A Shift On Book Blogging

Inspired by both Jamie of The Perpetual Page-Turner and Hazel of Stay Bookish's posts, I decided that I wanted to talk about how I feel about book blogging and the community itself.

My blog was nothing like what it is now a year ago... Yes, it has actually been a year since this blog was conceptualized, with a different name whatsoever and it was more of a personal blog, talking about my feelings blah blah blah. And out of the blue (late April), I decided to take book blogging seriously, shift to that and make my blog a full fledged book blog.

Trying out book blogging was not as easy, especially since I entered the whole blogging community with very little knowledge and how-to. I then started referring to other bloggers and they have been simply helpful and wonderful, giving me tips and resources. At first, it was all fun and games and then that's when I started becoming frustrated and insecure. Since knowing these amazing bloggers, it felt like it wasn't my place to even talk to them if my blog wasn't even worth anybody's time. So I did a lot of self promotion and even involved everyone to a giveaway, just so that I could say I have followers and that my view count was rising. Also learning about ARCs and whatnot excited me, and I researched all I can just so I can be part of the fun.Yes, as much as I would hate to admit it, when things started to change in the book blogging community, I was part of it.

But then, I started to think how much I was pushing myself to get a post out just to keep my blog alive at some point, or even thinking about what giveaway I should do next, and I think I got tired of it and somehow drifted away from having fun. At first, it was real exciting, now the whole blogging thing felt like work instead of sharing my love for a particular book. If you read my current feature about my reading pace, it will also give you an idea of how things have changed for me when it comes to reading and also blogging.

Lately, I've been enjoying posting features such as this, that either talks about my love for books or just try to entertain current followers and any future readers. And it even takes me forever to come back and blog, but at some point, I know I like what I post. As for the books that I read, I don't try to scurry for words in order to get the word out as fast or faster than the others. If I'm part of the general public that liked that book, then I don't mind if I'm last, as long as I get to actually enjoy it and love it. As I said to Jamie, my books need time and that I also need it. It also allows my reviews to become more personal and relatable to readers.

This whole experience has been a journey of self-awareness as well as the influence of those who have opened my eyes in  the goodness of book blogging. I don't know how long I'll be able to keep this up, but I am surely enjoying how I am handling my blog now. As for the other book bloggers out there, especially those starting out, may this help you or at least make you think of what your getting yourself into.

If you want, you can leave comments below of what you think blogging is. Are you interested? What do you think makes a book blog good? As for my fellow bloggers, what inspires you to pursue a certain topic to talk about? And what fuels you to continue blogging? It would be lovely to hear from you!

Hiatus

Hi there Misfit booknerds? How was your holiday? I hope it was amazing filled with books and whatnots. And I hope you got to spend it with your family and friends!!! I had an amazing time since some of my relatives from Las Vegas came home! WOOHOO!!!

Anyway, after my Christmas greeting, I sort of popped away into an abyss for a while, which included a semi-reading slump, going back to school and trying to think of ways how I could actually blog. Which brings me to my current situation.

Though I welcome myself back into the blogging sphere, I will not be as active as I hope I could be. Chances are, I could only publish 1 to 2 posts a month. I'll be lucky if I could get 3 out. That's selling myself waaaay out there.

And the reason is, I will get really, really busy. First, is coz of my thesis. And the whole, "I'M GONNA BE BUSY SO DON'T EFFIN BOTHER ME" is not setting off yet, but it will very soon. And so, I'm already making it official that I will be not around as much, or I can't review books as early as possible (although I don't really do that, sooooo) and I won't be able to do book tags as much as I want to. Basically, my book blogging life is gonna come to a temporary halt.

Sleep tight blogging life...

A hiatus. A time for educational wandering and excursion. It's gonna be torture. But don't worry. Though I will be in a hiatus, I will still try to post if I could and I would try to sneak in some reading time along with reference books and thesis materials.

For now, I'll try to enjoy this week with much liberty as I can afford it. But I do hope you stay with me misfit booknerds! It's your support that has given me the drive to continue this blog! And maybe when I graduate (God please!), I can go back as strong as ever!

Love At Bookstores?

Serendipity. Fate. It's all too mainstream. In young adult books, it caters to these factors in love and we can't help but think that one day we'd actually find a person meant for us in the most unusual of moments or through a shared connection.

Almost a month ago, I was actually inside a bookstore and I saw the first batches of Marie Lu's The Young Elites. I had this instinct to go to it and stroke it so lovingly, cradle it in my arms and just basically run my fingers on it. Then I noticed someone next to me, a guy, who started smirking. I felt embarrassed and headed to the next shelves just to get away from the guy because well, again, embarrassed, and for one, I don't do well with guys at all so, yeah. Jayvee, scoot over to the sides please.

Anyway, I really wanted to stare at The Young Elites, so I headed back to the pile, hoping the guy was gone and he was but then I found him at the cash register and he meets my eyes, he lit up, starts waving at me with a copy of The Young Elites in his other hand and smiled at me. Again, embarrassed, I walked away, the heat rising up my ears, I felt it. After that, I left the bookstore, hoping to get something to eat. Then, I saw the guy at a local fast food chain, from a top the escalator. He then noticed me and smiled again, his friends looked at me too. I  tried to not be wary of him and of course the fact that he actually had The Young Elites already. I decided to head to a music store instead of the fast food restaurant to get away from all the embarrassment.

Then, I told my book club or lets say book group about it and they laughed and freaked out. One of my friends said that he thought the guy was gonna buy the book for me. WHOA!

So, it left me thinking. Would it be possible to actually just meet a guy at a bookstore and connect in a way that is far beyond chit-chat?  It's not like I don't know cases like these. I have seen love blossom among booknerds too but I've never actually notice it happen among people who come and go of bookstores. I wish I would. There are reasons why we have become unexpectedly taken by the idea that we'll find our soulmate inside a bookstore, mainly of course because of, you guessed it, BOOKS!

1. THE "HE LOOKS AT YOU" SEQUENCE

When you find out that a guy or a girl is actually looking at you while scanning a book or checking out what new books came out of the shelves, it definitely triggers the mind into thinking, "How do I look right now?" "Am I too weird?" It's either the guys a stalker or just plain interested in what you are doing.

2. THE "WHAT ARE YOU READING" ACT

It's actually funny to use this line on to a girl, especially towards a guy. Unless you are an upfront girl and your definitely interested in knowing what he is reading. Yet, in reality, not many people are like this, really. Again, unless he or she is basically just interested in the book, then yeah, people can be like that, but for reasons that love is involved, it could use a lot more work.

3. THE "WOW, YOU READ THAT" SEQUENCE

It's a lot more natural to approach a person when they have actually read a book that you know or currently reading. It gives more grounds to knowing each other than sounding really creepy.

4. BOOKS ARE THERE TO LOVE YOU BACK

Prince Charming or the princess of your dreams may not be present in the bookstore, but you'll always find love in the books that are around you. They will always be there to love you. I know Matilda was very loved by them! Way to get a catch! *winks*. But also, you know, find someone who you can share them with.

But honestly, as Ed Sheeran's song Thinking Out Loud says, "PEOPLE FALL IN LOVE IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS." Maybe a guy would see you freaking out over one of Rainbow Rowell's books or  just end up sitting there in a corner, quietly reading a book then a girl finds it adorable. Finding love at a bookstore may seem like a total doozy, but it is never impossible and as for me and my experience, well, I may as well use it as a reference in the near future.

So hey! Tell me if you've had an encounter like this at your local bookstore or if you've ever found real love in the process in the comments below. 

One Lovely Blog Award

I was nominated by Kayla of The Bookish Owl for the One Lovely Blog Award! Thanks a lot sweets!

The rules for this nomination are:

1. You must thank the person who nominated you and include a link to their blog.

2. You must list the rules and display the award.

3. You must add 7 facts about yourself.

4. You must nominate 15 other bloggers and comment on one of their posts to let them know they have been nominated.

5. You must display the award logo and follow the blogger who nominated you. (If you don’t want to follow me, that’s okay!)

7 FACTS ABOUT ME

1. My music buffness is not something that many people understand. I end up liking any genre of music, of course, at long as it appeals to me. 

2. I am a sucker for contemporary stories, or stories like Perks, Spectacular, Palo Alto, stories that would depict a normalcy, but bring certain quirks that are indeed present. So, yeah! You guys know what to get me for my birthday! :)

3. I loooove to write short stories! A known fact to a lot of people I know!

4. I am not very OC when it comes to editions of books. As long as I have a copy of that certain book, no matter where it came from, it will be loved.

5. I tend to have crushes on guys a little younger than I am. Yikes.

6. I have serious fangirling issues. Like please. If you know any psychiatrists that are willing to slave a few hours over my feels, then recommend them to me. I already rejected 1803 of them. HAHAHAHA!

7. I tend to raise my voice over people who never understand what I'm trying to say or people who think they can belittle me. I may be sweet, but don't abuse it honey. :)

TAGGING:

(I can't really do 15 bloggers, but they are my top picks)

Kristy and Melissa of Book Nerd Reviews

Jaz of Fiction in Fiction in Fiction

Hazel of Stay Bookish

Feather of Bibliophile Feather

Laurence of The Lucius Flux

BOOK HANGOVERS

The other day, a friend and I were talking about Newt from The Maze Runner and how he *bleeeeeep* I can't say unless you actually read it. But yeah. It was like, we really couldn't bring ourselves to forget the topic, most especially since the movie is coming out! But other than that, The Maze Runner trilogy does leave  most of us with BOOK HANGOVERS. I've experienced this in many occasions of my reading expenditures and here are the types of book hangovers I've gone through and maybe you have too.

TYPE 1: THE "EMOTIONALLY DETACHED FROM THE WORLD" TYPE

The people with this hangover, who after reading the book wouldn't like to involve themselves in the problems of the world and would rather invest themselves in the ending that is "ALLEGIANT". EHEM. All the emotions and moods that we have such as happiness, sadness, anger, grief, is being sucked into the book. Most hangovers like these tend to last very long. The only thing that may pull the person out of it if the author gives an apology for the character death or sad ending or if one finds a really HAPPY novel to read. 

NOTE: HAPPY novel okay!!! Make sure you check. Coz you don't wanna get the surprise of your life again, yeah?

TYPE 2: THE "BOOK IS SO FREAKING GORGEOUS" TYPE

MISFIT TALKS: I HAVE THIS PROBLEM

I missed posting things like this because I can just talk like I want to and rant like I want to and just make the mistake of not caring because lately I feel like I'm just conforming to things and I've gotten bored with it and so I started entering this spiral which was depression and for a while I didn't have the energy to blog and I felt miserable with reading. Even the most beautiful books seem so unattractive to me. I succumbed to my inherent madness and cried for reasons unknown and I knew I was entering a state of existential crisis, which I seem to have been having most of the time but I noticed that it is very apparent for my depression to kick in during August. And I have no freaking idea why. I just call it my "AUGUST DEPRESSION".

I still did reviews for books that were on tour because I didn't want to feel irresponsible for not doing them and the foundation that I had with some of the tour sites could be jeopardized. I did miss one review though because again, it wasn't just a reading slump. It was a full on shut-down from reading. I wasn't even visiting my nearest local bookstore, no matter how near it may be. I guess it was me thinking I'd only be lonely upon seeing them and not really having any money for them. Yeah.

On other news, school is very stoic. Plain. In other words, too normal. My life has become stale and an adventure I've been wanting for sometime couldn't seem to be sufficed by school. And I feel as though, even though I enjoy the company of my school friends, I feel like I'm betraying them when I'm just not interested with what they are talking about because I have thoughts of jumping off of a building. Some jokes even feel empty to me and I sometimes laugh to feel good for myself because a certain sorrow that I could not point out that keeps eating me alive rather than actually enjoying whatever it is that was so funny.I don't know if I just made sense.

And with not reading came the time where I would only be cooped up in my room, watching anime and reading manga which I haven't done in forever. Though blissful and yes, therapeutic, I also ended up realizing I have become a bum in the past month or less. I didn't even want to study for tests.

But I am thankful for positive and happy parents. No matter how dysfunctional, I'm really happy that they haven't made it hard for me during this weird time. And to my friends at school who put up with me, I am thankful that I have them and I'm sorry if I seem so out of it sometimes. To my booknerd friends, I love you! You give me such energy even through the time of not reading at all. To Alia, especially, for your words of encouragement. We can do this  sweetie! :) Thank you. And to my blogger friends, who are as understandable as heck! You are all inspirations to me and you keep me going! To authors and books whom I've neglected, yeah, I'm sorry and yes, still, thank you, always. Kai, who became my instant anime buddy through Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, thank you for sharing your time into fangirling with me. It made me happy even for the shortest time we talk about Nozaki-kun and poor, sweet Mikorin! To music and bands who fuel me up. And to God of course for giving me strength to wake up everyday to face the challenges that I did not know I could face. Thank you.

I am better now, I feel much happier and I've missed blogging and reading and I'm catching up on a few ARCs that were given to me by publishers. I'm actually very content for now. And I know that next year, most probably, I'd go through this again but I hope that it won't cause me to take my life. It's a weird thing to think about even if I know I could possibly evade it, but it just happens.

Misfit booknerds, thank you for sticking with me...

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Top 10 Blogging Confessions

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where, each week, a Top Ten list is posted based on a particular topic.

Hi there! So I haven't been around for a while for the meme and I kind of feel bad because this is one of my favorite memes on the blog. Anyway, let's get started with my top 10 blogging confessions! Lezz go!

1. Stats mean something.

I always check my stats, like who reads and from where. I sometimes think I'm obsessed with seeing from what country most of my audiences are. I'd sometimes freak out when I actually have people react to my posts too! It's such a nice thing!

2. TBR's take up my life.

I have so many books on my TBR pile, it's insane. I don't even know if I can read all of them and sometimes I have some e-ARCs from Netgalley or Edelweiss and I'm not even sure if I can read them all and review them.. #BookBloggerDilemmas

3. Blog Beauty

LIFE OF A BLOGGER: Favorite Sports Teams

Life Of A Blogger is hosted by Jessi from Novel Heartbeat where we let people know more about our lives outside of blogging so they can get to know us better!

Why hello there everyone! My name is Jenivieve and this week, we are gonna be talking about my favorire SPORTS TEAMS! If you've noticed, I posted 2 topics today since I wasn't able to post an old one, but I decided to post it earlier...But this is the main post!

So, if you have not known, I am a huge sports fan! Like, I would scream at the telly when I watch a game and I go bananas if they scored or done something incredibly amazeballs! Here are some of my favorite sports teams!


1. SOCCER: Argentina, Netherlands, Greece (FIFA 2014)

If you've already known, FIFA 2014 is happening and oh boy oh boy oh boy, I'm tuned in to it like glue to a piece of paper. I try to watch early morning since TIMEZONES! If I can't comply to my watching routine, I keep tabs on Google, since GOOGLE LOOOOVES FIFA! Anyway, Argentina is one of my all time favorite teams in FIFA, coz MESSI! He's such a soccer superstar! Netherlands and Greece are also my front runners! BUT UGH! Too hard to choose! I'm even rootin' for MEXICO! Anyway, watch FIFA, okay? Okay.

2. BASEBALL: San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox

My dad and I could sit all day watching batters swing it to a homerun or slide to a mound just to win a game and yeah, BASEBALL IS A DAY MAKER! Especially if it's the WORLD SERIES! Like, screaming and hustle of the hands! Yeah.. We huge baseball fans here at home. And the San Francisco Giants are our utmost fave because it has such a huge variation of members. And the Yankees are no doubt there at the top, so we always look forward to watching them and the Red Sox, dear sweet cheese! All in all, baseball counts in family time!

3. BASKETBALL: Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets

I have been a huge basketball fan for all I can remember. I used to shout at the TV and wake up people on the street whenever a team scored! My dad would sometimes shout at me for doing so, although he's basically the reason why we're all addicted to basketball! I guess, he's the silent type of cheerer! Anyway, the Miami Heat are really out there with strength, San Antonio Spurs with their spunk and also their wide array of experience and Houston Rockets with their amazing sense of strategy! Just! Basketball! YEAH!

I may not seem sporty, but really, I am... in mah mind! LOL! Well, I hope that we share the same favorites! Leave comments below so I'd know! Thanks!

LIFE OF A BLOGGER: School

Life Of A Blogger is hosted by Jessi from Novel Heartbeat where we let people know more about our lives outside of blogging so they can get to know us better!

Hello! My name is Jenivieve or Jayvee or Jen or Vee, whatever. Since I wasn't able to post last week, I decide to do two entries for this today, but this one will be published earlier! Imma be talking about school!

I have been into countless schools for the past four years (I'm talking about college here). I have been to three schools. 1st was De La Salle Lipa where I took Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I decided to leave school due to financial constraints and go to a more affordable school. I went to New Era University. I enjoyed my stay there, but I just decided that nursing was not for me.. and also because our finances weren't really doing well. I needed to find myself and what I wanted in life. I decided to take a whole semester off and think about everything. 

Book Blogger Test!

Special thanks to Yani of Paper Boulevard for tagging me... I'm kinda late to the party, so I'm sort of checking if I still have people to tag! Anyway, here goes! *warps*

What are your top three book pet hates?

• Stories that are too short. I just.. No fun!
• Folded pages or creased book cover.. No.. No.. NO!
• Folding the book in two and reading at one page to the other. NO! Read the book properly! It must not be folded like some shirt or magazine!

LIFE OF A BLOGGER: Collections

Life Of A Blogger is hosted by Jessi from Novel Heartbeat where we let people know more about our lives outside of blogging so they can get to know us better!

HELLO THERE EVERYONE! My name is Jenivieve and this week, I'll be sharing with you my "COLLECTIONS"

I don't think I really have a decent collection of sorts besides my old collection of receipts which got lost because they were all in my wallet and I lost it. YIKES! What a shame. Anyway, the only collection I can find that's my own are these...

So this is my mock bookshelf. As you may have already known, this is an old study table which I converted into my own bookshelf which contains a collection of old and new books that I have bought, borrowed and received. It is still a small collection compared to others, but I am saving up for some really good titles to add here.

LIFE OF A BLOGGER: Embarrassing Things

Life Of A Blogger is hosted by Jessi from Novel Heartbeat where we let people know more about our lives outside of blogging so they can get to know us better!

Hi there internet/blogging world. My name is Jenivieve and today I'm going to talk about things that make me super embarrassed... HERE WE GOOOO!

LIFE OF A BLOGGER: Siblings

Life Of A Blogger is hosted by Jessi from Novel Heartbeat where we let people know more about our lives outside of blogging so they can get to know us better!

Well, hello there, my name is Jenivieve De Castro and this week, we will talk about my family, particularly my siblings. Let’s get started. (WOW! I JUST DID A TYLER OAKLEY THERE. LOL)

No One Like Benedict Cumberbatch

I have outlived this moment where I share with you Misfits my love for dear, sweet, sexy, Benedict Cumberbatch. I adore the man! If I have to have any basis to the man I might ever want in my life, it might be someone like my father, my uncle, Abed Nadir or Benedict Cumberbatch.

As many might have already concurred, he is not the classic kind of handsome. He doesn’t really have that chiseled jaw or anything but he is beautiful in my opinion, even perfect as an actor. He’s played a conman, a troubled man who plays the piano, a war general, a paralyzed genius, a monster, a dragon, KHAN, and of course, his most known role so far, SHERLOCK.

ALL #TFIOSMovie, Well For Now That Is

This isn't much of a sneak peek anymore, isn't it? The purpose of this has been diminished to the purpose of just posting it, but I can't help it. I'm a fangirl!  Now I know basically all of you has seen everything of The Fault In Our Stars as it is set yo hit theaters this June but I would still love to bring you as much feels possible.

AND YES JOHN, YOU ARE THE GREATEST!!!

The Trailer:

You probably ain't human if you didn't cry at least one tear for the trailer. What I love about is is how true to the book the producers and the writers, Scott Neustader and Michael H. Weber, had made it. Though we may end up with a few differences from the book of course, I still believe that from the trailer, the movie will be as promising as the book.

When Bored I, Buzzfeed

I think that I have been bored for a while and completely forgot that I actually have a When Bored I, segment thing on my blog and it is actually one of my favorites and I'm so glad that I am bored enough to post one of the things I do when I'm bored.

Getting the dish out on latest news and topics with some sort of twist has been something I've completely fell in love with with going on Buzzfeed! And when there is nothing to do, and you've zapped out the life on other things, going on Buzzfeed has definitely shown it's way of bringing me joys that make my day complete!