Thursday, July 5, 2012

Feature and Follow Friday #104

Welcome to the Feature & Follow



Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.



How To Become a Featured Blog?

We pick our featured blogs randomly each week from the blogs who participated the week before.

Please be sure to feature your e-mail address clearly on your blog. Either on the main blog, on a Contact page, or on an About Me page. If I can't find your email easily, I will choose a different blog to feature.

Our Feature -The Paperback Princesses


1. When did you start blogging?

Curlypow: Christinabean and I (Curlypow) started blogging at The Paperback Princesses 2 years ago in mid June. I finally gave in when she said she'd help me out. I spent so much time book talking all these marvellous YA books at work, that it just made sense finally to start writing it all down.

Christinabean: I remember talking to Curlypow about starting up a blog. We had tons of ideas so I started playing around with Blogger to see how easy (or difficult) it may be. One day I just managed to get it up and running and it took off from there!

2. What is your favorite part of book blogging?

Curlypow: I think one of the most fun things so far was meeting so many Canadian bloggers when we got together in Toronto last year. Christinabean couldn't make it as she'd just gone out to Alberta, but it was a great afternoon, and so nice to meet people and put faces to names. And then of course there's just the joy of telling others about all the fantastic books that are available :)

Christinabean: There are so many wonderful things to book blogging. I love the online community. I was disappointed to have missed the Ontario Blog Squad meeting last year but I do enjoy reading comments from other blogs that I follow regularly.

3. What is your favorite book(s)?

Curlypow: This really is a hard question. I think my favourites are Beautiful Creatures et al by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia. There's just something about those books that gets me every time. The audio books are amazing as well. I think I've listened to them all twice. . But then there's Graceling by Kristin Cashore as well, good audio on that one too. I think Christinabean's favourite series would be Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, or maybe the Vampire Academy series by Richelel Mead,

Christinabean: Curlypow has hit it! My favourite series is Mortal Instruments by Cassie Clare and then Vampire Academy second. I'm reading The Golden Lily right now and loving it!

4. What has been the best thing that has happened to you because of book blogging?

Curlypow: I think for me it was when a Canadian author - Lesley Livingstone - said she recognised the name of our blog. Ms Livingstone was speaking at the library I work at and I attended as a total fan girl. When she signed my books she mentioned she knew the blog and it was really cool to find out an author actually knew about us. Of course she could just have been being polite, but I choose to think positively. By the way she is an amazingly funny speaker. If you get the chance, go see her.

Christinabean: For me it was when we went to the Smart Chicks Kick It tour stop in Ontario a couple of years ago. We had only been blogging for a short time and were able to personally interview all of the authors prior to the signing event. What a thrill that was!

Q: Jumping Genres: Ever pick up a book from a genre you usually don't like and LOVE it? Tell us about it and why you picked it up in the first place.


Let's see...Sci Fi:

I really enjoyed The Host by Stephenie Meyer. And I love Ender's Game and its sequels by Orson Scott Card.




Now for the Follow Fun!

With GFC going the way of the dodo bird for many bloggers, there is no better time to start following blogs via RSS feed. If you use a reader, it would be great if you followed my RSS directly.


We have a new button, so update your blogs if you are used to doing this meme!

Gain New Blog Followers




<a href="http://parajunkee.com/category/ff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4710921228_e3140444bf_o.png" /></a>

RULES

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
  1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
  2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
  3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
  4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say "hi" in your comments and that they are now following you.
  5. If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn't have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
  6. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
  7. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
  8. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!
CAPTCHA:
If you have CAPTCHA word verification enabled on your blog, please take it off. It makes it much more difficult for readers to comment. Please look at my CAPTCHA Eradication Post to learn how to get rid of it.
Happy Follow Friday! Come back at midnight CST for the Facebook & Twitter hop!!  

67 comments:

  1. Great response this week Alison! I'm not the biggest fan of sci-fi but when I do like it when I have a good book to read :)

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  2. I loved The Host! I haven't read Ender's Game, but I've heard good things so I've been eyeballing it. I'll definitely have to try it. Happy Friday!

    Jessi @ Auntie Spinelli Reads

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  3. I said Ender's Game too. Love that book.

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  4. I really enjoyed The Host, too!
    Here's My FF!
    Happy Friday, Alison!

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  5. Oh, I haven't read The Host, but I have a feeling I'd enjoy it! Aliens are right up there with vampires and zombies for me!

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  6. You know I used to love Sci Fi but then I am not sure what happened I grew up and different tastes.

    MyFF

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  7. Hmm I didn't even think about it for mine. Probably because I almost almost never read a sci-fi lol

    My FF

    Ning @ Reading by Kindle Fire

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  8. I've never been a big fan of SciFi either. All of my friends are and they can't understand why I don't like the genre. Different strokes, I guess.

    My Follow Friday

    Grace @ Books Like Breathing

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  9. Not sure what happened but our blog The Paperback Princesses link isn't working properly. www.allaboutyabooks.blogspot.com

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  10. Awesome answer. I loved the Host too and I really want to read Enders Games. =]
    Here is My FF

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  11. Happy Friday!!! and for me I'd say Re-Tellings. I was never interested in Re-Tellings but then I picked up Cinder and I fell in love!!!!!

    Happy Friday!

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  12. Lovely as always! Mine is Sci-Fi. I'm not big on it. To complicated. lol. Stop by My F&F?

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  13. Hi & Happy Friday Alison,

    I agree, it took me a while to enjoy Sci-fi but it is now one of my faves.

    My FF - http://obsessionwithbooks.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/feature-follow-friday-6th-july.html

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  14. I already have a lot of love for sci-fi, although I haven't read either of these books yet. Thanks for stopping by! My Follow

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  15. I'm a huge sci-fi fan, so I'm all for the genre. :)

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  16. Ah you're right I don't really like Sci-fi either. I didn't think of it.

    here is mine

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  17. Hm. Not a major fan of Sci-fi either. I'm very selective in the genres of fantasy and sci-fi.

    Thanks for stopping by,
    @ Livin' Life Through Books

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  18. I'm picky when it comes to sci-fi, but I still love it. I also liked The Host but I have yet to read any Orson Scott Card novels. I have them, just haven't opened them at all.

    Thanks for following!

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  19. I LOVED the Host by Stephenie Meyers. Sci-Fi is a genre a rarely read but have enjoyed some books from.

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  20. Old follower hoping through. I enjoyed the Host and totally thought I wouldnt.

    -Amanda P
    Paranormal Romance

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  21. Old follower - I also picked a sci-fi novel/series! :)
    Alexia - Alexia - Here is My FF Post

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  22. OOh interesting! Read that awhile back, despite the length!

    Here's my Friday Hops

    Have a GREAT weekend!

    Old Follower :)

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  23. TGIF! I try to shake things up a bit with different genres, especially because I read so much of the same genres.

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  24. Yeah, sci-fi isn't really my genre either. Besides The Host (which I really liked), I can't think of any others that I've read.

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  25. I haven't read much in sci-fi and have not red any of these books yet. Thanks for stopping by

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  26. I am not a fan of Sci - Fi - although, I do love the Maximum ride series, maybe I should reconsider. I picked up a Hardcover copy of The Host at a yard sale for 25cents and haven't even cracked the cover yet.

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  27. I don't like Sci-fi either, but I chose historical for mine. I can't really recall reading a sci-fi book that I loved. There might have been one.

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  28. I'm also not familiar with sci-fi but perhaps I should give it a try at some point!

    If you do enjoy Kingdom of Matthias, let me know how you like it!

    hopping through! have a wonderful weekend.

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  29. I'm not a huge sci-fi fan either...and I've never read those books, but I'm glad you enjoyed them. :)

    Happy Friday!

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  30. I just started Ender's Game the other day. It wasn't what I expected at all lol. Great question! Hope you have a good weekend. My F&F
    -Melissa @HarleyBearBooks

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  31. nice pick, i also enjoyed the Host, forgot about that one, lol here is mine FF post

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  32. I have never been able to get into sci-fi, but I do really want to try and get into The Host again before the movie comes out.

    Happy Friday,
    Becky @ Book Bite Reviews

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  33. I have not read any Sci-fci but I have a copy of The Host that is on my TBR pile for a while, I think I am going to read it after this since I loved stephenie meyer's Twilight Series so much.

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  34. I'm not a huge fan of sci fi but I've read books with aliens in them, does that count?

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  35. Hi, I'm a new to the hop!

    I've always loved scifi-- but it has to be very character driven like Ender's Game or the Host. Glad you gave it a try!

    I'm a new follower via GFC.

    Hope you swing by my blog, Ensconced in YA!
    http://cahreviews.blogspot.com/2012/07/feature-and-follow-friday-1.html

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  36. I still haven't read the host yet -__- I stopped about a third through and I don't know why! Ugh. I may have to start over.

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  37. LOVED The Host and Ender's Game! But of course, I love sci-fi anyway!

    Thanks for stopping by my FF!

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  38. I haven't read the Host yet or Ender's Game. They're both on my TBR pile so I'm sure to get to them soon. :)
    Thanks for stopping by my FF.

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  39. You know, I love science fiction, but I still have yet to read either of those books. I do have the first Ender's Game novel on my kindle, so I'll get to it at some point...Thanks for stopping by!

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  40. I've heard really great things about The Host! But I just haven't had the feel for it yet. Great choice! Thanks for stopping by!!

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  41. I haven't read any of those but I enjoy sci-fi. Glad you enjoyed them.

    Thanks for stopping by! Old follower :)

    Austine @ The Red Reader

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  42. Hey Alison! Happy Friday. Have a great weekend :)

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  43. Hey Alison :) Great question this week, as always! I could never get into Host. I read the first page or two and put it back down.

    Ana♥

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  44. hey alison great question this week i not sure i liked your choices but thats because i read quite a lot of sci-fi. thnak you for posting on my blog!

    Old Follower
    Candi

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  45. Not much of a Sci-Fi fan either. Thanks for stopping by.

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  46. Oo haven't read these. I've been wanting something to get me into the Sci-Fi genre so I'll have to give them a try.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  47. Yeah, I'm like that too with sci-fi. It's a sort-of love-hate relationship for me...

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  48. I haven't read The Host or Ender's Game yet; I really need to since sci-fi is my favourite genre of all time!

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  49. Hi! Great question this week. I had to spent some time thinking over it. I generally stick to the genres I like.
    I am not much into sci-fi either.
    Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.

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  50. Sci-fi is definitely a genre I don't venture into much, the few (very, very few) times I have it's not done anything for me. I completely wrote off The Host since I was so irritated with the Twilight series, but I keep hearing that it is actually good - thinking I might give it a shot, or at least a consideration! And I hear GREAT things about the Ender's Game books.

    Thanks for stopping by my hop!

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  51. I need to read The Host ASAP, I picked it up a few years ago but never got round the reading it. Great choice.(:

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  52. I haven't read a lot of sci fi but I love watching sci fi programs on tv :) I really should try to read some.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  53. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I haven't read The Host or Ender's Game. I just finished the Twilight series, so I'll probably try The Host sometime this year.

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  54. I haven't read either of those, although they've gotten a lot of buzz! I'm debating on whether or not to read The Host, since I'm not a fan of Stephanie Meyer's writing.
    -Charlotte

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  55. Glad you enjoy sci fi its a badass genre. Check out mine:

    http://itchingforbooks.blogspot.com/2012/07/feature-and-follow-76.html

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  56. Your blog is so cute! Thanks for the follow-back! I'm excited that you found some good sci-fi, it's my favorite genre :D

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  57. The Ender's Game series was my first foray into sci fi too. But, I was about 10 when I picked up those books, so I've been in love with sci fi for a long time. ;-)

    Thanks for stopping by my blog with week!

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  58. Sci Fi is definitely one of those genres that has its up and downs.

    Here is my Follow Friday post
    Lauren from Northern Plunder

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  59. Sci fi is a genre I'm slowly getting into. I suppose because they are thoroughly unpredictable. Thanks for stopping by!

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  60. Thanks for your comment and believe I never picked up sci fic book.. Though That doe not mean I wont latter.

    If you want I have reviews for the books on my blog if you ever want to read them.

    Have nice week

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  61. I have a friend who isn't much of a reader but Ender's Game has to be her favourite series. She's looking forward to the movie :)

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  62. I love scifi. Have you read Octavia Butler's books?

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  63. i don't care for sci-fi either but there are a few good ones out there!

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  64. I really enjoyed The Host as well. Thanks for stopping by my blog. :)

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