2015 Book Blogger Love-A-Thon! - Introduction and About Me

Happy 2015 Book Blogger Love-A-Thon!

*throws confetti in the air*

Seriously, you guys, I've been waiting since the end of last year's Book Blogger Love-A-Thon for this. Alright, so, if you're not a part of the Book Blogger Love-A-Thon, let me just share a little bit about this event. 

The 2015 Book Blogger Love-A-Thon is hosted by Alexa of Alexa Loves Books, and this event is an opportunity to interact with other book bloggers, authors, and bookish people alike, share our love of book blogging, participate in fun posts and Twitter chats, and just have an incredible two days celebrating blogging and reading. It's seriously an amazing experience, and sharing my thoughts here isn't doing the event enough justice. This is one of my favorite things I've participated in so far throughout my blogging, and I am so, so excited to be participating again this year! 

So, we're starting off the Love-A-Thon with a "Get to Know You" questionnaire. Here are the questions, and my answers:

no. 1 - What's your name?

I'm Violet of Paper Worlds and Swirls of Ink! For more about me, check out my About Me page!

no. 2 - Where in the world are you blogging from?

My room. In the past. I'm actually writing this earlier on in February. Time travel! (Except not because I don't have a Time Turner.)

no. 3 - How did you get into blogging in the first place?

I followed several blogs for years, always loving reading the posts and such, but never starting one of my own, even though I had a Goodreads. But I would always give my friends recommendations and talk books nonstop, and then one day in late 2013 I was asked by an author if I would review a novella, and I realized that I wanted to share my thoughts about books with everyone. And talk about how much I loved books with everyone. Thus, Paper Worlds and Swirls of Ink.

no. 4 - How did you come up with your blog name?

Paper Worlds and Swirls of Ink is a line out of a poem I wrote for a class a long time ago. Basically, we were asked to write a love poem, and of course mine was to books and bookstores and everything bookish. So, I wrote an Ode to Paper Worlds and Swirls of Ink, and the line stayed with me and it felt like the right fit for the blog.

no. 5 - What genre do you read and review the most on your blog?

For me, I read mainly YA literature of a variety of categories, although previously it was typically paranormal or supernatural type stories. That has been changing this past year and into the current one, as I've been talking about in my Reading in 2015 post. I've been reading more Adult Fiction, and in YA more historical fiction, sci fi, etc. But YA has always been the main focus of this blog.

no. 6 - What other types of posts do you do on your blog, aside from reviews?

I participate in some blogging events (like this one, of course!), some weekly features such as Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. I post discussion posts, I share what books I'm excited for that are coming out soon, and I also do several other types of series, some of which I'm hoping to change up a bit and continue on with in the new year.

no. 7 - Best blogging experience so far?

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon 2014. I am so excited for this year's Book Blogger Love-A-Thon!

no. 8 - Favorite thing about the blogging community?

I love talking with everyone, whether it's through comments on posts about our thoughts on a particular book or discussion, or if it's over Twitter, I really enjoy interacting with bloggers and talking about books!

no. 9 - Name the 5 books you're most excited for in 2015!

5? Ok. I can do this. I'm going to say books that are coming out and haven't already been released in 2015 to narrow it down a bit since I have about 30-ish books (My Can't Wait Books of 2015 post has all 30 of those). I picked two honorable mentions.

Top 5:

A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas

We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han, the sequel to To All the Boys I've Loved Before

The Vanishing Throne by Elizabeth May, the sequel to The Falconer

Winter by Marissa Meyer, the fourth book in The Lunar Chronicles

Honorable Mentions:

Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

no. 10 - What's an underrated book or series you think everyone should read?

Hmm... I have plenty of recommendations so I should probably do a post on this. But some of my favorites are the Poison Study series, Splintered series, and His Fair Assassin series.

no. 11 - Which book boy or book girl would be your book BFF?

book boy BFF - Morpheus of The Splintered series by A.G. Howard

book girl BFF - Cress from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

no. 12 - Apart from reading, what are your other hobbies or interests?
I love to travel, to sing, watch Disney movies, watch Downton Abbey, spend some time with my family, friends, and wonderful pet cat. And sleep.

no. 13 - Apart from book shopping, what else do you like shopping for?

Not much, really. I've never been much of a shopper, but if I see something I like or know I need to get, I can go and find it pretty quickly and efficiently.

no. 14 - At a party, the DJ suddenly changes the song- and it's your song. What song would be playing?

I'm assuming a Disney song wouldn't work very well here. (It would totally be Belle from Beauty and the Beast if it could, though.) Classical music doesn't work either, probably. I love Sam Smith, Marina & the Diamonds, and The Hush Sound.

no. 15 - Pick out either a book you want turned into a film/tv show, or a film/tv show you want turned into a book.
Normally, I'm not a fan of the film/tv to book adaptations I've read, so if I could pick a book to be made into a movie, I'd want to see The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. That would be amazing. The Lunar Chronicles would also be an awesome film adaptation.

So, there's a little bit about me! If you're visiting, hi and welcome to the blog! I'm so excited to be a part of the Book Blogger Love-A-Thon, and thank you so much for stopping by!

From the paper world,

V

Looking Back at the Letter

Back in February, I participated in the absolutely wonderful Book Blogger Love-A-Thon and wrote this letter to myself for when I've been blogging for one year. And I'm not going to lie, writing it, I wasn't even sure I would be blogging for a year. At the time, those few months had felt so much longer than they actually had been, but in an amazing way. I was unsure of the future and what it would hold, but that event made me love blogging even more and really appreciate the book blogging community. So, here's my letter to my One Year of Blogging Self - 
Dear Future Self,

Hello! How has the blog been going? I can't believe it will have been a year of blogging once you read this! Right now, I'm writing this for the Book Blogger LoveAThon, and so far I've participated in several blogging events. I stayed up for 24 hours reading, I've done Bout of Books, and I'm so excited for everything else that's to come. 

What's been your favorite read of the year? Have you had a good reading year? I know that I'm excited for more of blogging; meeting other bloggers and making friends, as well as sharing my love of books. So, I hope you enjoy your blog anniversary, congraulations on having come so far, and I wish you more happiness to come.

From the paper world several months back,
V

Looking back at this, it reminds me of all the fun blogging things that had happened in just those few months. I'd been lucky enough to read for hours on end with other bloggers, and to have read some wonderful books (even back then I knew I wouldn't be able to pick one favorite, but a few of my favorites have been Jellicoe Road, Amy and Roger's Epic Detour, Anna and the French Kiss, and these books from My First Half of 2014 series). In general, I've had a good reading year, with some big life changes but a persisting love of books, albeit reading much more slowly now. I've also had so many wonderful opportunities to talk to other bloggers and do readalongs together. 

So, there's my letter to myself, a few months later, and one year later of blogging. What are your thoughts on how your first year of blogging went? Or, if you're still a newer blogger like myself, how has blogging been for you thus far? And if you're interested in the Book Blogger Love-A-Thon, Katelyn and Alexa hosted it in February and it was a lot of fun!

From the paper world,

V

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon - Farewell Until Next Year

Sadly, it is the end of the Book Blogger Love-A-Thon...
However, this weekend has been absolutely amazing. As a new blogger, I was completely amazed by all the participants, their enthusiasm, and the general love and support for book blogging. You guys are all awesome. Seriously, if you just stopped by and checked out a post, or if you commented or tweeted, or followed... I was really touched. All the notifications I got and interactions with other bloggers made this weekend so memorable. I loved this. As a new blogger I found not only a ton of new book blogs to follow (a blog roll page is now in the works so that I can share some awesome blogs with you all) but a ton of book bloggers who are all so kind, happy to talk about books, and very supportive. 
Honestly, I was in a bit of a creative slump this past month. I was really worried because I felt like I was running out of ideas and I'd only been blogging a few months. However, after this weekend, I am so excited about everything. This community is so wonderful, and now I'm excited to share my thoughts and ideas again. One example? I debuted a new series on the blog called Wanderlust in Words. Now, this is an idea from before this blog even came about, back when I was just coming up with ideas and getting excited about even starting a book blog. But I never posted it, because of this reason or that. Well, I didn't have anything planned for the mash up challenge, and I thought that this supportive and awesome event would be a good time to test it out. The response absolutely amazed me. I was getting a bunch of comments on how much you all loved it, loved the name... and I'm definitely excited to continue the series. That meant so much to me.
So, it's the end of this event. But luckily, this is a yearly thing, and awesome book blogs and bloggers are always around year round. So, to all my fellow new bloggers, I say talk to some other bloggers, and share your love of books. There's a really awesome crowd of people out there. To everyone who's stopped by, you are amazing. I've loved talking to all of you, and I can't wait to see what this year brings us all. Thank you to Alexa and Katelyn for a truly wonderful event.

From the paper world,
V

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon - Letter to Myself Mini Challenge

How's everyone enjoying the Book Blogger LoveAThon? I'm so excited for this next mini challenge! This is a letter to either your past or future blogging self. Since I've been blogging for a few months, I want to write a letter to myself for my one year blog anniversary. Then, when we get to that point this coming autumn, I can feature the letter and respond to it. So, without further ado...

Dear Future Self,

Hello! How has the blog been going? I can't believe it will have been a year of blogging once you read this! Right now, I'm writing this for the Book Blogger LoveAThon, and so far I've participated in several blogging events. I stayed up for 24 hours reading, I've done Bout of Books, and I'm so excited for everything else that's to come. 

What's been your favorite read of the year? Have you had a good reading year? I know that I'm excited for more of blogging; meeting other bloggers and making friends, as well as sharing my love of books. So, I hope you enjoy your blog anniversary, congraulations on having come so far, and I wish you more happiness to come.

From the paper world several months back,
V

Now, I want to hear from you guys- what was your first year of blogging like? If you're still a new blogger like me *waves* then tell me how it's going. I hope you all are enjoying the Love-A-Thon as much as I am!

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon Mini Challenge and Wanderlust in Words Introduction

Need to travel but can't get a ticket? Welcome to Wanderlust in Words, where some amazing books can take you to your favorite cities without the jet lag. 

Welcome back to the Book Blogger Love-A-Thon! I honestly didn't think I was going to be participating in this mini challenge, but I've had this post I've wanted to share for awhile, and so I decided it was time to put it out there.

Hey, everyone! I'm so excited to start Wanderlust in Words! This is an idea I had when I was originally coming up with series I wanted to do for the blog. It was one of my favorites, and so I'm glad that I'm able to share it with you all now! I want to start this feature with the city and books that first inspired me to make it - Prague.

Prague is a city I hadn't read many books about until a little while ago. But I've read two particularly wonderful books set in this city, and so I wanted to share them with you today.



The first book is The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman. This is a thrilling mystery about a girl named Nora who finds her life completely changed. Her friend is killed mysteriously and Nora's boyfriend is charged with murder. Nora sets out to prove his innocence and journeys to Prague as she seeks the truth behind this mysterious turn of events. I loved how this book was one I couldn't predict. The characters weren't my favorite, but the story was unique and the focus on Prague was incredible. I remember snatches of seeing the city and world building as Nora delved into the mystery, and I loved this. I think that this is a good mystery and introduction to the city of Prague.


The second book is The Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor. This series is beautiful. It's written in a way that's artistic, poetic, and engaging. The protagonist, Karou, made me want to dye my hair peacock blue and live in Prague. I loved being in Prague with Karou. It seems so creative, a blend of the ancient and the quirkiness of Karou and her friends. Her life in the city was so much fun to read, and definitely made me love this Prague.




So there is the first of Wanderlust in Words. I wanted to try something that combined my love for travel with books, and I hope you guys enjoyed. If you've read any books set in Prague, what were they? 


From the paper world,
V

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon - Mad Lib Mini Challenge

There are some really great mini challenges for this LoveAThon, and so I'm back with my second of the day! This is the Mad Lib Challenge, and so, here we go! If you aren't familiar with mad libs, or it's been awhile, basically I've picked random words with prompts (for example, I'm asked for an adjective and I say old) without knowing how they'll be put into a story. If you want to do this, pick the needed words without seeing how they fit into the story, then put them in and let me know what your story says in the comments!

Ok, are you ready? Here's the story without my words in.

One day, I was VERB ENDING IN -ING with BOOK BOYFRIEND #1. Out of the blue, a NOUN came out of nowhere! It was so ADJECTIVE, ADJECTIVE and ADJECTIVE. At first, we were afraid, we were petrified, but we PAST TENSE VERB. We hopped on RANDOM MODE OF TRANSPORTATION to make our getaway. 

As we escaped, we turned up the radio because A CATCHY TUNE came on and made me VERB. Everything was extremely smooth sailing until an ANIMAL appeared in the middle of the road. We swerved to avoid it, but while BOOK BOYFRIEND #1 stayed on SAME RANDOM MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, I got thrown onto my side in the woods.

I couldn't get up, and felt ADJECTIVE as I lay there staring up at the trees. What was I going to do? I heard a WORD DESCRIBING A SOUND among the leaves, and felt EMOTION. Surely, this was going to be my end. As my eyes fluttered shut, the last thing I saw was a head of COLOR hair and COLOR eyes.

When I woke up again, I was on a PIECE OF FURNITURE. My body hurt a whole lot less, and I could sit up. There was a NOUN and NOUN in the room, along with FOOD and DRINK. The door suddenly opened to reveal BOOK BOYFRIEND #2, a concerned look on his face. I blushed and averted my gaze, but he VERB and said, "Don't be shy. It's okay."

He came over to sit by me, and we started talking after I told him my name. We chatted about HOBBY 1,HOBBY 2 and HOBBY 3 and realized we had a ton in common! I thought he was ADJECTIVE and couldn't help feeling a little swoony. 

Just as he reached out for my hand, the door crashed open and in came BOOK BOYFRIEND #3. "Don't let him charm you away, my love!" He yelled, running at BOOK BOYFRIEND #2. They each had KITCHENWARE in their hands and began to fight. "Stop!", I yelled, feeling so EMOTION. They didn't listen to me. Before I could intervene, BOOK BOYFRIEND #2 fell to the floor and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"What was that?" I asked, staring at the empty space. BOOK BOYFRIEND #3 dropped his weapon, and came over to me. "Magic, but you are safe now, PET NAME." He hugged me close, and I suddenly knew that this was the real deal and not just a dream.

Just as LOVE SONG started playing in my head, I woke up. I cursed my ADJECTIVE luck. Why had it only been just a dream?

And now, here's my version - 

One day, I was reading with Morpheus. Out of the blue, a tree came out of nowhere! It was so old, graceful and inconsistent. At first, we were afraid, we were petrified, but we strolled. We hopped on Hagrid’s motorcycle to make our getaway. 

As we escaped, we turned up the radio because Best Day of My Life by American Authors came on and made me leap. Everything was extremely smooth sailing until an phoenix appeared in the middle of the road. We swerved to avoid it, but while Morpheus stayed on Hagrid’s motorcycle, I got thrown onto my side in the woods.

I couldn't get up, and felt calm as I lay there staring up at the trees. What was I going to do? I heard a pop among the leaves, and felt nervous. Surely, this was going to be my end. As my eyes fluttered shut, the last thing I saw was a head of purple hair and green eyes.

When I woke up again, I was on a couch. My body hurt a whole lot less, and I could sit up. There was a cat and jump rope in the room, along with pizza and green tea. The door suddenly opened to reveal Captain Thorne from the Lunar Chronicles, a concerned look on his face. I blushed and averted my gaze, but he blinked and said, "Don't be shy. It's okay."

He came over to sit by me, and we started talking after I told him my name. We chatted about making flower crowns,skydiving and book blogging and realized we had a ton in common! I thought he was nice and couldn't help feeling a little swoony. 

Just as he reached out for my hand, the door crashed open and in came Sam from Incarnate. "Don't let him charm you away, my love!" He yelled, running at Thorne. They each had forks in their hands and began to fight. "Stop!", I yelled, feeling so puzzled. They didn't listen to me. Before I could intervene, Thorne fell to the floor and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"What was that?" I asked, staring at the empty space. Sam dropped his weapon, and came over to me. "Magic, but you are safe now, dear." He hugged me close, and I suddenly knew that this was the real deal and not just a dream.

Just as I See the Light from Tangled started playing in my head, I woke up. I cursed my makeshift luck. Why had it only been just a dream?

 Well, that was certainly interesting. You know, some of it actually makes sense. Except for the part with purple hair and green eyes. That just sounds like a deranged Furby... Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this fantastic adventure, and my dream with Morpheus, Thorne, Sam, and some forks and green tea. This was such a fun challenge to do! Let me know if you did this in the comments!

From the paper world,

V

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon - Love Letter Mini Challenge

It's time for more Love-A-Thon festivities! This is a mini challenge that sounds very Valentine's Day appropriate- write a love letter to your book boyfriend. It's probably no surprise to many that Morpheus of the Splintered series is going to receive this letter.

Dear Morpheus,
My dear, you are amazing. You steal every scene you are in, and from the beginning you stole my bookish love. Any time I walk past a top hat, I think of you and your Wonderland magic. I find myself calling for a Swooning Hat any time you show just how strong, loyal, and loving you are. I am a mothling, and happily love to read about you and your daring adventures. 

Before I ever picked up the books that happily led me to you, I heard tales of this series back in 2o12. I finally found the book, and dove into the strange, enchanted world you call home. My dear, you were witty, charming, mysterious...There was not a moment in the book when I could predict what you would do next. I cheered out loud to see you on the cover of Unhinged. That book showed the world how loving and dedicated you can be. Happy Valentine's Day to you, Morpheus.

Love,
Violet

There's my attempt at a love letter to Morpheus! Here's a little info about who this guy is, and I'll include the sequel's cover that stars him!




This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.


Who's your book boyfriend? Let me know down in the comments! Stay tuned for more of the Book Blogger Love-A-Thon, and find even more of the participating blogs over at the hosts', Alexa and Katelyn.

From the paper world,
V

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon - Interview with Nicole!

Hey everyone, and welcome! The Book Blogger LoveAThon is an awesome event put together by Alexa and Katelyn. I saw the sign ups for this awhile ago, read about it, and got so excited. A blogging event for everyone to celebrate book blogging and meet other book bloggers? Yes, please! One of the aspects of this event is the Interview Swaps.
My interviewing partner was Nicole of Paperback Princess. So, without further ado, here is my interview with Nicole!

How has your reading changed since you started blogging?

I used to read mostly adult books and would dabble in the YA world, but since I started blogging and going to conferences, I would read mostly YA. Once in a while I can sneak in an adult book, but it's so rare.

Looking back, what is some advice you would give to a beginning blogger?

Promote. Promote. Promote. You need to get your name out there and do everything you can to get people to notice you. As much as people don't like to talk about it, blogging is hugely a numbers game. It also doesn't hurt to get out there and meet new people.

What's been one of the most rewarding blogging experiences you've had?

Meeting my best friends. I really can't imagine what my life would be like without Hannah and Lexie who have been there through thick and thin. I lost my uncle while I was at BEA this past year, and I broke down in their arms and they were there for me. No number of publisher connections or conversations with authors will change how they have been the best thing to come out of blogging.

What are your thoughts on blog tours, and what's your favorite that you've participated in?

I really like blog tours. I think that they are a great way to see what other bloggers are out there. It's also a great way to get some exposure. My favorite would have to be a tie between The Flower Reader by Elizabeth Loupas because it was the first time that the author had ever commented in my review, and I just remember being euphoric at my college graduation that this had happened. I also adored participating in the blog tour for Mindee Arnett's The Nightmare Affair because it got me close to one of my closest author friends. 

When did you fall in love with reading?

I'm not sure I can remember a specific time that I realized I was in love with reading. My mother worked in a bookstore while I was growing up, so I always had a love of books. I can remember being in 8th grade and constantly borrowing books from my English Teacher's classroom and actually getting yelled at for reading during class.

What's one fictional world you'd love to live in?

This one is a no brainer, clearly it is Harry Potter's world. Clearly.

What's your favorite part about your blog?

I just got a new blog design, so that. That is my absolute favorite right now about it. I also love the name, not to toot my own horn.

You have one minute to write as much about yourself as you can. The clock starts now!

So one minute to talk about myself? I'm a 22 year old paralegal living in the heart of NYC. I've got a niece and a nephew who I love more than anything and my life is pretty great. I really fell in love with blogging after attending BEA12 which really changed my outlook on blogging. Without having joined I wouldn't have met so many great people.

So, there was my interview with Nicole! It's been so much fun to meet her and talk, and after emailing for awhile I really want to go to BEA! Thank you so much to Nicole for being a wonderful interview partner, and I hope you all will stay tuned for more Book Blogger Love-A-Thon fun!

From the paper world,

V