I worked in a bookshop. I volunteered in a charity bookshop. My Dad has always worked in libraries. Books for me come naturally and as a great form of living and loving life. I truly don't know where I would be or what I would be doing without them by my side. When I was seventeen, I became a book reviewer. Documenting my progress online was anxious. The whole world potentially was going to hear my thoughts good or bad on someone's hardworking writing. If I stayed on at sixth form to do a-levels, I would have focused on English ones for sure. My reviewing would have ended up being more critical though.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAswSfApFV
I'm the short, sweet but get to the point kind of reviewer. I am honestly in awe of anyone who can write reviews across a ton of pages and be really analytical. I'm quite nerdy in nature and since insecurity across my life, I thought to be the best kind of reviewer, that was the main way to write. Then I learnt what worked best for me and for the authors I reviewed books from. Being honest is the best, but not rambling and not a one-sentence thought would cut it.
Every day, I log into my Goodreads account. This website is my main hub for anything book related I'm doing. Each week, I try to post at least one review and then see what my friends are reading. As the months went by, I started to get noticed by more publishers and book companies. Soon, I was getting hundreds of messages a week. I've talked in the past about my love of wanting to help others and how reading has changed my life. Yet in the lockdown, I've made it my mission to grow even more and work harder at what I do.
Social media usage is very key if you want to do well. I reached 9,000 followers on my Instagram the other day, however, that came with its own challenges. You miss a day of posting a bookish photo and review there, people won't support you anymore. I try to post each day or once every few days if I really don't feel like uploading. Lots of us have found ourselves reading a lot more than before the lockdown. I've certainly noticed that in myself.
One of my close friends, however, has found herself reading nothing at all. Her anxiety about the current situations has freaked her out so much that she struggles to leave her own bed. Psychologically, each of us is taking daily living differently. Reading books has proved the best form of world distraction so far and I've taken full advantage of that. I'm the proud owner of a book trolley where I keep all the books on my TBR on and prioritise my reading goals. So far, I've managed to knock almost a dozen books off that list, which is a huge change and progress for me.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxEFxHLAHG
Out of my book collection, I would say 85 or even 90% of the books I own, I haven't read. I know, I know, I can feel my books frowning at me when I receive a new one in the mail from a publisher or an order I have made myself. Yet this is my life cycle. You read a book, you go and get five more. That's correct... I think it is anyway XD511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wvJlw07WH
With books everywhere, it's only natural that I spend many hours a day finding new ones being released, or chatting to friends about new favourites or watching adaptations on TV or YouTube. When you work in two bookish places, it's also natural to find yourself discussing endlessly to volunteers and other work colleagues that you have to go and pick up a certain new favourite book now, otherwise you will live under a rock. In all seriousness though, this is what I feel that I was truly born to do.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLCsUOriQj
I read before I started primary school, was a student librarian in high school and now working in bookshops. It's me and all a massive part of me. Starting this reviewing adventure changed everything. I made friends, learnt how to get your name out there and even had the chance to work on promoting some really great reads. One of the books I had the chance to review before the release of it to the general public was Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak. This was one of those moments that really opened up my support of books to the world. I'm so thankful that the publishers noticed me and took me seriously. I can't say that about every person that I've ever known.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH1YP12cQB
Moral of the story, if you want to prove yourself to others that you are passionate, dedicated and kind, I really recommend book reviewing. You don't have to go through Goodreads. You can create your own blog or go through YouTube and make videos of all the books you read. Or even go onto a website like this one (Penana) and create like a journal of your progress. Just some ideas to think about and hopefully, it all goes well for you!511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgtFwtvScO
At the bookshops I work at, I'm always bringing books home with me after each shift or once every few shifts and my books still give me the evil eyes every single time. Then I most likely end up not reading said books that I've just purchased anyway and they soon make their ways onto someone else's shelves somewhere in the world. I'm not the best bookish influence after all...511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ265fbYuLrt
Maybe I should start posting a reading journal onto here now thinking about it. Would anyone be interested in following it and seeing all my thoughts as I knock one book at a time off my shelves? Let me know!
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