Archive | January 2014

BooksILove: A Beautiful Book Recommendation App for iPhone

HELLO lovelies!

Where, where, where have I been?

I have much content to bring you! Book signing events, more WA bookstores and reviews of books themselves! So much to discover and share with my dear followers!

However, I must admit that most of my attention has been on work, but as it’s related I can finally share with you what it’s all about, as it’s now available for iPhone iOS7!

I’m apart of the amazing team behind the BooksILove app!

We’ve all had those conversations – Over drinks, when leaving the office, on the bus, out shopping: A friend shares the amazing things about why they love the latest book they’re reading. But then, how do you remember afterwards? A scrap of paper? In a digital note? Was it just the author? Or maybe a bit of the book title? When you finally get the chance to head to the library or bookstore, are you able to remember what the book was? Although the discussion was productive, this spark of life for the book is essentially lost most of the time – BUT NO LONGER!

The BooksILove app is all about capturing and sharing recommendations about favorite books on the go! Here’s the press release from one of the founders, Elizabeth Dimarco, her wording is way better than mine:

“Our app allows you to send personal recommendations to friends and remember their favorites, too. Capture why you love a book by simply tapping icons that represent the best elements of the book. Do you love the hero? The plot? With over 75 beautiful icons available, you can pick exactly why you love the book and generate a thoughtful recommendation. Share your opinion with others via email and Facebook. Store your books, personal thoughts, and books recommended by friends, all in one mobile device.”

There is even a video on how the app works! Check it out!

This is only the beginning!

Important bits:

The app is available NOW for iPhone –IT’S FREE! You must have iOS7

Currently it’s only available for the US and Canada (we’re working on the next steps for other English-speaking countries)

We want your feedback! Please email us at realpeople@booksilove.com

Want the social? Follow us on –

Twitter

Facebook

Web

Want to send me a recommendation? Email me at ashley@booksilove.com!

All photos are courtesy of BooksILove, BFF BIZ, LLC and Ratio.

Thinking

Jan27

Roman Baths. Bath, England. 2011

Mistake

Jan20

Fortum and Mason. London, England. 2009. Front window display were designed after Swan Lake.

Believe

Jan13

Green Park. London, England. 2010

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Goals/Resolutions For 2014

Jan7

Hello readers!

It’s been a super busy year and it’s only the first full week! (and a Tuesday at that).

Have a look around, I’ve made some design changes, which I hope you find to your liking.

I want to take part in The Broke and Bookish’s Top Ten Tuesday. Here are ten goals I want for my reading and blogging year:

1. Buy at least one book from an independent bookstore each month

I did this last year and it really helped me discover new bookstores. It made buying books a bit more challenging, which I didn’t expect but I strongly want to help independent bookstores anyway I can.

2. Visit a new independent bookstore each month

There are so many booksellers in Washington! I’ve loved doing my Washington State Bookstore tours and will keep it up for this year! (hopefully it will be more regular).

3. Try not to overblog

I think my blogging schedule from last year got to be too much. I want to make sure interesting and fresh content is available for you my dear readers and followers, so I will be taking a step back and making sure it’s more quality and not quantity.

4. Take joy in rereading books

I was too focused on fulfilling my reading challenges last year (Goodread challenge – completed, Authors A-Z – completed, titles A-Z – not completed), that I couldn’t take the time and get lost in a favorite book that I’ve already read. You discover new things when rediscovering a book and I want to allow that this year.

5. Read every single book bought that has not been read yet

This is like 10 books. (remember, I’ve had to made a trans-atlantic move last year). Should be easier to spread it out through the year. I’ll post a list in my challenges section later this month of the titles I need to read.

6. Read The Kite Runner

Because I was supposed to read it last year but didn’t. Maybe this year will be the year.

7. Go to more author book signings!

They are so fun and there are amazing writers in Washington! I can’t wait to share with you more author signing adventures!

8. Start the outline for my own book

Gasp! Yes, I am one of those people that wants to write a book. There has been something that’s brewing. It has for awhile. If anything, it could just be an outline for this year’s NaNoWriMo.

9. Try not to overload my reading by getting 20 books from the library at one time

I haven’t had the best self control since I’ve moved home. It’s just so easy to get whatever you want!

10. Reach 100 followers!

I’m pretty close – and with the big 100 I might do a giveaway of one of the signed books I’ve gotten!

That’s it for now! Happy New Year everyone!