I have decided to start a new series on my blog featuring advice from some of my favorite book bloggers. Plus, learning about my favorite bloggers seriously interests me. I am always down for new friends. Not to mention bookish friends.


 I love promoting and helping out other blogs. For my first interview, I am proud to announce one of my newest and best bookish friends over at alysinbookland! Her blog is literally gorgeous and I am an avid reader of her blog. She deserves so much more recognition!

1. When did you start your blog?


I started my blog in February 2016, and I’m still using Blogspot as my platform. Around the same year, around May or June, I moved to Wordpress, and I started over again.


2. How long have you been blogging? How old is your blog?

Considering that I took a hiatus for a year and a half, without the time I’m not actively posting on my blog, I’ve only been blogging for two years.


3. Why did you choose to write a book blog? What inspired you to pick that niche?


I’m still discovering stuff which I would like to do in the future, then I met some book lovers on Facebook. We created a group chat where we could talk about books, then they started their blog that year, and they spoke about it on our group chat. As someone interested in doing something like it, I decided to make my blog too. With their help, I was able to start mine, and I liked it. It feels like I have my own online diary where I can share everything that I want about books.

What inspired me is my love for reading. I may not be a casual reader like others who can read all day and all week, but I still read in my free time. And, I guess it is enough to call myself a book lover too.


4. What are some of your book blogging pet peeves?


I hate it when there are more ads than content. Also, when there are auto-playing videos or music on their blogs. Then, if they don’t format their post well, it kind of ticks me off but I still read them anyway.


5. What are some of your favorite books?


Ahhhhh. What genre? Hahaha! Well, I don’t have a top favorite book, but here are some of my favorites:

  • Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling
  • Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan
  • Feel Me Fall by James Morris
  • Melophobia by James Morris
  • Constant Guests by Patricia Nedelea
  • Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis


6. What is a book you think every young person should read?


I really suggest the Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling! (The Potterhead in me is grinning as I try to infect them with my love for this series)


7. What resources could you not live without while blogging? (Canva, etc.)


Canva is one of the resources that I use in creating my post banners. Also, paint, photoscape, and picturetopeople.org


8. What’s your favorite type of post to write?


I love writing blog discussions for my Thursday Talks, but it takes me some time to write them because most of them need some research or I am doing surveys first on my online groups meant for book lovers. I also like book reviewing, but it is also tricky because I need to pick the right words without spoiling the readers.


9. Do you have any tips on how to grow your audience and blog views?


One of my best tips for this is to always engage with the other people in the community. Don’t always look at the number of views, because what matters most is the content you post. The views and followers will follow after some time. I have some blogging advice posted on my blog, and there are two series already which you can read.


10. What’s the best ARC you ever received?


The ARC of one of my favorite books, Feel Me Fall by James Morris. He contacted me that he has a new book coming and he gave me the chance to read it before others. And I love it because of the theme, plot, characters, and his writing style.


11. What are some good tips for new bloggers?


Going back with my answer on number 9 question, I said there that I had posted blogging advice on my blog for new book bloggers and you may check it out here: Series #1 | Series #2. But, to sum it up. Have fun and love what you do, engage with the community, and don’t pressure yourself to have many blog views and followers because your time will come sooner when you least expect it. Just enjoy everything.


12. What is the best thing about the book blogging community?


The best thing that I can say about our community is that everyone is very supportive of one another. We understand that some of us have different tastes in books, but it doesn’t build walls on us to communicate with each other. They are also welcoming to new book bloggers, so don’t be afraid to talk with everyone!


13. Where do you edit all your bookish graphics?


I mostly edit all my bookish graphics on Canva. It is very easy to use, especially if you have limited time to do some graphics.


14. What is your favorite book to movie adaptation?


I haven’t watched a lot of movies that were adapted from books, or I watched the movie already, but I haven’t read the books yet. So, so far, my answer would be the Harry Potter series though, I know that they left some parts out in the movie like Peeves!


15. What are your favorite book genres?


My favorite genres are fantasy, mystery, and paranormal! I also like reading other genres so, the books I read are not only limited to these three.


16. What is your favorite book on your personal bookshelf?


The first-ever book that I got as a gift, Dracula by Bram Stoker and it has sentimental value, so aside from my favorite books, I consider this as my favorite book that is on my bookshelf.


17. What are your favorite types of blog posts to read?


I love reading blog discussions and of course, book reviews for books that I loved and books I'm anticipating to read.


18. Name some of your automatic buy authors


Kat Ross, James Morris, J.K. Rowling, and Suzanne Collins. I love their writing style, so if they ever release a new book, I’ll most likely buy them.


19. How do you receive ARCS? Netgalley etc. advice for new bloggers


I receive ARCs through NetGalley, Edelweiss, the street team I'm part of, and from the blog tour company that I'm a tour host. I also receive ARCs from authors who emailed me to review their book. I haven't tried requesting physical ARCs yet because I think it's not the time for me now, but maybe next year, I'll do it.

And for a bit of advice for new book bloggers, don't always request ARCs or accept/receive one if you haven't read and reviewed your current ARCs pile. Only request the books you really want to read and review. Believe me, if you don't want to be stressed or pressured or even feel bad on unreviewed piles, just request the books you are sure to read on time.


20. What are the positives and negatives on blogging that you’ve experienced?


The positive things that I experienced on blogging are having an engagement in the book community, getting free books in exchange for an honest review, enjoying writing a blog post, and improving my writing skills and maybe, also creativity.

As for the negative part, I don't know what to put in here, but maybe having lesser time in doing other hobbies you have aside from reading books and writing stuff about it.


21. Do you have any other tips, advice, or really anything else you want to add?


Just have fun and enjoy reading a book and talking about it and anything bookish-related stuff. Don’t let anyone kill the joy you’ll find in book blogging because they are not worth your time. If you have any questions, I’m always open to hear it and answer it.

Alys is a Filipino book blogger and reviewer who blogs at Alys in Bookland. In 2016, she started her book blog with the name of Book Huntress' World, and after a year of blogging, she decided to have a hiatus from it. In 2019, Alys is finally back, with a new blog name of Alys in Bookland. She reads all kinds of genres, but she mainly reads mystery, fantasy, and paranormal. Her all-time favorite book is The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling.
You can find her at: Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest