TGIF - #7: Tell Me What You Really Think

{ ++ } TFIG is a nifty little meme hosted by Ginger of GReads, which basically kick-starts the weekend by throwing out a fun little book-related question, and also giving bloggers a chance to recap what we've posted this week for anyone who may have missed one of our events.

Question of the Week

Writing Reviews 101: What's your process for writing book reviews? 

Any tips or suggestions you would recommend to other bloggers?

{ ++ } Ooh I love this question.  I don't know that I have a hard and fast formula that I have to stick to, but I think I have a casual sort of  pattern I usually fall into when I'm writing my reviews.  Reviews, to me, are kind of a book bloggers way of putting their best foot forward to gain the trust of authors, to know - this person is going to accurately represent my book, my creation.  So I think reviews are so important.  

I write my reviews here on Blogger.  Last week when I went through and pre-scheduled all my posts (it was amazing,  I was SO productive) I wrote my reviews in my Word, which seemed to work really well, so I may start doing that.  I have every Sunday off so my goal is to start writing up all my weekly posts that day.  :D

I spend about a paragraph talking about the main character.  For me, clicking or connecting with my main character is crucial.  If that doesn't happen, I'm not going to love the book.  I might like it, but I won't fall head over heels for it.  So I talk about what I liked/disliked about the main character, if I sympathized with him/her and so forth.  

Then I jump into the relationships in the book, either platonic or romantic.  I try to keep this around a good sized paragraph.  To me, how the characters interact is as essential as a fabulous plot.  You can have a brilliant idea playing out across the pages but if you don't build solid relationships between your characters, I'm not going to be all that interested.  And romance.  A truly great romance will have me swooning; a mediocre one, or the dreaded insta-love will have me hissing in distaste. 

Finally, I like to devote a paragraph or two to how I felt about the book in general.  Was there something that I adored?  Were there areas I felt could have used more development?  Was I disappointed in the book?  Am I salivating over the sequel already?  

The order of these points may change, because like I said, I'm not too uptight about any one part having to come first or second.  But for the most part, I do like to include all of this.  I'll also sometimes talk about the cover, and I always include ways to find the author online for stalking purposes.  

The only advice I would give is: be honest.  If you're wondering if you should include a certain criticism, remember: it's about YOUR integrity.  Just because you received that book for review, does not mean you have to alter your review in any way.  Authors will appreciate honesty far more than they will a review padded by euphemisms.  On the other hand, you don't have to be harsh.  If you didn't like a part of the book, so so, and why, but with tact. 

This Week at Once Upon a Prologue

300 Followers Giveaway (!!) 

Reviews

Voodoo Dues by Stephany Simmons

Hushed by Kelley York

Memes

Top Ten Tuesday: Can't Wait Winter Reads

Features --- NEW!

Introducing Once Upon a Blogger

Introducing Guest Who

{ ++ } Everyone have a wonderful, fabulous weekend, and I will see y'all next week! 

TGIF - #6: Week in Review

{ ++ } TFIG is a nifty little meme hosted by Ginger of GReads, which basically kick-starts the weekend by throwing out a fun little book-related question, and also giving bloggers a chance to recap what we've posted this week for anyone who may have missed one of our events.

Q: Taking it Personal: Which books have effected you on a personal level and lingered in your mind long after you closed the pages?

 

{ ++ }  I read...a lot.  I read all genres, pretty much, with only a few exceptions.  I fangirl over books and pairings and awesome plot lines.  But the rare book that lingers and lingers with me...that's a special book.  And for me, I guess the answer is pretty simple...

Louisa May Alcott's Little Women taught me so many life lessons.  It taught me about how selfless love can be, between family members.  My childhood wasn't horrible; neither was it perfect.  But this story of the March family and what they persevered through together was truly inspiring.  I cried with Jo when Amy burned her manuscript; years later, a writer myself, I reread the book and sobbed harder than before.  My heart wrenched for Laurie, declaring himself to Jo, only to be turned down.  I burned with fever with fragile Beth, and fell in love with John as Meg did.  I've read the book a couple of times now and in the next year or so, I will probably re-read it.  It teaches so much timeless wisdom: religion is a factor, but the book talks more about doing good things than it ever preaches at you.  And there is so much love, and laughter, and family loyalty.  I just adore the book.   


{ ++ } What about ya'll?

This Week at Once Upon a Prologue

Reviews

Daimon by Jennifer Armentrout

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

 Memes

In My Mailbox

Music Monday: The Vespertine featuring Sara Bareilles

Teaser Tuesday: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Waiting on Wednesday: Darker After Midnght by Lara Adrian

Follow Friday / Book Blogger Hop

TGIF - #5

{ ++ } TFIG is a nifty little meme hosted by Ginger of GReads, which basically kick-starts the weekend by throwing out a fun little book-related question, and also giving bloggers a chance to recap what we've posted this week for anyone who may have missed one of our events.

Q: Book Blogger Appreciation: which book blogs have inspired you
or made a difference in your blogging experience?

{ ++ } Wow, great question!  I've been blogging for about four and a half months now and I still consider myself a novice.  I've been at LiveJournal for years and I've written book reviews there and on my Goodreads but writing for this sort of audience is so different!  I am always thinking of how my reviews are perceived (hopefully as honest and thought-provoking!) and I am always looking to grow as a blogger, and as a writer.  I've seen SO many book blogs that I admire, and met some really terrific people behind those blogs.  I could list so many, but to keep from rambling on...  Suz at A Soul Unsung is one of my good friends, and she actually inspired me to start my own book blog; after I got my feet wet, I discovered Rachel at Parjunkee's View and her Book Blogging 101 (which has really helped me!)  Later, I stumbled across the fabulous Ginger (our host!) at GReads (she's actually really fab ya'll!) and I've also gotten to start interacting with some other really awesome bloggers: Sarah at I'm Loving Books, Jess at Gone With the Words, and so on.  There are so many amazing girls and guys out there in our community...so be sure to reach out to them, and tell them...thanks!

This Week at Once Upon a Prologue

Reviews

Twilight's Child by V.C. Andrews

Midnight Whispers by V.C. Andrews

Meme's

In My Mailbox

Music Monday: Clay/Elena from Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

Teaser Tuesday: Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Authors I'd Die to Meet

Waiting on Wednesday: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

{ ++ } That's all I've got for this week.  Ya'll check out anything I've listed above that you may have missed, and look for (hopefully!) a few new reviews this coming week!  Oh and on a side note, I switched from Intense Debate to Disqus in my comments and it looks like I accidentally lost my former comments.  :(  Please know that I do try to respond to all comments though! 

Follow Me Friday - #9 + Book Blogger Hop - #7 + TGIF - #4

{ ++ } Follow Me Friday, aka "Follow My Book Blog" is probably the coolest meme I've come across in awhile.  It's hosted over at Parajunkee's View and us amazing book-a-holics get the chance to answer a reading-related question, as well as make new friends over the weekend.  It's a great way to kick off said weekend, and a really fun and easy way of stealing our way into the hearts of fellow book blogger's.

{ ++ } Each week, Rachel features one lucky blogger and this week's feature is Ericka at Let's Talk About Books.  Everyone please head on over to her blog and show her some love!

Q. ACK! Your favorite book/movie character (example Hermione Granger played by the Emma chick) just walked into the room! Who is it and what would be your first reaction? You get extra points if you include visual stimulation.

{ ++ } Oh wow.  I honestly have no idea who my favorite book character is...  I have so many!  And then you get into male, female, etc.  Wow.  That's a huge question that I'll have to think on.  Wow.  Ummm.  Ok.  Daemon SaDiablo from Anne Bishop's Black Jewels trilogy is my favorite male character.  I guess that's who I'm going to go with.  I have lots that come in close but Daemon is damn sexy, charismatic, intelligent, seductive - all things I can't see many actors pulling off quite like Ian Somerhalder could.  I've adored him since Lost, and now I drool over him on The Vampire Diaries, and I think he is my "dream cast" for Daemon.

And if Daemon Sadi walked into a room I was in, I'd be immediately squee'ing, flailing, and reduced to a puddle on the floor, likely. 

 

{ ++ } Hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books, what better way to allow us book bloggers to mix and mingle than a bit of a reading-related social?  Every week she hosts this event, where we can throw our names in the hat so to speak, and hopefully end up with a few new friends who share our interests and our love (and in my case, obsession) of books.  It's also a party and it's all in fun!

What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?

{ ++ } Oh...so many things.  The "voice" of the main character - does he or she seem like someone I can at least somewhat identify with, and admire?  The relationships between the characters.  The author's writing style.  The actual story itself.  It all mixes in to grab my attention and keep me reading.  If the story doesn't mesh well with me, or if I don't like the characters I'm reading about, or just don't care about them, I'll stop reading the book.  Though the story usually has to be pretty bad for me to just stop reading it.  I try to finish all the books I start.

  { ++ } TFIG is a nifty little meme hosted by Ginger of GReads, which basically kick-starts the weekend by throwing out a fun little book-related question, and also giving bloggers a chance to recap what we've posted this week for anyone who may have missed one of our events.

 Mr & Mrs: Who are your favorite book couples?

{ ++ } Ahaha, wow.  This is my kind of question.  I have SO many.  Henry and Clare from The Time Traveler's Wife.  Sam and Kent from Before I Fall.  Jamie and Claire from the Outlander series.  Daemon and Jaenelle from the Black Jewels trilogy.  Jacob and Bella from the Twilight series.  (I will be forever and forever convinced that they belonged together.)  Jo and Laurie from Little Women (damn it, there was something there.)  Ron and Hermione from the Harry Potter series.  Cathy and Chris from the Dollanganger series.  And one of the ones that mean the most to me, Katniss and Peeta from the Hunger Games series. 


Did I mention I love a lot of different book pairings?

This week at Once Upon a Prologue...

Reviews;

Dawn by V.C. Andrews

Secrets of the Morning by V.C. Andrews

Memes;

Teaser Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday

Waiting on Wednesday

Booking Through Thursday

In My Mailbox

Follow Me Friday - #8 + Book Blogger Hop - #6 + TGIF - #3

{ ++ } Follow Me Friday, aka "Follow My Book Blog" is probably the coolest meme I've come across in awhile.  It's hosted over at Parajunkee's View and us amazing book-a-holics get the chance to answer a reading-related question, as well as make new friends over the weekend.  It's a great way to kick off said weekend, and a really fun and easy way of stealing our way into the hearts of fellow book blogger's.

{ ++ } Each week, Rachel features one lucky blogger and this week's feature is Mickey at I'm A Book Shark.  Everyone please head on over to her blog and join up!

Q. In light of the Summer Solstice. Also known as Midsummer...let's talk about fairies. What is your favorite fairy tale or story that revolves around the fae?

{ ++ } I read a lot of supernatural themed books but not that many of them really deal with the fae.  Probably the most stand-out series I ever read that could be considered a fairy tale was Richard Baker's The Last Mythal trilogy.  It's been ages since I read the trilogy but I pretty much became obsessed with it for awhile.  I really loved the story being told and the characters as well as the whole mythos.

Half-demon, half-elf monsters infest the glades of the High Forest, the mountains around Evereska, and the very halls of Evermeet itself. They claim a birthright that was taken from them so long ago even the elves who imprisoned them forgot they existed. For millennia the daemonfey army planned, grew, and waited.

Until now...

{ ++ } Hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books, what better way to allow us book bloggers to mix and mingle than a bit of a reading-related social?  Every week she hosts this event, where we can throw our names in the hat so to speak, and hopefully end up with a few new friends who share our interests and our love (and in my case, obsession) of books.  It's also a party and it's all in fun!

Q: When did you realize reading was your passion and a truly important part of your life?

{ ++ } Um.  Wow!  What an awesome question.  However I am not really sure there was any one "aha!" moment where I realized what an avid reader I was, and was always going to be.  My mom taught me to read when I was in kindergarten and I took a book in to read to the class.  My best friend and I used to get the same book from the library and have reading contests to see who could read the book faster.  But I guess in the last ten years or so when my book collection started growing and growing...and growing, and my writing started flourishing, I realized I was a huge book dork and proud of it.  I am always going to be a reader.  People give me strange looks sometimes or wonder why I get so into this book or that one, but, this is me.  The geeky, book girl.  : )

   { ++ } TFIG is a nifty little meme hosted by Ginger of GReads, which basically kick-starts the weekend by throwing out a fun little book-related question, and also giving bloggers a chance to recap what we've posted this week for anyone who may have missed one of our events.

Summer Love: Where is your ideal place to take a summer vacation & get lost in a book?

{ ++ } Oh.  Oh.  If only I could afford it, I'd love to be at a beach right now kicked back, toes in the sand, just chilling and reading some really good book.  I so rarely can afford to take vacations that anything is special.  :D  

 

 

This week at Once Upon a Prologue

Reviews

Treasure Me by Christine Nolfi

Memes

Teaser Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday

Waiting on Wednesday

Booking Through Thursday

{ ++ } That's it for this week, guys.  Everyone have a fun weekend, and I'll be doing some hoppin' tomorrow! 

Follow Me Friday - #7 + Book Blog Hop - #5 + TGIF - #2

{ ++ } It's been a crazy week for me work-wise and life-wise so a kind of slow week here at my blog BUT nevertheless, a little bit late but better than not at all hopefully, it's time for the weekend and with it, the weekend memes!

{ ++ } Follow Me Friday, aka "Follow My Book Blog" is probably the coolest meme I've come across in awhile.  It's hosted over at Parajunkee's View and us amazing book-a-holics get the chance to answer a reading-related question, as well as make new friends over the weekend.  It's a great way to kick off said weekend, and a really fun and easy way of stealing our way into the hearts of fellow book blogger's.

{ ++ } Each week, Rachel features one lucky blogger and this week's feature is Rhiannon Paille.  Everyone please head on over to her blog and join up!

Q. Genre Wars! What's your favorite genre and which book in that genre made it your favorite?

Oh wow, oh wow.  My favorite genre?  Ummm fantasy.  I like urban fantasy but my hands-down favorite genre is swords-and-magic-quest-evil-vs-the-good-guys-dragons-and-other-stuff fantasy.  I haven't reviewed many fantasy books on this blog because my reading has been all over the place in the last few years but my first love would have to be Terry Brooks.  I believe First King of Shannara was the first fantasy book I ever read, and from there, I proceeded to devour all of his novels.  I'm about two trilogies behind but I have VERY good memories of reading the Landover books, the Shannara books, and the Word and Void trilogy.  I'm hoping to at least re-read some of his works next year so that I can move on to the newer ones I have, but haven't read.  I have a lot of love for this author, and visit his web site regularly to catch up on his news.

{ ++ } Hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books, what better way to allow us book bloggers to mix and mingle than a bit of a reading-related social?  Every week she hosts this event, where we can throw our names in the hat so to speak, and hopefully end up with a few new friends who share our interests and our love (and in my case, obsession) of books.  It's also a party and it's all in fun!

Q: How many books are currently in your To-Be-Read (TBR) Pile?

My Goodreads TBR list as of today says 275 but I know there are more that I haven't listed.  Still, that's enough to keep me busy reading for...a long time!  At the rate I'm going it's probably enough for the rest of my life.  LOL.  Problem is of course that I keep finding - and buying - new and interesting books!  Every time I tell myself I need to stop...then I start all over again.  Is that an addiction?  LOL

   { ++ } TFIG is a nifty little meme hosted by Ginger of GReads, which basically kick-starts the weekend by throwing out a fun little book-related question, and also giving bloggers a chance to recap what we've posted this week for anyone who may have missed one of our events.

This week at Once Upon a Prologue

Review: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Q: And I Quote: What are some of your favorite book quotes?

 "There is only one page left to write on. I will fill it with words of only one syllable. I love. I have loved. I will love."  Henry de Tamble - The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenneger

"Love who you love while you have them. That's all you can do. Let them go when you must. If you know how to love, you'll never run out." My Name is Memory by Anne Brashares

 

"There's always going to be bad stuff out there. But here's the amazing thing -- light trumps darkness, every time. You stick a candle into the dark, but you can't stick the dark into the light."   Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

{ ++ } That's it for this week, guys.  I am headed out to a bonfire/shindig here in a little bit but will do some hoppin' when I get back!  Everyone have a fantastic evening and weekend!

Follow Me Friday - #6 + Book Blogger Hop - #4 + TGIF - #1

{ ++ } Follow Me Friday, aka "Follow My Book Blog" is probably the coolest meme I've come across in awhile.  It's hosted over at Parajunkee's View and us amazing book-a-holics get the chance to answer a reading-related question, as well as make new friends over the weekend.  It's a great way to kick off said weekend, and a really fun and easy way of stealing our way into the hearts of fellow book blogger's.

{ ++ } This week's featured blog is Ninja Girl Reads, authored by Ninja Girl!  Before I get to my answer to this week's question, ya'll be sure to check out her fabulous blog, as it's quite an honor to be the feature!

 This week's question... It's circle time.  Time for us to open up and share.  Can you tell us FIVE quirky habits or things about you?  (We all have them...)

{ ++ } Okay, since you asked so nicely...  ;)

+ If it's a book that I am really nervous/excited about, I read the end first.  That way it tends to calm me down and I can read the book at a regular pace without freaking out.

+ No matter the season (winter, summer, etc) I have to have socks on at all times (unless I'm wearing flip-flops or something.)  My feet feel weird without socks!

+ If I don't know what I'm about to drink/eat (ie I've never had it) I have been known to sniff my food first, in public.

+ I can't stand the smell of most fruit juices or bubble gum.  Apple / orange juice is a notable exception.  Cherry/grape etc actually makes me a little nauseas.

+ I tend to be rather reserved until I get to know a person; those who know me best are not at all surprised by my sense of humor/beliefs/etc, those who don't have no idea what I am like. 

 { ++ } Hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books, what better way to allow us book bloggers to mix and mingle than a bit of a reading-related social?  Every week she hosts this event, where we can throw our names in the hat so to speak, and hopefully end up with a few new friends who share our interests and our love (and in my case, obsession) of books.

This week's question is from Ivan of Ivan Bookworm:  "If you were given the chance to spend one day in a fictional world (from a book), which book would it be from and what would that place be?"

{ ++ }  I'd want to visit the world of Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games trilogy.  The entire concept of the series fascinates me, and I'd like to visit the 'verse of around the time of book one, or early book two, just to see how the Districts, especially Katniss's really lived.  When I read the series their plight just really struck my heart hard, imagining these poor kids having to grow up so fast, only to one day be forced into an arena to fight, literally, for their own survival.

{ ++ } TFIG is a nifty little meme hosted by Ginger of GReads, which basically kick-starts the weekend by throwing out a fun little book-related question, and also giving bloggers a chance to recap what we've posted this week for anyone who may have missed one of our events. 

This week's question: Back to the Beginning -what was the first book you reviewed on your blog? 

{ ++ } The first book I reviewed on my blog was The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss.  I'm still relatively new to the whole book-blogging world but I love that I already have a bit more of a format to my reviews than I did with the first one, and that everyone I've met has been so friendly and willing to kinda bear with me as I learn.  :)

This week at Once Upon a Prologue;;;

+ Teaser Tuesdays - Delirium

+ Molli Reviews... - Delirium

+ Waiting On Wednesday... - The Day Before 

{ ++ } Ok that's all for this week!  I'm going out of town tonight, then out with friends tomorrow so I may not be able to check in and mingle until late tomorrow or Sunday; if I don't make it back til, then, or if I do, love and peace to everyone!