What’s this, you say? This is a fresh book tag created by Stuart @ Always Trust In Books so head on over to Stuart’s and show him some bookblogger love!
This tag is 20 quickfire questions regarding your very own book blog. There are very few rules. Just answer the questions, nominate as many people as you want and have fun doing so.
I love it when the rules aren’t so… rule’y! 😛 It’s all about having fun, wagging your own tail a bit and then grabbing a bunch of other fellow bloggers to join in the fun, too!
«««QUESTIONS»»»
The last three books you read?
Six Stories by Matt Wesolowski
Spoilers or spoiler free?
Spoiler free is always appreciated. I have to admit though that sometimes I do go in search for spoilers for some books. Reason 1 being I want to know whether the book is worth my time, and, reason 2 being because I’m curious. I don’t mind spoilers. By the time I get to reading the book I’ll have forgotten about them anyway… I use my brain wisely… take unnecessary info and let it go asap. So, win-win for me.
How long have you been book blogging?
A while… I started blogging about books in 2014. So it’s been a few years and I’ve been slow on building the follower base. But I’m here and I’m still blogging, so that counts for something as well 🙂
A book you read in one sitting?
There have been many… the last book I read in one sitting that wasn’t a short story or a novella was probably… you know? I can’t think of any… It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to spend a half or even a full day just reading. I wish I had the luxury, alas… I don’t.
Your favorite genre?
Fantasy and I’m really liking the thrillers I’m reading more of this year as well.
Preferred book size? (novella, tome, etc)
I don’t have a preference. Just give me something to read and let it be good!
Amount of books on your TBR?
On Goodreads I currently have 384 books shelved as to-read. I am really holding myself back on adding to this list because there are quite a few from years back that I want to read… But all these new, fresh books keep appearing… it’s a struggle!
A book you have DNF’d?
Since I started keeping track of DNF books on Goodreads I have listed 18 books as DNF. Lolita by Nabokov is one of those book… The last book I DNF’d was The Lake by AnnaLisa Grant (YA, Romance). It made me snore because it wasn’t getting anywhere…
Recent awards or milestones?
I was recently nominated for the Sunshine Blogger award. That counts, right?
January 2017 was the busiest month on my blog this year with 1719 views from 770 visitors to check out the 12 posts I published that month. Not too shabby.
I am slowly crawling towards the 800 WordPress follower mark which… I guess a giveaway should be had to celebrate when the number clocks in! 😉
Best interaction with an author you enjoy?
Hmm… I’ve had many good interactions with authors. Even if I didn’t reaaallllyy like their book. However, this year I have cut down on the interaction. My review requests are closed for now as I am exploring other avenues at the moment.
Generally though I have always had very good interactions with authors. They’ve all been very gracious, some with their personal brand of funny and very nice to interact with. I always enjoy when they get in touch after they’ve read my reviews and have appreciated my thoughts.
Actually… I have to say… one author really went all out on me and that was RG Manse. I enjoyed his Frank Friendship trilogy like SO much and because I was (and still am) a complete fan-girl of Frank Friendship, he sent me the whole trilogy in paperback and signed with very lovely personal notes.
And now I have to thank Dean F. Wilson who always hooked me up with The Great Iron War series books whenever the next one was coming close to publishing. I mean, it’s a 6 book series and I got to read the whole series for free!
Just a huge thanks to all of the authors who have enjoyed my reviews enough to keep feeding my habit! Many loves!
Average number of books you read per month?
I don’t have a set number of books I want to read each month, but it has so happened that since 2016 and this year I have managed 10 books a month at least. Which ain’t too shabby me thinks.
Top three publishers?
I don’t have a preference over publishers and there are just too many publishers to name who have all published books I have completely enjoyed. Thank you to Headline, Hodder & Stoughton, Avon Books UK, Harper Collins and all the other publishers who have given me the opportunity to read for reviews.
Social media sites your blog uses?
I mean.. let me be honest here.. I pretty much suck at all this social media thing. I don’t have time to be super-interactive, I don’t have time to create all sorts of wonderful graphics… it’s not even an excuse, I truly don’t have the time. I don’t tweet every great thing that comes across my eyes but I do have the occasional banter and the giving of thanks to all who have shared my reviews. So… I take no offence if you don’t follow me on Twitter or like my page on Facebook because I am fully aware that both of those Sm sites are my half-arsed, automated attempt at being ‘visible’ out there! 🙂
Average amount of time you spend on networking?
I spend most of my time bloghopping… every day my inbox is full of post notifications so I try and catch up with as many as I can by spending and hour or two each day. Sunday afternoons are usually my serious bloghopping days when my goals is to get to each blog I follow… only to start the mad rat race Monday morning again! XD
Most comfortable blogging position?
Sitting behind a desk, straight back and all! Kidding. I usually slouch and tuck my feet under me. Very unhealthy and super NOT AT ALL attractive look but meh, I’m married and you can’t actually see me!
Music or quiet when writing reviews?
Music… music always, with everything! So.. I had this dark country fascination recently. And now I’m stuck on metal/acoustic covers that this super talented guy Leo from Norway is doing. Some fantastic stuff.. he has it all, you know? The skill with instruments, the quirkiness and fun nature, the voice that suits my ears just perfectly. Screw fantazising about being with him, I want to BE him! Check out the cover below… you gotta love the rabbit, you gotta love the instrumental from 2:07 and you just GOT TO enjoy the mighty roar at 3:02
If you’re a fan of something more mellow and are also a fan of Tool, then I’ve had this cover has been on repeat for the past 7 days now…
Music always gives me a kick up the arse whenever I need to get something done. There would be NO reviews if I didn’t have music!
Can you sum up your blogging style in 5 words?
Hmm… Sporadic. Unorganized. Limited (as in not much else other than reviews with the occasional tag/award). Diverse (plenty of genres covered her, would you not agree?). Dare I say ambitious, even?
A blog you looked up to starting out?
Oh, all of them. Everyone has such different styles and personalities, which makes the book blogging community such a vast pool of knowledge and constant wisdom to be had. Starting with structuring reviews to learning new ways and words to express myself. It has all been very eye opening and helpful. Thank you all!
The best book you have reviewed so far?
There are really too many to name here. I couldn’t just mention one. *runs away screaming*
Best piece of blogging advice?
Just. Be. Yourself.
This piece of advice doesn’t only relate to blogging. It relates to everything in life. Always be yourself… never try to be someone else, because it shows. Never try to fit yourself or your style into a box. Be yourself because this way you’ll attract a community around you who truly appreciates YOU! Never lower your standards because someone else thinks their way is the ‘normal’ way… Always, always be YOU! It’s much more gratifying in the long run, whether with blogging or living.
Blog to your own capabilities, blog to your own tune, with your own words, with your own special brand of you-ness, blog the way that makes you happy!
And there we have it... ‘Tag, you’re it‘- to everyone who wants to do this tag… Below I have listed some bloggers I follow. I picked them out at total random from my subscriptions list, so don’t be butthurt if I didn’t mention your blog, I still ❤ you 😉
Cover to Cover 
Nice! Thanks for having a go at the tag 😃 the next one is not going to be so tame 🙃 (I don’t really understand the need for an upside down smily face but I have been wanting to use it so there we go)
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Cheers! 🙂
Not going to be tame, you say? Ha, bring it on I say! 😀 hahaha.. upside down smileys are cute!
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Oooooh! Thanks for the nomination, Liz ❤
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You’re welcome and have fun if you decide to do it! 🙂 ❤
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Def gonna do it! Prob be up next week 🙂
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Ah, mighty! Can’t wait to check it out! 🙂
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Sweet answers Lizzy, you’ve been blogging ages, that’s some staying power.😀
Yeah, I’m not great at graphics either, and neither of us bother with bookstagram for social media, two of the few who don’t!😂
Totally agree with just be yourself for advice, your blog should be an extension of you.
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Cheers, Drew!
Aye… staying power… OR… the fact that if I wasn’t blogging I’d just be super bored 😀 hahaha… so I’m just here like, hanging around, you know?! 😀
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Chillaxing!😂
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I’m the opposite, I don’t mind spoilers at all!
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Yeah… I don’t hate them, but sometimes, some surprises are too good to have them ruined prior to reading.. the shock factor is smaller and less impact… but yeah, I wouldn’t disown someone because they spoiled a book either! 🙂 Chilled out, so we are!
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That makes sense, that’s pretty much my wife’s position on the issue.
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Your wife is sound! 😉
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I think so! 🙂
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And your fave educational blog? 🤔🤓
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Hahaha… hmm… It has to be that one with the Teach and the YA books! 😉
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Love reading the answers on these as I like to get to know more about the people I get on with on a bookish wavelength 👌
Curious about these ‘other avenues’ you are exploring. And very jealous of your follow count and frequent inbox notification. Just about at 90 followers so far … i have been slacking in the whole build a follow base.
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Mighty! I love finding out about bloggers and authors this way as well 🙂 Maybe you have a go at the tag as well? 😛
Sorry, help a daftie out here- other avenues I’m exploring? Nor love for money am I able to connect what you mean with this 🙂
Hmm… your blog deserves a LOT more followers than the 90… get in touch with Inge at The Belgian Reviewer, she does a blogger feature in an interview form https://thebelgianreviewer.wordpress.com/2017/04/19/new-bff-teacher-of-ya/ and she is surely open to have you on her blog! 🙂
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I don’t like asking people to do stuff for me. Always been like that 😂 but thank you 🙂
You said review requests are closed as you have decided to explore djfferent avenues.
May have a go at it when I get back from Sheffield 😊
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Ah, it’s all just fellow blogger love, innit? 🙂 I can get where you’re coming from though, with asking… but sometimes… you do what you gotta do! 😀
Ah ye! Blind, me! So, 2015/2016 I was swamped with review requests from indie authors, which wasn’t a bad thing at all. I read some mighty books. But this year I decided to go exploring/looking for books myself via Netgally, blogger recs, etc… also, I have been doing a lot more work for authors this year so I simply can’t accpet requests when i’m swamped with beta reading, creating edit/error reports and now doing some ‘promo’ work for an author… All busy, busy but very enjoyable 🙂
Cool.. I hope you do have a go at the tag! 🙂
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I used to proofread for a publisher. Done that for a couple authors as well. Nothing like that in the past two years. Ha, any dark fantasies jr anything like that, send those authors my way 😉
Been looking at Netgalley but heard a few negative things. Gonna give it a bit longer before approaching publishers.
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It’s a bit of work, isn’t it? The proofreading… I enjoy it…but I don’t want to do it too often, it’s just so time consuming.
Erm.. Have you read After Life by Daniel Ionson? It’s dark fantasy with horror and mystery elements… I read it a couple years back but it was good…if you’re interested I can send you some information on it and if you’re interested after that as well, I can send you the ebook 🙂 *shameless* 😀
Hmm… what negative things have you heard about Netgalley? I actually quite like it… I’m not going mad on it like some people requesting every book they like the cover of and then end up under review timeline pressure, have only got like near 25 books off there … mm.. yeah, some formatting has been shite as they’re arcs but mostly I have been satisfied…
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I’ve never heard of that book. Do love dark fantasy. It’s the main genre I read and write. Would the author not mind you giving it away for free? Really just the bad formatting. I can’t read poorly formatted work. Let alone review it.
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Well, check it out- After Life… and it’s actually the author I am currently helping to find reviewers for so have permission to give copies of his books to interested bloggers. I just haven’t managed to pop up a post about it on the blog yet 🙂
Yeah, poor formatting can be super annoying, it really takes away from the reading pleasure doesn’t it?!
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It does. I downloaded a kindle book and it was dreadfully formatted. Yea, happy to get some info on it. Will have a look when I get the chance. Need to sort out getting the sequel to my book published. Too busy, though
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If you want I can pop you an email with links, etc.. no pressure, all on your own time though, but happy to send you a starting point.
Oh? I think it’s great news that you’re publishing a sequel! I recall you said there was some issues with the first book, I mean with the publisher? Too busy and I bet it’s a LOT of work as well!
Hmm.. I think I checked out your book on Goodreads… gotta go and refresh my memory 🙂 especially now there is a sequel in the future 🙂
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The sequel is finished. I just keep getting let down by cover artists 😦 and I have never self-published before so don’t know where to start 😂
Yes, please. Happy to get that e-mail 😊
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Oh? It’s a big job to get the cover right… But if you did end up with one or two options, would you consider doing a blog post and let your (potential) readers give a vote? 🙂 It’s just that I’ve seen this done before, as have you. I’m sure.
And self publishing.. yes, lots of research to be done there I guess… I suppose you’re looking at Createspace?
Thanks for accepting my review request- email sent, hope you got it! 🙂
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I honestly don’t know anything about self-publishing. But yea, that’s what Amazon uses, I think. I haven’t managed to get a single artist who promised a design to get around to actually making one 😦 so having something to chose from might be impossible 😦
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Yes 🙂 got the e-mail.
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Wow you’ve had some amazing interaction with some of your fav authors, lucky you! I think most of us are behind our screen on a Sunday afternoon. Is it weird that I’m not even hoping for a nice, warm day for Sundays anymore ;-)? If it is a lovely day I do try to read outside but then I’ll have to ‘work’ all evening. Time is always against us! Very interesting to read about your preferences and habits.
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🙂
I know right? I’ve been feeling like a vampire here for the past year or two in Ireland- sunny weather? Yeah, am not going outside at all at all- too hot! 😀 Raining outside? Yeah, not going outside, stay in, warm blanket, etc 😀 It’s horrible… but I do try and have my 20-30 minute walks after dinner so I move a bit at least! XD
You’re right.. time always IS against us! I’ve been trying to prioritize a lot more lately and it has cut my reading time a bit. Things like- proper house cleaning sessions, spending time with hubby need to happen.. who knew? 😀
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I had no idea you started blogging in 2014! Wow that is impressive. I hope I survive that long haha. I have to admit that I am also finding myself sinking my teeth into thrillers this year. And true crime 😉 I cannot get enough!
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Yeah… I actually started in 2013 but then the content was… er… not books 😀 Started while I was unemployed and it has stuck ever since…
Yes, thrillers! They’re like an addiction, it feels.. just so many blood pumping moments! 🙂
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Metal /,,/ thank you for sharing.
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Yeah! 🙂 Good tunes need to be shared! 🙂
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This one is jumping around quite a bit. The answer that I keep looking at is spoilers. While I avoid them I have come to realize that they almost never affect my reading enjoyment.
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I think I’m enjoying hearing from people who don’t mind spoilers THAT much… I mean, nobody wants to be spoiled but when there are some, it’s not that big of a deal either?! Some people go into a red rage with spoilers and I always think- ok, stop your hissy fit, it’s just a book 😀
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Please, keep blogging, I love your site and I’d miss you ❤ DONT GO ANYWHERE! I love that thrillers are becoming your thing too 😀
Lolita.. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's so hard to stay on top of everyone's posts! I think I'm giving up and just gonna try to keep up with the favorites and squeeze everything else when I have a moment, because I've felt so much pressure to visite EVERYONE and it's not possible when you reach a certain number.
I'd sum up your blog as awesome!
I'm totally doing this tag next week! xxx
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Hahaha.. yeah, Lolita.. the book that kind of connects us… I had considered rereading to see that beautiful side that other reviewers are talking about but I just gag every time I think about it 😀
I know.. it is tough keeping up with everything. I usually visit the ‘closest circle’ and the ones who’s posts seem like something I want to read.. say an interesting tag or a book I’ve read or am meaning to read… just gotta prioritize 🙂 and not feel guilty about it. Plenty of blogger love for everyone to go around 🙂
Yay, I can’t wait to read your answers to the tag! 🙂
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I just adore that you DNF’d Lolita. I have honestly never picked it up, but I imagine I’d be bored. I don’t need to get in the head of that dude. No sir. But I love tracking my DNF’s. Partially it’s because I like tracking the books I just separated from so I can come back to them some day. But also because I love laughing at what I couldn’t finish. Super important!
Social media and networking. Yikes. I am just TERRIBLE at both of those, honestly. It makes me feel better to know I’m not alone in that!
Thanks for the tag– this is super interesting and I’ll definitely have to spend some time considering my answers. I look forward to it in the future!
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You’re so right… some heads you just don’t want to get in to… I mean… I was kind of grossed out reading Lolita, but then I read these reviews that are like- oh, this was beautiful and [enter any super praise here]… and I think- what the hell did I miss and what? how? XD So, in a way I want to try it again to be bale to see what everyone else is talking about but… I don’t know… the creepy feeling is still too fresh in my mind…
Woopwoop, I look forward to reading your answers to the tag! 🙂
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This was definitely fun to read, especially with that awesome humour of yours! 😛 Crazy that you’ve been around since 2014. So glad that you stood around for so long though. Such a pleasure to read your stuff and interact with ya! 😀 Still laughing at how Lolita made that DNF list. I really can’t wait to try it out for myself (not excitement though… just pure classic curiosity speaking!). And 100% agree with being yourself. No better advice than that! 😀
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Cheers 🙂
Oh… I can’t wait to read what you thought about Lolita… I bet, you’re going to read it and enjoy it and then review it in a manner that makes me want to try the book again XD
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If I do end up enjoying it way more than people usually do, I’m going to make it my duty to magically get you to try it out again. 😛
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Can’t wait… XD hahaha… clahhenge accepted!
You know.. for a second I thought your comment was going to read something like this:
“If I do end up enjoying it way more than people usually do, I’m going to eat my hat!” .. alas… as I said- challenge accepted XD
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Thank you so much for the tag! I saw you’d tagged me the other day, but I have a memory like a sieve. Great answers! I’m glad to read I’m not the only person who sucks at social media. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’ve found I’ve interacted with A LOT more people – particularly authors – since getting Twitter, but I find it difficult to make time for WordPress, reviewing, my own writing AND social media. I enjoy blogging and networking, but I don’t like spending hours and hours at my computer!
Also, that’s one hell of a TBR list! I can’t say anything, though, mine continues to grow daily it seems!
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You’re welcome… 🙂 I can totally relate to not wanting to spend hours and hours at the computer… I dislike it myself because social media is like a black hole that time disappears into and you’ll end up doing nothhing of importance at all… pretty much XD
Aye, the TBR piles… the bane of our existence! XD
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Ahh I’m with you on the spoiler free too!! Ahh I feel the tbr struggle too 😉 haha I know the feeling about SM- I really have been trying to change that this month- but it is really hard! Great tag!!
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Cheers for stopping by! 🙂 Aye, social media is like… somekind of vicious circle as well… you kind of don’t want to get trapped there, but you kind of do and when you do, you want to get out… on and on and on XD
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You’re welcome!! haha yes!! Absolutely!! hahahahaha that sums it up perfectly!!
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