Monday Miscellany: Ramblings About Blogs

Hey folks!  The Monday Miscellany segment on the blog is where I take off my reader glasses and share some non-bookish musings.  This week is semi-bookish in that I wanted to discuss other book blogs.

I've found that in my years as a blogger, the percentage of YA books I've read has been continuously increasing.  Meaning, I'm definitely reading a lot more YA than I would if I weren't a blogger.  This is largely due to the numerous book blogs I follow that heavily (or completely) focus on YA fiction.  In general, there seems to be more YA book blogs than adult fiction book blogs out there in the blogosphere...am I wrong about this?

Now, there's nothing wrong with YA in the least but I have a personal preference for literary fiction and somehow I've deviated from my preferences.  Anyways, I've hit a bit of a breaking point and really want to redirect my focus to adult literary fiction (of course, with smidgens of fantasy, nonfiction, and YA sprinkled throughout).  One of my favorite aspects about blogging is finding great book recommendations.  So, it follows that if I want to redirect my reading back to literary fiction, I need to find some adult fiction book blogs where I can gather recommended reads!  Therefore, I'm asking you, my fellow bloggers and readers, if you have any blogs to recommend.

One of my favorite places to find adult fiction recommendations is the Books on the Nightstand podcast...what about you folks? Also, please feel free to shamelessly self-promote! :)

The New Year in Reading: Goals for 2014

Like a lot of my fellow book bloggers...my blog has lagged a bit lately.  I've read a lot of resolution posts where peeps are admitting to their lack of blog prowess in 2013.  Something must be in the book blogging water that has caused our motivation to wane.  Yet, like many others, I am resolving to do something about it in the new year! 

In list form (because that's my modus operandi on this here blog), my blogging resolutions for 2014:

• My reading goal is back up to 100 books for the year rather than 50...it's time to really take advantage of my neighborhood library (literally, I just bought a house right next to a library)!
• I would like to average about 1 review per week; however, I am not putting pressure on myself for lengthy reviews.  If I just want to gush about a book or two in a smallish paragraph or describe my feeling of meh with few words...so be it!
• I want to continue with Top Ten Tuesday posts and be more diligent about it this year.
• I want to start doing Wordless Wednesday posts.  I don't know why I've never participated before.
• I would also like to add maybe 1 non-bookish post, whether it's crafts, home renovation updates, recipes I've tried, etc.
• Lastly, I'm still gonna keep with my Foodie February...I've even pre-read a lot of cookbooks!

Phew!  Hopefully I can keep to this schedule.  I think it's going to take more planning than I normally do for the blog (hey, I'm an amateur) but I really enjoy blogging and it's time to put some more effort into it.

A Few Hop-A-Longs for the Weekend

First up, the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Crazy-For-Books.com.  Click on the icon above to be taken to a list of book blogs...it's enjoyable to peruse and you may just find a couple of fun blogs to follow!  This week's question: Are you going to Book Expo America (BEA) and/or the Book Blogger Convention (BBC) this year?

Um, nope and nope.  While I'd love to go to both events, the hubs and I are still saving up a little nest egg - so a trip to New York is not really in the cards :(







Also, Happy Follow Friday!  Again click on the pic to be taken to a whole slew of new book blogs.  The question of the day: The Blogger Apocalypse made me a little emotional.  What is the most emotional scene in a book that you have read lately?

Welp, I just finished the wonderful Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks and there are two very emotional scenes that brought tears to my face.  One is very spiritual and intertwines all of the novel's main themes and the other is just plain sad.  I really can't say anymore without spoiling the book - sorry!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend - I'm off to a wedding!