Ana, from Ana’s Lair was kind enough to think of me for a game of tag.  This is a very blogging-centric tag – here are the questions:

1. How long have you been a blogger?
I started my blog in 2011, but, I started it more as a book diary for myself in fact I was fairly unaware of the whole blogging community at that point and for quite some time.  Then, I was fortunate enough to start receiving comments and started to become more aware of other blogs and like minded people which was brilliant for me as it has opened my eyes to so many new books.

2. At what point do you think you will stop?
I don’t know – stopping isn’t something I really think about.  This is a hobby for me, I read for pleasure and I enjoy blogging.  I guess it depends what else is going on in life really in terms of time or whether I stop enjoying it.

3. What is the best thing?
I enjoy a number of things about blogging.  Writing about the books I read gives me an outlet for my feelings.  Talking and discussing books with other like minded people raises my awareness of other books and makes me excited for new releases.  The fact that I now have so many people who I can discuss books with is the best thing though.  I didn’t realise quite how badly I needed to vent my feelings!

4. What is the worst thing? What do you do to make it okay?
Mmm, the worst thing.  Well, I definitely think that I went through a phase of wanting all the books – and constantly seeing upcoming books does make you a bit covetous.  In fact I think I’m still going through that phase a little bit – but I am trying to be a bit more reasonable.  After all, you can’t read everything and so I now try and make a concerted effort to just let some books go – it’s difficult but you have to give it a shot (confession – it doesn’t always work).

5. How long does it take you to create/find pictures to use?
Not long really. Books covers for reviews are usually from Goodreads.  I usually try and find a few pictures for amusement’s sake but I always have an idea of what I want so it’s not really difficult to dig something up.

6. Who is your book crush?
Okay, I can’t deny it – my book crush is Jean Tannen – created by Scott Lynch and, for me, the main star of the Gentleman Bastards.  I do love this character.  He’s funny, he’s clever, he’s devoted, he’s a great fighter and he reads!  What else can you possibly want?

7. What author would you like to have on your blog?
Ohh, difficult questions – so many good authors out there who I love.  I could make a very long list, but that would quickly become tedious for everyone else so I won’t go there.  Plus, I become a bit star struck around authors – I’ve been to a few events where some of my favourite authors have been present and I just turn into a nincompoop with nothing to say!

8. What do you wear when you write your blog posts?
Haha, whatever I happen to be wearing at the time – I don’t dress for blogging!  I suppose more often than not comfy things such as PJs.

9. How long does it take you to prepare?
My blog is very seat of the pants and I confess that I’m a bit shambolic and unorganised sometimes.  I like to write my reviews pretty much as soon as I finish reading and in fact lose a bit of my impetus for the post if I don’t – in fact the longer I leave a book unreviewed the less passion I have for it.

10. How do you feel about the book blogger community/culture?
I love the blogging community – I’ve been involved in so many interesting things as a result of the book friends I’ve made and I’ve been introduced to so many authors and books that I would have simply missed.  I think you have to find the blogs that work best for you where the bloggers are like minded and you have to bear in mind that you’re not going to agree on every book but friendly discussion is what it’s all about and having the freedom to openly discuss is the ideal.

11. What do you think one should do to get a successful blog?
Pfft – who knows!  I think the blogs that I enjoy are the ones where I trust the reviews and where the bloggers have developed their own style/voice when reviewing.  I also tend to visit the blogs who actually respond and talk back – otherwise you’re pretty much talking to yourself really.

I’m not going to particularly choose anyone to tag – I know everyone is busy with other commitments – but, I quite like ‘tag’ and so if you do too and fancy posting your answers then please considered yourself tagged.  In fact – I’ll just tag everyone 😀

I’d love to hear from you.