Blogger of the Month-August

I can not believe it's already August. Seriously, where did the time go? 

It's time for our August Blogger of the Month:

Hayley from Booking It With Hayley G

 1.When and why did you start blogging?

I wanted to work in the Publishing Industry with an emphasis in Marketing, and I was told by a colleague in PR at Penguin Canada, that a blog is a great way to make connections. Once I started my blog I realized how much I enjoyed reviewing books, especially Young Adult and I didn't want to work with just one Publisher but all of them! And it was from there that I decided to go back to school for my Master of Library Science. 

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

YOUNG ADULT ALL THE WAY! haha, I really love a good Urban Fantasy read as well. So long as there's a good romance story in the plot (I'm constantly teased for this :)).

3.What has been a blogging challenge for you?

Consistency. I tap my hat to those bloggers who are able to blog 6-7 days a week. I do my best to blog 3-4 times a week but it's hard sometimes when you're working full-time. I always feel guilty that I'm not contributing enough time and then I'll worry my reviews aren't up to par.

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

I love In My Mailbox or Stacking the Shelves by The Story Siren and Tynga's Reviews. I love to see what titles other book bloggers are reading and then grow green with envy at all the amazing titles and ARCs they receive.

5.How do you organize your bookshelves?

I don't. It's awful, I actually have thousands of books and have had to store (or hide them from my Dad) them in various boxes throughout the house, because they unfortunately don't fit all on my shelves. As it is right now, I have books stored in front of other books on my shelves which is awful because than I always end up buying doubles because I didn't realize I had that title. As I write out this answer I'm starting to think I may have a hoarding problem haha. My dream though is to have a library with wall-to-wall shelves, stacked with books- So I guess you could say I'm looking towards the future :).

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

I'd say my favourite review was the one I wrote on Kate Ellison's The Butterfly Clues. It was such a beautiful book and I really enjoyed typing out my thoughts on it.

http://bookingitwithhayleyg.blogspot.ca/2012/01/arc-review-butterfly-clues-by-kate.html

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

My dreams and goals keep changing, but my current one, making it to BEA! Haha I swear I plan to go every year but circumstances always arise, beyond my control and I'm forced to cancel. So I'm always stuck saying, "Next year," but I mean it this time, next year I'm going! haha.

Happy reading fellow book lovers!!!

Thanks Hayley!!!!!!

Blogger of the Month -Book Review

As part of our Blogger of the Month feature, we ask the featured blogger to 

post a review during their month. 

Our blogger this month is Ciara from Lost at Midnight Reviews. 

Title: Paper Covers Rock

Author: Jenny Hubbard

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Release Date: June 14th, 2011

Source: Won (from author Daisy Whitney)

My Rating: 4/5

(Novel Summary from Goodreads)

     At the beginning of his junior year at a boys' boarding school, 16-year-old Alex is devastated when he fails to save a drowning friend. When questioned, Alex and his friend Glenn, who was also at the river, begin weaving their web of lies. Plagued by guilt, Alex takes refuge in the library, telling his tale in a journal he hides behind Moby-Dick. Caught in the web with Alex and Glenn is their English teacher, Miss Dovecott, fresh out of Princeton, who suspects there's more to what happened at the river when she perceives guilt in Alex's writing for class. She also sees poetic talent in Alex, which she encourages. As Alex responds to her attention, he discovers his true voice, one that goes against the boarding school bravado that Glenn embraces. When Glenn becomes convinced that Miss Dovecott is out to get them, Alex must choose between them.

  I wasn't really sure what to expect when I received a copy of Paper Covers Rock from author Daisy Whitney last year. I hadn't heard anything about it, not a single peep in the book world, and was curious to see if this was a gem everyone was overlooking. Well, I can tell you one thing about this book, its subtly stunning.

  I will admit, it took me a couple tries to get into Paper Covers Rock. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, but I couldn't seem to commit to reading it either. The writing style, both how it was written and the format in which it was written, was much different and, at times, confusing which had me both intrigued and frazzled. The story, which takes place at a boarding school during the 1980s, follows sixteen-year-old Alex as he copes with the death of his best friend Thomas, and the secret he is told to keep hidden about the accident. It meshes the honor code and the truth through one broken boy's perspective. The novel is done in different sections, and doesn't always follow a linear timeline. It's written as a diary and, in true format of a diary, bounces back and forth and expresses more emotion than story. I felt caught up in Alex's confused and distressed feelings and the sort of numbness that comes with a great loss. Alex sometimes reminded me of Holden Caulfield (although when Alex mentally makes that comparison he expresses his great distaste of the famous character). He is a lost, young boy, pushed and prodded into a box he feels he can't escape. He's unhappy with the world he sees, and finds solace in poetry. And in his feelings towards his English teacher, Miss Dovecott. The story unfolds slowly, and I found myself really wondering what had truly happened that day at the rock. And when the entire events are laid out, I felt almost confused. Until one single line changed my perspective on the novel.

   When I said early that this novel is subtly stunning, I meant it. This book isn't outright. It doesn't lay out the truth, but leaves it muddled and woven deeply within the diary pages. To be entirely honest, I'm not even sure if I'm interpreting it right. It was a novel that left much up to the readers discretion and perception of what Alex was talking about. What I felt the driving force underneath the novel was the element of homophobia. It wasn't said, but implied throughout the novel, leaving the reader to piece together its relevance and importance.

Paper Covers Rock was definitely a great novel, even if it was a bit hard to get into. Although it's set in the past, it's themes and story are very relevant for present day. If you're looking for a new and interesting contemporary novel, I would look towards Paper Covers Rock.

- Ciara who is lost at midnight

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!!!

Blogger of the Month-June

Each month we are thrilled to feature a Canadian Blogger:

Chloe from:  http://www.yabookloverblog.blogspot.ca/

1. When and why did you start blogging?

In the summer of 2010, I randomly decided to start a Wordpress blog. I forgot about it for a couple months, and when I rediscovered it, I decided I wanted to have specifically a book blog. I switched to Blogger in October 2010, and that's when I seriously started blogging. I started because I loved books and looked up to so many other book bloggers - I too wanted a place to share my thoughts on books. 

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

YA contemporary comes in first place, closely followed by YA dystopia and YA historical fiction. 

3. What has been a blogging challenge for you?

Learning how to make my blog my own, and not become a blogging robot. Just recently I had this revelation that I wasn't blogging for myself anymore, and I've been trying to find a way of blogging that works for me, and makes my blog more personal.

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

Some of my favourite memes are Top Ten Tuesday, Friday's Finest, and In My Mailbox (or a version of it). There are lots of blogs I check out on a regular basis, the most frequent being the book blog Holes In My Brain.

5. How do you organize your bookshelves?

Not in any specific way. My shelves are all at different heights, so I can't really organize it by author or title since only some books fit in various shelves. If I could though, I think I would organize by colour! 

6. Favourite review you've written 

I guess I have to say one of the most recent reviews I wrote. I really tried not to let formatting or anything confine me, and I just spilled all my thoughts into that review, for a book I absolutely love. The review is of Graffiti Moon, by Cath Crowley: http://www.yabookloverblog.blogspot.ca/2012/05/review-of-graffiti-moon-by-cath-crowley.html

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

Probably to attend Book Expo America. I'm still too young, and we live too far, so it really is just a dream right now! 

  

Be sure to check out Chloe's blog!!! Thanks Chloe!!!!!

Our May Blogger

Each month we highlight a Canadian Blogger: 

This Month's Blogger of the Month is:

Sarah from Workaday Reads

1. When and why did you start blogging?
I started a personal blog in 2010, and when my book reviews started taking over, I started Workaday Reads as a book review blog in Feb 2011.

2. What's your favourite genre/style of book?
I don't really have one single favourite, it depends on my mood. I go through phases where I love different genres. I stick to fiction, but range from YA to adult, and all over in genres from courtroom dramas to paranormal to dystopian to contemporary.

3. What has been a blogging challenge for you?
Not falling behind. I read quite fast and always have reviews that need to be written. I also have an email folder full of author interviews and guest posts that need to be posted.

4. Are there favourite memes or features that you participate in/ favourite blogs you check out on a regular basis?
I keep my weekends free to do my On My Wishlist and In My Mailbox memes. I don't do any other memes. Fridays are for discussion posts or posts that I call Friday Leftovers. It's my opportunity to talk about whatever is on my mind. I also do month end wrap-up posts.

I follow a lot of blogs, about 130, and read all of them. Usually in large spurts on the weekends. I am partial to other Canadian book bloggers, and never miss posts from Evie at Bookish (http://evie-bookish.blogspot.ca) or Tynga and Jenn at Tynga's Reviews (http://www.tyngasreviews.com) or Marie at Ramblings of a Daydreamer (http://sweetmarie-83.blogspot.ca).

5. How do you organize your bookshelves?
I mostly organize my bookshelves on my Goodreads account. I several types of tbr shelves, and a separate wishlist shelf. My ereader is organized with Netgalley books in one folder, reviews in another folder, and everything else untagged. My physical bookshelf is not organized at all, the books just go where they fit.

6. Favourite review you've written (include a link)
I have to pick one? In the past 15 months I have reviewed 300 books, so picking just one is really hard. But if you force me, I had a lot of fun with my review for Ashfall by Mike Mullin (http://www.workadayreads.com/2011/06/ashfall.html). After I wrote my review I looked up Mike's contact info and emailed him to let him know how much I enjoyed the story. It was the first time I ever emailed an author about my review without having been contacted by him first.

7. What is your biggest book blogger related dream (goal)?
I would love to quit my day job and make a living doing something book related. I have been thinking about editing, which I have always loved to do since I was in elementary school (complete with red pen), but I need to connect with other people doing this and figure out how to get there.

Thanks so much Sarah!! Be sure to visit her blog!!