~BOOKLUST Tools

Can’t imagine why anyone would be interested in this, but…I’ve had a lot of questions, so here goes!

Here is how the Book Lust Challenge process works (in chronological order):

1. The very first thing I do is look in my Excel database to see what things happened in an upcoming month (for example June is National Fishing Month). Based on what I want to “celebrate” I chose 2-3 books & order them from various libraries. As an aside, I always try to order a copy as close to the original publication date as possible AND read them in alphabetical order.
2. As soon as the book comes in I edit the information on LibraryThing with the correct ISBN, date received, etc.
3. I then “research” the book to see if it has been made into a movie, whether it is the author’s very first or last (or something in between) book. As an aside, first-time authors really intrigue me.
4. Later, I take a picture of the cover of the book (upload to LibraryThing if they don’t have the version I have). Lately, I’ve been slacking off on this part & posting without pictures. Have to do better on that part!

Obviously, not doing that anymore!

5. I start a “review” page on WordPress, usually just putting in the citation, where it was in Book Lust or More Book Lust or Book Lust To Go & posting a picture (if I have one). Often I will say a few words about how this book came up on the list or something like that.
6. Using my friend Pam’s note paper I clip two sheets to the book: one for tags and one for review notes and quotes I like.
7. Read, read, read and read some more!
8. I take notes on a few favorite passages while I read…
9. When the book is finished I immediately write a few sentences about my reaction to the book – thoughts, feelings (again, on Pam’s paper because I love it) just so I don’t lose the essence of the book.
10. When I get the time to write the full review I first put it on wordpress then copy a section of it to LibraryThing (leaving out the personal stuff like favorite quotes, how it related to my life, booklust twist, etc).
11. On the LibraryThing site I fill in the tags box (remembering to include the “accomplished” tag), rate the book and add the date finished.
12. The title of the book is moved from “reading” to “done” in the Excel spreadsheet and taken off the “calendar.”
13. Final step: underlining the book mentioned in Book Lust or More Book Lust or Book Lust to Go. I also check off author and title in the index. This may sound redundant but I’m only trying to cover my butt because over two dozen titles mention IN either Book Lust I or II or III were NOT mentioned in the index.
14. IF I speed through a book (like I just did with An Academic Question) I’ll order another book or two…and the reading/reviewing/writing starts all over again.

There you have it. That’s the process from start to finish. Are you sorry you asked?

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