Hi everyone...and a happy, book-filled new year!
I decided to start 2014 doing something completely new to me, blog-wise - that is, joining a challenge. I usually don't participate in them because they are time-consuming...and mostly, because they tend to focus on reading the higher number of books in the shortest span of time, or stuff like that. I don't feel comfortable with such goals, but I do love to talk books & blogging with fellow spirits :). So thank you Parajunkee for setting up this challenge - and I apologize in advance for skipping some rounds, but I wouldn't be able to productively contribute to every one of the themes, so I figure I'll let the other bloggers talk.
Are you interested in joining in? Just go to Parajunkee's site and sign up!
And here is her introduction to the challenge...
Hey everyone, it is that time of year again. The time when we get all excited for a NEW YEAR, plan our goals, set our resolutions and just straight-up get motivated. Guess what? I’m here to help you get a little more motivated about your blogging, with 14 writing posts for the New Year.
The Book Blogger New Year’s Challenge will begin on January 1st and run 14 days. It is going to be fun, it is going to be easy and hopefully it will get you motivated in 2014. Each day I will post my own prompts and at the bottom I will add a linky so you can add your own posts. Here are the topics:
January 1 Question: Your blogger resolutions.
I have been blogging for a little more than a year so far, and there are reasons why I haven't accomplished any significant goal to date. First off, I decided to specialize in not-overly popular books (and even oldies sometimes). Secondly (though I guess I should consider it the primary reason), I'm in Italy, which by default means not getting ARCs, not being able to set up giveaways (because of the expenses), and not going to book conventions and such. Thirdly, I'm an adult reading YA books. This amounts to 1) being a quieter blogger and 2) having less time to spend on my blog - because you know, adult life tends to get in the way ;).
But I do love blogging, even if within these boundaries. And I do want to do more with my blog. I want people to come here because they're interested, or curious, or because I'm able to provide something they're looking for - not only because I've commented on one of their posts. I want to spread the word about less known, but not less awesome books. I want to reach out to more fellow bloggers and really feel part of the community (and that's why I'm participating in this challenge). I want to stop being shy and begin asking for ARCs and such, even if in PDF form (because yes, I don't have an eReader. I'm an old-fashioned paper addict LOL). Basically, I want to stick with this blog and make it bigger and better. Do these count as resolutions? :)
So what are your own resolutions? and your goals?
They sound like great goals to me. I hear you on being an adult with not so much time to blog, that's very true and something I struggle with too. Sometimes I stress myself out trying to do it all so this year I am trying to be more relaxed about everything. Hope you enjoy your first challenge, I enjoy taking part in events like this as they just make you feel part of the larger blogging community and it's interesting to see all the various answers to the same questions.
ReplyDeleteExactly - I participated in a meme (Book Blogger Confessions) for a while, and it was very interesting and amusing.
DeleteI guess blogging takes its toll after a while, and it's difficult to step away from all the pressure - but we should always remember it's a hobby and a pleasure!
You definitely don't need to do giveaways or read the lastet arcs to get followers, although that's probably the quickest way to get a lot of followers. But you can have a huge number of followers and still not have meaningful interaction with fellow bookworms. I want to spend 2014 working on interacting more, and I love that your blog is unique! I will definitely make a point to comment more, in general and on your blog as well! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThat's my main goal too, to interact more. And thank you for the encouragement!
DeleteThanks for the point you made too, it will be lovely to have you, my Christopher Pike twin ;D. Happy 2014!
Us Pike twins have to stick together!
DeleteDefinitely ;).
Deletetry www.netgalley.com - you may be able to get some ARCs available to you. Librarything also have ARCs on a monthly basis
ReplyDeleteAlso check out some of the groups on Goodreads etc, and interact with publishers on Twitter etc.
Good luck!
I am not equipped for getting electronic ARCs because I don't have an eReader (how old fashioned I am LOL), but I might try Librarything. I am a member of a couple of GR groups, but I definitely need to stop being lazy and search for more!
DeleteThank you!
A way to get around the giveaways is to host blog tours. They do the giveaways for you! Good luck in the new year. Lacie @ Rainy Dayz Reviewz
ReplyDeleteYou know, I do need do try the blog tour thing! I definitely will when I get some more followers.
DeleteThank you!
I thinks those definitely count as resolutions!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with these lines: "I do want to do more with my blog. I want people to come here because they're interested, or curious, or because I'm able to provide something they're looking for - not only because I've commented on one of their posts."
It's the reason I don't socialise with other bloggers as much, but I think I've only just come to realise that the book blogging community is all about socialising with each other and discussing books.
Good luck with your resolutions and happy new year! :)
- Farhana @ Digesting The Words
I've been a little late in realising that too...also, sometimes it's difficult to keep up with comments etc., and maybe I have unconsciously stepped aside a bit for fear of not being able to do just that. But I will try to change my attitude :). I hope you will be able to do that too!
DeleteHappy 2014!
I like how realistic your approach is to this topic! Are you part of any groups on Goodreads? There's a couple for international bloggers that seem to be pretty keen (though I don't know first hand I'm sorry :/ ) .
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!!
I'm in the Blogger Lift group and the Making Connection YA Edition group. I've never researched much in the field, but will look out for international bloggers retreats ;). Thanks for the suggestion!
DeleteThose are great resolutions. I normally don't do challenges either because I suck at them but this one looked like it would be fun. I love discovering new blogs and my goal is to interact more so this is a start for me. Don't be shy about contacting publishers etc for books. I know I was nervous at first but it worked out in the end. Good luck
ReplyDeleteThank you...I'd just like to reach a higher number of followers before I do that, but even now, trying won't hurt, right?
DeleteIt seems like this challenge appealed to lots of people who normally don't feel confortable with them, and it's all to Parajunkee credit.
This happens to me too. I live in Albania and Italy. This prevents me to accept hosting giveaways and so on. But I totally agree with your unique blog style. You don't look for popularity, you just want to share your passion with us.The same is with me.I hate being just like the others,reviewing the usual bestsellers.There is nothing wrong with being who we are.I am very glad I found your blog! Have an awesome year! Ciao!
ReplyDeleteGlad I found a fellow spirit! Also, you live in Italy part of the time, which is awesome. Looking forward to chatting with you and visiting your blog. Ciao!
DeleteHello and Happy New Year :) I like your blog goals.
ReplyDeleteSame to you! Thanks :).
Deletetotally understand about the shy part here. My daughter is the one that got me started and it took me a while to start reaching out more. I love it and I am here if you need me, as I am also sure that there are others here as well.. Just ask.
ReplyDeleteYou're really nice, thanks :).
DeleteI used to feel presumptuous at asking for books to review and such, because I'm not an established blogger. But I guess authors and publishers can only be flattered by the attention, even if they ultimately decide not to send you anything...
These are fantastic resolutions!
ReplyDeleteI'm a blogger from Australia, so I understand some of your troubles, but it still is harder for you than me. Have you thought about maybe sending books for giveaways to the winner from The Book Depository? It has free international shipping and is what I use to help keep costs down.
Also, if you want to try and get arcs, have you looked into Netgalley? There are some region-specific ARCs, but also some that go to anyone regardless of where they live.
Just some suggestions. I haven't been here before but I love the concept behind your blog :) There's so many good books out there that don't get enough attention.
Anyway, good luck with your resolutions!
Thank you for your suggestions and compliments :). And it's nice to meet a blogger from Australia (I don't think I ever met one before, regardless of the fact that most bloggers I know are from the U.S.)
DeleteThese are great points. And I feel you with being in Italy. That can be hard, but I know a few of my international bloggers have ways around the international limitations. Doing giveaways and using Book Depository. Having ARCs shipped to a US address and then forwarded to their address by a trusted buddy. Good luck! Check the forums, I'm sure there are a few that have the same issues.
ReplyDeleteThank you - also for this challenge. It's indeed reinvigorating!
DeleteGreat list of resolutions!! I love that you like to focus on the less popular books that need more love! I just read a great book recently that fits into that category called The Prophecy by Erin Albert. It's YA Fantasy. Not sure if you read fantasy, but if you do you should check it out! Good luck in 2014!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Fantasy is not a genre I usually read (though I do a little UF now and then), but I'm open to stepping out from my usual reading zone if I read a blurb that appeals to me.
DeleteThank you and good luck as well!
I'm an international blogger myself and I know how hard it can be to "compete" with the US bloggers. But, you should definitely try NetGalley and Edelweiss to get ARCs - I do not have any problems there.
ReplyDeleteAlso, don't worry on being a YA Blogger who is an Adult - there are tons of us out there:))) In fact most of the Bloggers I know are adults, so you are i n good company!
I used to feel a bit alone, but this challenge put me in touch with more ex-teenagers that I could ever imagine ;).
DeleteAnd thank you!
Adult life does get in the way, doesn't it? I thought I had no spare time as a teenager...then I ended up being a stay at home mother of a hyperactive toddler, while working from home.
ReplyDeleteSome days, I have to hide in my garage to make phone calls. :( But, I think this year my toddler may act slightly less like Godzilla's spawn..
Okay, wishful thinking. As a fellow adult loving YA books, I feel ya. Best of luck with all of your goals. :)
Oops, I missed replying to your comment somehow :(. Sorry!
DeleteGood luck with taming your little tiger ;). And best of luck to you too!
I am with you on lesser known books! They can be just as good as anything else and I love to share about them just as much as any other book. Also the older books, as you said! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we are on the same page about this. I think there are many great books that don't become less great just because some time has passed. Maybe one has simply missed them the first time around...let's give them another chance!
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