Tell Me Something Tuesday: A Big Newbie Mistake

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

what’s the biggest mistake you made as a newbie blogger?

So many mistakes. Soooo many. However, I will pick one mistake.

That is allowing myself to let what people think of me impact what I do or don't do on my blog. Opinions are like butts...everyone has one. You cannot make everyone happy! It's impossible. Sometimes my opinions or my reviews may not be what someone wanted...but I what to be honest in all I share. Sure I may soften the blow and not want to be mean and hurtful for the sake of being hurtful. 

But yes....I still have to remind myself that I won't appease everyone. I'm not perfect. However, as long as I am doing what I love and I be as honest as I can that is all that matters. 

TMST: Book Worlds I Want to Visit

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

What book worlds would you love to visit?

Awwww there are so many book worlds I would love to visit for a million different reasons. 

Of course the world of Harry Potter. But I would want to have magic so I can enjoy having powers. 

Lord of Rings. After the great wars of course. I do (edit - thanks B)*NOT* want to be killed by orcs. 

Mystic Cove. Again - I want to have some powers and I want to meet all my favorite characters!

Twilight. I want to get me one of those werewolf hotties ;) Can I bring him back to this world tho?

Reluctant Royals. I want to be BFFs with those royals :D

Mystic Bayou. I would only want to go when it is not summer because it is soooo humid. I want to meet all the different supernatural peeps. 

Weird Girls. It would have to be in the future once all the war and fighting is done. 

One of Austen's worlds. Maybe I can find a Mr. Darcy of my own ;)

Okay - those are just a few of the worlds I want to visit. 

TMST: Something Everyone Would Like

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

Book challenge: Challenge fellow bloggers to read a book you think they would enjoy.

OoooooOOOOO I can't deny this challenge this week!

Whattttt I think everyone would like....that is hard......mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. 

- Nice dragons finish last by Rachel Aaron

- The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

- You Can Thank Me Later: A Novella by Kelly Harms 

Those are the first 3 that came to mind. So dang good. I actually want to read them over again!

TMST: What Makes a Good Book?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

what things make a good book for you?

Been a hot min since I've done one of these!

What makes a good book for me? OooooOOOoooOOooo mmmmmmm *thinks*

Well....umm.......here are some generic things that help make a good book...well...good:

- Good characters. NOT like goodie-two-shoes, but interesting and dynamic characters. Characters that intrigue me. 

- Well-balanced pace. I don't want things to drag and I don't want things to go so fast I feel like I'm missing stuff or get confused. 

- Fresh ideas. Sure we have the recycled storylines and it is hard to avoid them BUT I want them to feel fresh and new. I hate it if it feels like a copy-paste. 

- A book that makes me feel and/or think. I love a story that can make me feel or think or both. 

Ralph! My little model!

TMST: Tagging Author in Reviews - Do or Don't?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

Tagging authors in reviews

Easy answer....no. I will post the reviews in Goodreads, here, sometimes at Blodeuedd's blog, sometimes Amazon/Barnes and Noble (if I remember lol), Netgalley (if applicable), Audible (if applicable). If I get a book from a publisher/author and they ask me to post on some website or wherever YES I will do that. I will never tag on Twitter or FB. If they tag themselves or I get tagged by a publisher/tour host, then whatever. 

Why? Well - I do all this posting and if they reallllllllly want to read my thoughts then they will search for it.. My thoughts are my own. Sometimes I may not like a book and it is MEAN to tag them in that. It's like tagging someone in an ugly photo. It's mean and rude. If I was an author I wouldn't want to be tagged. 

NOW. I will tag an author in Instagram if I'm taking a photo of their book in a cute way or whatever. That is just showing how much I love the cover or whatever.

TMST: What I Love About Summer

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

What do you love about summer?

Summer? I love summer. I love bonfires and going out in the water. I love sunbathing and walking around with no shoes. Nothing beats being able to read outside with a drink in hand and a light breeze cooling me off. Sighs! Such a dream!

I love 4th of July because of the fireworks! They are so beautiful!

I love the warm sand and getting my toes dusty with it. 

The beautiful sunsets and sunrises seem to have an extra sparkle and shine when it is summer. 

Summer isn't my favorite season, but I do adore it. 



*Sharing some quick sketches my friend Lorraine/Rainy did of Mamyia and Ralphie. I envy her talent!

TMST: Giving 2nd Chances

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

if a book disappoints you by an author that you read for the first time, how likely are you to try that author again?

Honestly...it all depends on the situation and the author. I'm always open for 2nd chances and trying a book or author again. However, there are times I will put my foot down and say no. Those are rare examples and I can only think of one off the top of my head....I won't name names ;)

But yes - this is a hard question to give a solid answer. It all depends. 

Practicing at watercolor ;) 

TMST: Book Series Started...but not finished

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

What are some series you started or fell behind on that you would like to pick back up?

Tough one, because there are a lot of series that I have started that was okay and that I liked to a point, but normally when I really adore a series I read it as fast as I can. I have no self-control TBH when it comes to a series I fall for. I fall hard and fast. 

Here are some I thought of right away that I SHOULD continue the voyage on someday and plan to one day....maybe....we shall see 


- Inferno Club Series by Gaelen Foley
I legit have ONE book left to finish the series. I've adored the series...but for some reason, I haven't had the motivation to track the last book down and read it. I know the last one I only gave 3 stars....but I still enjoyed it overall. 

- Scandals with Bite Series by Brooklyn Ann
Read book one a while back and I gave it 4 stars. It was pretty good! Not sure why I stopped? I do want to read more. I have the next three listed as "want to read". 

- The Wulfkin Legacy Series by T.F. Walsh
Why have I not finished this series??? I read the prequel and two of the novels. They were awesssssssssssome??? I must finish this one. I am getting behind!

- The Dragon Archives Series by Linda K. Hopkins
Here is another one that I read book 1 and liked it a lot and I have a few of the series listed as "want to read". Mmmm not sure why I stopped for this one either. 

- Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews
Book 1 was meh for me, but with the encouragement of the book and blog world I read book 2 and LOVED it....sooooo....why did I not read book 3? Maybe I am scared I won't like it? Sighs. I really need to just continue forward. 


Whelp - those are just a few series I thought of right away when creating this post. 

Work is having a Spirit Week this week! Tuesday is dress like a professional day/No PJs since we are all working remotely due to the covid situation. Here is me sans makeup because I am not THAT motivated. And yes. Ralph is photobombing me ;) 

TMST: DNFing and When to Do It.

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

When do you know it’s time to DNF?

I hate, hate, HATE DNFing. I always have a huge cloud of guilt over me when I even contemplate calling it done and over. However, sometimes enough is enough and I have to close the book and walk away. 

Here are my huge red flags that I need to let it go:

- Something happens or a character says/feels/does something that really bugs me and makes me not want to read any further. 
-  If I dread reading more. That is not a good sign
-  Taking a long time to finish a book just because I really don't want to not because of other external reasons that have nothing to do with said book. 
- Starting to skim and not retaining anything I did read.
- When the story makes me fall asleep especially at critical points in the story that should be making me stay up WAY too late. 
- When the writing makes me groan and roll my eyes. 
- Just when the book just flat out suckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkks. 

It sucks, but sometimes you have to just let it go. Someday...maybe...I may retry it. 

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Anthologies

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

Do you enjoy anthologies?

Overall, I do enjoy anthologies. However, I do not read a lot of them. Maybe one or two a year. Not because I do not like them, but because I find it hard to find a really good one and isn't a million pages long. I only like anthologies when they are shorter novellas or short stories. I have one on my shelf that I have been chipping away at since it contains full-length novels. Too long, too long. 

Sooo yes, but I am picky I guess. 

TMST: Romantic Reads Recommendations

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

 Romantic Reads Recommendations

OoooOOOooo romance. I love romance stories. All different types. Romance is just a fun genre to read. I have SOOOO many recommendations I can give out. Sighs. Where to even begin???? Gah! I'll just share a few of my favorites that anyone who reads romance should read or even newbies just getting in should check out. There is no order to my list: 


*Any Jane Austen works, but you must check out Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion. These are my favorites by her. 

    


*Wuthering Heights is a must! So tragic. So dark. HEATHCLIFF!




*Another tragic but goodie, is Snow Fox ! I must re-read this soon. It has been too long. 




*A little YA, but still amazing is If I Stay. Get ready to cry!




*Any book from the Weird Girl series will do. But you must start with book 1 which is Sealed with a Curse. 



*Radiance is a good one. I love the series as a whole so far. But you must start with book 1. 




*The Mystic Cove series is amazing. You must start with book 1 which is Wild Irish Roots.




*I love the whole Ascension Trilogy series, but I really love book 2, Princess. You can soooo get away with reading book 2 alone. But book 1 is fun and so is book 3. 




*Another one like the other. The whole Tang Dynasty series is great, but I really adore book 2, The Dragon and the Pearl, and I believe it can do well alone. Sooo good! 




*Bookends is great! I really must re-read it. For some reason, it really stuck with me. 





*Okay, okay. Last one. I will end with one of my favorites. I even love the movie equally as much. I have re-read this a million times. Cold Mountain is a must-read. 

TMST: Free Chapter Previews

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

Do you take advantage of free chapter previews?

Tough question! Mmmmm. I don't read them unless it is a book I am anxious to start and I won't get my hands on it for a while. Like a series I'm following or something. Usually...no. Especially if I know the next book is easily accessible or I already plan on NOT reading. 

Now...I do love reading excerpts of new books I haven't heard of! Those are fun! They are usually just a page or two, so they are quick to get through. 

Just a fun site to make a cartoon version of you. This one is of me. ;) Wish I looked this good in real life! https://picrew.me/image_maker/152665

TMST: One Book or Many?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

Do you read/listen to more than one book at a time, or do you give every book your undivided attention? (Courtesy of Roberta@ Offbeat YA)

Many at once of course! I need some variety in my life especially with books. However, I have tried to have some strategy in my madness. I usually try to read one ebook, one paper book, and then listen to one audiobook. However, sometimes I have to put a book to the side (especially if it is taking forever) and focus on something that I need to get done asap. Like a publisher/author or a borrowed book. 

I used to be a undivided attention reader, but that really made life hard and boring. Kuddos to those that can do that though!

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Word/Phrase of 2020

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

What is your word or phrase for 2020?

Another year! More TMST! :D 

I really can't think of a particular word or phrase for 2020. But I know I want to continue to grow into myself and continue to be better. Maybe GROWTH is my word. It works for me!

Here is a little poem I found that matches this concept:

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Best Books of 2019 - so far

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

Best Books of 2019 - so far.

The year is coming to a quick end. I have had some good contenders for the coveted best book of 2019! I cannot wait to give my awards to my favorites in just a little while. Sure, there is still sometime for even better ones, but here are the books that won my heart going month by month.  

Janurary:
























Feb:




March:

April:





May:





June:


July:





Aug:



Sept:


October:


Nov: