Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog

Thinking Back

Ugh, is it really October already? Where did the year go? It still feels like it should be summer or something.

September was a really fun month for me, though. I loved participating in Book Blogger Appreciation Week. I did basically everything I said I wanted to do in September, plus more. There were a few bumps along the road, sure, but I have a good feeling about October and all the things I’m planning to do for the rest of the year. If I can keep from getting completely burnt out on stuff, I should be fine. Continue reading »

Thinking Back

I did it! I read one book a day in July! Well, it was more like the equivalent of one book a day, as normally I ended up reading two books most days to make up for not finishing a book all in one day. But the important thing is that I did it! Yay!

So, what did I learn? I learned that a) I can pry myself away from the computer quicker if I have a goal to meet, b) it’s a lot of fun spending the whole afternoon reading, and c) my TBR books are a lot more fun to read than I think they are.

I don’t know what it is, but whenever I look at my TBR shelves I keep thinking “I have nothing to read. I don’t want to read those books. I want new books!” even though presumably I put those books on my TBR shelves because I thought they would be good to read. Before when that happened I’d just go out and buy new (but used) books. Now that I’ve cut out buying books I’m basically forced to read my TBR books, so I’m trying not to be silly about it. I have gotten rid of the ones that truly did look boring, and the ones that remain look a bit more enticing than they did before. I suppose it also helps that I found a stack of TBR books hiding behind some non-TBR books (I’m reading one now). Continue reading »

Thinking Back

May was so great! I think it was my favorite month of the year so far, because despite some unhappy things in the beginning it ended on a fantastic note. I went to BEA! I met tons of other bloggers! I figured out what I want to do with my life! I read some really good books and I have at least two month’s worth of more really good books!

Really, May should just be a month full of exclamation marks. Don’t you think?

For June, my goals are to keep reading my BEA books and get that unread stack smaller. I’m also doing my first book tour, which is exciting, and my Nerds Heart YA decision is coming up soon, too! (Btw, there’s a contest going on!) I’m also going to be working on getting rid of a lot of stuff in my Real Life, so whenever I’m ready to move I won’t have to move two tons of my things. (Maybe just one ton.)

Re:moving, I’m still aiming to leave late August if I can, but now I’m worried I don’t have enough of a savings to get me through an unemployment period (or even an internship + part-time job combo). I’ve been applying to some (non-book) jobs around here and I’m hoping I get something so I can save some more. If I DO get a job I may push back my moving date a bit to give myself a chance to save more. If I don’t get a job I don’t know what I’ll do. But basically: by 2012 I want to be doing SOMETHING in publishing!

And finally, thank you to the people who’ve kept encouraging me to pursue my dream career even after I freaked out at them about, like, everything! ♥

Reading Stats

11 total books read
8 total books reviewed
2 ebooks
0 audiobooks
9 pbooks

9 were by authors new to me
0 were rereads!

Top 3 Books

44. Rebecca – Daphne du Maurier [rating: Buy it]
46. Dead End in Norvelt – Jack Gantos [rating: 4.5]
51. A Handful of Dust – Evelyn Waugh [rating: 5] Continue reading »

Thinking Back

March was an unusual month for me. For the first time in a long while I haven’t really felt like reading. I actually went a whole week without even picking up a book! I haven’t done that since my first year of college, when I was overwhelmed with class stuff and couldn’t work up the energy to read for fun. I’m not in school now, so I don’t know why I just haven’t been into reading lately.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been busy doing other things, some of which are actually useful (like my new pseudo-part time online job) and some of which are just time-wasters (Sushi Cat). Back in February I thought I had gotten a routine down, where I’d get off the internet and spend a few hours reading, but then I got reader’s fatigue and that all went to shit. Last week I managed to get away from the computer because of the cold– I made myself a nest on my bed and read for a few hours each day that way. That was nice, but now I’m back to not wanting to move from the computer chair.

On the other hand, I think I’ve made a rather large improvement in my review writing! Well, sort of. Some reviews are more improved than others. I’ve been really liking my new Thursday Tea style, though! What with the introspection or…whatever.

For April I want to:
a. work out a way to get me reading more often. I use to read three books a week back when I was in school, surely now that I’m out and only pseudo-employed I can read at least four. But I’ll start with a goal of two books a week and work my way up to four.
b. keep working on improving my reviews. I know how I can improve more, it’s just the actual doing that’s difficult. Maybe what would help is to get feedback from people? Oooh, that’s an idea. Is there a book reviewer equivalent of a writing circle?
c. declutter my room of unwanted books. I’ve been trying to sell some online but it’s not going well or quickly, so I’m thinking I’ll just drag a bunch to a used bookstore and see what happens. I really need to do something soon, though, because navigating around the stacks of books is becoming somewhat dangerous. This is especially important since I assume I’ll be bringing a lot of books home with me from BEA in May.

What are your goals for April? Continue reading »