December Wrap-Up, Semi-Hiatus and Near-Future Plans

Jingle bells, jingle bells...hi!

Welcome to my last post of the year, which is basically going to look like a three-headed monster :P. Here's where I recapitulate my 2014 in blogging, list my upcoming goals, and inform you of my little leave of absence. Oh, and of course, there will be a season-greetings-filled space in the end :). So, without further ado...

Pt. 1: This Year in Blogging

So I'm past the two-year mark...blimey O_O

This is what happened on Offbeat YA during the year, broken down by number of posts, events I took part in, and books I reviewed...

a) Numbers

By Kablam!

This is my 52nd post this year. I managed to produce an average of a post per week, which was (roughly) my goal. I also slightly increased my post number in respect to 2013, if only by 2 posts. (Not that it really matters a lot to me, in all honesty). Also, this was a year of firsts for me (see below)...

b) Events and memes

Starting to get more involved in the community...it was one of my 2014 goals

In January I participated in my first challenge: the Book Blogger New Year Challenge by Parajunkee. It did help me regain a bit of focus and dedication, since my first year of blogging had been so slow and mostly unrewarding.

In February I managed to produce a grand total of 3 reviews (my highest number in a month...well, in a tie with June).

In March I published my first Sunday Post (a meme by Caffeinated Book Reviewer)...but I only made it to my third. It felt like a chore (even if I had opted for my own monthly edition instead of the usual weekly one), and anyway, I'm not cut out for memes, really...Also, I got interviewed by Guinevere and Libertad @ Twinja Book Revies!

In April I took part in the LGBT Month by Fighting Dreamer and Laura Plus Books (some of you may already know I'm a big supporter of the QUILTBAG community).  I wrote a piece for it, and reviewed a couple of books (see Reviews section below).

In May I posted another think-piece (about comment love) and participated in my first Armchair BEA with 3 posts. Honestly? I expected it to be much more fun :(.

In June I was involved in my first blurb+cover reveal for Perfection by Erin Callahan & Troy H. Gardner (thanks, you guys, for seeking me out!), and posted my first ARC review for the said book (again, see below).

I took an extended hiatus in July and August. Summer drains me out O_O.

In September I was part of the cover reveal team for the new edition of Deadgirl by B.C. Johnson. I also started my own feature about iconic TV shows past and present, Screen Time (see my Features Room), with an article about Fame.

In October I was contacted by J.L. Morin, who offered me an ARC copy of her cli-fi novel Nature's Confession. I felt so lucky, since I had entered the giveaway on Goodreads, but was resigned to never win...again. Later, J.L. even posted an excerpt of my review on the back cover of a reprint (and among the forewords). It was another first for me. Thank you J.L.!

In November I participated in my first blog tour, again spotlighting Deadgirl by B.C. Johnson. Also, I finally took the plunge and started emailing a few selected authors who have some really promising books out in 2015, asking them if they would like Offbeat YA to review/promote/spotlight their novels. I usually tend to shun that because I'm well aware that my blog is still a small one, but on the other hand, this year taught me that some authors are inclined to seek even a small blog out if it suits their contents - so I have hope :). I chose their books for that very reason, after all - they have the potential requisites for suiting my oh-so-picky blog... ;)

c) Reviews

Not many...but always heartfelt :)

These are the books I reviewed this year, broken down by genres/Reading Rooms:

Christopher Pike: Die Softly (YA) | The Season of Passage (adult).

Afterlife: Absent by Katie Williams | Soul Beach, Soul Fire and Soul Storm by Kate Harrison | The Everafter by Amy Huntley.

Supernatural: Perfection by Erin Callahan & Troy H. Gardner (ARC review).

Sci-fi: Fox Forever by Mary E. Pearson | All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill | Nature's Confession by J.L. Morin (ARC review).

Contemporary: An Unstill Life by Kate Larkindale (for LGBT Month) | Trying Hard to Hear You by Sandra Scoppettone (for LGBT Month) | How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford | Fighting Kudzu by Mystic Thompson (review request) --- Contemporary With a Twist: Lucid by Adrienne Stoltz & Ron Bass.

Pt. 2: Goals for 2015

...which I accomplished ;P

1. Keeping up with my a-post-a-week average schedule (which, admittedly, is not much, but a feasible goal at least...).
2. Posting at least one review per month (again, I know, this sounds really small, compared with most blogs. But I'm only being realistic...This is something I know I can do, so I'm sticking to it).
3. Broadening my web-verse (either by befriending more people or joining more meaningful and interesting events) and...my audience ;P.
4. Doing...I'm not sure what yet, but I feel the need to do something different - something refreshing. I hope to come up with new ideas, to spice up my blog somehow.
   

Pt. 3: Holidays Hiatus

Hitting the pause button (wish I could freeze time instead. You know, cool power. Go Piper, go Hiro!)

I'm taking a little time off for the holidays. Not that I have a lot of Christmas commitments - it's more of an excuse for relaxing a little and making up my mind about my new year in blogging. I will be back at the beginning of 2015, and you know what? I'm not sure about what I'm going to do then yet. And it feels good, really :).

In the end...just this:

See you next year! Take care :).