Armchair BEA 2013: Ethics and Non-Fiction

It's day four of Armchair BEA and today it's all about blogging ethics and non-fiction.

As Gianne is busy with school, it's just me (Kristin) again.

On ethics

*knocks on wood* I have not had to deal with plagarisim on the blog just yet and hopefully we can continue this trend; you know, indefinitely. However, if it were to happen I would definitely apologize and remove the post. (And I would be extremely embarrassed. Extremely.)

Here's the thing though: this is why I don't read other reviews (usually) before I write my own. I don't want other reviews to influence mine--whether that means raising or lowering my rating or accidentally saying something extremely close to what they've said. And memes? Well, I always give credit where credit is due--or I seriously try to. (This is actually why I've never really tried to start my own meme--I have a sinking feeling that I'm not that original.)

What it comes down to is this: don't plagiarize. Ever. It's not worth it and it seems like it's next to impossible to come back from. (And now I'm going to have to run around to other blogs to see what I've forgotten to mention. I'm guessing the answer is, "Lots.")

On non-fiction

*crickets* Non-fiction is like a distant country that I admire from a distance but never really intend to visit. That's probably because I touch on it so rarely that I wouldn't know where to start. Wait, that's not entirely true. Give me something related to fashion and I'll probably be engrossed.

However, non-fiction really isn't my thing. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm an escapist and I'm more likely to choose (to read) a fictional world over the real one.

Armchair BEA 2013: Blogger Development & Genre Fiction

Today's Armchair BEA topic is all about how we go about growing as bloggers and developing our blogs; and also what genres we tend to gravitate towards.

Unfortunately Gianne is busy and can't join me today but here are my thoughts on blogger development and genre fiction!

On blogger development

Okay, I am pretty quiet when it comes to blogging. By which I mean that I don't really do anything with my blog in my local community asides from attending a YA book group. (It's at Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach and it is always a lot of fun.) As for partnering up, well, I have! *hugs Gianne* I really, really love my co-blogger Gianne and that's precisely why she's my co-blogger. I don't have ads on my blog and if I'm honest, I intend to keep it that way.

As for the look of my blog? That's definitely changed quite a bit; at least the appearance has. I've gone from a free background (and crazy cluttered sidebars) to a custom blog design that I feel is much more professional (but I might be biased--I am obsessed with calligraphy). 

But okay, my online personality? I think I can credit most of it to the blog, my Twitter, my Tumblr, and the MMORPGs that I play. I love that it means that I have a clear voice and personality online--but if I'm being completely honest if you were to meet me in person you might be surprised by how quiet I actually am. Let's be clear here, if you start talking to me about books or the right television shows? You will see my eyes light up and I will definitely be able to chat up a storm with you. But I'm always really shy at first.

On genre fiction

I've always been a fan of paranormal books but if I'm being completely honest, it's gotten difficult to find ones that I really love. Right now I'd probably say Kim Harrison's Hollows series tops my list for the paranormal genre and I would point out that it's definitely not YA. I also always enjoy fantasy books--as long as the terminology and world building doesn't get so intense that I can't pronounce or remember half of the terms. If you haven't checked out Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone or Leigh Bardugo's Shadow & Bone, you might want to get on that. (Okay, and if you read adult urban fantasy and haven't read Karen Marie Morning's Fever series, well, I'd recommend it. But every book in that series has a cliffhanger that will make you toss up your hands.)

I mean, really, I read everything. But maybe not that much verse. Oh, and I am always on the lookout for a good romance to read. (Bonus points if it's set in the Victorian or Edwardian era.) But let's be clear here, I need the romances that I read to be mostly plot. I'm not saying that there can't be some sexy time mixed in, but it better not overwhelm the book. (If you have a good romance--YA or adult--you'd recommend I check out, please do let me know. I'm always hunting for good ones. Fantasy, paranormal, or contemporary. It's all good.)

Armchair BEA 2013: Introductions

Welcome to Armchair BEA 2013! Well, I say that. But what I really mean is that I'm participating again this year! For those who don't know what Armchair BEA is; well, think Book Expo America with lots of bloggers, posts, some prizes, and from the comfort of your armchair (or desk, etc.).

As it's day one of Armchair BEA the theme is introductions. What does that mean? Prepare yourself, you might learn something new about Gianne and I. Or, well, maybe you'll re-learn some things. Who can say?

So to the people visiting the blog for the first time? Welcome! To those who are returning or are already familiar with it? Welcome back!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? 

Kristin: Why hello there! My name is Kristin and I've been blogging for a little over two and a half years now. (It really doesn't feel like it's been that long though.) I got into blogging back in late 2010 when I decided that it would be an awesome way to talk about books and meet people who share my taste in books. (Spoiler alert: It worked!) I've met some really, really awesome people by blogging and I can't imagine not blogging now. (Although okay, I've been pretty quiet on the blog lately--sorry! That's changing really, really soon though. I swear.)

Gianne: Hiiiii! I'm Gianne, and I've been on-and-off blogging for about two years as well (albeit different blogs and such.) I've been on invisible mode ever since I joined over here on this blog (I'M SO BAD GOODNESS) mainly because of school. I got into blogging through social networking AKA Twitter! I was inspired to blog my own opinions on books after fangirling with my online friends about books on a daily basis. Hehe.

Where in the world are you blogging from?

Kristin: I blog--and live--in California. As in Southern California. As in five to ten minutes from the beach. Er, but that really depends on traffic. If I were to be a little more specific I'd tell you that I live in the Los Angeles area--although I'm south of Los Angeles and live in a city that has an awesome independent bookstore. 

Gianne: I could never be too far from my twin/co-blogger/best-fraaan, so obviously I live in California too~ Just an hour and a half away from Kristin!

Have you previously participated in Armchair BEA? What brought you back for another year? If you have not previously participated, what drew you to the event? 

Kristin: I have! This is actually my third year participating and I really love stopping by other blogs to see what other bloggers have to say about the theme and questions each day.

Gianne: NEEVERRRR have I participated in this! Kristin was like, "Hey person who dropped off the face of the planet because of school, you should do Armchair BEA okay or else we not friendz no more" (Just kidding, Kristin didn't go all thug on me.)

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013? 

Kristin: I'm in the process of reading Resist by Sarah Crossan right now. As for my favorite book of 2013? I swear you're asking me an impossible question. I am completely expecting to stop by other blogs today and *face palm* as I quietly go, "How could I forget to add that book to my list of favorites!?" I loved The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson, The Archived by Victoria Schwab, and Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo.

Gianne: I feel really ashamed to say I'm not reading anything at the moment. *cries* However, there was one particular book I enjoyed reading this year but I can't remember anything about the title right now, except for the fact it was a really long title. *nods*

Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you. 

Kristin: I am very good at playing stylist. (As in helping people pick out clothes.) But I have to know your personal style pretty well. Secretly, I'm very stylish. I can throw together fun outfits, chic ones, and event appropriate looks. I also really enjoy dressing that way but haven't lately. (And I can't use eyeshadow to save my life. There's that.)

Gianne: WOW, I can't think of anything off the top of my head. Um, okay, we'll just go with that I like to watch anime a lot a lot a lot a lot, and I'm a fashion/makeup junkie. <3

Name your favorite blog(s) and explain why they are your favorite(s). 

Kristin: I can't really explain why my favorite blogs are favorites. Well, okay; it's because of the bloggers behind them (and their opinions on books). There's Why Ava Reads, Katie's Book Blog, and Adventures of a Book Junkie.

Gianne: UM UM UM, I have way too many, but the ones that stand out in my head right now are Reut Reads and Novel Sounds. I've actually subscribed to them through my email, and I always enjoy reading whatever they post because it's just...compelling omg words cannot explain.

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

Kristin: I honestly can't think of one and I feel horrible for saying that. What sort of blogger am I!? Actually I'm always really proud of The List which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It's a huge list of books that sound like they're right up my alley--from the latest book catalogs.

Gianne: Back up on my old blog, there was this one post I LOVED because I thought it was so clever at the time (I STILL think it's pretty clever today) and it was the post where I stated the "seven deadly reasons" why y'all should read Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins.

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why? 

Kristin: I love that what immediately sprung to mind was dinner with John Green and Neil Gaiman; because let's be honest, how awesome would that be!?

Gianne: AHHH, Kristin, same, I literally thought of those two authors too. Since you already said them though, if I could eat dinner with any CHARACTER, it would have to be one of my book hubbies. I'm a strong supporter of polygamy in regards to book husbands so I CAN'T just pick one! (Though honestly, I would SO want to go on a dinner date with Bones from the Night Huntress Series. He's so perf.)

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

Kristin: BEA. Wait, I feel like you knew I was going to say that. Shakespeare and Company (the bookstore) in Paris would be amazing to visit because it looks like the best sort of bookstore. You know, the ones where you're constantly discovering something new even though you've been there time and time again. As for BEA, well, who wouldn't want to go? Hanging out with bookish people is the best thing ever.

Gianne: BEA BEA BEA BEA, hands down.

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? 

Kristin: The friendships that you make with other bloggers and blog readers. And if I'm being completely honest, the fact that everyone knows what it's like to not have enough room on their bookshelves.

Gianne: Without a doubt, the interactions with other fellow bloggers and readers one would make through social networking. I have met so many amazing people here <3 <3 <3 ... like Kristin. <3 <3 <3

Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

Kristin: Nothing I can think of!

Gianne: Downloadable food, actually that doesn't make sense, but yeah, disregard me.

Armchair BEA 2012: Ask the Experts

It's the last day of Armchair BEA this year and the topic is blogging advice and questions that you've been dying to ask.

As for tips, let's see...

• Know your limits. This means knowing when you need to take a blogging break, when you really cannot take on anymore books, and if you'll need to schedule posts to keep your blog from looking eerily silent. 
• Talk. Online, specifically and at bookish events too. Comment on blogs, talk with other bloggers on Twitter, and heck, maybe even meet up with a few bloggers at some point. It's all about community and that's the best part of blogging, in my opinion; knowing that you're not alone (and being able to share your love of books with people who understand you). 
• Be yourself. Have a unique voice. Your voice. But please keep the snark or book trashing to a minimum. I'm not saying, "Don't write negative reviews." What I mean is, please tell us how you think the book could've been improved. 

As for things that I'd like to know...

• How do you find time to read? Do you just read when you can or do you give yourself a certain time frame to read in each day?
• If you use Google +, how useful do you find it to be? (I swear I can't figure it out for the life of me. *pokes it*)
• How do you get yourself out of a reviewing slump?

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Armchair BEA 2012: Networking... In Real Life!?

It's day three of Armchair BEA and today's topic is real life book experiences.

I have no idea where to begin because this is going to be almost painfully short. I don't usually go out and socialize about books outside of the internet. Why? I have no idea. Actually, I do. I'm painfully shy and it's easier for me to talk online. Having said that, I do attend Mysterious Galaxy's (the one in Redondo Beach) YA Book Group--although I won't be able to attend in June as ALA is going on that weekend. It's not terribly big, but it's fun to get together with a few teens (and an adult or two) to talk about YA. (Although there was that time when Melissa Meyer dropped by to talk with us about Cinder which was pretty darn awesome.)

I would love to meet up with other book bloggers in the South Bay area (the Los Angeles version of the South Bay, not the Bay area one) or maybe meet some at signings and whatnot, but again, I'm terribly shy. Also, I have this terrible habit of looking somewhat unfriendly but I promise you, if you mention books or book blogging, you'll see my entire demeanor change. (I mean, if you mention Doctor Who, Sherlock, and so forth, you'll get the same reaction as these are things I don't exactly talk to my "real life" friends about.) So if you ever see me, please do say hello! :) I'll be the pale, half-Asian chick probably rocking a pair of heels (except at ALA, I have a feeling that it'll be flats or wedges) and feeling terribly out of place--I hate going to these things alone.
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Armchair BEA: Best of 2012

It's day two of Armchair BEA and the recommended topic today is best books of 2012 (and 2012 releases that they're promoting at BEA that you're really looking forward to).

So, uh, I have no idea where to begin. Honestly? Maybe if I picked a favorite for each month of the year... wait, no, that would lead to tons of, "But what about that release?" or "How could I forget that book!?"Because of this, I'm going to try to keep things short--because I have a feeling that it's sort of a very long list.

So in terms of what I've read so far this year that I've loved, there's:
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
Why? Self-discovery, travel, and romance.

Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross
Why? Fairy tales, more than one character being special, and the town sounds like the perfect blend of stunning and creepy.

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
Why? Blew my mind. It was a book that I was skeptical about going into, but ended up devouring.

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
Why? Werewolves and a romance which involves people close to her, not some random strange guy who happened to come to town. Plus the guys are wonderful opposites.


Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Why? Do I even need to say why!? High fantasy that's easy to follow, a perfect blend of action and romance, and just... did I mention the world has Russian influences?

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
Why? Mermaids who hate to be called mermaids, someone getting their face smashed through storm proof glass, and humor.

And as for books that I'm looking forward to? Uh, I better not get into it. Or, okay, I'll list a few titles.
Throne of Glass by S.J. Maas
The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long
The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna
Defiance by C.J. Redwine
Origin by Jessica Khoury
Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr
Ten by Gretchen McNeil
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang
Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch
Eve and Adam by Katherine Applegate and Michael Grant
Lucid by Ron Bass and Adrienne Stoltz
Crewel by Gennifer Albin
Black City by Elizabeth Richards
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

That, of course, is the extremely short version of the list--which I'm calling "The list of books that Kristin would ditch other books to read." We won't get me started on sequels and books in a series, because that's make this post longer than it already is. So, what do you think? Do you agree with me? Is there a book that I absolutely need to add to the list of upcoming releases that I'm dying to read? 

Armchair BEA: Introductions 2012

Design credit: Nina of Nina Reads

It's day one of Armchair BEA and what does that mean? Introductions! (And, well, me trying to comment much, much more than I have been.) If you aren't familiar with Armchair BEA, think of it as BEA, but from home. :)

Blurry picture? Yes, yes it is. >->

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

Why hello there! :D My name is Kristin, I'm twenty-two (but it's not uncommon to hear that people think I'm younger than I am) and I'm the blogger behind Beneath Shining Stars, I Read. I live in California and here's a fact for you: Chuck Norris attended my high school. If you're attending ALA Annual in Anaheim this year, you just might run into me! But moving on! I've been blogging for nineteen months now--and no, it doesn't feel like it's been nearly that long--and originally I got into blogging because it looked like it was a ton of fun! Another one of my reasons behind getting into book blogging was the fact that I really wanted to be able to talk to other people about books! (Because sadly, my real life friends aren't as into books as I am.)

Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

Non-book related? I'm a bit of a Whovian and a Sherlockian--which is to say, I watch Doctor Who and Sherlock (which I love entirely too much). David Tennant will always be the Doctor to me, but I really feel like Matt Smith is my Doctor. (We will not let me get into Benedict Cumberbatch's amazing voice or Andrew Scott's mind blowing Moriarty.) We won't let me get into Tom Hiddleston and how much I adore the man. Seriously, it would be a bad idea. If you follow me on Twitter, you know what I mean. Oh, and I'm actually really, really shy. If you talk to me, I'll talk to you--but usually I'm not the one to initiate conversation.

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

Shakespeare and Company, hands down. It looks like such an amazing bookstore and it's in Paris! But no, I don't speak French... that could be awkward.

Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?

I'd say that they have. How? I'm no longer strictly a "I must love the cover to read the book" girl and I'm more likely to branch out from what I usually read--if the plot is interesting enough.

Where do you see your blog in five years?

Hopefully still up and running! But honestly, I'm not thinking that far ahead when it comes to my blog. I'm taking it day by day and if I happen to be blogging in another five years? Awesome! If I'm not? Well, to be honest, I can't imagine not blogging! D:

A Blogger's Take On Blogging (An Armchair BEA post)

Today it's all about blogging and although I can't speak for every blogger, I'll be giving you my "golden rules" when it comes to blogging about books--and other tidbits, because you know me, I run off on tangents.

The Golden Rules of (Book) Blogging:

• Be yourself--or as my high school creative writing teacher would say, write in your voice. Read what you enjoy and never feel pressured into posting on a day where you're off your game. 
• Don't bash anyone--this means if you didn't like a book, be constructive about it. What precisely didn't you like about it? Also, don't send hate mail to another blogger, an author, or even worse, to a publisher. 
• Have fun--because that's what it's all about. If you're suffering from blogger's block, try doing a discussion post, reading a book outside of your usual tastes, do interviews, etc. But if that doesn't help, then don't be afraid to step away from your blog for a bit. 
• Make friends--because really, how often do you get to talk with a ton of other book lovers who share your interest in the same sort of books!?
• Network--good things may come to those that wait, but in the blogging world, if you don't put yourself out there, chances are people will never find you! Participate is memes such as In My Mailbox, Blog Hop, Follow Friday, Teaser Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday, etc. And that brings me to my next point. 
• Balance things out--this means don't do strictly memes. Do a book review one day, an author interview the next, and then a meme (or any variation of this really, just don't do strictly memes). Also, find a blogging schedule that you are comfortable with. Maybe set time aside each day to blog or only blog on Fridays but knock out posts in advance (schedule them, that is).
• Post meaningful comments--don't just stop by someone's blog with a quick "follow my blog (url here)!" Make sure your comment is relevant to their post. 
• It's not about the free books--yes, they're a great, but don't ever start a blog where that is your only intention. 

How should I, as a blogger, get books to review?
I'd say that when you start a blog, it's best to buy books and borrow some from the library. If you've been blogging for less than two months, please do not e-mail a publisher asking for books. You need to build up content--I mean, the exception to this is if you've been reviewing for someone else for a while and can link the publisher to these reviews. Personally, I don't think Goodreads counts as "previous experience." Possibly join NetGalley if you don't mind eARCs--but remember to fill your profile in!

I want to contact a publisher for (insert title here), how should I do it?
Be polite, be professional, and be friendly. Do not copy and paste your email to them. Include the title of the book, the author's name, the ISBN, and perhaps the date that the book is set for release. Also include the number of unique visitors per month, page views per month, your mailing address, and perhaps how many followers you have as well. What genres do you read? Why do you want this book? These are things to ask yourself as you type up your e-mail. Lastly, make sure you're sending it to the right imprint, that you've spelled everything correctly, and that you don't sound like you're demanding the book. Oh! Please do not ask another blogger for his or her publishing contacts. It's one thing to have trouble finding it on the publisher's site, but it's another thing entirely to say, "Hey, I can't find it/don't want to look for it, can I have your publicist/publisher contact?" It's just not done--I mean, would you give out your personal phone number to random people who ask for it/post it on random sites? I didn't think so.

Other things you might want to know:

• Have a review policy--because if you want to receive books for review, you're going to need one. 
• Make your contact information easy to find--because if an author, publicist, or publisher comes to your site and thinks that they'd like to request a review from you, they're not going to want to go on an Easter egg hunt for it. 
• Use social media to your advantage--okay, you don't have to do this, but having a Twitter account or a Facebook page can direct traffic to your blog. 
• LinkWithin is your friend--I'm serious, having it set up has seriously helped keep people browsing around my blog, it can do the same thing for you. 
• Have a stat counter--if you're going to review books or if you like to know that sort of thing. But do not obsess over your stats. No, you're not going to have amazing numbers when you've just begun your blog, but with hard work you too shall get there--I mean, my numbers aren't amazing either, but I keep on trucking regardless. ;)
• Don't be afraid to say no--if you're being pitched a book that you don't feel is a good fit for you, don't be afraid to politely tell the author/publisher/publicist no and explain to them why it's not for you.

Lastly? If you haven't already and you're either new (welcome to the community!) or struggling with something, check out The Story Siren's Blog Help section or Parajunkee's Book Blogging 101 section.

Okay, okay, I know I probably should've talked about what I do when it comes to all of this, but I thought that I'd just stare blankly at my screen for a very long period of time before posting this--or making some reference to how we, the bloggers, are like the male Blue-footed Booby who struts his stuff and shows off his twig picking skills to impress the female Blue-footed Booby (ie. publishers). Also, a word of warning, if you haven't joined the wonderful world of Twitter, I warn you now that it is highly addictive! Well, blogging is addictive too, but that's besides the point. ;D

So that is my compilation of knowledge when it comes to blogging goodness. Yes, it's rather long, sorry about that! I really just hope that it was helpful and that it didn't sound like I was trying to be mean--because really, I'm not. I'm so sad to see that Armchair BEA is coming to an end and I'm hoping to maintain my budding blogger relationships--because y'all rock (though I think you already knew that). <3

Nurturing Blogging Releationships (an Armchair BEA post)

When it comes to nurturing relationships amongst the blogging community, I suppose everyone has their own way of doing it. How do I personally do it? Lots of Twitter and a smattering of blog comments. Not that I'm opposed to chatting through Skype though (I'm decaying.notes) but I should warn you that I'm more talkative when I'm typing than when it actually comes to talking. Wait, well, that's both true and false. I can talk a lot, but it tends to turn into rambling and I'm always shy at first.

Then there are blogger relationships with publishers. I'll be honest and say that I would love to make a solid contact with a publicist but alas, I--like many bloggers--currently find myself sending it to their general publicity e-mail address and then I begin hopping around in my rendition of the "Oh goodness, there's no reply! Did I get it? Didn't I get it?" dance. Usually, this also leads to a lot of listening intently for the UPS man--or USPS man.

I'll be honest, I find it hard sometimes to balance "professional" with "friendly." I know to keep my e-mails short, hit on the key points, and to ask nicely. But when I keep my e-mails short, I worry that I'm coming off as blunt and you can't read inflictions through the internet.

How do you like to be pitched a book?
I like friendly e-mails but more importantly than that, I really want to make sure that you've read my review policy. I hate to say it, but it is obvious when you haven't read it. Please include a brief summary of the book when you send me a pitch, it really does help when I'm making up my mind. Cover art would be nice, but I can always go track it down if I need to. If you'd like me to get my review up on a certain date or week--or if you don't mind if I post it early--that would really help if you let me know too.

What do you, as a blogger, wish that you knew about sending review requests? 
I'll be honest and say that although there are posts on who to contact and what to include in those e-mails, sometimes I'm not sure what to title the e-mail. In particular when there's more then one book that I'm requesting. So I suppose my first question would be, "What would you like us to title our requests?" Lately I've been titling mine "Review Copy Request: Title by Author" or "Review Copy Requests."

From blogger to blogger, how should you go about requesting a copy of a book? What else should a blogger keep in mind?
I'd say that it's important to remember and understand that review copies are marketing tools. They're there to get the buzz going for a book. Think about how many people your blog reaches, how long you've been blogging (some publishers prefer six months of blogging or more) and remember that they (generally) want to know how many unique visitors and number of page views that you get a month. Followers aren't everything though, so if there's a book that you're dying to read, don't be afraid to send an e-mail! But when sending that e-mail, please remember to spell everything correctly and it might help to go over the e-mail after you've finished typing it to check for mistakes. Remember to be polite and ask nicely for the book that you want. Never demand a book. Also, publicists are very busy people--please include your mailing address in your e-mail to them! Lastly, remember to say thank you and to send them a link to your review! :)

Then we come to authors; the people who write the books that we love--and make us fangirl/fanboy out when they @ us on Twitter, comment on our post, or shoot us an e-mail. I adore Victoria Schwab (she's finally watched--a lot--of Doctor Who, hurrah!) and I'm crushing on Karsten Knight (who is, let's face it, funny as hell, cute--only because I don't use the word "hot"--and wrote what is probably one of my favorite books of the year). They both have blogs, both vlog, and both use Twitter which makes it easy to "talk" to them; but I won't say that I have a blogger/author relationship with them, because I think that entails a lot more chatting and I'm shy. xD

I'll be honest, it's been eight months now since I've started blogging and I love watching my blog grow and watching other bloggers flourish too. A huge thank you to the publishers who support us book bloggers and do us the honor of trusting us with ARCs!

Lastly, fellow bloggers, is there anything you wish that you knew about sending ARC requests/publisher interaction?

Lip Smackingly Good Books (Best of 2011 -- An Armchair BEA post)

There are a ton of amazing releases either currently out or scheduled for release in 2011 and well, you're about to see a list of my favorites! All the links that you see will direct you to their Goodreads pages. :)

Current Releases (in no particular order):

Across the Universe by Beth Revis
It takes a lot to make me pale when it comes to books, but Beth's description of the glass boxes that everyone was frozen in (as well as what went into putting everyone into the stasis) sure managed to do it! Besides for that, there were twists that I didn't see coming and I love it when books manage to pull that off--because after reading so many books for so long, sometimes it's hard to surprise me anymore. I haven't stuck my review up on the blog just yet, but to me, this was definitely a five star book.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Wither was one of those books that I knew I was going to love. Sure enough, Lauren's writing style drew me in and Rhine's world was both beautiful and frightening at the same time. Needless to say, I'm really, really looking forward to Fever. Again, another book that I haven't posted my review of just yet--but it's coming soon, just you wait and see! ;)

Divergent by Veronica Roth
There was a ton of hype about Divergent and I went into it with mixed feelings. However it wasn't long until I was flipping pages and racing towards the end, so completely absorbed in the story that I really, really wished that the story hadn't ended. 

Die for Me by Amy Plum
I love it when books are set outside of the United States--or are placed in unique settings. But in Die for Me's case, it wasn't just the setting that proved itself unique, it was also the storyline. I absolutely adored the dynamic between Vincent and Kate; so much so that I caught myself tearing up at one point during the book.

Stay by Deb Caletti
I'll be honest, it's rare for me to love a contemporary book. But Stay really swept me off my feet.

The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge
I really need to get my review of this up! Admittedly this is more so a four star book than a five star book to me, but I loved the setting (Lovecraft) and all the steampunk elements. It's definitely not a romance (in my opinion), but it's a grand adventure none the less.

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
It's rare for me to like Middle Grade books, but The Emerald Atlas really struck me as the sort of book that has the potential to appeal to fans of YA fiction and maybe even some of us older kids. It was a great read and had classic fantasy elements that I loved.

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Upcoming Releases (in order of release):

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton (5/24/2011)
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini (5/31/2011)

Blood Red Road by Moira Young (6/7/2011)
Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski (6/7/2011)
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma (6/14/2011)
Passion by Lauren Kate (6/14/2011)
The Revenant by Sonia Gensler (6/14/2011)
Withering Tights by Louise Rennison (6/28/2011)

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore (7/12/2011)
Ripple by Mandy Hubbard (7/21/2011)
Wildefire by Karsten Knight (7/26/2011)
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer (7/26/2011)

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab (8/2/2011)
All You Desire by Kirsten Miller (8/9/2011) 
Ingenue by Jillian Larkin (8/9/2011)
Possess by Gretchen McNeil (8/23/2011)
Soul Thief by Jana Oliver (8/30/2011)

Dark Passage by M.J. Putney (9/13/2011)
Fateful by Claudia Grey (9/13/2011)
Frost by Marianna Baer (9/13/2011)
Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay (9/13/2011)
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey (9/20/2011)
A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies (9/27/2011)
The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton (9/27/2011)
Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan (9/27/2011)
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (9/27/2011)
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (9/29/2011)
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (9/29/2011)

The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon (10/4/2011)
Eve by Anna Carey (10/4/2011)
Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter (10/11/2011)
Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala (10/18/2011)

Crossed by Ally Condie (11/1/2011)
Don't Expect Magic by Kathy McCullough (11/8/2011)
The Pledge by Kimberly Derting (11/15/2011)
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (11/15/2011)

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (12/6/2011)
Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey (12/8/2011)
Unleashed by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie (12/13/2011)
Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne (12/20/2011)

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Maybe I should be happy that I didn't end up going to BEA this year. xD I mean, look at that list! My shoulders ache just looking at it! But like most of my fellow bloggers, I'm a sucker for a pretty cover and a great storyline--which means that I'd have risked a sore shoulder without a second thought. ;) 2011 appears to be yet another great year for books and I can't wait to see what 2012 will have in store for us!

So, what books have you enjoyed so far in 2011? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to? Feel free to leave a link and I'll drop on by to check out your posts! :D

The Girl Behind the Blog (an Armchair BEA introduction)

Hello there! Welcome to Beneath Shining Stars, I Read--yes, this is an official sort of "hello." To my followers, thank you so much for following my blog and to my visitors, well, welcome!

You might be wondering, "Is that a picture of you, Kristin?" The answer, of course, is "Yes!" Please forgive the open closet behind me. Yes, it looks like one that you could use to get into Narnia,--but alas, I've tried (as a kid) and it doesn't seem to work. But enough of my minor ramble! Now I shall question myself in a sort of mock interview--feel free to use my questions if, like me, you're sort of stuck when it comes to introduction posts.

Why did you name your blog Beneath Shining Stars, I Read?
Admittedly there are three reasons why my blog ended up being named "Beneath Shining Stars, I Read." I read at night, I have an (slight--wait, who am I kidding?) obsession with stars (the sort in the sky), and I live close to Los Angeles (and as such, do tend to have star sightings from time to time).

Why did you start blogging?
I found GoodReads in August of 2010 and I quickly began organizing a "TBR" list while reading reviews on there. At the same time, I found that some people linked to their blogs from their review posts and I began reading The Story Siren's reviews. From there, I began to play around with the idea of making a blog and reviewing on it and two months later, Beneath Shining Stars, I Read was created.

Who are you?
My name is Kristin, I live in a small, quiet city situated between Long Beach and Los Angeles, and I'm twenty-one years old. Also, I'm an English Literature major--who probably shouldn't have taken a break right after high school, but we all make silly decisions at times, right? Ah, and if you were wondering, I'm half Thai and half Caucasian--which as it stands, means that I don't burn when I go out into the sun but I don't exactly tan either. Naturally, I'm shy and I'm not exactly the partying type. Yes, I've been a bookworm all my life. Have I mentioned that I'm a Nerdfighter? Or that I seriously love Harry Potter (both the movies and the book series) as well as Pirates of the Caribbean (yes, I'm a Johnny Depp fan-girl)? Huh, I probably should've mentioned that earlier.

What are your other hobbies?
Reading is hobby number one. Other hobbies include writing, singing, swimming, shopping, hanging out with friends, watching movies, singing along with musicals, listening to music and being a dork. Well, being a dork isn't really a hobby, it's a fact of life.

What do you like to watch?
Musicals, Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother, Doctor Who (admittedly I find myself falling for the charms of Matt Smith), Gossip Girl, True Blood (Alexander Skarsgard, yum!), Doctor Horrible, Coraline, Pirates of the Caribbean, and well, there's many more but off the top of my head, that's what I love to watch.

Do you have a favorite book series?
Every time I see this question or when I get asked it, I freeze. There have been many series that I can claim are favorites. They're books that I can re-read without losing interest in and well, there's so many that I don't know what to tell you! My default answers are always Karen Marie Moning's Fever series and of course J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter.

What do you usually read?
I read mainly YA--like most of the bloggers that I follow--and sometimes it feels like the teens hanging around the YA section of my local bookstore know I'm not one of them. You know, that "Why is there an adult in the YA section?" look. But it's my guilty pleasure and I don't think I'll be giving it up anytime soon. As for genres, I read a bit of everything (yes, it's true).

But when it comes to genres that I really love then it has to be: dystopian, paranormal, historical fiction, and romance. Although I have been reading a bit more contemporary lately and it's been a nice change. Paranormal has always been my favorite genre though and I've loved it for as long as I can remember--which does indeed mean before Twilight was released. It was probably the fourth grade or so when I really began reading it--and a bit of R.L. Stine--and I've yet to grow tired of it. ;)

What are you looking forward to most for Armchair BEA?
Everything! Seriously, everything. But if you forced me to pick something then I'd tell you that I'm really looking forward to learning more about my fellow bloggers and reading lots and lots of posts!

Lastly, thank you so much for stopping by my blog! I'll be doing my best to keep up with everything going on for Armchair BEA this week, so I'll be hopping around from blog to blog visiting as many of my fellow Armchair BEA participants as I can manage. Happy reading!

P.S. I can also be found on Twitter (@EloquentLace) and GoodReads.