You’d think that after a week I’d have regained my blogging juice? I wish… For some reason, I still find it hard to reply to comments or even participate in my groups. It might be to do with the fact that I’m just constantly tired – and, well, it is the dead of winter. It’s so hard staying awake half the time!
But the the good thing is that my reading has been going quite well – and I’ve come back to more listening, as opposed to reading, cause I’m starting to worry about my eyesight a little bit. Listening to books is amazing! Although I am sticking with my weird little Google Voice Reader app – I had my first experience with an Audible book, but the narrator was just TOO WEIRD. I’ll go back to my monotonous reader, thank you. I want to have my own emotions about books! One of these days, I should do a post on how I listen to books, and especially ARCs. It would save you loads of time, my lovelies.
Sorry I haven’t been around the book community as much, and I am thankful to all of those who still remember me and who endeavour to save my butt by helping me with guest posts. You are amazing people ❤ and thank you to all those who have followed my blog in this continuing absence of mine! I really appreciate you all.
~ Last Week On The Blog ~
I posted only two times last week, due to all of the half-hiatus stuff that is currently going on. Have you forgotten me yet? I hope not. I can truly recommend The King of Bones and Ashes though! Dark and witchy. There’s more about it to come next week! And I will thank Shruti @ This Is Lit again, for writing a guest post on how to write a proper review policy.
~ Coming Up Next Week~
Coming up next week, we have State of the ARC #6! So come link up. Also, for those who are interested in The King of Bones and Ashes, we will have an interview with the author J.D. Horn! And then, of course, no week can go by without some more #NewBloggers 101 content, and this time it will be What Tools Can Help Me Be An Organized Blogger? Part 1: Blogging Calendars – a topic I hope will be able to help many of you. Keep your eyes open next week!
~ Little Book Haul ~
This week we’ve got two very unrelated, and yet feminist books! I can whole-heartedly recommend The Girl, yes – yet another biography of Marilyn’s, but one that really establishes her as an unlikely feminist in a reader’s mind. If you want to learn why you shouldn’t associate her with the fluffy roles she has been given throughout most of her career, you should read The Girl. And of course, how could I resist reading Herding Cats? I enjoyed it, although I feel like it could have been a better collection, because the topics were not too interrelated, although very enjoyable and relatable.
~ In The Bookish Community ~
Susie Lindau shares some interesting ways to get discovered on WordPress, and I believe most of us book bloggers who sit around in a sort of a closed circle of our own people, won’t have heard about these
Jenniely invites all book bloggers who are older than 20 to join the Crone Bloggers group!
Shruti @ This Is Lit brings some positive author feedback to bad reviews to our attention – to remind us that there are so many nice authors!
Vicky @ Vicky Who Reads shares ways to get books legally, even for internationals – and believe me, she even had one I didn’t know! So go read it.
So how has your week been? And what are you reading? What did you haul?
As usual, I’m linking up with the Sunday post meme at Kimba’s book blog and Stacking The Shelves over at Tynga’s Reviews.
I’m Evelina and I blog about books that made an impression on me. I love middle grade, women’s, scifi and some literary too.
Two posts a week is not a hiatus, woman! You’re still my numero uno blogger! ❤️❤️
Also, you’re worried about your eyesight? Everything all right?
Yup, not a hiatus yet, but I’m just basically failing my commitments xD but thanks ;_; that’s a lovely thing to say!
Yeah, everything is fine, but I think my eyesight is getting worse. It has never been perfect, it’s just that I obstinately don’t wear glasses cause then it worsens faster. But now with the constant reading, it has been slowly getting worse. If you start wearing glasses, that’s it. So I am trying to listen to more audiobooks now.
In my experience it takes some time to recover when you have first managed to wear yourself out. Be kind to yourself and you energy will eventually return.
Thanks, I think you are totally right. I sure hope I get back my motivation!
What an interesting thought about audiobooks and the emotional impact of the narrator. I get almost all my audiobooks from Hoopla, and they always seem to be from Tantor. Therefore, they use a lot of the same voice talent, and I like them, but I do remember one I thought was over the top, and it did impact my experience with the story. I hope you get your energy back soon (artificial sunlight? Vitamin D supplements?)
How does artificial sunlight even work and where would I get it? XD I guess I’m stuck with vitamin D 🙂
But yeah, I am curious to try more audiobooks. It’s probably just that one that was weird! The narrator just did these really weird voices. Like how mentally retarded characters are voiced in cartoons (not that it’s ethical to say that, but it’s the only way I can compare this to anything when typing text.) And like for everyone. I just couldn’t help cringing, why would you voice everyone like that? I doubt that’s good voice acting…
Glad your reading has gone well! I have to get back into audiobooks. I just haven’t been feeling them lately. Enjoy your books and have a great week!
Thanks! Yeah, audiobooks come and go in waves for me too.
Ooh I’d love to hear how you listen to arcs! I know what you mean, if a narrator’s voice is off I can’t do it! So often that’s my problem with audio books.
That’s why I like using that app 🙂 I do love the voice of the standard google voice reader lady. If I don’t do a post for a while, just try to find the app called Pocketbook 🙂 that’s the one I use.
It’s great that your reading is going well! Don’t feel too bad about the commenting/blogging vibes being off. Sometimes you just have to take your time. I love Sarah’s Scribbles on Facebook! I need to get some of her books. Happy reading!
Have a lovely weekend. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Thanks 🙂
Glad to hear that you’re having a good reading time, even if you are too busy in real life to post as much. I understand how gloomy winters can get us down, but cuddling up in a blanket with tea and a book = awesome!
I look forward to this week’s posts from you. Enjoy your books.
Thanks 🙂 yep, winters can be tough!
I normally have a hard time with audio book, but I am trying them again. Hope you have a great week! ☺
I was actually having a hard time with that audiobook as well, just some weird narration 🙂 switched to listening to a mobi through my typical listening app.
Thanks!
I think 2 posts a week is still good, so no worries. I’m glad to hear you’re having a great reading week though in spite of your blogging struggles. Hope this week is a good one for you!
Thank you 🙂 I am contemplating reducing the frequency of the posts! As anything, that also takes time to get used to the idea of, I guess 😀
Hey Evelina, posting two times a week is totally fine. Trust me you are doing okay And everyone remembers you ❤️ Oh yes, winter can have that effect on you. It makes me sleepy too. But now that Inhave moved to a tropical region(southern India) I kind of miss winters? Ha definitely yes to that post about listening to ARCs. I would love that. Also, I would like to see a post on how you schedule your post updates on social media. I guess, that would be a good topic for #NewBloggers 101 series? I hope you get your spirit… Read more »
Thank you 🙂 means a lot to hear you say that! <3 I am slowly getting used to the idea of only posting twice, minus the Sunday post. I need time to help me reconfigure my feelings, haha 😀 Yeah, it's probably winter too! You're just always tired. Must be all of that lack of sunshine and always fighting the cold. I don't think I'd ever miss my local winter xD I wonder if India even has a winter like that? It's literally freezing. -15C freezing. A little bit too much. Or too little 😀 I think I will have… Read more »
I have added a bunch of books this week. I am currently reading Dead Lemon by Finn Bell a thriller and I really like it. I think we can all get into a funk about responding and just not having the vibe…It comes back and sometimes you even miss it.
Have a great week of reading!
Mary
@StackingMyBookShelves!
Thanks, Mary 🙂
I agree with Shruti, a hiatus is not posting at all for weeks. I’ve never heard of Google voice but I’m intrigued
I know a hiatus is complete silence, but I am unable to do that 😀 I… I just can’t! 😀
As for Google Voice, everyone’s phone (provided it’s an Android) has it. The app I use for it is called Pocketbook (it’s a green icon), and when you install it, you can highlight a word and if you push the speaker symbol, the app will start reading you the book 🙂 the voice isn’t even mechanic at all! I love it. Chores are showering are so much more fun now 😀
When I started blogging, I quietly committed to a blog post a week and to visiting ten blogs a week. That’s a pace I can keep, even during low energy times.
I hope you will feel better soon.
A post a week sounds lovely 🙂 maybe I should use you as an example 🙂 thank you!
I’ve been having to force myself to do more posts. I think its the winter doldrums. Two posts is still okay. The topic of how to listen to books, especially ARCs, is fascinating and I haven’t read anything like that before. Take care and be at ease:)
Yeah, you’re right – somehow time runs out far more quickly in winter. Thank you!
I tend to listem to more audiobooks when I have eyesight issues too. It’s easier. I use Audible but I do listen to the samples so I can get a feel for the narrator. Some are a lot better than others and it does take a while to find them. However, If you want a good one, I highly recommend Zara Ramm’s narrations of the Chronicles of St Mary’s series, starting with Just One Damned Thing After Another. She does them really well and they’re hilarious.
It definitely is 🙂 oh, thanks!
You did better than me last week. I didn’t post at all. 🙂 I’d love to hear how you listen to your books. If you are using an app, you have an easier method than I do!
I guess the winter is getting to us all 🙂 yep, I am using an app! It’s called Pocketbook, I think I’ll have to post about it cause people seem to be interested 🙂
Sorry your not feeling yourself and super tired. I have been feeling that way also and plan to go get a blood test to make sure my Iron isn’t too low. OMG you totally just said why I can’t listen to audio books. I have such issues with the voices. I can’t read romance with its just a man or woman. It’s just weird. I might have to try google voice app and see if that works for me. Sometimes it’s more of me not concentrating when I listen to stuff since I use music to manage my OCD and… Read more »
It’s probably just the winter! Hope your blog test comes back alright.
Yeah, just search for the app called “Pocketbook” on Google Play. It will read you your books. It’s really good, and none of that narrator nonsense 🙂 just very plain, simply, untainted text in your head, like when you’re reading it yourself.
I am so happy to have found your blog! I will definitely be adding the Marilyn Monroe book to my list, and I think your State of the ARC meme is just what I need to help me get those lingering galleys finished up. Happy Reading!
Aw, Sarah, thank you!! Yes, the Marilyn book was great 🙂 I have already finished it. And I’m going to run to check out your State of the ARC now 🙂
Glad you are enjoying your reading and do be kind to yourself – if you are finding it hard to get back to the blogging, cut yourself some slack, we aren’t going anywhere… In the meantime, have a great week!
Thank you, SJ 🙂
No worries ! We are understanding, and we be here when you will have time and wont forget you
As for me… eeeh my reading as slagged a bit unfortunately .. hopefully that shall resume itself soonish.
Awww thank you 🙂 I hope you can pick up your reading soon too 🙂
I have enjoyed a few books about Marilyn, so The Girl is going on my list. Thanks for sharing.
Great post, and I hope you enjoy your books. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
It’s a read now book too! I think you can still grab it on NetGalley 🙂
I think we all need a break from time to time, dont let it stress you out
Thanks, I’ll try 🙂
Sigh.. I totally get you. I’ve been feeling super tired too. And I haven’t been able to blog much. Frustrating really! I’m glad to read your still able to do some reading. Lets hope we both feel fit and blog-inspired soon. 😉
Happy Reading!
It must be the winter 🙂 oh well, some time soon it will be spring and maybe we can feel better then 😀
It’s hard to do comments when you’re tired. It takes a lot of mental energy! I hope you get your blogging groove back soon 🙂
Thank you, will try 🙂
Glad the reading is going well! And don’t feel bad- I definitely think the winter doldrums affects me, sometimes my motivation is just not there! Do what feels right, we’ll all still be here!
Herding Cats looks awesome! 🙂
Thank you, Greg! Yeah, it must be the winter. Cold and dark all the time 🙂
Keeping up with comments lately has been difficult with me as well. I am glad to hear you are able to fit in reading though–that is the most important part. 🙂 Herding Cats is such a catchy title! I hope you have a great week!
Maybe it’s just cause it’s winter? 🙂 it’s dark, we’re tired… Thank you though, I hope your week is good too 🙂
I’ve actually never heard of Google Voice Reader. Will have to look that up. It’s true that a narrator can definitely make or break a listening experience. I have some real favorites… and then there have been the odd few that just made me cringe.
Hope you have a great week!
Google Voice Reader is not really an app, it’s like a service that exists on all Android phones – and other apps use it. The app I use to read books with google voice is called Pocketbook 🙂 I really enjoy listening to a book with a neutral narrator, that’s why I prefer this kind of listening instead of a regular audiobook 🙂
You book haul IS smaller than usual. You’re so lucky you can listen to books! I don’t have an Audible membership, so I cannot enjoy that luxury. You really need to care for your sight, I remember I exhausted my eyes to a point before, and once you reached that point your eyes are going to be sore for a LONG time. So please be careful!
It is, isn’t it 🙂
You don’t have to have an Audible membership to get review books on Audible. I don’t have one either. But I didn’t really like the audiobook.. I find I still prefer my old way of listening to books – just through this robot app that reads it back to me (it’s free, BTW), and I feed it my ARC mobi files.
Aw, and thanks 🙂
Wait, THERE’S SOMETHING LIKE THAT??!! How does that robot app work? What is it?
The robot app 😀 😀 is called Pocketbook 🙂 it’s great! You just open a mobi or an epub file (or even a pdf, but less advisable, cause it has footers), and highlight the word, and the app reads it to you. If you choose the US narrator, it’s quite natural! Don’t know if it works on iPhone, but it surely works on Android! You could try it out, it saves oodles of time for my ARC reading, and lets my eyes rest 🙂
That cover for Herding Cats though XD
But I look forward to your tips for organizing blogging! That is something I took too many years to finally sit down and get straight.
I think all of Sarah Andersen’s covers are just like that 😀 hah. Aw, thanks, I hope you enjoy the post 🙂
I’m sorry you still don’t have all your juice back! Don’t worry, it will return soon. I know it will. Sometimes, we just need to prioritize self-care, right? Right! Plus, your blog seems to be doing a great job staying afloat! I’m here for you, too, you know. 😀 You are the WORST influence on me! I requested and was approved for both The Girl and Herding Cats. I adore you. Please continue to tank my NetGalley average. 😉 These are some wonderful posts to share! I’ve noticed lately that you focus more on sharing non-book-review posts. Is that intentional?… Read more »
I am really hoping it will 🙂 self-care though. What is that xD I am unfamiliar with this weird concept of caring for the self 😀 no, but seriously. I just go till I crash. Can’t stop.
And yeah, I know right.. I keep coming back to ALL THESE COMMENTS xD I can’t believe it 😀
Yeah, I don’t really share review posts. Not many people share review posts 🙂 discussions are more unique, and they’re also more interesting for me, I guess 🙂
This time of year is always hard on me! I have depression (it’s in the family) so I take prozac but without the sun, it DOES get worse. Like the comment above, artificial sunlight would help your energy. They make bulbs with artificial light. There are lamps, too. My family doctor actually suggested that I go once a week to a tanning bed (but don’t tell my dermatologist!) for the sunlight. Where I live in the U.S. doesn’t get a lot of sun in the winter (Michigan). Hang in there… it’ll get sunny soon I’m sure.
Yeah, I think it IS the winter acting on me 🙂 huh, I’ve never heard of artificial sunlight, but I wouldn’t want to go to sun salon, because I just don’t want to do that to my skin 🙂 but hm.. Maybe vitamin D? And yeah, I totally get it… My moods are closely tied to the sunlight, and we have SO little of it where I live. The sun starts setting at about 3-4 in this time of year. It’s super hard to deal with such a short and gloomy day!
You should take as much time as you need. Sometimes you just need a break. I do think that this is the time of year when exhaustion seems to set in and I can tell you that I sometimes feel like that poor little dog. Enjoy your new books and have a great week!
Thank you Carole <3 yeah, you're right. It must be the winter!
That bookstagram post looks good, I’ll have to check it out… I admit it would be an expensive hobby if I had to props some bloggers have! I look forward to next week’s posts too <3
Yup, it’s an expensive one, and not just in terms on money, but time as well! Bookstagram is tough, I feel 🙂
Thanks!
Please don’t worry or get stressed about replying to comments or visiting our blogs, we are still going to follow you no matter what. You need to take yourself and enjoy all the reading time you’re getting in 🙂 Sorry to hear about your eyesight. I noticed more strain on my eyes when I read for longer periods, especially wearing reading glasses. I had corrective surgery done about 15 years ago and the doctor told me that I would have to wear glasses again as I got older, while last year I was older and finally had to go in… Read more »
Thank you! You are very, very sweet, thank you for saying that 🙂
Interesting, that’s a while ago for the corrective eye surgery! I guess it’s only been available where I live for maybe like 8 years or so. So still relatively new. I don’t feel like trying anything like that though 😀 but 15 years is a bargain, I guess 🙂 I don’t need reading glasses though, I only need glasses to look far off.
I hope you enjoy that blogging calendar post 🙂 thank you for reading! And thanks for the honest, lovely comment <3
Ohhh ME MEE , I am busting to get my hands on the King of Bone and Ashes! It sounded amazing, though I am still curious why it’s called that if it’s all about women lol
Hint: it’s called after the bad guy ;D but yes! This book is so totally worth it 🙂 read the interview with the author too! I’ve just posted it. It might make you want to read the book even more 🙂
Hope you are managing to rest and take care of yourself. I look forward to your interview with JD Horn because I have tons of books and really need to start one. Hope you have a great week!
I’m trying, at least 🙂 thank you! The interview with JD Horn is live, BTW 🙂 – just posted it yesterday. It was a fun interview, I hope you enjoy it 🙂
I can’t wait to read Herding Cats! I love Sarah Anderson 🙂 I hope you feel better and get lots of rest!
Thanks for visiting my Sunday post.
Yeah, Herding Cats was fun, although short and the topics didn’t seem to mesh too much.. But that’s the fault of the one who put together the collection and not the art or the artist, I guess 🙂 that’s why I want to read the other collections!
I love Sarah Andersen!! And I am with you on the tiredness and blog juice too – although in my case it turned out to be a very nasty cold and I am on sick leave from work for three days! This is my first sick leave ever!
Oh, and I usually prefer monotone narrators too – unless it’s memoirs, then I just like to listen the person whose memoir I’m reading.
I hope you will have a better week and a good rest!
It must be the winter 🙂 yeah, especially because you have a cold. I don’t have one (thankfully…), but I’m just #ded all the time. Gah!
I hope you get better soon. Sometimes it’s good to go on a sick leave 🙂 let your body rest.
I’ve been too tired and just absent from the community, too!! 🙁 Though, I hope this week would be better. And of course, no matter how active you are, I still love you <3 <3 Can't wait for next week's New Bloggers post because organizing is something I need to get all possible pointers on XD Thanks for linking up the posts, they all are so amazing and some are super helpful! 😀
I think it’s the winter, making us suffer 🙂 not a lot of sun… Although I don’t know, you probably have a lot of sun, where you live 😀 here? Gets dark at 4. Ugh just nope!
Awww I’m so glad you are not forgetting me! Although I haven’t even had time to drop by your blog. But you know it’s only the lack of time <3
I wonder how you liked the organization post. Haven't got to those comments yet, although I'm sure you've probably already read it 😀
I live in Dubai and it’s a hot city so winter is basically cold breezes in Dec and Jan, nothing more LOL. I haven’t hopped around blogs very consistently either, oops! Gonna read all the pending posts soon <3
xD we have actual ice. Gosh, I came back with my hands barely moving tonight. It was a cold sucky night and I underdressed. GAH.
I’m giving The King of Bones and Ashes a second chance JUST because you liked it 🙂 I’ve been so exhausted too it’s been hard to read eARCs so I’m trying the physical now. and yes! listening to books is a lifesaver when you re exhausted. so keep doing it! THOUGH you will have to read Herding Cats! 😉 I hope you love it as much as I did and that you take care of yourself and regain some energy soon. In the mean time just remember we love you no matter what. 😉
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I am still talking you into reading things although we both know that you haven’t liked some of the books I have loved 😀 you trust me way too much! 😀 but I am flattered, nonetheless 🙂 how is it going then? Is it bearable? Or did its second chance come to a swift demise? xD
Herding Cats was fun and quick 🙂 yeah, I had to read-read it though 😀 but it was worth it 🙂 very relatable!
Awwww, thank you 🙂
I badly need to read Sarah Andersen…not only because I’m a feminist but because she’s wonderful…
And more feminist books maybe o.O
Have a great week! 🙂 Take it easy with the blogging! (If it stresses you)
This was my first book of hers, and while I liked the comics themselves, I didn’t really enjoy the placing. I think it was kind of.. unfinished. I’ve heard others say that her other books were better put together 🙂 so maybe start with another collection of hers so you don’t get the wrong feeling 🙂
And thank you!
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been feeling tired and finding it hard to keep up. Take some time for yourself, to rest and take care of yourself before anything else! <3
I hope you will have a great week <3 <3
Thank you, Marie ^_^ <3 I will try!
Don’t worry, cutting back is important so you don’t burn out. Also, it’s totally true that during Winter you’re more tired. I literally want to sleep all the time so I’m kind of liking blogging a little less to catch up on some sleep, but it means my weekends are jampacked with blog related things which isn’t always the best.
You have a good week and I’ll look forward to this weeks posts.
Yes! I DO want to sleep all the time! Doesn’t help that boyfriend has to get up at 6 for work either.. and then we stay up till midnight D: yeah… blogging is more of a weekend activity for me too, now.
Monotonous narrator? Wow, I think it’s the first time I’ve heard someone prefer that over someone reading it. I’m not an audiobook reader myself and don’t plan to be for now but have always found the whole idea a bit weird and very subjective. I mean, how do people even decide who gets to narrate the book? And man, just like you lived through, I can imagine some pretty weird narration that could totally ruin a book.
Oh yeah, I do prefer a monotonous reader. Well, not like one note monotonous. And the Google Reader does not sound like a robot at all. Sounds like a normal human being, just reading a text. As opposed to the audiobook I tried? It made me cringe every second sentence. The narrator made every single character dialogue sound like they were, sorry to use the word, but retarded. There’s no other way I can express that. And you know what I mean. Why should everyone who talks at all sound like they’re IQ 50 with that faraway voice that makes… Read more »
/HAAHahahahahaaaaha I had a good laugh reading this reply hahahahah That would probably be the only way I’d DNF a book in my life hahahahaha
I’m glad my description made this so vivid for you 😀 xD yeah lol, that’s why I asked for a mobi file and didn’t have anymore problems xD
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I’m looking forward to reading about how to become a more organised blogger – it’s definitely something I need to improve on right now!
The post series is now finished, you can find it all here 🙂 I hope it is useful!
I know this is an older post but hope you’re feeling better! I’ve been finding it difficult to interact as well. It can be so tough.
Thanks! Yeah, I have been feeling better 🙂 not that life has been giving me more free time lately xD but I guess I finally covered by butt with some scheduled posts, and once you’ve got that buffer, things are better 🙂