So let’s talk milestones! Two years ago, I was part of a blog that I helped create, but alas things just didn’t work out and I walked away. I still wanted to be part of the book community and decided to embark on my own. The name, Literary, etc., was not my first choice and anything I played around with at the time just didn’t sound right. During this past year, I’ve debated changing the name and trust me-it’s a scary thing to even contemplate. I admire fellow bloggers who have done it. Maybe, I’ll get a bit of courage for Christmas. 😉
This year I introduced four new features. While I worked on some of these features regularly, others sadly were neglected.
ONE LINERS
We look at a novel’s first line as if it were a pick up line. We’ve all heard the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” The first line in a book is equally important as the last since it sets the tone and often will either make an impression or not. Let’s face it, it’s a little like dating. Will that guy with the cheesy pick up line score a number or not? So, I began to think…if the first line in a book was a pick up line, would you give it your number, agree to a date, let it buy you a drink, or do you walk away?
Books Ahoy!
Inspired by Entertainment Weekly‘s “Books of My Life” column. I wanted to go beyond the interview and ask authors (and even readers) about their favorite books. Reading is a personal, but shared experience and what a great way to know someone by asking them about the books that shaped their life.
The Essentials
Have you ever wanted to read an established author, but not sure where to start? Fear no more! The Essentials is a showcase spotlighting a specific author or series. This feature might even include non-bookish related items such as films or music.
Operation Bed Post
We’ve all come across that fictional character and walked away with our hearts forever imprinted with their name. This is a fun way to highlight the ones that have um earned a notch on my bedpost. Everyone knows I have way too many fictional boyfriends and I’ve decided to introduce them to you and yes share them too (grumbles).
Looking ahead to 2015, I hope to have more comment interaction. Every blogger loves comments and while I’ve been a bit lax in commenting on fellow bloggers posts, I hope that changes in 2015. I also have to remind myself that reviews don’t need to be essay length! Each book is different and my approach to writing them, can change depending on the book. The same applies to books in a series. It’s difficult to constantly review books in a series and starting in 2015, I’m going to limit future series books to mini reviews.
I love the book community (especially YA bloggers because at my lowest, they’ve been pretty awesome and very welcoming) and I’ve met some amazing people. Though, I have to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to my blogoversary twin Cee @ The Novel Hermit (any other blogoversary twins I’m missing?) and my almost blogoversary twin Kristen @ My Friends Are Fiction (Happy Blogoversary guys and let’s keep the party going).
As a thank you for following, I’m giving away ONE (1) $30 gift card to Barnes & Noble (if you’re located in the US) OR if you’re located internationally, your choice of books (up to $30) from The Book Depository (as long as they ship to your country). Good luck!
The rules:
• No purchase necessary and void where prohibited by law.
• Odds of winning depend on total number of eligible entries received.
• You must be 18 years or older to participate.
• Giveaway is open internationally (as long as The Book Depository ships to you).
• Your entry will be disqualified if you cheat (this includes saying you completed tasks & haven’t).
• I’m not responsible for items lost in shipping.
• Winners have 48 hours to respond otherwise a new winner will be chosen.
• Giveaway begins December 19, 2014 and ends on January 1, 2015 (Midnight Mountain)
Megz
Oooh, one of my fave “under-the-radar” reads was The Country of Ice Cream Star by Sandra Newman. The style takes some getting used to, but I still thought it was fantastic!
Megz recently posted…Learning to Adult
Amanda P.
Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen! Such a good book! If you haven’t read it, you NEED to!!!!
Amanda P. recently posted…Age Differences in the Blogging World
Cee
A HUGGEEEEEE HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY TO YOU, FELLOW BLOG DAY TWIN!
I hope the next year knocks your socks off! ;D
Names are always the hardest part. You want to stand out from the rest, but love it too.
PERF GIF FOR THE PARTY. DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCEEEEEEEE.
Cee recently posted…Celebrate The Novel Hermit’s Two-riffic Blogoversary! + Giveaway!
Kelly L.
YAYYYYY, HAPPY SECOND BLOGOVERARY JESSICA! -throws all the confetti at you- :D<3
Kelly L. recently posted…The Haul Where It’s Mainly Christmas Gifts
Cali W.
Happy Blogoversary!!!! Cheers! Thanks for the giveaway! One of my favorite books of 2014 that flew under the radar for me is The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski. 🙂
Catherine Siborutorop
Happy Blogoversary Jessica! My favorite book of 2014 is The Winner’s Curse! Thank you so much for the giveaway (:
Catherine Siborutorop recently posted…Seven Deadly Sins Tag
Maria Theresa Santos
Love Archer’s Voice and Stephbrother Dearest
voguishperuser
The Legacy Code by Autumn Kalquist 🙂
Misti
Happy Blogoversary! That’s amazing. Congrats! Now that’s what kind of
giveaway I love. Wow! My favs that flew under the radar this year are
Boys Like You by Juliana Stone , Easy Virtue by Mia Asher, Queen of
Someday by Sherry D. Ficklin. Thank you so much.
Kim Perry
One of my favorites from 2014 is Black Box by Cassia Leo.
Ashfa
Deception’s Princess by Esther M. Friesner!!
Happy Blogoversary!
Holly
Happy Blogoversary! One of my favourites of this year was The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Lesyle Walton.
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
Happy 2 years!! Oooo a name change? I’ve always loved yours 🙂 You have me curious about what you’re planning 😀 Hope you have a great year 3 blogging!
anna (herding cats & burning soup) recently posted…#AFTH2014 w/ Laura Wright–oh…my word. The cowboys. Yall. The cowboys! + giveaway
celes
Congrats!!! my favorite read was Elenaor and Park 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Anj Garcia
Happy blogoversary! Wishing you more blogging years to come. My favorite read this year is Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. 🙂
_Sandra_
Happy, happy, happy blogoversary! Wishing you many more amazing to come! 🙂
One of my favorite reads this year was definitely Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley, don’t know many people that’ve read it, but it’s absolutely amazing read.
Thanks for the giveaway and happy holidays! 🙂
karin
isla and the happily ever after by stephanie perkins
Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity
Happy Blogoversary, Jess!
Names are totally hard, so I understand your pain! I already had a Tumblr before I created my book blog, so I just took its name: Delicate Eternity and made it bookish, haha XD Although, to be honest, I really like Literary, Etc! I think it’s pretty ^.^
As for a 2014 release that I loved and thought flew under the radar … Some Assembly Required by Arin Andrews. It YA non-fiction and definitely my favourite book of the year!
Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity recently posted…The End of an Era
Josy Herrera
Ignite me.by tahereh mafi:)
Yun-a
Happy Blogoversary! I’m fairly new to your blog but I love your features.
I wouldn’t say this flew under the radar, exactly, but Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi was one of my favorite books of the year that was published very early.
Diamond @ Dee's Reads
Probably Mistwalker by Saundra Mitchell, Hook’s Revenge by Heidi Schultz, and The Fall by Bethany Griffin
Diamond @ Dee’s Reads recently posted…DNF Review [Graphic Novel]: The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 1: The Faust Act l by Kieron Gillen
Chelsea B.
Happy Blogoversary!
Mine was Romancing the Duke my Tessa Dare!
Daenielle
(confetti) Happy Blogoversary! (confetti)
Half A King by Joe Abercrombie
sarah k
I read the Mercy Thompson series books 1-9 being Night Broken this year and it’s become one of my favorite series.