Annoucement

So yeah, I'm sorry I haven't been on here much in the past several months.  I was in a sort of reading slump and couldn't get back into blogging.  But, I am back now and in full swing once again.  I got a new camera and will be using it a lot here soon. (As soon as I figure it all out) Plus, I started reading a book series and I can't put it down.  Reviews for it are coming asap as well.  I just finished the fifth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood.  Yep you heard me right, I have finally started the series and I love it! 

Going to work on the first review now and will write all the ones I can to share with all of you.  I will say this right now if you haven't read these books and you love Adult hot sexy vampires, then read this series.  

But anyway, I'm going to get to writing, hope you all still follow the blog and will continue to read my reviews.  

Thanks, 

Ali

Ali Talks Live: Chit Chat Edition... I have a blog...Now what DO I Do???

Ali Talks Live Chit Chat edition is where we chat about different things, this year we are going to do a whole series on Blogging for Newbies.  So tonight was the first show of the series and it was short and sweet.  

To check it out, click on the widget below.  Thanks for listening!

Chit Chat: Is Posting a DNF Unethical?

It is time for another Chit Chat here on Ali's Bookshelf.  Chit Chat is a discussion post created by me, Ali, where I chat with you about something that I think is important in the book blogging world or just in general.  Today's topic: Is Posting a DNF Post Unethical?

Definition of DNF: Did Not Finish!!!

What do you all think? Is is okay to post on your blog that you didn't like a book and that you couldn't get through it? Is it okay if a review book isn't for you, so you make a post up and tell why it wasn't for you? 

The way I see it is this, in my review policy, which is something I ask all authors to read before I agree to read their book, I state that I do post DNF's and It's my right to do so.  The reason this topic has come up is that I had an author go off on me and say I was unethical for posting a DNF post.  He goes on to say that I entered a "contract" with him when I said I would review his book to read it all.  Guess what, this is how I see it, I said I would review his book, I couldn't help it if I didn't like his book.  I'm not going to force myself to read a book that I can't get past chapter 2 without seeing all the details as the same as another book.  I blog for fun and forcing myself to read a book isn't my kind of fun, so I marked it DNF. 

This author goes on and on about how its the rule in book blogging reviewing that you finish the book.  I've seen a lot of DNF posts out there and I'm not everyone, I'm me and I post DNF posts. I didn't go off on this author, I stayed very professional at all times.  I finally did tell him what I thought of his book in detail because he asked over and over again.  Which is one of the reason's I'm also posting this post.

I'm not going to out the author here on my blog and I refuse to take down my DNF post! But I will say this, if there is anyone that would like this book, let me know and I will give my copy away.  I don't want this book on my shelf, because this man is not an author to me, he is a man that wrote a book and then went off on someone that told the truth! 

 So what is your take on this subject? Is it okay for authors to go off on us book bloggers? Do you post DNF's, if so has this happened to you, if not is this the reason why? I would love some input and your thoughts on this subject.   

Chit Chat!!! #1

Chit Chat!!!

This is going to be a new post for me, a discussion/topic post called Chit Chat!  This will be posted every week or at least twice a month.  This weeks topic is:   

A New Plan: Being a Nice Book Blogger.  

You may ask what does this mean? Ali is a nice blogger already, right? Well its my plan on being more social and getting to know more book bloggers.  I love all the book blogger friends I've made so far and would love to make some more so lets get down to business.

What does it mean to be "A Nice Book Blogger"?

Well in the world of book blogging you really have to be social or at least get to know some other book bloggers, comment on other blogs and use some kind of social networking. 

But after reading one of my blogger friends blog, I have a new plan of action.  (check out the blog post that inspired this post here) 

My New Plan is as follows: 

• First off I am going to start hitting that share button and like button as much as I can on other blogs I read. (hitting that share button means a lot to bloggers and takes no time at all to do.) 
• I'm going to start visiting at least one to two blogs I dont know a day and comment. 
• If I like that blog that I comment on, I will follow that blog. If I really like the blogger and the style of the blog then I will follow that blog.  
• Every time someone leaves me a comment on my blog, I will reply back and then go check out their blog and comment as well.  It's only fair!!! 
• If I loved a review I found I will feature that blog on my weekly recap post on Mondays!   

So what do you think of my new plan? Is there anything else I could do to be a nice blogger?? What do you do??