Publishers Launch BOOKISH for Book Lovers

 
Bookish is a new book site that launched last night. The aim of Bookish is to help readers discover and connect with books and authors.

This is a FREE site that is financed by three of the largest book publishers...Hachette, Penguin and  Simon & Schuster. 
In addition to book recommendations and author profiles, the site offers original essays, interviews and book excerpts.

The Bookish mission statement is "to engage more readers with more books, more authors and with one another". 

Bookish will sell both print and ebooks on it's site, but allows customers to buy from other sources including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieBound.

My Thoughts
Bookish is a brand new site with a great deal of potential. I am really excited about all the features that are offered here. This is much more than a book selling business or book review site. I am especially interested in the opportunity to stay informed on all the latest "book news" in the different subjects that I am interested in.

If you like children's books, Bookish provides top stories from the Bookish editors about children's literature. These articles include information on the newest and best books in the world of kid's lit. It also provides interesting interviews with children's book authors and illustrators. At the bottom of the page is a section called "Related News". Links for recent news articles about children's books are provided with short summaries. 

I think this site is a real WINNER!

Go take a look at BOOKISH and let me know what you think in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: The Essential Book Blog by Ken Howe

The Essential Book Blog: The Complete Bibliophile's Toolkit for Building, Growing and Monetizing Your On-Line Book-Lover's Community (Brinestone Guides)

Author: Ken J. Howe

Publisher: Brinestone Press

Date: August 4, 2012 (Second Edition)


About The Author
Ken Howe is the founder of Brinestone Press, an independent small press established to provide publishing services, including editing, design and formatting, and cover illustration, to the burgeoning army of new indie authors.

Blogging About Books 
Book blogs have exploded in numbers over the past several years. This book provides information about getting a book blog started, finding appropriate books to review, writing book reviews, building a community of readers and monetizing the blog.

The book features 180 links to useful articles, products and services on the Web. 

My Thoughts 
I started my book blog four years ago. I chose this book because there are very few books available on starting and growing a book blog. I try to read each new book that comes out on the subject. 

The information on finding books is good for beginners. When I first started my blog, I would go to the library and check-out the new books to feature on my blog. When I got a Kindle ereader, finding books was no longer a problem. The author explains how to get review books from publishers and free digital books from Amazon and other sites.

I found the section on how to write a good book review very interesting. I have learned that reviewing books is much more than just liking to read. You have to be a good writer and be able to express your opinions in an interesting manner. Dr. Howe gives some excellent tips on how to evaluate a book and write a review that displays your own voice and personality.

The book explains why it is not ethical to charge money for book reviews. He gives a variety of options for monetizing your blog and your services. These are all practical things that can be done by a blogger with average technical know-how.

This book offers dozens of links for finding more information and services to grow a book blog and get more readers. I think this book is a MUST READ for anyone who is thinking about starting a book blog or is just starting out.
A veteran book blogger will find the tips in this book useful for tweaking their existing blog and taking it to the next level.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I purchased a digital copy of this book from Amazon.Com with my personal funds...well worth the money!

I would love for you to FOLLOW this blog. You may use either the Google Friend Connect or the Networked Blog widget to show your support and encouragement.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

The eBook Revolution and a Happy Book Blogger

The year 2011 is quickly coming to a close. This year has seen some dramatic changes for the book publishing and marketing industries.  I can honestly say that the Amazon Kindle has made this a fabulous year to be a reader and a wonderful year to be a book blogger.

The ebook revolution has made a huge difference in the accessibility of books, reports, articles, magazines, newspapers and essays. Amazon has reported that they are selling more ebooks than print books. I believe this trend will continue and I think this opens new doors of opportunities for both authors and readers.

I would like to share a few of my personal observations about the Kindle and the way it has changed my life for the better.

• I downloaded the free Kindle for PC Application to my laptop computer in 2009. I ordered several ebooks and was very pleased with the experience of receiving them in a matter of seconds and reading them on my computer screen. The only problem was that I could not carry my laptop computer in my purse and it was a difficult to curl up in bed with a computer.
• I began dropping hints to my husband that I would like to have a Kindle ebook reader. He didn't know what a Kindle was until he noticed a co-worker using one at his job. She showed him how it worked and he liked it. He also knew that I would like it. In October of 2010, my husband surprised with a Kindle 3.
• I had been writing book reviews on this blog for over a year, but I did not have access to the kinds of books that I really wanted to review. When I got my Kindle, a whole new world opened up to me. I was able to purchase and receive new books on their release date, receive books from authors via email and access free ebooks from Amazon.Com. I am now able to check-out ebooks from the public library and read them on my Kindle.
• My goal for 2012 is to continue to read, review and promote ebooks using this blog, social media outlets and video book trailers. I am a happy book blogger who is dreaming of writing and publishing a book for the Kindle during the next few months.

I would like to thank everyone who has taken time to read this blog during 2011. I appreciate your time and your participation. I wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR and hope to see you again in 2012.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

BBAW Interview Swap

I recently signed-up for the book blogger's interview swap on the Book Bloggers Appreciation Week site. I was given the name of the "Nothing More Delightful Book Blog" by Sarah Merz.
Sarah Merz is the owner of a popular book blog in Germany. I wish I could read German, but Ms. Merz is fluent in English and has shared some delightful information about her blog and her life.


Sarah, please tell us something about your blog.

It is called "Nothing more delightful - Reading from Passion" as this is what reading is for me. Therefore, I also decided to make books my profession and started studying book sciences in Munich in 2004, which is an interdisciplinary programme combining courses on handson skills with business management knowledge. I quickly got interested into two main areas, which are historical development of the international book trade and new digital technologies. Ok, I am not only passionate about reading, but also love studying, which is why I also did a degree in Technology Mangement and an MSc in Material Cultures and the History of the Book in Edinburgh (which also many library-people do, because we worked with special collections and rare books and thought about things like conservation and so on). As my boyfriend is an archaeologist, I wrote my dissertation about the German 19th century archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann and the international publications of his works, which also was a quite funny topic, because Schliemann really has a distinct personality. The next year I will spend in Oxford to do an MA in Digital Publishing at Oxford Brookes University
and I am very much looking forward to it - I think it will be a great year, but I have promised my mum that afterwards I will definitely stop studying and start working - maybe in online marketing of a publisher or something like that.

What kinds of books do you like to read?

What I love to read: quite a lot actually and it is hard to sum up. There is general literature, all-age-titles, fantasy. Since the publication of the Hunger Games I am also especially fond of dystopias*, as you always start to think about things when you read them. I therefore take part in a dystopie challenge. Another of my real passions are books about books or reading - bibliophile titles so to say including books such as The Name of the Rose or The Uncommon Reader. At the moment I am planning to launch a books-for-booklovers-challenge, but this still needs a bit of preparation. And beyond that I love bookish places such as book stores, libraries, birth places or houses of authors but also places out of books such as any Harry Potter locations or so on. There is a little category on my blog, where I load up photos of places. At the moment, there is only one post in this category namely about a German town called Tübingen. Many German writers have lived or visited the city, partly owed to the very old university located there. Goethe for example had his publisher Cotta there and stopped by two times. Now there is a plate remembering his visits saying something like "Goethe upchucked here". But also Mörike, Hölderlin or Hesse lived there. And I do have a category on my blog called Friday Tea, where I ask a question to a certain book blogger every Friday. I initiated this meme, because I am quite new in the "business" and love to get in touch with other book bloggers, which is also why I signed up for the BBAW interview swap.

*Dystopia is defined as a society characterized by poverty, squalor, or oppression. Most authors of dystopian fiction explore at least one reason why things are that way.

I want to thank Sarah for this interview. She is a real inspiration and I wish her much luck in her academic endeavors and her career.

Please visit "Nothing More Delightful" to read Sarah's interview with me. She came up with some great questions and I did my best to answer them.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

New Digital Book Bloggers Directory

Do you use an eReader to receive books to review on your blog? Are you always looking for new books to read and review? Are you hooked on your Kindle or Nook?

I am setting up a new digital book bloggers directory that will feature book bloggers who PREFER to receive their review books in digital format. This directory will help authors connect with bloggers who are interested in reading and reviewing ebooks.


BOOK BLOGGERS ~ Get the word out about your blog!
This directory will help book bloggers connect with authors and readers who are interested in book reviews. Please check the following points before you submit your blog;

• Your blog should be mostly about books and reading. I will visit your blog before I add it to the directory. If I have any questions about the content of your blog, I will contact you.
• I am asking you to post the URL to the Home page of your blog. Please be sure to have a "Review Policy" on your blog so that an author will be able to learn more about the kinds of books that your review.
• Your links will be posted in the directory on a first-come basis. The first link I receive will be at the top of the list.
• You do not have to be a "digital-only" reviewer to be included in this directory. This will be a list of bloggers who "encourage" authors to send books in digital formats.
• The "Digital Book Bloggers Directory" will be a separate page on this blog. I will frequently post links to this directory on Twitter and other social media sites. I encourage you to help me pass the word among your favorite book bloggers.

I Am Hooked On My Kindle Because....
I received my Kindle as a gift almost one year ago. I can honestly say that I am hooked on my Kindle! I can't compare the Kindle to other eReaders because I have never used another product. I can only tell you that I am very, very pleased with the Kindle.

• I now receive 90% of the books that I review on this blog in digital format. I sometimes have a book read and the review posted in less time than it would take an author to send me a print copy in the mail.
• I find that I no longer have stacks of review books that I don't know what to do with. I have about 700 books on my Kindle and it takes up less space than a single print book.
• I like to think that I am making it a little easier for independent authors to send me a review book without incurring the cost of shipping me a print book.
• It is easy to add highlights and notes with the Kindle. I always hated to mark in print books. I can now review all the key passages and notes that I made before I write the review.

Please add a link to your book blog in the Inlinkz widget. If you have any questions or comments, please post them in the Comments Section below.

7 Tips For Writing Book Reviews

How do you write enchanting book reviews that will make readers eager to get their hands on the book? Do good book reviews really sell books?
Here are seven tips for writing book reviews that will have readers anxious to learn more.

1. Always mention the name of the author and the book title in the first paragraph — there's nothing more frustrating than reading a review of a great book but not knowing who wrote it and what the title is! I like to post a picture of the book cover at the beginning of the review.  I hope the cover will make the reader curious about what is inside the book and read the entire review. (Yes, you can judge a book by it's cover.)
   
2. If possible, use one paragraph for each point you want to make about the book. It's a good way to emphasize the importance of the point. It will also make the review easier on the eyes. I like to use bullet points and bold type to emphasize important points in the review.
   
3. Try to get the main theme of the book across in the beginning of your review. Your reader should know right away what he or she is getting into should they choose to read the book. 
   
4. Is the book fiction or non-fiction? Is it a memoir or biography? Does the book fit into a genre like mystery, adventure, or romance? Many book reviewers specialize in specific types of books. My expertise is non-fiction and children's books so I seldom review books outside of these areas. I do not feel qualified to review fantasy and science fiction because I have very little experience with these genres. A book reviewer can fill a need for information in many different niches.
5. What do you like or dislike about the author's writing style? Are there grammatical errors and typos? Is the book appropriate for the intended audience? Is the writing style casual or formal? Are there illustrations? How do the illustrations enhance the story?
6. Try using a few short quotes from the book to illustrate your points. This is not absolutely necessary, but it's a good way to give your reader a sense of the author's writing style.
   
7. Make sure your review explains how you feel about the book and why, not just what the book is about. A good review should express the reviewer's opinion and persuade the reader to share it, to read the book, or to avoid reading it.

These are guidelines that I follow when I write book reviews on this blog. If you have additional tips for writing book reviews, I would love for you to post them in the Comments Section below.

Indie Book Reviewer Yellow Pages

This is an exciting time for authors who are looking for publishing options. Self-publishing has become very popular for authors who want to get their books into the hands of readers quickly and economically. Promotion and marketing of self-published books are critical. The author of a self-published book must find book reviewers to read and post reviews of his book. The Indie Book Reviewer Yellow Pages: A Reference Guide for Self-Published Authors and Small Publishers, by Christine Pinheiro, is a reference for independent publishers and self-published authors who need free publicity and promotion for their books.

The author sent out questionnaires asking the book reviewers to give detailed descriptions of their blogs. There are approximately 100 book blogs featured in this book. This is the second edition of the book and it was updated in April, 2011.

The following information is given about the book blogs featured in this book;

• Formats accepted (Physical copies or ebooks)
• Genres that are accepted (fiction, non-fiction, children's, erotica, young adult, etc.)
• Blog URL
• Email contact information
• Number of followers
• Approximate turn-around time for reviews
• Frequency of posts
• How long the site has been active
• Overall blog rating
• Comments from the reviewer

The author frequently updates her list of book reviewers on Step-By-Step Self-Publishing. The reviewers are listed on the web site but the detailed information about each site is available only in the book.

This book inspires me because...it provides detailed information about many of my fellow book bloggers. I am not the author of a self-published book, but I have spent many hours visiting each of these review sites. I have learned some great ways to improve my own blog by checking out the book blogs listed in this book.
I purchased the Kindle edition of this book for $2.99. If you are an author looking for book reviewers, I recommend taking a look at the web site first. The book is a fantastic resource if you would like detailed information about the book review blogs.

Confessions Of A Book Blogger

I would like to share the method that I have developed to choose books to read and review. I wish I had time to read every book that attracted my attention, but that is not possible. I have developed the following method that works for me and I would like to share it.

Contacts From Authors And Publicists

Over the past several months, I have read and reviewed quite a few books from independent authors and book publicists.  Unfortunately, I feel like a kid in a candy store when I get these requests. I accept more than I can read in a reasonable amount of time. I have a terrible case of the guilties each time I look at the books that I have not read yet.  I have decided NOT to accept anymore books in the mail. I will accept books from authors if they can send them in PDF or MOBI format so that I can read them on my Kindle.

My Passions
I have identified the following subjects that I am passionate about. These are subjects that I will base my book selections on in the future.

• Christian Living
• Entrepreneurship
• Social Media Marketing
• Children's Picture Books (especially children's books for the Kindle)
• Self-Help, Psychology, Life Coaching
• Biography and Memoirs

I have never been a big fiction reader.  I remember my first trips to the public library with my family. I went straight to the biography section and searched for "real people" books.  I later majored in social studies with an emphasis in history at college. I have learned that I am a happy camper when I am reading a good non-fiction book.

Choosing Books To Read

My husband recently gave me an Amazon Kindle. I am now totally hooked. I no longer borrow books from the library or visit book stores. This is how I choose the books that I want to read and review;

• I go to Amazon.Com and seach the Kindle Store for books that have been published in the past 30 days.
• I type in the subjects that I am interested in and then notice the top ten best sellers in that category.
• I check the number of reviews that the book has received and then read both the positive and negative comments.
• Many times the Amazon page will show more books on the same subject.  I also check these books out. 
• When I decide on one book that I believe I would like to review, I download the free sample that is provided by Amazon. I also do some research on the author to see if this is really the book that I want to invest in.
• When I make the decision to buy a book, I just click the Purchase button and I am happily reading the book on my Kindle 60 seconds later.

Free Books For The Kindle From Amazon

Amazon frequently offers free Kindle books. I have downloaded many free books in the past several months. The key is to be selective and only download books that really interest you. I have read and reviewed several of these free books and they have been excellent quality. 

Remember, you do not have to have a Kindle to read these free books. You can download the FREE Kindle for PC Application and read books on your computer.

A Happy Booker

I no longer have a huge stack of unread books on my desk. I have found that it is much better to be highly selective in choosing the books that I read and review. I seldom waste my time reading a "bad" book because of the research that I do before I read it. My book reviews are positive because I make it a point to read good books. 

The Kindle 3

Several weeks ago my husband surprised me with a new Kindle 3 book reader.  I had been hinting for a long time, but I was totally surprised when he brought it home.  I had been using the Kindle for PC application for about six months and really liked it.  The only problem is that I couldn't stick my laptop computer in my purse and take my books with me everywhere I went.
Well, I have a Kindle now and I can take my books everywhere I go.  I am sure there are many things that this little gadget will do that I have not yet discovered but I will tell you the six things I love about my Kindle;

(1) I have access to over 700,000 thousand books from the Amazon web site. 

(2)  There are dozens of Kindle books available free of charge.  Some of these books are the public domain books, but many modern authors are also allowing their new books to be downloaded free for a limited time.  I belong to a couple of Facebook groups that feature free Kindle books each day.

(3)  It is very fast.  When I choose a book, it takes about 30 seconds for the name of the book to appear on my Kindle.  I can choose a brand new book and be reading it the same day that it is released by the publisher.  I can also pre-order books so they will arrive on my Kindle on the release date.

(4) I really like the way I can highlight key passages and add notes to my books as I read them.  The really cool thing about the highlighting feature is that I can see the passages that other people have highlighted. 

(5)  With the wi-fi feature, I can highlight passages in my book and post them on Twitter or Facebook.  Honestly, I have not used my Kindle very much to post on the web.  I have been too busy reading my books.

(6)  The Kindle books are reasonably priced.  Most of the books are $9.99 or less and I am not charged sales tax. I don't have books piling up all over my house ~ My husband is happy about that !

I love to read books and write book reviews.  The Kindle is making the task of finding good books so much easier.  Three cheers for the Kindle!