Being a book blogger it’s imperative to offer your readers a simpler way of finding specific reviews that you have written for however long you have been book blogging.  There are many different ways of organizing your review index.  Some bloggers use one or all of the following examples:

• By Author
• By Title
• By Rating
• By Date

Regardless of the ways in which you choose to organize your review index, keeping up with it can be a MAJOR pain in the patootie.  Manually adding and linking your reviews within your indexes frankly can be annoying and time consuming,  especially if you’ve forgotten to do it in a while.  Well thanks to the amazing Ashley at Nosegraze.com, I have found a simple way to AUTOMATE my review indexes so I no longer have to manually add each one.

Following her simple tutorials HERE and HERE, I now have my indexes set up so that any review I complete and post is automatically added to the review indexes by Author and by Title.  And you can so the same!  Now as far as I know, these tutorials will only work for those operating a wordpress site, but I’m sure there has to be a way blogger blogs can do this as well.  It just may take some googling to see if this is available for blogger as well. *EDIT*  According to Ashley this is NOT possible in blogger and she explains in further detail in my comment section and through the link she posted in comments.  Sorry if I got any blogger users hopes up.

Anyway, I just wanted to pass along the information because it has already made my blogging life so much easier.  And Ashley is so nice and helpful if there is anything you don’t understand or something you have a question about!  So go ahead and give it a try, I think you’ll find this information very helpful.

Original article: Let’s Talk About Review Indexes

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Publisher:

MELANIE STRYDER refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy that takes over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. But Wanderer, the invading “soul” who occupies Melanie’s body, finds its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer’s thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she’s never met. Soon Wanderer and Melanie-reluctant allies- set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.

My Thoughts

Just WOW!  I was really not prepared for how amazing this story was.  Exploring themes such as prejudice and tolerance, The Host grips the reader and holds them captive from beginning to end.  The complicated love between Melanie, Jared, Wanda, and Ian was written beautifully and their story peppered with a myriad of characters you won’t soon forget. I was especially fond of Jeb.

The only issues I have with the book (which did not take away from my enjoyment of it at all), is that there never seemed to be any REAL danger.  Whenever the characters found themselves in a sticky situation, they seemed to wriggle out of quite easily.  Also, Meyers seems to have a penchant for pedophilia or pedophile like relationships.  In many of her characters relationships there is a much older guy and a not quite of age young girl.  Why she makes so many of her couples inappropriately aged for each other I’ll never know, but it’s growing a bit tiresome and kinda just makes me feel a bit icky.

Overall though, this story is so worth reading.

Original article: Mini-Review: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

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Which hour was most daunting for you?

I’d have to say hour twenty.  I’m pretty sure that is the hour I fell asleep when trying to finish Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?

I think the complete Narnia series are good books to try.  Although I will admit that I probably would have liked these a lot better had I read them when I was much younger, I still really enjoyed the books I got through and look forward to finishing the series up.  Perhaps with the next read-a-thon?

Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?

NOPE!  I enjoy the read-a-thon every year and have yet to find anything wrong or something I didn’t like.  Well run as usual.

How many books did you read?

I was able to complete THREE books this year.  That’s actually the most I’ve completed in doing these read-a-thons ever.

What were the names of the books you read?

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis.  All are from his Chronicles of Narnia Series

Which book did you enjoy most?

Prince Caspian and VOTDT.  These were the most interesting to me because I saw the movies and had absolutely no idea what was going on.  The books pretty much cleared everything up for me.  The adventure in VOTDT was best though.

Which did you enjoy least?

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.  Only because there wasn’t as much adventure in this one as the subsequent two books.

How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?

As long as I’m feeling good I’ll be participating in the next go round in the fall.  Can’t wait!

Original article: Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-Thon (4): Wrap Up

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Hour Twenty One:

FINALLY!  I completed Voyage of the Dawn Treader which makes my final tally three books.  I accidentally fell asleep for about 30 mins to an hour, but luckily woke up and finished before the read-a-thon ends.  So with three completed I think I’m done for the night and off to get some shut eye.  The wrap up post will be up later today.  Happy Reading to those still up and reading, hang in there!

Hour Fifteen:

Mini-Challenge:  For this challenge, you must turn to page 32 of the book you are currently reading (or the nearest page with text on it) and find the most entertaining phrase to complete the following sentence:

“I would rather read than ________ any day!”

My sentence would read: “I would rather read than sit on the bulwarks any day!

Hour Fourteen:

YAY, I just finished Prince Caspien and now I’ll be moving onto the next book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  But first I’m going to check out the current mini-challenge.  PS: The Lion King is on ABC Family right now!

Mini-Challenge:

Take a book you just finished reading or are currently reading and cast the main character only

• The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
• Prince Caspian:  Prince of Narnia who lives with his King Uncle.  Caspian is the rightful King as his Uncle murdered his father.  Now it is up to Caspian to restore Narnia to how it used to be when Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy reigned as the Kings and Queens.

• 

  Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian

• I picked Ben Barnes because he was already cast in the role as Prince Caspian in the Prince Caspian movie and Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  He is the only person I can picture in the role now.

Hour Twelve:

I’ve made it to page 17 pf Prince Caspian and will be breaking for dinner!  But I do anticipate finishing this book before the read-a-thon is over.

Hour Ten:

Mini-Challenge: This challenge hopefully should be easy and fun. Take a picture of the place and/or book you are reading currently and post it somewhere – twitter, your blog, your choice.

Here is a pic of my current book!

And I’m currently on page 57.  Now back to our regularly scheduled program!

Hour Nine:

Starting Prince Caspian of the Narnia series.

Original article: Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-Thon (4): Updates Hours 8-24

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Hour Eight:

I had the cutest distraction in the form of my 3 year old nephew, so I haven’t gotten as far as I would have liked by this time.  But I did just finish The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.  Now I’m on to Prince Caspien.  Now that the nephew is gone, hopefully I can pick up my pace a bit.

Hour Four:

I’m finally up and about to start.  I don’t think it’s hit hour four quite yet but I’m only about ten minutes away.  Anywho, off to start The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis!

Original article: Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-Thon (4): Updates Hours 4-8

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Well I’ve had a nice long break from the blog and I miss it dearly and you all.  I’m also feeling a lot better and want to get back in the swing of things around here.  I’ve still been reading, there are so many books I won’t have reviews for because I didn’t bother to write out my reviews as I finished.  Anyways, I figure what better way to come back to the blog than by participating in Dewey’s Read-a-Thon.

I finally collected the first 6 books of the Narnia series and will be reading them for the marathon.  Now I had no idea that C.S. Lewis wrote another book AFTER the original series that was meant to be a prequel to all the other books.  But according to Erin over at The Paperback Stash,  the reading order has been mixed up and there are folks that want to read it chronologically, and others by publication date, she has a GREAT post about it!  The only problem for me going chronologically is the fact that the prequel mentions and talks of Narnia and things as if the reader is already familiar, which can get confusing.  So I’ll be reading by publication date.

What is Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-thon? (Taken straight from the Dewey site)

For 24 hours, we read books, post to our blogs about our reading, and visit other readers’ blogs. We also participate in mini-challenges throughout the day. It happens twice a year, in April and in October.

It was created by the beloved Dewey (her blog has since been taken down, so the link won’t work). The first one was held in October 2007. Dewey died in late 2008. We’re still saddened by her absence, but the show must go on. The read-a-thon was renamed to honor its founder in 2009.

Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-thon is hosted by Trish and Shesten, with help from volunteers.

More on the read-a-thon’s history.

Read-a-Thon Date: April 27, 2013

Start Times: Handy Time Zone Chart

Participating:  Sign Up Here

If this is your first Dewey’s Read-a-Thon, be sure to check out Alexis’ great tips!

Original article: Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-Thon (4)

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There are so many mini stories within the major story and none of them seem to connect except to reflect on the demise or decline of old Gods.  But many of them don’t even make sense or are simply not interesting.  Now since becoming a book blogger, I’ve had no problems tossing aside any book that fails to hold my interest sufficiently and moving onto something else.  Life is too darn short to continue reading a book that isn’t interesting.  But there is something in me compelling me to finish this one.  I guess I’m secretly hoping that all of these stories will finally come together and reveal something profound or major.  Or maybe I just like torturing myself!

Anywho, so far I’m not impressed with Mr. Gaiman.  But methinks maybe I started with the WRONG novel of his.  Anyway, here’s hoping it gets better and I can finish this one soon, because I’m tired of reading it.

Do you have any book things you’d like to confess?

Original article: Reader Honesty Moment

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You all are so awesome!  Just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone for your kind words and prayers!  You all always make me feel better!  Recovery is coming along slowly but surely and me and my family are convinced the new medication they put me caused this set back.  Anyway, thank you all so much for your continued support!  I’m still resting up, reading, and recovering.  For my Game of Throne fans, don’t forget the new episode will air this Sunday @ 9 0n HBO!  Maybe we can discuss it and you all can tell me what you think!

I want to send a special shout out and thank you to Alexandria J.!  I tried to find your email address so I could thank you a little more personally, but couldn’t find it to save my life.  Thanks for your kinds words and your generosity!  I really appreciate it and LOVE it!  Thanks for your thoughtfulness and kindness!

Original article: Much Thanks

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Well I’m just back from yet ANOTHER stint in the hospital and I’m exhausted.  I convinced them to release me last night and right now I’m just thankful to be home.  I just can’t think about and maintain this site the way that I WANT to right now.  I will not be abandoning it at all.  But at the present moment, with trying to recover, can’t promise to be posting here with any regularity, which is unfair to any readers I might have out there.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who sends in their prayers and well wishes for me.  You all make me feel worthwhile and you help motivate me to hang in there when sometimes I just want to give up.  Hope all is well with everyone.  You’ll see posts from me off and on here, but only when I have something I really want to say or share.  It’ll be few weeks time before I can get up and running again with any kind of regularity or structure around here because I’m tired and I’m just not feeling it.  Until then, thank you all so much for hanging in there with me, and when I’m feeling it will still be coming round to visit and comment on your blogs.  I do enjoy your posts and discussions so much!

Again, thank you, and I hope everyone out there in blog land is doing great and reading some GOOD books!  I’ll definitely have some time to read and catch up on those!

HAPPY READING EVERYONE!

Original article: Hiatus or Something Like That

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The post Hiatus or Something Like That appeared first on Sort of Beautiful.

Original article: Weekend Reading (4)

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The post Weekend Reading (4) appeared first on Sort of Beautiful.