Discussion: Book Size

I don't know about you, but to me a book's size can put me off reading it.

It took me 10 days to read 

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas.  It has a whopping 704 pages.  I also just finished Crooked Kingdom, which boasts 536 pages.

When the next books in my beloved series have that many pages, I'm not going to balk at reading a big book.  However, I probably won't seek out these big books to read.  

I've got so many other books to read.

What about you?  

Does size matter to you when you pick up a book to read?

Discussion: Book Hangovers

I finished Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas last Friday night.  I'm currently writing this on Sunday night, and I have had no inkling of picking up another book to start.  It'll be interesting to see how long the book hangover lasts for this one (I may have been teary when I ended it).

I've been thinking a lot lately about the number of books I read and the time that I take between books.  

I think this introspection is coming from the fact that Empire of Storms left me a snotty mess, and from the fact that as my circumstances in life change, I find myself having less and less time to devote to reading.  I have to remind myself that it's okay.  Life is not about comparing the number of books I read to anyone else.  I read for me.

I try to always be reading something.  So that even if I don't have time to binge, I am slowly working towards my goal.

So who knows when I'll finally pick up another book to read.  And I'm okay with that.

How long do your book hangovers usually last?  Leave me a comment so that I know I'm not alone!

Discussion: How I Use Google Calendar

I have one tool that helps me with keeping track of my editorial calendar.  It is Google Calendar!

I have used Google Calendar for several years now.  It was especially helpful when I was in graduate school.  I would put assignments in as events, and then have Google remind a week ahead and three days ahead of the due date.

But anyways, here is what my Google Calendar currently looks like:

This is for the month of August 2016.  I use a couple of different colors  Blue means a tentative post. The light blue means that it's a review and I have already drafted the post.  I usually do my review drafts when I create my Waiting on Wednesday posts.  That way I don't have do the same things twice.  Green means that the post has been drafted and is scheduled.

If I look ahead to November, this is what a month looks like for me before I start to fully plan a schedule.  I have all of my Wednesday posts planned out until December.  The book titles that I plan to read in November are currently listed on the Saturdays.  This helps me keep track of what I wanted to read and then I can just drag the titles around the month.  The pink color signifies that the title is an ARC I have access to via Edelweiss.  

I love Google Calendar.  I love how I can keep track of upcoming blog posts.  I am also not committed to anything either.  I can drag posts around to fit my upcoming week as needed.  

How do you keep yourself organized?

Let me know in the comments!

Discussion: Which Books I Buy

I've seen a lot of people talk about how they choose which books to buy.  If you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you've probably noticed that a lot of my books come from my local library.  Honestly, I go through books like water.  So here is my criteria for books I actually purchase.

Is it an author I purchase?

I have a few authors that I automatically pre-order anything that they're releasing.  Those authors include Rick Riordan, Sarah J. Maas, Marissa Meyer, and Ally Carter.

Is it part of a series?

I'm currently in the middle of some series- like Rachel Hawkins' Rebel Belle series and Jenny Han's To All The Boys I've Loved Before series.

Is it a book I can't stop thinking about?

The Fixer series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes recently did this to me.  I've now added this to my wishlist for Christmas.

All in all I'm very picky with what I purchase.  I don't have a lot of space in my apartment, and I try to only purchase those books that I know I'm going to love.

How do you decide which books to purchase and which to get from the library?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments!