Featured Blogger: Melanie of Melanie's Diary

Today please welcome Melanie, who blogs at Melanie's Diary.

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What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?

I've always been big on keeping a diary, and blogs these days are like the modern version. Of course, my mom is reading it this time, but that's okay.

How long have you been blogging?

I started back with Xanga. That would be 2005, I think. It was a lot of fun and a great way to keep up with my friends, but because it was such an open diary, sometimes I'd say too much and caught some backlash with that. You learn as you go.

Tell us a bit about your book blog. What makes it unique?

In between book reviews, I'll write about any damn thing. I went to Central Park, or had a vacation in the Middle East, or I found a doll from my childhood I'd put away and now I'm awash in memories. Anything.

What genres do you write about most, and why?

As far as reading/reviewing goes, I'm open to almost any genre. I love a story with some suspense, but I also like biographies and historic novels (like Dickens or L.M. Montgomery). I'm also reading a few comic book series that I like to write about from time to time.

Every blogger feels pressure at some point. What's something you feel pressured to do or not do on your blog? How do you deal with it?

I feel very pressured to tackle "important topics" like mental health or sexual harassment or the rights of one group or another. It gets so heavy and opens the door for people to vehemently disagree. I just want to write about something I love. Bloggers who do tackle important topics are writing about causes they love, and they should absolutely do that, but it's not right for me to pretend to be passionate about something I just agree with.

Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

I'm all for it. I've bought used books where previous owners have written notes. Some of them are interesting (and some people can't underline a text without crossing it out). For me, it's a great way to help collect my thoughts, especially on a second or third read through. 

Do you judge a book by its cover, or its lover?

I love book covers so much. There have been times where I would read something solely based on the cover without even reading the blurb on the back (I'm not a fan of back blurbs).

To DNF or not to DNF?

Life is short, you know? If I'm not feeling a book (or movie, or experience, etc), I don't feel obliged to finish. The few times I have pushed through a book I wasn't into has never once been a positive experience.

If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?

I would love to see Prince Edward Island (from Anne of Green Gables fame). That series was a big part of my childhood.

How about non-book related hobbies? What do you do when you don't feel like reading?

Most people know I write my own books, so we'll count that as a hobby. I also love to travel, I love trying new, weird food (like brains or haggis). I keep my inner child alive by getting my dolls out. And who can avoid that classic favorite: watching TV. There are stories on TV, so I'm not sorry.

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Thank you for joining us today, Melanie! 

Remember to check out Melanie's blog, Melanie's Diary, 

and leave a comment or question.

Featured Blogger: Irene from Mysterious Bibliophile

Today please welcome Irene, who blogs at Mysterious Bibliophile.

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How long have you been blogging?

This blog has been active for 10 months; I've previously owned other blogs on books, film, and homeschooling.

What genres do you write about most, and why?

I am an eclectic reader and blogger, but my primary focus is on mystery and suspense. This genre is important to me because it connects me to my mom, who died in 2003. She was a huge mystery aficionado and wrote her master's thesis in fictional female detectives. It is also the genre I write. 

What's your favorite place to read or blog?

The recliner in our T.V. room.

What have you learned from other bloggers or your readers?

So much! Recommendations of genres, books, or films I might not have otherwise considered. Myriad ways of looking at books and films. Benefiting from being exposed to so much really terrific writing and reviewing.

Do you judge a book by its cover, or its lover?

Definitely by its lover. That said, I am a huge sucker for a gorgeous book cover, even if I'm buying it for my Kindle and won't see it anyway. I can't explain it.

One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?

I don't care for Wuthering Heights, which is a well-loved classic. Brooding, slightly creepy men just don't do it for me.

To DNF or not to DNF?

I definitely DNF. With so many great books out there that I'll never get a chance to read, I am way too old NOT to. :-)

What's one book that intimidates you?

Ulysses, and just about everything else by James Joyce (besides Portrait of an Artist).

What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)

Your responses showed you fitting into three different personalities:

Involved Reader: You don't just love to read books, you love to read about books. For you, half the fun of reading is the thrill of the chase - discovering new books and authors, and discussing your finds with others.
Serial Reader: Once you discover a favorite writer you tend to stick with him/her through thick and thin.
Eclectic Reader: You read for entertainment but also to expand your mind. You're open to new ideas and new writers, and are not wedded to a particular genre or limited range of authors.

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Thank you for joining us today, Irene! Remember to check out Irene's blog, Mysterious Bibliophile, and leave a comment or question.

Blogging Rules-Schmules with Tamara of Traveling with T

Hey ya’ll! I’m Tamara and I blog at Traveling With T (mainly about books, but other things creep on the page from time to time!) I’m so excited to be hanging out at Book Bloggers International today! Enough about me, though, and let’s get to the meat and potatoes of the post- Onward to Blogging Rules-Smchules!

Blogging Rules-Schmules

In my real life, I’m a bit of rule follower. I try not to speed down the Interstate (note: I try not to- but sometimes that Camry feels the need for speed!), I wait 30 minutes after I eat before I get in the pool, I rarely jay-walk. So, I’m not afraid of rules. I actually like rules. However, when it comes to blogging, I have been all about breaking the rules.

Let me elaborate further: When I started Traveling With T, I didn’t have this big soul-searching thought about “What do I want from my blog?” I knew what I wanted: I wanted a piece of the internet, a place where I could talk about the things that interested me. I had a vision of some sorts, but nothing concrete. That is rule 1 I broke.  In the beginning, I had an idea of running 2 blogs- one Traveling With T- that would have a hodge-podge of topics- book signings, local events, a bit of travel, etc. The other, a yet to be named blog, was going to be strictly books. But, the more I began blogging, the more I realized that I didn’t want to run 2 blogs- I wanted to talk about books at Traveling With T. So, I do. Majority of Traveling With T is about books. Other things creep on there for my discussion, but if I had to break a ratio down- I’d say Traveling With T is 95% books.

My main area where I break rules with my blog is post count per day. At first, I was a terrible blogger. I didn’t have a schedule. I wasn’t motivated. I was about to quit with the blogging when some things started changing- I felt inspired. I wanted to blog, I began seeking out content, interacting with folks and having a good time. I was still such a blogging newbie, though. I didn’t realize I could schedule my posts (seriously, happy dances happened when I figured out that gem!) I was SEO-what? I could link- link the heck out of stuff, but all that bloggy talk was like Charlie Brown’s teacher “wah-wah-wah” to me. Then, last summer, things began to change. I had found some bloggy folks I liked and was learning a bit of the behind the scenes to blogging. I was getting more views, people were sharing my posts. And this when I began to realize, breaking bloggy rules was working for me. I was marching to a beat of my own drum. I was having fun, I was learning new things and incorporating them into my bloggy routine- but I was not worrying about the rules-schmules of blogging.

I’ve taken some heat from not following the rules. I’ve had people not like it.  I’ve also had people love it- to like the variety in my posts. When I started breaking the rules, I found that was when I was most excited about blogging. At some point, in the time you blog, you are going to have decide things that work for you. Because blogging, at times, can be a solitary hobby (or job if you are making money from this.) This is when you have to go with your gut.

Today, I’m still a rule breaker (not a rebel with a cause rule breaker, more just a blogging cheerleader type person who still thinks that bottom line- blogging should be fun. If not, why bother?) Some days, there are 2 posts in the same day (there have been known to be 3). I don’t do it all the time, every day- but I do a couple of times a week. I also post daily (or at least 6 days a week). I find that, for me, having something up on the blog everyday makes me feel more productive and it gives my readers something to check out. 

I read all the advice- the tips on how to make your blog a success. The whole: Do this. Post at this time. Use these keywords. Work the heck outta social media. No, wait; take a break from social media. No, no, use social media- but only on days that end in a drink with a blogger wanting to pull their hair out. (Ok, seriously, I may jest about the last thing- but really- sometimes, after I read all these things- that is how I feel.)

My advice to you as you blog- find out what works for you. Blogging 1x a day may be your sweet spot. 2-3 times a week might work. Just remember- it’s your blog. Do what works for you and don’t be afraid to chart your own course. Just think of yourself as the Christopher Columbus of the blogging world or maybe the blogging world as the final frontier and you are Captain John Luke Picard. Go forth, bloggers, go forth! Or, in other words- #keepcalmandblogon. 

Thanks, Tamara, for sharing with us today!   Be sure to visit Tamara's Blog and to leave a comment or question!

Charleen from Cheap Thrills

Today please welcome Charleen, who blogs at Cheap Thrills.  Charleen is known for her reviews of thrillers, in a broad sense!

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What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?

I decided I wanted my book blog to focus mainly on thrillers, as that's a genre that I particularly enjoy and one that seems to be underrepresented in the book blogosphere. And since I rarely purchase new books and get almost all of my reading from the library... Cheap Thrills seemed to fit.

How long have you been blogging?

I've been blogging in some form or another for years, but I started Cheap Thrills in March of this year, so I'll be coming up on my six-month blogiversary soon!

What genres do you write about most, and why?

I take "thriller" as a pretty liberal descriptor. You've got your action-movie-in-book-form kind of novels, which seems to be what most people think of when they think thriller... but really anything that has some suspense to it is fair game on my blog. I read other genres as well, but I wanted my blog to have a focus, and thriller is my go-to genre, the books I keep coming back to after I've spent some time branching out.

What's your earliest memory of reading?

Reading Are You My Mother? out loud to my little brother. I know I was reading before then -- he's five years younger than me so I was probably about seven or eight at this point -- but it's the first thing I remember. (He loved the SNORT!)

What's your favorite place to read?

A comfy chair in a quiet room.

Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

... woefully inadequate considering how few books I actually own.

My TBR pile is...

... an ever-evolving stack from the library.

One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?

I'll give you one of each. One I like: Lost, by Gregory Maguire... it's his most unpopular book, but for me it's second only to Wicked. One I don't like: Dark Places, by Gillian Flynn... it's a well-written, well-crafted story, but it's just not for me (and I haven't even read Gone Girl because I suspect it will be more of the same).

To DNF or not to DNF?

I used to HAVE to finish every book I started, but gradually I got myself used to DNFing. I'm such a happier reader for it.

What's one book that intimidates you?

This may be cheating since it's not one book, but... the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. I really like King on the whole, even though I haven't read a ton of his work, but there've been some of his books I haven't cared for as much, and I'm scared of this series falling into that category.

If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?

The Library of Alexandria. To visit one of the first and greatest centers of learning would be incredible, even if the original library was lost. (I don't suppose anyone has a spare time machine I could borrow...)

What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

Insatiable Booksluts
Snobbery
Words for Worms

What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)

"Your responses show that you are both a serial reader and an eclectic reader, which indicates that you both read widely and frequently. As a serial reader you're loyal to your favorite authors, but as an eclectic reader you're also open to new ideas and new writers, and are not wedded to a particular genre."

Yup, that pretty much sums it up.

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Thank you for joining us today, Charleen! Remember to check out Charleen's blog, Cheap Thrills, and leave a comment or question.