Let's Talk: This Year's Goals

Question:

What would you like to challenger yourself as a blogger and/or reader to do this year?

Answer:

Reader

As a reader my goal this year is to read old series that have established Paranormal Romance as the genre to read. Such as the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter, Fever by Karen Marie Moning, The Hollows by Kim Harrison, Georgiana Kincaid by Richelle Mead, and many others.

There are so many great series out there that I haven't read and I want to read them. So this year I'm pretty much ignoring all the books that are the current "it" book and reading books that have stood the test of time.

Blogger

As a blogger my goal this year is to be more social. Blogging is supposed to be a social activity, but we get so consumed by our own numbers, our own lives, that we forget about being social.

So I'm joining in things, commenting on more blogs, forming friendships (shout out to my #bookbffs), and generally being more open and accessible and getting out of my own head.

Part of this is if I don't think that I have content that I personally would want to read it won't be going up on the blog. I'm going to aim for every post I make to be about sharing my love of books and not what posts might get the most hits.

So far it's made blogging much more enjoyable for me and I see some great things coming in the future.

 Rie (@missiontoread)

Wife, technophile, bibliophile, and student who obsesses over the latest gadget and political drama. I read compulsively. It's an addiction really..

Book BFF Interview: Melina from Pretty Nifty YA Reader

Pretty Nifty YA Reader | @prettyniftyrdr | Goodreads | Facebook

See my interview over at The Novel Life by Lindsay.

1. Tell me about yourself, what kind of person are you behind the computer/phone screen?

Well, first and foremost I am a full time mom, then a wife (We aren't legally married yet but we know it's going to happen!). I am the kind of mom who "slays monsters" with her son outside. I spend a lot of time with my son so my house is never sparkling clean. I am also a (Not certified) make up artist, I learned everything on my own. I am good enough to start making money out of it as soon as I update my makeup collection! I got pregnant at 19 and had my son at 20 so I never got the chance at post-secondary education. However I will be going back to school sooner than later. My dream is to work as in marketing and publishing for Harper Collins. It's a slightly difficult goal to attain so I will be taking a Social Worker program I am hoping.

2. How long have you been blogging and what made you start?

I've been blogging almost 2 years (on June 9th) although not consistently due to moving a lot ( 10 times in 3 years!). I used to read book blogs to help me figure out my next read. I had always wanted to blog but never found something I was passionate enough about! So when I found this online community of book bloggers, I wanted to be a part of it! So I built my blog and moved right in. I feel at home with all my fellow book lovers/bloggers.

3. In your opinion, what makes a book a great read?

There isn't a whole recipe for a book. Writing is an art and as long as I can feel the passion with which the book was written I usually feel like it is a good book. Well rounded characters, an original story and a plot with continuity and substance are definitely essential to make a book readable. That doesn't mean I will fall in love with the book. I can't pinpoint what makes a book great because it's a feeling I get.

4. What are the first 5 books that come to mind?

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (Unread/Fantasy)
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes (Unread/Fantasy)
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey (Unread/Dystopian)
Allegiant by Veronica Roth (Not yet released/ Dystopian)
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (Unread/Urban Fantasy)

All the Unread books or on my  TBR list for June! The 5th Wave being the Book BFFs buddy read for June!

5. What are your blogging tactics/strategies? How do you, personally,manage blogging and your real life? 

I don't have strategies. I barely manage. My life is hectic. But I'll tell you this: When I blog I feel I can manage my hectic life easier! So I am trying to make the time to blog/tweet and socialize online with people who actually understand me! When your life revolves around everyone but yourself, you have to give yourself something personal. Well, I feel like I went off subject... Anyways, I have a blogging agenda which I just started using and I'll be getting a calendar soon. I'm getting organized this year! YAY!

6. Where do you do most of your reading? Anything you have to have with you besides the book to get settled into reading?

I do most of my reading on my couch! It's comfy and centralized. I am close to the kitchen and my son usually watches movies (low volume). I can keep watch on him and whatever is cooking for dinner. I usually have coffee, my phone and computer next to me. Coffee is a must!

7.What book (or series) is your current obsession? 

It's not so much a book or series. More of a genre. Ever since I read The Girl Of Fire And Thorns I have been on the hunt for fantasy books! I read Throne of Glass and Grave Mercy. Now Assassins and Fantasy are my current obsession!

8. If you had to eat one thing for the rest of life what would it be?

If I am gonna go on taste only the I would have to choose my Mom's Crêpes! She makes them so scrumptiously delicious!! If I am gonna go with something sustainable it would have to be my Chili! Lots of protein and it's so tasty!

9. How did you chose your blog name?

I went through a lot of ideas before I chose The Pretty Nifty (YA) Reader. I chose it because it's interchangeable, I could use it to make sister blogs and whatnot. I liked the sound of the word "Nifty". I just thought it was the only name that fit me... Also i LOVE brackets, it adds personality does it not? It's not all that book related aside for the "...(YA) Reader" part but no one used "Nifty" and I am pretty nifty... Hence; The Pretty Nifty (YA) Reader.

10. How do you organize your books (physical and digital) organized?

Well I only have one shelf so I put unread hardcover books on the top 4 shelves and my recently read hardcover copies on the bottom shelf. Once I buy more shelves I will reorganize! For now it's what works for me!

Thank you Rie for the interview! It was loads of fun! I am looking forward to making all sorts of fun bloggish bookish stuff with you and the other Book BFFs!

More Interviews:

Angela @ Reading Angels interviews Melissa from Harley Bear Book Blog

 Rie (@missiontoread)

Wife, technophile, bibliophile, and student who obsesses over the latest gadget and political drama. I read compulsively. It's an addiction really..

Summer Solstice Readathon

<div align="center"><a href="http://missiontoread.com/" title="Summer Solstice Readathon"><img src="http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a531/rieconley/ssread_zps99fe6110.png" alt="Mission to Read" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Created by:
Rie of Mission To Read
and

Cohosted by:
Melissa of Harley Bear Book Blog
Lindsay of The Novel Life
Kathrin of StackedNPainted
 and Melina of The Pretty Nifty YA Reader


The summer solstice is the longest day of the year. And you know what that means...

more sunlight = more time for reading!

So no matter where you are on the planet we want you to celebrate the first day of summer with us in a 24 hr read-a-thon! Just think of all those summer reads you've been waiting to start!

Here's how to join:

1. Create a sign up post on your site saying that you're planning to join in the read-a-thon on the 21st. You can post a goal list of books you want to read that day, but it's not mandatory. Include the read-a-thon button and this blurb:

Summer Solstice Read-a-thon is a 24 hr event taking place on the longest day of the year...June 21, 2013.

It was created by Rie @ Mission To Read and is cohosted by Melissa of Harley Bear Book Blog, Lindsay of The Novel Life, Kathrin of StackedNPainted, and Melina of The Pretty Nifty YA Reader.

 The goal of this read-a-thon is to take advantage of all the extra daylight and read as much as you can! Mini challenges and a giveaway will be happening this day so make sure to check out any of the host's blog's the day of for more information.

Don't forget to chat with us at the twitter party 12pm CST #SSReadathon.

2. Add the link to your sign up post in the linky below.

3. Check back to any of the host's blogs on the 21st for mini challenges and a chance to win a giveaway!

4. Read till the sun goes down


 Rie (@missiontoread)

Wife, technophile, bibliophile, and student who obsesses over the latest gadget and political drama. I read compulsively. It's an addiction really..