BlogMas Day 1

Bookish Blog Hops: A Book You Want Everyone To Find Under Their Christmas Tree

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It's 1st December and I'm super excited! This means it's the first day of BlogMas! For the whole month of December I will be posting a blog post every day. Yep, 31 posts in 31 days.

As you may know, I took part in Blogtober in October which had the same goal and ranked up a total of 28 posts in 31 days. Not bad (it actually turned out to be my second highest traffic month ever), but I didn't reach my goal. You can read more about it here. Whilst it wasn't a complete failure, I know I can do better. This is why I'm giving it another go this month....

Only this time, I have a plan.

I've actually set up a lot of content in advance this time round (look at me learning from my mistakes ;)). You can expect a daily post here on the blog for every day. Yep, including over the holidays.

Posts will be on topic as usual, but some will have a Christmas theme to them. I hope you'll enjoy them all.

If you're planning on taking part in BlogMas but need some inspiration, check out my post with 60 Blog Post Ideas for Book Bloggers.

What better way to start off this challenge than with a collaboration with my team from Bookish Blog Hops. We're blog hopping from 1st until 15th December answering holiday themed bookish questions, and today I'm kicking it all off as we discuss "a book you love so much you want everyone to find under their Christmas tree this year so they can read it too".

If you want to join in future blog hops with us check out our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/127759384464964/

You might also like: The Ultimate Guide for Book Bloggers

A Book You Want Everyone To Find Under Their Christmas Tree

This year I want everyone to find the Percy Jackson and the Olympians box set (yes all 5 books). I LOVED reading this series this year, and have well and truly joined the fandom.

If you've seen the Percy Jackson films, know that the books are SOoooooo much better. I liked the films, don't get me wrong. But the books.... the books were awesome! There are quite a few differences between the two too.

As a side note, I really want them to make it a TV series like they did with The Flash (love that show too). I think Percy Jackson would work so well in that format. You hear me people in high TV places that do this stuff? Make this happen!

Of course I now need to read every other book ever written by Rick Riordan (most of which are on my Christmas wish list, but more about that in another post ;)).

Now let's hear what books the rest of the Bookish Blog Hops gang would like everyone to find under the Christmas tree with year

Kim Jacque www.writersideoflife.com

I would love everyone to unwrap The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion. This is such a heartwarming tale of finding love with exquisitely drawn, quirky characters.

The art of love is never a science: Meet Don Tillman, a brilliant yet socially inept professor of genetics, who’s decided it’s time he found a wife. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which Don approaches all things, he designs the Wife Project to find his perfect partner: a sixteen-page, scientifically valid survey to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, the late arrivers.

Everyone knows someone like Don Tillman and I think this novel gives great insight to the thoughts and dreams of people who may seem socially awkward. A lovely read for romantics and cynics alike.

Erica Robyn www.ericarobynreads.com

I would love to have everyone unwrap a copy of The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. This book is such a powerful read. It had such an impact on me as a reader back in high school. To this day, it is still one of my all time favorite books with my favorite quote; “First with the head, then with the heart.”

Renee Guill

https://2turnthepagebookreviews.blogspot.com

I would love to have everyone unwrap One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. That is the first of the Stephanie Plum series. She has 25 so far. I am hooked on her novels. She is such a hoot. I deal with anxiety/depression and I find reading one of her novels actually helps. I should warn you tho, you may not want to read it in public, cause you’ll be laughing your youknowwhat off. hehe It is a fast a fun read.

Eline https://lovelyaudiobooks.info

I absolutely love Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman and I think absolutely everyone would love it just as much as I do! It’s a funny and hopeful story about a little boy. And yet it has that underlying social criticism that these two authors can do so well. Also, you simply have to read the book before the show comes out ;-)
“Aziraphale collected books. If he were totally honest with himself he would have to have admitted that his bookshop was simply somewhere to store them. He was not unusual in this. In order to maintain his cover as a typical second-hand book seller, he used every means short of actual physical violence to prevent customers from making a purchase. Unpleasant damp smells, glowering looks, erratic opening hours - he was incredibly good at it.”

Brandy Potter www.brandypotterbooks.com

My favorite book at this time of year is Greg Hildebrand’s version of A Christmas Carol. Now it is still the original Dicken’s story, but as you can see from the cover, Mr. Hildebrand’s Illustrations are A-Maze-Zing. It is so beautifully illustrated that you fall in love with the characters all over again. I have had so many people borrow it once they see it that I can’t count. I have had it since I was like 10 so that’s a well loved book!

Now, I would also of course, rather selfishly love for everyone to unwrap a copy of Venomous Lives, but let’s let Mr. Hildebrand Shine the brightest ;)

What book do you want everyone to find under the Christmas tree this year?

Follow the rest of the Holiday Hop:

1st A book you love so much you want everyone to find under their Christmas tree this year so they can read it too. Hosted by Jo Linsdell www.JoLinsdell.com

2nd A book cover that has a wonderfully Christmas feel to it. Hosted by Jackie Nolan http://thebookwormcafeblog.wordpress.com

3rd A book you’d like to find in your Christmas stocking this year. Hosted by Jackie Nolan http://thebookwormcafeblog.wordpress.com

4th A fictional character you’d like to spend Christmas with. Hosted by Brandy Potter www.brandypotterbooks.com

5th A fictional character you’d like to kiss under the mistletoe. Hosted by Renee Guill https://2turnthepagebookreviews.blogspot.com 

6th A fictional creature to replace Rudolph and meet on the roof. Hosted by Eline https://lovelyaudiobooks.info

7th A book set at Christmas. Hosted by Sarah Nowicki https://www.paranormalpeach.com/

8th A book that left you feeling cold (DNF) Hosted by Kim Jackways http://www.writersideoflife.com

9th A fictional place that would be perfect for a winter vacation. Hosted by Brandy Potter www.brandypotterbooks.com

10th Best book(s) you read this year. Hosted by Jackie Nolan http://thebookwormcafeblog.wordpress.com

11th What book release(s) are you most anticipating. Hosted by Laura Morningstar http://lauramorningstar.com/

12th Favourite winter read. Hosted by Kim Jackways http://www.writersideoflife.com

13th A book that would make a great Christmas movie. Hosted by Erica Robyn www.ericarobynreads.com

14th A fictional character that you think would make a great Christmas elf.

Hosted by Brandy Potter www.brandypotterbooks.com

15th Fictional characters you’d like to invite to your New Years Eve Party.

Hosted by Laura Morningstar http://lauramorningstar.com/

You might also like: 101 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers

Blogtober Wrap Up

As you may know, I took part in the Blogtober challenge in October. The goal was to post a blog post everyday of the month. 31 posts in 31 days.

I failed, and I'm OK with that.

I posted a total of 28 blog posts in October, and had my second highest traffic month ever to my website since I created it.

Why I failed

This basically comes done to the fact that I didn't plan ahead, and life got in the way.

Sports season is now fully underway and that means that my kids are training everyday, and have competitions most weekends.

As I mentioned in my BYOBthon update for week 3, my youngest won gold in the Italian Jiu Jitsu Championships (GI) on 21st October. He also won all his matches at the Italian Jiu Jitsu Championships (NO GI) on 4th November, and brought home yet another gold medal. Yes I am very proud of him 😍

My eldest made his debut with the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN) last weekend competing in the 100m breaststroke race for Trofeo Lanzi. He didn't qualify for the finals but he did an amazing job and is looking forward to the next opportunity to put himself to the test.

When I decided to do the challenge I didn't plan ahead. This was largely due to the fact that I decided to take part just a few days before it started.

Lesson learnt 1: Consistent posting needs an organised schedule. Things come up and you might not be able to get on your computer. This is why it's a good idea to set up at least some of your blog posts in advance.

Whilst I did get a nice increase in traffic to my website during the challenge, I know I could have done better.

I didn't fully leverage the opportunity to connect with others during the challenge, and I didn't make good use of the hashtag #Blogtober.

Lesson Learnt 2: Be more active with the community. A huge part of what makes events like Blogtober such a powerful way to grow your website/blog is the opportunity it provides to reach out to others. This is why you should connect using the hashtag during these challenges. It also lets others know you're participating so they can reach out to you too.

So what now?

BlogMas

BlogMas that's what!

BlogMas is a challenge, much like Blogtober, where the goal is to post a blog post everyday in December.

Given that November has been a slow month for me content wise here, and taking into account my results from doing Blogtober, BlogMas sounds like a great idea.

I want to finish this year on a high, and prove to myself that I can do better by taking into consideration the things I learnt from "failing" Blogtober.

Time to Prep

I'll be taking a more organised approach to BlogMas and scheduling as many posts in advance as possible (see lesson 1 above).

I'll also be setting up some social media posts in advance using the challenge hashtag #BlogMas (see lesson 2) to make sure I do a better job of promoting my participation.

Did you do Blogtober? Did you succeed or fail in your goal?

Planning on taking part in BlogMas this year?

You might also like: 60 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers

Books

2019 Releases I Can't Wait To Read

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.

2018 was a good year for books. I read some truly awesome books this year. I discovered new authors, officially joined the Percy Jackson fandom, and got back in touch with some of my favourite authors works.

2019 is now just around the corner though, and with it more fantastic books to dive into.

Here's a few of the books I can't wait to read in 2019:

I Owe You One A Novel by Sophie Kinsella

Pub Date 05 Feb 2019

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Description

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sophie Kinsella, an irresistible story of love and empowerment about a young woman with a complicated family, a handsome man who might be “the one,” and an IOU that changes everything

“This book is a shot of pure joy!”—Jenny Colgan, author of The Bookshop on the Corner

Fixie Farr has always lived by her father’s motto: “Family first.” And since her dad passed away, leaving his charming housewares store in the hands of his wife and children, Fixie spends all her time picking up the slack from her siblings instead of striking out on her own. The way Fixie sees it, if she doesn’t take care of her father’s legacy, who will?

It’s simply not in Fixie’s nature to say no to people. So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, she not only agrees—she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank Fixie for her quick thinking, the computer’s owner, Sebastian, an investment manager, scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card. Fixie laughs it off—she’d never actually claim an IOU from a stranger. Would she?

But then Fixie’s childhood crush, Ryan, comes back into her life, and his lack of a profession pushes all of Fixie’s buttons. As always, she wants nothing for herself—but she’d love Seb to give Ryan a job. No sooner has Seb agreed than the tables are turned once more and a new series of IOUs between Seb and Fixie—from small favors to life-changing moments—ensues. Soon Fixie, Ms. Fixit for everyone else, is torn between her family and the life she really wants. Does she have the courage to take a stand? Will she finally grab the life, and love, she really wants?

Immoral Code by Lillian Clark

Pub Date 19 Feb 2019

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Description

Ocean's 8 meets The Breakfast Club in this fast-paced, multi-perspective story about five teens determined to hack into one billionaire absentee father's company to steal tuition money.

For Nari, aka Narioka Diane, aka hacker digital alter ego "d0l0s," it's college and then a career at "one of the big ones," like Google or Apple. Keagan, her sweet, sensitive boyfriend, is happy to follow her wherever she may lead. Reese is an ace/aro visual artist with plans to travel the world. Santiago is off to Stanford on a diving scholarship, with very real Olympic hopes. And Bellamy? Physics genius Bellamy is admitted to MIT--but the student loan she'd been counting on is denied when it turns out her estranged father--one Robert Foster--is loaded.

Nari isn't about to let her friend's dreams be squashed by a deadbeat billionaire, so she hatches a plan to steal just enough from Foster to allow Bellamy to achieve her goals. Fast-paced and banter-filled, Lillian Clark's debut is a hilarious and thought-provoking Robin Hood story for the 21st century.

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

Pub Date 14 May 2019

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Description

Love, friendship, and family find a home at the Printed Letter Bookshop.

One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened her heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.

While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline’s professional life takes an unexpected turn, and a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and her aunt’s beloved shop—provided the women’s best combined efforts are not too little, too late.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a captivating story of good books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings, and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship.

Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus

Pub Date 08 Jan 2019

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Description

The New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying is back with an all-new, page-turning mystery perfect for fans of Riverdale!

Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery's never been there, but she's heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows.

The town is picture-perfect, but it's hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone has declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.

Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she's in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous--and most people aren't good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it's safest to keep your secrets to yourself.

Say You're Sorry by Karen Rose

Pub Date 12 Feb 2019

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Description

Introducing the first book in the new pulse-pounding Sacramento series from New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose.

There is a serial killer on the loose, preying on vulnerable women. The only identifiable mark the killer leaves are letters—sometimes one, sometimes two—all carved into the torsos of his victims. Together they spell “Sydney.”

When he grabs Daisy Dawson, he believes he has found his next victim. But despite her small stature, she fights back with an expertise that quickly frees her. Before fleeing the scene, Daisy also manages to grab what proves to be crucial evidence: a necklace from around the killer’s neck.

The necklace is more than a trivial item—it is a link to a cold case that Special Agent Gideon Reynolds has been tracking for seventeen years. With Daisy’s help, Gideon finally has the opportunity to get closer to the truth than ever before.

But they might not get the chance, as the serial killer has a new target: Gideon and Daisy.

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2019?