Blogger of the Month-July

Each month we are thrilled to feature a Canadian Blogger:

Ciara from Lost at Midnight Reviews

1.When and why did you start blogging?

I actually started blogging very recently! February 19^th to be exact. I have always been a crazy book lover and had been active in the book community for years. I talked about books constantly with anyone who would listen, and found myself reading lots of book blogs. I loved seeing all the interesting opinions, the well thought out reviews, and how much fun these bloggers were having. I thought about starting my own blog, but I was a bit apprehensive. What if no one read it? What if my reviews weren’t well written? What if it was an epic failure? All of these questions ran through my head and I really started doubting myself. But then, a received lots of encouragement and support from my blogger friends, and I thought maybe, just maybe, I could be a blogger too. So, filled with anxiety and excitement, I clicked the “Create Blog” button and Lost At Midnight Reviews became my new home. 

2. What's your favourite genre/style of book?

I pretty much read everything that interests me, be that contemporary, fantasy, adult or YA. My favourite, though, is for sure the teen genre. There’s just so much diversity and amazing stories in the YA world! I can’t get enough of it. Within YA, I’ve been drawn to the dystopian style since its explosion a few years ago. I also love urban fantasy style, with its mix of reality and the fantastical.

3. What has been a blogging challenge for you?

There have definitely been some challenges I’ve faced with blogging. One of them has been just the simple act of reviewing. Sometimes, writing reviews is hard. I want to properly represent both my feelings of the novel and the novel itself, which sometimes leaves me with a bit of writer’s block. I’ll write and re-write until my head spins but I just can’t seem to get it right. This leads into another one of my blogging, and personal problems as well: self-confidence. I always used to worry that my reviews just aren’t very good. I’ve gotten much more secure with my writing over the months but it was definitely a challenge to build up the confidence at first. The other blogging challenge is one that every blogger has: balancing. Trying to work blogging into my everyday life while still keeping my priorities straight has been bumpy. But, now with more time on my hands, I think I’ll be able to find a balance that works for me.

4. Are there favourite memes or features that you participate in/ favourite blogs you check out on a regular basis?

I participate in two memes on my blog: Waiting On Wednesday and Stacking the Shelves. I love getting to hear about all the books people are looking forward to (and share my excitement with fellow bloggers) through Waiting on Wednesday. I also love to see what books people have picked up throughout the week, which is where Stacking the Shelves comes in!

I do have a few favourite blogs, two of which are the reason I started my own blog. The first is Lucy over at Moonlight Gleam’s Bookshelf who constantly encouraged and helped me navigate the blogging world. I have loved checking out her great reviews and gorgeous blog over the years, as well as having lots of book talk with her! The second happens to be a certain Ontario Blog Squad Member, Liz from Midnight Bloom’s Bookshelf. I absolutely loved reading her thoughtful reviews, and discussing all the different books we love (Team Tod For Afterlife, anyone?). Her blog inspired me to start mine and I have really appreciated the enthusiasm she’s shown for my blog! I also have a couple other blogs I check out such as Emilie’s Book World (another blogger gal I love to chat with!), A Cupcake and a Latte, Lost in the Library, Avery’s Book Nook and Just a ‘Lil Lost among many others!

 5. How do you organize your bookshelves?

My bookshelves are not organized in any specific way. I have too many books and way too limited space to set it up like I would! I try and keep books by the same author together, but otherwise I fit books into every nook and cranny I can. And, if I don’t have any room left (which I never do) I build stacks on every available space in my room. My friend’s call my bedroom “The Library”!

6. Favourite review you've written (include a link)

 My favourite review that I’ve written is for This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers. It was my favourite book so far this year and it took me a very long time to get this review just right. Finally (after having my original draft unexpectedly deleted by Blogger), I had a review that, I hope, does justice to this fantastic novel!

http://www.lostatmidnightreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/06/review-this-is-not-test-by-courtney.html

7. What is your biggest book blogger related dream (goal)?

I just want to connect with as many people as I can. I love talking to new bookish people, and it makes me so happy when I see that people have read, and have an opinion about my blog. Every time a get a comment on my blog it puts a smile on my face. I want to make my blog the best it can be, and hope everyone feels the same. I’m also an aspiring writer, and use my blog to practice writing, so another goal would be to try and get my stories published.

Thanks so much Ciara!!! We love your blog!!!