"Follow Me Around" Vlogger Recommendations

Follow-me-around vlogs are an addiction of mine. In short, I love knowing about the minutiae of individuals' everyday lives. Maybe you do, too. If you've taken part in Trish's A Day in the Life series, we're on the same page. Follow-me-around vlogs are kind of the same concept. Some vloggers go out of their way to make something special happen, while others legitimately document the good, bad, and boring.

Here are some of my favorite "follow me around" vloggers...



Fly With Stella is all about...well, Stella...a New York-based flight attendant. I have learned a lot of really random and interesting things from her channel: crash pads, being on call as a flight attendant, dead-heading, and other ins and outs of the airline industry. She's so sweet and fun, and I love her upbeat personality.



Less Junk, More Journey is a family of three--Nathan, Marissa, and Hensley--who live in their RV and travel full-time. This is the newest-to-me channel in this list, but I find the concept fascinating, the destinations exhilarating, and the couple is quite charming and down to earth.



Coffee and Cashmere is Felicia, an Australian vlogger living in New York. I found her channel completley by accident (the "suggested video" rabbit hole is real), and I was instanty charmed. She's also done quite a few travel and moving vlogs, for which I have a HUGE weakness.



Jenna from Jenna Rose is probably the first vlogger I watched with any regularity. She's an Etsy sticker shop owner, and her business is booming. I love that she vlogs honestly without too much processed excitement. Just life.

Book Discussion! A Favorite Video Review

Morning, y'all! Today's another you-pick-it adventure...a review or discussion of your choice! Don't forget to link up down below!

You may remember that once upon a time, I was very enthusiastic about not only blogging, but also vlogging! I'm a big proponent of BookTube and ran my own channel, but sadly, I haven't made a video in about two months. As my reading got slumpier and as my grading load got heavier in recent months, I had to let something go, and BookTube was one of the easier things to let slide because it takes time to make videos, of course.

Looking back on the experience thus far, because I really don't consider it finished, a few greatest moments come to mind. In particular, video reviews I'm really proud of. At the tippy top of that list is a video review of The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell. I have a feeling I'll jump back into BookTube when a book makes me feel like this book made me feel. It takes inspiration to crank out a really satisfying review, whether it's written or on video.




Which reviews are you proud of whether they're written or documented in some other way? 

1,000 BookTube Subscriber Giveaway!

During Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon, my BookTube channel passed over 1,000 subscribers! If you're a subscriber (or would like to be), head on over to this video, leave a comment with a question or video idea, and you'll be entered to win one of two prizes: a book valued at up to $15 from BookDepository. This giveaway is open to the US and International.

Thanks for your subscriptions!

 

Tips and Tweaks! A Dewey Readathon Info Vlog

Thanks for your patience this week with lots of Read-a-Thon updates! We've changed several of our processes including reader and cheerleader sign-ups as well as the behind-the-scenes organization part of it.

We've also made some pretty significant changes to the way we offer prizes and the way you claim your prizes if you're an hourly winner.

This video covers those points. The bottom line: SIGN UP TO BE A READER today! And read the PRIZES PAGE!

That is all. ;)

If you'd still like to read, cheer, donate a prize, or be an angel, we will send you virtual hugs. 

Do it all at 24HourReadathon.com! 

Bout of Books 9.0 Video Update

Bout of Books 9.0 Video Update

The Week in Videos

The week in videos! Below I've included three of my fave BookTube videos of the week.

• First up is ChelsandaBook with her first RIP participation!
• BooksandQuills reviews the original reality show, book and movie--The Bling Ring. 
• FrenchieDee is home from a holiday in Italy and is showing off her latest book haul. 
• And if you missed 'em or are interested, I did video reviews of We Have Always Lived in the Castle and The Haunting of Hill House this week. As well as an RIP video. 

Happy blogging and booktubing!

The Week in Videos

The week in videos! Below I've included three of my fave BookTube videos of the week.

• First up is ChelsandaBook with her first RIP participation!
• BooksandQuills reviews the original reality show, book and movie--The Bling Ring. 
• FrenchieDee is home from a holiday in Italy and is showing off her latest book haul. 
• And if you missed 'em or are interested, I did video reviews of We Have Always Lived in the Castle and The Haunting of Hill House this week. As well as an RIP video. 

Happy blogging and booktubing!

Advanced Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Oh, Rainbow Rowell. Your writing is always quirky and cute and witty and smart. But alas, this book did not live up to my expectations post-Eleanor and Park. 

There was A LOT going on in this book. A lot. A WHOLE LOT. And as ambitious as it was to keep all of the plot points and crises in the air, it got a bit muddled. 

But what's it about, you ask? Here we go...

Cath and Wren Avery are twins moving away to college for the first time. Cath is our protagonist, and she deals with a lot of social anxiety issues. To cap it all off, since arriving at university,Wren doesn't want much to do with Cath. She's ready to spread her wings and fly (drink, go to frat parties). Cath is left with a weird roommate named Reagan and her roommate's overly enthusiastic maybe-boyfriend, Levi. 

Cath is grappling with the college experience all the way around. From navigating the cafeteria to figuring out her Fiction Writing class. She finds solace in fandom and writing fan fiction about a book series that sounds oddly like Harry Potter, but in this case called the Simon Snow series. Each chapter in the book is rounded out by an excerpt from the Simon Snow novels, OR an excerpt of Cath's fan fiction version of Simon Snow. 

And as if that wasn't enough, Cath's dad is manic-depressive so she worries about him. And her long-gone mother is back on the scene and seemingly wants to rehash her relationship with the twin daughters she abandoned. Oh, and there are love problems (Levi isn't Regan's boyfriend; he likes Cath), and then there's her squirrely Fiction Writing partner. 

OMG! All the problems. All the conflicts. All the crises! 

If you enjoyed Rainbow Rowell's writing in Eleanor and Park, you should definitely give this one a go. If you're new to Rowell's work, start with Eleanor and Park. Seriously. This was a cute, fun book, but the gazillion issues were annoying at times. As were all the Simon Snow bits. Truthfully, I just find it hard to care about a fake novel that sounds too much like HP. 

Where Rowell shines in this novel is in Cath's relationships with the people closest to her. Reagan and Cath's interactions are spirited and witty. Cath's relationship with Levi is a hoot, and sweet, and intense. Her relationship with her twin sister is complicated and multifaceted. If the focus of the book had remained on these characters, I think it would've been a much stronger novel. The other plot threads seemed unexamined and superfluous. 

I stayed up entirely too late reading this book (on a work night), and I really enjoyed parts of it while I found myself skimming others. I will most certainly read more of Rainbow Rowell--I'm looking forward to Attachments--but if you're looking for another Eleanor and Park, this isn't it. 




Pub. Date: Upcoming -- September 10, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Format: E-galley
ISBN: 9781250030955
Source: Gifted to me from a friend. 



Here is my vlog review if you're into that sort of thing...

Advanced Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Oh, Rainbow Rowell. Your writing is always quirky and cute and witty and smart. But alas, this book did not live up to my expectations post-Eleanor and Park. 

There was A LOT going on in this book. A lot. A WHOLE LOT. And as ambitious as it was to keep all of the plot points and crises in the air, it got a bit muddled. 

But what's it about, you ask? Here we go...

Cath and Wren Avery are twins moving away to college for the first time. Cath is our protagonist, and she deals with a lot of social anxiety issues. To cap it all off, since arriving at university,Wren doesn't want much to do with Cath. She's ready to spread her wings and fly (drink, go to frat parties). Cath is left with a weird roommate named Reagan and her roommate's overly enthusiastic maybe-boyfriend, Levi. 

Cath is grappling with the college experience all the way around. From navigating the cafeteria to figuring out her Fiction Writing class. She finds solace in fandom and writing fan fiction about a book series that sounds oddly like Harry Potter, but in this case called the Simon Snow series. Each chapter in the book is rounded out by an excerpt from the Simon Snow novels, OR an excerpt of Cath's fan fiction version of Simon Snow. 

And as if that wasn't enough, Cath's dad is manic-depressive so she worries about him. And her long-gone mother is back on the scene and seemingly wants to rehash her relationship with the twin daughters she abandoned. Oh, and there are love problems (Levi isn't Regan's boyfriend; he likes Cath), and then there's her squirrely Fiction Writing partner. 

OMG! All the problems. All the conflicts. All the crises! 

If you enjoyed Rainbow Rowell's writing in Eleanor and Park, you should definitely give this one a go. If you're new to Rowell's work, start with Eleanor and Park. Seriously. This was a cute, fun book, but the gazillion issues were annoying at times. As were all the Simon Snow bits. Truthfully, I just find it hard to care about a fake novel that sounds too much like HP. 

Where Rowell shines in this novel is in Cath's relationships with the people closest to her. Reagan and Cath's interactions are spirited and witty. Cath's relationship with Levi is a hoot, and sweet, and intense. Her relationship with her twin sister is complicated and multifaceted. If the focus of the book had remained on these characters, I think it would've been a much stronger novel. The other plot threads seemed unexamined and superfluous. 

I stayed up entirely too late reading this book (on a work night), and I really enjoyed parts of it while I found myself skimming others. I will most certainly read more of Rainbow Rowell--I'm looking forward to Attachments--but if you're looking for another Eleanor and Park, this isn't it. 




Pub. Date: Upcoming -- September 10, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Format: E-galley
ISBN: 9781250030955
Source: Gifted to me from a friend. 



Here is my vlog review if you're into that sort of thing...

Wanna See My Big Books?

Yep, big books. I've written about them here quite often. I used to be terrified of them, but I've come to be quite fond of them! In this video I'm showing off five of the biggest books on my shelves and talking about a couple of big ole chunky faves.



Tell me about some of the big 'uns on your shelves and your faves!

Wanna See My Big Books?

Yep, big books. I've written about them here quite often. I used to be terrified of them, but I've come to be quite fond of them! In this video I'm showing off five of the biggest books on my shelves and talking about a couple of big ole chunky faves.



Tell me about some of the big 'uns on your shelves and your faves!

BookTube Recommendations

Since I've become thoroughly obsessed with video blogging, I thought I'd do a proper post about it!!! So, here's the skinny. There's a HUMONGOUS bunch of video book bloggers over at YouTube, affectionately referred to as BookTube. These video bloggers run the gamut from YA readers to classics, contemporary fiction, and everything in between. Today I'm sharing a video that explains my excitement about BookTubing and the BookTube community.

After a few requests, I'm also sharing some of my fave BookTubers. There's really something for everyone, but these are the channels I've been stalking.

Ricquetta at Nerd In Translation - She's currently hosting a 30 Day Reading Challenge. Are you ready for this? Read ONE BOOK PER DAY for 30 days! A few bloggers have changed this up to be a set number of pages per day for 30 days. I was tempted, but I know the ebb and flow of work and mothering would not allow it.

Mercedes from Mercy's Bookish Musings -- I adore her recommendations and her reviews. She's very thoughtful in her reviews, and her book picks are intriguing!



Lesley from Words of a Reader also reads and reviews a delightful breadth of books, and her reviews are very thorough.

Sanne from Books and Quills reads a range of books, and her videos are brisk and charming.



Didi of FrenchieDee is a teacher of English in France! I love her attitude and her great facial expressions. She's a lot of fun.




And let's not forget our own blogger friend, Brooke, from Blog of the Litwits!



OH! and I can't forget Chelsea from Chels and a Book. I'd never "met" her before BookTubing, but I'm so glad to have found her. We've been running in the same bloggy circles all this time!


Do you have any interest in BookTubing? Have you ever thought of video blogging? 

BookTube Recommendations

Since I've become thoroughly obsessed with video blogging, I thought I'd do a proper post about it!!! So, here's the skinny. There's a HUMONGOUS bunch of video book bloggers over at YouTube, affectionately referred to as BookTube. These video bloggers run the gamut from YA readers to classics, contemporary fiction, and everything in between. Today I'm sharing a video that explains my excitement about BookTubing and the BookTube community.

After a few requests, I'm also sharing some of my fave BookTubers. There's really something for everyone, but these are the channels I've been stalking.

Ricquetta at Nerd In Translation - She's currently hosting a 30 Day Reading Challenge. Are you ready for this? Read ONE BOOK PER DAY for 30 days! A few bloggers have changed this up to be a set number of pages per day for 30 days. I was tempted, but I know the ebb and flow of work and mothering would not allow it.

Mercedes from Mercy's Bookish Musings -- I adore her recommendations and her reviews. She's very thoughtful in her reviews, and her book picks are intriguing!



Lesley from Words of a Reader also reads and reviews a delightful breadth of books, and her reviews are very thorough.

Sanne from Books and Quills reads a range of books, and her videos are brisk and charming.



Didi of FrenchieDee is a teacher of English in France! I love her attitude and her great facial expressions. She's a lot of fun.




And let's not forget our own blogger friend, Brooke, from Blog of the Litwits!



OH! and I can't forget Chelsea from Chels and a Book. I'd never "met" her before BookTubing, but I'm so glad to have found her. We've been running in the same bloggy circles all this time!


Do you have any interest in BookTubing? Have you ever thought of video blogging? 

TSS - Oldies, but Goodies? Unreadies!

Happy Sunday, folks! It's been a spectacularly bookish weekend. I spent a portion of my Saturday running errands and cleaning house and all that obligatory stuff, but after a delightful lunch with my mom, I came home and spent the rest of the day reading!!! I also recorded some BookTube videos for the week, including the one I'll be sharing in this post.

I've been really talented at ignoring my TBR lately. I've been reading lots of new books (downloads, purchases, ARCs), but I haven't been picking up NEARLY enough of those oft-ignored tomes that have lay in wait for YEARS. So in today's video, I've pulled down some of the books that have been waiting patiently  for my mood to swing their way.

Some of the oldest unread books on my stacks.

• Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
• A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
• A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
• Never Let Me Go by Katzuo Ishiguro
• I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
• The World According to Garp by John Irving
• The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
• Oracle Night by Paul Auster
• The Bell by Iris Murdoch
• Rebecca  by Daphne DuMaurier
• The Body Artist by Don DeLillo

Which ones have you read, and what should I pick up first?

Rambles? Got 'em!

 

TSS - Oldies, but Goodies? Unreadies!

Happy Sunday, folks! It's been a spectacularly bookish weekend. I spent a portion of my Saturday running errands and cleaning house and all that obligatory stuff, but after a delightful lunch with my mom, I came home and spent the rest of the day reading!!! I also recorded some BookTube videos for the week, including the one I'll be sharing in this post.

I've been really talented at ignoring my TBR lately. I've been reading lots of new books (downloads, purchases, ARCs), but I haven't been picking up NEARLY enough of those oft-ignored tomes that have lay in wait for YEARS. So in today's video, I've pulled down some of the books that have been waiting patiently  for my mood to swing their way.

Some of the oldest unread books on my stacks.

• Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
• A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
• A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
• Never Let Me Go by Katzuo Ishiguro
• I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
• The World According to Garp by John Irving
• The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
• Oracle Night by Paul Auster
• The Bell by Iris Murdoch
• Rebecca  by Daphne DuMaurier
• The Body Artist by Don DeLillo

Which ones have you read, and what should I pick up first?

Rambles? Got 'em!

 

Armchair BEA: Introductions

1. Tell us a little about yourself...

I've been blogging here at Estella's Revenge for 8 years, and spent the year prior to that at a now-defunct blog called The Wasteland. I started blogging just as I started graduate school, which means there was a lot more cursing back then. Now I blog about books and whatever else moves me. That often includes gardening, food, home decor, my awesome child, and whatever else seems bloggable!

In my everyday life, I'm the Director of Public Relations for a university in north Texas. I also teach online classes; I've spent the last nine years teaching English in higher education. I have an adorable 3-year-old named Greyson and am engaged to an adorable 33-year-old named David.

And I should also mention that I'm profiled over at Book Bloggers International today! A happy accident indeed.

2. Favorite books read in 2013...

I've read some great books this year that I've really, really enjoyed. That's one of the upsides of a "free range reading" attitude. I read whatever strikes my fancy and generally ditch anything that isn't enjoyable.

3. Favorite post I've written...

Definitely this one. A reflection on how becoming a mother changed my reading perspective.

4. One thing y'all might not know...

One night last week, my son and I were sitting out on the deck as it was getting dark outside. We usually don't hang outside that late in the evening, but he suddenly wanted to go outside, so I didn't protest. He was casually playing with sticks, and I saw a dead bird fall out of a tree, into the yard, in my peripheral vision. Needless to say, we went back inside. Ugh!

5. Favorite thing about the blogging community...

Meeting new virtual friends! I've made some very real and lasting friendships through this community. Most notably, my Matron of Honor in my wedding is Heather! My bestest friend who I met online and have been e-mailing for 12 years.

It's also a pleasure to work on community-building projects in the blogosphere. Heather and I host Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon and we're the founders of The Estella Society.

It's nice to meet anyone new who may be flowing through for Armchair BEA!!! Have a great week, y'all!

If you're interested in what I've been reading lately, take a minute to watch this video blog (vlog) post! 

The Gene Yang book I couldn't remember is The Eternal Smile!!!

Armchair BEA: Introductions

1. Tell us a little about yourself...

I've been blogging here at Estella's Revenge for 8 years, and spent the year prior to that at a now-defunct blog called The Wasteland. I started blogging just as I started graduate school, which means there was a lot more cursing back then. Now I blog about books and whatever else moves me. That often includes gardening, food, home decor, my awesome child, and whatever else seems bloggable!

In my everyday life, I'm the Director of Public Relations for a university in north Texas. I also teach online classes; I've spent the last nine years teaching English in higher education. I have an adorable 3-year-old named Greyson and am engaged to an adorable 33-year-old named David.

And I should also mention that I'm profiled over at Book Bloggers International today! A happy accident indeed.

2. Favorite books read in 2013...

I've read some great books this year that I've really, really enjoyed. That's one of the upsides of a "free range reading" attitude. I read whatever strikes my fancy and generally ditch anything that isn't enjoyable.

3. Favorite post I've written...

Definitely this one. A reflection on how becoming a mother changed my reading perspective.

4. One thing y'all might not know...

One night last week, my son and I were sitting out on the deck as it was getting dark outside. We usually don't hang outside that late in the evening, but he suddenly wanted to go outside, so I didn't protest. He was casually playing with sticks, and I saw a dead bird fall out of a tree, into the yard, in my peripheral vision. Needless to say, we went back inside. Ugh!

5. Favorite thing about the blogging community...

Meeting new virtual friends! I've made some very real and lasting friendships through this community. Most notably, my Matron of Honor in my wedding is Heather! My bestest friend who I met online and have been e-mailing for 12 years.

It's also a pleasure to work on community-building projects in the blogosphere. Heather and I host Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon and we're the founders of The Estella Society.

It's nice to meet anyone new who may be flowing through for Armchair BEA!!! Have a great week, y'all!

If you're interested in what I've been reading lately, take a minute to watch this video blog (vlog) post! 

The Gene Yang book I couldn't remember is The Eternal Smile!!!

VLOG! On This Monday, Whatcha Reading?!

Hey y'all! Welcome to my second video blog! Admittedly, the quality on this is CRAP! I recorded at home, and I'm not sure if my service is always this bad or if it was just because the weather was stormy and yuck. I lost Internet service completely for a while. Nevertheless, I'm posting because I won't be recording another vlog for at least another week.



For those of you who can't stand the quality, here's the recap in brief:

The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan - much improved! Not as many weird, overblown analogies at this point.


Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness -- I received an e-ARC from a super secret blog buddy! I'm just trying not to race through this one. I'm doing a buddy read, so I have to STOP MYSELF from jumping ahead.


The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett -- A little slower than the other two but charming and lovely and a nice counterpoint to brutal paranormal (Last Werewolf). About 3/4 done with this one.

What's up next? No idea! Whatever calls to me since I'm "Reading whatever I want, whenever I want."

It's Monday! What are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila from BookJourney. Go on over and be a part! 

VLOG! On This Monday, Whatcha Reading?!

Hey y'all! Welcome to my second video blog! Admittedly, the quality on this is CRAP! I recorded at home, and I'm not sure if my service is always this bad or if it was just because the weather was stormy and yuck. I lost Internet service completely for a while. Nevertheless, I'm posting because I won't be recording another vlog for at least another week.



For those of you who can't stand the quality, here's the recap in brief:

The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan - much improved! Not as many weird, overblown analogies at this point.


Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness -- I received an e-ARC from a super secret blog buddy! I'm just trying not to race through this one. I'm doing a buddy read, so I have to STOP MYSELF from jumping ahead.


The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett -- A little slower than the other two but charming and lovely and a nice counterpoint to brutal paranormal (Last Werewolf). About 3/4 done with this one.

What's up next? No idea! Whatever calls to me since I'm "Reading whatever I want, whenever I want."

It's Monday! What are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila from BookJourney. Go on over and be a part!