Leaving the blogosphere?

Hey guys! If you don’t follow me on twitter, you might not know that I’ve been thinking about starting a booktube channel. For the past two weeks I’ve been really thinking about it, deciding what I want to do with this blog, and if I will keep the same name. I wanted to make a post about this so I don’t keep you guys hanging and if you’d like to stay with me, you’ll know where to find me!

So, I’ve come to a conclusion and I’ve decided: no, I won’t be keeping this blog and no, I won’t be keeping the same name. — You may not know that Ember is only a nickname. I no longer want to identify by that name, so as of now, I will go by my real name which is Sarah. The reason I won’t be keeping Literary Constellation is because I’m leaning toward a booktube name that includes my name.

I’ll keep this blog up until I get the chance to start the youtube channel and once everything’s ready, I’ll come back and publish an update post that informs you where to find me if you’re interested.

I’m sure you’ve all noticed my lack in blogging in these past months, which I won’t act like I’ve been trying to keep up. It’s not what I really thought I wanted to do and has become more of a chore than an enjoyment for me. So I’m hoping Youtube won’t end up the same way. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for staying with me for this long and I hope to hear from you over on the booktube!

My rating system

Since I’ve started my blog, I’ve posted a good handful or two of reviews, but I’ve never shared the way my mind works when it comes to rating those books. Everyone has different standards when it comes to their rating and two people might have four stars on the same book, but for completely different reasons. So today I’m going to share with you my reasons.

The above graphic is pretty straight forward, but I just wanted to further elaborate for you guys. So let’s start from the bottom.

• 1 star
  – I rate every book I read, so obviously this is the worst it could get.
  – It’s not that I necessarily hated the book or thought it was horrible. It could have been an extremely well loved book with many high ratings. But all in all, it’s just my opinion.

I base the rating of the books entirely on my enjoyment, to be completely honest. I know some people take a critiquing approach, but there’s often times when I close a book and automatically think, this is an average three stars for me. Sometimes I have to sit on it and decide what to rate it a few days later.

• 1.5 stars
  – I wanted to touch on the half stars because there was no space on the graphic.
  – It may seem obvious, but half stars are basically a mix between the two ratings, I like to think.
  – So a 1.5 star rating means I’ve probably finished the book, but it wasn’t very memorable and I didn’t enjoy it. I might recommend it if I think there’s something someone else might enjoy or be able to take from it.

You get the idea. It’s quite apparent, but as I’ve already stated, everyone rates differently. I just thought a little different post today would be nice for a change and decided to share my system. So in the comments, how do you rate the books you read? Do you rate every one or are there any you’ve left undecided?

---

Thanks for reading!

 

Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Harry is waiting in Privet Drive. The Order of the Phoenix is coming to escort him safely away without Voldemort and his supporters knowing – if they can. But what will Harry do then? How can he fulfill the momentous and seemingly impossible task that Professor Dumbledore has left him?

Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Book depository

 

 

Wrap it up, March-April 2016

Woah, she’s actually doing a monthly wrap up post? It’s like sighting Big Foot! Hey guys! As you may know, I’ve recently noted a semi-hiatus for my blog and even though I’ve had quite a big bump in the road, March and April were the best reading months I’ve had in a long time. I’m combining these last two months into one, if you haven’t figured that out yet. So let’s just jump into it.

Semi-hiatus?

Hey guys… I know it’s usual for me to go on without posting for a few days, but when I seen today that it’s been two weeks since I last posted anything, I thought you all deserve an update of some sort.

I have posts planned and they will come soon, but I’m currently going through something very personal and I just don’t have the motivation right now to keep up with this. I don’t know when I’ll become active again, just know that a review, meme, something or other will pop up eventually out of the blue. It’s been a bumpy ride ever since I’ve started this blog, I know, what with blogging whatever whenever. I can’t stick to a schedule and I feel like I keep making excuses, but when I come back, I’m hoping to have some good content to share.

Thanks for sticking with me thus far, I really appreciate it! I hope you guys are having a fantastic time and I shall be back soon. 😊

Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

It is the middle of the summer, but there is an unseasonal mist pressing against the windowpanes. Harry Potter is waiting nervously in his bedroom at the Dursleys’ house in Privet Drive for a visit from Professor Dumbledore himself. One of the last times he saw the Headmaster was in a fierce one-to-one duel with Lord Voldemort, and Harry can’t quite believe that Professor Dumbledore will actually appear at the Dursleys’ of all places. Why is the Professor coming to visit him now? What is it that cannot wait until Harry returns to Hogwarts in a few weeks’ time? Harry’s sixth year at Hogwarts has already got off to an unusual start, as the worlds of Muggle and magic start to intertwine…

Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Book Depository

Top 5 Wednesday | Rainy day reads

Hello! Welcome to yet another top five Wednesday where I choose my top five, this time six, books relating to the topic of the week. Today (or rather yesterday) we are discussing our favorites to read when you’re stuck inside and rain is pitter-pattering on the other side of the window. So let’s get to it.

This meme was created by Lainey and GingerReadsLainey on Youtube. You can find the Goodreads group here.

Punday #11

Image source: Google images

Do you prefer physical copies, ebooks, or audiobooks?

Hello! So to start off: I feel like there’s been more than enough discussion posts about this topic and who knows, there probably has been, but I’m going through with it and discussing it on my own blog as well.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately specifically because of a new app I found called Overdrive. You can use it to link up to your local library so long as they have the option available to you and all you need is a valid library card to read any titles that’s available. It’s been pretty great so far and I can’t believe I’ve only just now found it.

When asked the question of which format I prefer to read, I would have always said physical books because I just like to hold them as I read and I read a lot faster. Now with this app, I’m able to take my book with me wherever I go and I suddenly understand everybody’s love for ebooks. It is so much handier than a thick hardcover. So while I do still love physical copies, I have a new appreciation for the format of ebooks.

Overdrive also provides audiobooks. I’ve never tried listening to any and I’m still skeptical about them only because I feel like it won’t keep my attention for very long. I’ll be listening to it and then a few minutes later my attention would probably avert to something else and I’ll have to go back and listen to it over again. Of course, I won’t know until I try so this gives me the option to do so whenever I’m ready. I have heard many good things about this format and it definitely has my interest, but said problem is the only thing keeping me from experiencing it. Maybe one day soon, though!

---

Do you use Overdrive? What’s your favorite format? Do you have the same problem as I think I would when listening to audiobooks? Thanks for reading!

e-ARC Review: Born to Die by Winter Austin

Trouble’s on the run in rural Eider, Iowa, and Deputy Cassy Rivers’s heart is in the line of fire. Two years ago, she barely escaped a harrowing experience at the hands of a maniac—and not without scars. Now a series of random robberies leads to the brutal death of a fellow officer, and she must put her trust in the one man who broke her heart.

FBI agent Boyce Hunt knows commitment isn’t for men with pasts like his. He left Cassy once to protect her from the blackmail and manipulation he faces from his mother’s criminal enterprise. But when they reluctantly partner up to capture the modern Bonnie and Clyde terrorizing McIntire County, their attraction flames to life once more, pulling Boyce between two loyalties.

Will they risk their hearts again, even if it means losing everything?

Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Book Depository

*I was provided an e-Arc by Corvisiero Literary Agency via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.