Today we have another great book blogger talking about reading and blogging. Have a look and maybe drop by and pay Anne a visit! Below is how she describes herself…
I’m Anne, I’m fifty and I live in Lincolnshire, although I grew up in neighbouring Nottinghamshire. I’m married to Martin and we have two cats, Costa and Nero.
I’ve worked in the voluntary and community sector for years and took a break from work last summer. I’ve returned to work, part time at our local Hospice and I love it.
I’ve also started working freelance for a couple of smaller publishers, doing Admin work, organising publicity and Blog Tours and I love it.
I’m the founder of Book Connectors on Facebook – a group of bloggers and authors who chat books, support and cheer for each other.
Welcome to the blog, thanks for stepping away from yours for a few minutes to answer some questions about book blogging.
We’ll start with the easy questions and then see where we go from there!
How long have you been book blogging and what prompted you to start?
Random Things Through My Letterbox will be six years old in March this year, I really don’t know where the time has gone to!
I’ve been posting my book reviews online for around ten years; on Amazon, Goodreads, Waterstone’s and for NewBooks Magazine.
A few publishers contacted me and asked if I’d like to review some of their publications, and I thought that a blog would be the best way to keep my reviews together in the same place. I was also inspired by Ian Carpenter, the author of a book called Guardianwork. His book and blog were so original, I wanted to do something along the same lines, about the things that arrived through my letterbox.
So my blog was born, and continues to grow.
Tell us a little bit about your blog, what will blog readers find there?
Random Things Through My Letterbox is a blog about books and authors.
I post reviews of the books that I have read and also host Blog Tours, although my Blog Tour spot will always feature my review. I don’t feature books or authors that I haven’t yet read on Random Things.
I also have a special feature called ‘My Life In Books’ – where authors talk about the books that are important to them – in 2017 I’m extending this to other publishing folk too, not just authors.
What’s your favourite part about book blogging?
I really enjoy all of it, and if I could do it full-time, I would.
The best bit is the books! Receiving parcels in the post full of delicious new titles never gets boring.
The book blogger community is fabulous too, I really enjoy being part of it. There’s so much help and support out there.
What has been your highlight since you’ve started?
There have been so many! Seeing my reviews quoted on real books! Attending fabulous events. Getting over half a million views
Just this week I was absolutely thrilled to find out that I am a finalist in the UK Blog Awards 2017, in the Arts & Culture category. Getting to the final is a huge achievement, especially as Random Things is just a regular Blogspot hosted blog. I don’t own my domain name, it’s not a fancy, swanky design. Being voted for by followers, and for content over style is wonderful!
If you could carry on blogging but could stop doing one thing (that’s maybe a necessary part of the process now) what would it be?
I don’t think there is anything that I really dislike doing.
What advice would you give to anyone who is considering starting a book blog?
Have an aim! Ask yourself why you want to start a book blog. If it’s because you want some free books, well think again. That’s not a reason to start a blog.
Think about what you want to do, make sure you have a review policy, and stick to it.
Don’t be influenced by other bloggers. Do your own thing. Enjoy it!
How much time does it take up?
Lots! I try to write quite a few blog posts and save them up so that I can post them when needed. I never post more than one piece per day, and don’t post everyday.
What are your reading habits like?
Wide and varied and sometimes bizarre. I only read print books and I have a real love for hardbacks. Yes, I know they are heavier and awkward to carry, but I’ve been doing it for almost 50 years, I think I’ll carry on!
My reading tastes are varied. I love a cracking psychological thriller or crime story, but am not keen on ‘cosy crime’, although I am assured that cosy crime is fashionable this year!
I do like a good debut too, it’s wonderful to discover a new author.
There’s not a lot that I won’t read, although I’m not keen on fantasy, science-fiction, erotica, or military fiction.
What state is your TBR (To Be Read) pile in?
OK, OK, I admit it. I’m a book addict, my TBR is beyond ridiculous. It probably stands at around 1200 unread books at the moment. I know, I know!!
What do you drink while reading?
My brew of choice is tea. Good, strong tea, no sugar, plenty of milk and preferably Yorkshire Tea
Where’s your favourite place to read?
I read everywhere and anywhere. I do love to read on a train though, it feels very decadent to have a couple of hours to myself, to read and do nothing else, and of course, it passes the journey and you don’t have to talk to anyone! I also love to read on holiday, on a sunbed, by the pool – perfection!
What book would you recommend, that gets little attention, that you haven’t really seen talked about? And why, what is it about this book that you love?
The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. I reviewed it on Random Things in April 2015 and adored it. It just doesn’t seem to have had the attention that it deserves. It’s about books and book selling and all book lovers will adore it, they just need to read it!
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these. It’s been a pleasure having you.
You can find Anne on her Blog and Twitter
Lainy SMBSLT says
Great wee feature and always nice leaening more about our friends & fellow bloggers.
Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net
Margot M Kinberg says
I really am learning so much from this feature! Thanks, Rebecca. And I do love that idea of discussing authors and the books that have meant a lot to them. That’s a really interesting feature! Thanks, both
Sally says
What a fantastic feature. Great to learn something about the people behind the screens
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Free books is probably not a good reason to start.
Sorry you don’t like the speculative fiction genre but don’t blame you on skipping erotica.