tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45241432209798731502024-03-05T04:45:59.314-05:00Reading is InevitableJust a little blog on books, bookstagram, and other bookish things.Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-81806225469367163272017-10-16T07:30:00.000-04:002017-10-16T07:30:05.219-04:00Dear Readers - I'm Taking a Break<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-Yfa2oB6btU1gX07xyIE7vr-BxdrzykhqK0FdDnQj85ZZBl7JKchvRHwF7bjXQZdXLetntIxI1C-lRc3AbIVWt1gnweACFGakdy0Ug6uyDdaYmKz8q5hoOG14v61L2EZd040c1mhu5bo/s1600/Dear+Readers+I%2527m+Taking+A+Break.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-Yfa2oB6btU1gX07xyIE7vr-BxdrzykhqK0FdDnQj85ZZBl7JKchvRHwF7bjXQZdXLetntIxI1C-lRc3AbIVWt1gnweACFGakdy0Ug6uyDdaYmKz8q5hoOG14v61L2EZd040c1mhu5bo/s640/Dear+Readers+I%2527m+Taking+A+Break.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Hi, everyone. I guess you've read the title by now, which means I've got some explaining to do. As you may or may not know, I've been writing on this blog for somewhere around a year and a half now. In the beginning, I was very involved. I hadn't had an active blog for a few years, and the whole thing felt new again. I started out by writing book reviews on books I had recently read, and from there had time to finish other books and write reviews on them. And things were going well in the beginning. Even though Em dropped out after a short bit of time, I still kept this blog going. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then something happened. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I just... started getting busier. I had less time to write posts and I had less books to review as I started reading less. I started to take these unannounced breaks where I'd just disappear for a bit. During those times I wasn't even sure myself when I'd come back to blogging, but I'd always come back at some point. Usually I'd be bored one night when I decided I'd give it a shot again, and I would end up writing two posts in a night. Sometimes guilt helped to coax me to start blogging again. Although looking back on it, I've realized that, even though those breaks did feel really long, I've actually only missed one month of not posting at all, which is quite something considering the number of disappearances I've made. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Quite recently I made a big return to the blog. Even though we weren't (and still aren't) posting on our bookstagram page, I decided to pick up the blog again, and I just... ran with it. I officially changed the blog's description to a completely book-based one. And even though this limited how far I could go in terms of content, I was still able to consistently post for a few months, only missing a post here and there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But now I've started missing posts again. I missed one in September, and then I missed last Monday's post even though only a few days before I had made myself a goal to not miss a posting day this month. And I don't really know any other way to explain why I've been missing posts except for this:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm just feeling out of it. I can't bring myself to write a blog post. Maybe I wrote too much all of a sudden. Maybe I just can't blog consistently for too long. I got back into reading for a bit over two weeks. In that time I read four books, which I think is (sadly) more than what I read over my summer vacation. And yet now I can hardly get through a page of my current read. I also have lots of school work. It just keeps on adding up. But honestly, in the end, it all comes down to me just not being as interested in "bookish" things.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We haven't done bookstagram in months. I can't bring myself to write about bookish topics. I'm struggling to read a book. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And I'm just so tired.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I just think I need a break. A break so I can rest a bit and get my school work done and figure out what I want to do with this blog, because honestly? I'm not sure what I want to do at this point. If I want to broaden my subject for my content just a bit. If I want to adopt a looser posting schedule or if I even want to post at all anymore. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think I'll probably come crawling back at some point. But just not now.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At the least, I'm going to take a 17-day break, starting tomorrow, with the last day being the 2nd of November. I will post on the 3rd of November when my November monthly reflection should be publishing. I'll say what I plan to do then. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until then, goodbye. Keep on reading. (I'm sorry.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-26773574376049057232017-10-06T07:30:00.000-04:002017-10-06T15:28:45.804-04:00September 2017 Reflection<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT7VkJmsZpQtL1prNgfh64cveoCqP74glqXif3aQas2CAVriCeHMYEAYAzvhP7w1sfL9r8vPhBfgjiM6DHqfp_AkuIEZEd9yCBMZiqsTBgBuXJU528x3ayv0DCsj9W-GK9TRjwswknshe/s1600/September+2017+Reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT7VkJmsZpQtL1prNgfh64cveoCqP74glqXif3aQas2CAVriCeHMYEAYAzvhP7w1sfL9r8vPhBfgjiM6DHqfp_AkuIEZEd9yCBMZiqsTBgBuXJU528x3ayv0DCsj9W-GK9TRjwswknshe/s640/September+2017+Reflection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy Friday everyone! How was your September? Good, I hope? What about your October? Can you believe we're already in October, and that we're even approaching our first complete week of it...? It's now the sixth of October and the first Friday of the month, which means it's time for yet another monthly reflection, in which I pretty much just ramble on about what happened this month as well as what's to come. Oooo... be excited. (It's okay you do whatever you want to do!)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Looking Back Into September</h2>
<h3>
The Blog</h3>
<div>
Blargh. Blargh blargh blargh. So, the blog. It didn't do horribly, but things could have been better. (At least it was better than the bookstagram, but I'll get to that in a bit, heh heh...) I had to switch over to my school posting schedule, even though I would have liked to try to keep up two posts a week for at least one more month. But, alas, school is just too much. I mean, I couldn't even handle posting once a week. That's right, <b><span style="color: #990000;">I missed a posting day</span></b>... Pageviews for the blog also <span style="color: #990000;"><b>decreased by about 8.94%</b></span>. Just another thing to add on to the (unpleasant and mildly upsetting) list. Sigh. :/<br />
<h3>
This Month's Posts</h3>
</div>
<br />
<table class="w3-table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="33%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ucuc7lkX-DA6frZsHyw5dYfeXLx2AmD_XYzbTTUU3h8-NNtaQ5YDyNEFchEJPj1nh-zryjghJBzvrBFArckY5RUQnG_MI0cqLVBJucyFJo64d9J8cKsswGcFtwnB3xoH4bMV6nrOniXv/s1600/August+2017+Reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ucuc7lkX-DA6frZsHyw5dYfeXLx2AmD_XYzbTTUU3h8-NNtaQ5YDyNEFchEJPj1nh-zryjghJBzvrBFArckY5RUQnG_MI0cqLVBJucyFJo64d9J8cKsswGcFtwnB3xoH4bMV6nrOniXv/s320/August+2017+Reflection.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="33%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo3l2dVIZWxAhdKdOqsm6hltp3E4lrnSMrTCxBSiNXd9DDdGsBG3GL9eSsWvkc4md0_7PqrVAkkJNsqlRUrGyQDoujCXUhEnzjcN9sA_f7qMI6YMPDdkmSPprzg6mPXlVbkX_VP4_ESB_/s1600/Why+I+Need+a+Book+Buying+Ban+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo3l2dVIZWxAhdKdOqsm6hltp3E4lrnSMrTCxBSiNXd9DDdGsBG3GL9eSsWvkc4md0_7PqrVAkkJNsqlRUrGyQDoujCXUhEnzjcN9sA_f7qMI6YMPDdkmSPprzg6mPXlVbkX_VP4_ESB_/s320/Why+I+Need+a+Book+Buying+Ban+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></td>
<td width="33%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSg7jeze5XS7YmFqrSb9V_KReVZYqKlYKcP2Ig4B7CNA7-LZXGYN-w_JABfysYMbuKdyw28gGrbEThHwmVTwOThDwSKDa7M4K_m2_p00wJpkGujm9V-FVLHK7x9wBbeAUyor8G8PreogI/s1600/Summer+2017+Challenge+Update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSg7jeze5XS7YmFqrSb9V_KReVZYqKlYKcP2Ig4B7CNA7-LZXGYN-w_JABfysYMbuKdyw28gGrbEThHwmVTwOThDwSKDa7M4K_m2_p00wJpkGujm9V-FVLHK7x9wBbeAUyor8G8PreogI/s320/Summer+2017+Challenge+Update.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIvOLH2AyTEZwu5aAlxaHcbvlpNBlwNa3sd3q6Q4icSUYvTVyaqPA7Yd-wPow2aQ4Q-9uH_3EWIIzRC0B2IJSwkIigdLmDibeFTPuP5GpCsKN41v3T9-CrHljOaPDnw86iyUPMupIRxvS/s1600/Navigating+Bookstagram+Bookstagram+Lingo+Terminology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIvOLH2AyTEZwu5aAlxaHcbvlpNBlwNa3sd3q6Q4icSUYvTVyaqPA7Yd-wPow2aQ4Q-9uH_3EWIIzRC0B2IJSwkIigdLmDibeFTPuP5GpCsKN41v3T9-CrHljOaPDnw86iyUPMupIRxvS/s320/Navigating+Bookstagram+Bookstagram+Lingo+Terminology.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="33%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQfa_C1KKka_ehC3PObsEuyF0h1tIUU4wHdbj7aXvwPxxY_BRaKcVxIoPREi-hgNIqSwz8KhJARXHb93iKSrz7DltIRiD_6qHrU8NyFs9j7lnJYKv5V-LdgiREF3ayA9mnN7OFCqPQjEA/s1600/Quotes+The+Nightingale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQfa_C1KKka_ehC3PObsEuyF0h1tIUU4wHdbj7aXvwPxxY_BRaKcVxIoPREi-hgNIqSwz8KhJARXHb93iKSrz7DltIRiD_6qHrU8NyFs9j7lnJYKv5V-LdgiREF3ayA9mnN7OFCqPQjEA/s320/Quotes+The+Nightingale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></td>
<td width="33%"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpZupN2LFeVaMXCP4knyxdi-91oNv6jng_9p7JtpVsIy8fiq9L0vXLhLGbO1IVLbopDb4l3Y4Spl6GvtwJ8QtoNfRBFGG0p5bzXmhKGc8Qsbt1dJwGbrQdJExOEKUKxsT7-rfJnHAg6g_/s1600/Book+Review+Aristotle+and+Dante+Discover+the+Secrets+of+the+Universe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpZupN2LFeVaMXCP4knyxdi-91oNv6jng_9p7JtpVsIy8fiq9L0vXLhLGbO1IVLbopDb4l3Y4Spl6GvtwJ8QtoNfRBFGG0p5bzXmhKGc8Qsbt1dJwGbrQdJExOEKUKxsT7-rfJnHAg6g_/s320/Book+Review+Aristotle+and+Dante+Discover+the+Secrets+of+the+Universe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Bookstagram</h3>
<div>
WE POSTED ONE PICTURE ON BOOKSTAGRAM!! This might seem rather lousy to you, but I'm actually surprised and happy... I thought we didn't post at all! Just like last month when I even finished the whole monthly reflection and didn't realize that we had posted until a day or two before the publishing date. (Go here to see what I'm talking about.) We still <span style="color: #990000;"><b>lost around 17 followers</b></span>, though... (We currently stand at 1,577 at the time I'm writing this post, but I know we lost some at the beginning of October, so I'm not sure of the exact number lost during September.)</div>
<h3>
Goals</h3>
<div>
I always like writing down if I remembered my goals or not, so, um... I think I remember two? And I don't think I really did either one, oh boy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpIWcgVq-c3eO5n3XcggvlVmghjJkz9vq0ZV4nXlRqALMoeud6IWZr8Ng3YAXWtd72Ul64-zIXU9n5g13EFVGH3VTA9UsjBRDxMjvgKY-aEE1QXaEB6WADpEb8aGVYQxCknxBdMiT5UL2/s1600/September+Goals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpIWcgVq-c3eO5n3XcggvlVmghjJkz9vq0ZV4nXlRqALMoeud6IWZr8Ng3YAXWtd72Ul64-zIXU9n5g13EFVGH3VTA9UsjBRDxMjvgKY-aEE1QXaEB6WADpEb8aGVYQxCknxBdMiT5UL2/s640/September+Goals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Oh gosh this was a really unproductive month...</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><b>What is posting?</b> I'm honestly fearing that we'll never post again on our bookstagram. Although, I will tell you this: fall is our favorite time to take bookish pictures, so who knows?</li>
<li><b>Nope nope nope.</b> You kidding? I wanted to be more prepared by drafting posts ahead of time, but I hardly even got my posts done. I wrote most of them last-minute on Fridays or weekends, and I didn't even post one week. Even this post is being written on the day before... heh heh.</li>
<li><b>Sorta maybe kinda (not really).</b> So, I did try to do this in the beginning. I asked people for their book blogs on our Instagram story and I even created a WordPress.com account so that I could like and more easily follow other book blogs, as the majority of book blogs seem to use it over Blogger. And yet, I didn't really do much after that... I didn't go on the WordPress.com account because it took up extra time, and I didn't make much of an effort to find new book blogs. I did, however, read some a bit form other ones I already knew about.</li>
</ol>
<h3>
Comparison — September 2016 vs. September 2017</h3>
<div>
September of 2016 was the best month I've ever had for the blog. The number of pageviews in this past September is only a third of what they were in September 2016. I was on a two-posts-a-week posting schedule, and even though I missed five posting days, I still posted five times (one more time than what I would have done if I only posted every Monday) and managed to receive large amounts of pageviews. One of the posts published during that month is the sixth most popular on the blog. Our Instagram was also thriving, with the beginning of our more fallish pictures coming in.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Coming Up in October</h2>
<h3>
The Blog</h3>
I'm hoping to publish a few book reviews on the blog this month, as I recently finished four books. Even though I only want to write reviews on two of these four books and I've already published one of them, I still have one to write a review on. I'm also hoping that, since I've been better about reading lately, I'll finish at least two more books that I can write reviews on.<br />
<h3>
Bookstagram</h3>
<div>
We recently held a poll on our Instagram story (yes, yes... they're very popular now but will they die out?). It asked if we should start posting again on our bookstagram. Most of you said yes... And fall's our favorite time to take pictures, so... Maybe. Maybe...</div>
<h3>
Goals</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNHM_hNZeRyc4bDi3kyjg40uGB488hahzexBkPeKwOtBsdJQ3w_eS6e2Q2_aTIlBk4o9-xUEG5afxVKXcI4BfDBHwoxxostdS1W3JonxtnRtKiq1SkwsD2HofdjAgi6liRRjJw5e00zdD/s1600/October+Goals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNHM_hNZeRyc4bDi3kyjg40uGB488hahzexBkPeKwOtBsdJQ3w_eS6e2Q2_aTIlBk4o9-xUEG5afxVKXcI4BfDBHwoxxostdS1W3JonxtnRtKiq1SkwsD2HofdjAgi6liRRjJw5e00zdD/s640/October+Goals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><b>Publish a post every Monday.</b> I didn't even do this last month...</li>
<li><b>Post regularly on bookstagram.</b> I know that I've had this same goal for the past few months, but I still want to do it... Especially now that fall is approaching us!</li>
<li><b>Draft and plan posts in advance.</b> I feel like that by at least accomplishing this goal, I'm taking steps in the right direction to complete my first goal. Besides, this is just good time-managing practice for me.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<hr />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's all for today! Sorry if the ending seems a bit rushed... At the time that I'm writing this, it's getting a bit late, and I'm already tired from four days of school. But only one more to go before the weekend, and maybe the weekend's already here by the time you're reading this! Is it nice? Take me with you... ;) Have a good day and keep on reading!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-44772529381508223272017-10-02T07:00:00.000-04:002017-10-02T07:00:20.656-04:00Book Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTZ18ti7Gz2VKBW8w2TSJFPJyEVR6GT6BoaxdMGeN2QIceM9vnX1qDWrsV7wqWiSBWcesQSi2Rbrrl7xr_vEg5tORbEsg62bEpw8d7v5PZe0QUiWNjEaDxXQ0v3fMcpjMUDSGJYNzfCqC/s1600/Book+Review+Aristotle+and+Dante+Discover+the+Secrets+of+the+Universe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTZ18ti7Gz2VKBW8w2TSJFPJyEVR6GT6BoaxdMGeN2QIceM9vnX1qDWrsV7wqWiSBWcesQSi2Rbrrl7xr_vEg5tORbEsg62bEpw8d7v5PZe0QUiWNjEaDxXQ0v3fMcpjMUDSGJYNzfCqC/s640/Book+Review+Aristotle+and+Dante+Discover+the+Secrets+of+the+Universe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Title:</b> Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe<br />
<b>Author:</b> Benjamin Alire Sáenz<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Realistic Fiction, YA Fiction<br />
<b>Rating:</b> 5 out of 5 stars ★★★★★<br />
<b>Reviewer:</b> Julia<br />
<br />
<div class="verticalLine">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<i>Dante can swim. Ari can't. Dante is articulate and self-assured. Ari has a hard time with words and suffers from self-doubt. Dante gets lost in poetry and art. Ari gets lost in thoughts of his older brother who is in prison. Dante is fair skinned. Ari's features are much darker. It seems that a boy like Dante, with his open and unique perspective on life, would be the last person to break down the walls that Ari has built around himself. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But against all odds, when Ari and Dante meet, they develop a special bond that will teach them the most important truths of their lives, and help define the people they want to be. But there are big hurdles in their way, and only by believing in each other — and the power of their friendship — can Ari and Dante emerge stronger on the other side.</i>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i style="text-align: start;">— </i><span style="text-align: start;">the book's synopsis</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe</i> is a book. It's a book about two teenage boys: Ari (Aristotle) and Dante. It's a book about trying to find your place in the world. Figuring out who you are. It's about friendship and what exactly that means. It's the things you hear about so many books, and yet it's not like other books. It's so much more.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Going into this novel, I'll have to admit that I wasn't expecting much of anything special. Don't get me wrong, I didn't think it was going to be a bad book, I just didn't think it would be exceptionally good. (It was good.) Maybe I should have listened to all of the awards displayed on the front cover:<br />
<ul>
<li>ALA Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book</li>
<li>ALA Stonewall Award Winner</li>
<li>Pura Belpre Award</li>
<li>LAMBDA Literary Award</li>
</ul>
...but those are only the ones on the front cover. Overall, it's one a total of 27 awards. Twenty-seven. And I can see why that is.<br />
<br />
There's so much to love about this book. What I love the most is all of the themes that run through it and the way that Sáenz<i> </i>presented these themes. I loved the themes of family, friendship, love, and coming-of-age. I loved how the book followed Ari as he bravely asked the important questions that he's never asked before but so desperately needed to ask.<br />
<br />
<div class="verticalLine">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<i>It’s a tender, honest exploration of identity and sexuality, and a passionate reminder that love—whether romantic or familial—should be open, free, and without shame.</i></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>— </i><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4424-0892-0" target="_blank"><i>Publisher's Weekly </i>Review</a></div>
<i><br /></i>
I loved how Dante's and Aristotle's different ways of loving were portrayed in the book. I loved the contrast between Dante's openness and Ari's closed-off approach to love. I love how they each had a story, a reason behind why they loved in the way that they did.<br />
<br />
I love the message of the novel. I loved how Sáenz<i> </i>told kids to not be afraid of who they are. To love who you want to love freely, including family, and to not be afraid.<br />
<br />
<div class="verticalLine">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<i>To all the boys who've had to learn to play by different rules.</i>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
—<i> </i>Benjamin Alire Sáenz's dedication at front of book</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><br /></i></div>
There was something beautiful about the idea of Ari breaking down the walls that dominated his life. The walls that his family built and the walls that he built. There's something beautiful about Ari's journey of freedom and self-discovery and being unapologetically himself. Of remembering the rain and finding the answers to questions you never knew needed answering.<br />
<br />
Ari discovered the answers to the secrets of the universe. He found what he didn't even know he was missing.<br />
<br />
And by reading this book, I, in a way, found what I didn't even know I needed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<hr />
<br />
<i>Hey, everyone. I just wanted to apologize for missing last week's post. As you know, school has started up again, and things are already quite busy! I had to abandon my summer posting schedule and adopt my school one sooner than I wanted to, but that's the only way I thought I could more easily stick to a schedule. Still, there will probably be weeks when I miss a post, just because life and people aren't perfect. However, since it's the first week of October, I'll also be publishing my September 2017 Reflection this upcoming Friday, so, in a way, it's like I'm making up for last week by publishing two posts this week. (Although I would have published two posts this week anyway... but let's just ignore that, heh heh.) See you all Friday!</i>Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-40892579639916144202017-09-18T07:30:00.000-04:002017-09-18T15:35:32.277-04:00Quotes: The Nightingale<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaMzQ67aUFICNr7Jd5BA2nBtDQWbIpbrV6DqcmYSF_p2REzecsGxIrteN-P7TDVEomkcJnKIOr9qMoyrxo-DMO1E-wXkokVe2E0x6UamC-lN9jXFjdt42pN-M7ZTkGBZrah4sy8gD-_TP/s1600/Quotes+The+Nightingale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaMzQ67aUFICNr7Jd5BA2nBtDQWbIpbrV6DqcmYSF_p2REzecsGxIrteN-P7TDVEomkcJnKIOr9qMoyrxo-DMO1E-wXkokVe2E0x6UamC-lN9jXFjdt42pN-M7ZTkGBZrah4sy8gD-_TP/s640/Quotes+The+Nightingale.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I realized that, over a year ago, I wrote a post called <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2016/04/quotes-audacity.html" target="_blank">"Quotes: Audacity"</a>, and that this post did really well (it's actually Reading is Inevitable's most read post!), and yet I never wrote another post of quotes from a book. I liked writing that post, too. I like sharing quotes I like from books. That's why I started doing it on our <a href="http://instagram.com/readingisinevitable/" target="_blank">bookstagram page</a>. So why did I never write another one of these "quote blog posts"? I don't know. But I intend to write at least another one.<br />
<br />
And that's why I'm here today. Well, there's that, and then there's also the amazing book that is <i>The Nightingale.</i> If you've read some of my recent blog posts or have poked around a bit, you would know that exactly a month ago I published my <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-the-nightingale.html" target="_blank">book review</a> on <i>The Nightingale</i>, in which I explained my love for it and why you should read it yourself. And while I actually have another post in the works on that book because it definitely deserves more than one post, that one's going to take a bit, so why not share some quotes from it in the meantime? You know: just to keep it fresh in your minds?<br />
<br />
So, here you go: four quotes from Kristin Hannah's <i>The Nightingale</i>. And, if you haven't yet read the book (because there most certainly will be spoilers in this post), then what are you waiting for? Go put it on hold at your local library and read my <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-the-nightingale.html" target="_blank">book review</a> in the meantime. Then you can come back to this post! ;)<br />
<br />
(Unless you don't mind spoilers, although they do <i>spoil</i> the whole book. That's why they're called <i>spoil</i>ers, right?)<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="verticalLine">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
He turned to her. In the corona of candlelight, his face looked haggard and worn. "It wouldn't hurt you to be afraid, you know."<br />
<br />
Was that a threat? "Of you, Papa? Or of the Nazis?"<br />
<br />
"Are you paying no attention at all, Isabelle? You should be afraid of everyone. Now, get out of my way. I need a drink."</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
— <i>The Nightingale</i> by Kristin Hannah; pg.187</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Quick note before I write a bit about why I like this quote <span style="text-align: right;">— The page numbers throughout this post are written using the 2015 hardcover layout of the book. With other editions the numbers may vary.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: right;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: right;">Okay, moving on, I like this quote because I really like what her father said. "'You should be afraid of everyone.'" First of all, I think that's such an important thing for Isabelle to hear. Sure, she's a very strong and amazing female character, don't get me wrong, but one of the things that she needed to learn (and eventually learned) was that she sometimes needed to be more careful and "soft." (Alternatively, her sister, Vianne, learned to be strong for others and to face problems.) In this particular instance, I'm referring to her being more careful. He's warning her that there are dangers in the world, especially in a world at war. After all, he has experience enduring a war. While he fought and saw all that humanity has to be ashamed of, Isabelle was only a toddler, unaware. I should add that, for these reasons, it's also such an important moment and step towards her realizing that her father is still her father. Even after all the distance and the coldness between them, he still cared for her, which we definitely see in the end of the book when he literally gives his life for her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: right;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="verticalLine">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
In him, suddenly, she saw someone foreign, a broken man where a cruel, careless man had always stood.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
— <i>The Nightingale</i> by Kristin Hannah; pg.199</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just to refresh your memory a bit, this is when Isabelle realizes that her father is in fact not actually working for the Nazis, but instead is working undercover for the resistance. In a way, this relates to what I was talking about in the last quote, about how her father is still a father. What I really like in general is the idea of change and how altered one's perspective of someone really can be in this quote. I like the complexity to it, you know? Because he wasn't just a bad parent. He was a man who suffered from PTSD and depression after fighting in the war and losing his wife. He was a father who left his kids in the hands of someone else because he didn't know how to take care of them even though it hurt him. Sure, he could have done better even though he suffered, but I love the way Hannah painted his pain and his attempt at redemption, because we've all done something we're not proud of. It's an idea that's so blatantly human and common and yet I don't see enough of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verticalLine">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
"I hope you never know how fragile you are, Isabelle."<br />
<br />
"I'm not fragile," she said.<br />
<br />
The smile he gave her was barely one at all. "We are all fragile, Isabelle. It's the thing we learn in war."
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
— <i>The Nightingale </i>by Kristin Hannah</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I don't know if there's much I can say about this one. It seems to speak for itself, you know? We all are fragile. It's true. Even if you try to put this strong exterior, you're going to break at some point. It's like those "perfect" kids you might see at school. They get good grades in all subjects, are active in school clubs and sports, and are a sociable and just generally a well-rounded student, but they still have their issues and weaknesses. I know I've seen kids like that, kids who I've wondered how they could be so amazing, but then watched as they broke down. It's just natural and a fact of life. It also ties back to what I was saying about Isabelle and Vianne's father in the last quote. Again we have this idea about making mistakes and hurting and being imperfect, and I love this book (and Kristin Hannah) for that.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verticalLine">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
"These yellow stars," Rachel said, opening her fist, revealing the ugly little flower of ragged fabric, with its black marking. "We have to wear them on our clothes at all times now."
<br />
<br />
Sarah frowned. "But...why?"
<br />
<br />
"We're Jews," Rachel said. "And we're proud of that. You have to remember how proud we are of it, even if people.... want to make us feel...bad about it."
<br />
<br />
...Vianne saw Sarah's fear and embarrassment and confusion. She was trying her best to be a good girl, to smile and be strong even as tears glazed her eyes. "Oui," she said at last.
<br />
<br />
It was the saddest sound Vianne had heard in nearly three years of sorrow.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
— <i>The Nightingale</i> by Kristin Hannah</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This quote? This one is full of emotion and sadness, and it's important because we need to treat everyone with the respect they deserve. This quote hurts, and it's supposed to hurt. Sarah is just a fictional character, but there were over a million real Jewish children who probably didn't understand why they were made to go through the things they went through and why they were put down for what they believed in.<br />
<br />
We need to respect one another. We're all human. We've all hurt like how Monsieur Rossignol hurt, and even we've made our mistakes and treated others with disrespect at times, we can still at least <i>try</i> to make amends like he did. What one person of a particular religion or region or race did does not define the whole. When someone attacks a group, they're attacking the children of the group as well; innocent children like Sarah who are confused and hurt and possibly ashamed for something they shouldn't be ashamed of. And when these children grow up they're not going to forget how people treated them. When you attack someone like that, especially at a young age when they're still learning and developing, they don't forget and the hurt won't go away.<br />
<br />
So, yes. These quotes are important. They're important to me and if you see them the same way I do, piece them together the same way I did, then they should be important to you, too. It's amazing what a book can do. And still, this is only one idea from <i>The Nightingale</i>. One connection to the modern world. Please, take these quotes and remember them, write them in your notebook, on your wall <span style="text-align: right;">— but whatever you do, remember the ideas behind them.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: right;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: right;"><br /></span></div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-11412426121579157482017-09-11T07:30:00.000-04:002017-09-11T23:21:18.505-04:00Navigating Bookstagram - Stories & Tips From a Small(er?) Account - Bookstagram Lingo/Terminology<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIvOLH2AyTEZwu5aAlxaHcbvlpNBlwNa3sd3q6Q4icSUYvTVyaqPA7Yd-wPow2aQ4Q-9uH_3EWIIzRC0B2IJSwkIigdLmDibeFTPuP5GpCsKN41v3T9-CrHljOaPDnw86iyUPMupIRxvS/s1600/Navigating+Bookstagram+Bookstagram+Lingo+Terminology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIvOLH2AyTEZwu5aAlxaHcbvlpNBlwNa3sd3q6Q4icSUYvTVyaqPA7Yd-wPow2aQ4Q-9uH_3EWIIzRC0B2IJSwkIigdLmDibeFTPuP5GpCsKN41v3T9-CrHljOaPDnw86iyUPMupIRxvS/s640/Navigating+Bookstagram+Bookstagram+Lingo+Terminology.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
If you've poked around bookstagram a bit, you might have noticed terms or acronyms that are commonly used, and yet you have no idea what they mean. Don't you worry. I think everyone was a bit lost in the beginning. But, luckily for you, I'm here to explain what some of these foreign "words" mean. Shall we begin?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMih1u9A3XkVKkQguDgRDDS5Zu_Lwix9UrAi1hLNRj1ahgSv0NC0xfQVZ4wXWSr2Iz5Wvf3Q99WLFp-rF-ZnRq96N_SsEvcFUR1SFnSVQYCGMPVi-SXDr8Dc5WVeGrp4CB7aygxqngiUK/s1600/terminology+bookstagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMih1u9A3XkVKkQguDgRDDS5Zu_Lwix9UrAi1hLNRj1ahgSv0NC0xfQVZ4wXWSr2Iz5Wvf3Q99WLFp-rF-ZnRq96N_SsEvcFUR1SFnSVQYCGMPVi-SXDr8Dc5WVeGrp4CB7aygxqngiUK/s640/terminology+bookstagram.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Okay. So first up is the word "bookstagram" itself. I think this one's pretty easy to dissect. You see the word "book", and then the ending of "stagram." (Wow, that makes a whole lot of sense! Just, wait a second, please.) The word is a combination of "book(s)" and "Instagram", creating the mish-mashed version of "bookstagram." For anyone confused (although I don't think it's too complicated), just think of it like a ship name. For instance, "Percabeth" is a combination of Percy and Annabeth's names. "Caleo" is a combination of Calypso and Leo's names. (Please forgive me, I only know Heroes of Olympus ships... I don't really read that many books with ships, and if I do I don't know the ship name.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZKuBtTIYNi9oSbvUjhjFdp9lT8Fit4FEN-RXcDyQHrCCzDBc6ymiC7xtoP-FQol7dLxXnvJtlrBBtYdzYfQYitRFflECfxvz8Ee9HU3nArfXNUiPa2vsAKzLGENsvYP0cmBF_0c-vhHV/s1600/terminology+shipping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZKuBtTIYNi9oSbvUjhjFdp9lT8Fit4FEN-RXcDyQHrCCzDBc6ymiC7xtoP-FQol7dLxXnvJtlrBBtYdzYfQYitRFflECfxvz8Ee9HU3nArfXNUiPa2vsAKzLGENsvYP0cmBF_0c-vhHV/s640/terminology+shipping.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
While I'm on the topic of shipping, I might as well explain what it is, even though it isn't exclusively a bookstagram term and is sometimes more often found in fandom Instagram communities. To "ship" people, is to hope for, want, or enjoy (?) a relationship between the people involved. The word itself comes from the word "relation<i>ship</i>". The noun related to this verb is also "ship." Related terms include "OTP", or "one true pairing"; "NOTP", the opposite of OTP or a ship you really don't like; and "ship war", which would be the case if, say, Person A was shipped with both Person B and C, and people argued over which was the better ship. Although I must say that I personally have not seen a lot of this shipping stuff around bookstagram.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ax5-t6YAquJh0shEX2X2mp4RlPpwz5Yb61zoI__exsIcwpGuAKfX8YiUS1R1nySzcl1NRyvTBNYBAxl43SSiK7TVT5UwTtq4SHKsasUhj8VOgp9Sqe9rOGaNIvOdcXDlDUF9kUJWo9JL/s1600/terminology+TBR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ax5-t6YAquJh0shEX2X2mp4RlPpwz5Yb61zoI__exsIcwpGuAKfX8YiUS1R1nySzcl1NRyvTBNYBAxl43SSiK7TVT5UwTtq4SHKsasUhj8VOgp9Sqe9rOGaNIvOdcXDlDUF9kUJWo9JL/s640/terminology+TBR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I remember when I first saw this term I was very confused. Bookstagrammers were talking about their TBR's left and right. But never fret, my dear, because I am here to help you. "TBR" simply means "to be read." Basically, a TBR is a list of all the books someone wants to read but has not yet read. Usually these lists are quite long, heh heh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigny_k0fwpuQC3nfLMTRH56uFVi1wFjfFyJkemBz5AfW3gL7OW7XwgChDxOiQX7r-AgKUYsB6HSVv9-k2YcuBb0woo5So-hd_4RwAov2BK1fdRx7KRtAvxZhhKD5vBAMx_-xeXboU-6PTA/s1600/terminology+CR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigny_k0fwpuQC3nfLMTRH56uFVi1wFjfFyJkemBz5AfW3gL7OW7XwgChDxOiQX7r-AgKUYsB6HSVv9-k2YcuBb0woo5So-hd_4RwAov2BK1fdRx7KRtAvxZhhKD5vBAMx_-xeXboU-6PTA/s640/terminology+CR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is another common term. You'll even see it in our own bookstagram bio. But what does it mean? "CR" (also written in all lower case letters) means "current read", so if you see someone talk about their "CR" or see the acronym followed by a book title, it's just the book that the individual is currently reading.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMIakLoJLmks9taidM_0qvWJpSFz32d1TNtbYz6KL3B7BJw4ymZKqvNs1X4g80zT9GMbiEIkbbUH6GRh3aru3eU_upGizZfcSaU_6Z8x8leGxQCthUQl3BP5Ywlqc6P5MyeaKS1BmHk27/s1600/terminology+book+acronyms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMIakLoJLmks9taidM_0qvWJpSFz32d1TNtbYz6KL3B7BJw4ymZKqvNs1X4g80zT9GMbiEIkbbUH6GRh3aru3eU_upGizZfcSaU_6Z8x8leGxQCthUQl3BP5Ywlqc6P5MyeaKS1BmHk27/s640/terminology+book+acronyms.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Something that is very common for people to do when talking about books is to shorten the titles in an acronym, and this can be a little confusing to beginners or to people who have not read these books. Here are a few of them:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>HP = <i>Harry Potter</i></li>
<li>PJO = <i>Percy Jackson and the Olympians</i> series</li>
<li>HOO = <i>The Heroes of Olympus</i> series</li>
<li>MPHFPC = <i>Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children</i> (usually used for the trilogy)</li>
<li>ACOTAR = <i>A Court of Thorns and Roses</i> (either the book or the series; I believe it's more commonly used for the book but it all depends)</li>
<li>ACOMAF = <i>A Court of Mist and Fury</i></li>
<li>ACOWAR = <i>A Court of Wings and Ruin</i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<hr />
<br />
That's all I've got for this post. If you want to check out more Navigating Bookstagram posts, <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/search/label/navigating%20bookstagram%20Tip:" target="_blank">click here</a> or the link at the top of the page. If you want to read all the Navigating Bookstagram posts in order, you can start with the introduction <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2016/11/navigating-bookstagram-stories-tips.html" target="_blank">here</a>. And if you just want to chill, that's cool too. See you next time!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<hr />
<br />
<i>I also just wanted to let you all know that I'll probably be switching to my "school schedule" for now, which means I'll be posting every Monday and the first Friday of every month. Thank you.</i>Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-5337069136027011312017-09-08T07:30:00.000-04:002017-09-08T07:30:09.043-04:00Summer 2017 Challenge - Update<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFpnCepPqSC5FCsHGzsXS3lWIienXrR3Ca2Jo8EFuGTZphR5cwuBAvSp7tQOGCPRvxTPQWvQMIq98GSeYxHu4bDqLqDZdNRwABsLkC27mR0dqY6gNFa7VJocfVylabq6mt0cj74WbhJNc/s1600/Summer+2017+Challenge+Update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFpnCepPqSC5FCsHGzsXS3lWIienXrR3Ca2Jo8EFuGTZphR5cwuBAvSp7tQOGCPRvxTPQWvQMIq98GSeYxHu4bDqLqDZdNRwABsLkC27mR0dqY6gNFa7VJocfVylabq6mt0cj74WbhJNc/s640/Summer+2017+Challenge+Update.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Back in early July, I published a post titled <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/summer-2017-challenge-reading-popular-ya-books.html" target="_blank">"Summer 2017 Challenge - Reading Popular YA Books"</a>, in which I explained that, this summer, I wanted to challenge myself to read some books I don't typically read. Actually, these books are what a lot of bookstagrammers read — the more popular young adult fiction books that tend to be of the fantasy genre. These books include well-known series such as <i>Harry Potter</i>, <i>The Hunger Games</i>, and <i>The Mortal Instruments </i>series, as well as stand-alone titles such as <i>Thirteen Reasons Why</i> (a controversial one, however, due to the Netflix series adaptation) and <i>Anna and the French Kiss</i>. And it's not that I hate all young adult books. I just tend to not read ones more centered around fantasy and romance.<br />
<br />
But I wanted to read some of these books and give them another shot. Because every book is different, right? And I know that everyone has their own preferences, and that's perfectly okay! Like I said in my last post, "having different preferences in books is perfectly okay." For no reason should someone read a genre or book they don't like just because someone says they should or because they want to be diverse in their reading. It's good to give everything a shot, but in the end, you're going to like what you like, and yes, taste changes over time, but you're still going to have some sort of preference. And no one can change that.<br />
<br />
So, no: I didn't want to read these books out of peer pressure. I wanted to read them to 1) know what in the world people were talking about on bookstagram, and 2) give them another shot. I could use something else, and, besides, the last time I tried reading one of "these books" (note: they're pretty much book types I'm not as fond of; they're different from one another so I can't really find a better term for them) was maybe a year or so ago.<br />
<br />
But did I do it? Nope.<br />
<br />
Things just sorta... came up, and I didn't have the time to get them out of the library. Not to mention that I couldn't even read the books I really wanted to read due to a large reading slump that bothered me for most of the summer.<br />
<br />
So, what am I to do now? Just never try to read these books? No, I think I'm going to try, even if it isn't the ideal time for doing so (hello, school). The last time I did this, I read the book on the side, sort of as my book to read before bed and in-between readings of my other, more serious (I say serious because I was more seriously reading it, more involved, interested, etc.) current read. Of course, if I do decide to pick up a more lengthy and complicated young adult novel, then I'd probably save it for a weekend and make it my weekend book, reading it alone without another current read. But, unless it's the Donna Tartt of YA fiction, I'll probably read it on the side.<br />
<br />
Will I actually do this? Only time will tell. But I do want to read these books, or, at the least, do some research and find out what everyone is talking about.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-78590067137253691662017-09-04T07:30:00.000-04:002017-09-04T07:30:43.109-04:00Why I Need a Book-Buying Ban<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9tdJ8n0BeS27Z94CX5b2_VeYXOmMz0W7YuUYB1qKm8uqAyZysKkFO1D6fgw_9Q2j2IS2nauZMPjY1YHurT-kH9-K4Uj8o_dRLyO-vkif1kWdHW_Wj95TZfjpdz7aA9dnfDppb9fb9-S9/s1600/Why+I+Need+a+Book+Buying+Ban+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9tdJ8n0BeS27Z94CX5b2_VeYXOmMz0W7YuUYB1qKm8uqAyZysKkFO1D6fgw_9Q2j2IS2nauZMPjY1YHurT-kH9-K4Uj8o_dRLyO-vkif1kWdHW_Wj95TZfjpdz7aA9dnfDppb9fb9-S9/s640/Why+I+Need+a+Book+Buying+Ban+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I love books. I mean, you have to know that, right? After all, I have a whole blog dedicated to books. There's also a good chance you came from the bookstagram account I co-run with my sister, so you would also know how much I talk about books over there. (It is a <i>book</i>stagram.) And there definitely isn't anything wrong with liking books. My mom actually said recently that she's glad I'd rather buy books than some other stuff kids my age want, whatever that may be.<br />
<br />
Except there's a problem with liking books too much: You end up buying a lot of them.<br />
<br />
Sure, I don't have as many books as others do. I've seen people dedicate three or four shelves just for their TBR books. But I still have over 20, a number that makes Em, someone who practically finishes a book days after buying it, shudder and shake her head.<br />
<br />
And now I've begun to shake my head, too.<br />
<br />
Yes, having a lot of books gives me options when it's time to pick a new one to read. Even if I'm not feeling like a particular book at the moment, I still have plenty to choose from. But how often do I actually choose a book that I own?<br />
<br />
School's starting up again soon, and I hardly get the chance to read the books I want to read during the school year. Why? Well, even though we have to read certain books in class, my school also requires us to read other books independently. This would be the perfect opportunity for me to read the books I own that I actually want to read, except my school uses a certain reading program. And, unfortunately for me, the books I want to read aren't usually on the program. (Yayy...)<br />
<br />
And even if I somehow manage to read one book I own in a month or two, it doesn't make up for the two or three books I'm bound to buy. Therefore, even though it breaks my heart to say it, I think I finally need to go on a book-buying ban.<br />
<br />
<b>Details of My Book-Buying Ban:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>If, for some reason, I need to buy a book for school (excluding independent reading books), I am allowed to do so.</li>
<li>I can still browse and look at books if I'd like to. There's no harm in just looking, right? (There absolutely is, because there's a possibility that I won't be able to control myself and I'll just impulsively buy a book, but let's not worry about that, okay?)</li>
<li>During my book-buying ban, I will try to read some of the <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/all-books-i-own-but-have-not-read-part-1.html" target="_blank">books that I own but have not read</a>. </li>
<li>The ban will be dropped once I've finished reading a few of my books, or, more realistically, until I break and buy a book. (Because let's admit it: I'm probably going to find some way around this ban.)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But, I'm going to see what happens. My prediction is that I'll break after a month or so, or whenever I'm offered to go to a Barnes & Noble. (How could you go and <i>not</i> get a book?) My other guess is that there's an old <i>Nancy Drew</i> book somewhere and I just have to get it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh, well. I guess only time will tell! Have you ever been on a book-buying ban? And if so, were you successful?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-80118372637503385922017-09-01T07:30:00.000-04:002017-09-01T11:36:52.752-04:00August 2017 Reflection<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWHhV6IHbW_MLCiLyWVa72jOWFTRW8GlMCW5YQUfPtge6dlHcNun9ZgmCvBB0SWtIn4vUCMb2HtSrZwfk2JZYti_1w3OGBQAwy-OeZcGo2DLTy9HPzAg-m1xbd2qk_NrzprJI8hwzcWby/s1600/August+2017+Reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWHhV6IHbW_MLCiLyWVa72jOWFTRW8GlMCW5YQUfPtge6dlHcNun9ZgmCvBB0SWtIn4vUCMb2HtSrZwfk2JZYti_1w3OGBQAwy-OeZcGo2DLTy9HPzAg-m1xbd2qk_NrzprJI8hwzcWby/s640/August+2017+Reflection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Can you believe August is already over? I don't know about you, but this month has felt like it never even begun — and yet, somehow, it's over. Wow. But you know what that means, right? You guessed it: another monthly reflection! Basically, my monthly reflections are a way for me to to reflect on what happened for the bookstagram and blog in the past month, allowing me to more easily improve within the next month and giving you guys a wrap-up of what happened. I also write about my goals and plans for the next month, keeping myself on track and giving you all a sneak peek of what's to come! With that, let's begin! (You can look at past monthly reflections here.)<br />
<br />
<h2>
Looking Back Into August</h2>
<h3>
The Blog</h3>
<div>
Unfortunately, the <b><span style="color: #990000;">blog did a bit worse</span></b> in August by only 4 pageviews, or <b><span style="color: #990000;">1.6<span style="color: #990000;">%</span></span></b>. So, you could say that the blog did around the same, that <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>pageviews were pretty consistent</b></span> and that they're fairly steady, which would be a good thing. I also published a post on every publishing day this month, which definitely is good!<br />
<h3>
Bookstagram</h3>
</div>
<div>
It suffered. <i>Again</i>. <strike>I didn't even post anything and we didn't even take pictures, so I think I'll just skip over this... Oh, wait. Right. I think we lost around 50 followers and our status of 1.6k, ending at 1,594 followers.</strike><br />
<br />
I completely forgot that I posted on our bookstagram. Wow. I think that just says something about how out of bookstagram I've been. So I suppose that's improvement... But we did <b><span style="color: #990000;">lose around 50 followers</span></b>. That part is true.</div>
<h3>
Goals</h3>
<div>
I think I said I was going to remember my goals for this month, but I honestly only remember one.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_NavPhj4jGVnZEeEbSXS7muGqXsPbrLnhzmzVrJK1OF27GYqdY5ggfw0JwJNNxo7XCm2DHyXV8VAo_BoGnTumebNNIMR-Al_QhceozXvDENZUxucqWJhtHj2TNtoyUxxfiNe1CxIMPWF/s1600/August+Goals+Update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_NavPhj4jGVnZEeEbSXS7muGqXsPbrLnhzmzVrJK1OF27GYqdY5ggfw0JwJNNxo7XCm2DHyXV8VAo_BoGnTumebNNIMR-Al_QhceozXvDENZUxucqWJhtHj2TNtoyUxxfiNe1CxIMPWF/s640/August+Goals+Update.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>I actually did this one. </b>(I also lied — I remember two goals.) While I had started to have some sort of theme for my blog graphics/blog title images/whatever you want to call them, I wasn't too fond of it. I was usually just using a circle that that was the same color of yellow as in the blog design. But I thought that matched too much. So I made a sort of white, transparent theme instead. I originally was going to do a black transparent theme, but that's what I used to do, so I decided that white was going to be my "color." Besides, it makes it more airy and clean.</li>
<li><b>Are you kidding me? No, </b>I didn't even post once on bookstagram. </li>
<li><b>Yes, I did post more book reviews this month. </b>In fact, I posted three book reviews this month, which is great improvement considering I haven't posted one since last November! I also somehow managed to do it despite the fact that I haven't been reading as often lately due to a reading slump... I suppose that's because I read one of the books a long time ago and the other two I read <i>prior</i> to my reading slump. </li>
</ol>
<div>
<h3>
Comparison — August 2016 vs. August 2017</h3>
</div>
<div>
I actually forgot to do this in July's monthly reflection, but not this time! It looks like the blog had the old gray/purple/blue theme, and if you don't remember that theme then consider yourself lucky. But, while the blog was doing worse than it is now, our bookstagram was actually doing shockingly well. That's when we started to post better pictures, and we actually got featured on several bookstagram feature accounts, including <a href="http://instagram.com/bookstagramfeatures" target="_blank">@bookstagramfeatures</a>. </div>
<h2>
Coming Up in September</h2>
<h3>
The Blog</h3>
<div>
I'm sorry to say that I have no idea what I'll be doing with the blog this month. I don't really have any posts planned (which means I'm in trouble for Monday's post), and I'm still not sure if I'll continue my summer schedule of a post on both Monday and Friday. I think I'll make that decision soon, once I can see how school's going in the beginning. I do know that I will switch to my other posting schedule — posting on every Monday and the first Friday of the month (for monthly reflections) — at some point during the school year.</div>
<h3>
Bookstagram</h3>
<div>
When I say that Em and I will try to post, I really mean it. Fall is one of our favorite picture-taking seasons, and if I had to be honest with you, I would tell you that my favorite time for our bookstagram feed was during the fall when we were able to get some really nice outdoor photos. </div>
<h3>
Goals</h3>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQYjkEdvobyuWIa5jT8MY3CN-FRNk62aRsLBdAwzoeRdul4_s-w6sYmG7g2yr2uyy3zhbzs40VIHYkHOfPcMC1f6B_MXs0zpZrK7rAdvnWedsNhTOXmkeDy2FxoXWdwqVRdBcZZi1R5wK/s1600/September+Goals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQYjkEdvobyuWIa5jT8MY3CN-FRNk62aRsLBdAwzoeRdul4_s-w6sYmG7g2yr2uyy3zhbzs40VIHYkHOfPcMC1f6B_MXs0zpZrK7rAdvnWedsNhTOXmkeDy2FxoXWdwqVRdBcZZi1R5wK/s640/September+Goals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Post regularly on bookstagram.</b> I am making this goal #1 because I really want it to happen. We have been inactive on bookstagram way too long, and I'm starting to miss it.</li>
<li><b>Draft some posts to put in stock. </b>This goal is less of something that you guys will be able to see and more of a goal for myself. As I told you earlier, I don't have anything planned or written for September, and I would like to get back to having at least a post or two written a week early. You will be able to see the results, however, in the way that my posts won't be as rushed. (That is, if I complete this goal...)</li>
<li><b>Find and read other book blogs.</b> This one's even more of a personal goal, but I feel like if I read other people's book blogs, I can get an idea of what people typically write about, not only giving me more post ideas but also (hopefully) making my content more enjoyable for all of you! (Psst... If you have a book blog, feel free to leave a link to it in the comments!)</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<hr />
<br />
<div>
And with that, I'm wrapping up this monthly reflection! Things haven't been the best in August, especially for the bookstagram, but there have been successes as well. I'm looking forward to another month on the blog where I can hopefully stay active despite school. I'm also looking forward to joining the bookstagram community again! I think September will be fun. But who knows? I guess we'll know next monthly reflection, but until then, keep on reading, everyone!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-46288873762890120922017-08-28T07:30:00.000-04:002017-08-28T07:30:22.166-04:00Navigating Bookstagram - Stories & Tips From a Small(er?) Account - Instagram Business ToolsHello, fellow bookstagrammers! Today I'm sharing with you yet another installment of the Navigating Bookstagram series, and it's all about using Instagram's business tools for bookstagram! But what exactly <i>are</i> Instagram business tools?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjbq7rePfKbPTX_QhhjiII6U8Ed1X9m6pQlY_gFAwMO9jGbdHbqShMPjzZ_7RarWYrl1w9U5ZYiA8LIUgjqJ9r3wKs0GZCW5YxwqG1o6qyh4_r53SUVqS63I7Rmo-VLMUkN97svTdKzCN/s1600/Navigating+Bookstagram+Instagram+Business+Tools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjbq7rePfKbPTX_QhhjiII6U8Ed1X9m6pQlY_gFAwMO9jGbdHbqShMPjzZ_7RarWYrl1w9U5ZYiA8LIUgjqJ9r3wKs0GZCW5YxwqG1o6qyh4_r53SUVqS63I7Rmo-VLMUkN97svTdKzCN/s640/Navigating+Bookstagram+Instagram+Business+Tools.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Instagram has been offering tools and insights for businesses to use since 2014, but more useful, updated tools only came out in the spring of 2016. By connecting a Facebook account to the Instagram page, users can now see analytics on each individual post and their posts as a whole, as well as information on the demographic of their followers. Additionally, if they add the feature, users can view insights on their Instagram stories.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Setting Up Business Tools</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUwFMjIZU8fLOFeS0rAyOb-Y_Mqk9sJC3SKzmzmuI7ERJF5-DQjOcd5n0P6DEloISgvhsfAX8Gz3rVMmwK-Ggyhk2A1A8EPhsHQ_7HBuVtD54vIEltmL8QZjhMP1ZeFpu8v4AF3BQvuMb/s1600/Instagram+Business+Tools+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUwFMjIZU8fLOFeS0rAyOb-Y_Mqk9sJC3SKzmzmuI7ERJF5-DQjOcd5n0P6DEloISgvhsfAX8Gz3rVMmwK-Ggyhk2A1A8EPhsHQ_7HBuVtD54vIEltmL8QZjhMP1ZeFpu8v4AF3BQvuMb/s640/Instagram+Business+Tools+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
First, you'll need to create a Facebook account and/or page. Once you have a Facebook account, you can create a business page by clicking the down arrow at the top of the screen and "Create Page." From there, choose from the options they give you (below). What you pick will determine what category you can label your page as. <b>This is important.</b> Whatever category you pick will be shown on your Instagram page (when using the app), and even if you change the category later, it won't update unless you unconnect the accounts. Choose wisely. For instance, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/readingisinevitable/" target="_blank">ours says "photographer."</a> Once that is done, you may connect the two pages. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQV1mNlpNQo2byhe7zjq4soZaF6TXx5oiIFpMlCBAAoo__r9TWN3BW3CO3CF31cKrQ8SgSYnIKzUZO9ddznUEHaks1q5uwa04QPsHpqCBx2RxFi9BRds_kIDKPzCPVaeXF4Zpq5IKAAUK/s1600/Screenshot+2017-08-27+at+9.43.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQV1mNlpNQo2byhe7zjq4soZaF6TXx5oiIFpMlCBAAoo__r9TWN3BW3CO3CF31cKrQ8SgSYnIKzUZO9ddznUEHaks1q5uwa04QPsHpqCBx2RxFi9BRds_kIDKPzCPVaeXF4Zpq5IKAAUK/s640/Screenshot+2017-08-27+at+9.43.10+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Go to Instagram, and under "Edit Profile", click "Try Instagram Business Tools." Sign in to your Facebook account, and be sure to select the correct page to match. After that, you're all good! </div>
<h2>
Using Instagram's Business Tools</h2>
<div>
So, what exactly <i>can</i> you do with Instagram's business tools? Well, you can do a lot of things...look at your page's impressions and profile views, how many times people have clicked the link in your bio... But what's helpful for bookstagramers?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWA8Q2Lpx0jdUoj-GNa5Tjkn3KJoZSgkk14dKQsDIc3uC7tebKyjvxQ9rCPsC2JrGsWorlZV_xSdNp0WB5FoUDOFPMMNWoGo02PEdzwdWgpHKzLkT01RzYN-iY_w1KwH4lNxb3YQWZNRA/s1600/Instagram+Business+Tools+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWA8Q2Lpx0jdUoj-GNa5Tjkn3KJoZSgkk14dKQsDIc3uC7tebKyjvxQ9rCPsC2JrGsWorlZV_xSdNp0WB5FoUDOFPMMNWoGo02PEdzwdWgpHKzLkT01RzYN-iY_w1KwH4lNxb3YQWZNRA/s640/Instagram+Business+Tools+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Probably my favorite feature, the <b>followers</b> section gives you everything you need to know about your followers. You can see a graph on the ages of your followers and where they are in the world. You can check out if you (overall) gained or lost followers in the last seven days. But what I especially love is that you can plan when to post by looking at what hours of the day and even days of the week that your followers are more active! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_LBwC8MF5wjRr-l03T6ssxadbI0hFnhWQ7RAuUrUk7DBYCLKt_TWQF9yqdjEFjeXFGH29w7GkQD8enzXAsWrfBc-WmecjpthB_SMOpIKcuYbbJgWDUFYALvSmycSXZKi8qAjiXwfDJYe/s1600/individualpostinsights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="288" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_LBwC8MF5wjRr-l03T6ssxadbI0hFnhWQ7RAuUrUk7DBYCLKt_TWQF9yqdjEFjeXFGH29w7GkQD8enzXAsWrfBc-WmecjpthB_SMOpIKcuYbbJgWDUFYALvSmycSXZKi8qAjiXwfDJYe/s400/individualpostinsights.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Another helpful tool for bookstagrammers are the <b>insights given for posts</b>. On individual posts, you can see the total number of engagement (comments and likes), views, and saves. You can also look at all of your posts within a certain time frame and sort them by categories such as likes, comments, and saves. This way, you can see what pictures worked and what ones didn't.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Note: You can't get insights for posts posted before you obtained Instagram business tools.</i> </div>
<h2>
Is it Worth it?</h2>
<div>
Of course it's worth it! For one thing, figuring out a good time to post was so much easier and simpler. Determining the success of posts in comparison to others was also easier as well. And, if it's there, you might as well use it, right? And if you don't trust me, know that a lot of bookstagrammers use it! While we may not be "businesses", we are writers, photographers, and bloggers, which are all an option as a Facebook category. And besides, it's not going to waste. It makes things just a bit easier to share our love of books with other book-lovers, and that's all we're trying to do on bookstagram anyway, right?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-72184710818976749752017-08-25T07:30:00.000-04:002017-08-25T07:30:26.955-04:00Book Review: We Are Okay<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCHMtC5Fcp2Oq5kvWMsaBCj-_iUorRAfOYaInPEjk6VZHF-AHeaYMV8EapdDNkC6cY0DPQGzufOk44JmBa-c7P44zBUEWOJE4f8jFYinU6JUt4F5SanSLv8UZdC8J118mJ6NbmGPzei5T/s1600/Book+Review+We+Are+Okay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCHMtC5Fcp2Oq5kvWMsaBCj-_iUorRAfOYaInPEjk6VZHF-AHeaYMV8EapdDNkC6cY0DPQGzufOk44JmBa-c7P44zBUEWOJE4f8jFYinU6JUt4F5SanSLv8UZdC8J118mJ6NbmGPzei5T/s640/Book+Review+We+Are+Okay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Title:</b> We Are Okay<br />
<b>Author:</b> Nina LaCour<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Realistic Fiction<br />
<b>Rating:</b> 5 out of 5 ★★★★★<br />
<b>Reviewer:</b> Julia<br />
<br />
A quick yet powerful read, Nina LaCour's <i>We Are Okay</i> was just what I needed when I was drowning in a reading slump and aching for...<i>something. </i>Was the writing extremely detailed? No, no it wasn't. Was there much action? No, not really. But was it real? Was it raw? Was it <i>beautiful</i>? Yes, yes, a million times yes. There was a beautiful stillness to it that I loved; pauses in between conversation that I could <i>feel</i>; a certain realness and attention to human nature that made it so amazing.<br />
<br />
So: what is this beautiful book about, you ask?<br />
<br />
<i>We Are Okay</i>'s main character, Marin, has shut herself away, quite literally as well as metaphorically, having chosen to stay alone in a college dormitory during winter break. She's cut out everyone from her old life in a failing attempt to escape what happened. No one even knows what happened those last few days, anyway. But she left someone special behind — her best friend, Mabel. And now Mabel has come to visit her in her new "home", and she is forced to face all of the unspoken and heartbreaking truths of what happened.<br />
<br />
Now, it may appear that I'm going off track here, but trust me, I'm not. Have you ever watched a Hayao Miyazaki movie? Something like <i>The Wind Rises</i> or <i>Spirited Away</i> or <i>Howl's Moving Castle</i>? If you have, you would know that Miyazaki is extremely talented at making scenes in which there's a bit of silence, a pause. A pause where the character(s) and the viewers are allotted time to just think, and there's something magical that this element adds. There's also a special way that each character is animated that makes them unique. <i>We Are Okay</i> reminds me of this. (You know that if I compare a book to a Hayao Miyazaki movie, it <i>must</i> to be good.)<br />
<br />
Like I said earlier, there's a "beautiful stillness to it that I loved; pauses in between conversation that I could <i>feel</i>; a certain realness and attention to human nature that made it so amazing." Each feeling and emotion is one by one exposed throughout the book, and while it is a quick read I felt like I really could take my time to appreciate each one.<br />
<br />
Since the subject matter of the book is so real and convincing, I found that the book was also very relatable and comforting, in a sense. We've all felt lonely and down at some point in our life; we've all been lost and scared. And yet each situation that we experience is different from the person next to us, which is why I like to say this about the book:<br />
<br />
I love it because it is so real and relatable while also completely new and foreign.<br />
<br />
I feel like this is a book to read alone, in the rain or at night, tucked into some corner in almost complete darkness. This book is whispers and lost bits of conversation found again that are cried over from relief and hurt. This book is so many things and a lot more than I thought it would be, and while it isn't exceptionally groundbreaking, it is real enough and raw enough and meaningful enough, and certainly something I won't forget.Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-27846071692169683422017-08-21T07:30:00.000-04:002017-08-21T07:30:01.282-04:00Movie Adaptations: The Glass Castle<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6cYeoDHWDze-HKpf2IikNIZBxB-HscY08Wytw35bNmo49_nzNRh3OqCDv1U38O_uGkrNEZhwMpyowvqqzVyskOrn9DQkO0r0Apjhex76O_FXvtN_QWtcTOd56yERvGTU7Pt7s_488mw2/s1600/Movie+Adaptations_The+Glass+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6cYeoDHWDze-HKpf2IikNIZBxB-HscY08Wytw35bNmo49_nzNRh3OqCDv1U38O_uGkrNEZhwMpyowvqqzVyskOrn9DQkO0r0Apjhex76O_FXvtN_QWtcTOd56yERvGTU7Pt7s_488mw2/s640/Movie+Adaptations_The+Glass+Castle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Glass Castle</i> movie came out a little over a week ago, and, since I had read and enjoyed the book, I went to see the movie with some of my family on Tuesday. Now, while there was nothing wrong with the book itself, I was a little worried about seeing the movie. Why? Well, it didn't exactly get the best comments and reviews from others, people claiming that it didn't do the memoir justice. But, now it's been almost a week since I've watched it. What do I think of the movie? Well...<br />
<br />
(Oh, and, uh...spoilers ahead. I think that goes without saying.)<br />
<br />
<h3>
Watching the Movie</h3>
<div>
<b>The Beginning</b></div>
<div>
I don't know what it was, but something was just telling me that, <i>oh no, this movie is going to be bad</i>. I think it was just the way that they tried to include parts of the book in the movie. When it's in the book, spread out and flowing naturally with the good writing...? It makes sense, it seems real. But just something about the way that they were stringing together different parts of the book, from Jeanette's mother's line about art and food ("'Why spend the afternoon making a meal that will be gone in an hour,' she'd ask us, 'when in the same amount of time, I can do a painting that will last forever?'") to the hot-dog-skirt fire to the different characters of her family. I understand that it was a way for the screenwriters to introduce the different and unique personalities of the characters, but something about it seemed...off. Maybe it was too clear and less subtle. Something like that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Later On</b></div>
<div>
However, as the movie went on, I started to like it more. Sure, some things were too much with the symbolism and some things felt rushed (or at least to me, but that's probably because I read the book so I <i>know</i> that they're squeezing things in), but I started to like it more. When I think about it, it's similar to how TV shows typically go. In the beginning, things feel stiff as we're beginning to learn about the characters and settle into who they are. However, as time goes by and who they are have been further built upon, things feel more natural and just better.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Final Thoughts?</h3>
</div>
<div>
I thought the movie was... fine. It was okay. I actually appreciated the way that some of the scenes were done, what with the different shots and the lighting and such. But, yes, other parts were overdone and others excluded. I felt like things didn't flow as smoothly at times and I feel as if the movie makes it too sweet. Too nice, happy, etc. And in no way does it compare to the book. I feel like I should have known that going in, because what could even try to live up to the way that Walls writes? There's just something about hearing her story from <i>her</i>, in her own words, written out on paper, that makes it special.<br />
<br />
But maybe that's just me being my picky, book-loving self.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-17132125245964342552017-08-18T07:30:00.000-04:002017-08-18T07:30:08.817-04:00Book Review: The Nightingale<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIks0z9qKcHC4jvTkCyP_TAniHpfoXgAEB_I6R3-glFIqopQUrwUjgXU-ovvI-8UjxmzFPfksFgXsZLxrOjLJZ4zoxW30kpUeTsoadwOL8irqbSnLVN1uFK98ll_4FiiAzNeQUVvtmMu5v/s1600/Book+Review+The+Nightingale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIks0z9qKcHC4jvTkCyP_TAniHpfoXgAEB_I6R3-glFIqopQUrwUjgXU-ovvI-8UjxmzFPfksFgXsZLxrOjLJZ4zoxW30kpUeTsoadwOL8irqbSnLVN1uFK98ll_4FiiAzNeQUVvtmMu5v/s640/Book+Review+The+Nightingale.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Title:</b> The Nightingale<br />
<b>Author:</b> Kristin Hannah<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Historical Fiction<br />
<b>Rating: </b>5 out of 5 ★★★★★<br />
<b>Reviewer:</b> Julia<br />
<br />
If you know anything about books, I'm sure that you've heard of this one, Kristin Hannah's <i>The Nightingale</i>. It was popular on bookstagram around the time of its release and is actually the author's favorite book that she has written. It's so good that there's even going to be a movie adaptation that will be released a few days shy of the book's four-year anniversary. (So it's coming out in 2019. A bit of a wait; drats.) BUT, that does not mean that you should hold off reading this amazing book. Because you shouldn't. You should read it right now. Do you need some more reasons?<br />
<br />
<i>The Nightingale</i> tells the story of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France. After a difficult childhood and years of healing and trying to forget, Vianne has to watch as her happy life is uprooted. Her husband leaves to fight in the war. The Nazis invade France and then even her own home, one billeting at her house. A mother at heart, she does what she can to protect her daughter, torn and aching over the decisions she has to make. Her younger sister, Isabelle, is described as reckless by many, and is angry about the past and, as time goes on, the actions of the Nazis. Eventually, despite what others might say, she joins the dangerous work of the resistance.<br />
<br />
In the end, the book is about two sisters and their strikingly different yet similar stories, as they try to survive and navigate the world of war-torn France, exploring their difficult past, themselves, and one another.<br />
<br />
<div class="verticalLine">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
The Nightingale<i> tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France–a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.</i></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>— <a href="https://kristinhannah.com/books/the-nightingale/" target="_blank">The Nightingale</a></i><a href="https://kristinhannah.com/books/the-nightingale/" target="_blank"> description</a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(To read the official synopsis, or description, of the book on <i>The Nightingale</i> website, <a href="https://kristinhannah.com/books/the-nightingale/" target="_blank">click here</a>.)</span><br />
<br />
That's one of the things I like about Kristin Hannah's books* <i style="text-align: right;">—</i> the complicated feelings and connections between the characters. Each character thinks and acts and feels differently and has different sides to the story, and these differences make each character unique and separate from each other. In addition, because of this, the book isn't completely written based on the events of the book. It's also the detailed and overlapping connections and relationships between the characters that lead the story on, and I love that. After all, the characters are the human part of the book; they're what makes the events believable, no matter how impossible-seeming or far-fetched. And the fact that Hannah is able to do this so well is one thing that makes her books so amazing, especially this one, where her characters <i style="text-align: right;">— </i><span style="text-align: right;">full of life and feelings </span><i style="text-align: right;">— </i><span style="text-align: right;">are forced to make difficult, inhuman decisions.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*<i>Note: I have only read one other book by her, but I still have seen similarities. </i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="verticalLine">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<i>I loved Kristin Hannah’s </i>The Nightingale<i>. She has captured a particular slice of French life during World War II with wonderful details and drama. But what I loved most was the relationship between two sisters and Hannah’s exploration of what we do in moments of great challenge.</i></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>— </i>Lisa See, #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>Snow Flower and the Secret Fan</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Another amazing thing about Kristin Hannah is her attention to detail. Everything feels so real with her vivid and beautiful descriptions of her characters and their surroundings. And what's even more amazing is the importance of each detail; the story or the piece of information that's behind each one. A description of a character's house does not only help you to picture the scene, but it also tells you about their wealth (or lack thereof), personality, and daily life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, I have told you a lot of reasons why Kristin Hannah is a good writer <i>in general</i>, but what makes this book so special? One of the easiest answers to that question is the attention the book brings to women's efforts to the war. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What else? It's heartbreakingly real. Your heart will quite literally <i>ache</i> after reading this book. I even caught myself crying at some points, something I don't often do.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verticalLine">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div class="verticalLine2">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>My wife came home as I was on the final few pages…she wondered why I was sobbing. What a read. She immediately took it from me. Powerful and interesting on many levels as only great historical fiction can be.
</i></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
— David K. Cully, EVP, Baker & Taylor<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the end, Kristin Hannah's novel is wonderful on so many levels, from each beautifully-written chapter to each amazing character. Even if you're not a fan of historical fiction or have some sort of bias against this book, it isn't a book that can be ignored, and definitely<span style="text-align: right;"> is a book anyone can and will enjoy.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: right;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: right;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-425066617306127482017-08-14T07:30:00.000-04:002017-09-10T10:01:46.200-04:00Navigating Bookstagram - Stories & Tips From a Small(er?) Account - Losing Followers (Story)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUUFzQibl7cNmfSMlnTm5YjHFs2TPkHdA8rMTnvNaGJtqm4w0ZscZ6f6Og4HubfGeH37b5Wv4HodZiOguWxDme-JyRYRgqcjTnD072g7nL9w7aND4PrGxaTAvZHq1bSXghcIt7-Uq5jJB/s1600/Losing+Followers+Story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUUFzQibl7cNmfSMlnTm5YjHFs2TPkHdA8rMTnvNaGJtqm4w0ZscZ6f6Og4HubfGeH37b5Wv4HodZiOguWxDme-JyRYRgqcjTnD072g7nL9w7aND4PrGxaTAvZHq1bSXghcIt7-Uq5jJB/s640/Losing+Followers+Story.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Hey there, everyone. I realized that this series is called "Navigating Bookstagram - <b>Stories</b> & Tips From a Small(er?) Account", even though I don't often post about my own experiences on bookstagram. Last time I tied in both our story and some helpful information to make a post, but today, I decided to specifically talk about something that is happening to us. The hopeful idea is that, by sharing my story with you, you can maybe learn and avoid some things and we can get to the bottom of this.<br />
<br />
The bottom of what, you may ask? Well, I'll tell you...<br />
<br />
So, as you know if you follow our bookstagram or read my last Navigating Bookstagram post, we were previously inactive on bookstagram. For a long...long...long...time. Before starting to post again on the 9th, we were inactive for a month. And before we posted those three pictures in late June to early August, we were inactive for another month before that. So, minus three pictures, we were pretty much inactive for two months. (Mostly my fault.)<br />
<br />
During that period of time, Em and I didn't really do anything. Didn't update our story much. Didn't like or comment on other bookstagrammers' posts. We didn't even take any new pictures. We just...ignored bookstagram all together.<br />
<br />
Okay, that's a lie. I did play around with different editing styles and techniques a bit. And, eventually, I found something that I liked.<br />
<br />
So, I decided that it's about time that we (I) start posting again. I opened up the Instagram app and switched from my personal account to our bookstagram account. And that's when I realized that we had lost over 30 followers; over 40 if you exclude the three posts from early-June/late-August and combine both months of inactivity.<br />
<br />
In the past, when we were inactive, we lost maybe 10 or 15 followers, which is actually really lucky for us, because we have been inactive for good periods of time before. But this was something new for us. We were getting closer to dropping down from 1.6k to 1.5k, a number we haven't had for months.<br />
<br />
So, five days ago, I posted again hoping to not only prevent unfollowers, but to get back into the community and to hopefully save me from my reading slump. (Spoiler alert: my book soon got interesting, so that's taken care of.) But, while the last two things did, happily, happen, the first didn't quite come true.<br />
<br />
To my surprise, people actually unfollowed after I posted again. After I posted again, we had a few prompt unfollowers. Now, I don't know if you remember, but in the <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2016/11/navigating-bookstagram-stories-tips.html" target="_blank">introduction</a> to this little blog series, I had said that there were going to be unfollowers, "lots and lots of them." And yet, I haven't exactly talked about unfollowers.<br />
<br />
To start off, I would like to explain something. I know that I've talked about how bookstagram shouldn't just be about likes and followers and popularity, and it isn't. It's about books and community. But these particular unfollowers hurt me because this felt like a personal insult to what I was doing. You see, I had decided to use a new editing style. And it seemed that people weren't liking it.<br />
<br />
After that, I was unsure what to do. Do I continue on with this editing style? Or do I go back to the old one to satisfy followers? In the end, I decided to continue on with what I was doing. It made me happy, and it made Emily happy, and that's what matters, isn't it? Because why would you want tons and tons of followers if you're not going to even like the content you're putting out there?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOBXuKrZ06jdpEUgd8UHncrxy2ycGLXhwDtvByc8reiww32ZR09MGI0sTGQyFDHaOEqiyj2bEcRcV0yM5NiLzM7K1NNppwAvkO6vcr4D1IWJZ0KV8ttzFNC6z6x7054oOJDlPFcJT9jXq/s200/quotationmark.jpg" width="75" /></span><b>Because why would you want tons and tons of followers if you're not going to even like the content you're putting out there?</b>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
The second picture that I posted with the editing style was received better, and it made me feel better, too.<br />
<br />
So, what's the point of all of this, exactly? I guess it's just a long way for me to say...<br />
<br />
Don't worry about the unfollowers. It's natural. Not everyone is going to like what you're going to do. But as long as you like what you're doing and you're having fun doing it, then go ahead. Just be you in all your glory.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<i> Check out the next Navigating Bookstagram post, "<a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/08/navigating-bookstagram-stories-tips-instagram-business-tools.html" target="_blank">Instagram Business Tools</a>", or take a look at the <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/search/label/navigating%20bookstagram" target="_blank">Navigating Bookstagram tag</a>.</i>Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-17650408346624195022017-08-11T07:30:00.000-04:002017-08-11T07:30:08.646-04:00Book Review: Jackaby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYhzZctErctl3CoVpFgDjAvSjpQD9Bf4ctFtwf522nYOocy4UiDOAFCLMqvEB6kz1jW4asG7LezcaYgI7LB4j6vjO1tU-JGaDB5IPuoxkUJDU-d9b3QfRUokenuQiMSvx32AmLgv_frX-/s1600/Book+Review_Jackaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYhzZctErctl3CoVpFgDjAvSjpQD9Bf4ctFtwf522nYOocy4UiDOAFCLMqvEB6kz1jW4asG7LezcaYgI7LB4j6vjO1tU-JGaDB5IPuoxkUJDU-d9b3QfRUokenuQiMSvx32AmLgv_frX-/s640/Book+Review_Jackaby.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Title:</b> Jackaby<br />
<b>Author:</b> William Ritter<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Mystery; Fantasy<br />
<b>Rating:</b> 3 out of 5<br />
<b>Reviewer:</b> Julia<br />
<br />
<i>Jackaby</i>. By the name of the book, you might think that the main character would be the man named Jackaby. And, since I had not actually read the back cover enough to remember it (I got this book in a date with a blind book, mind you), I was pleasantly surprised to find, in the last sentence of the fourth paragraph, that my narrator was a young woman named Abigail Rook. A feminist, to add, even though she’s living in 19th Century America. The story follows her as she, a lost girl on the unfamiliar territory of New Fiddleham, searches for a place to stay and a job that’ll pay for her expenses. As it turns out, she meets the town’s controversial “detective” R. F. Jackaby and gets a job as his assistant. But Jackaby is no ordinary man, and sees supernatural things that others don’t see. As outrageous as it might seem to Abigail, she’ll have to get herself accustomed quickly, as her first case with Jackaby is no ordinary one: It’s murder, and more than one life is in danger.<br />
<br />
Now, this might seem like a perfectly fine book to you or a good amount of other teens out there. And I’m sure that there probably are people out there who would enjoy this book a lot. Expect there’s two things that held me back from liking this book a lot: 1) I’m not too terribly fond of fantasy, and 2) I can be a bit picky.<br />
<br />
Still, there were some things that I liked about it. While they are a bit (or even more than “a bit”) cliché and typically are written the same way, an eccentric character here and there is always interesting to read about. Therefore (small spoiler up ahead, folks), I did find the character of Jackaby to be interesting to read about. And there were a few other side female characters (who I won’t give more details about to avoid spoilers) that I did like a bit.<br />
<br />
But that’s pretty much where my praise ends for the book. And even these characters were, in my opinion, “old”. By “old” I mean that their character type isn’t new. We’ve all seen characters like them. (Skip to the next paragraph if you want to avoid a slight spoiler, because I’m going to proceed to name their character types.) We’ve all seen the “crazy” old woman of the town who no one believes. We know the friendly character who’s there for moral support. (Actually, that one is rather vague. I guess what I mean is that her character really doesn’t have much more to it? Oh, forgive me: I’m so rude.)<br />
<br />
I know that the mystery was supposed to be exciting and, well, an actual mystery, and maybe this is just me, but I didn’t find it to be all too amazing. I thought it was a bit… bland? Just… “eh”? Flat. I found it to be a tad flat. Now, this is going to offend two books at once, knock down two birds with one viciously thrown stone, but, in ways, it reminded me of <i>Nancy Drew</i> books.<br />
<br />
If you read <i>Nancy Drew</i> books, you would know what I mean. They were always written to be exciting and thrilling. There were exclamations and supposedly “shocking” events would occur, but a combination of the writing style, predictability, and some unknown factor would always make the mysteries simply not too exciting at all. Not that I didn’t enjoy the <i>Nancy Drew</i> books. No, I actually liked them a lot. So I suppose what I mean is that <i>Jackaby</i> was a bit like reading <i>Nancy Drew</i> when you’re older. When I was reading a <i>Nancy Drew</i> book recently, I found that, while I enjoyed seeing all the old characters again, I had outgrown the series, and suddenly the predictability of the mysteries and the flawless nature of the young detective didn’t entertain me as it used to.<br />
<br />
Because, in ways, that is what <i>Jackaby</i> was like to me. The mystery as well as the layout of the book was a bit predictable (although I did appreciate some unexpected details). (Small spoilers ahead! Jump to the asterisk to avoid it!) You knew that certain people would become friends and who was the likely candidate for the villain. <b>* </b>And, like <i>Nancy Drew</i>, the characters didn’t have as much to them, if you know what I mean. They were less so people to me and more like characters, as in people who are just there to carry out the mystery of the book (which I have actually already admitted to not liking much).<br />
<br />
Still, there are more books to the series. Thus, for all I know, it could be similar to the <i>Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children</i> trilogy by Ransom Riggs, in which I loved the second book because it gave more depth to the characters.<br />
<br />
I also had some other, smaller issues with the book. The ending wasn’t the best in my opinion, although often in mystery books endings always seem too happy and uneventful in comparison to the rest of the book. (Another spoiler, sorry; skip to the next * to avoid it!) And then there’s the fact that all of this happened in two days! Two days? Are you kidding me?<br />
<br />
<b>*</b> I’m sorry. I know, I know: I am terribly picky. But, while I did have these complaints about the book, I still gave it a score of a 3 out of 5 because I did appreciate the creative aspect that tends to come with fantasy books as well as the odd quote here and there. (Those are really helpful for bookstagram post captions!)<br />
<br />
I don’t think that this means that the other two books are awful. No, sometimes I find that it’s the first book that’s the worst. But, then again, there’s also the chance that the next two won't live up to the first. Still, I will never know until I actually try to read them for myself, so I do think I’ll do that at some point. In other words, let me end my book review by saying this, and you can then make your own conclusions to see if you would like to read the book for yourself:<br />
<br />
The book wasn’t interesting enough for me to read the next book right away, but not too horrible that I don’t read the next book at all.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-21888014629315174262017-08-07T07:30:00.000-04:002017-08-07T07:30:50.140-04:00All the Books I Own But Have Not Read (Part 2)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkssmJKr2dYeskc2j5RQ5yoh7qWdXTtWMqStEo6Xgx1irmMIaXiPj7UlOSDvscKAdFDnzz6YIlrIuMZEXUbHaAwCBPAblU4EcYiwescS22Mij9fW6aeK2mCc8hm7Vx8SVnIjYA7dpkqdhU/s1600/All+The+Books+I+Own+But+Have+Not+Read+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkssmJKr2dYeskc2j5RQ5yoh7qWdXTtWMqStEo6Xgx1irmMIaXiPj7UlOSDvscKAdFDnzz6YIlrIuMZEXUbHaAwCBPAblU4EcYiwescS22Mij9fW6aeK2mCc8hm7Vx8SVnIjYA7dpkqdhU/s640/All+The+Books+I+Own+But+Have+Not+Read+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
About one and a half weeks ago, I published the <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/all-books-i-own-but-have-not-read-part-1.html" target="_blank">first part</a> of this little two-part post, in which I listed 12 books that I own but have not read. Now it's time for me to list the other half of books that I have not read, and let me tell you this: the list is even longer than I thought.<br />
<br />
In my last post, I said that I had around 23 or 24 books in total, and it turns out that I have 24 books in my collection that I have not read.<br />
<br />
<b>13. <i>The Melted Coins</i> by Franklin W. Dixon (The Hardy Boys series)</b><br />
This is another book that I got from Em as a gift. It's a part of her tradition to give me a book on holidays or birthdays. So far, they're mostly old <i>Nancy Drew</i> or <i>Hardy Boy</i> books, but I did get one other book as I mentioned in <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/all-books-i-own-but-have-not-read-part-1.html" target="_blank">part 1</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>14. <i>Crossed</i> by Ally Condie</b><br />
<i>Crossed</i> is the second book of the <i>Matched</i> trilogy that you may not have seen a bit around bookstagram. Or maybe you even read it or don't know about it at all. It's another one of your futuristic societies that's secretly corrupt and battling the rebellious teens sort of book. It also has a bit of a romance element tied into it, because it's the whole act of matching — being paired with the perfect spouse — that get's main character Cassia Reyes in a whole bunch of trouble. While I didn't mind the first book and probably would have gone on to read the second and third book, I had to stop reading <i>Crossed</i> because it wasn't a part of my school's reading program. That was a little over two and a half years ago and I still haven't finished it. (At this point I'd have to reread <i>Matched</i>, too.)<br />
<br />
<b>15. <i>The Hidden Window</i> Mystery by Carolyn Keene</b><br />
This was an old <i>Nancy Drew </i>book that I got for myself at a local antique shop's closing sale a few months back. As I've mentioned before in other blog posts, I like to collect older <i>Nancy Drew</i> books (preferably the first editions, of course... heh heh).<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>16. <i>Tuesdays With Morrie</i> by Mitch Albom</b><br />
<i>Tuesdays With Morrie</i> is a book that I've wanted to read for a bit now, so you can imagine that I was happy to receive it as a birthday gift a few months ago! Although, as my friend warned me, it is very sad. Still, I am excited to read it and hope to do so soon.<br />
<br />
<b>17. <i>The Catcher in the Rye</i> by J. D. Salinger</b><br />
Even though I've heard about this book countless times, I only really thought that it was okay for me to read (I know it was originally for adults) after reading an amazing book review over at <a href="https://https//honestbooktalk.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Honest Book Talk</a> that completely changed my mind. (If you go to the <a href="https://honestbooktalk.wordpress.com/2016/04/01/lets-talk-about-the-catcher-in-the-rye/" target="_blank">book review</a>, you can even see my glowing comment at the bottom!) Still, I only got the book for myself relatively recently, and still haven't gotten the chance to read it.<br />
<br />
<b>18. <i>Of Mice and Men</i> by John Steinbeck</b><br />
I had an opportunity to read this book almost two years ago in school with a few other students, but we chose to read <i>To Kill A Mockingbird </i>instead. (And I'm glad I did — it was a great book!) Still, I did have an interest in this book as well. And, when I picked it up off my teacher's shelf to read during testing, I had no idea how much I'd like it! I only got to read a few pages of it, but after doing so, I knew I wanted to read it and bought it on my next trip to Barnes & Noble.<br />
<br />
<b>19. <i>We Are Okay</i> by Nina LaCour</b><br />
I also got this book on that trip. I remember when I was first introduced to the book. Rachel from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/never_too_many_books/" target="_blank">@never_too_many_books</a> on Instagram was <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRWpMCOgjg-/?taken-by=never_too_many_books" target="_blank">advertising it</a> on her bookstagram, and I remembered her post when I saw it in the bookstore and bought it. It's said to be an emotional teenage book about friendships, and while I haven't read it yet I can say that I did like the first few pages that I have read!<br />
<br />
<b>20. <i>Great Short Works of Edgar Allan Poe</i> arrangement and criticism by G. R. Thompson; written pieces by Edgar Allan Poe</b><br />
I have read bits and pieces of this one, but I only have gotten through some of the poems and haven't even begun to read the short stories! So far, I've loved Edgar Allan Poe for his haunting and beautiful poetry, and I've heard great things about his short stories. I'm also hoping that the criticism section will give me more ideas about his work.<br />
<br />
<b>21. <i>Les Misérables</i> by Victor Hugo</b><br />
<div>
I'm sure you've heard something about this story at least once in your life, whether it be about the book itself or the musical. And while I don't have anything against the book, it's just so incredibly long, and I don't know when I'll have enough time to read it regularly so I can remember everything!<br />
<br />
<b>22. <i>The Perks of Being a Wallflower</i> by Stephen Chbosky</b><br />
I bought this book a while ago and was excited to read it, yet somehow never got around to doing so. (What a surprise.) I do hope to read it soon, however, because it has gotten good praise and is another coming-of-age story (which I'm fond of).<br />
<br />
<b>23. <i>Imagine Me Gone</i> by Adam Haslett</b><br />
I got this book about two weeks ago on a trip to the bookstore. (I know, I know: Even though I have plenty of unread books, I continue to buy more and more!) I've always liked novels that explore relationships and the connections between people. Now, according to its synopsis, the book "brings alive a mother's constant love, the inescapable devotion of siblings, and the legacy of a father's pain", all while telling "ferociously intimate story of a family facing the ultimate question: how far will we go to save the people we love the most?" (I think I'll enjoy this one.)<br />
<br />
<b>24. <i>The Devil in the White City </i>by Erik Larson</b><br />
This book was actually recommended to me by a teacher I had last school year. I never saw it before in Barnes & Noble, but when I went there two days ago, it was sitting on a table along with a few other books that I was interested in. So I hope to read it and see if I like the book as much as he hoped I would.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
And that wraps up all the books I own but have not read! (Or at least I hope that I got everything!) Maybe if I could just quickly finish up my current read (a beautiful book by Kristin Hannah titled <i>The Nightingale</i>), I can get started on these beauties! Do you have a lot of books too? Or do you read your books the moment you buy them? Until next time,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-89654027594757930962017-08-04T07:30:00.000-04:002017-08-04T07:30:06.529-04:00July 2017 Reflection<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFOEKNTopPts7VKMrqwBdG_Bj6HNR1xQRpzuiL-Tzu_pwG5D1-dNTWlgC8-tPaw62dHi8qT8a9EsC_WIOUPnHC8DRpMoOiV2gG1t5-DcOzqdEyDR4yv6iVtKq4fH-ifn_YwwdqOU5VapH/s1600/july+2017+Reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFOEKNTopPts7VKMrqwBdG_Bj6HNR1xQRpzuiL-Tzu_pwG5D1-dNTWlgC8-tPaw62dHi8qT8a9EsC_WIOUPnHC8DRpMoOiV2gG1t5-DcOzqdEyDR4yv6iVtKq4fH-ifn_YwwdqOU5VapH/s640/july+2017+Reflection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Now that July is over, it's time for our monthly reflection! July was both a good and bad month for Reading is Inevitable, when considering both the blog and bookstagram. If you are unfamiliar with my monthly reflections, then you can read my explanation below and/or check out the <a href="http://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20reflection" target="_blank">monthly reflections tag</a>.<br />
<br />
Basically, these monthly reflections are a way for me to reflect on what we have and have not accomplished for the past month in terms of Reading is Inevitable. I also begin planning for the month ahead, including writing new goals for myself based on what I would like to accomplish. They're a great way for me to continue growing and improving Reading is Inevitable.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Looking Back Into July</h2>
<h3>
The Blog</h3>
Unlike last month, where I saw an increase in traffic to the blog (down by 45% because I didn't post much -- oh my!), <b><span style="color: #38761d;">pageviews</span></b> actually increased. I'm happy to see that they're improving, having <b><span style="color: #38761d;">increased by about 77%!</span></b> (Yay!) I also managed to post every Monday and Friday of July, with the exception of the 14th and 17th of July.<br />
<br />
<b>This Month's Posts:</b><br />
<a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/navigating-bookstagram-stories-tips-monthly-challenges.html" target="_blank">"Navigating Bookstagram - Stories & Tips From a Small(er?) Account - Monthly Challenges"</a><br />
<a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/june-2017-reflection.html" target="_blank">"June 2017 Reflection"</a><br />
<a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/summer-2017-challenge-reading-popular-ya-books.html" target="_blank">"Summer 2017 Challenge - Reading Popular YA Books"</a><br />
<a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/reading-letter-from-2016-me.html" target="_blank">"Reading a Letter From 2016 Me"</a><br />
<a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/2017-reading-goals-update.html" target="_blank">"2017 Reading Goals Update"</a><br />
<a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/all-books-i-own-but-have-not-read-part-1.html" target="_blank">All the Books I Own But Have Not Read (Part 1)</a><br />
<a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/navigating-bookstagram-stories-tips-small-account-inactivity.html" target="_blank">"Navigating Bookstagram - Stories & Tips From a Small(er?) Account - Inactivity"</a><br />
<h3>
Bookstagram</h3>
<div>
As explained in July's last post, a Navigating Bookstagram post titled <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/navigating-bookstagram-stories-tips-small-account-inactivity.html" target="_blank">"Inactivity"</a>, we have been inactive on our <a href="http://www.instagram.com/readingisinevitable/" target="_blank">Instagram page</a> for most of July. As a result, we <b><span style="color: #990000;">lost 18 followers</span></b> and only <b style="color: #990000;">posted twice</b>. </div>
<h3>
Goals</h3>
<div>
Fun fact: when writing this post, I almost completely forgot about my goals. I just moved on to August before looking back at June's monthly reflection and remembering that, oh, I make goals each month! (I have no idea what my July goals were...)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsx40vbj_-SAPklZN8-y87pLhO2zmasoutLkuOuv-Td9YKLQqRspiFhxM7oohZ1NvmXNrOFLL_jAERTyG919oggIw2pe17AnbTvkg9-cPEBxXz91K_YjJ5vlCXhbz6Fa8DKwOhjCSp3dSo/s1600/July+Goals+Update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsx40vbj_-SAPklZN8-y87pLhO2zmasoutLkuOuv-Td9YKLQqRspiFhxM7oohZ1NvmXNrOFLL_jAERTyG919oggIw2pe17AnbTvkg9-cPEBxXz91K_YjJ5vlCXhbz6Fa8DKwOhjCSp3dSo/s640/July+Goals+Update.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><b>Unfortunately, I did not post every Monday and Friday of the month.</b> I did come close, however. I only missed a week of posting (so one Monday and one Friday, or two posts). This is an improvement for me and I hope that I can start to finally keep on track with the blog. </li>
<li><b>Whoops. That didn't happen at all.</b> I already mentioned how we didn't post at all on bookstagram. I think it's partially because we were going to try out a new sort of look, but found out that we're not very good at doing that particular look. However, I did figure out a new editing style that I hope to use in August.</li>
<li><b>We weren't very creative, as we didn't post, but we are taking steps towards being creative.</b> As I think I've talked about in the past, Em and I would like to be more creative with our pictures. I suppose you can see that in the second picture we posted in July, in which some staging had to be thought of. I also started drawing out ideas for picture layouts.</li>
</ol>
<ul>
</ul>
<h2>
Coming Up in August</h2>
</div>
<h3>
The Blog</h3>
<div>
So far, I only have one post scheduled for August (the part 2 to July's "All the Books I Own But Have Not Read (Part 1)"), but I do have some post ideas that I've been thinking over for some time now. I also think that I'll continue posting twice a week in August, but after that, I might switch over to only Monday posts with the exception of Friday <a href="http://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20reflection" target="_blank">monthly reflections</a>.</div>
<h3>
Bookstagram</h3>
<div>
I really hope to start posting again in August. While we don't have many new pictures to share with our followers, I do have some old pictures that we've shared that I have edited to fit our new "theme", of sorts. So I hope that I can trust myself in saying that there will be some posts in August.<br />
<h3>
Goals</h3>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWBn9yb0voHe-jh6m8FMz4q62p9vjPgAwhSwGEYWVjHJzgt2wlgjm3lyQC9QXCKoCE2v180PDfWpmwNhkEl0sxGjMP_5FNGAj1etEr-35ewYHVOrnV1FoTYB4gkBywEFNoWyZV7PFqqNO/s1600/August+Goals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWBn9yb0voHe-jh6m8FMz4q62p9vjPgAwhSwGEYWVjHJzgt2wlgjm3lyQC9QXCKoCE2v180PDfWpmwNhkEl0sxGjMP_5FNGAj1etEr-35ewYHVOrnV1FoTYB4gkBywEFNoWyZV7PFqqNO/s640/August+Goals.jpg" width="640" /></b></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Figure out what to do with blog graphics. </b>Recently, as you may or may not have noticed, I've changed up the way I make my title pictures for each post. While I've started to get a thing going, I'm not quite so sure if I want to stick with this theme or how to shake it up a bit without making each picture too different from the others.</li>
<li><b>Post regularly on bookstagram. </b>This was a goal of mine from last month, but, since I did not complete this goal, I'm going to try to accomplish it this month.</li>
<li><b>Post some more book reviews on the blog. </b>I realized that I haven't been posting as many book reviews on the blog in recent times. In fact, the last review on the blog was <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/04/series-review-wake-trilogy.html" target="_blank">Emily's from April</a>, and the <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-hollow-city.html" target="_blank">last one I wrote</a> was published in November! So I think it's about time that I get some more book reviews up. After all, it's not like I stopped reading since then!</li>
</ol>
</div>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
That's all for this monthly reflection. Hopefully August will be better, both for the blog (which was fine in July) and the bookstagram (which suffered). And maybe this time I'll actually try to remember my goals. 😉<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-9709110960468859702017-07-31T07:30:00.000-04:002017-09-10T10:00:05.185-04:00Navigating Bookstagram - Stories & Tips From a Small(er?) Account - Inactivity<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp35N6Ka_QBk7RX2W4JY9kLbdgWwZE4eRo-dE9eHnLwMAxkzIfTROeHLOPi1cIua6ooC4xNb4mxhpXHlnM5e2A83-MHPCR7hROKttKp1CAvXDY1NiMs6WaLcVQ-Bgr6rsOTrnilYx35BZ/s1600/Navigating+Bookstagram+-+Inactivity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp35N6Ka_QBk7RX2W4JY9kLbdgWwZE4eRo-dE9eHnLwMAxkzIfTROeHLOPi1cIua6ooC4xNb4mxhpXHlnM5e2A83-MHPCR7hROKttKp1CAvXDY1NiMs6WaLcVQ-Bgr6rsOTrnilYx35BZ/s640/Navigating+Bookstagram+-+Inactivity.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I'd like to use this post to discuss periods of inactivity on bookstagram, including what they are, how they happen, and what happens as a result of them, as well as a little story about our own, current state of inactivity.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
Periods of inactivity. We all have them, right? Those days or maybe even weeks where you don't post anything. Whether it's because of a lack of time or inspiration, camera issues or personal issues, we all have them at some point. In fact, if you keep up with our bookstagram, you would know that we are actually in a state of inactivity right now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyImUhiPMPiid3hb8Q_97Mb_Zx1s4IsgP1mfkAaTPjyQXvOajsvJz1CWSVTW20ERf4lQG6yqEUJvn_HVpQhlZvtrxYnaKRQVuuKAtuQjHXtxIozARxnYtnNbBTJLFBVgiAWefvKFT2EP5R/s1600/how+do+they+happen-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyImUhiPMPiid3hb8Q_97Mb_Zx1s4IsgP1mfkAaTPjyQXvOajsvJz1CWSVTW20ERf4lQG6yqEUJvn_HVpQhlZvtrxYnaKRQVuuKAtuQjHXtxIozARxnYtnNbBTJLFBVgiAWefvKFT2EP5R/s640/how+do+they+happen-.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A good amount of the time, periods of inactivity aren't planned. (Or at least that's the case with us.) They just happen because you're busy and don't have the time, or something sudden has happened. Sometimes, you just can't post one day and then the next, and so on and so on until, when you actually have the time to post, you're so "out of practice" that you simply choose to neglect your posting responsibilities. The thing is, these happen to everyone, and they're perfectly okay to have.<br />
<br />
There are also the planned periods of inactivity. Periods of time when people know that they can't or will not post, due to similar issues with time, health, even motivation. And it's okay to take a break. Because bookstagram is supposed to be a community and a place where you can get something worthwhile out of your time and effort, and if you're not feeling good about what you're doing, then by all means, take a break.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
...bookstagram is supposed to be a community and a place where you can get something worthwhile out of your time and effort, and if you're not feeling good about what you're doing, then by all means, take a break. </blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8F3HSteRvx17NM3MsJqNu0bsaAfrQXEdrux0gxkjlCm2RmNWVP_quE8He5EEMP6nLFtiL2lAlVFWdBolTeaJFpz3Wd2FiIXdhZOnNK27sdOUSHJJWclwNis-ZKLhyphenhyphenHwcqDsUUgMnppzD/s1600/what+is+the+result.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8F3HSteRvx17NM3MsJqNu0bsaAfrQXEdrux0gxkjlCm2RmNWVP_quE8He5EEMP6nLFtiL2lAlVFWdBolTeaJFpz3Wd2FiIXdhZOnNK27sdOUSHJJWclwNis-ZKLhyphenhyphenHwcqDsUUgMnppzD/s640/what+is+the+result.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
However, there are some downsides to taking breaks, although I certainly wouldn't force yourself to continue just to avoid these effects.<br />
<br />
As might be expected, you will lose some followers as more time passes without a post. Additionally, when you start posting again, you might notice that your posts aren't getting as much attention or engagement as they did prior to your bit of inactivity.<br />
<br />
Of course, this is reasonable. I suppose it's just like trying to do something after not doing it for a while. It might take some time to get back to where you were, but you'll soon pick it up again and things will be just as they were before. They could even be better, if you now have whatever was lacking that caused you to be inactive. In the long run, your bookstagram experience will be better because you'll be happier and better prepared. You have to trust me when I say this, for we've been inactive multiple times.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UsxVPpX6wSxpJtg3620sjWduhGdCCLYQ4g6-cTfSmznwMZ65rDpUhchpdYTRHveqvOHg3t8OKOQFCN8P9iq4Y9vo5iebi6EX8UCg2DsnB1dhMENNkB_2oGNs_YnXkh7U4yB88HKDqGEl/s1600/our+inactivity+story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UsxVPpX6wSxpJtg3620sjWduhGdCCLYQ4g6-cTfSmznwMZ65rDpUhchpdYTRHveqvOHg3t8OKOQFCN8P9iq4Y9vo5iebi6EX8UCg2DsnB1dhMENNkB_2oGNs_YnXkh7U4yB88HKDqGEl/s640/our+inactivity+story.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As of July 3rd, we've been inactive on Instagram. It started out because we were unmotivated and unsure about our slight theme change, which we had started only a few days earlier. We didn't know where we were going with it and were confused as to how it was different from our old theme.<br />
<br />
"We...don't really have any idea as to what sort of theme we would like to pursue," I wrote once on our Instagram story. "We had originally had one particular style in mind, but we soon realized that we were not very good at this style. I also wasn't very fond of it thought I tried to like it for Em."<br />
<br />
Then, as I've explained a few times on our Instagram story, some personal issues have come up. Or, as I wrote on our story, "there's been some things going on lately."<br />
<br />
Since we began our period of inactivity, we have lost around 15 followers. Losing 15 followers doesn't seem too bad when written like that, but when looking at the number in comparison to other periods of inactivity, I realize that it is worse than other times. (Before, we had only lost 10 followers maximum.)<br />
<br />
However, I hope to get back into things soon. We have some new ideas, but just need to take some more pictures in order to execute these ideas.<br />
<br />
Still, I recognize that taking breaks is okay. A lot of us do bookstagram on the side as something that's supposed to bring us joy and happiness. Therefore, it's not healthy nor right to force yourself along if you're not comfortable doing so. I think we need to remember that we all are human, and we won't always be perfect. ♡<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<i>Click <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/08/navigating-bookstagram-stories-tips-losing-followers-story.html" target="_blank">here</a> to read the next Navigating Bookstagram post, "<a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/08/navigating-bookstagram-stories-tips-losing-followers-story.html" target="_blank">Losing Followers (Story)</a>", or check out the Navigating Bookstagram tag <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/search/label/navigating%20bookstagram" target="_blank">here</a>.</i>Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-65122617343373030582017-07-28T07:30:00.000-04:002017-08-06T21:35:23.150-04:00All the Books I Own But Have Not Read (Part 1)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK234VFAkxm1psbB4ep0z9yR5rAI9ZpJ8fE8zOiHEfD8cuFfPVAmIx3W_GKLFfcd8w8ZqTXV0bepL7wKwVf7d10Ll-JO3l_wL-OVXvz3286k_lcGnQVdhqBoH0Yh-hSur7-cYxRfzwwc2X/s1600/All+The+Books+I+Own+But+Have+Not+Read.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK234VFAkxm1psbB4ep0z9yR5rAI9ZpJ8fE8zOiHEfD8cuFfPVAmIx3W_GKLFfcd8w8ZqTXV0bepL7wKwVf7d10Ll-JO3l_wL-OVXvz3286k_lcGnQVdhqBoH0Yh-hSur7-cYxRfzwwc2X/s640/All+The+Books+I+Own+But+Have+Not+Read.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As of Wednesday, June 21st, summer is officially here. Ah: summer. That season when the sun comes out and kids get off from school. And, yes, while this does sound nice, this also means that it's going to be really hot and you're going to have so much time on your hands that you won't know what to do with it. Lucky for me, however, I also happen to own a whole bunch of books that I haven't yet read.<br />
<br />
That's reasonable, though, right? Us bookworms find it a little hard to buy <i>just one</i> book when going to the bookstore, and since you kinda have a reputation for loving books, there's a good chance that you'll receive two or three books around holidays and birthdays. And you don't even want to get me started about book sales. Therefore, the books just start to pile up a bit. And while you'd love to read them, school and/or work and just life in general gets in the way.<br />
<br />
However, the school year ended quite a bit ago. Summer vacation has begun. I finally have the time to tackle my TBR stack. And while I haven't taken full advantage of my free time yet, I think I'm now also ready to do so. Or, at least, I want to start. But exactly how big is it? Haha, funny you'd mention it...um...<br />
<br />
After looking through all of my books and determining which ones I haven't read and which ones I actually intend on reading (I have some that I don't plan on reading, like a book I got just for blackout poetry), I found out that I actually have a total of 23 or 24 (the exact number is yet to be determined!) books that I have not read. That's almost enough for me to complete my 2017 reading goal without the inclusion of graphic novels! (Explanation in my <a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/2017-reading-goals-update.html" target="_blank">"2017 Reading Goals - Update"</a> post.) I was actually surprised by this number. I thought that surely it would be more than three or five but under twenty. I guess I just have more reading to do than I thought!<br />
<br />
The following is half of the the list in all it's glory in no particular order. (I had to break this post up into two parts because the list is so long! So I guess this isn't <i>all</i> the books I own but have not read.)<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<b>1. <i>The Secret History</i> by Donna Tartt</b><br />
I got this book for my birthday back in late spring. In fact, it was Em who bought this book for me. I actually plan on reading this one soon, because Tartt has written my favorite book, The Goldfinch, and I've heard many great things about this book as well.<br />
<br />
<b>2. <i>The Ghost of Blackwood Hall</i> by Carolyn Keene</b><br />
This book is actually an old Nancy Drew book that I found at a flee market that I got for only 25 or 50 cents! It has appeared on our bookstagram before (almost a year ago, I know -- I still haven't read it!). I like collecting older Nancy Drew books now, even though I'm less interested in the stories. I have Em to thank for that -- she got me my first one!<br />
<br />
<b>3. <i>There Was Once a Slave</i> by Shirley Graham</b><br />
I got this book for free from our school library. Every once in a while they would set out all these books for students to take during lunch. This particular book, which is a biography on Frederick Douglass, was left behind on a table after someone had abandoned it at the end of the period. So I decided to pick it up, at the time not even checking to see what the book is about. If I don't end up liking it all that much, I could always use it for blackout poetry.<br />
<br />
<b>4. <i>Hong Kong</i> by R. Conrad Stein</b><br />
Remember how I said that Em got me an old Nancy Drew book? Well, as some of you might know already, she also got it from our school library. I think this was before they set out the books during lunch periods. Instead, they had them in the library during a book sale, and one day she went there and asked if they had any more. On that day she got several free books to give me on birthdays and holidays. One of those books was this one. She says I don't have to read it but I plan on doing so at some point. (Even though it is outdated!)<br />
<br />
<b>5. <i>My Neighbor Totoro</i> by Tsugikio Kubo; original story + art by Hayao Miyazaki; translated by Jim Hubbert</b><br />
I got this book after watching and loving the movie multiple times. I have started reading the book on occasions when I didn’t have a book to read or I was bored of my current book (yes, yes: I’m admitting to it), but I never have read it all the way through or seriously. I do want to read it soon because of my love for the movie and the beautiful illustrations inside!<br />
<br />
<b>6. <i>The Borrowers</i> by Mary Norton</b><br />
This book was actually the foundation for another Studio Ghibli movie called <i>The Secret World of Arrietty</i>. So, when I saw this book at a book sale, I decided to get it to compare it to the movie adaptation. However, I haven’t read it yet and I’ve owned it for about a month shy of a year.<br />
<br />
<b>7. <i>A Darker Shade of Magic</i> by V. E. Schwab</b><br />
I got this book relatively recently, considering the long amounts of time I’ve owned other books. It was given to me as a birthday gift from a friend, who is pretty much my only real life friend who I can talk about and obsess over books with. (She even made her own bookstagram, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/della_frostine/" target="_blank">@della_frostine</a>.) While I'm not usually that interested in fantasy books, I do have to admit that this one does look interesting!<br />
<br />
<b>8. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher</b><br />
This is another book that I got for my birthday from a different friend. (Like I said, us bookworms kinda have a reputation for loving books - it’s what we do.) I’ve heard great things about the book, although I'm not so confident in the Netflix series adaptation. Still, this is the book, and a lot of the time books are different from their on-screen adaptations, so I think I'll give it a shot.<br />
<br />
<b>9. <i>All The Light We Cannot See</i> by Anthony Doerr</b><br />
I actually don't remember much of this book from the top of my head, but I do know that I've seen a lot of it on bookstagram. To add, a good friend a mine read the book back in what I believe was early spring and they said it was really good, so I have high expectations for this one!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>10. <i>A Cry In The Night</i> by Mary Higgins Clark</b><br />
This is another book that I got from my school for free. It's supposed to be a thrilling mystery, and after thoroughly enjoying Ruth Ware's <i>In a Dark, Dark Wood</i>, I find that I want to try out more mysteries and thrillers.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>11. <i>A Christmas Carol</i> by Charles Dickens</b><br />
Yet another book that I've received for a gift from my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/della_frostine/" target="_blank">bookish friend</a>! This was last birthday's gift, and I had planned on reading it around Christmas, except I had stupidly misplaced it around then! (It turns out I had accidentally placed it with my notebooks, rather than my books!)<br />
<br />
<b>12. <i>After the War</i> by Carol Matas</b><br />
Another friend of mine got this for me from our school's collection of old books that they were giving away. While I can't say I'm incredibly interested in reading it, I'll still give it a shot. Although I'm still unsure if she was kidding when she suggested I read it. :/
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
That's all for now! Unfortunately, due to prior commitments in terms of posting, I won't be able to publish this until a little over a week from now, on the 7th of August! I'll guess I'll see you in the new month! (Or in the two posts that'll be publishing in the meantime! 😉)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-22848439184263262822017-07-24T03:00:00.000-04:002018-01-01T14:02:34.869-05:002017 Reading Goals - Update<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTir9G7ORBwgjw5XCvMb051uwP4BheLivAAQ98f3VgASS7C9CPeENCcVUZxPteJzCZHmua5LSlM2TNcUUS1n-BBaPhkQHwSBRcKjragOrws46h3kvLnw2cVilpe8FSiwNVda-6-1EVHpP/s1600/2017+Reading+Goals+Update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTir9G7ORBwgjw5XCvMb051uwP4BheLivAAQ98f3VgASS7C9CPeENCcVUZxPteJzCZHmua5LSlM2TNcUUS1n-BBaPhkQHwSBRcKjragOrws46h3kvLnw2cVilpe8FSiwNVda-6-1EVHpP/s640/2017+Reading+Goals+Update.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Now that we're more or less halfway through 2017, I decided that it's about time to do a little update on how well Em and I are doing with the reading goals we made for ourselves at the beginning of 2017. We didn't make our goals extremely specific. All we did was choose a number based on how much we wanted to read and what seemed reasonable based on how much we knew we had read in 2016. And now it's time to reflect on those goals... oh boy.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I honestly don't think things are going well for Em. When I asked her if she remembered her original goal, she had no clue. (It was 50 books!) But, after a few months with only one book finished at the end of each one, she had lessened her goal to a more reasonable 30. (She couldn't remember this number, either!) Drawing knowledge from my experience with my monthly goals for Reading is Inevitable, I don't think that you can do all too well if you don't remember your goals. And it looks like this is true for Em as well.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Horribly," she said when I asked her how she thought she was doing. "I think my problem is, I read books fairly quickly when I have them on hand. But I haven't been reserving books from the library or having books around me that I'm really interested in. So I haven't been reading... basically." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And is she proud of herself? "Nope. Not at all." But, "there's always next year!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(Emily, there's also the rest of this year!)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Although I can't blame her. Am I happy with how I'm doing? Eh, not really. I know that my goal is to read 36 books (about 12 more than last year... what was I thinking?) and that I've read about 24 so far. But that includes graphic novels. While I didn't specifically write this in my original post, "2017 Reading Goals", I would preferably hit the 36-book goal without the inclusion of graphic novels. I apologize to anyone who enjoys them, but I think we can all agree that it is easy to read a graphic novel faster than a novel. Since I think I've only read 12 books that aren't graphic novels, that would mean that I have to read 24 books -- the total number of books I read in a year -- in a bit less than half a year. So am I proud of myself? No. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Looking at the actual numbers, Em needs to read 18 more books to complete her 30-book goal. I need to read 10 books minimum if I want to reach my 36-book goal (or 22 books without graphic novels, which is better than I thought, at the least). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now, what books have we read, exactly? Well...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Books Em Has Read in 2017 (so far!)</b><br />
<ol>
<li><i>The Sword of Summer </i>by Rick Riordan </li>
<li><i>Every Day </i>by David Levithan</li>
<li><i>The Odyssey </i>adaptation by Geraldine McCaughrean</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan: Before the Fall - Book 1 </i>by Ryo Suzukaze</li>
<li><i>The Smell of Other People's Houses</i> by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock</li>
<li><i>Wake </i>by Lisa McMann</li>
<li><i>Fade</i> by Lisa McMann</li>
<li><i>Gone</i> by Lisa McMann</li>
<li><i>Julius Caesar</i> by William Shakespeare</li>
<li><i>Eliza and her Monsters</i> by Francesca Zappia</li>
<li><i>The Way I Used I Used to Be</i> by Ellen Hopkins</li>
<li><i>Another Day</i> by David Levithan </li>
</ol>
<div>
Do you know what Em and I found out when I was typing in this list? She had added a book that she didn't even read! "Wait, what is this book?" I asked. "Did you even read it? I don't remember it. What is this book?" She must have gotten her TBR list confused with the list of books she actually <i>has </i>read. That got us laughing for a long time!</div>
</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Books Julia Has Read in 2017 (so far!)</b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><i>The Glass Castle</i> by Jeanette Walls</li>
<li><i>Library of Souls</i> by Ransom Riggs</li>
<li><i>The Odyssey </i>adaptation by Geraldine McCaughrean</li>
<li><i>Winter Garden</i> by Kristin Hannah</li>
<li><i>In a Dark, Dark Wood</i> by Ruth Ware</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan - Volume 1</i> by Hajime Isayama</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan - Volume 2</i> by Hajime Isayama</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan - Volume 3</i> by Hajime Isayama</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan - Volume 4</i> by Hajime Isayama</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan - Volume 5</i> by Hajime Isayama</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan - Volume 6</i> by Hajime Isayama</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan - Volume 7</i> by Hajime Isayama</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan - Volume 8</i> by Hajime Isayama</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan - Volume 9 </i>by Hajime Isayama</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan - Volume 10</i> by Hajime Isayama</li>
<li><i>The Raven and Other Poems</i> by Edgar Allan Poe </li>
<ul>
<li>(I don't remember who arranged the poems, however!)</li>
</ul>
<ol>
</ol>
<li><i>Milk and Honey</i> by Rupi Kaur</li>
<li><i>Jackaby</i> by William Ritter</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan - Volume 11</i> by Hajime Isayama</li>
<li><i>Attack on Titan - Volume 12</i> by Hajime Isayama</li>
<li><i>Wired Man and Other Freaks of Nature</i> Sashi Kaufman</li>
<li><i>Blindness </i>by José Saramago</li>
<li><i>Julius Caesar </i>by William Shakespeare</li>
<li><i>I Wrote This For You</i> by Iain S. Thomas</li>
<li><i>The Kite Runner</i> by Khaled Hosseinei</li>
<li><i>The Interestings</i> by Meg Wolitzer</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
So, as you can see, we both still have some way to go. But then again, we still have the rest of the year, right? Right?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, that's all for today's post! If you have your own reading goals for this year, feel free to tell me about them down below in the comments section! Hopefully you're doing a bit better than we are! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<button onclick="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/19009241/?claim=8yvw6ymdgh3" type="button">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</button>Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-9713674159886157762017-07-21T03:00:00.000-04:002017-07-21T19:34:01.228-04:00Reading a Letter from 2016 Me<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZRx8hSWvy01rKiTtKVPn0F_HXR3DrEyl-9VH_woFQ811Le0C8Wh_S6G7rWG6aicJB2oRXJnfMEGG3XcHgucFGgCXJJsSayFXzIG9jKVm2qMaSA1_fOlleXoOLqrov7cudWi-v9d3o90o/s1600/Blog+Letter+to+Self+2016.jpg"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZRx8hSWvy01rKiTtKVPn0F_HXR3DrEyl-9VH_woFQ811Le0C8Wh_S6G7rWG6aicJB2oRXJnfMEGG3XcHgucFGgCXJJsSayFXzIG9jKVm2qMaSA1_fOlleXoOLqrov7cudWi-v9d3o90o/s640/Blog+Letter+to+Self+2016.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
Back in early June of 2016 (June 3rd, 2016, to be exact), I wrote a letter to "future" me on my hopes and dreams for Reading is Inevitable, not only including the blog but also the bookstagram. Now that it's been over a year and "future me" is now "present me", it was time to open up the letter and see how much Reading is Inevitable has grown!<br />
<br />
To read my letter, read the text below.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
Dear Julia,<br />
<br />
How is the blog? I am sure that it is not exactly what you have wanted for the blog at this point. Running a blog is tough! Oh, don’t forget to write that post on what you have learned so far, blah blah blah. Although, if you decided to follow schedule, you should have already written it. If not, you’re late!<br />
<br />
Anyway, moving on, I suppose I should write down some of my wishes and hopes for the blog at this point. I hope that we have a new design (not too fond of the current one…?), or at least that it’s a bit more colorful or bright. I hope that Emily has more posts on the blog, or that at least she has some and that I am not always scrambling to write a post. It would be great if I was actually tagged in book tags, rather than me just stumbling across one that says “anyone may join!” I would also like to see our pageviews for the blog increase...rather than decrease.<br />
<br />
As for the Instagram page, I would love to have...200 followers? Is that asking too much? I suppose I really don’t care, though, as long as I’m writing for some sort of audience! It would also be lovely if we had decided on some sort of theme, but if we have a variety of pictures, that’s fine by me!<br />
<br />
I wonder what books I have read...Am I reading more? Less? What’s the bookstagram community like now? Is the #flipthatbook thing still popular? Or is there some new trend? Am I still really invested in the blog? Do I still spend hours, whole nights, even, working on it, even if it’s just research for posts or playing around with the design?<br />
<br />
I guess I just want to know how things are...and how things have changed. Currently I work a lot on the blog. Lately, I have been doing research in how to improve Instagram pictures and posts to write that might get a good deal of traffic. I still leave the photography to Em, but maybe that’ll change…?<br />
<br />
Well, that’s all for now. Happy reading! (Do I still say that?)<br />
<br />
From,<br />
Julia (the past you)<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
I think it's fair to say that things have changed quite a bit from the time that I wrote this letter.<br />
<br />
I actually forgot about that post idea that I mentioned in the first paragraph. It's funny that I did because I know that I had been looking forward to writing that post for a long time. I couldn't stop thinking about it for a few months and yet, when it's finally time that I can write it, I've forgotten it.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I hope that we have a new design (not too fond of the current one...?), or at least that it's a bit more colorful or bright. I hope that Emily has more posts on the blog or that at least she has some and that I am not always scrambling to write a post.... I would also like to see our pageviews for the blog increase...rather than decrease.</blockquote>
<br />
As for my goals for the blog, I think that I've met some of them. We have actually changed our theme quite a bit over time, but I think that I've finally found something that I like, and I believe Em does too. (She did surprise me by picking yellow... It has always been a favorite color of mine, but I never imagined her to pick it!) Unfortunately for past me, Em does not work on the blog anymore. The blog is now mine to run alone, and while this would probably upset past me, I don't think much of it now. (If she ever does have a post, however, I am always willing to post it!) Pageviews for the blog have gone down with each falling-out I have, but, as I always say, I am trying to fix that.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As for the Instagram page, I would love to have...200 followers? Is that asking too much? ... It would also be lovely if we had decided on some sort of theme, but if we have a variety of pictures, that's fine by me! I wonder what books I have read...Am I reading more? Less? What's the bookstagram community like now? Is the #flipthatbook thing still popular? Or is there some new trend?</blockquote>
<br />
Bookstagram certainly has changed. I think that, when I wrote the 200 follower goal, I really was hoping for more, but I only asked for 200 as a precaution. At least I can say that we did that! Our theme is definitely something, but I want to work on it more. The #filpthatbook trend, well, isn't much of a trend anymore, but that was expected. And the bookstagram community...? Oh, the bookstagram community... At least when I was last on it, there was a lot of issues. (Part of the reason why I felt like I needed a break. Once again, I'm sorry.)<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Am I still really invested in the blog? Do I still spend hours, whole nights, even, working on it, even if it's just research for posts or playing around with the design? .... Currently I work a lot on the blog.</blockquote>
<br />
I really haven't had one of those blogging ruts in a while. Well, that is, until I fell into this one. These last few posts that you've been reading (and probably the next few ones)...? I wrote them all within a few days. So. I think that I'm getting back into blogging.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
I am going to write another letter to myself that I'll open up in 2018! It feels so far away but I'm sure the time will go by so quickly. Hopefully Em and I can work out some of these goals before then! Until next time (and happy reading!)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-35698651234263966732017-07-10T03:00:00.000-04:002017-07-10T03:00:20.106-04:00Summer 2017 Challenge - Reading Popular YA Books<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiZ4eFAd23SaX3Kk25Kjzq7QibPUlUsBJqO59Ha9PM9CmzJGWYXAOiaweG2opDFth7RWPmVVAfbB2bxmeZ5lmzciw2ZapTRJ-lomP3JCO20ZrZRGToUALSI-mnJdFGOHoDX4C5vE1EXFB/s1600/Reading+Popular+YA+Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiZ4eFAd23SaX3Kk25Kjzq7QibPUlUsBJqO59Ha9PM9CmzJGWYXAOiaweG2opDFth7RWPmVVAfbB2bxmeZ5lmzciw2ZapTRJ-lomP3JCO20ZrZRGToUALSI-mnJdFGOHoDX4C5vE1EXFB/s640/Reading+Popular+YA+Books.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This summer I am challenging myself to read some popular young adult books. Why would I do this? And why would this even be a challenge? Well, if you know me or have paid attention to the types of books I read through the blog or bookstagram, you would know that I typically don't like the popular young adult or teen books.<br />
<br />
The books that are popular these days tend to lean towards the fantasy or dystopian genre. Series such as Harry Potter or Divergent or The Mortal Instruments are examples of these fantasy/dystopian popular books. And, personally, I'm not as interested in these genres. Other popular books include those with romance in them, and I've never been too fond of these books as well. For instance, <i>The Fault in Our Stars</i>? Eh, not much of a fan.<br />
<br />
And, sure: Having different preferences in books is perfectly okay. I just thought that it might be a good idea to read some of these books because I am completely lost when going on bookstagram. What's a shadowhunter? And who's Rhysand? What's up with that stars quote that everyone's obsessed with? You see, I currently don't understand a whole lot of what's going on in the bookstagram community. And I would like to actually know for once.<br />
<br />
So that is why, this summer, I want to challenge myself to read some popular young adult books. So far, I haven't actually read any (oh dear), but I plan on reading at least three before the summer is over. (Yes, I know: What an amazing and difficult challenge!) However, it is difficult for someone who typically doesn't read or like these kind of books.<br />
<br />
Some books I'm thinking of maybe reading are...<br />
<ul>
<li>The Harry Potter series (although I've seen so many spoilers I'm not quite sure if I will)</li>
<li>The Divergent series (apparently I need to read these, according to one friend)</li>
<li>The Hunger Games series (according to the same friend, I need to read these as well)</li>
<li>The Mortal Instruments series (that's a thing, right?)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't really know how this will all turn out and how well I will do, but I guess only time will tell! And who knows: Maybe I'll actually like one or two of the "popular" books that I read!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-29243562248014545022017-07-07T03:00:00.000-04:002017-08-02T18:34:22.117-04:00June 2017 Reflection<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7JRixvZPQUhLUi7SAATv6JIopm-4TTwIuRjS5vdFsE1nQbUE3tcKFMir8KCHwzJOOgfh1Ee0QAmUTpG-TtYKE5_L3CTThV9BK1RHv5YOWZXrhmeax4-YphOhZWEN4hP14Cq0twdmZQ9R/s1600/IMG_8503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7JRixvZPQUhLUi7SAATv6JIopm-4TTwIuRjS5vdFsE1nQbUE3tcKFMir8KCHwzJOOgfh1Ee0QAmUTpG-TtYKE5_L3CTThV9BK1RHv5YOWZXrhmeax4-YphOhZWEN4hP14Cq0twdmZQ9R/s640/IMG_8503.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Even though I didn't really do much of anything for the blog or bookstagram this month, I still decided that I should write a monthly reflection for this month. After all, these reflections are supposed to help me grow and improve the blog and our bookstagram, so why should I skip one just so I could ignore my faults and mistakes?<br />
<br />
If you didn't already know, I make these monthly reflections to reflect on Reading is Inevitable's progress on the blog and bookstagram and also discuss plans and hopes for the next month. If you would like to see more, be sure to check out the <a href="http://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20reflection" target="_blank">monthly reflections</a> label.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Looking Back Into June</h2>
<div>
<b>The Blog</b></div>
<div>
Remember how I said that I didn't do well this past month? Well, this is just another warning. So be warned. For June, pageviews dropped to an even lower number than they were in May, <b><span style="color: #990000;">decreasing by an unfortunate but expected 45%.</span></b> I also failed to post at all until the 19th of June. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Bookstagram</b></div>
<div>
While we did lose followers as a result of our inactivity, I actually am pretty happy with how small that number is. Before our inactivity began, we had around 1,668 followers, and at the end of June, we had about 1,658 followers, only <span style="color: #990000;"><b>decreasing by 10 followers</b></span>. We also started to post again the last two days of June.<br />
<br />
<b>Goals</b><br />
All the way back in early May, I made some goals for myself that I wanted to complete for May. However, since I stopped blogging mid-to-late May, I'll reflect on these goals as goals for both the month of May and June.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaxs9UPlUAGjcrZepyWZkHRTxS9msNaT2yhKCeJyur_LHttIqcc2GzCIxAPmJ49au1YiusbmhppuGJQpkP2TIocal5K_PZmKfhmSsvInuBk3ixKrrYEEtkdxMDFWNzjV67kUd0X3Ayciy/s1600/april+goals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaxs9UPlUAGjcrZepyWZkHRTxS9msNaT2yhKCeJyur_LHttIqcc2GzCIxAPmJ49au1YiusbmhppuGJQpkP2TIocal5K_PZmKfhmSsvInuBk3ixKrrYEEtkdxMDFWNzjV67kUd0X3Ayciy/s400/april+goals.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><b>Nope.</b> How could we change and then keep up a bookstagram theme when we weren't even on bookstagram for the most part? </li>
<li><b>We did not hit 1.7k...</b> Like I said before, we weren't active, and... and... yeah.</li>
<li><b>I don't even know what to do anymore... I guess what's important is that I'm trying.</b></li>
</ol>
<div>
(I'm so terribly sorry for that but I knew going into this that I did not make any of my goals and... Sigh. That was pretty sad, wasn't it? Oh... well.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Coming up in July</h2>
<div>
Okay! Now that that is over, we can focus on some of the stuff we have planned for July.<br />
<br />
<b>The Blog</b><br />
I have a lot of ideas and plans for the blog in the upcoming months, including July. Something that I am really excited to share with you is the changes to the posting schedule. A few months back, I had adjusted my posting schedule so that I could more easily post while still keeping up with school. However, school is now over for the summer. So, from now until I say otherwise, I will have posts on both Mondays <i>and</i> Fridays! (Monthly reflections will continue to be published on the first Friday of each month.)<br />
<br />
<b>Bookstagram</b><br />
As you might have known for a while now, Em and I have been discussing and thinking about where we want to go in terms of our bookstagram page. We have gone over different picture styles and themes and such, and, going into July, we hope that we can finally show you what we've been working on.<br />
<br />
<b>Goals</b><br />
(This time, I'm going to work hard to meet these goals. Or, at the least, that's what I say now.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHS09dJu3G7LcJTd1-H0m48h9Ee70JKOEL3hzQQh78-fVnIuNr7EiMk7HIhPGtX6QwCXLBCDGif6MhnSCEy9UvYsTnZEOYrahkAMT4l6uouM_fBOMNmEY3nL0yMWZCTxdebmkFjfk7qT9/s640/July+Goals.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Publish a blog post every Monday and Friday.</b> I know, I know: This is a bit of a stupid and silly one. However, it's one of the first steps to getting back on track with the blog.</li>
<li><b>Post regularly on the bookstagram.</b> Again, just another goal to get back in the swing of things.</li>
<li><b>Get creative with bookstagram and blog posts.</b> I don't want my blog posts to be little boring things that someone skims through or something I'm hardly interested in myself. And I don't want our bookstagram pictures to be simple shots of just a book in a hand. I think that this will make the blog and bookstagram page more worthwhile for me while also increasing positive feedback and engagement from readers and followers. :)</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<hr />
<br />
I've got a lot planned for July and I hope that all of this excitement can carry on into the following months as well. I hope that you stick with me through all of this! Be sure to come back next week, when I'll have not one, but <i>two</i> blog posts publishing. See you then!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s400/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-39654102170330111832017-07-03T03:00:00.000-04:002017-08-08T18:29:53.392-04:00Navigating Bookstagram - Stories & Tips From a Small(er?) Account - Monthly Challenges<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmN0sOUwMgwr_UaEt7oh3Fn53PMuzkrTqV2s5xoHMuEjyzQgjkI0TgwaRO9WfTU_g9UJQvd7glFLv7yMSxKmhqWhllX7iS9kyeYRhtbcv1sGkV-0klswgeamM-nvQyLducWrAePpEmtGly/s640/NB+-+Monthly+Challenges.jpg" width="425" /></div>
<br />
Today I'm sharing with you another installment of the Navigating Bookstagram series! (Yay!) Something that you've probably seen around bookstagram by now are the monthly challenges that some bookstagramers hold every month. (That's why they're called <i>monthly </i>challenges....) Monthly challenges can be really helpful, especially when you're just starting out as a bookstagrammer.<br />
<br />
A monthly challenge is basically a list of picture prompts for you to continue throughout the month. Some prompts are based on a holiday that might occur on that day (ex. red, white, and blue on the United States' Independence Day). Prompts can be specific or vague, leaving room for interpretation. (Although some bookstagrammers do have explanation of prompts available in their captions or on other platforms such as blogs.)<br />
<br />
Most prompts are posted by the bookstagramer(s) hosting them in the form of pictures on Instagram, so that you and other participating bookstagrammers can post them before the month begins to show others what challenges you'll be doing.<br />
<br />
That's right. I said challenges. With an s. Because some people do more than one. However, for your first time around, I would suggest sticking to one or taking bits from different challenges here and there just so that it's not too overwhelming.<br />
<br />
But why would you even want to do one of these if it's so much work? The thing is, finding inspiration for pictures is incredibly hard. And, at least for Em and me, it's easier in the beginning if you have a prompt for every day to help you. Monthly challenges are also a great way to meet new bookstagrammers and to get more involved in the community.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm not saying that monthly challenges are only for beginners. Anyone may join and enjoy them. After all, sometimes they're just plain ol' fun to do! To add, if you one day gain a large and loyal follower base, you could even make your own or join up with another bookstagrammer to make one!<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
Below you'll see some examples of monthly challenges that we've participated in along with some pictures that we took to go along with the prompts:<br />
<br />
In October 2016, we participated in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/commasandampersands/" target="_blank">@commasandampersands</a>' monthly challenge...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9gvdH00sgzwDimYIc0bAWdbkvI5qIoKOkpIZ6dHUC1SDOV59YeXMtParRluoAxjRQEBHi3J67OIJe5iUfZS3eX-7vnTNMTWn2Q7Ft0wacQIx89qE4OtS_AT8lcJxuaru7snhZr8q01jn/s1600/Screenshot+2017-06-22+at+9.21.01+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="598" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9gvdH00sgzwDimYIc0bAWdbkvI5qIoKOkpIZ6dHUC1SDOV59YeXMtParRluoAxjRQEBHi3J67OIJe5iUfZS3eX-7vnTNMTWn2Q7Ft0wacQIx89qE4OtS_AT8lcJxuaru7snhZr8q01jn/s320/Screenshot+2017-06-22+at+9.21.01+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For instance, here's the picture we shared for Day 14: Toy<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 33.33333333333333% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLkVTrxjhwq/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Julia&Em (@readingisinevitable)</a> on <time datetime="2016-10-15T03:00:26+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 14, 2016 at 8:00pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
Here's an example of when we had to do the prompt (Day 6: Wonderland) our own way because we have not read the Alice in Wonderland books:</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 33.33333333333333% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLPZhJlDiQ2/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Day 6 of #ampersandoct16: Wonderland - So...neither of us have read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland or Alice Through the Looking Glass (yet! 😉), so instead here is our own little wonderland, including our favorite books, a sweater, a cup of (imaginary...shh! 😶) tea, and the outdoors! 📚☕️🍂 - The cross country meet today wasn't too bad, and tomorrow's Friday! 😄 Plus I'll probably be getting On Writing from the library tomorrow, so I'll have some reading tonight (finishing up my current read) and tomorrow to look forward to. - - #bookstagram #bookstagramfeature #bookishfeatures #featuredbooklovers #booksfeatures #booksworm_insta #igreads #bookish #booklove #booklover #booklife #bibliophile #bookworm #bookaddict #bookaholic #bookgeek #booknerd #booknerdigans #bookme #bookphotography #becauseofreading #readersofinstagram #booksofinstagram</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A post shared by Julia&Em (@readingisinevitable) on <time datetime="2016-10-06T23:53:10+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 6, 2016 at 4:53pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In November, we participated in two monthly challenges (one by by <a href="http://instagram.com/acciobooksncoffee" target="_blank">@acciobooksncoffee</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/_livelaughread" target="_blank">@_livelaughread</a> and the other by <a href="http://instagram.com/readwithmikee" target="_blank">@readwithmikee</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/pagewithaview" target="_blank">@pagewithaview</a>). Most days, we would choose only one challenge to do. But, sometimes, we chose to do both.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On the 13th, we posted the pictures separately...</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 33.33333333333333% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMwuJxbDrA1/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Day 13 of #livelaughbooksnovember: Book Hangover - After reading these books, Em and I were stuck in that weird in-between place of being half in and half out of the book's world. They snatched our hearts and wouldn't let them go. ❤️ (She read Whisper to Me and I read The Goldfinch.) Oh: The Goldfinch really got me. I found myself rereading parts of it for several days before letting it go....Maybe it was so difficult for me because I had been reading about Theo (the main character/narrator) for about a month! 😯 - Going to Barnes & Noble today! That's always fun. 😆 I also have had my blog post for tomorrow ready for a few days now (shocking!) so I don't have to worry about that. 👍 After being sick and confused for the whole of yesterday, I'm excited to go and have some fun looking for books and watching OUAT at night. 😋 - - #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookishfeatures #featuredbooklovers #bookfeatures #bookworm_insta #thefinchbook #igreads #bookish #booklove #booklover #bibliophile #bookworm #bookaddict #bookaholic #bookgeek #booknerd #booknerdigans #bookme #bookphotography #becauseofreading #readersofinstagram #booksofinstagram #instabook #instabooks #igbooks #bookhangover</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A post shared by Julia&Em (@readingisinevitable) on <time datetime="2016-11-13T18:59:49+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 13, 2016 at 10:59am PST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 33.33333333333333% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMxsJA4DOGT/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Day 13 of #novbookstagram: Read It More Than Once - Em has definitely read her favorite book of all time, Made You Up, more than once. (I'm guilty for having read my favorite book, The Goldfinch, once 😳, although I just admit it's rather long.) She wrote her favorite quotes in a little notebook and has made some fanart, which is good because there isn't much out there. It breaks her little heart that not that many people have read it. 💔 - Speaking of Em, she just prepared the coolest surprise for me! (For no apparent reason, too!) She made a little projector using a magnifying glass, some duct tape, a shoebox, and her kindle, and used this projector to show me a little YouTube video I like on her bedroom wall! It was amazing and honestly took my breath away. 😧 She's the best. ❤️ (@dollsofdaydreams) - - #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookishfeatures #featuredbooklovers #bookfeatures #bookworm_insta #thefinchbook #igreads #bookish #booklove #booklover #bibliophile #bookworm #bookaddict #bookaholic #bookgeek #booknerd #booknerdigans #bookme #bookphotography #becauseofreading #readersofinstagram #booksofinstagram #instabook #instabooks #igbooks #reread</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A post shared by Julia&Em (@readingisinevitable) on <time datetime="2016-11-14T04:01:28+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 13, 2016 at 8:01pm PST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
But on the 15th, we combined them:</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 33.33333333333333% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM2IkhaDg16/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Day 15 of #livelaughbooksnovember: Underrated Characters Day 15 of #novbookstagram: Fictional Job You Want - Okay, so Marian Ashcroft is definitely an underrated character. I absolutely loved her character, and it's not fair that she didn't make it to the movie. How is that possible? She's such a great help to Ethan and Lena, and her relationship with Ethan's mom was great. I guess they filled her in with Alma, but...not the same. 😕AND, c'mon: caster librarian? That sounds like a fictional job I'd want! - Kinda bad day today. 👎 But that's okay, right? It'll get better...? Or maybe not...? At the least I want to actually get some sleep tonight. Been going to bed waaayy too late. 😅 - - #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookishfeatures #featuredbooklovers #bookfeatures #bookworm_insta #thefinchbook #igreads #bookish #booklove #booklover #bibliophile #bookworm #bookaddict #bookaholic #bookgeek #booknerd #booknerdigans #bookme #bookphotography #becauseofreading #readersofinstagram #booksofinstagram #instabook #instabooks #igbooks #beautifulcreatures</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A post shared by Julia&Em (@readingisinevitable) on <time datetime="2016-11-15T21:26:51+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 15, 2016 at 1:26pm PST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
And with that I wish you the best of luck participating in monthly challenges! While Em and I don't do them anymore, they really were fun and helped us when we didn't know what to post. Until next time,</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s320/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<hr />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/navigating-bookstagram-stories-tips-small-account-inactivity.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read the next Navigating Bookstagram post, "Inactivity". Or click on the Navigating Bookstagram tag (below) or the link in the pages bar at the top of the screen to read more.</i></div>
</div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-49826136740606865852017-06-26T03:00:00.000-04:002017-06-26T03:00:06.871-04:00Pride Month 2017 - Why Representation is Important<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwuORZCcEadiqAmd9aONPVOL0Q6Oke-jWrXLc-KuiCWKGx7-3A0v-00z4jKpeoRdpv9fW9UCfv17Pwio8sJNm22BVRMIzR1Dk6uxNNc5jGOBi7FjTWQXvN0ISWNn0G4AQkQzASkX_1R8k/s1600/Pride+Rep.+Important.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwuORZCcEadiqAmd9aONPVOL0Q6Oke-jWrXLc-KuiCWKGx7-3A0v-00z4jKpeoRdpv9fW9UCfv17Pwio8sJNm22BVRMIzR1Dk6uxNNc5jGOBi7FjTWQXvN0ISWNn0G4AQkQzASkX_1R8k/s400/Pride+Rep.+Important.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
Hello everyone! How fitting it is that this year's anniversary of same-sex marriage being legalized in the U.S. falls on Monday, one of my posting days! (And if you didn't know that it was the two-year anniversary, well I guess you know now!) Last year I made a list of some good books with LGBTQ representation, and I will include a list at the end of this post, but to shake things up a bit I thought I'd quickly discuss why representation is important in the media, specifically in books. After all, this is a mainly bookish blog.<br />
<br />
(If you would like to view last year's post, <a href="http://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2016/06/good-lgbt-books-pride-month-2016.html%20Done" target="_blank">click here</a>.)<br />
<br />
First of all, what <i>is</i> representation? Well, it's exactly what it sounds like. It's the inclusion of people with sexualities and/or genders outside of heterosexuality and the gender binary. It's having a gay character or a trans* character and showing readers that, "hey, LGBTQ people do exist" and "hey, not being cisgender or 'straight' is okay".<br />
<br />
(There's also the whole issue about good and bad representation, but that deserves a whole other post on it's own. I'll get to it another day.)<br />
<br />
Representation can make all the difference to a reader whose community of people around them is not accepting or not as open-minded. It can finally make a reader become comfortable and okay with who they are, or at least make them safer in what might seem a not-safe world.<br />
<br />
One thing that I think most readers can agree with is that something that makes a good book is being relatable. And for those in the LGBTQ community, being able to identify themselves in these characters is everything. Representation is great and important for readers of all ages but I know that it is also extremely important for representation to be present in kid and young adult books. For younger readers who, like I mentioned before, might feel trapped or unsafe or possibly unsure or swayed by what their peers might say, or are just beginning to explore their gender and sexuality.<br />
<br />
In addition to these points, representation can raise awareness. After all, books can make things come alive, from stories set hundreds of years ago to what-if stories of the future. Because books hold this incredible power to actualize and establish the seriousness and reality of events, it is so incredibly important for LGBTQ representation (as with any representation for minorities) to be present.<br />
<br />
And, sure, maybe you knew that it's okay to be a part of the LGBTQ community, or you're an ally rather than a member. But one of the ideas behind the significance of representation is that it's <i>normalizing</i> being LGBTQ. The idea is that, the more representation that the LGBTQ community receives in the media, the less uncomfortable and foreign these identities will seem to people. And I really don't know any other way to say this except for that being LGBTQ is normal and perfectly okay.<br />
<br />
In the end, representation matters because the LGBTQ community is a part of life. And if these movies and shows and books that we're enjoying are supposed to show us the truths about life, then why should the LGBTQ community be excluded from it? After being hidden for so long and only relatively recently coming into the realities of more and more people, it's important for the LGBTQ community to not just be another political issue or "thing" that's just "there". It's important for the LGBTQ community to get proper representation and to be heard.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
(Here's that list of books that I promised! I'm only going to include ones I've read, which unfortunately isn't a lot. Not to mention the fact that I know I'm forgetting a good amount. Includes books with any LGBTQ content. SLIGHT SPOILER WARNING!)<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Openly Straight </i>by Bill Konigsberg</li>
<li><i>Symptoms of Being Human</i> by Jeff Gavin</li>
<li><i>Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen </i>by Jazz Jennings</li>
<li><i>Rumble</i> by Ellen Hopkins</li>
<li><i>How Many Letters Are in Goodbye? </i>by Yvonne Cassidy</li>
<li><i>Drama</i> by Raina Telgemeier</li>
<li><i>In a Dark, Dark Wood</i> by Ruth Ware</li>
<ul>
<li>(NOTE: Representation very small, although I do believe it normalizes being gay a good bit.)</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<hr />
<br />
And that's the end of this post! I know that Pride Month's ending but I'm glad I was able to sneak this post in. If you have any recommendations for me I would be thrilled to hear them! Happy Pride Month, everyone!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s320/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4524143220979873150.post-88672452750096573482017-06-19T03:00:00.000-04:002017-08-08T18:28:20.547-04:00Navigating Bookstagram - Stories & Tips From a Small(er?) Account - Feature Accounts<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAHzuwmEIJin6ALwi-w_ZBOXotqrJ7cNS_kQpJsw07BJgwk-vxl3PkTPqn14NvKdEgZB94apxPkEnzB6rfzCwSb4xt4gS8IfnErF1b20N90ePcyBbZe2XaTsaJkxDWBwQ5SyVa11W0HUA/s1600/NB+-+Feature+Accounts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAHzuwmEIJin6ALwi-w_ZBOXotqrJ7cNS_kQpJsw07BJgwk-vxl3PkTPqn14NvKdEgZB94apxPkEnzB6rfzCwSb4xt4gS8IfnErF1b20N90ePcyBbZe2XaTsaJkxDWBwQ5SyVa11W0HUA/s400/NB+-+Feature+Accounts.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
In my more recent Navigating Bookstagram posts, I discussed SFS's, one way that you can increase the amount of attention your page gets. But another really helpful way to do so is to get featured on a bookstagram feature account. I know, I know: it sounds impossible, but it's worth it.<br />
<br />
A bookstagram feature account is exactly what it sounds like. It's an account that's sole purpose is to feature other bookstagrammer's work (I say other because, usually, these accounts are run by other bookstagrammers). There are a lot of accounts out there, and they pick pictures/accounts to feature based off of the pictures. Some accounts have certain themes such as outdoor pictures or flatlays. Accounts like these are not only a good way for you to get your content put out there, but also a great way for you to potentially find other accounts with content you like.<br />
<br />
<h2>
How to Participate</h2>
<div>
Okay. So how do you get featured on one of these feature accounts? Usually there are instructions in the bios of these accounts and sometimes under each post where they actually feature accounts. The most common way to give your post a chance at being featured is to tag it using the account's hashtag. Another alternative that is accepted by some (not all) accounts is by tagging the feature account in your post.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the most part, when posting pictures, I will tag all of our content (emphasis on content, as in real content) with feature account hashtags. However, if the feature account has a certain theme to it, I will only tag the post with the hashtag if the post matches the theme. I think that that is the respectful and right thing to do. (Even if the admins of the account like your picture, they won't feature it if it doesn't match their theme.)<br />
<br />
<h2>
Tips and Tricks </h2>
</div>
<div>
Some accounts, such as @bookstagramfeatures, sometimes post on their Instagram stories what kind of picture they're looking to feature next (ex. outdoor picture, sock sunday, etc.). If you ever see that a feature account has an Instagram story, I would recommend looking at it because, if it does include a theme or prompt for their next featured picture, then you could tag any of your pictures with that theme and therefore have an increased chance at being featured.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have been featured several times on different feature accounts in the past. If you look below, you'll see some of the pictures that have gotten us a feature. Each bookstagram feature account has their own style and preference of photo, and it's helpful to look at pictures that have gotten chosen. Sometimes I notice that accounts pick pictures with new ideas or angles. (Although it always is a surprise whenever we do get a feature... It can seem unpredictable at times!)</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJOGD2uAXuw/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Beautiful photo by @readingisinevitable. • Check out our instagram story to be the first to know next post's theme. Don't forget to tag your photos to #bookstagramfeature, so we can share them. ✌🏻️- Thomai 🙈</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A post shared by Bookstagram Feature Account (@bookstagramfeatures) on <time datetime="2016-08-17T18:41:07+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Aug 17, 2016 at 11:41am PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 32.286096256684495% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BKVfdvLg_T7/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Beautiful photo by @readingisinevitable. • Check out our instagram story to be the first to know next post's theme. Don't forget to tag your photos to #bookstagramfeature, so we can share them. ✌🏻️- Thomai 🙈</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A post shared by Bookstagram Feature Account (@bookstagramfeatures) on <time datetime="2016-09-14T12:09:11+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 14, 2016 at 5:09am PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 32.421875% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BM1gSRuht8j/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Just look at that beautiful bokeh! 😍 If you're not already following @readingisinevitable... Do yourself a favor and check out their amazing account. 📷📖 . . . Tag #booksoutofdoors for a chance to be featured!</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A post shared by Books Out of Doors 📖🌱 (@booksoutofdoors) on <time datetime="2016-11-15T15:34:50+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 15, 2016 at 7:34am PST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<br />
<h2>
List of Feature Accounts</h2>
Below you'll find a list of bookstagram feature accounts, although I'm sure that they're more out there!<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://instagram.com/bookstagramfeatures/" target="_blank">@bookstagramfeatures</a></b> -- Possibly the largest bookstagram feature account with 108k followers!<br />
<b><a href="http://instagram.com/booksoutofdoors" target="_blank">@booksoutofdoors</a></b> -- A personal favorite, this bookstagram feature account is specifically for outdoor pictures.<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/bookish.features/" target="_blank"><b>@bookish.features</b> </a>-- A feature account for a variety of picture types with 62.9k followers.<br />
<b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefinchbook/" target="_blank">@thefinchbook</a> </b>-- A feature account with over 7k followers mainly for indoor photography.<br />
<b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bookfeatured/" target="_blank">@bookfeatured</a> -- </b>Another feature account for a variety of picture types.<br />
<b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bookworm_insta/" target="_blank">@bookworm_insta</a></b> -- Although smaller, it still is a good feature account.<br />
<b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/that.bookish.bookworm/" target="_blank">@that.bookish.bookworm</a></b> -- Even though it is a smaller account with less than 1k followers, it's still a way to get your content out there.<br />
<b><a href="http://instagram.com/starsofbookstagram/" target="_blank">@starsofbookstagram</a></b> -- Another smaller one, but still a great opportunity!<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
With that, I wish you the best of luck with your bookstagram journey! And who knows? Maybe you'll get a feature in the near future! Keep it up!
<br />
<br />
[Read below for an explanation on my absence on here and the bookstagram.]<br />
<br />
<i>Hello, everyone. I'm assuming that those of you reading this post follow us on our bookstagram, since this post and this whole blog series is about bookstagramming. Assuming this to be true, I would first like to apologize for the long period of inactivity there that began around the same time as the inactivity on the blog. I promise that we will try to get on top of things there. I would also like to apologize for my absence on the blog. But, as you can see, I'm trying to fix that as well. I hope you can understand and continue to stick with me. The journey's been amazing so far.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOOBJXsjP_CBT26sldAZW-B7XQY6-4MeSAF1wnWXV5zanjLRGerMIrjX_XHgdQ8Dv7UJGW4p__YZU7PcDtGtkDOgBbFdPKSnOA9kjKl8DlFVHmsLOPsy6CxXL7I2gAvYRT4vRcYiF52Lb/s320/FullSizeRender+%252817%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i></i><br />
<hr />
<i><br /></i>
<i><a href="https://readingisinevitable.blogspot.com/2017/07/navigating-bookstagram-stories-tips-monthly-challenges.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read the next Navigating Bookstagram post, "Monthly Challenges". Or click on the Navigating Bookstagram tag (below) or the link in the pages bar at the top of the screen to read more.</i>Julia and Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756141442786822336noreply@blogger.com0