Series Books

I'm a huge lover of series books. While I like stand-alone novels, there's just something about going back and visiting old friends. I don't mind if it's a companion novel (Hello Isla and the Happily Ever After) or the fifth book in the series.

But I do have a growing problem about how to talk about series books in the sense of a review. I'm good with talking about the first one or two and then I'm not sure what to do. For example, I just finished Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead - part of the Bloodlines series. And no surprise, it was amazing. I need the next book - yesterday. How can I talk about it without giving away details to people who might have have read the series yet?

I don't want to spoil anything. I hate spoilers. Most of the time I'm rarely spoiled, but it does happen - sometimes on twitter or tumblr or even pinterest. Sometimes it's books and sometimes it's TV shows. I really try NOT to spoil things, but I can see it happening if you haven't read the series and here I am talking about book number five. Clearly there are details that you don't know yet.

So what do you do? Do you just say the book was amazing if you liked it and leave it at that? Sometimes at the end of a trilogy, I'll write up mini reviews and talk about the book that way - how satisfied I was with the ending, if I'm sad that it ended because I'm greedy and I want more time with the characters, or if there was a part that bothered me. That's harder to do with the series not being over.

So - bloggers, how do you handle it?

BBAW: Blogging Loves

Blogging
The world of blogging is continually changing. Share 3 things you are essential tried and true practices for every blogger and 1-3 new trends or tools you’ve adapted recently or would like to in the future.

I love knowing what people are reading - which is why I have a Books on My Nightstand section, which I try to update weekly.

I love seeing the different memes and weekly features - for some reason I find them fascinating

I love how the community is so sharing with their ideas.

Anything you'd like to see changed/different at YABookNerd????

BBAW: How Blogging has changed my reading habits

Book bloggers blog because we love reading. Has book blogging changed the way you read?

I have always love reading. I remember special days when I was little of going to the library and then the Laundromat with my Dad. I remember going to a different library - one that had my last name (no relation) on the building. I remember really reading through middle school and high school. In college, I mostly read during the summers only until my senior year. I took a children's literature course - where we had to read tons of books. I walked downtown to the public library and got a card. And then I checked out a bunch of adult and children's books. I wish I had done this all four years. I started graduate school the following year, reading my first teens books in years. I fell in love with teen literature.

Now, after being a librarian for eight years, and blogging in one form or another for most of that time, my reading habits have changed a bit.

I try to read more middle school reads, more tween reads, and more reads with boys as the main characters. Book blogging and reading other blogs have helped my see I need to be a little more diverse in my reading. I read mostly for pleasure - and I want to the books to be happy and entertaining. However, there are times I need to be aware of certain books and have a sound knowledge of them in order to chat about them with my patrons. Book bloggers are a GREAT resource for this. I don't have to read every book I purchase for teens. Where would I find the time? But it's great that I can know about them from reading blogs. Blog are also great for finding out about upcoming books. It makes my purchasing list so much easier.

My goal for this year is to read 365books - from all ages. As of this morning, I'm at 247 books. Thanks to GoodReads, I can keep track of the number with their reading challenge App. It tells me how many books I'm behind on my goal (that would be 10). I'm grateful for bloggers for introducing me to books, creating buzz around books, and pushing me to read books that I would not normally pick up.

BBAW: blogging community

Community Part II
The world of book blogging has grown enormously and sometimes it can be hard to find a place. Share your tips for finding and keeping community in book blogging despite the hectic demands made on your time and the overwhelming number of blogs out there. If you’re struggling with finding a community, share your concerns and explain what you’re looking for–this is the week to connect!

I try to read Blogs daily. I feel so out of the loop when it doesn't happen. Plus as a librarian, I think it's important to know what's

I look for blogs that have similar reading tastes - mainly YA.
Although I do like blogs that point me in the direction of a book I *might* not have picked up on my own.
I look for blogs that are cute looking
I look for blogs that update regularly (at least three times a week if not 5)
I'm mostly a silent reader. There are very few bloggers that I know personally and a few that I've connected to online. I don't comment much, but I'm working on that.
Although I'm better on twitter - which also helps me find new blogs.