Talk About My Favorite Authors: Happy Birthday to ME!

Today is my birthday and I'm finally 19 years old but I really don't feel any different. I know everyone remembers today is has been 7 years since the 9/11 World Trade Center happened and I also remember about it too. I sometimes try to remember that that should affect me so much because today is a day to celebrate because I was born today and even though that doesn't really make up for all the lives that were taken on that day but to me it is still a miracle that we have standed together and are united.

Well enough about that because like I said this is a day to celebrate! Today I have a class at 9:25 A.M. called Geology 007 Dinosaurs, which is one of my favorite classes this semester because I have always been fascinated with dinosaurs and it is wonderful learning more about them. My mother, grandmother and my aunt are taking me to my favorite restaurant Outback Steak House this evening. I really love this Aussie restaurant because they make the best hamburgers that I've ever eaten and I love to eat their on special days such as my birthday. I don't know what we are going to plan for this weekend with the family but maybe we will have a cake and take some pictures but one of my aunts is going to be working sometime this weekend and we may have to plan it for another weekend because we like the entire family to be there if possible. Here are some pictures that I found on google that I really enjoyed looking at because it totally makes my birthday!

There is another thing that I wanted to bring up today. I wanted to ask my readers if there is anything about my blog that they do or don't like and if there is anything that you would like to see me blog about. I wanted to make this blog interactive so that you as readers feel like you can leave comments on the book reviews and maybe special posts that I would like to do but need help with suggestions. I know there are a few of you out there that are book bloggers too and I would like to know how you get the word out about your book blog. What is the proper channels for you to get listed on other book blogs. I feel like I am hitting my head on the wall beating myself up sometimes when I try to get the word out about my blog because I see other blogs have so much traffic. I don't know how to get traffic on my blog and so that is why I want to ask if anyone can tell me how to start.

Are book contests the best way to publicize a reading blog. If so, where do the books come from? Are they purchased by the blogger. Or are they books that you have read, and then given away??? Also tell me about the Meme that I've seen other bloggers do and how that works. Are you suppose to be invited or can anyone join. I have been wanting to understand the book blogging community, but it seems like it is a select group and I am getting a bit frustrated. I feel like I want to close it d

own sometimes but then what would I have to do without it. But I enjoy sharing with others the passion of books that I read every day and I visit many different blogs and I learn and share about books but I still need some help. Can anyone clue me in what I am doing wrong or right. So the questions are: How do I make this blog more user friendly? Any suggestions? Please leave a comment or contact me with the button on the sidebar because I really would like to hear from my readers about what you think I should do to make my blog more interactive and reader friendly.

6 comments:

Kealie ShayThursday, September 11, 2008 at 12:21:00 PM EDT
Happy Birthday! I have that big Cake one, but it's animated... I have quite a few actually. LOL Love my eye candy.

Enjoy your birthday dinner.
Phoebe JordanThursday, September 11, 2008 at 2:20:00 PM EDT
Thanks Kealie for stopping by and for the birthday wishes.

I also love my eye candy!
Cindy WThursday, September 11, 2008 at 4:01:00 PM EDT
Happy Birthday to you!

Here's my advice to you, I think that if you posted comments on other blogs, people would get to know you a little more and participate more on your site. Through shelfari and blogger, I've met some great online friends, but it's been by posting and discussing in our groups that more and more readers come to the blogs. Not to mention our Reading Challenge. I see so many books that your read under "Currently Reading" but you don't comment to other readers.

As for the book give away, I found an article on dear author to give away the Joy Nash book 50 blogs in 50 days. I gave another book away on my own, that was very gently used.

I didn't have time to participate in the scavenger hunt, or else I would have loved to enter your contest.

Your site has a great concept! I enjoy reading it. It's making it full circle that is the tricky part, stick with it! Out of curosity, why don't you rate books?

I hope this helps you. Cindy W
Phoebe JordanThursday, September 11, 2008 at 4:13:00 PM EDT
I have posted at other blogs if I found the topic posted interesting and wanted to give my say. I don't comment much on the "Currently Reading" topic because some of the books other members are reading I've never heard of before and so I don't have anything to say. I do comment on a book that I've read and another member is reading.

I'm not very good at rating novels sometimes and that's why I don't do that and it really isn't me.

Thanks Cindy for commenting and I will be giving what you say some thought. I have 3 autographed novels (one by Kresley Cole and another by Nancy Bush) that I might be giving away in a contest soon but I haven't thought of a contest theme yet.
Jennifer The Forgetful Faerie QueenSaturday, September 13, 2008 at 1:53:00 AM EDT
Happy BELATED!! The Fairy sprinkles you with fairy dust...............

I think your doing great personally. Your posting so many reviews it makes my head spin. LOL Puts me to shame. I just think joining all the blogger networking things and being active there also will help you pump up the traffic and then get a regular active following. At least I hope thats the way it works. Again I am a total blogging noob. Hang in there.
Phoebe JordanSaturday, September 13, 2008 at 9:57:00 AM EDT
Thanks Jennifer for stopping by and giving me your support and your belated birthday wish.

Thank you for visiting my Talk About My Favorite Authors blog. Comments written here are much appreciated and I hope that you enjoyed your visit and will be coming back soon.