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Armchair BEA 2016: Aesthetic Concerns

Armchair BEA 2016: Aesthetic Concerns

May 12, 2016 Posted by angelreads ABEA, Discussions 8 Comments

Armchair BEA

This is my first year participating in Armchair BEA and I have no idea how many of these posts I will be doing or how I can participate because I do run on Australian time, but I am ready for some fun. You can check out my introduction post, but today we are talking about Aesthetic Concerns.  It’s split into two parts; the first books and then it’s all about the blog. So let’s get into it. 

Books (1)

If you say that you don’t judge a book by its cover you are lying. Everyone one does it, even if they think they are not. Say you are at a book store and then something catches your eyes – that’s the cover. We should not do it, but we do, it’s the way our brain works – it just likes pretty things. I did do a full discussion of this a couple of months ago, that does go into more detail. 

I also like – okay more like love that all my books match. I get quite angry when they are all mix matched ranging from the cover to the size of the book. So sometimes I wait to buy a series so I know I am getting them all the same or sometimes I go and buy a full new set, though this does not happen often. 

IMG_20160227_164253

 

In saying this, I do buy books with covers that are not my favourite mainly because, I do want to read what is inside. However, what I don’t like is when the cover doesn’t match what is on the inside of the book. The covers has to do with something, even if it is something little – it does have to match. 

Blog

 

I have been book blogging for 5 years and I had never given much thought until this year about branding. It just never came to mind when I started, but now it’s coming quite common it the book blogging community. 

I guess for me when people look at my blog – mu website – they think of the Angel and purple at first. It has always been my brand – pretty much from the get go. And that is most likely never going to change. 

Book Haul 12 May

I also take pride in my book reviews, I love writing and sharing them with everyone and I do put quite a lot of work into them and have created a ‘me’ review in a sense that they sound like me. Well I think they do. 

I also love creating features on my blog and I have done quite a few, like my most recent one of interviews with #LoveOZYA Authors. 

I think that creating a book blog aesthetic is quite hard to do for yourself, so if anyone has ideas of what you would say mine is, do tell, I would love to know what you think. 

How is your blog branded? What is its aesthetic? How do you judge books by their covers? Let’s Chat. 

I love talking, so talk to me over on my twitter @angel_reads, Facebook, instagram, tumblr and Goodreads. You can also follow Angel Reads on Bloglovin and via email (in the side bar) 

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  • Meaghan
    · Reply

    May 13, 2016 at 12:22 AM

    I use fun public domain artwork site to get inspiration sometimes. http://mwgerard.com/armchair-bea-16-aesthetic-concerns-in-books-and-blogs/

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  • Nick
    · Reply

    May 13, 2016 at 12:31 AM

    I didn’t realize blog aesthetics were a thing. I wouldn’t know what on earth my aesthetic would be either. I don’t really consider my blog a brand either. I’m mostly here to talk about my love for books and I don’t think I’m too concerned about becoming a brand. I mean, it’s a hobby for me, you know and I’d like it stay that way.

    I do judge books by their covers too. It’s hard not too because human beings are very visual. I agree with you on the cover having to do something with the book. If it doesn’t, I get mad. And I NEED covers to be matchy too.

    Fun post, Angel!

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    • angelreads
      · Reply

      Author
      May 13, 2016 at 12:55 PM

      I’ve been seeing it more and more recently. I don’t really like to brand my blog, but I feel that it just kind of happens. you know?
      Yes – humans are visual and when you are at a bookstore, covers catch your eye. YES matching covers!

      Thank you

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  • Cait @ Paper Fury
    · Reply

    May 13, 2016 at 7:52 AM

    I’ve only really become aware of aesthetics on one’s blog (and insta!) this year too! IT’S GOOD THOUGH. I like trying to make my photos more consistent, but still varied because I’d get super bored if they were all too much the same. 😂 And as for cover love…heeeeck YES. I have no shame for being picky and judgy about covers. They’re my collection! I want to collect nice things *nods* Although a bad cover will definitely not ensure I don’t read a book, of course. But I’m 99% more likely to run after a book if it’s gorgeous. *pets books* 😂

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    • angelreads
      · Reply

      Author
      May 13, 2016 at 1:05 PM

      It’s so wired, but good at the same time. I just don’t know where to put it for my blog. Yes totally agree. I use my backyard for a lot of my photos but try and switch it up where I take them.
      YES! and yes for sure, I will still read a book if I don’t like the cover.

      Thanks for commenting.

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  • Chantal Kulak
    · Reply

    May 13, 2016 at 10:23 AM

    I don’t really judge but if it has a wolf on the cover I can’t resist! I should’ve mentioned my features I feel so ditzy when I forget part of the prompts… I am so jealous of your picture taking ability! Your pictures are gorgeous!!!!

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    • angelreads
      · Reply

      Author
      May 13, 2016 at 1:11 PM

      haha – yes. I love werewolf books, hence why I am writing one haha. Features are a big part of my blog for me, so I thought of mention it. Aww thank you, that means a lot.

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  • Jade @ Bedtime Bookworm
    · Reply

    May 15, 2016 at 3:09 PM

    I try not to judge books by their covers but it’s so hard! It happens subconsciously 🙂 I try to keep things looking consistent on my blog as far as branding. I’ve had the same look for over a year now though so I’m considering changing it up a little. I have to figure out how to update it while keeping the same basic feel to it.

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I have a love-hate relationship with this series. I have a love-hate relationship with this series. But I ended up really enjoying this one. It’s best friends to fake dating to-lovers. It’s always been you, bad-boy/good-girl, and I loved that. While Save Your Breath has quite a few tropes, it really leads itself to it, and it works. 

Aleks and Mia have known each other for years now. Since they were teenagers, that angst has been building up this whole time. And you can tell right from the get-go, it’s fantastic. I even wanted more of it, because I love pain. When Aleks went to live with Mia’s family as a teenager, sparks flew, but for many reasons, they both put their feelings aside. And well, now they are not only going to be fake-dating, but they might as well be engaged, too. 

I really enjoyed seeing how both Aleks and Mia both tried to hide how they were feeling throughout the whole ‘fake-dating’ situation, but anyone could see it. They know each other as no one else does. Aleks has a lot going on, and while I do think this was brushed over a little too much, Mia is his centre. Mia is a massive music star and is a female in the industry, so yeah, people don’t respect her. Obvsiouly because why couldn’t a female star be badass and write about the things that she has gone through? Aleks and Mia get each other, and that is very clear from the start; they are both just trying to squash everything. We get to see them slowly start to show how they feel, and well, one night it all explodes. 

Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot; it’s not my favourite of the series, but I had a great time reading it. I liked Aleks and Mia a lot as characeters and while I think the mental health aspect could have been explored a whole lot more, I can see why it wasn’t. The romance was slow and spicy, the angst was great, and the payoff for these two was what they needed. 

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#romancebooks #bookstagram  #angelreads #spicybooks #bookreview
Well February wasn’t the best reading month. I onl Well February wasn’t the best reading month. I only ended up reading 3 books in. 3 pretty fun books but one of my slowest readings months in a while. 

And I’m going to be honest here it’s because I’ve been constantly reading Heated Rivalry fanfics. 🤷‍♀️ I’m having the best time though. 

How was your reading in February? Any 5  star reads? 

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January was a really solid reading month. I read s January was a really solid reading month. I read some books that had been on my tbr for some time, reread a few things that peaked my interest. I also started a few new series. And just had a good time!

I just had a really good start to the year. While February is a little slow so far I’m looking forward to what I can pick up.

What did you read in January? Any 5-star reads? Let’s chat! 

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A couple of these are on my TBR already and some have just caught my eye and that makes me super excited to pick them up. 🖤

What are you looking forward to reading this month? Let’s chat! ✨

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