BBAW Day #4 & #5: Reading and Blogging

Book bloggers blog because they love reading. Our Day #4 task is to reflect, write and share about our love.Has book blogging changed the way you read?

Yes, I've already told you in my previous BBAW posts but I'll say it again:  I've read much more,  sharing and comparing has made reading more stimulating and  I've got in touch with new authors/genres/publishing realities I'd never even heard about before starting blogging. I'm really satisfied with my new reading habits. I mean, I only used to read stuff connected to my job (teaching English literature and English as a Foreign Language) before, now I often read also just and simply for pleasure. And that is really good!Have you discovered books you never would have apart from book blogging? 


Lots of them. Just have a look around FLY HIGH! Either on my Books Page or on the right sidebar.You'll find lots of them I've just discovered about in the latest couple of years.How has book blogging affected your book acquisition habits? 
Well, I got lots of books and e-books from publishers and authors but I've gone on buying my own too. I can't resist bookshops! And the possibility to buy online has even "worsen" the situation. The result is ... I also had to buy new shelves. They are already full, though so I give some of my books (who are in English in most cases and I live in Italy surrounded by people speaking and reading Italian) away to my nieces, cousins and ex-students who study foreign languages. Honestly, I must do it but I'm always a bit sad when I have to part from one of my books, even the worst I've ever read. I'd keep them all but ... I should buy a new house, not only new shelves. My small flat is not enough for my mad fondness!
Have you made new connections with other readers because of book blogging? 

I have. Readers and writers. Many of them. The little enthusiastic community visiting My Jane Austen Book Club and Fly High has made blogging a very enriching, rewarding and satisfying activity.
Day #5 Topic is instead blogging. 

The world of blogging is continually changing. Share 3 things you think are essential tried and true practices for every blogger and 1-3 new trends or tools you’ve adapted recently or would like to in the future.

First of all to keep on blogging  you should write about topics/things you are really interested in. The more you like what you write about the more you find the right way/words to involve your readers. Then,  you must read a lot and surf the Net enough to keep you informed and updated about what you usually write about . Last but not least you should take part or propose interesting Blog Events. The hits of my blogs went incredibly high on those occasions and it was so much fun to meet new bloggers and hear from people from all over the world. Something like BBAW this week. Isn't it great? Just two examples: Elizabeth Gaskell Bicentenary Blog Tour  (I was invited by Laurel Ann at Austenprose) for which I wrote my  North and South (2004) – Movie Review or The Happy Birthday Blog Party I organized myself last year to celebrate Jane Austen on December 16th on My Jane Austen Book Club. 
Finally , tools I like to use ... 
1. PhotoComic  HalfTone Phonto PicFrame ToonPint are Apple apps I've recently  used on my husband's iphone for my RA-comic cards (HERE & HERE)
2. Linkwithin is a useful tool which automatically links your latest post to similar ones you have already on your blog
3. Widget Box - On both blogs I've got a box in my sidebar linking one to the other . Rolling down on Fly High you can see what I posted on My Jane Austen Book Club and viceversa.