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Interview with Rae from A New Look On Books

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For today's interview with a book blogger, join me in giving a warm welcome to Rae from A New Look On Books

Mr Bean Wave GIF from Mrbean GIFs

Introduce yourself. Who are you? Where are you from? and Where do you blog?

Hi everyone! I’m Rae. I’m a PA girl, college graduate, Wordpress blog user, newbie freelance editor, and all time fangirl that originally hated reading. After a challenge from my grandmother to read a book a day the summer before I started high school, I found my love of reading and later a need to write. From there my book blog and now freelance editing business was inevitable. My longer, more wordier bio, can be found on my blog’s “The Girl Behind The Pages.”

Why and how do you blog? What made you start?

It took me forever to start blogging and when I did I was eyeball deep in my senior thesis project and portfolio work. That was an experience for sure. Anyway, I took the leap to create my blog after meeting with local author Holly Bush. She is a wonderful woman and after talking with her I went home, sat down, and BAM my blog was born.

How long have you been blogging?

I’ve been blogging for three years now. 😊

What advice do you wish you'd had when you started?

I wish I would’ve been reassured that it isn’t a competition and warned how hard it is not to feel like an imposter. While I’m one of many bloggers I need to stay true to myself. I can’t take an unlike or unfollow to heart and some people won’t like what I have to say in my reviews. This isn’t personal. I am not an imposter.

How much time do you devote to blogging each day/week/month?

I’ve narrowed down my blogging days to two a week. Those days I sit down an answer emails, prep interview questions, brainstorm guest post topics, and anything else bloggie related. Of course I check my emails daily and never quite know what the day will bring.

How often do you post to your blog?

I post weekly if not daily. Sometimes I have two posts a day! It all depends on the month’s schedule and what tours I’ve signed up with or what guest reviews I’ve received.

What motivates you to keep blogging about books?

My love of books is my motivating factor for everything I do from blogging to editing to fangirling. The moment I connect with a character, cry over a scene, or get swept away in a plot is just another way for me to continue enjoying a world that I love. Plus, one can never have too many book boyfriends or book besties. I’ll keep reading regardless of where I am at in life.

Is there something you wish authors knew about your blog or blogging?

Every author I meet, whether it is in person or online, matters to me and my blog and influences me as I grow as a reader, blogger, and editor. I want to do what I can to share with my followers the work that you do through guest posts, reviews, excerpts, and more. Keep writing!

Interview with Rae from A New Look On Books

What's your most popular blog post?

My interview with kc Dryer, author of Finding Fraser, was my most popular blog post with 435 views. If you love Scotland, Outlander, and a finding yourself novel… you must try Finding Fraser! This book is one of my favs and I reread it when I need inspiration or a good laugh.

Do you write reviews for every book you read?

No but I wish I could. I would love to review every book I read – whether it is good or bad.

How many book reviews do you normally do a week?

With everything going on, I generally don’t review per week. I actually had a plan of monthly reviews that has become more sporadic as adulting gets in the way. I’m hoping to do mini reviews to post on my blog and media outlets in the near future.

What genres are your favourites?

I’ve affectionately been with YA for years now. I adore fantasy. However, I am trying to expand from YA into Adult fiction and have taken the tentative steps to do so. But YA will always be a go-to and hold a special place in my heart.

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

Between editing projects, I’m reading Raven’s Cry by Dana Fraedrich. It is my new book to review for July’s read. So far – loving it!

Do you have any plans for your blog in the future?

Yes! I foresee a name change in the future. A New Look On Books has been my blog’s name for three years now but with my freelance editing business becoming official, and therefore taking over the name of A New Look On Books, I must transition into something newer. There will be a complete website makeover along with graphics. I cannot wait to see what everyone thinks! 😊

Follow A New Look On Books on social media at:

Website - https://anewlookonbooks.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/anewlookonbooks

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/anewlookonbooks/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/anewlookonbooks/

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A Bookish Summer Blog Hop: Where Do You Buy Your Books?

Today I'm hosting another stop on the A Bookish Summer Blog Hop. This time the question is "Where do you buy your books?"

I get a lot of books for free from publishers and authors. Some approach me directly requesting a review, others I get via Net Galley. I do a lot of reading on my kindle app on my ipad now and get a lot of books from Amazon. Whenever I go back to the UK for a visit I check out the charity and discount shops for bargain books. I have to limit myself though or my hubby moans about my books taking over our home. He prefers it when I get ebooks as our flat isn’t really big enough for a lot of bookshelves. My dream is to one day have a house with a big library like the one Belle had in Beauty and Beast ;)

DropBox GIF from Belle GIFs

What the gang had to say:

Kelli Quintos
www.tangledintext.com

I actually only buy maybe 2% of the books I own. I’m gifted a lot from publishers and indie authors who reach out to be through my blog, but the majority of books I read are through my library. The only flaw to that plan is when all ten of my holds at random times become available at once and I cry a little bit because I can’t possible read all of them in the two weeks they grace my presence. I usually end up buying books when I have already read them and I want to keep a copy to read again or in case any of my friends decide to enjoy reading miraculously, so I can share a copy with them. The library thing usually works out great though with a book or two coming in once a week and helps regulate and provide an incentive to keep up with my reading because of their due dates.

Leslie Conzatti
www.upstreamwriter.blogspot.com

For the longest time, I would depend on the generosity of others to get books. Especially before I had a job, since that meant I also had no money. As I would review more and more books on my blog, I would get review copies from authors who wanted their books featured, or I would follow an author I was interested in until they posted a discount/giveaway, at which point I would swoop in and make off like a bandit! I have downloaded a lot of books from Amazon, and just recently I discovered the joys of buying books online from Barnes & Noble, so I’ve used that to try and round out my personal library. But the only books I actually buy are books I’ve read before, since I know they’re worth the money I’m spending! I don’t buy a lot of books sight-unseen; if a book looks interesting, I’ll check it out from the library first. If I like it, I buy it. If an author whose ebooks I’ve read and loved offers signed copies for a fair price, I’ll take them up on their offer!

Brandy Potter
www.brandypotterbooks.com

I get most of my classics from yard sales and goodwill. The more contemporary stuff I get from Amazon. However I have the propensity to get them at the library or audible before I buy them. I used to just buy every book I wanted to read and I found that was a waste of books and money. However, I did find a great place to take those books. We have a place here called The Book Thing. It’s in the inner city and allows anyone to come in and take books for free. It burned down just before my wedding and I donated every book that I was keeping just because I can’t bear to part with books to them.

Marcia Marques
https://trendysimplelife.blogspot.com/

I get a few free books from publishers and I’m always on the lookout for sales on Amazon to buy Kindle books. This year I went to the BookCon in NYC and got a lot of free books there also!

Where do you buy most of your books? Let us know in the comments below.