Thank you Paul

at Paul’s Picks for the tag.

Paul has been one of my staples in the book blogging community ever since I came across his blog on Twitter. As an education advocate, I feel a keen kinship to his profession and reviews. We share the likes for a variety of genres across all the ages, as well as a love for Graphic Novels.

So let’s get the scoop!

1) WHERE DO YOU TYPICALLY WRITE YOUR BLOG POSTS?

In the upstairs den that I have turned into my library. It has lots of tall windows with natural light coming in. It also serves as my amateur photo studio.

2) HOW LONG DOES IT GENERALLY TAKE YOU TO WRITE A BOOK REVIEW?

Between 30min to 1hr ½. It depends. The tedious part is posting it to all the venues, tweet it, etc. You know the drill.

3) WHEN DID YOU START YOUR BOOK BLOG?

In March 2018.

4) WHAT IS THE WORST THING ABOUT HAVING A BOOK BLOG IN YOUR OPINION?

Generally, fretting too much about content, appearance, fonts, colors, numbers and input versus recognition.

Not being on WordPress. Without knowing any the wiser, I did not start a WordPress Blog, yet that seems to be the way to go. There are definite draw backs to using a different site. For one, I have no “like” buttons (my template comes with little hearts under each post) and for another, it is more difficult to comment on my site.

Also, the more you read (which you love), the more work you create (which you hate)…it’s the best-worst vicious cycle!

5) WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT HAVING A BOOK BLOG IN YOUR OPINION?

Book blogging is the natural extension of reading. If you can’t read books, smell books, organize books, buy books, research books, dream of books or recommend books, than you can write about them. SOMEONE on the web might just be thankful to have found the next best read because you raved about it on your blog :)

Another thing I like is the accountability to what I do and the trust that publishers and authors put in me. I love making connections and featuring new (or new to me) books / authors. When an author returns to me for a review it’s the best, and I am honored about that. It can’t get better than that.

And the blogging community, of course :)

6) WHAT BLOG POST HAVE YOU HAD THE MOST FUN WRITING SO FAR?

My running journey :)

The Sunshine Blogger Award

7) WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TYPE OF BLOG POST TO WRITE?

I am happy with writing reviews. There are many topics that I could write about, but most every other book blogger already has tackled the same related issues. I have often thought about showcasing books of the past that are lesser known or I have read before I began blogging. Sort of a “Books I loved but never wrote a review of” post. I enjoy nature, taking pictures and running, so those posts are definitely a joy to me.

Tags are fun too.

8) WHEN DO YOU TYPICALLY WRITE?

I have to fit it in around my flexible schedule. Often I write on the weekends. If the caffeine is flowing, then early, early mornings or late into the night.

9) DO YOU REVIEW EVERY BOOK YOU READ?

I do, but may not post it on my blog. If the review is really short, then Goodreads is the only place I will leave my three cents.

10) HOW DO YOU WRITE YOUR BOOK REVIEWS? WITH A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA? WITH NETFLIX? CUDDLED WITH YOUR FUR BABY?

Always in my den and yes to coffee and tea. Wine is welcome ;)

11) WHEN DO YOU WRITE YOUR BOOK REVIEWS? RIGHT AFTER FINISHING THE BOOKS? TWO WEEKS AFTER FINISHING THE BOOK?

I usually read more than one book at a time. On kindle I have highlights saved. In physical books I will put tabs in places to prepare for my reviews. Since I have to fit in my writing, it can be that a book sits a week before I get to write a review, but with my notes the plot comes right back to me. Audiobooks are more difficult to review, but I try my best to do them right away.