Sunday Post #33

• I'm done with work!!!! Thursday was my last day and it feels WONDERFUL to be done. The waitressing life is not the life for me. Of course, I wanted to make some money while I still could so Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week I worked 12-hour shifts and it really truly exhausted me (hence why the blog wasn't particularly poppin' this week). 
• I hope everyone had a wonderful, safe 4th of July (if you celebrate it). My dad came to visit (which meant I had to clean my entire apartment) and he made breakfast and dinner and we mostly just relaxed. It was a good day! To be honest, I don't care that much about 4th of July so it was nice to just have good food and good laziness. 
• I LEAVE FOR FLORIDA TOMORROW! I am so so so excited. I'll be staying with my sister for 3 weeks, hanging out by the pool, and living my absolute best life. 

Books read this week:

Reviews: 
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
(★★★★½)

Discussions: 
- Doing It All In The Book Community

Currently reading:

Reviews: 
- What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum
- Caraval by Stephanie Garber
- Coming Up for Air by Miranda Kenneally

Features/Misc.:
- Discussion: The Feeling After Reading a Hyped Book
- The Eclectic Corner #4: Song Lyrics 

Here are my favorite photos from this week! Make sure to follow me (@leftyreads) to see everything I post! 

A post shared by The Left-Handed Book Lover (@leftyreads) on Jul 1, 2017 at 3:13pm PDT

A post shared by The Left-Handed Book Lover (@leftyreads) on Jul 2, 2017 at 5:10pm PDT

A post shared by The Left-Handed Book Lover (@leftyreads) on Jul 5, 2017 at 4:27pm PDT

Discussion: Doing It All In The Book Community

I'm the type of person who likes to do it all. I'm like that at work, at school, and in the book community. So, honesty hour: I know we're not supposed to be comparing our achievements to other people's achievements, but the truth is that when I see people who are doing more than I am, who are more beloved, more successful...I feel like I need to do more--work harder. I recognize that's not necessarily the healthiest approach to life, but it is mine nonetheless. I was raised to believe I have to be the best. While I realize now that's simply not feasible, it doesn't stop me from trying.

So that leaves me where I'm at now.

I have a blog (obviously). I have a booktube channel. I have a bookstagram account. I'm on twitter and goodreads. I'm a writer. I'm a reader. Oh, and not to mention I have a full-time job in the summer and I'm a full-time student during the school year who is involved in many activities plus a fairly active social life.

To call it a juggling act would be an understatement. Here's the thing: Doing it all (and doing it well) might be possible for some, but not me. Booktube, bookstagram, and book blogging all require an immense amount of thought and creativity, and being vigilant on all 3 platforms is exhausting. It drains me. Plus, there's promotion and interaction and reading/watching other people's content. Then, add reading and writing (two very time-consuming activities) to the mix, and there simply aren't enough hours in the day for breathing.

Sometimes I consider ditching some of these activities and narrowing my focus, but the problem is that I don't do all these things because I want to be better than others or I want to feel accomplished. No, I do all these things because I enjoy them. Booktube, bookstagram, and blogging are all different mediums for expressing my love of books and bonding with others who love books, and they each provide a unique experience in the book community, and I want the full experience, but am I getting the full experience if I can't dedicate adequate time and energy to each platform? And so the cycle continues.

Personally, I give the most thought and energy to my blog. It is the platform I have worked on the longest and it is basically my child. It's something I'm so proud of. And since it's a writing medium, I think I'm better at blogging than being entertaining in front of a camera or taking artsy photographs (though I am always trying to improve both of those skills). My most creative ideas work best for my blog and I always tend to be most pleased with the content I churn out for my blog.

Granted, having said all this, I must admit, my lack of juggling prowess is partially my fault because I have horrible time management skills and I get distracted easily and I'm a slave to my laziness.

But here's my question for you: Do you struggle with some of these things as well? How do you go about juggling the intricate web of the book community? Plot twist--this isn't a discussion at all but a plea for help (kidding, but also not at the same time). Where do you like to focus your energies in the book community? Let's chat down below! 

June Recap

I spent pretty much this entire month working and saving money, so I don't have a whole lot to report, tbh. I'm quite proud of myself for the money that I've been able to save up in just a month! But I have no idea if that money will still be in my possession by the end of summer. I have a lot that I want/need to pay for. Plus, I'm going on vacation for a few weeks, and who knows how much I'll end up spending in Florida. Plus...MY BEST FRIEND AND I GOT OUR OWN APARTMENT. We put down the deposit and I'm moving in at the beginning of August. We're gonna have to buy furniture and pay to get water and electric and all that jazz turned on. I feel like an adult. I'm gonna have REAL BILLS...but I'm not excited about that part.

I'm back, my dudes! It's taking me a little while to get back into the swing of blogging, but it feels good to be at it again. Now, ideas and plans for the blog are a-brewing, so you better be ready!

As far as reading goes, I think I had a pretty great month! I mean, it definitely could have been better, but I also work 40+ hours a week and I'm usually exhausted, so I think I done good.

(I promise in July I will review something that isn't contemporary)
TOP TEN TUESDAYS: Top Ten Contemporary Books I've Recently Added To My TBR Top Ten Books I've Read In 2017 So Far
FEATURES: YA Look Book #2: Once and for All by Sarah Dessen Just Write #3 New To My Wishlist #4
RANDOM POSTS: Spring Favorites Quiz: Which Sarah Dessen Book Do You Belong In? Life's A Beach Book Tag (Original) 8 Ways To Spread Positivity In The Book Community 2017 Reader Resolutions Updates Literature/Writing Classes I Wish I Could Take

FOLLOWERS:

Bloglovin - 93

GFC - 27 

Twitter - 450

Instagram - 83

YouTube - 86

Total pageviews - 21,163

BOOKS READ:

2 hardcovers | 1 paperback | 2 ebooks | 3 eARCs

Book with the most pages: Caraval by Stephanie Garber (407 pages)

Books with the least pages: Aftercare Instructions by Bonnie Pipkin (265 pages)

Total Pages read: 2,861

Books reviewed: 6

1 star reviews: 0

2 star reviews: 0

3 star reviews: 1

3.5 star reviews: 1

3.75 star reviews: 1

4 star reviews: 0

4.25 star reviews: 1

4.5 star reviews: 1

5 star reviews: 1

Average rating: 4 stars

MOST POPULAR REVIEW

by pageviews- 

by comments-

BOOKTUBE: 

Here is my most popular video this month! Make sure to subscribe to me if you want to stay updated on when and what I post! If you have a YouTube channel, send me your link because I wanna see whatchya got!

BOOKSTAGRAM:
Here are my favorite photos from this month (I just got back into bookstagram this week). Make sure to follow me so you can see all the purrrdy books I post!

A post shared by The Left-Handed Book Lover (@leftyreads) on Jun 26, 2017 at 4:29pm PDT

A post shared by The Left-Handed Book Lover (@leftyreads) on Jun 27, 2017 at 2:29pm PDT

Sunday Post #26

• HAHA HA HAHAHA yeahhhh, this week I was not a particularly stellar blogger, I tell you what. But, to be fair, I spent 3 days in a car on my way back from Florida, and when we settled into our hotel at night, I was too tired for blogging. It's fiiiiiine. 
• I did get some good reading done, though. I've only read 2 books so far this year, but they are both absolute winners! 
• OH OH OHHH, THIS IS IMPORTANT. I'm doing another call for anyone who would be interested in guest posting on my blog or becoming a co-blogger. If you're interested you can comment below, email me at leftyreads21@gmail.com, or tweet me @leftyreads. I'm really looking for a way to keep this blog active while I'm back at college. 

Reviews:
- A Series of Unfortunate Events #1-3 by Lemony Snicket

Other: 
- 2017 Reader Resolutions

Oh my gosh, that's it. That's all I've posted. Next week will be better! 

Reviews: 
- Heartless by Marissa Meyer
- Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Memes: 
- Top Ten 2016 Releases I Meant To Get To
- Sunday Post #27

Features/Misc.:
- Discussion: Backlist Books
- From the Page to the Stage #1: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

From Netgalley:


- Noteworthy by Riley Redgate - Thanks Amulet Books!
Published: May 2, 2017
This is one of my most anticipated releases of the year!!!

- Mad Miss Mimic by Sarah Henstra - Thanks Penguin Canada!
Published: May 5, 2015

- Geekerella by Ashley Poston - Thanks Quirk Books!
Published: April 4, 2017
Another highly anticipated release!!

Here are some highlights from my instagram account this week. Give me a follow if you want to see everything I have posted/will post!

A photo posted by The Left-Handed Book Lover (@leftyreads) on Jan 5, 2017 at 11:24am PST

What has your week in books and blogging looked like? 

Sunday Post #22

• I've definitely been a bit slumpy these past two weeks, which is annoying because I'd just come out of a blogging slump. But this was more of an everything slump. I didn't want to read or write or blog or make videos. I think I'm finally coming out of it, though. I've felt much more motivated to do ALL THE THINGS. 
• I've also been a bit sick. I felt a cold start to come on last Sunday, but it wasn't too bad. I still went to Branson with my dad to go out to eat and to go shopping on Tuesday, and then I went to see the movie Sausage Party on Thursday with my friend. I've also squeezed in a few shifts at work in an effort to make a little money before heading back to school. 

Reviews: 
- Vicious by V.E. Schwab

Memes: 
- Top Ten Books I Want To Re-Read

Misc:
- Book Blogger Creativity Project: Bookish Yearbook
- Discussion: Taking Notes While Reading
- Summer Blog Promo Tour: Krystianna from Downright Dystopian 

 Reviews: 
- The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder
- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Memes: 
- Top Ten Books With X Setting (I haven't decided which setting I want to choose yet)
- Sunday Post #23

Misc: 
- Playlist Book Tag
- The Authors I Own The Most Books From
- Summer Blog Promo Tour Wrap Up

- And I Darken by Kiersten White (purchased) (we all know how obsessed I am with this book)
- The Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone (won from No Bent Spines -- thank you so much Jackie!!)
- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (purchased)

Here are some highlights from my instagram account this week. Give me a follow if you want to see everything I have posted/will post!

I've got my Sherlock pop figure & pop-up book!

A photo posted by The Left-Handed Book Lover (@leftyreads) on Aug 11, 2016 at 12:50pm PDT

WHAT HAS YOUR WEEK IN BOOKS AND BLOGGING LOOKED LIKE? 

Lessons I've Learned From Bookstagram

Just typing the title made me feel like Spongebob ("What I learned in boating school iiiis...")

But never mind that. Today I'm here to talk to you beautiful book lovers about the delightful bookstagram. Now, I've been working (not always successfully) to be more active on my bookstagram account, and the main idea of this post is simple: BOOKSTAGRAM IS HARD. At least, for me it is...and I'm not even very good at it. But I think brushing up on my bookstagram skillz has taught me a few valuable lessons.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL 

Like, EVERY detail. Are the flowers casting a shadow on the book? Would those pens look better if the blue one was in the middle or on the left? Is there a glare in my sunglasses? 

It's insane how many aspects of a picture you have to be aware of in order to get that "effortless" photo. 

IMPROVISATION

Okay, so, here is the best example I can think of for this: 

I have naturally shaky hands. I do not own a tripod. How is one to get  a steady shot? I flip a trashcan upside down and set it atop a bar stool in some sort of makeshift tripod. It's so weird and I'd be embarrassed if anyone saw me using it, but until I get better equipment, I'd say it's pretty sufficient. 

Sometimes, you just have to find unconventional ways to make things work. 

FINDING ART IN MUNDANE OBJECTS

When I first started bookstagramming, I'd scroll through my feed and notice all these cool objects people had in their pictures, and I'd think, well, maybe I'd be better at this if I had cool items in my house. But the more photos I took, the more I looked at the stuff I have--really looked, and I realized I do have cool stuff, if I want it to be. 

The little pebbles that I have in a vase with my fake flowers? I typically don't even see those when I walk into a room, but I can use those. The old (fake) pearl necklaces that I accidentally stole from my high school choir department? I can use those. All these "boring" objects that I hardly remember exist suddenly have potential to add a special something to my photos. 

PATIENCE IN TRIAL AND ERROR

Holy frickle frackle. If you bookstagram, you get it. If you don't, you will never understand how many pictures I take before I find one I want to use. I have to take pictures from a bazillion different angles. Then, I have to adjust one item and take a bazillion more pictures. So on and so forth. It takes a lot of patience and perseverance to finally get the picture you want. 

That's all I have for you today! Let me know if your bookstagram experience has been similar to mine. And tell me some of the lessons you've learned from bookstagramming. Also, leave links to your instagram profiles because I am dying to check ya out!

Sunday Post #15

• This week hasn't been my best blogging week, but it was pretty decent for reading. 
• I went swimming several times with my friends, and I am actually getting a slight tan, WHICH IS A FIRST FOR ME. 
• I went to the movies a couple times, too! I saw The Conjuring 2 and Now You See Me 2, which were both great movies. 
• And finally, I STARTED A BOOKTUBE CHANNEL. I'm so excited. So far, it has been a lot of fun. I will link it up down below! 

Reviews: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Misc: Unpopular Opinions Book Tag | MY FIRST BOOKTUBE VIDEO

That's it. That's all the blogging I did. AGH. 

Reviews: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Memes: Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite 2016 Releases
Sunday Post #16

Features: Just Write #3

Misc: What I've Learned From Bookstagram

 I don't think I'm going to be including my book haul on my Sunday Post posts anymore, because I'll be doing book haul videos on my youtube channel.

Brittany at The Book Addict's Guide touched on a subject that has been a bit sensitive in the book blogging sphere lately with her post about Kicking ARCs to the curb. This was 100% about her reading habits, though, and she made it clear she is not criticizing anyone else. Either way, this is a post I found interesting and relatable, and I'm sure others did as well. 

Carlisa at Confessions of Carlisa compiled a handy-dandy guide of bookish acronyms. This is good for people who are new in the book community, or for people who just have a hard time keeping up with all the random letters being thrown around. 

Here are some highlights from my instagram account this week. Give me a follow if you want to see everything I have posted/will post! 

Here are my green books, on a day in which I am green with envy of those who get to relax and read today while I work all day. What are y'all reading today?

A photo posted by The Left-Handed Book Lover (@leftyreads) on Jun 12, 2016 at 8:45am PDT

I spent a couple hours by the pool reading this lovely. So far, I absolutely adore it. I watched the movie last week and have been making notes about some of the differences between the book and the movie, and I definitely plan to make a video talking about it. Both the movie and the book are emotional and engaging and I cannot sing praises for this work enough. Have you read this book or watched the movie? What do you think? Also, what are you reading today?

A photo posted by The Left-Handed Book Lover (@leftyreads) Jun 16, 2016 at 3:34pm PDT

As I mentioned earlier, I started a BookTube channel! I'll be (ideally) posting twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. Make sure to subscribe to me if you want to stay updated on when and what I post! If you have a youtube channel, send me your link because I wanna see whatchya got! Here are my videos from this week!

What has your week in books and blogging looked like?