So, you may or may not have noticed, but over the last month I have just not been into blogging, and really haven't been doing much reading either... (which I completely blame of Sons of Anarchy!! But my TV life is a whole other story!!)
I've been doing some thinking about my blog, and I really do love writing it, but sometimes I feel a lot of pressure. There are so many AMAZING book blogs out there, that I feel like I don't compare at all. I constantly feel pressure to have more books read so I can post more reviews to the point where it doesn't feel fun anymore. I'm sure I'm not the only person out there who has felt this way at one point or another over the life of their blog.
Some conclusions that I have come to are:
- I need to make this a ME blog, and not just a book blog. I still want to keep mt title, and have it remain a mostly book related content, but I think posting about other things I'm doing will help keep the pressure off reading becoming a chore instead of a love.
- With that, you can expect to see some posts about the following:
- TV Shows
- Movies
- Crafting things I do
- My Dog
- My Life in General
- I think that by adding these things in, not only will my readers get to know me as a whole person, but I will feel more connected to my blog and that will show in the quality of things I do on here as well. I think it's just best for me, the blog, and my readers.
- Another thing is, Twitter. I really tried to get into tweeting, and I actually kind of like doing it, but I read to many things on Twitter that I didn't want to see! I am way too busy to watch most of my shows when they come on, so I normally end up a season behind most things (Netflix and I are BFF) and lots of people live tweet though things and spoil it! Its infuriating! So, I don't think I will be doing much tweeting. Just so you know why :)
For anyone who doesn't know, Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by some lovelies over at The Broke and The Bookish! So go check it out!
This week's topic is Top Ten Favorite Authors in X Genre
I think I'm going to do it sort of the same way Kelly from the Broke and The Bookish did, and pick more genre's and do a few from each!Top Three Favorite Contemporary Romance Authors:
1) Stephanie Perkins
All Hail Stephanie Perkins and her lovely lovely adorable books. If you haven't read Anna and the French Kiss, shame shame on you! This book has all the feel good warm fuzzies, the "OMG KISS" factor, and the relatableness that is so important in YA contemporary romance books. She is amazing.
2) Megan McCafferty
What a fantastic series McCafferty wrote (yes, I'm looking at you Jessica Darling). This book series IS the teen girl experience. There was so many times that Jessica could have been me in high school (we even have the same name!) These books are fantastic. Also, Bumped is a great book too. A great dystopian book, still littered with teen romance. She is fabulous.
3) Sarah Dessen
Contemporary romance: nailed it.
She is fantastic, and I rack myself with guilt that I have only opened myself to her grandness recently. I need more Sarah Dessen in my life!
Top Four Favorite Fantasy Authors:
1) J.K. Rowling
No explaination needed, buuut. She rocked the world's socks off, seriously. Harry Potter actually changed me, and very few books have done that.
2) Cassandra Clare
I haven't even read that much by her, only 3 of her books, but even while reading other good books I can't stop myself from thinking "I wish I was finished this so I could start the next Mortal Instruments book" That's how much I just love them. The Infernal Devices too. Clockwork Prince was great. If I wasn't working so hard on trying to clean up some old TBR list stuff, I would have devoured them all long ago. She has a fantastic, enthralling writing style.
3) Richelle Mead
The fact that it took me so long to read a book by her is amazing. I only started the Vampire Academy books a short time ago, and I'm already hooked! They are great stories. She rocks.
4) Stephenie Meyer
I enjoyed the Twilight novels, but she wouldn't have made this list for those. However, I recently finished The Host, and I loved that book. Wow, it was fantastic. If anyone is staying away from it because they didn't like Twilight, you shouldn't. It's an emotional roller-coaster of goodness. Go read it!
Top Three Favorite Dystopian Authors
1) Lauren Oliver
Delirium is great, Pandemonium is great, can't wait for Requiem! Oliver is a fantastic author, I have Before I Fall and I can't wait to get to it. I'm even planning to pick up Liesel and Po just to have more of her! She really is amazing.
2) Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is what I attribute my love of Dystopian to. I had read (and loved) other dystopian books (like Ender's Game) but I wouldn't have been able to classify a love for this genre until this series. She is such an engaging, exciting author. I hope that what she comes out with next is also great!
3) Veronica Roth
For a debut novel, Divergent was awesome! I fell in love with Tris and Four and that world. Insurgent was amazing too. Whatever happens next, I can't wait to get my hands on it. She is fantastic, and I hope she keeps it up!
Anyway, that's all for me today. Whew, this was a long post. PS all the authors names link to their individual websites, so if you want more info on them, pop by and say hello!
A lot of really popular authors on this list! I like how you categorized it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on my TTT post!
Its good to be well rounded--nice list today. kaye—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous that I didn't think to do my list this way. I pretty much had to go with "Women's Lit" because it's the only genre I could come up with 10 authors for.
ReplyDeleteI need to read some more McCafferty and Dessen. So many good books, so little time!
And you are definitely not alone in the whole book reviewing feeling competitive and not being as fun that way. Mine is still 90% book related, but I don't pressure myself to much. My goal is one review/week, but I don't stress until I haven't written one in a month (I had a slow reading summer). I fill with the randomness of my life also.
I find other bloggers very supportive, but I can't help wondering if some people just read ALL day long! Some times I wish I had partnered up with a friend to blog as some people have. Also, its really discouraging when you don't have enough blog action for anyone to want to give your ARCs for review! I'm starting to shed that a bit, but it is A LOT of work to be in blog tours, and keep up with memes and stuff! Plus, I get so jealous when people get ARCS of books I'm DYING to get my hands on!
Deleteso many great ones and I love it all. When I decided to just do what I wanted on my blog it became 100%. The quality the interaction with readers all of it. I say definitely be who you are it's your blog it should reflect you!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm hoping it works out. Otherwise, I just don't think I have the gusto to keep going!
DeleteIf you're not having fun reading then what is the point?! Leave the pressure. Do it how you want. If reading ever feels like a chore I take a step back. If I need a break, I take it. I don't feel bad about it. I like how you are going to change things up and make it work for you. Good luck! I'm sure we're going to see great things!
ReplyDeleteLove how you categorized your list! I'm crazy over Stephanie Perkins, Suzanne Collins, Stephenie Meyer, Veronica Roth and Cassandra Clare!! Popular but all totally worth the hype to me!
Thanks for the support - I totally agree, reading is supposed to be fun and a stress reliever - not the cause! I'm excited about changing things up!
DeleteI agree, totally worth the hype! Their books are sooo enjoyable :)
I like how you categorized this list. I found it really tough to find a genre where I could get a top ten (I settled on Children's authors). The way you broke it down allowed for a few different lists, which is better. I loved a few of your picks like Stephanie Meyer and Suzanne Collins. I see Stephanie Perkins and Sarah Dessen on lists everywhere, which makes me think I need to pick them up.
ReplyDeleteI actually got that idea because that's how Kelly did here's @ The Broke and the Bookish! I can't take any credit :)
DeletePerkins and Dessen are fabulous, definitely check them out!
I am a terrible about commenting usually but I wanted to say that I enjoy your blog and book reviews and am happy with whatever content you want to share. I did that a few years back and I was much happier with my blog after. Thanks for blogging!!!
ReplyDeleteaww, thanks! I am always looking at yours for scrapbook ideas! I love what you do in December! Thanks for your support in my intended content change, it really helps knowing people like the idea!
DeleteI agree with every author you have on this list. Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my TTT! Good luck with your new adjustments to your blog!
~Nikki (Imaginative Adventure)
Thanks :) Hoping it goes well!
DeleteShamefully I'm a Sons of Anarchy fan too. My husband watches it and somehow I ended up knowing everything because I can't focus on my book while that show is on.
ReplyDeleteWe have so many of the same authors it's not even funny. Check out my TTT. New follower by the way.
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
Its SUCH a good show! I'm also a shameless TV addict! After supper a lot of evenings I dedicate half the night to reading and the other half to TV!
DeleteI like the way you broke your list down! I need to finish the Jessica Darling series, I've read the first and really enjoyed it. Need to track down the rest now.
ReplyDeleteI've only read the first 3, but they rock for sure! And they are easy quick reads, which is great sometimes!
DeleteI'm more familiar with the dystopian authors - and I love the ones you mentioned! And yay for you sticking around the blogosphere and doing things your way - I think you can still have a great book blog & post about things other than just books. Also - I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I don't mind seeing talk of older shows & movies - the chances are greater I will have seen it or read it and can therefore comment on what you have to say. I also don't do twitter much - and I really don't miss it. I'd rather spend the time commenting on blogs I like :-)
ReplyDeleteTwitter is a time consuming monster! I have a few sites (like goodreads) linked to automatically post when I update, and I tweet every so often, but you could seriously spend an entire day keeping up with what people say on there - its exhausting!
DeleteJ.K Rowling, Lauren Oliver & Veronica Roth! Totally agree. Although, I like Oliver's MG books more than her Delirium.
ReplyDeleteTTT fairytales authors @thedailyprophecy.
I haven't read any of Oliver's MG books before. I mean to, but then I don't get to them. Maybe once I have kids! haha
DeleteAnna and the French Kiss is contemporary perfection. J.K. Rowling is one of the most amazing authors EVER and I love Cassandra Clare's books! (Currently reading City of Glass, actually.) Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth are also great.
ReplyDeleteAs for your question, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel has nothing to do with Harry Potter at all. (I thought the same thing, initially... it was actually what made me read the books! lol) Nicholas Flamel was a real person who has been made into a myth, which is kind of what Michael Scott's books are about.
Interesting, I think I may have to check them out! Thanks for getting back to me on that :)
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