Ali Talks: Ratings and the Rating Breakdown

So today, I wanted to chat about ratings and the Rating breakdown that I used to add to my reviews here on the blog. It's something that's been on my mind for a little while and honestly it's something that I want to really work on here on Ali's Bookshelf. 

Do you ever feel like you get into a rut when it comes to ratings and the books you read? I know ratings are very subjective, they are based on the person's thoughts when reading the book. I want to work on the way I rate books. I honestly want to be a bit harder when it comes to my ratings. So fair warning you might not see many fives in the coming reviews. Fives are going to be saved for those books that I just couldn't get out of my head after I finished them, or those books that I just couldn't pull myself away from. I just feel like I give a lot of 4's and 5's and after awhile I wonder if I went back and read those books again if I would give the same rating. I want to be a little bit more critical. 

What are your thoughts on ratings? When you read a book are you criticial when giving out a rating or do you just give it a five if you liked it?  

 I think I'm going to bring back my old rating system, a few years ago I used to post all my reviews with a rating breakdown of sorts. Sort of like this...

Plot: /20

Characters: /20

Writing: /20

Creativity: /20

Cover: /10

Ending: /10

I'm thinking of bringing this back to help me be fore critical of what I'm reading. Back when I was adding this to my reviews I was a bit more critical than I am now.  It made me think before just giving a book five puppies, I had to know exactly why I was giving said book five puppies. I think will also keep me more in check when it comes to be honest about how I feel about the book. If I like a book, I've found here lately I give it five puppies, but shouldn't I love that book if it gets that rating? Like I said I've been thinking about this for a while now and I think it's time for change! 

Thanks for sticking around for my little ratings chat, how do you feel about ratings? Should we as readers be more critical or just go with it? I would love to know your thoughts on this topic. Also how do you rate your reads, do you just rate them on Goodreads or do you have a blog like me? 

Have a great day and as always...

Ali's Favorite Things: Fall Edition

A Favorte things post is something I've always seen other bloggers and Youtubers do. It's also something I've always wanted to add here on Ali's Bookshelf, so I figured it was time to do so. Lately I've been adding new types of posts on the blog and I hope you are all enjoying the variety I'm trying to bring to the blog. 

So this post was born. Ali's Favorite things is going to be something I add sometimes, I'm not sure if it will be a monthly thing or maybe a seasonal thing. Right now I'm going with seasonal, but later I might add it more often, we shall see. 

Anyway, below you are about to see a few of my favorite things lately. These can vary in topic, from movies to cleaning products. Speaking of cleaning products, that's exactly where we are going to start. 

Grove Collaborative 

I'm not sure if you all know, but I'm a VIP member of a online store or subscription service, it's called Grove Collaborative and I love it! They send me cleaning products that I pick monthly and honestly I'm addicted to it. It's so much easier than going out to the store and going through all the products trying to figure out which one is going to work for me and my house. These products are all natural and that's the other thing that I love about Grove Collaberative. They are very selective on what products go onto their site. My favorite is below...

They also sell the seasonal scents of Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products and right now I'm addicted to Apple Cider, not something I would normally love, but it makes my whole house smell like fall! 

If you would like to try Grove out and get a 5 Piece gift set of Mrs. Meyer products..CLICK HERE. (Fair warning if you do CLICK HERE and get the free set, I will get a small amount sent my way that I will use on more products.) 

Grey's Anatomy 

Anyway, I have a goal to re-watch all of the 14 seasons of this amazing show on Netflix. I know there is another season but I'm trying to get caught up. I love the show but have never watched all of them. While re-watching I've realized just how much I love this show. I can't get enough of it. 

 

Fall Candles 

 

Yep now this is something that I really love year around, but the ones that I'm really in love with right now I found out our local Krogers. It's called Vanilla Cinnamon Brulee and again it makes my whole house smell like fall!  It's by the candle company Tuscany Candle, just in case you want to grab yourself one. I love candles, I mean who doesn't enjoy a good relaxing candle! 

 

 

 

So there are three of my favorites as of right now. I'm pretty sure I'll think of some later and do another post. Here's another favorite to take with you...Christmas Movies! I could do a whole video of my favorites. I might have to do that, if you would like to see a post on favorite holiday movies, please let me know in the comments below.

 

Anyway, I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and...

 

 

 

 

10 Day Social Media Ban and How It Changed The Way I See Social Media

A few weeks ago I was watching Youtube, like I do every morning and I was listening to one of my favorite Youtubers, Kimmy over at She's In Her Apron, as she explained how she was going to be taking a 10 day fast from social media. It had been a challenge made through her church. Well at the end of the video she challenged her watchers to do the same. At first I thought there is no way I can actually stay away from social media that long, but I figured why not at least try. 

The first thing I did was go to my mom's and told her the plan, she thought I was crazy and didn't think I could do it either, thanks for the boost of confidence mom LOL! Anyway, after that, I took my challenge to Facebook and told everyone that starting the very next day I would be taking a 10-day ban from Social Media challenge and wouldn't be around for those 10 days. I got a lot of people that told me Good Luck a few people told me there was no way I could do it. That of course just put a fire up my butt and made me want to do the challenge even more.


The very next day I deleted Facebook from my cell phone (Which I still haven't added back and don't plan to!). It was the first feel-good moment of the challenge. I didn't have to hear it ding anymore letting me know that someone comment on some post and I didn't have to run to check it right away. To me this made the biggest difference starting out. Second, I promised myself that I would stay away from social media. I would do this challenge and I would finish it.


The first day was really hard, let me tell you. I actually missed those ding sounds at first, the second day it was still a little hard, but by the third day, I realized something. It wasn't as hard to stay away, I had tons of time to work on my blog, to spend with my kids, to clean my house, to do so many things that I had been putting off. Just because I wasn't scrolling on social media for five to ten minutes every few hours, I had time to do the things that I wanted to do.


We waste so much time scrolling and trying to figure out what other people are up to that we put off the things that we want to do or the things that bring us joy. At least that's what I figured out that I had been doing. I also realized how draining it was scrolling through social media, all the sad stories that brought me down while reading them or all the sad news people post on social media. All these things would make me sad and make me want to scroll more to find something happy.


After 10 days, I honestly realized that I don't need to be on social media as much as I was. I would rather spend that time playing with my kids or doing things around my house that I enjoy. It also gave me more time to read, which is something I love! All in all, this challenge was amazing and really opened my eyes to what damage social media can really do to your day and time. Now I only allow myself to get onto Facebook twice a day or every other day and only for about 15 minutes a day.

My challenge for you, take the 10-day social media ban challenge!

See what it was done for you, then, of course, come back and let me know how it goes. I would love to know what you spent your extra time on.

Should I Bring Back TBR Posts Here On Ali's Bookshelf

You know the drill by now, but for those that haven't been around the blog long enough, Ali Talks is a post where I get to chat about the things that are on my mind or chat about book related topics. Sometimes it's even blog related topics.

Today's topic is mainly a question that I've been thinking about for a few weeks. Should I start posting TBR posts again. At the beginning of the year I stated that I would no longer be posting TBR posts. My main reason for doing so was that I'm a mood reader and posting TBR (To be read) posts really weren't benificial to me. I never ended up reading all the books. When I was posting them I might have read one or two books on the list and then the rest I didn't. So today we are going to be talking about the pros and cons of said list. 

In the past couple of weeks, like I said above, this topic has been on my mind. I read a blog post about TBR's and why this blogger had continued to post them. Bookmark Lit is where I read the post, and I loved how she talked about being a mood reader, even though she is a mood reader she still chose to post her TBR posts. Now keep in mind that this post is a year old, she did go on to say that even though she only read a few books on the list, she still enjoyed posting and sharing what she might read. Her blog post really got me thinking and that's why I'm writing this post now.

When I posted my To Be Read posts I felt pressure to read said books, but maybe there shouldn't be said pressure. Maybe if my readers knew that I more than likely wasn't going to read the whole list that maybe I could have some fun making the posts again. But at the same time I'm wondering if that pressure to actually keep to said list would still be there. As a mood reader it's hard to say what I'm going to read and what I'm not. Lately, I've been reading so many books at once because I'm such a mood reader. One day I loving this book and then the next I'm just not in the mood for said book. So I pick up another because I really want to read something. 

I've also been wondering if maybe I just got burnt out on posting TBR's. I mean I posted them from the beginning, as soon as I started blogging I was posting TBR posts. Makes me wonder if I had just needed a break from them. But then again I posted a TBR for a challenge this year and I didn't finish said books. So I'm so torn on this subject. I don't know what to really do. I mean I could try it out, post a TBR post and see if I actually read the books, also to see if the pressure is there or not. 

I've also looked at a few of my favorite blogs and a few of them only posts seasonal To Be Read posts, I've never tried that and I'm thinking maybe if I did that and limit the number of books added to said list it might work. I'm still not sure, even after writing this post. HELP! 

If you post TBR posts, why do you post them? Do you feel the pressure to read the books you said you were going to read? Tell me your thoughts on what I should do.  

Homeschool: The First Few Weeks

Alright I know, you're looking at the title of this post and wondering what in the world I'm doing posting something about homeschool here on Ali's Bookshelf. Right? Well I'm hoping you will enduldge me for a few and let you into my life for a little bit. I don't usually post life posts here on my blog, but like I've been saying for a few years now I really want to. So here's the new plan, I will be posting some homeschool posts here on the blog every once in awhile and more than likely will have some vids on my Youtube channel as well soon. 

As some of you might know already, well okay a lot of you know already at least by the title anyway, that I'm a homeschool mom now! The reason's I decided to homeschool is actually going to be posted in another post very soon, but let's just say that it had a lot to do with the school's around me and them not wanting to teach my autistic son. Now with that being said, I am only homeschooling my son, my daughter wanted to stay in school. So that was her choice.  

 Today I want to give you a glimpse into my life the past couple of weeks and show you what I've been up to. I know I haven't posted here much and that's the main reason. I do plan to change that very soon! I've read a lot of books, so I have a bunch of reviews to write and post, this is your warning...get ready!

The first couple of weeks of our Homeschool, which is called Justice Academy, has been a whirlwind of change for us. It's been great for my son and I've actually enjoyed it as well. At first, I was so nervous, doing as much research as I could and worried I wouldn't know what to do, but as I started to plan and get in the groove of actually teaching it started to become enjoyable. I get so much more time with my little man, who is in 6th grade now and doing the 8th-grade math. Which is crazy to me! Just saying.

There are hurdles we have to cross, with him being autistic we have to do short lessons and take a lot of breaks but the best thing is it's up to us what we do and how long we work on each lesson. He gets what he needs and that was my main goal when I started this journey.  I wanted him to love reading and learning again, which is something he was really hating. I never wanted my kids to hate reading, you all know that I love it and have been reading to them since, well before they were even born. So as a mom who loves reading it broke my heart to see him start to hate it. Now even with it only being our third week officially, he's back to loving it. Because I give him the choice on what to read and I get the chance to read to him. Which you all know I'm loving just as much as he is.

Anyway, let's take a look at what we've done in the past couple weeks.

This is just a few images of my son doing his work throughout a few of the days. Mostly math which he loves. The book above is going to be reviewed here shortly on the blog. He loved it and got a huge kick out of how the actual book felt like a Lego. Go Scholastic for that one! 

We did a really cool science experiment too where we left a raw egg in vinegar, did you all know that it would eat the shell off of the egg and the egg would bunch after 7 days? Seriously, I had no clue.  

We have a lot of fun in our homeschool, but he's learning so much and for that, I'm a proud Momma!  Oh and I almost forgot he's learning to type. He has a hard time writing and it frustrates him because his hand doesn't have the muscle memory to actually hold the pencil for long periods of time, anyway, I'm teaching him to type which he's loving so far.  Also have plans for a cooking class!

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our homeschool life and I hope you all don't mind these types of posts here on the blog. If you would like to see more, please leave me a comment below and I will gladly post more. Also if you would like to see more, you can always follow me over on Instagram,  I post on my daily stories images throughout our day. 

Let's Chat about Book Ratings

You know the drill by now, but for those that haven't been around the blog long enough, Ali Talks are posts where I well get to chat about the things that are on my mind or chat about book related topics. Sometimes it's even blog related topics.

Today's topic is book ratings and how I plan to change things up a bit here on the blog. 

Right now when I rate the books I've read, either here on the blog or on Goodreads, I tend to just go with my gutt feeling and if I loved it I'll give it a five puppy rating. I really want to change things up and start getting back to using my number system I used to use in the beginning. Each part of the book broken down. I feel like I really need to be more critical and if I read a book and have complaints about said book, I think it is my duty to actually post those in my reviews. I can't always be the nice one, I want my readers (You!) to know my full thoughts on each book I review. 

So, starting today, that's exactly what I'm going to be doing. My reviews will be more about the content and more than likely I will have some spoilers in some of my reviews as well. Don't worry I'll make sure I add a spoiler alert to the top of my review post so you will know.  I'm hoping this will also get me out of my review slump that I've been in the last few months. I haven't wanted to write reviews, mainly because I feel that most readers don't even read them, but also because I feel like I'm glossing over things that really need to be added to my reviews.

Have you ever thought about how you review books? Do you feel that we need to be a bit more critical when reading?  

Please tell me I'm not the only one that feels this way. 

 

Ali Talks: Dear Netgalley

You know the drill by now, but for those that haven't been around the blog long enough, Ali Talks are posts where I well get to chat about the things that are on my mind or chat about book related topics. Sometimes it's even blog related topics.

Today's topic is a small letter to Netgalley, which if you don't know it's a website that most of the bloggers I know use to get digital ARC's. I love the site, but there are a few things that I really wish they would add to their site. So this post is going to talk about those things!

Mainly I'm going to start off by saying that I do love Netgalley, it's a simple place to go for the books that are coming out soon and I'm dying to read/review. Like I said above, there are a few things that I wish they would add. So let's get to that list, shall we...



Dear Netgalley,

 First off this is just a small list of things that I wish you all would add to the site, things that I think would make it a lot easier for us reviewers.


1. Add to Goodreads - I really wish there was a way you could add an add to Goodreads button to each book page, this way we could just click that and it would add it automatically and honestly it would save me a lot of time trying to find the said book on Goodreads. I love that you have a way to add our reviews to Twitter and sometimes share them on Facebook even, but it would make it easier if we could share them on Goodreads as well.

2. A way to organize our review books - I wish there was a better way on the site to organize what books need to be read by what date. Right now it's so cluttered and I can't easily know that I have 5 books to read by July or August. There was supposed to be a weekly email sent out and I'm signed up for it, but I've never gotten it. I wish there was some way to make this part simpler. Right now I'm having to make a monthly list page in my bullet journal, don't get me wrong I love doing this, but it should be easier on the site as well.

3. Now, this isn't a complaint, I just wanted to say I love the new dashboard look! But maybe we could add the what's coming up next or a what you need to read next list to said dashboard to help with the organization problem I mentioned earlier.


That's really all the ideas I had like I said I love the site and it's a huge help, plus all the things you all have done lately has been a huge help, but there are a few things that I think would make it even easier for us reviewers. 

Sincerally, 

A helpful blogger! 

What are you're thoughts on Netgalley, do you have anything else to add? I would love to hear your thoughts, please share them in the comments below!

Ali Talks: Favorite Authors

You know the drill by now, but for those that haven't been around the blog long enough, Ali Talks are posts where I well get to chat about the things that are on my mind or chat about book related topics. Sometimes it's even blog related topics. Today I want to change it up a bit and make this a list post, where I talk about some of my all time favorite authors! 

You know the ones I'm talking about, the ones that are on our Auto buy list, the authors that as soon as they release a book you've either already pre-ordered or you pick it up right away. I have several of these authors and would like to share my list with you today. 

Trying to come up with this list was rather hard for me. I have so many favorite authors and books out there that it's hard to choose a top 10 list or even keep it at a respectable 15, but I'm going to try to do just that. These are in no particular order though, I'm just going to list the top 15! (Each of the authors are linked to their Goodreads page, figured it would be easier than trying to add links to their books.)

1. J.K. Rowling - This was an easy choose, Harry Potter is one of my all time favorite series. It got me through so much and I wouldn't be the reader I am today without it and her writing. 

2. J.R. Ward - Must I really say why on these, hot sexy vampires. I love her writing style and have loved everything she has written so far. She's also very awesome to her fans and funny in person.

3. V.E. Schwab - Another amazing author who is fantastic in person! I love her world building in all her books and gah all her books are perfection. 

4. Lori Foster - So much love for this author. She gives so much to charity and I go to her author event every year. She's super nice and to boot one hell of an author. 

5. S. E. Hinton - Now my love for this author and her books goes all the way back to the 8th grade when I first read The Outsiders! One of my all time favorite books still to this day. This book started my love of reader just as much as Harry Potter did. 

6. Kasie West - Now this is an author who writes those books that when I need to just smile and feel good about reading this is the go to author for that. Her books are always feel good love stories and sometimes we just need that happy ever after. 

7. Katie McGarry - Another fantastic author in person and on page. One of my favorites mainly because of her stories and the way she writes them. I own every one of this authors books and can't wait till she releases the next. 

8. Holly Black - This author is one that I own every book and I'm always dying ot have another one to read. 

9. Cassandra Claire - Oh Shadow hunters! Need I say more? Okay I will, I love this authors writing and it's even better when I get two of my favorite authors writing a book together like Holly Black and Cassandra Claire does. 

10. Kimberly Kincaide - In the past two years this author has become one of my favorites, she writes hot sexy fireman and honestly that's probably all I need to say, the the style in which she writes them makes her one of my favs. 

11. Diana Gabaldon - This one was easy to add to my list, she writes The Outlander series and honestly it's become one of my favorites. I blame it on the show and some of my favorite Booktubers that hooked me on the book. 

12. Neal Shusterman - OMG yep there's a guy on this list! I love the way this author writes and his stories are so immersive, take the Scythe for example. I can't get enough of this series. I'm reading Thunderhead right now and don't want it to end, because I don't have the next book...it's not out yet. 

13. Stephenie Meyer - Yep I must add this author to my list and I better not get any slack for it, Twilight re-started my love for reading and I love this author for that reason.  Then I read The Host and loved her writing even more. 

14. Jay Kristoff - Yep another male on this list LOL! Jay Kristoff by himself as an author is like perfection but if you add him to my next author as a duo you'll see why both of them are on this list. Jay Kristoff's writing style is like no other and that's what drew me to his books. 

15. Amie Kaufman - Yep the other half of Illuminae, I love this author and her and Jay are fantastic people in person. They are super funny and so fun to talk to. I'm hooked on their writing and can't wait to read so much more from both of them together and seprate. 

So are any of your favorites on this list? Are there some that I need to know about? Comment below so I might be able to add some more favorites to my bookshelves.