and write more than one or two at a stretch is exhausting.  Also, I also read slow.  I can't read a book or two a day (sometimes even in a week), which leads me to...

2. I (usually) start writing reviews as soon as I finish a book.  One, because of the reason above - so since I don't have a lot of content in my back pocket so for me to wait is that much more time without something on my blog.

3. I rarely use a reader to keep up with blog posts.  I mainly use Twitter to see what's going on.  Also, I have the blogs I like in my bookmarks and I'll just use that as my "list."

4. I don't usually blog on weekends.  I guess it's just time constraints.

5. I overreach.  I sign up for tons of Reading Challenges. I come up with ideas for memes, features and maybe implement them a few times and then it's like I can't keep up the momentum.  With Reading Challenges, I'll get distracted with other books, and with the memes/features I'll run out of ideas.

6.  Sometimes when I get stuck writing a post, I put in all the other stuff and it helps spur me on.  I set up the header, the picture and the other details.  I guess it looks like it's halfway done and tricks me into thinking I have more done than I do so the remainder of the post is a little less daunting.


Are any of my quirks similar to yours?  Do you have any blogging quirks you'd like to share?