I know I've mentioned before that I'm playing on my company's softball team but I can't seem to stop talking about it! Although we have a losing record, we'll possibly still end up in the playoffs because there are only six teams and we need four teams for the playoffs. Anyway in honor of how much fun we've had, I've been taking pictures and am planning to make something commemorative for everyone. I have a few ideas (as I've been lurking on Pinterest) but know that all of you are so crafty so if you have any thoughts about where to go online to make, say, a digital scrapbook or something like that, it would be much appreciated. I was planning to have it online so I can just email people a link. I am also willing to make something by hand, providing it's not too labor intensive as we have about 15 people who've played throughout the season.
Blogging:
I keep falling behind on commenting Wednesday-Friday since those are my busy days currently. But I made a big push to catch up on comments so if you received one that's on a post a week old (or more), that's why. I know it's random but my thinking is that it's better to get a comment late rather than never.
I'm also planning another giveaway for June (May is going to be too busy for me) and am hammering out all the details for that. Reading is going about as well as it has been with my busy schedule. I have also recently written a couple of reviews that I think turned out really well so I'm proud of that. Which leads me to...
Writing:
In the past, whenever I thought "writer," my mind went immediately to novelist. That is not to make less of the writing skills of playwrights, poets, and short story writers but since I mostly read novels, that is what the word evokes. However lately I've been more broad in my definition of writer, particularly as it applies to me and my writing. I estimate that I write approximately 2,100 words a week for the blog in addition to comments and emails; that's a not insignificant amount especially when you compare it to an American population that is not particularly literary. I know my reviews now are generally better than they were when I first started and it's satisfying to see the progress. This has been something I've been pondering about myself lately and just thought I'd share it with you. I know a lot of bloggers are aspiring writers but I'm sure there are others, like me, who have always leaned more on the reading side and maybe never really considered themselves a writer. Anyone?
Books Bought:
I finally finished off my birthday/Christmas Barnes and Noble gift cards, picking out these beautiful annotated editions of my three favorite books. They're supposed to arrive tomorrow and I can't wait to look through them.
Emma
Persuasion
Week to Come:
The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise, a contemporary focusing on tech? How novel!
Crash and Burn by Michael Hassan, a massive book looking at male teenagerdom (it is not pretty)
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani, an early review for one of my most anticipated books of the spring
The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa, sequel to the highly pleasing The Immortal Rules
You Know What You Have to Do by Bonnie Shimko, a girl hears a voice in her head pushing a murderous intent
City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster, this is my read for today-I've seen it garner a lot of mixed to negative reviews but I really love the cover and have to write a review for Amazon Vine so I'm giving it a try.
What a pretty editions! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!
Mel@thedailyprophecy
Aren't they just gorgeous? I've looked through them a little bit and can't wait to have more time with them.
DeleteI look forward to your thoughts on City of a Thousand Dolls. I hadn't heard of The School for Good and Evil before but now I am intrigued!
ReplyDeleteI consider myself more of a reader than a writer too. When we were growing up, my sister and I used to write stories together but she was always the better writer. Any writing gifts I possess tend more towards nonfiction (like writing annotated bibliographies) rather than fiction. I guess I never thought of myself as a writer even though I have a blog. I wish my reviews were improving but I don't think they are! I should try to be more like the professional reviewers who write reviews for Booklist since I aspire to that some day.
I am always behind on commenting and sometimes I forget to visit blogs that have commented on my posts even though I always mean to. It is nice that you are going back and commenting even if it is a week later.
Have a great week!
I think you can definitely consider yourself a writer-I find your reviews very helpful and informative. I always perk up when I see one in my reader :)
DeleteDying to see what you think of both School for Good and Evil and also City of a Thousand Dolls -- I have that one too and have not managed to get to it. Then I heard something about talking cats? But like you, I want to make up my own mind.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are having so much fun playing softball :) Congrats on making it to the playoffs.
Spoiler alert: really liked both of those books; still working on my review for City of a Thousand Dolls and yes there are talking cats, kind of.
DeleteI am really looking forward your review next week. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever's Suday Post
Thank you-congrats again on celebrating your one-year blogoversary!
DeleteGlad you are having fun with softball, hope the scrapbooking goes well and you get good advice. hope you enjoy your books. Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
ReplyDeleteThank you Brandi-hope you have a great week!
DeleteYou're definitely a writer -- they just happen to be reviews versus a book or technical manual or screenplay or whatever! I've been trying to get my commenting done first thing in the morning but this weekend was an absolute bust. *sigh* And so it goes! Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteI find the morning to be most productive as well but sometimes I just don't get any done!
DeleteHere's a quick and undeveloped thought. Why not have a scrapbook party for your team where you print out the pictures, enough for everyone and provide maybe sport place foods but in party forms like mini hotdogs. "slushies" in the form of margaritas and things like that. Or do the pictures and buy scrapbook paper and glue and whatever and invite everyone over for a potluck. You can have nibbles and do some scrapping then eat dinner and scrap more.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, I would make up a pinterest page!
I like this idea-not sure I'll be able to get everyone organized though...we are looking at playing again over the summer though so that gives me more time at least.
DeleteAs you know from being a loyal follower to my blog, I'm terrible at responding to comments. Sometimes I'm surprised people still do :-) But I read and treasure each one and try to stop by instead!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the Boyfriend App. I really want to get my hands on it!
Christina @ Ensconced in YA
I've only just recently started responding to comments and I'm finding it to be a lot of fun! I do recommend it if you can carve out, say 5 minutes a day.
DeleteOh, I'm curious about some of these reviews you have coming up. I think Crash and Burn sounds good, but I haven't read great reviews yet. You Know What You Have to Do sounds intense, but also great!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear they're of interest to you! I always hope to pick thought-provoking YA books but sometimes I worry that I too narrow of interests.
DeleteI agree late is better than never, as you can see from my visit today lol. Lovely Jane Austen covers :)
ReplyDeleteThought this link might help, gives options for digital scrapbook design and online sharing http://mashable.com/2008/09/16/online-scrapbooking/
This is awesome-I am eagerly poring through the links and trying to decide which looks best!
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