Friday Bookish Buzz: On the Fifth Day of BBAW

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I bet that's how the organizers of Book Blogger Appreciation Week feel right now.

Today I'm going to do something different and combine my usual Friday Bookish Buzz post with BBAW. Because it's my blog and I can!

The world of blogging is continually changing. Share 3 things you think are essential tried and true practices for every blogger and 1-3 new trends or tools you’ve adapted recently or would like to in the future.

The Tried and True

• It's your blog. Well duh, right? But it always surprises me when bloggers say things like, "I have to review new books. I shouldn't post about X. I can't talk about my other hobbies. No one wants to read and my thoughts on old books. I need to use a certain blogging platform." Wait, who says that? There aren't any rules to book blogging. It's your blog. Not anyone else's. You can't please everybody anyway.
• Find your community. I starting blogging to find people to talk to about the the books I've read. I was lucky. Back then it was a bit easier to navigate the book blogging world and I did find like minded book friends. It's a bit trickier now but not impossible. Besides using book blogging events to find other bloggers, try reading challenges of genres you enjoy or readalongs of books you want to read (troll the sign up sheets). Look through the book rolls of blogs you love, if they have them. Join Goodreads or Twitter.
• Review it. I don't mean books. I mean your blog. Every once in awhile think about what you want from blogging. Is your blog accomplishing that for you? Maybe your blogging goals have changed over a few months. I know mine constantly change. Is there something on your blog you do that you no longer enjoy? Will a template change get you excited about blogging again? Have a good long think and make the changes you feel will improve your blogging experience.

The Tools

These aren't new tools and I've used them before but this year I've really utilized them.

• Netgalley. If you have an ereader, Netgalley is a great way to find new ebooks to review for free. A few tips though- fill out your bio, include your blog stats and all the places you blog including Twitter and Facebook. -Check the publisher requirements before requesting books. Some publishers are getting stricter about who they'll accept. -Bigger pubs aren't always better. Netgalley has a mix of large and small pubs. There are gems to be found in smaller pubs and generally they have fewer requirements.
• Goodreads. Yes, good old Goodreads.  I like seeing what all my friends are reading. I finally put all my books on there this year. I use it when I'm too lazy to go look at my shelves. They also have an app so you can check to make sure you haven't already bought a book you're considering buying. Beware the Spammy Spammerson though.

So that's my advice for happier book blogging. I hope you enjoyed BBAW this week. 

If you're new to my blog, on Fridays I post any interesting links I stumbled into while cruising the internet that week. Here are this week's finds.

*e-reads hits you with the obvious stick: do your homework when reading reviews on Amazon.

*Awkward! Writer fires her publisher at her book launch.

*Philippa Gregory to write a young adult novel. Should be interesting.

*Is it a crime? This dress was created with crime novel covers.

*What happened to Michel? French writer seems to be missing.

*Here's the Giller prize list long list. Read any?

*It's Brontemania!!

*Etsy Love: This is cute! "Book Ninja" bookmark from Hesed Books and Gifts.

Have a great weekend!