Month: May 2013

Confession: I Can’t Read When I’m Sick

Posted May 31, 2013 by Jana in About Me / 26 Comments

When I get sick, I get REALLY sick. It’s never a “man, I feel a little under the weather” kind of sick. It’s always a, “Stop the world, I’m dying” kind of sick. So, I’m laying here extremely sick, taking meds ’round the clock, and diving into my second large box of tissues as I type this.

One thing I have learned during all my sick times is that when I am sick, I am completely unable to concentrate or pay attention to anything. I remember this one time I was sick, I watched the movie Somewhere in Time. My mom loves this movie. She says it’s so romantic and amazing. I kid you not, I watched it three times one day (when I was sick) and I have NO idea what it’s about. None. It confused the heck out of me. Two years ago I watched the first season of Modern Family while sick. I remembered none of it. I watched the season all over again a month or so later, and it was liking watching it for the first time.

My main point here is: I also can’t read while I’m sick. And it’s SOOOO frustrating. I know many of you who read, like, 5 books during your sick times. I could get SO much done! I can’t even write reviews when I’m sick! I tried yesterday, and I could not form a coherent sentence about the book. I’m laying here in bed, for hours of my life, with my bookshelf staring at me, and there’s nothing I can do about it. Instead, I’m watching Angel re-runs and coughing my guts out.

So, tell me. Is there anyone like me out there, or am I all alone in my delirious state of sickness? Can you read when you’re sick?


Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt (Book Review)

Posted May 30, 2013 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 10 Comments

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt (Book Review)Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt
Published by Bloomsbury Children's on March 26, 2013
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Buy on Amazon

When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars).

The List:
1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous
But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far.

When I think 1960’s, I think cute clothes, Doris Day (I’m obsessed with old movies), The Beatles, JFK, Martin Luther King, The Sound of Music, etc. What a fun time period! I’ve always wanted to go back in time and visit the 60’s, so I was very excited to read Going Vintage. This was a very cute book, and as always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. I love the idea behind Going Vintage. Mallory swears off all modern-day conveniences like the Internet, computers, iPods, cellphones because this technology is what she lost her boyfriend to. Online gaming ruined two relationships of mine, so I totally know how Mallory felt when she found out her boyfriend was cheating on her with an online girl named BubbleYum.

2. I thought it was so much fun that Mallory’s desire to go vintage was inspired by a list of her grandmother’s goals for her junior year of high school. I just wish I liked her grandma more. I actually didn’t like anyone very much in Mallory’s family, especially her mother. Her mom is horrendous, and makes money off her daughters’ misfortunes. I could take or leave her sister, Ginnie, and her dad wasn’t memorable enough for me to have an opinion about him.

3. I also was not the biggest fan of Mallory. She was rather naive to think that life was easy in the 60’s because there was no Friendspace (basically Facebook). If you think back on history, there was a LOT going on in the 60’s that made it hard. It wasn’t all Doris Day and Cary Grant. I liked that she took action to get over Jeremy, rather than curl up in a ball and rot… but I just did not connect with her. And to be honest, I was never convinced she even liked Jeremy. I felt like she mourned the loss of a relationship (she couldn’t make out anymore) than the loss of him.

4. I loved Oliver, the pep-club president. He was charming and swoony.

5. There was a lot going on that had nothing to do with the main idea of the story. It was a little discombobulated for me at times.

6. I appreciate the fact that Going Vintage made me consider my own relationship with technology. I couldn’t help but think of all the time I have wasted online scanning Twitter or Facebook stalking people. I do feel like it rules me a bit too much, and that a technology ban might be beneficial.

Overall, I’m not left with a ton to say about Going Vintage. I was in the mood for a light, fluffy read, and that’s what I got. I loved the idea behind the book, but I feel like there were some things that were missing for me.


Armchair BEA 2013: Blogger Development

Posted May 29, 2013 by Jana in Discussion / 65 Comments

Armchair BEA is a fun online event that those of us who could not attend BEA in New York City can participate in! There’s ways to network with other bloggers, posts on blogging tips, giveaways, and happenings at BEA from people who are there. Visit the Armchair BEA blog to see a schedule of events!

Wow… blogger development. What a daunting topic! I always feel inadequate to discuss how to become a better blogger, because there are so many times when I feel like a little newbie blogger, even though I’ve been doing it for almost 3 years! Well, I’ve been solo blogging for about a year and a half. Solo blogging is WAY different than collaboratively blogging with The Broke and the Bookish, let me tell you. And I’m still learning! Here’s what I’ve taken away from my experiences over the last year:

1. Be outgoing and make lots of book blogger friends! Everyone feels like a newbie at some point, no matter how long they have been blogging, or how awesome they seem to be. Just like in life, we all have our own insecurities. For this reason, and I’ve noticed this with most book bloggers, people in this bookish community are incredibly accepting and supportive. Lean on them for support, ask for advice, and be gracious.

2. Utilize Twitter. It’s an amazing tool that has produced and forged some of my best friendships! Plus, it’s a great way to get the word out about your posts AND find out about fun things in the book world.

3. Jump on the blog tour bandwagon, especially if you’re new. You get lots of awesome opportunities and you can meet a lot of cool bloggers and bookish professionals.

4. There is a fine line between an acceptable amount of memes and WAY TOO MANY. If you want to participate in a bunch of memes, don’t do EVERY one EVERY week. I do Top Ten Tuesday almost every week. Sometimes I’ll do a book haul post or a Waiting on Wednesday, but not every week. Try to come up with your own unique ideas that keep people coming back. Otherwise, you’ll fade into the huge crowd of book blogs out there.

5. Branch out of your reading comfort zone, and try something new. Chances are you will end up discovering something amazing. Before I was a blogger, I did not read young adult. I didn’t read contemporary, or dystopia, or paranormal. I read mystery and historical romances. Boring! I’ve become such an eclectic reader, and it’s thanks to my blogger friends. This might not do wonders for your blog, although being a versatile reader is very appealing, but it will enrich your experience as a blogger.

6. Support indie authors. In my experience, self-published authors are some of the most supportive authors out there. I’m not saying publishing house authors aren’t, but these indie authors are in the same boat as you are! They are trying really hard to get themselves out there, just like you are! And if you help them, they will help you. That’s how I got my name out there.

7. I really do not recommend follower memes or follower giveaways. You do not want to buy your readers. You want to earn them because they like you. Nobody makes true friends in school by giving them stuff. They sit and talk with them, establish a common ground, and hang out together. That’s how the book blogging world works, too. Go visit blogs, post sincere comments, and continue. You’ll make friends instead of followers.

8.  Ask your readers for their opinions. People LOVE explaining how they feel. Hosting discussions on your blog is a great way to meet people, gain friends, and learn something!

9. Don’t be afraid to show people who you are. Make your posts personal. You don’t need to give your address or full name to your readers, but let them know you as a person rather than a blogging machine.

10. Blog because you love it, or you will burn out fast. In the beginning, I was totally high strung. I had to have followers, I had to read every book everyone asked me to read, I had to post a review a day, I had to schedule out a few weeks of posts in advance, I had to comment on every blog I could find, etc. I stressed myself out! You can’t do that. You will never enjoy blogging if you turn it into a huge job. I did not want to dread reading or blogging. Once I realized I was doing this for myself, I began to have a lot more fun. Never, ever do more than you want to do. And if you hate a book, quit reading it. Life’s too short to read books not worth finishing.

Well, these are just my insights. When I get discouraged, I think of these pieces of advice that have been passed down from blogger to blogger. And yeah, it’s really hard to do all the right things all the time and have any kind of life, which is why the last tip is the most important. Do what you can, be happy with it, and know that it’s enough for you. And a reward system really doesn’t hurt. Go ahead and buy yourself that book you’ve been wanting. Blogging is awesome, we’re all learning as we go, and you’ll have an amazing experience no matter what happens!

So, what do you think? What are you doing to try and develop your blog, as well as your online presence, in the book community? Do you have any words of advice that I might also implement? Leave your links, and I’ll stop by!


Discussion: Reading Order for The Chronicles of Narnia

Posted May 28, 2013 by Jana in Discussion / 50 Comments

 

Ok. I am SOOOO confused. I’m about to begin this series for the first time ever, and I have seen the controversy over what order to read the books in.

There’s the order in which they were written:

1.    The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
2.    Prince Caspian
3.    The Voyage of the “Dawn Treader”
4.    The Horse and His Boy
5.    The Silver Chair
6.    The Last Battle
7.    The Magician’s Nephew

There’s the supposed chronological order:

1.    The Magician’s Nephew
2.    The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
3.    The Horse and His Boy
4.    Prince Caspian
5.    The Voyage of the “Dawn Treader”
6.    The Silver Chair
7.    The Last Battle

And there’s the publication order:

1.    The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950)
2.    Prince Caspian (1951)
3.    The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
4.    The Silver Chair (1953)
5.    The Horse and His Boy (1954)
6.    The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
7.    The Last Battle (1956)

What on Earth am I supposed to do? This is worse than the Star Wars movies. I’ve read compelling arguments for all three orders… but I still have no idea! I mean, I’m kind of leaning most towards the publication order, but I don’t know if it’s the best!! Plus, the Barnes and Noble leatherbound classic (from Kimberly!!) has them in chronological order. Ahhh!

I figured I’d go to the experts: you. How did you read the Narnia books? Have you read them in multiple orders? I need to know the best order for a Narnia newbie.


Armchair BEA 2013: Say Hi to Jana!

Posted May 28, 2013 by Jana in About Me / 50 Comments

 

Armchair BEA is a fun online event that those of us who could not attend BEA in New York City can participate in! There’s ways to network with other bloggers, posts on blogging tips, giveaways, and happenings at BEA from people who are there. Visit the Armchair BEA blog to see a schedule of events!

To kick off this awesome week of virtual BEA-ness, here’s a few things about me I thought you’d like to know!

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? 

Well… I’m Jana, and I’m 25 years old. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in graphic design (art history minor) in December of 2009, and I’m starting up grad school this fall to get my Master’s in Library and Information Science. Yep, crazy, huh? Needless to say, my fellow graphic designers were rather surprised when they found out I was aiming for a MLIS instead of an MFA (Master’s of Fine Arts). An artsy librarian? Heck yes! I also love to sing, and have been doing so since I was a tone deaf 3-year-old. Luckily I have perfect pitch now. I travel a lot (for pleasure), love shopping, design and make jewelry, and have an obsession with art books. I’ve been blogging with The Broke and The Bookish since June of 2010 (when we started), and I started this blog in November of 2011. I love sharing my opinions on books, so why not blog!? :)

2. Where in the world are you blogging from?

I live along the Wasatch Mountain Range in Utah, USA. It’s gorgeous here, and I love it! (Although I have documented proof that I am allergic to every tree, grass, weed, flower, and plant in the entire region.)

Just in case you ever go on Jeopardy, here are some fun facts about my awesome state:
– The Great Salt Lake is eight times saltier than the ocean.
– In 2002, Salt Lake City hosted the XIX Olympic Winter Games.
– Utah has the highest literacy rate in the nation. Woooo!
– Utah is the Jell-O capital of the World.

3. Tell us one (or a bunch of) non-book-related thing(s) that everyone reading your blog may not know about you. 

Umm… string cheese and popcorn are my comfort foods. I get sick a lot. I’m obsessed with polka dots. I’m a font snob. I did some freelance graphic design work for Microsoft XBOX. I fall into the tree in my front yard while putting up Christmas lights almost every year. I am deathly afraid of spiders. Even the ones you can’t see without a microscope. I hated hamburger until I was 17. Pretty much the only time I make my bed is right before I go to sleep.

4. What is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013? 

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill! It’s an adorable YA rom com with travel aspects, young love (but not insta-love), and some really endearing characters. If you’re interested, my review is here.

5. If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why? 
That is REALLY hard. Probably Sam from Josie Meadows’s Incarnate trilogy. He has lived for a very long time, and has lived so many different lives. I’d love to hear stories of his past, and get a firsthand account of how the world has changed over time.

Well, thanks for visiting! I’m excited to “meet” all my fellow Armchair BEA participants! Link me to your intro posts, and if you’re not participating, tell me something about you that I don’t know!