Sorry Guys

Hey everyone! I have been posting on Twitter to keep everyone updated on my blogging progress, but if you're not following me there, here is the scoop: I had my gallbladder removed on Friday, and I have not been able to use the computer since. I have had some bad nausea and I've pretty much been sleeping since Friday afternoon. I would love to get back to it soon, but i may just take this week off. I really wanted to get to everyone's Splash Into Summer posts, but I got to as many as I could before I went in to the hospital. Hopefully everyone had a great turnout, and hopefully Blogger and GFC started cooperating! Anyway, I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend! I will see you guys as soon as I can get back to it. Follow me on Twitter or Facebook until then :o)

Love,

Mickey @ imabookshark

Blog Hop 3

Hosted by Crazy For Books in the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! Click the picture above to visit her website for more info.

Q. What book-to-movie adaption have you most liked? Which have you disliked?

A. The BTM adaptation I have liked the most is a hard question. I like when they stick with the book as much as possible, but that's only if I read the book first. Just recently I saw Water for Elephants, and that was pretty good. Movies that were JUST like the book: Shutter Island and True Grit. Shutter Island had a little bit more at the end, but True Grit (the most recent adaptation) is exactly the book.. dialogue and everything.

The BTM adaptations I have disliked.. that's easier. PS I Love You, while a good movie on its own, was an atrocious BTM effort. It changed just way too much besides the main point, and I don't appreciate that. The first Twilight movie is another example of too much change from book to movie. It's like that telephone game you play as a kid, where your whispers get lost in translation by the time it gets to the last person.


Leave your link and I'll go follow and visit you (once followers are working again, crazy Blogger!). Thanks everyone, and happy weekend!

Armchair BEA - Friday (Blogging About Blogging!)

Blogging About Blogging!

This is the last day of Armchair BEA, sigh. I'm also having surgery today, so I hope everyone has a better day than I will be having :::wink:::. Anyway, today is the blogging about blogging post! I'm going to answer the questions from the Armchair BEA website, and then I'll add other tips I can give down below. Hope everyone has enjoyed Armchair BEA this week! I hope to continue and build upon the relationships I've gained as a result of this awesome event! Thanks everyone :o)


• How do you utilize social networking in relation to your blog? What may be the pros and cons of doing so?
I have been really big on the memes, challenges, blog hops, and different blog networks like Networked Blogs, a Facebook fan page, Twitter, and Book Blogs. I participate in Top Ten Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday, WWW Wednesday, Follow Friday, Friday Five, and Sunday Salon. I'm also attempting to complete 15 or 16 challenges (I've lost count I'm doing so many) in order to connect with other bloggers. Both of these tools allow link-ups for other participants to check out your blog and leave comments, follow, and spread the word. Those are great ways to use social networking.

Pros - it gains followers, it spreads the word about your blog, and it is fun!
Cons - it's overwhelming if you go crazy with them, it's hard work.

• Share some of your favorite blogging technical tips.
My technical tips include knowing a little HTML if possible (or knowing someone who knows it and is willing to help). Try not to clutter up your side bars. Make blogs user-friendly with your own touch.

• Create a "rule list" of things you should and shouldn't be doing on a book blog.
I hardly feel like I should be giving advice, but here it is!
Should:
-Participate in memes and challenges
-Post reviews
-Have giveaways (and follow through!)
-Update regularly
-Follow other blogs

Shouldn't:
-Be disorganized
-Be inconsistent
-Ignore people who comment
-Stick to one thing (so mix it up, be fun and fresh!)

• What are your tips for balance life and blogging?
Set a start and end time for working on the blog. Stick to a schedule if possible. I find that lately I've been blogging more than I've been reading! It's tough, but time will help you sort out a way to balance everything in your life. Otherwise, maybe a time management class would be useful. Probably I could use that!

• How do you keep your blog fresh and interesting to your readers & yourself?
I've just started, so I haven't needed a makeover on this yet. I started out with a certain idea of what I wanted, and my blog has already evolved. This community was established when I got here, so I was able to check out what other people were doing, what was working for them, and using it on my blog in a way that made it from my voice. I like the memes that allow me to be myself. WoW lets me express my thoughts on what I'm looking forward to, Top Ten Tuesday allows me to make a list on a predetermined topic with my opinions and ideas. These memes let my voice be heard while connecting with others to see their opinions. That sometimes inspires what you will see next on my blog. It's full circle, really.


Wow, what a week! This was really awesome, and I'm so glad I found out about this, even if it was last minute! I want to thank Armchair BEA and everyone affiliated with it, plus all of their sponsors, giveaway partners, etc etc. They were all great! I would also like to thank Bob @ The Guilded Earlobe for doing the interview portion with me so quickly! This week has been fantastic, and I've made some new friends and found some great new blogs. Hopefully anyone who visits my blog will be inspired by something they saw.

Happy reading, everyone!!

Friday Five

Hosted by Kate's Library, the Friday Five is a list of up to five (5) blog posts and/or articles read during the week. Stuff I feel is share-worthy. Check out my week's list:

1. Alison @ Alison Can Read posted her advice on how to gain followers for your blog. Definitely some sound advice to follow there for sure!
2. My interview partner: Bob Reiss @ The Guilded Earlobe. Just go check out his blog! Learn about audio books. Get some recommendations :o)
   
3. Author Darynda Jones explains why writers should never be trusted..very funny read!
4. Goodreads is starting their own book club!!! Their first pick: Jennifer Egan's A Visit From the Goon Squad.
5. Spotlight On Digital Media and Learning posted an article about librarians being teachers, too, and why they're needed. Read about it here and get in touch with them if you can help.