The Secret Life of a Book Blogger Tag

I don't actually know who the original person who created this tag is, but I came across it on
Fictionally Sam's wonderful blog! I am tagging all of YOU LOVELY BLOGGERS out there! Yes; even YOU!
You're reading this lovely tag today, because the holiday and life has been kicking my butt and I didn't have anything scheduled today! I figured I would spend the last few days of 2019 just having some fun before I kick off 2020 with my Bookish New Year's Challenge! (feel free to join in if you wish!)

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1 - How long have you been blogging?

Recently? Since October 2019. Before? I blogged about 8 years ago - I did it for about 2 years before I had my son and took a longer break that I originally thought I was going to.

2 - At what point do you think you’ll stop blogging?

Honestly, when it stops being fun for me. This is an outlet - a place I can come to share my thoughts with like minded people who share my passion of books. It's a hobby, something fun and a way for me to connect with other readers. It's not supposed to be a chore or feel like it is a 9-5 job. I'll stop when it starts feeling like that lol.

3 - What is the best thing about blogging?

I would have to say connecting with other bloggers and discovering new reads that I may not have on my own. Half of this hobby is connecting with bloggers. It's amazing the kind of people you meet and the friends you make in this community.

#4 - What is the worst thing? What do you do to make it okay?

The worst thing would be when people get obnoxious. Everyone has an opinion. We ALL have opinions. We literally have blogs, Instagrams and Twitters dedicated to OUR OPINIONS on a novel lol. It amazes me how stupidly outrageous people get when your opinion differs from theirs. We all won't like the same things. We all won't dislike the same things.. but we are all entitled to our own opinion and no one has to like it lol.

How do I handle it? Like this; because it's my opinion and not yours (;

5 - How long does it take you to make/find pictures to use?

I just spend 20 minutes trying to find a good "FOREVER" gif - that should tell you something.

6 - Who is your book crush?

Cannon from No Limits by Lori Foster

7 - What author would you like to have on your blog?

Oh gosh. SO MANY!

8 - What do you wear when you write your blog posts?

Pjs mostly lol. It's a thing. I like to be comfy when I'm sitting here scheduling post. I mostly do it at night when the kids are sleeping anyways; so that's the normal attire at that time (;

9 - How long does it take you to prepare?

It honestly depends on what kind of post I am doing. If it is something like these tags, then not long. They are easy to format and it is just answering some questions.. Book Reviews - those can take a bit. I did cut down some time by having a template made for my reviews; depending on the star. I have everything set up to just add the book cover, copy and paste the title; synopsis; release date and all that jaz.. the graphic for the review rating is already there as well as my blog sig - so all I need to do is write in my review and add links!

10 - How do you feel about the blogging community?

I think it is like every other community you run into. There are good people and there are people who just want to see the world burn. With that said; I think this community is what we make of it. If you are looking for a good experience, a place to make friends, find great reads, interact with authors - it's a wonderful place. Just know that there are also people around who feed on the negative and sometimes that spreads. I like to focus on the positive, it makes for a much better experience!

11 - What do you think one should do to create a successful blog?

Be YOU! There are tons of bloggers out there and everyone does something different. Just stay true to you; post YOUR content; write things YOUR way and have fun!

WHO I AM TAGGING

Like I said above; I am tagging ALL of you!
Why? Because I want to know about you too!


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Broken Souls is Hosting a Blogging Challenge!

You can sign up at THIS LINK!
I am hosting a Bookish New Year challenge for book bloggers!
If you have time; stop in and check it out!
While you're there; sign up to participate!
Hope everyone is having a great week!!

Read More

Bookish Naughty or Nice Tag

I don't actually know who the original person who created this tag is, but I came across it on
Bookish HedgeMom's wonderful blog!
I am tagging all of YOU LOVELY BLOGGERS out there! Yes; even YOU!
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Rules

      → → Tag and link the person who tagged you (because they probably want to visit!)
      → → Tick or cross off the ones you’ve done
      → → Tag another 10 people!
      → → I’m going to assume 1-10 points is nice and 11-20 points is naughty.

#1 - Received an ARC and not reviewed it

Since I just recently started back up blogging after 8 years of a "break" - I have reviewed everything I have received so far! I try and stick to this, as I know an author letting their work go to us for no cost does cost them on some front. Plus, I know the reviews help get the word out about the books they worked so hard on!

#2 - Have less than 60% feedback rating on Netgalley - ✓ ✓

I think I have requested 2 on Netgalley since I have been back. One of them I did review and the other I have not yet. I'm also pretty positive that it's past the time for me to be able to review it lol. It just wasn't one that held my attention like I thought it would; so I have honestly been putting off the review.

#3 Rated a book on Goodreads and promised a full review was to come on your blog (and never did)

Nope. All my reviews are posted on GR and Amazon once they go live on my blog. There are still some on GR that state "full review to come," but I have every single intention of actually reviewing them!

#4 Folded down a page of a book

What kind of horrible monster do you think I am? Who actually does this? Is it really a thing? Are people actually friends with people who do this?

#5 Accidentally spilled on a book - ✓ ✓

I have no - but my kid has... I am also checking this one off because - well; I'm an idiot lol. I like to read in a nice relaxing bubble bath, because who doesn't, right?! Well; one time I was just hanging out; doing my thing, reading my book. And - with all of the loudness he could muster - my son comes BUSTING in the bathroom and good ol' me drops the darn book in the water! The level of upset I was fellow book lovers!

$6 DNF a book this year - ✓ ✓

Quite a few of them actually. At one point, I would try and get myself to finish them; even if I knew it was something I didn't like. Now I've learned that time is way to precious to sit there and try and finish a book I am not into at all, just because I think I owe it to someone. Nope. Not today. Not this girl.

#7 Bought a book purely because it was pretty with no intention of reading it

I do buy books that are pretty - but I have honestly every intention of reading the books I buy. I do have a lot that I have not read yet, but when I bought them, it was with the intent to read them. I just tend to buy and buy and buy - and I don't entirely read as fast as I buy lol.

#8 Read whilst you were meant to be doing something else ✓ ✓

Doesn't everyone? I mean come on, I'm an adult. This is literally how I avoid doing ADULT THINGS. All of the things. Don't want to clean the kitchen right now? Grab a book.. Sick of this laundry pile - grab a book. Having an anxiety attack for the masses - get lost in a book!

#9 Skim read a book ✓ ✓

I try SO hard not to do this. There is so much information and story on each page of the books that I feel like I miss a lot when I skim read. However - some novels just kind of - don't do it for you.. So I skim to see what all the hype was about and then put the thing away.

#10 Completely missed your Goodreads goal

Honestly; every single time I have set one on GR; I have gotten it. I didn't set one this year because I came back to blogging late and I decided that this year would be a year I read just for ME. What I wanted to; when I wanted to. I could DNF something and not think twice about it. I could re-read old books that I love and wanted to revisit. I could jump from series to series if I wanted. It was fun. I plan to keep the same mind frame next year when I set my goal. I will still do reviews and arcs and tours and all of that - but only if it's interesting to me.

#11 Borrowed a book and not returned it - ✓ ✓

Looks at the random library books on my shelf from various military bases as we moved around.
Sometimes; between the chaos of packing up an entire house to move it lord knows where - the books accidentally got packed as well.

#12 Broke a book buying ban - ✓ ✓

Y'all. I have ZERO self control. It's a problem. I probably need meetings. Send help.

#13 Started a review, left it for ages, then forgot what the book was about - ✓ ✓

Mother of goodness yes! Let's reference back to that book I was talking about in my Netgalley percentage question. I have NO idea what it was about anymore. I can't even tell you the names of the characters without reading the synopsis again.

#14 Wrote in a book - ✓ ✓

I have done this ONE TIME.. Almost broke my heart to do so. A friend wanted me to write notes in one of my favorite novels that I got her. Reasons why I liked it. Things I thought about the characters.. Stuff that reminded me of her (it was a book about best friends.) It was actually a neat little gift when I was done! Never again though.

#15 Finished a book and not added it to your Goodreads - ✓ ✓

I try my hardest to keep that darn thing updated; but if you're my friend on there - you know I have adding things to GR sprees. I'll go to look at something and be like, CRAP! I FORGOT TO ADD THIS! - and then proceed to go and add every book I haven't added yet.

#16 Borrowed a book and not returned it to a friend

Nah man. I value my life. MY reading friends value their books just as much as I do. This is a mortal sin.

#17 Dodged someone asking if they could borrow a book ✓ ✓

Yes. I don't know about you - but I don't trust just any ol' person with my books. This is real life people. Serious business.

#18 Broke the spine of someone else’s book

N E V E R.

#19 Took the jacket off to protect it and making it more damaged - ✓ ✓

Not going to lie; if it has a dust jacket - it's coming off. It annoys me when I am trying to read.

#20 Sat on a book

Not to my knowledge.

Total Points: 12/20

Well crap.
Guess I am on the naughty list.
I'll take it though.
Some things in life we just can't change.
Me being naughty is apparently one of them!


WHO I AM TAGGING
Like I said above; I am tagging ALL of you!
Why? Because I want to know about you too!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Broken Souls Is Hosting a Blogging Challenge!

You can sign up at THIS LINK!
I am hosting a Bookish New Year challenge for book bloggers!
If you have time; stop in and check it out!
While you're there; sign up to participate!
Hope everyone is having a great week!!

Read More

Blogger Tag: The Book Interview

I don't actually know who the original person who created this tag is, but I came across it on Caffeinated Fae.
I am tagging all of YOU LOVELY BLOGGERS out there! Yes; even YOU!
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Name:

Tabatha - but most people call me Tabbs or Tabby; I'm really okay with any version.

Age:

I'm a cool 33 yrs old (:

Favorite Genres:

I love romance; in almost any form. Romantic Suspense; Sports Romance; most Contemporary; you name it, I read it. Aside from historical romance, that I just cannot seem to get into.

Favorite Male Authors:

Oh; this one is kind of tough - without even meaning to; the majority of what I read seems to be female authors. I do enjoy some Dean Koontz, Lee Child, Stephen King. My complete all time favorite would have to be Nicholas Sparks.

Favorite Female Authors:

Oh man. This is in no particular order! - Toni Aleo; Lori Foster; Susan Mallery; Lisa Renee Jones; Colleen Hoover; Debbie Macomber; Nora Roberts; Shayla Black; Liliana Hart; J.K. Rowling; Gina L. Maxwell; I could honestly keep going on and on.

Forever Favorites:

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
Flat Out Love by Jessica Park
On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
No Limits by Lori Foster

Review Favorites:

Under Pressure by Lori Foster
Kill Shot by Liliana Hart
At Any Price by Brenna Aubrey

What Was Your First Book of 2019?

A Murder in Music City by Michael Bishop

How Did You Like It?

I enjoyed it. I am really into true crime stuff; books - podcast, everything. This murder actually took place in Nashville, TN & I live right outside of there. So I was def more into learning about this one than others. It's worth the read if you have a chance!

What Was Your Last Book of 2018?

I have no flipping idea! I can barely remember what I had for dinner the other day!

How Did You Like It?

Pretty sure I enjoyed it; but I'm just guessing here lol

What Do You Look For In A Book/What Makes It Really Stand Out?

The characters; the story flow; chemistry and a good plot. If it doesn't have that; it won't hold my attention.

Do You Collect Any Particular Sets/Editions of Books?

I collect signed books; and anything that is in a series, trilogy or anything of that sort.

Do You Prefer Ebooks, Audiobooks, or Physical (Hardback or Paperback?)

Honestly; I use all methods. I can say that if I own an Ebook version of a book; I will also get it in paperback. My hardback copies are normally saved for signed books; but I have been known to grab one here and there - depending on how much that book rocked.

Do You Keep Books You Didn’t Like or Get Rid Of Them?

If it is a book I DNF or one that I just didn't care for too much but finished; I'll first see if my teenage daughter wants to read them - if not; they go to friends or donated to the library. Sometimes I use the buy back program at some of the self-owned book stores around here and use the store credit to get more books (:

What Literary Character Best Defines You/Do You Best Relate To?

Seriously? S E R I O U S L Y? How in the crap am I actually supposed to pick something like this! So; I'm not going to, simply because there are way too many options and my anxiety doesn't work that way!

-------------------------------------------------------------WHO I AM TAGGING
Like I said above; I am tagging ALL of you!
Why? Because I want to know about you too!
-------------------------------------------------------------

Broken Souls Is Hosting a Blogging Challenge!

You can sign up at THIS LINK!
I am hosting a Bookish New Year challenge for book bloggers!
If you have time; stop in and check it out!
While you're there; sign up to participate!
Hope everyone is having a great week!!

Read More