Top Ten Tuesday (45) - Ten Websites I Love That Aren't About Books

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because they are particularly fond of lists there at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love us to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of their bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on their post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share.  If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. 

The topic this week is:

Ten Websites I Love That Aren't About Books

I don't really go on a lot of websites that aren't about books, but the ones I do are pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.  I'm going to break it down into categories in order to show off some more specific things.  These are all sites/channels/places of awesome I visit on the regular!

Bloggers:

Girl's Gone Child 

I know it's weird that I read a "mom" blog when I'm not even a parent, but there is just something so beautiful about Rebecca's family.  She also writes about being woman, being confused/scared, life in general.  And those entries are the ones I really love.

The Militant Baker

Jes is a body positivity badass, and one of my role models for sure.  Her outlook on fatphobia, and a fat woman's place in society is very empowering.  She has helped me deal with some of my issues, and she is just fucking hilarious!

Miss Geeky

I am a self-affirmed geek (I mean you can't love books as much as I do without being a geek).  Therefore, I love Melinda's blog because she reviews all the fun geeky stuff I'm into, and introduces me to things I might not know about yet!

Vloggers/YouTubers:

Sarah Snitch

Sarah is the first vlogger I saw on YouTube that talked so much about Disney.  I love her humor, her enthusiasm, and her heart.  She does really interesting videos all over the geeky spectrum, but her Disney content is top notch, and brings me back every time!

Casey Neistat

Let's talk motherfucking amazing content.  Casey does a vlog every. single. day. of. the. year.  And they aren't shitty, or uninteresting.  He lives his life authentically, and puts his mad-video skills to great gain.  If you never watch any other vlogger/YouTuber other than Casey, you'll be set.

Grace Helbig

Please go watch Grace.  Please!!  She is hilarious, smart, and unapologetic.  Her humor is so original, and she just is such a fun person to watch.  The ideas she comes up with sometimes, I don't even know.  Each video, even if it's premise is the stupidest thing ever, is great.  She makes it great.

Fleur De Force

Hands down the sweetest beauty guru out there.  I love Fleur because it never feels like she makes her videos just to be "on top".  If you watch beauty gurus like I do, you'll know what I mean.  She is genuine, with both her reviews and her product endorsements.  Also her vlog channel (Fleurdevlog) is full of super cute day in the life, starring her, her very handsome husband, and there three adorable puppies!  Love her so much!

Bits and Bobs:

Check Please!

HOCKEY! ROMANCE! SHENANIGANS!  This webcomic has it all!  It is my favorite thing ever, and has taken over my tumblr for real.  It is so so so good, and you should check it out if you haven't already!

Texts From Last Night

Humor gold. The things that people text under the influence (alcohol, drugs, or stupidity - take your pick) is crazy.  If I want a quick chuckle, I definitely head over here.

Instagram

This site is my life blood.  I am obsessed with posting photos, and I love seeing my friends lives through photos when I can't be there with them.  I've always been an obsessive photographer ever since middle school, so finally having somewhere to post those photos is amazing.

As you can tell, I love the Internet.  I am constantly hooked in, and I know some people think that's horrible, but that is how I experience the world at large.  I get to "meet" new people, sometimes half way around the world.  I get to read interesting posts and learn about new things.  I get to share a piece of my life with people who may need that connection. 

Please check out the websites I shared; they're all pretty great in different ways.  Leave me suggestions of your favorite websites (both about books and not about books ;) ) in the comments!

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My Blog Bestie (BFFBlogHop Stop + Giveaway)

I am so excited to be a part of the Blog Friends Forever Tour hosted by Fiction Fare and Swooney Boys Podcast.  These awesome four ladies put the word out there that they wanted to celebrate all of us book crazy nuts who blog, vlog, instagram, podcast, and just generally get excited about books!  I'm happy to help shine some light on this amazing and welcoming community that I have been a part of for the last almost 5 years (my blogoversary is November 29th)!

For this tour since it's Blog Friend themed, I thought what better way to celebrate but to talk about not only one of my blogger friends, but one of my real best friends!!!

This girl right here:

That's Erin, or better known on the 'net as Uniquely Geeky Girl.  I met her back during our Undergraduate program.  We were both Creative Writing majors, but we actually met in Spanish I.  She is so sweet and soft-spoken that at first I was like "I'm going to completely alienate this girl!" (It's because I'm pretty loud and opinionated).  But luckily, she didn't care and we struck up a friendship filled with Spanish tutoring (her helping me...I'm hopeless at Spanish) and mutual love of tuna with jalapeños (we hit up Subway every day after class...they started pur order when we walked in).

From that class on, we tried to make sure to have at least one class together; it helps when your majors are the same.  Then we found out we worked at the bookstore on campus together, so we were able to hang out even more.  And through all of these situations where we were together, we found that not only was writing a passion we shared but books, and more importantly Young Adult books, were totally our jam!!!!

By our senior year of UG I had already started my book blog.  At first it was an everything blog, but my second major (sadly of which Erin was not a part of) Education really jump started it with an assignment for one class where we had to "blog" about attending the NCTE Annual Convention.  So with that a gateway to book blogs opened up and off I went.

Meanwhile, Erin and I were talking all the time about books: which did we like, which we hated, which would make good movies and on and on and on.  And then the time came for graduation and the BIG QUESTION: What the heck are we going to do with our lives?!  That answer, luckily, came in the form of Graduate School and the Library and Information Sciences Master Program at our university.

Okay, so now HERE's where book blogging really starts up for both of us.  I'm still going strong with my little ole blog here, and Erin is embarking on a grand adventure of co-blogging with two of our friends over at Y.A. Book Addicts.  As some of you who also co-blog may know that can come with blessings and curses.  But they do still post over there, and now that all three are in a more stable place with their adult lives (ahhhhh adulthood is sooooo much fun), hopefully that blog will be getting some good ole TLC!

But during that time, Erin and I were also on our grand journey through the world of library science!  We got to attend YALSA's Young Adult Services Symposium, which was so very cool!

In St. Louis, MO at YALSA Symposium

We're just the cutest, right?  I think this is an event which really kind of hit home for both of us that YA literature was our passion, and we want to be involved with it in any way, shape, or form.

So on top of Y.A. Book Addicts, Erin also has a personal book/pop culture blog over at Uniquely Geeky Girl.  I think she is doing a really great job of infusing the blog with all of her multiple geeky interests (superheroes, vampires, hobbitsies, all kinds of things) and so I really want you to check her out!!  She is working on still building this particular blog up, but she does some really fun features, like Top Ten Tuesdays, Waiting on Wednesdays, and Fanart Friday (which I believe is her own invention).  She also highlights the books and comics (we're both huge comic nerds) that are newly released each month and which she is excited about.

So this is my Blog Bestie, who also happens to be my Real Bestie.  I think the best friends are the ones you share interests with, and Erin is just the girl I want to geek out over books!  And now that you've read this looooooong diatribe (hey, cut me some slack, I love the girl!) keep moving down to find not just one but TWO giveaways for you to enter!!!!

STOPS ON THE HOP

For some extra fun and to hop around to some of the other blogs participating, check out my fellow day posters below!

ReadWriteLove28 – Favorite Newbies 

Once Upon A Twilight – Top Bookstagrammers

Rattle the Pages – Top 10 Book Bloggers

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!

First up is MY giveaway in order to celebrate my awesome bestie and to thank all of you for stopping by my stop on the blog hop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Second up is the HOP WIDE giveaway!  A bunch of us chipped in to bring you all an amazing prize opportunity!  So check it out!!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a6ca59ee278/

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Celebrating The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare by MG Buehrlen [Guest Post & Giveaway]

One of our own (as in fellow book blogger), MG Buehrlen, has made her authorial debut with the release of The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare! So excited for her, and in love with the concept behind her book!  

To help spread the word and celebrate the release I have a lovely guest post from MG talking about how blogging helped her get published, as well as a giveaway for one lucky winner!  Please check out the post, and check out the book because it is a must-read!

5 Ways Book Blogging Helped Me Get Published

Guest post by M.G. Buehrlen

When I started running YABooksCentral.com (a book review site and social network for book lovers) five years ago, I was a struggling writer with a stack of form rejections under my bed. I had already finished my first novel, but I had no idea what to do with it. I didn’t know how to write a compelling query letter, I didn’t know how to find the right agent for my work, and most importantly, I didn’t have a mentor who could look at my manuscript and tell me if it was actually worth pursuing.

I’ve dreamed of being an author since I could put pencil to paper, but that dream was going nowhere fast. Once I immersed myself in the book blogging world, however, all that began to change. Within three years, I had my dream agent. Within four years, I had a publishing deal.

Here are five ways I believe book blogging helped take my career to the next level:

Community
There is nothing more important than a solid writing community. Book blogging put me in touch with authors all around the world, authors who quickly became my friends and who have mentored me through countless revisions, queries, synopses, all of it. They’d been through the wringer and knew the drill, and they were sweet and kind enough to show me the way. (They’re still mentoring me, because I don’t think you ever stop learning in this biz.) I never would have gotten the insider advice I did if I hadn’t plunged into this amazing book-loving community.

Knowing What’s Out There
In order to keep YABC up-to-date with all the latest titles, *I* have to be up-to-date on all the latest titles. That means reading every book that crosses my desk. Back when I first started, I read a book a day to keep up with the huge stack of advanced copies publishers sent me each week. To sell a novel, you have to do your research. You can’t pitch something that’s already out there. Book blogging gave me a front row seat when it came to which books and genres and storylines were on popping up on the shelves, and which books were making readers foam at the mouth for the sequels.

Knowing What’s Selling
Book blogging also gave me the insider scoop on book deals as they happened in real-time. When a book deal is made, publicists send out the good news so book bloggers can spread the word and help drum up early excitement. This helped keep my finger on the current market trends. Not that I advise writing to trends, but knowing the current trends can be an advantage. Sometimes, when the market is too saturated with one certain trend, working on a book idea that’s outside the box could get you noticed by publishers. Conversely, if you have a manuscript that fits the trend, and you’ve got a unique spin on it, publishers might be more apt to sit up and take notice, too.

Name Recognition
Another way book blogging helped was name recognition. If you’re respectful, diligent, and professional, publishers will take notice. And if you’re in it for the long haul, that dedication will shine through. People will remember your name, not just your blog’s name. They’ll learn what you’re about, see how hard you work, and see how passionate you are about getting that first book deal. Book blogging helped me build a name for myself in the industry long before I signed my first contract.

Critique Group
The most important thing I’ve gained as a book blogger are the writer friendships I’ve made along the way. Through this job, I’ve met kindred spirits, best friends, and trusted advisors. I built a critique group of authors who know my writing style, know what I’m trying to say, and can help point me in the right direction, creatively. Having a good critique group is so important, especially for newbies like me. I can learn more about the craft in one phone call with a critique partner than I can reading a dozen how-to books. And the inspiration and encouragement they give is unlike anything else, from anywhere else.

I’m not saying book blogging was a direct line to getting my first novel published. A great deal more went into it than that, but I do believe my book blogging experience sped up the process for me. Who knows where I’d be if I hadn’t started running YABC five years ago. I don’t think I’d have my first book on the shelf so soon. I might have even given up by now if I hadn’t plunged myself into this industry and devoted every waking moment to learning the ropes.

Book blogging wasn’t (and isn’t) just a hobby for me. It was a crash course in publishing, one I’m so glad I stumbled upon. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be involved with an amazing site like YABC and the amazing group of book reviewers who run the site with me. And I’m happy to stand side-by-side with incredible blogs like Literary Rambles and all the others I’ve come to know and love over the years.

The online book community is the absolute best.

Title: The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare

Author: MG Buehrlen

Publisher: Strange Chemistry

Release Date: March 4, 2014

One girl. Fifty-seven lives. Endless ways to die.

For as long as 17-year-old Alex Wayfare can remember, she has had visions of the past. Visions that make her feel like she’s really on a ship bound for America, living in Jamestown during the Starving Time, or riding the original Ferris wheel at the World’s Fair.

But these brushes with history pull her from her daily life without warning, sometimes leaving her with strange lasting effects and wounds she can’t explain. Trying to excuse away the aftereffects has booked her more time in the principal’s office than in any of her classes and a permanent place at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Alex is desperate to find out what her visions mean and get rid of them.

It isn’t until she meets Porter, a stranger who knows more than should be possible about her, that she learns the truth: Her visions aren’t really visions. Alex is a Descender – capable of traveling back in time by accessing Limbo, the space between Life and Afterlife. Alex is one soul with fifty-six past lives, fifty-six histories.

Fifty-six lifetimes to explore: the prospect is irresistible to Alex, especially when the same mysterious boy with soulful blue eyes keeps showing up in each of them. But the more she descends, the more it becomes apparent that someone doesn’t want Alex to travel again. Ever.

And will stop at nothing to make this life her last.

(Goodreads)

Buy the Book!

Book Depository/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/Inkwood Books

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RULES:

• Open oInternationally!  
• Must be 13 years old to enter. 
• ONE winner will win a finished copy.
• Winner will be contacted by email to inform them they won.
• Winner has 48 hours to respond with mailing address or a new winner will be chosen. 
• NO PO BOXES as prizes tend to be lost when sent there.
• I claim no responsibility for lost prizes.
• Once recipient has received prize, all personal information is deleted.

Meet the Author

When she’s not writing, M.G. moonlights as a web designer and social media/creative director.

She’s the current web ninja lurking behind the hugely popular website 

YABooksCentral.com, a social network for YA (and kids!) book lovers. 

The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare is her debut novel. M.G. lives nestled away in Michigan pines, surrounded by good coffee and good books, with her husband and son and three furbabies. 

Check her out on the web!

Twitter/Facebook/Tumblr/Pinterest/Website

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Top Ten Tuesday (14)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because they are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of their bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.

The topic this week is: Top Ten Tips For New Book Bloggers


I suppose I could call myself a seasoned book blogger (even after just a year and 4 months), but I'm still trying to get the hang of this thing.  Believe me there are a ton of bloggers out there way more savvy then me, BUT I do have some advice to impart on you younglings!!

1. Figure out which blogging platform works best for you!  There are two main ones which people use: Blogger and Wordpress.  Both of these have their pros and cons, but it's really what works best for you.  I'd read some reviews of both to gain a feel for them.  Both are free to use and web-based, so they're simple to start with.  
2. Set up a separate email account for your blog!  It is easier to have all your blog comments, email inquires, and review requests come to the same email.  This helps avoid you missing something, and if you ever stop blogging you still have your personal email intact.  This also makes it easier to set up other social networking sites which I will talk about as well.
3. Get on Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, Youtube, and Pinterest!  Social networking is you friend; it can help you reach a larger audience and allows you to post content in a multitude of places.  If you have to pick one go with Twitter!  It is the fasest way to get information out, and to connect with other bloggers.  Then after that I'd go with Facebook.  The other three are fun, but not as important from the get go.
4. Browse other book blogs and find ones you like!  Do a Google or Twitter search to find relevant blogs.  And there are all kinds out there.  Some specialize in certain genres, others certain age groups, and others that are a mixed bag.  For instance, I read mostly YA book blogs because that's my interest.  To keep all of the blogs you find organized, you can use a feedburner.  there are several out there, but the one I use is Netvibes.  Super simple, and keeps all my blogs in order!
5. Comment, comment, comment!  Once you find those blogs you like, start commenting!  This is a fast way to get followers yourself, and to make friends within the blogosphere.  It's also good manners to comment on a post; the blogger puts time and effort in posting and it's nice to be appreciated.
6. Make a schedule you can keep!  Don't try and be super blogger because you'll burn out.  It may seem easy at first, especially if you start during a slow time in your life, but as you get more and more busy, it becomes harder and harder to keep up.  That's why I suggest keeping a schedule.  Pick days or times you write posts that work with your life.  And don't be too hard on yourself if you miss a post.  This needs to be fun not just for the reader, but for you as the writer; a schedule helps with that!  Some online options are: Remember the Milk, Day Viewer, & picoBeat
7. Write extra posts early!  If you have a free couple of hours then I suggest writing extra posts up and scheduling them to post.  This saves my butt a ton of times!  Usually there's a schedule button that you use to choose both date and time of post.  Very convenient for vacations or busy times .
8. Don't focus so much on what you don't have yet!  This could include the number of followers you have or getting ARCs for review.  This stuff will come, believe me!  Ask any season blogger, and they'll let you know that those things didn't come right away!  It takes perseverance, and time to show how awesome you are!  Because we all know it, but sometimes it takes publishers a little bit of time to find out ; )  Also, if you do the comments thing, you should be getting reciprocal action.  See it's all part of the circle of blogging!
9. Features are fun, but try to find your own thing too!  There are a TON of features to choose from all over the blogosphere (including this one).  Some of my favorites are In My Mailbox, Top Ten Tuesday, Teaser Tuesday, and Waiting on Wednesday.  There are other awesome ones as well.  They are great for pageviews, but original content is really what makes followers stay.  Think of things you really love, and blog about those!  If you like movies, go ahead and blog it up!  Knitting your thing?  Then let us know what it's all about!  When you're a book blogger remember that's not the only thing you are, and your followers are just as diverse!
10. Have fun!  The last thing I have to tell you is just to have fun with it all!  Seriously, that is the one thing I hope the most that you take away from this little list!

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