Monday, August 19, 2013

[Top Ten Tuesday: Things That Make My Reading/Blogging Life Easier]

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly linkup hosted by The Broke And The Bookish!

I didn't know that I would come to love book blogging as much as I do.  Not only has it been benificial for me as a reader with ARCs and eGalleys and excuses to buy more books, but it's also been great for me as a writer.  Sure, book blogging takes up a ton of time, but it's so worth it in the long run!  So, on request I've compiled the top ten tools that make my book blogging life easier!

The Things That Make My Book Blogging/Reading Life Go Round!
  • Edelweiss: No, not the flower or the gosh darn song from "Sound of Music".  (sorry to all the "Sound of Music" lovers, but that musical and I have a love/hate relationship)  Not only does this website set you up with eARCs (if your lucky) it also hosts the catalogs from publishers, so you know what books are coming out.
  • Goodreads:  Seriously, Goodreads is the best thing since sliced bread.  You can keep track of all of your reads and reviews and book ratings.  But on top of that you can keep track of all the books that you want to read, follow authors and your friends.  People comment and what not as well and it's just good fun.
  • Google Calender:  I don't know where I would be without my Google Calender.  As soon as I get an ARC, I put the release date in there and that way I know when I need to get it read by.  Plus all the dates I put in there show up in my phone!
  • Amazon:  I had to put Amazon on the list, because it's like a book drug.  I swear that "buy with one click" button is the deceptive on so many levels.  But it keeps your Kindle full and your money from disappearing quite so fast!
  • The Book Depository:  I haven't actually used this much yet, but some books seem to be much cheaper and you can sometimes get your hands on UK editions, so that's cool too!  I'm a HUGE fan of UK editions of books!
  • Twitter:  Twitter is great for so many things!  You can have conversations with your favorite authors, advertise your posts, keep people updated on your own book and plan research trips!  Twitter is probably one of my favorite things... ever!
  • Facebook:  I know that I need to keep things more interesting on my White Unicorn Facebook page, but I'm not sure how yet.  But just like twitter, it's useful at keeping people who don't blog and who don't have twitter updated on what is happening with books!
  • Bookmarks:  Can we talk about how wonderful bookmarks are for a second?!  They are like the ultimate, take with you anywhere book buddy!  They always know just where you are in a book, they keep your place and they are always looking for new books to climb into.  Yeah, they're pretty darn great!
  • The Library:  You gotta love a place the gives you free books!  On the other hand it sucks when they need them back and you haven't read them/finished them yet.  But the library and I are definitely pals!
  • Clark Kent:  Yes, as in Superman!  Actually that's what I named my trusty Kindle and I don't know where I would be without him!  Seriously, he's got so many eARCs and Kindle books on him!  
 Well there's my list!  What's on yours?  I wanna know.  Leave your link below or tell me in the comments! 

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Completely agree with you about Amazon. I love that website and I'm not ashamed to love it ;-)

Anonymous said...

I've seen seeing Twitter a lot, and I have to agree that thing is the best for marketing! I decide which blogs I want to comment on just by looking at my Twitter feed and seeing who's been linking up their reviews when I'm online and on my laptop :) I have a Mac calendar that just syncs up with my phone, but I agree, the calendar app is so easy for figuring out your blog schedule and checking what you're going to read next!

Fantastic post, Christianna!

Natalie @Natflix&Books said...

I love the library and GR so hard. And Clark Kent! I love my Kindle, too. I take it with me everywhere so I'll always have books at my fingertips. I'm an EW and NG junkie, so that makes me love my Kindle even more. Great list!
Natflix&Books' TTT

Anonymous said...

Haha Clark Kent. Caught me off guard there for a second. I unfortunately don't have an ereader so can't really include that or Edelweiss on my list, but yes to everything else!

Tammy Sparks said...

I think I'm going to try using Google Calendar. I use a spreadsheet right now for my review books, but sometimes I forget all about it, LOL!

And I love that you call your Kindle Clark Kent! Great list:)

Jasmine @ Flip That Page said...

Clark Kent huh? That actually really tricked me into thinking you meant some Henry Cavill look alike XD And yes to Twitter and Goodreads! Those are the things I need the most :D

Unknown said...

Hahaha I love that your Kindle is named Clark Kent. That's awesome :) I totally agree with you on a lot of these. I use a physical whiteboard calendar but having the google calendar on your phone seems really convenient, so maybe I should try that!

Nicole said...

I don't know how I forgot to include the library on our list. That honestly should be like #2. I find it amusing that we both listed bookmarks. :D

Reader Unfolded said...

I love that you named your Kindle Clark Kent! I have never named my kindle...now I'm thinking...Door. Maybe. Great list! I use Netgalley instead of Eidelweiss most of the time though. Goodreads is a lifesaver!