Discussion Post: Are Social Media Relevant for Bloggers?

Hi my lovelies!

I've been thinking, lately. (Well, actually, I'm always thinking - a lot - but this time it was about a specific topic LOL).

[Image source]

It looks like anyone in the book blogging area has some social media handles - Twitter (a book bloggers' favourite, maybe because it's the most productive in terms of reader-author interaction), Facebook, Google +, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, you name it. Plus Goodreads and the like of course...though those are more like personal archives for books and an easy way to get info about them than places where you get social.

Someone like me, with only a blog and a Goodreads account to her (or his) name, is a black swan.

[Image source - the caption is mine ;)]

The reason why I stay away from social media?

1. they're too time-consuming.

2. everyone talks, only a few listen.
3. more often than not, such talk is idle.
(I'm such a half-full-glass type of person LOL).

Say hello to average social media user ;D
[Image source]

I'm curious though. Maybe I'm missing something. Maybe I don't have the time to commit to a specific social media, but this doesn't mean I couldn't benefit from it if I did. Maybe I should find the time.
So, here go my questions for those of you who have a social profile (everyone? ^_^):
1. are social media relevant for a book blogger?
2. do they manage to convey more traffic to your blog?
3. do they really help when it comes to "befriending" authors, or are they more likely to create reasons for drama?
And in case you are like me, and stay away from Facebook, Twitter and the like...why?

"Facebook? I don't understand that reference"
(...that never gets old LOL).
Thanks to Giphy!

Screen Time #2: "Under the Dome" (2013) - Pt.1

Welcome to Screen Time, my own feature where I ramble about spotlight some iconic and/or favourite TV series from the '80s, '90s and 2000s!

I'm a child of the '60s *big shock*. This accounts for me fondly remembering some oldies I grew up with, or having some of them in my all-time favourite list. But don't worry, I'm not stuck in the '80s ;). There are plenty of series I've liked and followed in the most recent years...and some current favourites too. So tune in with me, and don't forget your popcorn...

Logo property of CBS - no copyright infringement intended

Genre: Supernatural, Mystery, Drama, Sci-Fi? (Edit: yes. It's now 2015, the show ended, and I'm crossing out the question mark. I wasn't really sure the show could be labeled as Sci-Fi back then, since Stephen King said they had departed from the book - see below - but now...yes. Definitely)

Genesis: Based on the 2009 book of the same name by Stephen King

Time span: 2013-current

Seasons: 2+ (26+ episodes)

Main characters & cast: Dale "Barbie" Barbara (Mike Vogel) - Julia Shumway (Rachelle Lefevre) - James "Big Jim" Rennie (Dean Norris) - James "Junior" Rennie (Alexander Koch) - Joe McAlister (Colin Ford) - Elinor "Norrie" Calvert-Hill (Mackenzie Lintz) - Sam Verdreaux (Eddie Cahill) - Melanie Cross (Grace Victoria Cox)
Story setting: Chester's Mill, a fictional town in Maine (though the show is filmed around Burgaw, Southport and Wilmington, North Carolina. Thanks to UTD Wiki for the info!)

Theme song: ??? by ???

Spin-offs and remakes (to date): None

In three words...: Claustrophobic, ambiguous, suspenseful

Blog Tour & Author Interview: B.C. Johnson ("Deadgirl")

Welcome to the Deadgirl Blog Tour!

Meet Lucy Day

Some of you may know it by know: I only spotlights books on my blog (by cover reveals, blog tours, you name it) if I really like them. I don't see the point in selling you stuff I don't believe in, or I haven't even read yet. And I only interview authors if I'm familiar with them. Having an awesome book out is also a bonus ;). 
I have known B.C. Johnson for a year and a half (as in, talked with him on Goodreads now and then. I'm not saying we are close friends or anything. And no, he never bribed me into saying wonders of his book. Not that I remember, but you know, my memory lately...). I sought him out after reading Deadgirl when it first came out (if you want to read the story of how Deadgirl was resurrected after the original publishers liquidated their business, go here...it's gripping, a bit heartbreaking, but inspirational and energetic too). Deadgirl is still one of my favourite YA books to date, and Lucy one of my favourite heroines. After all this time, I'm proud to be part of the Deadgirl 2.0 blog tour, and to have the chance to grill B.C. Johnson with my questions ask B.C. Johnson some stuff from the top of my head. (Yeah, right. I only spent two weeks racking my brain for the perfect questions). But before I move on to the author, let's get to know his book a little better...

Title: Deadgirl
Series: TBA
Author: B.C. Johnson
Genres: Afterlife, Paranormal Romance, UF
Year: 2014 (first published 2012)
Age: 14+
Available on: Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle
Deadgirl on Amazon | on Goodreads
Read my original review here

Blurb: Dead is such a strong word... 

Lucy Day, 15 years old, is murdered on her very first date. Not one to take that kind of thing lying down, she awakens a day later with a seemingly human body and more than a little confusion. Lucy tries to return to her normal life, but the afterlife keeps getting in the way.

Zack, her crush-maybe-boyfriend, isn't exactly excited that she ditched him on their first date. Oh, and Abraham, Lucy’s personal Grim Reaper, begins hunting her, dead-set on righting the error that dropped her back into the spongy flesh of a living girl. Lucy must put her mangled life back together, escape re-death, and learn to control her burgeoning powers while staying one step ahead of Abraham.

But when she learns the devastating price of coming back from the dead, Lucy is forced to make the hardest decision of her re-life — can she really sacrifice her loved ones to stay out of the grave? (Goodreads)

Interview: Hi Bobby, it’s a real treat to feature you on my blog today. Deadgirl is one of favourite YA novels, and besides, I love your sense of humour - so I’m glad to give both a spotlight.
OK, so, for those who are not familiar with your work or your personality yet – how come you took the plunge into the deadly sea of writing, particularly its YA current? 

I took the plunge because I had to - it’s all I was ever built for. I’ve been wanting to be a writer since I could put words together. It’s not even in my blood, it’s in my bones. It IS my bones. I mean, I’m no biologist so I don’t know if that’s medically accurate or not, but it feels that way.
As for YA, well, my beta reader, who also happens to be my wife, had read my first unpublished epic fantasy novel, and she told me that I wrote like a YA writer. She asked me if I knew that, and the fact was, I didn’t. I mean, I liked writing about young people, and I’m from the Stephen King school of “keep it simple, stupid” when it comes to language, but I never knew. 
Deadgirl was my first real crack at the genre, and it’s been my favorite thing I ever wrote. [...] 

Coming Soon...Blog Tour, Screen Time #2 and Discussion Post!

Hey lovelies!

I sort of missed the Halloween excitement this year. Most blogs were doing themed pieces, and I stayed quiet instead (if you don't count my review for Christopher Pike's horror novel The Season of Passage a few days ago). Maybe next year...Because I've been busy putting my next posts together lately. What about a sneak peek?

First off, I'm participating in my very first blog tour on November 7! It's about the reissue of my beloved afterlife-or-such/paranormal novel Deadgirl by B.C. Johnson. Yeah, right - that one. I may have expressed my feelings in a couple of articles, these last 18 months or so. Or in half a dozen. But who's counting.

On November 16, I'll post the second installment of my Screen Time feature. I originally wanted to do Haven, but I changed my mind, since S.5 is already on air in the U.S., and we've only seen S.4 in Italy so far. So I switched onto Under the Dome, whose 2nd season has been broadcasted here this summer, just like in America, with only a three-week delay. I hope it will make for a more interesting conversation ;).

Last but not least, I have a discussion post drafted, about social media and their relevance to the blogging world. It should go live on November 29.

So feel free to stop by in the upcoming weeks and join the fun!