Ten Tips, Tricks, and Things You Should Know When You Join The Bookstagram Community

A couple weeks ago I asked people on my Instagram what they wanted to see on my blog. The majority of you wanted to see tips on bookstagram, how to run a bookstagram, and all kinds of other things related to bookstagram. There are lots of things I could tell you about being a bookstagrammer, but I thought I'd start out with ten things you should know when you join our growing community.

• You Do Not Need a Big Camera 

Most of my pictures are inside, and I don't feel the need to use a "big" camera. I usually snap pictures throughout the day with my iPhone 5C. Once in awhile I get out my Canon and I usually use it for outdoor shots. So don't worry about having the proper camera for it. Just take pictures.

• The Bookstagram Community is VERY Friendly

Most of the time we're all a bunch of fangirls/fanboys who are just taking pictures of books because we feel like it. Some of us take better pictures than others but you can probably find us all in a bookstore screaming over a book we've waited a year (OR longer) for. So go ahead and comment and freak out on pictures. We're all just a bunch of crazy people obsessed with fictional characters. 

• Lighting is Important 

Yes your photos might be indoor and yes I said you don't need a large camera but lighting is important. I take most of my pictures from the time the sun goes up to four o'clock(ish). If you're taking a picture let the light in. Trust me it makes everything better. 

• You Are Not Going to Get 10k Followers At The Drop of a Hat

It took me almost a year to get 10k. You aren't going to join Instagram, and a month later have tons of likes, comments, and followers. Don't go around asking for F4F, SfS, L4L and all that cause you're just going to get on everyone's nerves. On top of that, you only have that person following you because you are following them -- it won't feel as great when you reach your goal. Or at least it's that way for me. Shoutout Sundays are okay but don't do it every week and don't do fifty of them -- cause you'll gain some but you'll also lose some. Just be patient and post good photos. People will find you.

• There Will Be Haters

This is more like life advice. Sometimes people can come off and be really rude and nasty and start this big fight in your comments. Ignore it. Also you might receive nasty DMs. Ignore those too. Bookstagram is generally a close community, so not many people bother being nasty. If you want to respond don't be nasty back do as Selena Gomez says and "Kill them with kindness."

• You Don't Need a Theme 

Sometimes a really organized feed is great (if you like it that way, then keep it) but most of my favorite accounts are the ones where they take pictures all over. I don't mean you need a different setting for every photo. Have a few different places to take pictures in your house and feel free to explore new angles. Take pictures in different places, and of different things. Not every picture has to be a book I'm sure you have other interests. Use different filters and try not to delete pictures because they don't "fit". Don't take pictures a certain way because you get more likes when you do it that way. Be creative and have fun with your shots. 

• People Are Going To "Copy" You

I've seen some people accuse others of being a copy cat but just how different is every feed? We are all taking pictures of books people. There are times when you can see someone blatantly copying you (that moment where you flip from that account to yours and think wow we have similar ideas and then realize they took the picture days after yours went up and they've been doing it for months), but most times they probably aren't paying any attention to you or they think you're awesome enough to copy. Just don't worry about it. Stealing pictures is a different matter. If someone has stolen your picture feel free to yell at them.

• Your Need For Books Will Increase 

When I started my bookstagram a little over a year ago, I had a barely filled half shelf. I now have an overflowing full shelf and two huge stacks of books sitting by it. You'll also start wanting more book merch, mugs, funko pops, candles, and maybe even a cat. So you know that quote about books being the cheapest vacation? Well it's a lie my friend.

• You Will Have Friends All Over the World

I can't tell you how often I hear "Don't trust people on the internet" or "don't talk to people on the internet".... I have made friends on the internet and they live all over. Literally. I may never meet them -- but I talk to them on a daily basis, and they're always ready to listen to me. It's one of the benefits of being in the bookstagram community. 

• Bookstagram Will Open A Lot of Doors In the Book World For You

At the beginning, my parents complained about how often I was on my phone -- but it's opened so many doors for me that they encourage it now. Being a book editor is my dream job, and bookstgram has helped me get my foot in the door. A lot of publishing companies look for successful bookstagramers to share the books they're publishing because they know we have influence in the book world. By publishing companies I mean Disney Hyperion, Harper Collins, Putnam Books, Penguin Random House, and others. Not to mention all the smaller authors out there who are willing to partner with you for pictures and book reviews. So when someone complains about how you spend too much time reading and being on Instagram -- ignore them. It's almost like having a small business.

A little bit of my wisdom for you. I hope you guys enjoyed reading this, and if you're reading this thinking you should start a bookstagram please do! I'm so happy I decided to join the community :)

Also, if there is anything in this post that you'd like to know more about feel free to comment and ask. Feel free to tell me what you'd like to see/know in my future posts too!

                 

ARC Book Review: Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Author: Lyndsay Faye

Genre: Adult Fiction

Published: 2016

When Putnam books offered to send me an advanced readers copy of Jane Steele I was ecstatic. The Bronte sisters are some of my favorite Gothic authors and a twist on  Jane Eyre was something I definitely wanted to get my hands on. To read this book you don't have to have read Jane Eyre but in my opinion I think reading it would make you appreciate Jane Steele even more so then you would without having read the classic.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Like the heroine of the novel she adores, Jane Steele suffers cruelly at the hands of her aunt and schoolmaster. And like Jane Eyre, they call her wicked - but in her case, she fears the accusation is true. When she flees, she leaves behind the corpses of her tormentors.

A fugitive navigating London's underbelly, Jane rights wrongs on behalf of the have-nots whilst avoiding the noose. Until an advertisement catches her eye. Her aunt has died and the new master at Highgate House, Mr Thornfield, seeks a governess. Anxious to know if she is Highgate's true heir, Jane takes the position and is soon caught up in the household's strange spell. When she falls in love with the mysterious Charles Thornfield, she faces a terrible dilemma: can she possess him - body, soul and secrets - and what if he discovers her murderous past?

Jane Steele has become one of my favorite female characters. Shes a strong female lead but still breaks down and appears vulnerable throughout the story. A lot of times I find authors making a female lead who doesn't need anybody, never cries and manages to take on the world and all its problems by herself. This isn't how real life is and even though it is a book and its fictional I feel like that makes girls insecure. Everybody needs somebody and its okay to cry. "Crying does not indicate that you are weak. Since birth, it has always been a sign that you are alive."-Jane Eyre. 

This book is a twist on Jane Eyre but trust me its not at all predictable. The book sucked me in completely and left me feeling indescribably happy, sad, confused, annoyed, and blissful. The ending was absolutely amazing and was a perfect conclusion to one of the best YA books I've read in a long time. 

Most retellings are based on the book they're retelling right? Well in this one the book we are retelling is the Protagonists  favorite book. All throughout the story Jane Steele is quoting and referencing Jane Eyre. At some point in the book she says something about how similar her situation is to Jane Eyres and honestly it made me a little giddy. I just adored how Lyndsay Faye made a modern retelling of a classic that is so loved and made me question which was better. 

I loved how Mr. Thornfield came from India. The whole other culture feel to the book made it even more appealing. Jane Steele was not your everyday governess and Mr. Thornfield is not your typical Englishman. They're friendship that grows slowly into love is well developed and doesn't over power the rest of the story. Jane Steele remains the same bold hero throughout the whole story and thats something I was extremely proud of her for. But at the same time I completely fangirled over Mr. Thornfield and Jane's romance. Seriously their adorable *squeals*.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read. I mean it has everything. It has suspense, murder, mystery, love, a medieval Gothic vibe but still modern feel to it, an amazing main character, and side characters that are almost as good. The way the book develops, the plot, and the conclusion is smashing. The whole book is just to die for. I applaud you Lyndsay Faye for taking on this retelling of Jane Eyre. You have taken my heart smashed it to pieces and put it all back together and left me with my favorite book of 2016 (so far. Trust me I'll read plenty more throughout the year:).

"Of all my many murders, committed for love and for better reasons, the first was the most important..." - Lyndsay Faye, Jane Steele

Book Review: Emotions by Arnulfo Cantarero

"Several hundred thousand of your years ago we engineered emotions out of ourselves and have spent a millennia trying to put them back in without any success. Whatever we did, went beyond genetics, beyond our capacity to understand. We have no pride, no hate, no anger, and no fear but at the same time, no laughter, no joy, no love, no imagination. I am an emotionless being in an emotional world. A rough combination to say the least."
- Arnulfo Cantarero, Emotions 

When the author of this book sent me an email requesting a review he also sent a synopsis. It sounded interesting and I accepted the request. The plot for this book is a very unique science fiction story that raises a lot of questions about your own emotions. 

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Jason Ariaz is not your average 22 year old. He has been enhanced but that's only the beginning. He is an emotionless extraterrestrial born to human parents and living amongst us. Both him and his implanted thinking computer were damaged on landing and must go through life as less than what they really are. The purpose of their mission: to gain permanent emotions from the more primitive society that is Earth. If he is successful, he will be the first of his species to do so in nearly 200,000 years. Hope lies in the fact that he is capable of emotional episodes and he has been able to forge true friendships. However, he does have the chance of completing his mission if he can truly care for Ariel, the closest human in his life. But he better know his heart soon. Their lives are in danger of ending tonight, unless he can recover what his species has lost.

We spend two-thirds of the book in Jason's past. The main part of the book does happen at his college graduation but a lot is explained in his past. Seeing how he got where he is. The earliest we see him is seven years old. We see him move to a new house and start at a new school. I loved how we got to see how his unemotional state was affected by age. 

Emotions are something we've always had. They're just there. Sometimes you wish you could live without fear or forget your pride for a little bit but feeling love and joy is something that makes life worth living. I loved how Arnulfo took on this book and we got to see someones struggle with his lack of emotions. There are a few obvious scenarios we could think of but how would you react to a death threat or a fight or a confession of love without emotions?  That is something I enjoyed seeing throughout this book.

One of the things about this book was that it flowed really well but there were a few times were the author was really blunt. So blunt it would make me cringe. I also found myself wishing for a bit more action. Since Jason has an implanted thinking computer he spends a lot of time in his head and a lot of the book is his thoughts. 

Ariel got on my nerves a little. She just seemed a little to helpless. The rest of the characters were really interesting though. I personally liked Stephanie. Jason of course got extremely frustrating at times since he lacked emotions. There were a few times where I wanted to smack him but hey it all worked out in the end.

I had a few issues with this book but the plot was so thought provoking I let it slide. If you enjoy science fiction with a bit of a twist then I'd recommend this one to you.

My Rating: 3/5 Stars
Author: Arnulfo Cantarero
Genre: Science Fiction
Published: 2015

Book Review: A Bucket Full of Awesome by Zainab T. Khan

"You know, Blake, even though we all know that cancer is a heartless dragon who wants to take everything and everyone into its fiery pit, we still fight with it. We still hope. And we clash again and again with its fire, and even though we get burned, we don't accept defeat. Humans are the most fragile yet the strongest beings on earth." 
"And they are the most stubborn." 
I laughed, "Right. They are stubborn." 

This story was touching. Cancer stories  always get to me because I think about what I would do if I found out I had cancer and I constantly compare myself to the character. I would definitely not be like this spunky main character, Summer.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Summer Wallace is a wild, crazy girl who simply couldn't care less about her appearance. She strongly believe in the saying, "You Only Live Once", in teenage subculture also known as YOLO. She plays basketball like her life depends on it. Well, it sort of does, she loses one game and there's a dent in her ego, not a small one either. 

Meet Blake Walker, her best friend and her partner-in-crime. Although he is just like his childhood best friend in acting-like-a-kid department, he can be a bit saner than her. Though, at times, he can be crazier than her. But a day changes both of their lives which leads Summer to make a bucket list and complete it before her whole life takes a 180 degree. Whereas, Blake is determined to keep her as long as he can. And he is perfect for the job. After all, he knows her more than anyone else. And they have no room for regrets. As Summer Wallace says, "There shouldn’t be any space for regrets in our beautiful lives.” 

Summer Wallace is a tough, fearless girl. When she finds out that she has cancer she fights her best friend, Blake Walker, tooth and nail on taking treatment. When he agrees to help her with her bucket list if she accepts treatment they set of to complete a bucket list full of awesome.

This book was face paced and so much fun to read. I loved how much Summer tried to protect her family and friends from what was coming. She was sick and getting worse but she was concerned about what would happen if she didn't make it.

Summers best friend, Blake, is a huge part of the book. Summer and him constantly bicker but they're there for each other no matter what. Blake does his best to keep Summer focused but fails miserably. Seeing them fight cancer together was touching and watching their friendship grow throughout the book was amazing.

Zainab offered to send me a copy of this book along with her newly released book, Sanctuary. When I read A Bucket Full of Awesome I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Zainab has a fresh and quirky way of writing that made this book a "bucket full" of pleasure to read (I'm cringing at the cheesiness of this sentence but it's true!).

If you're wanting a book that's free from all the usual heroines saving the planet and has a crazy main character just trying to live her life then I recommend this book to you!

My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Author: Zainab T. Khan
Genre: New Adult
Published: 2015

Book Review: Sanctuary by Zainab T. Khan

"Without any reluctance, without a falter to their steps, people of sanctuary were ready to help, ready to support you. They became your walls to lean on, they became companions when you needed them, and they came together when it was needed."
-Sanctuary, Zainab T. Khan

I loved the idea of this story. That somewhere there was a town where people of all races, religions, and languages lived together. And loved each other. And were there when you needed them. It was a beautiful idea but a little bittersweet.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sanctuary
(n.) the protection that is provided by a safe place.

"And Sanctuary was the right word to describe our small town with its mouth-watering Pakistani fruits, Spain's bullfighting, Italian pizzas, French artists, Indian spices, Korean kimchi, and Turkish delights. Because to every single one of us – a Pakistani, Spanish, Indian, Korean, French, Italian, and Turkish - it was a sanctuary. Our own safe haven. Our home with its different cultural styles yet with a culture of its own."

The story focuses mainly on a girl named Adelaide. Shes a French girl living in Sanctuary with her brother, Ruelle. They have a group of friends from all over the world and together they walk through life supporting each other. 

Seeing all these cultures mix together was surreal. I loved how Zainab had all these events going on  during the book and we got to see how the different traditions and religions came into play. The Italian wedding with a Muslim Maid of Honor. A Spanish couple asking a French girl to be a godmother. A Russian funeral put together by people of different religions just to help out a friend and show they care. I loved seeing all the mixing of different traditions. 

This story is only ninety pages so I got through it in a couple hours but it made me think. All this love for people they don't always understand. Respecting people even if their religion is different from their own. It really made me wish that there was a place like this. That the world could be more like this.

 It was a great idea and the story was sweet I just wish there had been a bit more to the story. I was left wondering about a lot of things but at the same time I think Zainab was just showing us what she thought the world should be more like. All in all it was a sweet story that I would reccomed if you want a light, happy read. 

My Rating: 3/5 Stars
Author: Zainab T. Khan
Genre: New Adult
Published: 2015

Book Review: Storms by Kevin L. Nielsen

"The Bleeder froze with his hand half way to his quiver, eyes widening slightly. Then the sword took him in the chest. For a moment, the sword crackled with surging light, the buried hilt deep in the Bleeder's chest. Then the smell of char grew stronger and the man toppled into the sand."
- Storms by Kevin L. Nielsen

{If you have't read the first book in this series, Sands, then this review will contain spoilers. Check out my review for the first book here.}

So after the crazy ride that was, Sands, we all expected it to calm down a little in the second book right? Wrong. If anything this book was crazier, and more intense than the first. Everything you believed in the first book to be true you will question. 

Goodreads Synopsis:

Storms rage across the Sharani desert. Those clansmen who survived the devastation in the Oasis take refuge in the Roterralar Warren. But just as they grew to understand in the Oasis, maybe they weren't meant to be together at all. Change is in the wind. The Orinai are coming. 

Gavin struggles to find his place within the clans while Beryl begins to recognize that what he did in calling the Orinai will have devastating consequences. In an effort to atone for that, he sets in motion events that will lead to the end of safety and, possibly, the destruction of the Rahuli people. 

After waking from weeks of troubled slumber, Lhaurel struggles with what she had to do in the Oasis and the burgeoning powers within her. As everything she holds dear begins to fall apart again she is plagued with the one, most important question. Can she save her people once again or is she unwilling to pay that price?

My Review:

At the beginning of this story, Lhaurel, is asleep and we get to see more of Gavin. At the end of the first book he brought the clans together to fight against the Genesauri and hes now trying to figure out his role in this new life while living in the Roterralar Warren. Hes one of the quirkiest characters in the book and I loved getting to see more of him. His and Lhaurels relationship is also something I loved to see develop throughout the story. Their both aware of the other and they treat each other like siblings. Something I found really sweet.

There are so many characters in this story and you'd think as the author starts introducing more, and more characters you'd get aggravated but each of these side characters add something to the story and they've all become these unique people fighting for their lives. 

When I started the book I got really frustrated with Beryl, but as the story continued I just started to feel sad for him. When he called the Orinai we got to learn more about the magic and powers all the characters in the story have and it explained so much. For some reason I really liked Samsin. He's a jerk to just about every other character but I liked him (is that weird?). The Orinai are some characters I want to see more of in book three. I need it now please!

When Lhaurel entered into the story she was different. After what happened at the end of book one when she saw what her magic could do shes worried about hurting someone and wondering just how powerful she is. She's a much more vulnerable and fragile character but I liked seeing that side of her. I felt like we were meeting a whole new person. But don't worry she's back to her usual awesome self by the end of the story. 

This story was so full of suspense. The entire story we're wondering just whats gonna happen and the ending was shocking. Literally I'm still reeling. There are so many twists in this book that it was hard to keep up at times but it was all worth it in the end.

I'm giving this one four stars and I think if you're a fantasy lover (or just a book lover) you should definitely give this one a try. Honestly this book was such a fun read. Bring on book three!

My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Author: Kevin L. Nielsen
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2015

Book Review: Sands by Kevin L. Nielsen

"Time slowed. Something inside Lhaurel screamed out. Something deep and  primal that she had felt only twice before clawed to the surface and unleashed a torrent of seething energy and rage."
- Sands by Kevin L. Nielsen 

When Future House Publishing asked me to review the Sands and its sequel Storms I was immediately interested. The synopsis made it sound like an action packed book with people with abilities. And it was but there was a lot more to it.

Goodreads Synopsis: 

For nine months of the year, the sands of the Sharani Desert are safe. The genesauri—giant, flying, serpentine monsters who hunt across the desert in enormous packs—lie dormant. The smallest of their kind is able to take down a single man with ease, and the largest is able to swallow entire clans. The people of the desert have always been able to predict the creatures’ appearance, but this year, the genesauri have stopped following the rules. 

When the genesauri suddenly attack her clan, seventeen-year-old Lhaurel draws a sword in her people’s defense—a forbidden practice for women of any clan—and is sentenced to death by her own people. Chained to a rock and left to be eaten by the next wave of genesauri, Lhaurel is rescued by a mysterious, elusive clan said to curse children at a glance, work unexplainable terrors, and disappear into the sands without a trace. 

With the fate of the clans hanging in the balance, Lhaurel discovers she possesses a rare and uncontrollable power—one that will be tested as the next deadly genesauri attack looms on the horizon and the clash between clans grows more inevitable by the hour. 

 At the beginning of this book Lhaurel struggles to find her place in this new world and is trying to figure out what is going on with her magic. Watching her go from the meek girl being forced into marriage into the warrior facing down her enemies was surreal. The author did an amazing job on her character development and it was so refreshing. 

The magic in this book was epic! I hate using that word but I can't think of anything else to use for it.  When I read the synopsis and saw that there was magic I was expecting the typical I can control the elements or stuff like that but the magic in this book was really different. 

Okay lets just take a minute to appreciate that plot twist at the end. Not the end end but like the last fifty pages when you have a pretty good idea about how this is going to go down. No. We get the full blown craziness train. It wasn't just one thing or even two it was like the author suddenly decided to take the story in a whole new direction but it was planed and just wow okay wow. Lets just say that I was grateful I had the second book cause I wouldn't have been able to wait for it. 

There were a couple times when it was hard to keep up with the book. I think maybe there was just a little to much going on and it was to much being thrown at the main character. But just a few instances. Most of the time it was just a smooth ride on the crazy train. I swear I sound like a lunatic.

If you enjoy fantasy, magic, betrayal (oo intrigue), clans, and a crazy, awesome, strong female lead then I recommend this books to you. 

My Rating: 3/5 Stars
Author: Kevin L. Nielsen
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2015