Blogoversary week: How blogging has changed my reading habits

When I first started blogging, I did hope it would have a positive effect on my reading. I'd gotten myself into a bit of a rut in the sense that I was reading very similar books (paranormal YA) and had been doing for the past 3 years. I never really read anything new, just continued with the authors I knew I liked, or books I knew I would like. I'd become complacent really, and I wanted blogging to shake that up a bit. Fortunately for me, it did.

1. Less re-reading

Before I started blogging I would re-read endlessly. I read the Sookie Stackhouse novels, the Vampire Academy novels, the Morganville series and a couple of others about once a year, with the addition of the newest book in that particular series. Now I barely re-read and when I do, it's nearly always for comfort. (I re-read the Sweep series and the Nightworld series whilst writing my dissertation). The few books I have re-read since I started blogging have been because they are SO epic they basically DEMAND re-reads (Divergent, THG, Clockwork Prince). This is a double-edged sword. I'm glad I've cut down my over-reliance on re-reading, but I do wish I had the time to indulge in it a little more. 

2. Becoming more adventurous

I've definitely become more adventurous in terms of what I'll read. Before I started blogging the only dystopians I'd read were the Noughts and Crosses series and The Declaration by Gemma Malley. Now I'll willingly pick up any dystopian. I've re-discovered my love of contemporary fiction and I've become less suspicious of authors I didn't already know. This is the thing I'm most happy about in regards to blogging. Before I started, I would read anything by Richelle Mead, Rachel Caine, Rachel Vincent, Lili St.Crow, Melissa Marr or Maggie Stiefvater....but that was about it. I was SO wary of anyone I'd not tried before. I was SO sick of Twilight rip-offs that I wouldn't read anything that sounded vaguely similar. Now I'm a lot less particular. I'll give it a go and if I don't like it, I wont finish it. 

3. Reading more thoughtfully. 

I'm an incredibly fast reader. I think I average about 100pages an hour. BUT that's because I don't often have to THINK much about what I'm reading, because the plots are familiar to me. Now I read much more thoughtfully. I think about the characters, about their actions, about plot devices. Because I HAVE to think about these things to write a decent review. And whilst it has slowed me down, I'm definitely glad I read with more care.

Negative ways blogging has affected my reading:

Reading more slowly.
I definitely read slower now that I blog as well. This isn't strictly a bad thing...I just find it very frustrating, especially when I have a HUGE pile of books to get through...speaking of which...

My TBR pile.
I NEVER had a TBR pile before I started blogging...unless I'd just been to the library (which tbh, doesn't happen all that often) This means that my TBR which, whilst smaller than most blogger's at around 80 books FREAKS ME THE HELL OUT. There's a mini bookshop in my bedroom y'all...I still don't know how to handle it.

Unfinished Books
Before I started blogging, I very rarely didn't finish a book. In fact, the last book I remember not finishing was Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber back in 2008 because it was truly, truly awful. Now, I have unfinished books all over the place. There's a trail of sad, unwanted books wherever I go. Why? Because I'm definitely less selective now. Before I blogged, I'd probably only read a book if I was really sure I was going to like it, and yes, I could tell.Even if I didn't like it fully, I'd still persevere. Now, I do give up. Why? Well, partly because I'm not as invested. When I bought a book before blogging, I'd CHOSEN it, after a lot of thought so giving up on it felt like a betrayal. Now, I'll buy books on a whim, or based off one good review, or I'll read them because I've been sent them for review, and so it's easier for me, emotionally, to cast them aside. There's also the fact that I have many, many more books to read now so I don't see much point wasting time on a book I'm not enjoying, when I could be reading one that I WILL enjoy.

Ultimately though, blogging has positively affected my reading and I will gladly take the minor drawbacks in exchange for all the good things.

How has blogging affected your reading habits, positive or otherwise? And just how do you handle the dreaded TBR pile?

Don't forget to enter my Blogoversary giveaways
UK giveaway
International giveaway

Blogoversary week: The Highlights: Specific

Hi guys! So yesterday I did my general blogging highlights as part of my Blogoversary week. I realised I had loads of little moments that really stood out for me, so I thought I'd do a more specific post today.

1.Reaching 100 followers

This was particularly special because it coincided with my one month blogoversary AND with my first ever author interview (with Aimee Carter) AND my first ever giveaway so it was lots of good things all at once!!

2. Amy Plum's comment about my Die For Me review. 

I linked Amy to the review and she tweeted back this AMAZING comment:

"I can't tell you how touched I am by your review, Caitlin. Truly touched. As in teary. You totally got what I was trying for. ♥♥"

which seriously just made me feel incredible. The fact that an AUTHOR would be so happy about my review was just...mental. 

3. Rachel at Fiktshun listing me as one of her favourite bloggers during Armchair  BEA 2011. 

At the time I'd only been blogging for 3 months so the fact that a blogger, and one as awesome as Rachel, had picked me out to be highlighted was...wow. I was SO happy about that comment (and I hope it's still true Rachel!)

4. Reaching 500 followers.

Again, a truly awesome milestone and one never expected to reach!! 

5. Getting my publishing internship

Not strictly blog-related but I really don't think this would've happened without my blog. For one, I wouldn't have had the confidence to attempt to gain a career in publishing without my blog (it's notoriously difficult, especially for someone so far out of London) and two I think my blog really made me stand out in the application process. This was one of the best things I've ever done and I hope one day I WILL get my publishing job!

6. Meeting Ruth Warburton

This happened at my internship but there's no doubt that we probably wouldn't have even been introduced without my blog existing, let alone got on as well as we did. Ruth is such an inspiring person and she writes amazingly! She let me read a ridiculously early copy of A Witch in Winter and I'm just so glad I got to meet her. 

7. Getting quoted on the back cover of A Witch in Winter

Point 6 leads nicely into point 7...being quoted on A Witch in Winter.  This was such an amazing feeling, I'm pretty sure I went round showing everybody. 

8. Meeting Cassie Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan

I met them both at a Cassie Clare event in London. It's the first author event  I've ever been to...and what a one to be my first! They were both so funny and answered loads of questions! I got all my books signed by Cassie Clare but I hadn't known SRB was gonna be there so I didn't take my copies of her books! Hopefully she will do a tour here for Unspoken ;)

9. Getting an advance copy of The Clockwork Prince

Seriously, this is a mega highlight. I got it a month before it came out and I was so frickin excited. I actually screamed. I had to go to work but I took it with me and everything ;) It was my most-anticipated 2011 read so getting to read it early was immense. 

10. The Top Ten of 2011 event. 

I really loved taking part in this event which was hosted by a whole group of amazing bloggers. I loved doing my rundown lists and  reading other people's. It was a really fun event and I enjoyed it!

So there we have it, my list of 10 blogging highlights. I'm sure there's more but...I could be here all day then. I hope my second blogging year brings as many highlights as the first!

Be sure to enter my blogoversary giveaways:
UK giveaway
International giveaway 

Blogoversary week: The Highlights: General

So today I thought I'd focus on the highlights of my blogging life so far. Today's post is gonna be the general highlights, then tomorrow I'm going to write about the specific things that stand out for me. 

1. Actually starting my blog. 

It might sound stupid, but starting my blog in the first place was such an amazing thing for me. I've really enjoyed shaping it and interacting with other bloggers and getting involved in the whole book-blogging thing. It's given me confidence in my ability to actually write something that people want to read, in my ability to keep something like this going and make it a success and even in going for my dream career (to work in publishing).  I seriously can't imagine what I'd do with my time if I stopped blogging!

2. Meeting some awesome people.

I'm not going to list everyone, because that would take up atleast a blog post in itself. But I've met some amazing bloggers this year and they've all inspired me in some way. You can see some of my favourites in both of the sidebars <----> 

But there are a few I want to mention by name. 

First up, Fiktshun. Rachel at Fiktshun is a HUGE inspiration to me. Her blog is the sort of blog my blog dreams of becoming. She's a thoughtful, organised and imaginative blogger. I love all her features and everything is always so carefully written and formatted. She's so passionate, whether it's about a recent release or an old favourite (I think we ALL know how she feels about the Soul Screamers series). She's one of those bloggers that has really found her 'voice'.  

Next up is Liz from Planet Print. We are eerily similar. We acknowledged this the other night when we created our  scale: The complex and highly scientific scale by which we measure the immorality and therefore hotness of male fictional characters. Otherwise known as the Nick-o-meter. We both have the same obsession with amoral characters, the same tastes in TV shows, similar tastes in books and very similar attitudes. Neither of us sleeps, both of us are addicted to junkfood and we're both fairly lazy. There might be 4 years and some miles (I don't know how many exactly) and a North/South divide separating us, but we talk pretty much everyday and I'm very glad I found her! 

Finally we have Brodie at Eleusinian Mysteries. I love Brodie because her personality just jumps off the webpage and hits you in the face.  She's so enthusiastic and excitable and this comes across in all her posts and comments. She also runs amazing events and I can't believe how much planning must go into them!

There are a tonne of other people I could mention, but I think it's safe to say that if you're reading this, you're probably one of them ;) Thanks to all of you for your conversations, your tips, your book recommendations and your totally awesome blog posts. 

3. The books.

I've discovered SO many new authors/books since starting blogging. I'm going to do a post later in the week about how my reading habits have changed, but lets just say I wouldn't have read nearly as many awesome books this past year without blogging. (The Hunger Games, Divergent, Anna and the French Kiss, Delirium, Saving June, the list can go on.) I love how reading everyone's recommendations and reviews, seeing their enthusiasm for certain books really drives me to want to read them too. I love being caught up in the frenzy of love for a particular book--it's all so fun!

So there we have it, my general blogging highlights! Tomorrow's post will be on all the specific things I've loved about blogging and so will probably end up being much, much longer.

Don't forget to enter my blogoversary giveaways!
UK giveaway
International giveaway 

Blogoversary week: Giveaway Two

If you saw my post yesterday you'll know that this week is my blogoversary! In fact, today is my ACTUAL blogoversary as in it's the day I posted my first ever review (which was City of Bones by Cassandra Clare) so I'm celebrating with an international giveaway for all my amazing followers--thank you all for visiting me at some point during the past year! I really appreciate the fact that even one person read and commented on what I have to say, but the fact that so many of you have stopped by and that I've met some amazing people is the best part of this whole blogging experience for me. 

Anyway, onto the giveaway! I ran a poll last week asking what sort of giveaway you'd want and the winner was a 'book of your choice' giveaway, so that's what you're getting!

One winner will get a book of their choice up to £8 (that's 8 British pounds or 12 USD) sent to them from The Book Depository. 

Just fill in the Rafflecopter form below to be in with a chance! Only one mandatory entry, I would like you to be a follower but everything else is optional!

Blogoversary week: Giveaway One

Yes that's right, this week The Cait Files turns one!! I cannot believe I've been blogging for a year...it feels so unreal. Anyway I'm going to have a couple of giveaways to celebrate and this is the first one. It's UK ONLY, sorry international followers, but come back tomorrow for your giveaway ;) 

The prizes are:

A finished copy of Pandemonium, the sequel to Delirium by Lauren Oliver which comes out on 1st March 2012

And second prize is: 

A PROOF copy of Tempest by Julie Cross

Once again, this giveaway is for UK participants only. NO requirements, you don't have to be a blogger or a follower of my blog, though I would appreciate you spreading the word any way you can ;).  Just fill out the form below. The giveaway will end on Sunday 26th February.