BBAW - Day 5

Friday September 16th: Blogging

The world of blogging is continually changing. Share 3 things you are essential tried and true practices for every blogger and 1-3 new trends or tools you’ve adapted recently or would like to in the future.

Essentials

1. Be yourself.  Do not try to fit any ideas that you have of what a good blogger should be.  A good blogger stays true to themselves and the rest comes naturally.
2. Ask you readers a question at the end of your post to encourage them to comment and likewise, comment on other bloggers posts.
3. Blog regularly.   It maybe once a week, every other day or once a day, but try to engage with your readers often.  If you think you may be away from your computer for several days have some post-scheduled posts ready.

New trends

1. Well, only just this week, after reading other book bloggers tips in my comments, I have started using google reader to keep up with my favourite blogs.  Why did I ignore it for so long?
2. Twitter is a very sociable media and a quick way to keep folks up to date with goings on at your blog or just in general.  Great place to ask for quick advice.
3. It is not a new trend but I did add a share bar on the bottom of my posts without really recognising it's significance.  Now, I am using a facebook page and twitter I can add my posts at the click of a button. I encourage you to add the share bar to your posts if you don't have it already. Often I see an interesting   post on a blog but cannot share it with no share bar.

Do you have an essentials or trends to share with me?






DizzyC

BBAW - Day 4

Thursday September 15th: Readers


Book bloggers blog because we love reading. 


Has book blogging changed the way you read? 


Oh yes, I used to have a book hanging around on the arm of the chair and it would travel.  My family used to laugh about it.  I would read a few pages, sitting in the chair, then the book would travel to my bedside, and then each morning back to the chair.  I would take a good couple of weeks, sometimes 3 to read a book this way.
In the last 8 months, I am getting through a book a week, sometimes more.  
My passion for reading has increased and now I really do prefer to read rather than watch tv or surf the net.




How has book blogging affected your book acquisition habits? 


I have to say, I used to frequent the charity shops and chain book shops for my books.  These days I do still buy from shops but mainly online as I put them on my wishlist whilst browsing blogs. 


Have you made new connections with other readers because of book blogging? 


I used to frequent craft and genealogy forums several years ago and made a few connections with others but I have made many more new connections with readers.  Some readers read different genres to me, but the love of reading is why I connect with these bloggers.




What has book blogging done for your reading habits?


DizzyC

BBAW - Day 3

Wednesday September 14th: Community Part II


The world of book blogging has grown enormously and sometimes it can be hard to find a place. Share your tips for finding and keeping community in book blogging despite the hectic demands made on your time and the overwhelming number of blogs out there. If you’re struggling with finding a community, share your concerns and explain what you’re looking for–this is the week to connect!


In the short space of time that I have been blogging (one year) I have noticed that the blogging community has been evolving.


I am not sure where my blog fits into the book blogging community.  The only thing I can be sure of is that I have a steadily increasing following, so my blog style must appeal, though I am not sure where my niche is. 


When I began last July I followed other blogs solely through the blogger dashboard and would import the web address for blogs outside blogger, into that dashboard.


I have not really looked closely at using google reader to keep track of blogs I follow. I know other folks do.  I suppose I need to look at that.  Dashboard seems the easiest for me at the moment, but not sure how reliable it is


Nowadays, I am using various medias to follow and I do feel a little anxious that I do not have a good system for following.  Because of this when I do find a blog to follow I will follow via every media they offer, (eg facebook page, twitter, google) so that I can keep up with posts.


Here are some of the ways I find and follow book bloggers

1. Twitter - I do find that Twitter is not always a good way to follow a blogger as it is really 'right now' reading.  I follow hundreds of  tweeters, but is great to have a quick word or 140 with tweeters when you can catch them.
2. Facebook pages - are great if updated regularly and I have recently set up my own.  I tend to add each post to the facebook page but also use it to share snippets from authors and other facebook pages.
3. Blogaholic Social Network - A growing blog community, not only for book bloggers, which has groups for different styles of blogs.  
4. Goodreads Bloggers Unite group -  Lots going on there.

How do you keep up with all your blog favourites?

BBAW - Come and meet Katy from A few more pages

Today I have the pleasure of introducing Katy from A Few More Pages, as part of the BBAW 2011.

Katy

Thank you, Katy for taking the time to answer my questions 

1. Tell us a little about yourself

I am 33 years old, married, and mom to a 4-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son. I have a Master's degree in US History and currently am teaching at two local colleges. And, of course, I love books and carry one with me wherever I go. My husband thinks I'm a book hoarder, and judging from the overflowing box of books sitting in my room, I might be on my way there.

2. How did you become a book blogger?

I have always been a big reader and I had been writing short reviews at Paperback Swap and participating in the forums there. I don't have many people to talk about books with IRL, so I was looking to fill that void online. Then I discovered the world of book blogs and decided to jump in and participate. I was already running a personal blog (which has basically been neglected for the last year and a half), so it wasn't too hard to start up a new blog about books. I started networking by participating in some bookish memes (Mailbox Monday was my first regular meme) and joining twitter.

3. You are involved in several challenges, as well as hosting a couple of your own. What challenges are you working on and which is your favourite this year?

I am working on eleven different reading challenges this year, am running two (1st in a Series Challenge and 2nds Challenge), and helping out with the website for the POC Challenge. My favorite challenge so far this year has been the Classics Challenge because it's been my goal this year to read more classics. I haven't gone crazy with classics, but I've been pleasantly surprised at how wonderful the classics I've read have been.

4. What is your favourite genre to read and why?

Historical Fiction has got to be my favorite genre. My love of history isn't limited to non-fiction, I love reading stories set in the past as well. It is a fun way to pretend like I'm actually in the time periods that I love to study so much.

5. What do you think about e-readers? Do you own one?  

I have a Barnes & Noble Nook (my brother and parents bought it for me for my birthday this summer) and so far I like it. It will never replace physical books for me though. It is wonderful for reading e-galleys and classics, but when I love a book, I have to own a physical copy. I can see myself using my e-reader to test out books before bringing them physically into my house. I also have a hard time reading non-fiction on my Nook. I like to take a lot of notes and put dozens of sticky tabs in my non-fiction books, which is much more difficult to do on an e-reader. I can place electronic bookmarks and add highlights and notes in my e-reader, but it's not as quick or easy to flip through.

Thanks for this fun interview Carol! It's so great to meet you!

Best wishes,

Katy at A Few More Pages

BBAW - Day 1

Monday September 12th:Community
While the awards are a fun part of BBAW, they can never accurately represent the depth and breadth of diversity in the book blogging community. Today you are encouraged to highlight a couple of bloggers that have made book blogging a unique experience for you. They can be your mentors, a blogger that encouraged you to try a different kind of book, opened your eyes to a new issue, made you laugh when you needed it, or left the first comment you ever got on your blog. Stay positive and give back to the people who make the community work for you!


I am happy to be taking part in BBAW2011.  


Last year I was a newbie blogger and was still finding my way around the community.  
I had no idea, at that time, how big the community was, or how much that community would become part of my life.


I find it very difficult, these days, to single out a handful of bloggers to name for these kind of posts and the award memes that circulate.   I worry that I am leaving out some great bloggers. 
There are many bloggers who I feel have enriched my blogging over the last year.


Many of these were highlighted in my Birthday Honours Post  


BUT like I said in the posting, not everyone I admire was on the list.  My Sidebar showing BLOGS I FOLLOW will give you an idea of how many folks enrich my blogging experience.


I have made many blog friends over the last year, some have given me advice without even realising it, just from reading their blogs and watching how they blog.  My reading genres have broadened just by following book blogs that have a variety of genres and a book will catch my eye.


So you see, I get inspiration, mentoring, and encouragement from interacting with other book bloggers.


DizzyC

Save the date....BBAW

Book Blogger Appreciation Week is an annual celebration of book blogs. It’s a jam packed week dedicated to acknowledging the hard work and contribution of book bloggers to preserving our culture of literacy. This year’s celebration takes place September 12-September 16th. The week includes guest posts, dailty activities, giveaways, games, special podcasts, and an awards program exclusively devoted to book blogs.

This year I have signed up to join in with Book Blogger Appreciation Week at BBAW.

Will you?

DizzyC