Update & Impressions of a Reader Turns 7!

Yesterday was the my 7th Blogoversary. Still seems unreal that it has been that long. I know… I say that every year, but, time does fly.

I feel weird celebrating this anniversary. This past year my blogging took a huge hit. I slowed down in 2015, and now I am struggling to get my reviewing mojo back. I'm not sure if it is the reviewing mojo, though, or that I just need to make blogging part of my daily / weekly schedule again. Is it a matter of practise, discipline, or enthusiasm? I'm still enthusiastic about sharing my reads and thoughts.

I have been reading this year, but truthfully, it has slowed down to a crawl. I find myself taking three or four days to finish one book. That is because these days there are other things to do during my free time. I am trying to make a bit of an effort on the socializing front. My not-so-new job is going really well. I'm loving the work as well as the people. However, it keeps me quite busy and involved so that by the time I get home, I'm done! (More like my brain is fried)

I mentioned reading, so what have I read these past few months? Well, a combination of LGBT, UF, fantasy, poetry, and more romance than usual. No science fiction or literary fiction. I've given those two categories a rest for a few months, even as my "to be read" pile bulges at the seams.

Question: What do you do when blogging or reviewing becomes difficult after taking time off?

At this point, I am trying to reboot by posting something every day for 30 consecutive days. I fear content may suffer by posting daily, combined with my lack of time and brain freeze! However, I'm hoping this strategy will work.

Anyway, thank you for hanging around Impressions of a Reader. I'm looking forward to my 8th year!

Impressions Turns Six! The long version. . .

Yesterday, May 8th, Impressions of a Reader had a birthday. I've been blogging at my small space for six years. My overall experience has been positive.

This last year was stressful. My personal life took a hit when my husband of 34 years took ill at the beginning of last year and passed away in October. That stress is reflected on the blog's content for late 2014 and 2015. However, although reading became almost impossible due to lack of concentration and blogging became an almost insurmountable challenge, I doggedly continued trying because reading is a part of me, and blogging has become an act of sharing I thoroughly enjoy.

I was away from the blogging community for months. When I finally returned, it quickly became clear that both the Romance and the SFF blogging communities were badly shaken and experiencing major ongoing controversies, changes, and challenges. It can be downright disheartening to witness such turmoil. And, just. . .  damn, life is too short! But we need do what we love and love what we do. Fight for our beliefs and do it with heart. There are bloggers out there doing just that. . . from different perspectives, but all with conviction. Kudos to you!

Impressions of a Reader is a small reader's blog, a speck in the blogging universe. It is my belief that small reader blogs are the heart of different blogging communities -- Romance, LGBT, SFF, Fiction. But many small blogs are closing down. Today, I am going to play advocate for small reader blogs because it is up to readers like you and me to keep them around. Why? Large publisher backed, multi-reviewer blogs have much to offer. Some are downright fantastic and I follow a few them. They offer the latest news, show the latest releases, and showcase reviews by multiple bloggers (authors & readers alike). However, going by personal experience, nothing compares with the intimacy, candor, enthusiasm, and comfortable environment found in small reader blogs.

These are the places I seek out when I want to participate in a healthy book discussion or just want to read a review. I love the honesty with which bloggers express their pleasure or disappointment in a book. Additionally, once I get to know a blogger, it no longer matters to me whether our points of view match on a particular book because in the end I still respect his or her opinion. So, check out some small reader blogs, find a few places where you feel comfortable, where you can read honest reviews by bloggers with the same, or differing, points of view from your own. A place where you feel comfortable discussing books or heck just lurking and reading the reviews!

Okay, that is done. So what's next for me?

• For the rest of 2015 my plan is to continue reading and blogging as often as I am able. My reading pace has improved within the last couple of months. That's a step forward. 
• I am not accepting ARCs until further notice (See Disclosure Page). 
• I haven't been consistent in grading my reviews this past year, although I am still posting grades along with my end-of-month recaps. 
• All of the above will be reassessed by the end of 2015. All will be updated by January 2016. 

I would like to thank everyone who drops by Impressions of Reader - the Romance, Literary Fiction, SFF, & LGBT reading communities. Your support is greatly appreciated and never taken for granted.

Top overall posts/reviews, listed by category

Literary Fiction: Drown by Junot Diaz (#1 overall)
SFF: Book Discussion: Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey (Parts III & IV)
  Overview: The Expanse by James S.A. Corey (Leviathan Wakes #1, Caliban's War #2) 
  Overview: Old Man's War Series by John Scalzi (Old Man's War #1, The Ghost Brigades #2) - Picked up under References by Wikipedia (See #10 & #11)
Mystery/Fiction: TV vs. Books: A&E's Longmire vs. Walt Longmire series by Craig Johnson
Urban Fantasy: Shadowfever (Fever, Book #5) by Karen Marie Moning
Romance: The Witness by Nora Roberts
  The Endearment by Lavyrle Spencer
  A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh
LGBT: From Macho to Mariposa: New Gay Latino Fiction ed. Charles Rice-González & Charlie Vázquez

Impressions of a Reader is 4 years-old!

It has been a good four years! I'm still here!

In reflecting back and looking at changes that have taken place, I realize that Impressions of a Reader is first and foremost a romance blog, but today it is more eclectic than four years ago. As you may already know, I'm a fluid reader and different reading interests have taken me in many different directions. That fluidity serves to keep my enjoyment of different genres fresh and the reading excitement going. So in future, Impressions will continue to reflect my reading preferences. As my fifth year as a blogger begins, I invite you to come by, look around, read about, or find, the books that most interest or excite you!

Thank you readers and friends for your support throughout the past four years! And, a special thanks to my husband for being so understanding, supportive, and encouraging, even when I spend a fortune in books! Cheers!

Winners: Impressions... 2nd Anniversary Giveaway!

Thank You!

This last week I celebrated my second anniversary here at Impressions by hosting a giveaway.

By using Random.org, two winners were chosen from a total of fifteen participants. Each will receive a $25.00 gift card from either Amazon or Barnes and Noble (their choice).

Congratulations to the winners of Impressions' 2nd Anniversary Giveaway!

#7 - NATH

#14 - TRACY

Kindly send me an email to claim your prize.

It has been a wonderful two years. Thank you all for participating, but most of all for stopping by and for your warm wishes and congratulations.

Hilcia

Impressions is 2!!! Celebration + Giveaway

Hey, I've been hanging around here for 2 whole years already! Where has the time gone?

Two years ago I began my blog under the name Impressions... (now Impressions of a Reader) as a place to keep track of my reads. I wanted a little corner of the blogosphere with a blank page where I could write down my personal thoughts -- not necessarily reviews. Well, the place has evolved in two years, as has the name  of the blog itself. I ended up writing those reviews after all. However, it still feels like that small, intimate corner of the world where I can write those personal thoughts and impressions whenever the mood strikes.

I've made some great on-line friends and this past year met some of those wonderful ladies in person! Thanks to all of you who stop by on a regular basis -- readers, bloggers and authors -- to comment or just to visit me. :) It has been a lovely two years.

To celebrate my 2nd Blogoversary I'm giving away 2 - $25.00 gift cards to either Amazon or Barnes and Noble (your choice) to 2 lucky winners. Please leave a comment before Sunday, May 15th, 1:00 p.m. to enter.

Oh, and isn't it great that my anniversary falls on Mother's Day? Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms out there! I hope you're all having the best of days.

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ETA May 15th: The giveaway is officially closed.