MY NEW SITE & I Need Your Support!

Hi readers, I started blogging 4 years ago and since then, there has been so many people who supported my blog.  Never have I felt abandoned or inferior in this blogosphere.  Even when there were times where I can't post anything for a few weeks except for some pre-scheduled posts, when I came back again, the response was as if I never took the break.

I am really grateful for all of you, who have been with me through these years.

THANK YOU!

For the past few years, I have been always been wishing to start a Wordpress site and 'own' it without any hindrances from Google.  And now, I have it.  The name of the blog is Born Bookish and below is the design.  Here is the URL: http://bornbookish.com/.

I love everything about it.  And I know you will too.  I will keep posting many interesting stuffs there.  I am still going to keep this blog, but majority of posts would go up in the new site.

I wish you would support me AGAIN by following the new site and helping me with your valuable suggestions, as you have always done.

What do you think about my new blog?  I have lot of interesting posts coming up.  Do you have any specific things that you wish to see in my site?  Like new technologies, blogging tips, book PR tips, etc?

Major life changes of a mom-to-be book blogger #1: Following mom blogs

Source: Creative Bloggers

I still don't remember when this shift has happened.  I was once reading a lot of book blogs or searching for the next great series to start and tracking (stalking) all my favorite author's new releases.  But now, I seem to care less about those things.  The grave truth - but there is no denying that I started to lose interest in them.  Yeah, I still can't stop getting excited about Richelle Mead or Rick Riordan or Jill Shalvis or so many other authors' new releases.  I still pre-order and read them the moment I get them in my hands.  But, my major focus is on the mom blog nowadays.

I am really really terrified regarding about this whole baby thing, as much as being excited about them.  Maybe, I am looking for some support group or to check whether there is someone as terrified as me.  Maybe, that's the reason I started following mom blogs.  But, whatever the reason is, I don't regret this change.  I actualy love them.  Maybe, one day, I will relate to them more than I do today.  But, for now, it is easy to think that my kid would be more easy to deal with, compared to those bloggers' kids.  I find myself smiling automatically, when I read about other mom's experiences with their little ones.  It surprisingly calms me about my pregnancy fears, or atleast makes it easy to hold these fears at bay in the hope of having my own adventures with my kid.

Is this me coping in my own way?  Or did you also do this - following blogs other than something based upon books, I mean?

Out with it.....Finally!

Source: Sodahead

So, I have been very inactive in my blog for the past few months.  I apologize for leaving my blog like this with occasional memes and discussion posts.  But, trust me, for last few months, I don't want to blog.  Well, I don't want to do pretty much anything else either.  Okay, this is it, the big reveal -- I am pregnant - for 5 months now.

We were so happy when the doctor confirmed our assumption.  But, then the symptoms hit - nausea, dizziness and vomiting.  I was thrown off guard.  I had a full time job to deal with.  Luckily, my company gave me permission to 'work-from-home' for a month.  Before we even had time to celebrate the good news, I felt like I am in a roller coaster, only this time vomiting all the way (Ew!  I know!).

But, you know, we both wanted to have a child and we know this will be okay.  My hubby was so supportive and so are my mom, dad and my brother.  I stopped cooking altogether for these few months.  I took all meals from my mom's home.  Now that it's the fifth month and almost all the symptoms subsided, I finally feel better.  Of course, there is still this lower back pain and disturbed sleep pattern.  I think I can manage with these things.

AND I felt my baby move a week back (** squeals **).  And he/she has been doing a lot of acrobatics ever since.  It's the feeling I would not trade anything else with - feeling some new life inside you for the first time.  Everything is worth it for this moment.

Yes, I am still deadly terrified of my labour and the wellness of my baby.  (** sighs deeply **)  But, I trust and I know it's going to be okay..we are going to be okay.

So, that's my 'big' reason for partially abandoning my blog.  I don't want to review or blog.  But, I still read and update in Goodreads.  And suddenly, for the past few days, I feel like I want to write something..anything.  So, DO NOT blame me, if there are more of random discussions or completely unnecessary and/or irrelevant posts.  It's totally one of the pregnancy perks. :)

Life Of A Blogger: Embarrassing Things

Embarrassing Things???  Huh, actually, I am easily embarrassed, but that often comes out as anger.  These are some of the things that embarrass me..

Public Speaking:
When I was in school/college, I hate this public speaking class.  I still hate it at work, but this is something I have confidence that I can pull it off now.  At that time, I wish the ground would swallow me whole whenever I address the whole class.

Dresses:
Sometimes, a dress that I like doesn't always..well, let's say, can't be wore in public, especially to your workplace.  And of course, when I wear it, I wouldn't have noticed it.  Then, I sit in a bus and think I am good to go, I will just notice that this dress seems inappropriate for the work.  I can't go back to home, I am already late to office.  So, I just have to wear a coat or a shawl and cover it up to get through the day.

Babies:
This happens especially, when I am asking for holding the baby from it's mother, and it immediately cries when it sees me or when it comes to me.  This is not the actual embarrassment.  If my husband or my brother calls for holding, it just goes to them.  I hate you, baby! (only those babies who doesn't want to be held by me)

So, these are some of them.  What are yours?

Discussion: Why do you want to disturb me while reading? What is SO important?

When you are reading, everyone seems to think you are approachable all of a sudden.  Everyone thinks you are idle and open for chit-chat.  No, I am not idle..I am READING.  And that's important..to me, at least.  I am 'making' time, especially for this reading time and I don't want to gossip during those times.  I feel like saying "Can you please stop?  Go do something else..", but no, it's all about manners.  So, you look up, try to listen to her, keep thinking about your fictional characters and end up staring at her moving mouth with your shaking head.

Trust me, I don't hate you and no, I am not ignoring you.

See, I still love you people, but you have to understand when I say I think books are better companions than people.  And I can't think of anything else in my waking hours until I finish that great book.  I would still talk/laugh/gossip with you, but there is always time for that..somewhere in the future.

Source: problemsofabooknerd.tumblr.com

Although I am rambling about this, I also know that I can't avoid the little disturbances from your close family, because you are needed and that's another topic altogether.  I am needed and they are my responsibility.  I have things to do and duty calls.  And you know what, knowing my family, they won't disturb me while reading, until it's something urgent or something they can't tend to themselves.  I sigh and keep a bookmark in my book to see what the fuss is about.  If this disturbance continues for three or more times continuously, then I have to close the book entirely and switch on the television.  I already lost my interest to read and thanks for that!  You are awesome!

Source: Grantland

I know almost all of you have faced these problems, unless you are living in an island with only you and your books.  So, what do you think about this?  Are you calm and casual, ready to come out of the 'other' world immediately?  Or you just stare at them as I do?  Or are you the one with a book in hand shouting at the park the other day?

Discussion: Do you read what you WANT to read?

Very difficult question, but lately, I am asking this question again and again to myself.  Before I started blogging, I used to browse through recommendations, read some reviews from my favorite bloggers and buy a book.  Very important point is back then, I read those bought books.  Now, it's more buying and shelving and sighing now and then, telling the book that 'I will read you one day'.  That's the whole point of this post.  Now, all I am feeling is like I am abandoning those books.

Source: www.fuelyourphotography.com

Previously, I don't have access to ARCs.  I didn't get to speak with my favorite authors.  They were always more of a deity locked somewhere above clouds, invisible to commoners like me.  Now, I have authors as my friends.  And that's one of THE BEST part of being a blogger.

Now, I have lots and lots of books (both ARCs and published ones).  I am not even kidding.  No, I am not exaggerating at all.  I really have books more than I am willing to admit.. and as you think, yes, they are almost all unread ones.  I hate to do that to my books.  Especially my favorite ones.  And nowadays, I never never never re-read the books.  And you guessed the reason right..it's time and pressure.

Source: memegenerator.net

There is always the pressure of reading the review copies that I received, and the current month's releases takes priority.  This means I am pushing down my TBR list still lower to occupy newly released books.  My reading time is very much reduced nowadays.  So, obviously, I can read only very few books in a month (maybe 5-6 if I'm lucky).  Those books are majorly ARCs and blog tour copies.  Yeah, I request only those which I am curious to read.

But, did I forget my old books?  I seriously want to re-read Harry Potter (like for 2 years now), which I was doing every 4 months, before I started blogging.

Blogging definitely has its perks.  But, I also miss my pre-blogging life, where books felt more close, more exciting and less, well, no pressure.  I still love reading debuts and finding new favorites.  But, I stopped reading old old books.  My TBR list on that end of the lane has never been re-visited.  And I hate it!  You can say that there is only 24 hours a day and you are right.  I still feel like I am failing my old favorite authors, who primarily brought me the pleasure of reading and who taught me that books are more than what you just see with your eyes.

Recently, in addition to reading my review copies in Kindle, I started buying audio books and got to start reading in mobile.  With these two, I am quite happy now.  I squeeze in at least two not-recently-released books in a month with audio books and mobile Kindle apps.  I am not reviewing it though, and that's a topic for another time.

Do you have time to re-read your old books?  Do you continue to stalk your old authors?  Have you ever bought books because you love that author and he/she is your auto-buy, but never got around to read it?  What do you do during those times?  Am I abandoning my books?

Have you EVER been to book signings?

Credit: Laini Taylor's Website

Do you know about book signings or BEA, which almost every reader seem to talk about?  If you haven't heard of one, this is where you get to meet your authors and publishers in person.  This is where you fulfill one of your major life dreams by finally seeing the new and old authors who you have been worshiping for so long.

What?  You have never been to book signings?  Not even one?  Seriously?

Well, you are not alone and I am pretty sure you are with the majority of bookaholic population.

Book signings are something I have only seen through the pictures in my feeds.  And yes, I am upset about it. Well, who wouldn't?  I want to see my favorite author at least once in my lifetime.  They are my heroes and the opportunity to meet them is something I never had.

As far as I know, none of my favorite authors tour in India (or other non-US/Canada territory).  I am following all the publishers in India by their social media links and none of them are ready to get the authors who are from other countries to visit here.  And I understand their problem.  They think their fan base is majorly located in US/Canada.  And they may be right.  I can't seem to get the statistics.  So, where does that leave the fans from other country? Disappointed, upset and jealous.

Yes, but that still doesn't stop us from stalking following him/her through all the blogs and news.  Yay to all the selfless and forgiving fans!  We rock! ;-)

Can't the authors and publishers just think about doing a tour in other countries just at least once in two years or so?  * sighs *

Just in case, by great luck, if I have the opportunity to meet with my favorite author, what will I do?  Well, that's the topic for another day..

You tell me now.. have you ever felt like this?  Or you just don't care about author signings and seeing the author who you have idolized all this time doesn't matter?

So, that's it! I am doing this..

After a post on why I can't do discussion posts, I decided to give it a try.  So my first official discussion post starts tomorrow..

And although I am planning to post at least one discussion post every week,  I think I would do myself a favor and do what I can.  Because keeping a schedule at blogging, although great,  creates pressure.  I am trying to avoid that at all costs.

And I am planning to do another feature about mobile apps!  I am trying to keep this one per week too!  But again, let's see.. :-)

Thanks for the support that you gave to my earlier post.

Why should I NOT do discussion posts???

If you have been following book blogs for quite some time now, you would have noticed a wide shift in the nature of the posts.  There are more ramblings and discussion posts than reviews.  And I can understand the reason.  The audience likes this type of show and this stage is easier to put.

Discussion posts take your time, yes, but not so much as the reviews.  While reviewing by itself is time consuming, just imagine the time taken to read a 300 page book.  So, yes, I understand why people shift to discussion posts than reviews.

And there is another main reason.  Irrespective of the discussion topic, a good discussion is focused on major group of people who can relate to what you are talking about.  This is the place where reviews lose their luster.  Reviews are more like recommendations nowadays, especially when you review ARCs.

And if ask me personally, I would read more discussion posts than reviews.

So, why am I telling you all this?  Because for a very very long time, I have been wanting to start blogging discussion posts.  Then why didn't I start it?  Because there are many things that is holding me back.

1.  Fear

Credit: Falibo

I am an Indian.   I am not from English speaking community.  You will know how accents and dialects change from region to region.  While I am good with communicating in English with my people, facing the global audience with my dialect is something I am fearing about.  Do you not think that this will make a difference?

2.  Introvert

Credit: The Viral Media Lab

I am shy, but I have so much to say.  Every time I see some discussions, I feel like I should do a post about this too, because I have a lot to say about it.  But then again, I am afraid to share.  I am afraid of what my friends and family will think about if I tell something that they don't approve or understand.  This has been holding me for some time, but not anymore.

3.  Approval

Credit: Metro

As much as I love to think that this is my blog and I can write whatever I want, I still want the support of my audience.  But, I am not going to worry about this much, because that depends more on me.  My target audience may change, but that's a risk every blogger has to take, don't you think?

4.  Time

Credit: Ohio Citizen Action

I am in a full time job.  You know what I am going to say next.  Yes, between my family and work, I have very little time to read and blog.  You can see the decreased frequency of my posts to confirm this.  But, I believe that if I love something, I can MAKE time for it.

That's it!  I have been blogging for more than two years now and I want to do something different, apart from reviews.  Do you think I can try doing discussion posts?   Or do you think I should just quit the thought and go on?  (Just the thought of the second question makes me sad. :-(  but please be honest.)  What should I do?  Suggestions please....

People are thankful everywhere around the world! Happy Turkey Day!

So, yesterday, I posted a question in my blog stating that "What are you thankful for, in recent times?"  And the comments made me smile many times and appreciate the people around the world.  I just got a few and posted here, so that you will feel the same way as I do - happy, thankful and content - at least during these few minutes!

Food

  

Health & Family/Friends

Happy "Festival of Lights"!!!

Today (and it's tomorrow for some) is the festival of lights in India.  The festival is called Deepavali or Diwali, for short.

While there are many different myths for this festival, the one in my locality is this..

It is believed that Narakasura, an evil demon, tortured common people and took all happiness from them. People started praying to Lord Krishna to defeat him.  I suppose you know him - the cute little mischievous kid and then a man (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) who was said to by adored by many women for his charms and looks.

Anyway, God did just that - he killed Narakasura. The people then celebrated narakasura's defeat with sparkles, lights and crackers. This celebration was continued down the generations as deepavali.

Although the story and the way of celebration changes from religion to religion, this festival internally is the day to be aware of your 'inner' light.

The day begins with an early morning oil bath, wearing new clothes, bursting of crackers and visiting  temples.  This is one of the biggest festivals in India, where neighbours and relatives come together and spend time with each other.  Mom makes great sweets and snacks at home and we all sit together and eat.  And let's not forget the holidays.

Yeah, there are some little problems here.  In today's life, people just sit around in front of the television all day, while kids celebrate with crackers. And the roads and buses are so crowded that people are afraid to come out of their homes to visit the family.  And yeah, there is air and noise pollution due to all those non-stop cracker celebrations.  And above all, the fire accidents will be high during these days.

In spite of all these problems, Diwali is still my favorite festival.  Well, who doesn't like these lighted world?

HAPPY DIWALI, FOLKS!

Image sources:
www.santabanta.com www.wallsave.com www.hindustantimes.com violetcrush.wordpress.com