Armchair BEA 2012 Giveaway Winner

I used a random number generator to select a winner for one of the books in my Giveaway.

Congratulations to Viari Rose!

A signed copy of First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost will be heading your way very soon!

Armchair BEA 2012: The Future of Book Blogging

Today we were asked to give some tips on book blogging. You can find links to other peoples’ posts here.

Safety First

I have seen a lot of blogs this week written by young girls. This is great, ladies, but you might want to be a little careful about how much personal information you splash on to the Internet. I hate to say it, but not everyone looking at your site is interested in your opinions on your latest read, so be wary and try to keep your personal information as secret as you can.

Important Tools

Once you have your blog up and running, you need to stay organized and connect with the community. Here are the tools that I find most useful.

1. Goodreads

Some people use Goodreads as their blog by publishing reviews, making friends etc. However, I find it invaluable for organizing my reading and reviewing. It is basically an online book-cataloguing tool. When you start an account you have 3 ‘exclusive’ shelves: books can appear on only one exclusive shelf at a time. The default shelves are ‘read’, ‘currently-reading’ and ‘to-read’. This allows you to keep track of what you have or have not read and you can add other shelves to place books in genres, years published, color of cover or anything else you like. Goodreads also provides good widgets that you can place on your blog so that you can show what you are currently reading, for example, without having to upload the images to your blog yourself.

2. A Feed Reader

If you want to follow more than a handful of blogs you will need a feed reading program to collect all those nice RSS feeds together in one place. I use NetNewsWire, because I work on a Mac and so my options are restricted a little. This is a free app, as are many of the others, and it provides a simple way to keep track of what all your favorite bloggers are posting. You can sort them in to groups if you want to and it saves the time that would be wasted by checking each site individually every day. 


Note: make sure that people have an easy way to add your RSS Feed to their own feed readers.

  

3. Twitter

Even if you do not feel the need to post regularly on Twitter, it is a great way to increase your connection to the community. The people that you follow will no doubt re-Tweet posts that they like and so you will be introduced to others in the book blogging community. This is how I found out about my first Read Along, so I am very grateful that I signed up! Twitter also has a selection of widgets so that people can follow you easily and you can tie your account to your Facebook account or page so that it will automatically post there for you.

Remember: It Is All About The Content

When I visit a blog I want to read what the writer thinks about the topic that they are discussing. If they have interesting things to say and an engaging way to express themselves I am much more likely to follow the blog and read more of their work. To keep people coming back to your blog you need to give them something interesting to read and provoke them into thinking. If you do not have that content then you will find it very hard to retain followers over a prolonged period.

Armchair BEA 2012: Beyond the Blog

As I have not taken my writing beyond my blog yet, I do not have any tips or words of wisdom to impart to my fellow bloggers. However, I would like to share one thing that I have found very enjoyable about my blogging experience. You can find links to other peoples' posts here.

Confessions of a Read Along Addict

This is an adaptation of my post from April 23^rd.

Thanks to someone's reTweet, I joined up to the Read Along for The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, a book that I totally fell in love with. However, it was not simply the quality of that book that has turned me into a self-confessed Read Along Addict: it is the process itself. I am assuming that the RAs that I have experienced are fairly typical in that a host blog or website divides a book up into several sections, each of which can be read in a week relatively easily. The host posts a schedule of each week's reading and chooses a day of the week for people to receive an email with questions about that section of the book. The bloggers taking part agree to post their answers to the questions two days later and usually the host asks them to provide links to their posts so that everyone can read and comment on each other's thoughts.

Sounds pretty dull, but it is actually a great way to read a book. For a start, you are forced to take the reading slowly. I actually found it very satisfying to dedicate one day a week to my reading and I looked forward to it, just like the latest episode of my favorite TV show. Then, to add to the experience, once a week I had a set of questions to make me think about what I had been reading. This made me concentrate on aspects of the book that I might not have paid much attention to and brought out details that I had not seen as important at the time of reading. However, the very best part of the experience is reading all the other answers and getting into discussions with other people about what has happened, what it means, what will happen next, etc, etc. This is a fairly new experience for me, because I rarely read something at the same time as someone else that I can communicate with during the process. I have been a member of my book group for almost two years now, and I love the discussions we have about the books we have read, but we only talk about them once we have finished. The chance to discuss books whilst still in the process of reading them is a true delight that I did not expect.

As another unexpected pleasure, I have now found a list of blogs that I like reading and friendly bloggers that I enjoy communicating with. Reading and writing the last posts for The Lies of Locke Lamora was a bitter-sweet experience: bitter that such a great book was over but sweet because I knew that we would all be reading Mr Lynch's second Gentleman Bastard book: Red Seas Under Red Skies.

Since I wrote my original post in April I have completed three more RAs and I have loved every moment of them. We finished Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson a few weeks ago. Shortly after that we came to the conclusion of Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch, while we finished Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere on Monday of this week, both of which I have yet to review.

Next week I will have only Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson to discuss, but then I am joining a RA of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, with the first posts due on June 18^th. The RA for the second Mistborn book, The Well of Ascension, will begin soon, although we may be using a slightly different method for that one.

If you would like to join in, you can check out the following links:

Outlander Read Along

Carl will be hosting the The Well of Ascension Read Along

Armchair BEA 2012: Networking . . . In Real Life?!

You can find links to other peoples' posts here.


When it comes to networking in real life I am exceptionally lucky because I have a great book club at my local library.

Not Your Ordinary Book Group was started in 2009 by Bangor Public Library, Maine, as an initiative to increase library use by women in the 20s-30s age group. We meet once a month to share coffee, cookies and our love of reading. Usually, we read two books a month, one that is Mystery, Suspense or Horror and one that is Romance, Fantasy or Women's Fiction. The titles up for the vote come from a list of suggestions from the members. These are not necessarily works of great literary merit, but they are usually entertaining and compelling, some even require a chili pepper rating for their spicy content! If you want to get an idea of what we read you can find most of the books that we have read here, whilst we have those books that have been suggested for the book votes here.

However, the group is not just the ladies who meet in the library. Since the autumn of 2010, the group has had a web presence, through its blog, and so it is available to a much wider readership. This caught the eye of the Library Journal, who included the group’s format in an article in September 2011. Not long after this, the group received a grant to buy e-readers and e-books, which has made it much easier for us to read new or very popular titles.

The group is full of amazing ladies and has introduced me to some wonderful books and authors, but, more importantly, it is great fun. I strongly advise you to find a local book group that reads the types of books that you like. If you cannot find one, maybe you should consider starting one: I am sure that you will not regret it.

Armchair BEA 2012: Giveaway

My friend Jan, from Not Your Ordinary Book Group, saw my post this morning and rushed over with a pile of signed and unread titles so now I DO have a Giveaway!

Please complete the form below before 23.59 EST on Sunday 10th June and I will draw 1 name at random and that person can select one of the following titles.

All entrants must be 13+ and live in the US / Canada.

All descriptions from Goodreads. All books are signed by the author and unread.

Always a Scoundrel by Suzanne Enoch (Notorious Gentlemen #3)

Lord Bramwell Johns is a wastrel, a rake, a scoundrel...and proud of it. The second son of the Duke of Levonzy, Bram is bored enough and reckless enough to break into the homes of his peers just for the excitement. But then he overhears a couple arranging the marriage of their daughter to an even more notorious rake than Bram...Lady Rosamund likes to think of herself as practical. If she has to marry, a titled rake is better than a penniless gentleman. But what about an untitled rake? For suddenly Brams appears everywhere she is, and doing his best to sweep her off her feet. If Rose isn't careful, she may believe that reformed rakes really do make the best husbands...

First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost (Night Huntress World #1)

The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows - her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield - and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family's dark past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness - and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who craves a taste of her.

He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human - even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the demon nightmare together...

Because once the first drop of crimson falls, they will both be lost.

Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke (Girl Bachelors #3)

Once Upon a Time...

Maria Martingale was going to elope. But Phillip Hawthorne, Marquess of Kayne, put a stop to those plans when he learned his younger brother intended to marry a cook's daughter. Now, twelve years later, Maria discovers that the man who holds her fate in his hands is none other than the haughty gentleman who sent her packing—and he's as handsome and arrogant as ever.

Happily Ever After?

Always the proper gentleman, Phillip will do anything to protect his family from scandal, and when Maria dares to move in right next door, he knows scandal will surely follow. She is as tempting as he remembered... and the more he sees her, the harder it is for Phillip to keep his own secret desire for her a secret

With Seduction in Mind by Laura Lee Guhrke (Girl Bachelors #4)

Her proposition...

London Society is harsh for a young woman with no family connections who has to work for a living. But when Daisy Merrick is sacked from yet another job, the fiesty and outspoken miss comes up with a plan that could give her a future beyond her wildest dreams. There's only one problem. Her success depends on a man, the most infuriating, impossible, immovable man she's ever met.

His resolution...

Sebastian Grant, Earl of Avermore, is England's most infamous author. Known for his notorious reputation, he is more interested in play than work, and has no intention of cooperating when Daisy shows up on his doorstep with a mad plan. The provoking, fire-haired beauty stirs his sense beyond belief, and Sebastian knows he has only one way to stop her. Seduction.

For the Earl's Pleasure by Anne Mallory

Beneath every scornful smile...

They were once cherished childhood companions, until a scandalous secret tore them apart. Now Valerian Rainewood and Abigail Smart are the fiercest of enemies. To Abigail, Rainewood is a notorious rake, hell-bent on mischief and not fit for polite society. So what if it seems as if he can seduce her with nothing but his eyes? She will not succumb. But when the earl is viciously attacked, Abigail's distress tells her that something still binds her to the wild Rainewood.

Lies an unquenchable desire...

Though the ton believes there is nothing between them, Rainewood knows the truth. Abigail tempts him the way no other woman has. Wanton lust overwhelms him whenever she is near. But keeping her too close may put her precious life in danger. He must destroy his enemies— so that with every touch he may prove to Abigail that though their past was filled with trouble, their future will be nothing but pleasure.

Armchair BEA 2012: The Best of 2012

Today has been set aside by Armchair BEA 2012 to be the Giveaway Day. Unfortunately, I do not have a giveaway to announce, so I am posting a list of my favorite books of the last twelve months. So far this year I have been very lucky because about a third of the books that I have read and reviewed have proven to be excellent.


There are links to other peoples' answers here.

The 5 Star Reviews

The books that really stood out from the rest were:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

If you have not read this Science Fiction title yet, I strongly suggest that you do. The film version was well done, but did not come close to the power of the book itself. Ms Collins is yet another author writing for Young Adults who can satisfy any reader with her work.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

This Fantasy title is great fun with a wonderful set of colorful characters and a convoluted heist plot. Plus there is a sport that involves outwitting jumping sharks!

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

This is the book that persuaded me to start this blog: it was THAT good. It is a work of Magical Realism, full of amazing characters, each of whom I could read about for a very long time. I was enraptured and enthralled as the story carried me a long and was genuinely bereft when I reached the end.

Although they are from three different genres, each of these books was near perfect in my opinion. They were all well written and entertaining. The authors created realistic and intriguing worlds filled with well-drawn characters that held my attention and sympathy. More importantly, each book drew me in so successfully that I was disappointed when I reached their conclusions and I wanted to read more.

The 4.5 Star Reviews

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

A Fantasy set in a dystopian society that is very entertaining and thrilling and has one of the most unique magic systems that I have come across.

The Parasol Protectorate Books by Gail Carriger:   Soulless   Changeless   Blameless

This series of Paranormal Romance novels is set in a Steampunk version of Victorian England, with vampires, werewolves, ghosts, parasols, truly hideous hats and treacle tart.

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

This is the first book in one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series. The books are worth it for the wonder that is Jenks: he is one of my favorite characters, ever.

A Summer To Remember by Mary Balogh

In the past I would avoid straight Romance books because of some unfortunately bad experiences with trashy novels when I was a teenager. However, this was a wonderful read and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone else who is wary of the stereotypical bodice-rippers.

The Sugar Queen by Sara Addison Allen

This is the second Magical Realism title from the author of Garden Spells. In my opinion it is not quite as good as her first title, although I would still recommend it.

Six Moon Dance by Sheri S Tepper   &   The Ship Who Sang by Anne McCaffrey

These two are both thought-provoking Science Fiction / Fantasy titles that I recommend if you want something to make you think about how modern society functions.

                

Armchair BEA 2012: Introductions First!

For the First post in Armchair BEA 2012 we were asked to answer five questions out of a list of ten.


You can find links to all the participants' answers here.

Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

I taught myself Italian by using various audio, video and book-based courses.

I did this because I love all things to do with the Roman Empire, including the Eternal City of Rome itself. I have visited the city many times and after the first visit I was determined to be able to communicate in the native tongue.

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

At the moment, the post I am most proud of is my review of The Ship Who Sang by Anne McCaffrey. I wrote it as a Guest Post for Bookworm Blues who has just finished her Special Needs in Strange Worlds event.

It was a great event, looking at the portrayal of disabled people in Speculative Fiction, and I was honored when Sarah asked me to contribute. This is the most detailed review that I have written because I normally try to avoid too many spoilers.

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

The Emperor Claudius as presented in the wonderful books I, Claudius and Claudius the God by Robert Graves.

As I said above, I really love the Roman Empire and have done ever since I was a teenager. One of my first encounters with fiction set within this wonderful world was this work by Robert Graves. Claudius was the most unlikely of any of the Emperors. He was the biological grandson of Mark Antony and adopted grandson of the Emperor Augustus. He was born with many physical problems, including a terrible stammer, weak legs and muscle spasms. Modern scholars believe that he had cerebral palsy. As the useless and embarrassing freak of the family he was hidden away and kept out of the public and political limelight. Despite his disabilities, or because of them if you believe Mr Graves, he outlived his uncle, the Emperor Tiberius, and his nephew, the Emperor Gaius ‘Caligula’, and became Emperor himself. In many ways he was one of the good ones. He conquered the province of Britannia and created a bureaucracy to administer the massive Empire more efficiently. His third wife murdered him so that her son could become the Emperor Nero.

I imagine that Claudius would have some amazing stories to relate, so I would love to pick his brain about his life. Also, I have experimented with Roman cookery recipes, courtesy of the writings of Apicius, so I know that the meal itself would be quite interesting as well!

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

Ancient Rome, but you probably could have guessed that from my answer above! However, I would like to be a little more specific and make it the Ancient Rome of Marcus Didius Falco, Lindsay Davis’ wonderfully disaster-prone Private Investigator. Ms Davis paints such a wonderful picture of the various areas of Rome that I want to experience myself, although I could probably do without the smells!

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

My most favorite part is the Read Along. I have been lucky to take part in several very rewarding events and I look forward to several more about to start over the next few weeks. If you have not yet enjoyed a read along, I recommend that you find one and join in. They are great for connecting with the other bloggers in your genre and make the process of reading a book a whole lot more enjoyable.

Armchair BEA 2012 June 4th-8th

Next week I will be taking part in Armchair BEA 2012 because I cannot attend the actual BEA event in New York.

The Agenda

Monday, June 4th: Introductions First!

Tuesday, June 5th: Giveaways Everywhere!

Wednesday, June 6th: Networking ... In Real Life?!

Thursday, June 7th: Beyond the Blog

Friday, June 8th: The Future of Book Blogging

Click here for more details