Blog and Life Update!

 

So I survived my PGCE and I've got myself a job for next year!

Yay! I'm focussing these next few weeks on my blog as I've been reading my way through my massive haul of books! I feel like I've missed lots of releases and dramas so I'm looking forward to getting back in to it!

 



However in August I will be jetting down under to travel Australia with my best friend (who lives in Melbourne) for 3 weeks! I'm hoping to schedule at least ten posts and use the long lonely flight as reading time!

Stay tuned this week for my Summer Bingo Challenge and a few Twitter reviews!
If you have any Australian books to recommend please comment below!

Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

The Monster Reviewathon!

Hosted by Kristen of The Book Monsters!

Goal~To review as many books as you can

I didn't take part in Bout of Books this time round but I did keep up with it and this Reviewathon caught my eye! I always need motivation to sit down and write up a bunch of reviews!
I want to write up as many as my back logged reviews as possible so I can have them all scheduled up for when I'm on holiday and when I go back to work!

Goal!

• To write up at least four reviews!
• To write up two mini reviews!

Please tell me I'm not the only one with a big backlog of reviews!
Wish me Luck!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon TBR.

It’s time to sign up for the fourth annual Once Upon a Readathon! This Readathon is hosted by Angela & Loretta at Reading Angels, Candace at Candace’s Book Blog and Lori at Pure Imagination.  It runs from 12:01 am on July 8th to 11:59 on July 10th.

I can't believe it's day one of the read-a-thon all ready! I started reading as soon as it was midnight and so far I'm really enjoying it.
I've put together a TBR and some added goals.

Goals

• Read 5 books.
• Catch up on books I keep putting off!
• Read at least 1 'hard copy'
• Take part in challenges!
• Comment on at least 5 new blogs.

Once Upon a Read-a-thon TBR!
Earth Girl by Janet Edwards.
Jet by Jay Crownover.
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover.
Saving June by Hannah Harrington.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.
One Tiny Lie by K.A Tucker.
Waiting for the Storm by Marie Landry.
Let me know what you're aiming for and how it's going!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

One Year Blogiversary!

 
It is exactly a year to the day that Above Average Below Special became a Book Blog!
 

One Year in Numbers

Books Read= 99.

Reviews Posted= 55.

Total Posts= 169.

5 Heart Reviews= 8.

 
I honestly didn't know whether I'd make it to a year when I post my first post last year!
I'd tried blogging before but what with work, university and life I ended up abandoning it. However after exams I came back and made Above Average Below Special solely a book blog! It's been a great year and I've thoroughly enjoyed it!
 
Things I learnt/ gained from Blogging!
New Genres~ Dystopia and New Adult.
The Art of Reviewing.
How publishing really works.
The value of EBooks.
The Blogging Community.
Social Media.
How to make headers.

Favourites!

• My Favourite Posts!- Discussion of Series Vs Standalones and Teaser: The Edge of Always by J.A. Redmerski
• My Favourite Reviews!- If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi and Speechless by Hannah Harrington.
• Most Popular Reviews!- Mini Reviews! Steph Campbell Edition! and Matched by Ally Condie
• Post I want to do more of! Friday Five~ Dystopia Characters and  Lettie Loves Films!
• Favourite series~ Under The Never Sky and  The Selection  

 

Giveaway!

Jen Frederick who wrote one of my favourite reads from May very generously agreed to do a giveaway to celebrate!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

I will be doing a couple more Blogiversary posts expanding on things I've learnt this year and what I've loved throughout the month!

I just want to thank everyone who follows this blog, my twitter, comments on my posts or contacts me! That's what makes me make time for blogging and reviewing- I hope you stick with me for the next year!

 

Thank you!

Much Love!

Lettie

XXxx

Stacking the Shelves: April

What is Stacking The Shelves all about?

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Welcome to my monthly haul!
April was once again a great month- now I'm behind with reading them all!

Actual Shelf!

The Diviners by Libba Bray. I had a couple of WHSmiths vouchers so I decided to finally pick this one up!
Reckless by Cornelia Funke. This one caught my eye and I love Cornelia Funke!

Virtual Shelf!

 

A Beautiful Lie by Tara Sivec. Random buy- the cover caught my eye!

If You Stay by Courtney Cole. This one keeps popping up on people's blogs and Twitter so I took the chance when it was 77p!

Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett. I loved the blurb and the cover!

Forty Days by Stephanie Parent. Sounds like such a great plot!

Review Shelf!
NetGalley

The Elite by Kiera Cass.  I loved The Selection so I jumped at the chance to read this one a little early!
Wait for You by J. Lynn. Another one I keep seeing everywhere so I'm looking forward to reading it!
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover. I want to try this one even though I'm not a big fan of Colleen's other books.

Review Copys

All my May blog tours! Some are authors I love and some are new to me!
Nissa by Bethany Lopez.
Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland.
Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett.
Lost and Found by Nicole Williams.
Stripped by Brooklyn Skye.
The Last Hour by Charles Sheehan-Miles.

How are your shelves looking after April?
Much love!
Lettie
Xxxx

For the Love of Swoon Giveaway Hop

Who needs a real Valentine when there are so many charming fictional swoonalicious dudes heroes to sweep you off your feet?

We want the book that brings all the swoons- the one that makes your heart flutter or race and your stomach fill with butterflies- whether that be because of a hero/heroine, a relationship, and/or the book in its entirety.

 

My very first giveaway! Yay!
I was going to 'gift' an eBook but that proved harder than I imagined- so the winner will have £5 to spend instead! Or whatever £5 is where you are!

Here's a Few Swoon Worthy Suggestions!

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

I think Adam is even more attractive in this one! I love his dedication and love for Mia and doesn't love a musician!

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

All the little road trip details and build up really make

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares is a cute quick funny read, Dash is so realistic and witty it's hard not to fall for him!

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi.

Best part about Under The Never Sky? You can swoon over Roar AND Perry and not feel guilty as they aren't competing for Aria!

Enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the rest of the Giveaways!

Good Luck!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxxx

January: A Review

Monthly Feature- rounds up all the books I've read, progress on challenges and reviews my blogging!

It is kind of an expansion (?) of my favourite memes hosted by the lovely Shelia over at Book Journey!

First month of 2013 is over-Which means it is time to review!

January in numbers!

Total posts= 15

Books read= 11

Reviews Posted= 3

Meme Posts= 5

Other Posts= 7

What I read in January!

Good start to the year!

What I reviewed!
The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski Blog Tour!
Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt
Back To You by Priscilla Glenn Blog Tour!
Honestly 3 reviews is a lot less than I wanted or planned but I hit a blogging slump!

What I posted! 
2012: A Round Up!- My 100th post looking back on 2012.
Challenges- Set out all my challenges and goals for 2013.
Top Ten Tuesday- Books I will be picking up in 2013!
Bout of Books 6.0- My first successful readathon!
Top Ten Tuesday- Settings I would like to read more of!
Lettie Loves- International Cover Comparison of Under The Never Sky!
Blog Tours!
In Between Seasons
Vain- Contest to win a Kindle Fire!

Challenge Progress
Genre Variety Challenge- 3/12.
New Adult Challenge-7/20.
First Reads-5/11.

Good progress so far!

What I hope to achieve in February! 

• Revival- I definitely hit a blogging slump this month- I got distracted by the festive period and it's hard to catch yourself up! I want to get back to my schedule and pre written posts etc. Mini-Bloggiesta has helped already!
• Diversity- I need to sit down and brainstorm some new 2013 ideas- like my Cover Comparison post.
• Posts- 16! I set out 16 as my aim in my 2013 Goals!
• Reviews- I want to post at least 6 reviews! Double my shocking 3 of Jan!

Is your year off to a good start?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

October Round Up!

Monthly Feature- rounds up all the books I've read, progress on challenges and reviews my blogging!

It is kind of an expansion (?) of my favourite memes hosted by the lovely Shelia over at Book Journey!

 
Quick update! I've been taken ill by some random flu as well as being a good daughter/granddaughter painting, decorating and taking apart kitchens so sorry for the lack of blogging!

October in numbers!

Total posts= 16

Books read= 6  

Reviews Posted= 4

Meme Posts= 4
Other Posts= 8

 

What I read in October!

 I think I've been busy decorating and reading non fiction books on careers etc to read as much as I would of liked!
 
What I Reviewed!
Thomas and January by Fisher Amelie.
Easy by Tammara Webber.
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi.
Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
 
Not too bad on the reviewing front not as great as I'd hoped though! 

What I Posted!
Challenge Motivation!- This one should go live tomorrow!  
Top Ten Minor Characters!- If you've read my reviews you know I love minor characters so this Top Ten was hard to narrow down!
Bloggiesta Wrap Up!- Sums up my Bloggiesta experience and accomplishments!
Blog Tours
Forbidden Mind Blog Tour
Book Promo
6 Seconds of Life Blitz- Touring this blog next month!
Move by Brina Courtney 
Don't Panic by Lindsay Paige

 Did I achieve my goals?
To blog to a schedule.-
Almost! I kept to my planned schedule quite well for half of October however my blog plans for November and surprise real life schedule changes hindered me! I did find planning a schedule made me much more organised and aware of how I was blogging- scheduling is now my top blogging tool!
To make progress on my challenges.
I didn't make much progress on this one! I did only read five books though so I'm not too surprised! More on this on below!
To post two non meme/review posts.
I did post alot more book promo style posts and my challenge update post however my planned posts got moved to November... So this is half successful
To tweet every blog post.
Thanks to Tanya  who pointed out that I could link my Blog to my Twitter = goal achieved! Yay!

What I hope to achieve in November!

• To successfully host my feature month!- I've got a contemporary themed month planned and a detailed schedule planned out so I want to keep to it better than I did in October.
• To make progress on my challenges!- I'm posting a challenge update post tomorrow so I can layout exactly what I need to read to complete my challenges! Posting my goals and plans on this blog will make me feel more accountable!
• To update my blog pages!- I want to put all the books I've rated under the relevant rating on the rating page. Update my about me page. Blogkeeping really!

How's your October/week been?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Monday Round Up!

One of my favourite memes hosted by the lovely Shelia over at Book Journey!

What do you think of the new header? I've been playing around with doing my own recently! :)
 
My week has been kind of fractured. I went to a Graduate Careers fair which was actually really helpful and caught up with my friend who's still at University! I worked 3 days and went shopping for my Godson's first birthday!
 
Reviews!
Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi- 5 Hearts!
 
Read!

 
I was so pleased I got approved on Netgalley for this one! I read it on the train to and from the careers fair. It wasn't what I expected but I enjoyed it! No review for awhile though as it doesn't get released until next year!
 
Reading!

This will be touring my blog next month! I've wanted to read it for awhile and so far I'm liking it :)
 
What's Next!

Again this one! It wont sync properly with my kindle app so I have to read it on my computer and with my travelling working week my phone was my reading device!

Upcoming Posts!
Cover post- Needs a catchy title! But this will be a showcase of international covers of a favourite book and their first look impressions!
 
Upcoming Reviews!
The Hangman in the Mirror by Kate Cayley or The Lost Son By Tamra Torero and Preston Norton!

How's your week been?
Any catchy titles for my Cover post?

Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Bloggiesta Wrap Up!

This is hosted by Suey from It’s All About Books and Danielle at There’s a Book. It ran  from September 28th to the 30th.

Bloggiesta was a lot of fun! I really enjoyed taking time out solely to work on my blog and tidy it up. I was quite productive too!

Goals!

• Create a blogging schedule for Oct.- See below!
• Learn more about blog design- One of my September goals hoping to find out more from mini challenges etc As mentioned in my September round up this goal needs more time and effort!
• Write up all review notes made on holiday. All review notes drafted up just need to be fully written out!
• Clean up Goodreads shelves. Not really attempted
• Clean up draft posts!- Now all I have is drafts of all my upcoming posts that need added pictures etc.
• Follow some new blogs! Done! I meant to keep track in order to link them but my Internet crashed!
• Write up 3 Top Ten Tuesday posts.- All written out just need to add pictures and format! Half success!
• Add ratings to all reviews posted before September!- Yay! A relatively quick task! I also cleaned up the review format on the first reviews I practised my current review style on!
• *Get more involved in blog tours etc. I signed up  to YA Bound Book Tours, Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours and SupaGurl Tours. I now have 5 tours scheduled for the rest of the year!

Challenges!

• Organisation and Scheduling- Success! I have a scheduling plan!
• Review Catch-Up- I went for the Love this challenge! I went for Let’s Split It level which works out as 4 reviews. I only manged three fully completed reviews though- oh well! 3 is better than none :)  

Schedule!

I used my the mini challenge as inspiration for my scheduling lay out. I have a month over view section in my Filofax with each post marked. I then have note cards for each month- one for reviews, one for memes and one for other posts. I don't have particular days to post on etc but I do have a fixed number of reviews and other posts for each month!
I like how responsible and organised I feel now! I know exactly what needs to be written and for when.
Here's a sneak peek at what I have scheduled for October!

Reviews to be posted.

• Thomas and January by Fisher Amelie.
• Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.
• The Lost Son By Tamra Torero and Preston Norton
• Easy by Tamara Webber.
• Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi.
• Hangman in the Mirror by Kate Cayley .
• While Its Lasts by Abbi Glines. Moved to Nov.
• Slammed by Colleen Hoover. Moved to Nov.

I wish I could of got more involved socially with Bloggiesta via twitter but the times didn't work for me!
I will definitely be taking part again next year and I'm thinking of using it to make over my blog!

How did you do with your goals?
Much love!
Lettie
xxxx

September Round Up!

Monthly Feature- rounds up all the books I've read, progress on challenges and reviews my blogging!

It is kind of an expansion (?) of my favourite memes hosted by the lovely Shelia over at Book Journey!

September in numbers!

Total posts= 15

Books read= 11

Books listened to= 2 ½

Reviews Posted= 5

Meme Posts= 4
Other Posts= 6

Total days spent in the UK= 12

 

What I read in September!

*Plus*
The Lost Son by Preston Norton and Tamra Torero
 
What I Reviewed!
Frozen by Mary Casanova.
Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan.
Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide To Getting Girls by Tellulah Darling.
Because of Low by Abbi Glines.
Matched by Ally Condie
Stronger review month! I seem to be reviewing my books accidentally in order which is handy!
I'm hoping my scheduling will make the number of reviews a month higher and more consistent from now on..
 
What I Posted!
Reviews- A post clarifying my personal approach to reviewing.
Bloggiesta- Brilliant event which really helped me with my monthly goals! Check out my goals post to see what else I cleaned up blogwise.
Autumn TBR- What I plan on reading this season!
Cover Reveal- Check out the beautiful cover on Abbi Glines' next instalment of Sea Breeze!
Series I need to finish!- This top ten kind of works as a 'to read' list for my series challenge.
 
Did I achieve my goals?
To post 15 posts.
Just achieved this one! I think I managed it, thanks to my holiday forcing me to schedule posts in advance. However my short notice holiday stopped my hope of 8 reviews as I didn't have time to write them up and schedule them before leaving for France.
To improve the standard of this blog.
I think I've achieved this one but it's an ongoing process. My review policy is clear and concise. My ratings system has made me think more about my reviews, which I hope has made them better. Bloggiesta gave me the chance to improve it further with the mini challenges.
To learn more about blog design.
I've tried but I think this goal will take longer than a month! The Bloggiesta mini challenges were so helpful for this one so it's an ongoing process.
  
What I hope to achieve in October!

• To blog to a schedule.- I created a proper blog schedule for bloggiesta which I will be posting later, I'm hoping to keep to it in order to give this blog a clearly defined structure and reliability.
• To make progress on my challenges.- I've been slacking on the majority of my challenges, in particular finishing the series. I'm hoping to make a lot more progress in October.
• To post two non meme/review posts.- This was originally last month's goal until I realised I wouldn't be able to write them up before going away! I've got a least one written up ready so hopefully this will be an easy goal!
• To tweet every blog post.- I used to do this all the time and it generated a lot of traffic! Need to get back into the habit.

September was an odd blogging month as I was away for the majority of the month so I wasn't actively blogging! I will be posting my Bloggiesta wrap up with my schedule so hopefully this month will be run smoothly!

How was your September blog/book/life wise?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Stacking The Shelves!

What is Stacking The Shelves all about?

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Picked up a few books this week and I stumbled across this meme! Such a good idea :)

Borrowed
From friends!

As I mentioned in my Holiday post I need to read the Artemis Fowl series asap- luckily my friend was happy to lend me the first two!
Once I unearth Seeing Redd and read it I'll have Archenemy on hand to finish off the series!

Library

My late reserve book which a friend had to pick up for me- Glow was so intriguing I'm excited for the sequel!
I love Paige Toon but I don't always love her books so I decided to borrow instead of buy this one.

Books for Tours

I've signed up for a couple of November blog tours due to Bloggiesta and received the books!
I'm so excited for Shallow- I loved Going Under.
Swell sounds a bit different which is always good!

Previewed

I'm on a Amazon ban (again!) because my TBR list is getting of control! So I've been previewing books to see if I want them :)

Measuring Up and Crash are sort of 'random finds- their previews were so intriguing definitely on the ebook wish list!
Breathe- I really need to read the first Sea Breeze book especially as I love the others so much!
Shallow- I was checking it out as I really enjoyed Going Under!

I've added quite a few books to my TBR this week!
Let me know if you love any of them!

Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Bloggiesta Progress!

This is hosted by Suey from It’s All About Books and Danielle at There’s a Book. It goes from September 28th to the 30th. Make sure to sign up here!

 

 

This is a start up/progress/plan post for Day 1 or more accurately two hours in! 

Progess!

I've cleaned up my draft posts from 25 to 16 so that I'm left with posts I genuinely intend to post soon!
This should be helpful for a few of the challenges I intend to take part in :)

 Challenges!

• Organisation and Scheduling- Creating a schedule for October is one of my goals so I'm so grateful for this challenge/post! I really want my blog to have a clearer schedule so people know what to expect and I can see what I need to work on. This will be my major project today
• Review Catch-Up- Love this challenge! I'm going for Let’s Split It level which works out as 4 reviews! Fingers crossed!

Goal Status!

• Create a blogging schedule for Oct.- See above!
• Learn more about blog design- One of my September goals hoping to find out more from mini challenges etc
• Write up all review notes made on holiday
• Clean up Goodreads shelves.
• Clean up draft posts!-See Above!
• Follow some new blogs!
• Write up 3 Top Ten Tuesday posts.- Picked out the themes and templated the posts. I've also picked out the top ten for each so the next step is pictures!
• Add ratings to all reviews posted before September!- Yay! A relatively quick task! I also cleaned up the review format on the first reviews I practised my current review style on!
• *Get more involved in blog tours etc.

I'm having so much fun already!
Let me know how you're doing!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx