Book Blogger Posts Round Up

A collection of blog posts by book bloggers

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Looking for new bookish content to read? Want to discover some new book bloggers to follow? Look no further!

I introduced this new feature here on the blog last month to showcase blog posts by other book bloggers. I'll be linking up a variety of blog posts so hopefully there will be something to suit all tastes.

The following posts were submitted for inclusion in this round up via my Twitter, where I asked for posts. I'll be continuing to do this every month.

Why?

Because I like reading blog posts by other book bloggers and thought you might too. Finding the time to scan through various social media feeds to find suitable content can take up valuable time though and so I figured I'd make it easier and put together a collection here on the blog.

My plan is to include a wide variety of content so there's something for everyone. You'll find book reviews, interviews, discussion pieces and more...

Want to be included in future round ups? Follow my Twitter profile and keep an eye out for the submission tweet.

June 2021 Book Blogger Round Up

In the post The HEA: A Romance Novel Essential book blogger @bitchbookshelf discusses whether romance novels need a happily ever after (HEA). Do you read romance? How important is it to you that the book has a happily ever after?

@ReadingLadiesBC did the Never Have I Ever Book Tag answering questions about dressing up as one of her favourite literary characters, reading the ending of a book before reading the beginning, picking up a book based on the cover alone, and more... Have you done this Book Tag yet?

Reading Slumps and how they can be a good thing, by @owlbookworld, includes some great tips about how to get out of a reading slump. Do you ever get into reading slumps? How do you pull yourself out of them and get back into reading again.

@MagicofWorldsBE interviewed author Alyssa Roat about her book Wraithwood (The Wraithwood Trilogy #1). The interview includes a variety of questions with information from which books the author loved to read as a child to the rituals or habits she does whilst writing. Have you read Wraithwood?

@luggagescribble did a book review for the thought-provoking book Unsettled Ground, by Claire Fuller. "Unsettled Ground is a heart-breaking exploration of grief, family bonds, betrayal and hope." Have you read Unsettled Ground or other books by this author?

The book Death Opens a Window, by Mikel J. Wilson was reviewed by @See_Sadie, who won a copy in a giveaway on Instagram. Have you read books in Mourning Dove Mysteries series or other books by this author? What books have you won in giveaways?

In case you missed it, don't forget to check out the May Round Up for even more great bookish posts by different book bloggers.

You might also like: The Ultimate Guide for Book Bloggers

Are you a book blogger? Check out 101 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers

Book Blogger Interview Jane Turner from 33 South Textworks

Book Blogger Interview Series

Getting To Know The Book Blogging Community One Guest At A Time

This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning, I get a commission if you purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

I hope you're enjoying this series of book blogger interview posts and getting to know some great members of the book blogging community along the way.

In case you miss them, you can check out the other book blogger interviews so far:
Hayley from Shelflyfe
Kira from TheBookBella
Holley from Chasing Destino
Sadie from See Sadie Read
Eric from Breakeven Books
Sophie Davies from Sophie's Reading Room
Erin from Erins Book Reviews
Divya Agrawal from celebrityreadshush

Micheal Everts from Fit 2B Read

Elizabeth from A Suitcase Full of Books

Are you ready to get to know another member of the book blogging community?

Today the focus is on book blogging.

I'm looking forward to chatting with other Book Bloggers during this series to get some behind the scenes insight into how they are approaching the book blogging community and what they've learnt so far.

You might also like: The Ultimate Guide for Book Bloggers

Today's guest is Book Blogger Jane Turner from 33 South Textworks

Getting to Know Book Blogger Jane Turner from 33 South Textworks

The Interview:

1. When did you start blogging?

I started blogging as a sideline for my editing/proofreading business.

When I was starting out I had a bad case of imposter syndrome and had no idea what to blog about – so I started doing book reviews. That turned into joining Blog Tours, and it’s just kind of snowballed.

But I’m still, first and foremost, an editor/proofreader.

2. What are your favourite genres to read?

SFF, crime/thriller are my staples, though I’ll read anything that takes my fancy.

Through Blog Tours I’ve come to understand the absolute importance of a good blurb. Without being able to go to a bookshop and hold it in your hand, the blurb and cover art is all bloggers have to go by for most tours – and I admit that I’ve missed out on some brilliant books because the blurb just didn’t appeal, or wasn’t truly representative of the story…

3. Best book you've read so far this year?

It’s been a fantastic year for reading - I’ve had six 5-star books on my blog this year, and the year’s only just settling in! The Crow Folk by Mark Stay, Deity by Matt Wesolowski, and Miniskirts are Murder by Des Burkinshaw are standouts, but I’d heartily recommend all 6!

4. What social media sites do you use most to spread the word about your blog posts/to network with the book blogging community?

I use on Twitter and Facebook in the main, but will stretch to LinkedIn too. I also publish my reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, to both help the author and get my name out there.

Most of my networking is done on Twitter.

5. What do you wish you'd known about book blogging before you started?

How incredibly addictive it is! EVERY published book I read gets a review.

(I don’t post about books I’m working on as an editor, of course – because that would be rude, would break every ethic rule of editing, and would guarantee no author would trust me again.)

6. What is the hardest part of being a book blogger?

Finding reading time!

I’m running my business at the same time (cause a gal’s gotta eat) so most of my reading is done in the evenings. I’ll often stay up late to finish something, then go to write the post first thing in the morning.

The second hardest thing, particularly on Blog Tours, is waiting for your specific day to post. If I read something fantastic I want to shout it from the rooftops, not wait a week! ARGH! But, I do teaser posts on Twitter, which sates the longing a little…

7. What are your goals for your book blog? Do you have any plans for your blog in the future?

Goals? Hmm…

I’d love to be able to be first contact with publishing houses for reviews. I’d really like to review for a publication besides my own, but I’m working on that.

8. How often do you post to your blog?

At least weekly. Though it’s more likely to be twice a week.

9. What's your most popular blog post?

My most popular post is not actually a book review!

I also post ‘Tips for Writers’, and industry news, tips on working with your editor, how I work etc. My blog is, after all, an extension of my business – so I have to post business-relevant things too. And they’re proving useful…

My most popular post is all about the Royal Order of Adjectives and how it’s used to make adjectives sound better, including how to punctuate them.

10. What are you currently reading and why did you choose to read it?

Currently reading The Nirvana Effect by Brian Pinkerton – a little dystopian sci fi.

I’ve just been reading thrillers and historical recently, so it’s lovely to swap to SFF and stretch the imagination into the fantastic.

I hope you've enjoyed getting to know Jane better and encourage you to visit her blog.

Are you a book blogger? Check out 101 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers

Book Review: Backstories by Simon Van Der Velde

My thoughts about Backstories by Simon Van Der Velde

This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning, I get a commission if you purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

The book synopsis for Backstories by Simon Van Der Velde

Can you find the famous person hidden in every story? And once found, can you understand them?

Dreamers, singers, heroes and killers, they can dazzle with their talent or their unmitigated evil, yet inside themselves, they are as frail and desperate as the rest of us. But can you see them? Can you unravel the truth?

These are people you know, but not as you know them. Peel back the mask and see.

This book is dedicated to the victims of violent crime, the struggle against discrimination in all its forms and making the world a better place for our children. That is why 30% of all profits will be shared between Stop Hate UK, The North East Autism Society and Friends of the Earth.

Backstories is published by Smoke & Mirrors Press.

MY BACKSTORIES QUEST

“Whatever happened to, all of the heroes?” The Stranglers 1977

I was twelve years old when I first heard this song and although there was something in the feral tone that grabbed me, I didn’t really understand it. I do now. I get the angst and the loss and the emptiness, which is why, in Backstories, I aim to answer the question.

I’m not interested in simplistic tabloid truths. They clung on too long, drank too much, lost their looks and their charm and generally reminded us that we’re all getting older. That’s not what I want from my heroes.

What I want is to find the spark, to dig down into their pain, their passions and their imperfections, and show you our heroes as they truly are.

So join me on my quest. Let’s bypass the obvious, the tedious, and the dull. Brave the deeper, darker paths where the treasures can be found, and together we’ll uncover the fears and doubts that made our heroes what they were and perhaps catch a glimpse of ourselves along the way.

Whatever happened to all of the heroes?

They turned out to be human beings, in all their diverse glory.

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