I’m a member of several Goodreads groups, but the one I like to interact with the most is the Australian YA Bloggers and Readers group. It’s given us an extra opportunity to meet other Aussie bloggers and readers with similar tastes to ours.
This year the lovely moderators have set up a Secret Santa for the group, and to help us all learn a bit more about each other, they’ve also set up a blog hop with some questions to find out if we’ve been a good or a naughty blogger this year! Thanks so much for setting it all up, Jeann and Joy!
So without further ado, here are my answers to the questions:
1. How are you going with your Goodreads challenge?
I’m finished! I was off this year on maternity leave for most of the year, so I set myself a low target to start with since I didn’t think I’d get much opportunity to read. I increased the total to 70 later in the year when I got too far ahead, and since going back to work in October I’ve blown through my target very early. I have, however, read quite a few short stories and novellas this year, which artificially inflates the total.
In related news, did you know you can see stats on what you’ve been reading this year to compare your number of books vs page count and other interesting things? Here are mine – you can find yours by going to “My Books” and clicking “Stats” above the book list. I’m also planning to do some poking about in my Goodreads stats to produce some extra figures – but that will be closer to the end of the year.
2. How many times did you post per week on average? Do you think you’ll post more/less in the future?
It’s a bit tricky to work out since there are three of us doing the posting here at Tea in the Treetops, but I think I’ve averaged just over one post a week. That’s why we joined forces in the first place after all, so the blog would look busy even if we weren’t all posting! I want to post more next year, but it’s all down to finding the time, isn’t it? Both for reading and for blogging about it!
3. What is your Netgalley ratio?
Oh god no, don’t make me look… okay, it’s 52%. In the early days of my blogging I requested a LOT of books and never got to review them, and I am still guilty of requesting stuff that I never get to read. I’m trying to bring it up, honest!
4. Have you been commenting on other blogs?
As often as I can, which hasn’t been a lot this year, to be honest. I’m making it a New Year’s resolution to visit and comment on other blogs at least once a week next year.
5. Did you read mostly review books or non-review books this year?
Mostly review books. I really want to try to get back to my epic fantasy roots next year and read some of the books that have been on my shelf for a while. It sometimes gets draining to read all brand new books all the time – it’s nice to go back to comfortable old authors I know I’ll love.
6. What are your blogging goals for 2015?
Get on top of my Netgalley and Edelweiss review books, read more epic fantasy, comment on other blogs more and to write more personal (or candid) posts rather than reviews all the time. We’ll see.
7. What is your favourite blogging moment/achievement of 2014?
Oh wow, that’s a hard one. I think one of the highlights was meeting some of awesome authors and local bloggers at the Brisbane Writer’s Festival and Love YA event in September.
I’ve also really enjoyed recording the Tea in the Treetops Podcast with Philippa again this year – it’s really great to have someone to rave about books to, thanks a lot Philly! We haven’t got a whole lot of feedback yet (actually, none) on the podcast but I know people are listening to it – if you’re a listener please shout out!
8. Based on your answers above, do you think you’ve been a good or naughty blogger this year?
I’d have to say I’ve been a bit naughty, but it’s not for lack of trying. Having a little baby really puts a cramp on your reading, y’know? 🙂
My 3 clues to help my Secret Santee guess who they are:
1. My Secret Santee wrote a book this year during NaNoWriMo! Amazing!
2. There’s something fishy about her blog.
3. She says her favourite colour is yellow, but there is, in fact, no yellow on her blog.
Are you a blogger or YA reader in Australia? Please feel free to join the Australian YA Bloggers and Readers Goodreads Group as well!
You can also follow the Aussie YA Bloggers Secret Santa blog hop using the links below.
Related Posts
Anni
Anni lives in Brisbane, Australia with her young family. She loves everything fantasy and science fiction and believes sleep is really very underrated.
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
AHHH I THINK I KNOW WHO YOU HAVE FOR THE SECRET SANTA *tries to keep mouth shut*
Wow, congrats on finishing your Goodreads Challenge! That’s amazing 😀 I am only like…20 books behind. No biggie or anything *silently hyperventilating*
Fantastic post, Angelya <33
Angelya
Thanks Mel 🙂 Hey, you’ve still got three weeks or so to finish your challenge, get into it 😉
Jaz
OMG I THINK I KNOW WHO YOU GOT AS WELL HAHA. 52% is still really good for a NetGalley ratio ahaha 😀 wayyyy better than mine!
Jaz recently posted…Aussie YA Bloggers Secret Santa Blog Hop
Angelya
Oh man.. I knew I made those clues too easy xD Thanks for visitng Jaz 🙂
Joy @ Thoughts By J
Buahaha I know who your Santee is as well! Congratulations on your little one Angelya, that’s so wonderful. And I’m amazed by the fact that you still managed to complete your GRs challenge in such a busy year. And your ratio is WAY better than mine *hands head in shame*
Angelya
I’m surprised too tbh, so much going on but there’s always time to read 😉
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence
Like everyone else, I know who your santee is hehe! I think you did pretty well with reading and blogging even with taking a break. It was lovely meeting you at the love ya festival, definitely the best weekend I’ve had all year. Good luck with your blogging goals for next year, those are some fantastic ones!
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence recently posted…Aussie YA Bloggers Secret Santa 2014 Blog Hop!
Angelya
Thanks Jeann! Your panel at the festival was really great.. more local events, I say! 🙂
Emily @ The Loony Teen Writer
Hehehehe I know who your Santee is 😉 I’ve really got to visit your blog more often, I’d forgotten how awesome it was 😀
Emily @ The Loony Teen Writer recently posted…Secret Santa Blog Hop!
Angelya
Aw thanks Emily <3 Hope you have a great chrissy 😀
Kat Kennedy
I’m so dense. I totally can’t think who your santee is *sadface*
But I do think you’ve been a very Nice blogger this year so no coal for you!
Kat Kennedy recently posted…Aussie YA Bloggers’ Secret Santa Blog Hop
Angelya
Thanks Kat! Have a good one 🙂
Kelly
You had a baby? How did I not even know this. Clearly I haven’t visited in a while. I want to hear about bubs, bugger the secret Santa.
I hope mum and bub are doing well. You should hop onto Hangouts, I’d love to hear all about him or her <3
Kelly recently posted…The Bookish Best Of… Wherefore art thou book?
Angelya
Haha, yeah it was way back last christmas! She arrived in early January. I’ll put a photo of her into my wrap-up post for the year 🙂
Rochelle Sharpe
I’m so glad this blog hop was arrange as I get to discover blogs like yours.
Congratulations on the birth of your baby!
It’s great to hear you love epic fantasy, I love it too 🙂
Sounds like you’ve had a good 2014, hope all goes well for 2015. I look forward to getting to read more of your blog 🙂
Rochelle Sharpe recently posted…Aussie YA Bloggers Secret Santa 2014 Blog Hop!
Angelya
Aw thanks Rochelle, and thanks for visiting! Have a lovely christmas 🙂
Nemo @ the Moonlight Library
I know who your santee is and also congratulations on your new tiny baby! I like your goals for 2015 as well. I hope you achieve them!
Nemo @ the Moonlight Library recently posted…Stacking the Shelves (103)
Angelya
Thanks Nemo, and thanks for visiting!
Brit
Sounds like you had a good blogging year Angelya – actually a good year overall! Good luck with your blogging goals for next year. Have a lovely Christmas, I hope your Secret Santa is good to you!
Brit recently posted…An Outback Nurse
Angelya
Thanks Santa! Oops I mean, Brit! 😀
Shaheen @ Speculating on SpecFic
I think you did really well this year, you’ve totally been a great blogger!
Angelya
Thanks Shaheen, and thanks for visiting 🙂
Amy @ The Reading Realm
Nice work on finishing your Goodreads challenge already!! I really like your 2015 goal, for having more personal blog posts, rather than just reviews. I think I might have to do the same, as I’ve gotten into a review only routine lately. Hope you have a lovely Christmas!! 🙂
Amy @ The Reading Realm recently posted…NA Christmas Blog Hop: Megan Erickson + GIVEAWAY
Angelya
It’s hard to write personal posts sometimes because you just don’t know what people will be interested in… but they are often the ones that engage people more 🙂 GOod luck to you with your goals too, Amy!