Beyond the Blurb | Why, as an Adult, I Want to Read Percy Jackson

Morning, everyone!

Who doesn’t know about Percy Jackson? Not many. But I never thought I should read it, until recently. Maybe I thought I wouldn’t fit into the series. Even though I’ve (recently) picked my Hogwarts house proudly, I always felt like an outsider in that fandom. So why wouldn’t I feel the same with PJO?

As an adult, I didn’t experience this fandom at all, but I wanted to. I related to a 12-year-old child who’s father abandoned him more than I did with a child with a lightning bolt on his forehead.

So when I heard that Uncle Rick started working on the pilot of his PJO show, I knew I couldn’t pass up the series again. Now, back in the day, I did read some of The Lightning Thief. I remembered Grover, all the shenanigans the trio got into, and some of the storyline. Yet I didn’t finish the book though. When I was younger though, my family couldn’t afford a ton of books, so I often borrowed copies from my friends or local library, if it had what I was looking for. Not this time. So I bought myself the box set, and I haven’t looked back since.

But why should I read this iconic series though? I’m an adult, not a teen or middle grader. I’m outside of the target audience. So what’s the point? That thought is what sparked this post. Here are the reasons why I, and you, should read Percy Jackson and the Olympians!

Beyond the Blurb | Blogging during and Coping with a Pandemic

Morning, everyone!

So the pandemic has arrived, and we don’t know what to do with ourselves, right? Yeah, I know that feeling. Some of us are confused or scared. And I get that as well. So don’t worry. And certainly don’t panic, okay? We’ve had several pandemics before, and we’ve survived them.

But what do you do during a pandemic when you’re a blogger? Well, this is new to me, so you’re not alone. Here are some tips to get through this rough time:

Beyond the Blurb | Why I Hate Mid-Series Cover Changes

Morning, readers!

Okay, we’ve all been there. We’re minding our own business. And one day, one of our favourite authors announces that their well-loved series is getting a cover change. While cover changes are the norm in the publishing industry, most readers hate when the publisher does it mid-series.

So I’m not surprised when the book community exploded this Tuesday when international bestselling author Sarah J. Maas announced Bloomsbury is doing a cover change for her Court of Thorns and Roses series. Take a look below.

Now this change is quite different from the original covers. And frankly, I’m salty over it. Why? As a reader and blogger, I hate mid-series cover changes, period. So I break down the reasons why below. And I forewarn you that my hate may flow through my writing.

Beyond the Blurb | Why Goodreads Reading Challenge Doesn’t Work for Me

Morning, readers!

Ever since I started blogging full-time, I always pledged fifty books to my annual Goodreads Reading Challenge. For two years straight, I countlessly set my challenge high. Sure, reading fifty books a year isn’t a lot to some people who read more than a hundred. But since I signed up for Goodreads, I completed each annual challenge.

But last year, I realized something. I don’t want to pledge fifty books anymore. Instead, I want to pledge lower. Yes, you read that right. Even though I’m a full-time blogger and reader, I cannot set my challenge high. For my next discussion post, I want to talk about the reasons why I’ve decided to set my Goodreads challenge at thirty, not fifty.

Beyond the Blurb | Tips and Tricks on Buying Book Boxes

I’ve talked about book box companies and subscriptions before. As I type out this post, I’m in a subscription ban since I’ve run out of room. But I’ve never discussed the dangers of dealing with certain book box companies.

More and more, I see customers either getting ripped off of a product or entirely losing a purchase. We don’t truly have a guide to help us out, now do we? Well, I hope to change that. So for my next discussion post, I’ll be giving you tips and tricks on buying book boxes and the ones you should either go for or look out for.

Please note that not everyone has had the same experience as you, and that goes for me. As a disclaimer, this discussion post is of my own opinion, which may not match yours. It’s not intended to offend, but to offer support.

Beyond the Blurb | Why I’m on a Bookish Box Ban!

Morning, everyone!

For months, I have tried to ignore the growing bookish stuff I’ve collected. I thought I’d be proud of this collection. But instead, I feel like a bookish hoarder with nowhere else to go but to part with some items I know I shouldn’t have purchased.

But how did I get here? Frankly, I don’t know. I don’t understand how I went from wanting a few boxes or candles to collecting more items than I can handle. So I decided to organize what I’ve accumulated. And it wasn’t easy. Yes, some of the candles are on my new shelf. But I still have boxes leftover from Wick and Fable, Flick the Wick, Owlcrate, Shelflove Crate, Fae Crate, and even Lit Joy Crate. And I still feel as if I haven’t hit the entire collection.

So what do I do? Well, I’ve put myself on a book box ban. Yes, you’ve heard me. I’m on a ban. I’d rather spend my money on shelves and books than these boxes. But why am I on a ban though? Let’s break down the reasons why:

Beyond the Blurb | Why I’m Not an Ebook Reader

Morning, bloggers,

You’d think that since I’m a blogger, then I’d love reading ebooks. You’ve assumed wrong. Me too. I honestly thought I’d enjoy more access to books. But I’m more of a physical reader. When I first started blogging though, I had a goal of reading more ebooks. I failed that, haven’t I? So why am I like this?

Well, that answer took a lot longer to come up with. So for my next discussion post, I want to discuss how I’m not a fan of ebooks and ereaders and why I’m okay with that.

Beyond the Blurb | Reading Diverse Books Is More Intimidating than I Thought They’d Be

Morning, everyone!

Years ago, I’d pick whatever book without the slight inclination of thinking about diversity. Now though, I question if it exists in books, if it’s appropriate, or if it’s harmful, which can occur. But I never thought that own voices and diverse books can be so intimidating for a reader like myself. But here I am questioning this topic.

So I thought I’d bring it up in my next discussion post. Over several years, diverse books have been gaining more acceptance. In 2015, an African-American girl launched the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign, which gained widespread awareness. And We Need Diverse Books is always advocating for more books for minorities, like POC, characters with disabilities, and more. With my mental illnesses, I want to advocate for them.

And yes, I do have mental disabilities, so why am I intimidated by books that can spread more awareness for not only my minority or others’ as well? Frankly, I’m still learning about them, understanding them, and championing them. I’m a reader who needs to learn a lot more than what I see in life. And a part of me is afraid. So let me explain the reasons why I am:

Beyond the Blurb | Bloggers, Embrace Hiatuses, Don’t Run from Them

Morning, sweets!

Last month, you may not have noticed that I took almost a week off of blogging. Even though August was the best month of my entire blogging career (hobby?), I needed to take some time for me. I needed to disconnect from my blog, my Internet life, and everything else that’s connected to them. And I felt liberated and guilt-free. And that reaction had gotten me thinking about hiatuses and their good effects for all bloggers.

But why are they good though? Why are they needed? And why do bloggers fear them? That’s why I want to dedicate an entire post on this topic.

Beyond the Blurb | Why Are Book Reviews Difficult to Write?

Morning, bloggers!

I typically talk about Twitter-related controversies in my discussion series. But I’ve wanted to discuss why reviews are so bloody hard to write. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been blogging. Reviews are intimidating. And sometimes, you just don’t feel like writing them. And given that I’m behind on my reviews, I’m okay with that. It takes a lot of effort to write just one. Just imagine writing two or more a week.

We bloggers are up against a lot: competition, other platforms that demand more of our time, life, work, and reading and blogging slumps. When life gets in the way of blogging, reviews don’t truly matter. They don’t. But guilt eats at you and me. So why are they so damn difficult?

Here are some reasons that stick out to me: