I’m super-excited to have been selected* to attend the Penguin Random House inaugural National Book Bloggers Forum in Sydney next week.
I’ve long been an avid reader, but only started reviewing books (an unpaid gig sadly) late last year. I receive advance copies (which are sometimes yet to be graced with a final edit) and read an average of 3-5 books a week.
Some of my fondest early memories involve reading, books and stories and I’ve talked before about being *ahem* slightly (ahem) anal about my books and lending them to friends (as a child and now!).
Although I already had/have many favourites, I keep finding new authors I enjoy but am not really getting time to read any of their other old work as I regularly have steady stream of books waiting for me. Note that this condition is self-inflicted cos I keep requesting more and more AND while I try to have a night off reading now and then, I struggle and feel almost bereft.
For many MANY years now, I’ve allocated an hour or two to reading at the end of each work day. Living alone means I can do it uninterrupted. It’s always been a good transition between ‘work’ and ‘home’ and on days I don’t work it helps fill the only time I find myself feeling ‘alone’ – late afternoon and early evening.
Source Huffington Post
I have to confess however, I don’t really know what I’m doing when it comes to reviewing books – although I’ve got a couple of University degrees and myriad of writing courses under my belt – I haven’t ever actually formally been taught how to write a review.
Indeed, those I share in my blog posts must break all of the usual rules as my personality and life intrude far too much in my writing. Yes, it’s all about me!!!
More recently I’ve tried to ensure the reviews I post on Goodreads and The Reading Room include a little less ummmm…. personal commentary
Financially attending the Forum is a bit of a struggle at this point in time but I couldn’t bear to miss it, and I’m bizarrely excited. Unlike ProBlogger (national blogging event) when I stress about what I’ll wear or how I’ll be perceived; I’m just keen to meet other book bloggers and obsessive readers. I don’t really ‘know’ any and am very keen to learn more about the craft and how to take my reviewing further.
Undoubtedly you’ll hear more from me after!
Are you a lover of books?
PS. Linking up with Trish and the Wordless Wednesday gang though this is far from wordless. Alas. (There are THREE pics though! 😉 )
* They possibly ‘selected’ everyone who applied!
May 14, 2014
Ahh the good old days of reading a book – that conference sounds right up your alley!!!
May 14, 2014
I know… VERY excited!!!! #Obvs!
May 14, 2014
I’m also super excited to attend. Unlike you I’m stressing over what to wear. I actually posted a serious question on Facebook about this. Here’s the options:
A) Nullus tshirt
B) Aussie Con tshirt
C) Thank you tshirt
D) Tintin tshirt
E) Doctor Who tshirt
F) none of the above
May 14, 2014
My only worry is that I’m bringing a small backpack on the plane, so can only have one pair of shoes. I live at the seaside and work in an informal office and can wear thongs. I’m assuming it’ll be a bit chilly so I’m madly trying wear-in (re-wear-in?) my old Doc Martens so I won’t get blisters wandering from the train station to hotel to Forum to hotel to train station. Etc and so forth! 😉
PS. I’d need to see pics of your shirts before voting!
May 14, 2014
Since you asked I’ve put some photos on my Facebook page. I hope this helps you help me make a decision.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.703704359671261.1073741825.107405605967809&type=1
May 14, 2014
I’ve voted! 🙂
May 15, 2014
Thank you!
May 14, 2014
I have to worry about what to wear? It will be jeans, a black shirt and sneakers for me, I don’t own much of anything else!
May 15, 2014
Nah… I don’t think so! The Problogger thing (and other blogging things – as you probably know) is a bit different. Lots of style and fashion bloggers etc.
I’m travelling super-light so will be ‘layering’ if cold! 😉
May 15, 2014
I went to the second Problogger conference wearing my Doctor Who tshirt. I found that funny, I have a good friend who is a style blogger who was there that same day. She was beautifully dressed while I wasn’t.
Clothes don’t normally worry me but for a book forum I need to think about what statement I’m making, do I want to advertising the Discworld conventions or do I want to alert people to a mad Doctor Who personality or whatever.
I’ll be wearing boots as they’re comfortable and my sneakers have air conditioning.
May 15, 2014
I’m re-wearing-in my Doc Martens in preparation for the cooler weather! I mentioned in another comment that I live in thongs most of the time nowadays.
Sadly I’ve put on a lot of weight since making my sea change so most of my old clothes don’t fit so I’m just making do with what does. Hoping for kinda casual but edgy. 😉 #orsomething
May 14, 2014
Wow, sounds like epic fun! Like Emily I sadly don’t have/prioritise anywhere near as much time as I’d like to read books 🙁 I was a real book nerd as a kid, and my Miss 11 seems to take after me as long after the lights are out of an evening you can find her hiding under the covers with a torch and a book…
May 14, 2014
Ah yes, I have fond memories of childhood reading. I was an Enid Blyton fan (obviously) before moving onto Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew then Sweet Dreams novels.
My older brother owned the lion’s share of our Little Golden Books but I ditched a heap when I moved about 18mths ago. I kept my faves however.
I think reading as a youngster gives kids a great start so it sounds like Miss 11 is on the right track!
May 14, 2014
I read one whole book while on holidays, that takes my tally to 4 for the year!!
Enjoy your forum, I am a little envious!! I would love to read more but there is not enough hours in the day!!
May 14, 2014
Ah yes, I’m a tad obsessive when it comes to reading but I do recall a period of time once where it was ages between books. But for me there’s nothing like opening the cover (or flicking the screen) to start a new book – I adore that excitement and anticipation!
May 14, 2014
I can’t imagine life without books Deb. No doubt you’ll have a fabulous time at the forum.
I’ll be interested to hear what you have to actually do to be a book reviewer, what a fabulous job that would be!
I don’t read actual books as much as I’d like lately, but I’m so happy that my daughter is a book freak, like I was as a kid. x
May 14, 2014
Lisa I have to say I wondered if ‘having’ to write a review after reading would take some of the enjoyment away – but it doesn’t. Although i do stress a bit about having too many books to read / reviews to do in my queue. (The old project manager in me angsty about timeliness!)
I must confess that I do miss some of my favourite authors (who I don’t get to review). I haven’t needed to visit the library for about 10mths; and I can’t really afford to buy books at the moment but if I came into some money I’d be buying up big!!!
May 14, 2014
Personally, I prefer a review where a bit of the reviewer’s personality comes through, because it makes it easier for me to decide if it is a book I would be interested in 🙂
May 14, 2014
Hopefully there are lots of readers like you out there Janet!
May 14, 2014
I can’t envisage a life without books!
Writing reviews is deceptively simple as there’s a fine line between revealing enough to attract interest in the book and divulging too much of the story. You’ve managed it with yours, Deb.
Enjoy the forum, sounds great fun. 🙂
May 14, 2014
Awww, thanks Lee-Anne.
May 14, 2014
I so enjoy reading books, but haven’t read one for such a long time. One day I will have the time to once again read a book from cover to cover without interruption!
May 14, 2014
Oh I hope you do – it’s such a pleasurable and cathartic thing to do!
May 16, 2014
Enjoy- I only wish I was around to catch up with you!
May 16, 2014
I know… next time… (Or you could come up here!)