I’m giving myself lots of options for May. Check out Sarah’s blog for this month’s link-up.
What are you planning on reading this month?
It’s time for another month of the 365 Days of YA Challenge! You can find April’s sign-up link over at Sarah’s blog. I will admit that I’ve not been doing well at all with my goals but I’m really hoping to turn things around this month. I just bought Mosquitoland and Red Queen so I’m going to read them next for the challenge, along with An Ember in the Ashes and The Wrath and the Dawn.
What are you planning on reading this month?
I am very excited to be participating in my first Book Blogger Love-A-Thon. Thank you so much to Alexa for hosting this fun event. I know I’m a little late to the game with posting this questionnaire but hopefully that’s ok. Read on to learn a little more about me.
1. What’s your name? Kate 
2. Where in the world are you blogging from? Ohio
3. How did you get into blogging in the first place? Stumbled upon book blogs after graduating college and decided to start my own so I would have something to do. I was pretty sad about being unemployed.
4. How did you come up with your blog name? My blog has gone through several name changes. I started out as Literary Explorations and then got tired of that and started BiblioWino. Recently I just wanted something simple that truly reflected me so the current blog is also my twitter name.
5. What genre do you read and review the most on your blog? I mostly read Young Adult but I’m also a big historical fiction and romance fan.
6. What other types of posts do you do on your blog, apart from reviews? I have started getting back into some of the memes so I’ll do Top Ten Tuesday and book haul posts. I’d like to add some more variety though in the future. I used to do a lot more with Literary Explorations but the new blog has taken me some time to get back into honestly with work and personal life.
7. Best blogging experience so far? Going to author signings has been some of my best experiences. The city where I live currently doesn’t have many so I really miss that. The most memorable has been the Fierce Reads tour. Meeting Leila Sales was amazing since she’s one of my favorite authors.
8. Favorite thing about the blogging community? How I can always find someone to talk to about a book I just read or that I’m excited is being published. Bloggers are seriously the nicest and most open people. I have made so many friends that I hope to meet up with some day.
9. Name the 5 books you’re most excited for in 2015! Madly by Ruthie Knox, Sound by Alexandra Duncan, Tonight the Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales, No Where But Here by Katie McGarry, and The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord.
10. What’s an underrated book or series that you think everyone should read? The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen was one of the first series that got me reading YA in college so I would highly recommend to people who like historical fiction. Plus the covers are gorgeous. Do yourself a favor and just buy the boxed set.
11. Which book boy or girl would be your book BFF? I would want Chelsea from Past Perfect to be my best friend because we could talk about our love of history and the jobs we’ve had at museums. 🙂
12. Apart from reading, what are your other hobbies or interests? I enjoy exploring my city, going to the mall, yoga and spinning (if my new gym ever opens), and spending time with my cats. My boyfriend and I go running and take walks in our neighborhood or stay in and watch TV/movies. We also go to Blue Jackets games. 🙂
13. Apart from book shopping, what else do you like shopping for? I like shopping for office supplies, cute notebooks/notepads, and stickers. I also enjoy occasionally buying clothes and shoes. I love when I can find unique stores with fun household and gift items. I end up at Target once a week. 🙂
14. At a party, the DJ suddenly changes the song–and it’s your song. What song would be playing? I never go to parties and lately I’ve been on a Broadway kick. However, Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding is my jam right now. I find all of her music easy to relate to.
15. Pick out either a book you want turned into a film/TV show, or a film/TV show you want turned into a book? I just finished Bone Gap and could visualize it as a mystery/thriller movie in my head. There were a lot of interesting characters in it.
We are almost finished with our 2nd month of the reading challenge! Thank you so much for participating in February’s 365 Days of YA Reading Challenge! If you are new to our challenge check out the Epic Reads infographic and read our intro post. We will have another sign-up post in March. Sarah and I are very excited to see what all of you have been reading. As a way to celebrate, Epic Reads has generously donated FIVE copies of Melissa Kantor’s Maybe One Day to give away this month. Now, in order to be entered into the drawing, you must link up your February reviews/re-cap post/365 Days of YA Goodreads profile at the linky below, no later than Saturday February 28th at 11:59PM EST. Winners will be announced no later than 12:00PM EST on Sunday March 1st. Additional entries can be earned by taking part in the photo challenges Sarah and I are hosting each week. Stay tuned each Monday morning for a new photo challenge! Sarah and I will announce them on our Twitter and Instagram feeds, and each week you submit a photo is another entry for our monthly giveaway! You still have time to get your entry in for this week’s challenge; a photo of the place where you are reading your current book for the challenge! Hurry up though, entries close this Sunday at 11:59PM EST. A new challenge will be posted by 8:00AM EST on Monday March 2nd. RECAP Link up your February reviews/re-cap post/365 Days of YA Goodreads profile, no later than Saturday February 28th at 11:59PM EST using the link below. Please provide a direct link to your blog post or Goodreads 365 Days of YA profile. Each person who links up their reviews/re-cap post/Goodreads profile will be entered into the February drawing for a copy of Maybe One Dayl. Earn additional entries by submitting your photos in our weekly photo challenges posted on Kate’s Twitter and Instagram and Sarah’s Twitter and Instagram. Five winners will be selected– US ONLY!! (For you international folks, stay tuned for our seasonal giveaways)
Link your reviews/re-caps/Goodreads profile below:
Below is the schedule for this month’s Instagram challenges. Your tagged photo will earn you extra entries in our monthly and seasonal giveaways! In order to qualify as an extra entry you must link up your Feb recap post at the official linky and tag your photos with the #365DaysofYA hashtag! This week’s entries close 11:59pm on Sunday, February 8th. Stay tuned…new themes each week for more chances to win!
We look forward to seeing your challenge posts!
Sign-ups for the February 365 Days of YA are now open! I am so excited to host another month with Sarah @ What Sarah Read. You can find more information about the challenge on our sign-up post!
Since I only managed to read two books last month I have moved a few of the books from my January TBR over to February. Let’s hope I can finish them this month. I have also decided to add in a series challenge since I had to keep myself from purchasing Fairest yesterday since I still haven’t read Scarlet and Cress. Those two have been on my shelf for far too long. I also have a few e-ARCs that I’m really excited to get to.
Be sure to tweet or instagram us @literarykate and @whatsarahread for extra entries in this month’s giveaway. We are excited to see what you all plan on reading! Let me know what I should read first.
It’s been awhile since I’ve done any kind of “haul” post. I’ve been trying not to buy any books and so far I’ve been pretty successful I think. Yesterday I caved and bought myself two books I’ve had on my wishlist for awhile.
I was so excited to see that The Shadow Queen by Sandra Gulland is FINALLY out in paperback! I have been waiting for this book for over TEN years but when it came out last year I couldn’t justify paying for the hardcover. Oh Yeah, Audrey! by Tucker Shaw looks amazing! I am a huge Audrey Hepburn fan so I had to have this one for my collection.
I’ve also been unable to stop myself from downloading review copies from NetGalley and Edelweiss. The following is what I’ve accumulated over the last few months:
So pumped to read all of these! Let me know if any of these should be read ASAP because they’re THAT awesome!
Thank you to everyone who participated in January’s reading challenge! I managed to read two books, Falling Into Place and Exquisite Captive, both of which I enjoyed. We had a great turn-out at our very first Twitter chat on Thursday night. It was wonderful to get to know everyone better and learn about your progress. We will have another chat in February so keep an eye out on the blog for details. Sarah and I will also have more Instagram challenges which we will post a schedule of in the next few days.
Sign-ups for the February 365 Days of YA are now open! I am so excited to host another month with Sarah @ What Sarah Read. Below you will find more information about the challenge.
This challenge is inspired by Epic Reads’ 365 Days of YA info graphic. The best part about our challenge is that you can read as much or as little as you wish. Do you have brand new releases that you’ve been dying to read? What about the books that have been sitting on your shelves for a few years? New and old titles are part of this challenge! As an added bonus, Sarah and I will also be offering four seasonal giveaways (open internationally) for those participating in the challenge. All you need to do is follow the rules below:
- Sign up for the challenge below and submit a link to your blog, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr etc. that contains the following: Create a TBR that matches up with the books found on the 365 Days of YA graphic (The individual titles are listed on the Epic Reads post as well). You can also include your personal reading goals for this challenge (book a day, series a week, monthly picks etc.)
- Keep track of what you read and at the end of each month post an update on your social media network of choice about what you read. Feel free to include review links as well.
- Submit a link to your update on the appropriate monthly link-up post here on the blog
- Use the #365DaysofYA for any social media posts
- Only books read in 2015 will count towards this challenge
- Read the books in any order you like
- Choose your own reading adventure! This is YOUR challenge so make it fit what’s important to you!
- Have fun and make new reading friends!
- Contact myself or Sarah if you have any questions
We will also be hosting monthly Twitter chats with the #365DaysofYA. We will post the dates and times when they become available!
Epic Reads has officially joined us in this challenge. They will be providing monthly giveaways as well so stay tuned for more information!
Twitter: @literarykate @whatsarahread
Email: literaryexplorations@gmail.com whatsarahread@gmail.com
Below, you can find the February sign-up for the #365DaysofYA Reading Challenge. We hope you will join us for another month! I’ll be posting my February TBR soon!
We are nearing the end of January and I hope all of you have had a fantastic month of reading!
Thank you so much for participating in January’s 365 Days of YA Reading Challenge! If you are new to our challenge check out the Epic Reads infographic and read our intro post. We will have another sign-up post in February.
Sarah and I are very excited to see what all of you have been reading. As a way to celebrate, Epic Reads has generously donated FIVE copies of Amy Ewing’s The Jewel to give away this month.
Now, in order to be entered into the drawing, you must link up your January reviews/re-cap post/365 Days of YA Goodreads profile at the linky below, no later than Saturday January 31st at 11:59PM EST. Winners will be announced no later than 12:00PM EST on Sunday February 1st.
Additional entries can be earned by taking part in the photo challenges Sarah and I are hosting each week. Stay tuned each Monday morning for a new photo challenge! Sarah and I will announce them on our Twitter and Instagram feeds, and each week you submit a photo is another entry for our monthly giveaway! You still have time to get your entry in for this week’s challenge; a photo of your January TBR pile! Hurry up though, entries close this Sunday at 11:59PM EST. A new challenge will be posted by 8:00AM EST on Monday January 19th.
RECAP
Link up your January reviews/re-cap post/365 Days of YA Goodreads profile, no later than Saturday January 31st at 11:59PM EST using the link below.
Please provide a direct link to your blog post or Goodreads 365 Days of YA profile.
Each person who links up their reviews/re-cap post/Goodreads profile will be entered into the January drawing for a copy of the Jewel.
Earn additional entries by submitting your photos in our weekly photo challenges posted on Kate’s Twitter and Instagram and Sarah’s Twitter and Instagram.
Five winners will be selected– US ONLY!! (For you international folks, stay tuned for our seasonal giveaways)
Link your reviews/re-caps/Goodreads profile below:
Sometimes we have to set the right mood before starting a book. It can involve finding a comfy couch, a cozy blanket, or maybe a warm beverage. Personally, I enjoy a nice candle while I’m reading, especially during those cold winter months. I don’t own any of these candles (mostly because I’m banned from buying more candles…haha) but if I did I think they would pair up perfectly with the following books:
These Broken Stars + Lilac Blossoms= Representative of the main character Lilac
Where the Stars Still Shine + Beach Walk= Chosen for the beach setting of the novel
Cruel Beauty + True Rose= I always think of roses when anything is about Beauty and the Beast
Fangirl + Autumn Leaves= Reminds me of walking around on my college campus
Open Road Summer + Blue Summer Sky= Similar to the open field on the cover
Do you have any books that remind you of candles? Tweet or Instagram us (@literarykate and @whatsarahread) with your own pairings using the #365DaysofYA
Check out Sarah’s blog for Favorite Snowy Day Reads!
Literary Kate 