Blogging For Profit or Not

Blogging For Money???

When I started blogging several years ago it was at my husband's suggestion. He was trying to think of a way to help me help my students. I wanted them to read and write more. They constantly said there weren't any good books out there or they didn't know what to read. He suggested I start writing reviews for the books I pulled from my shelves, or bought and read. I did. Now I give my parents and students my blog URL so that they can find books for anyone. I read and review everything from picture books to adult books. I have been asked by many if I get paid for my reviews. I receive no money for my reviews. I am on occasion given a book by an author or publicist to read and review. Often these books are ARCs (advanced reader copies) and have mistakes. All books I receive are either put on my shelves at school or passed on to others to enjoy. I have not desire to make money from my blog. I believe the moment I start getting paid for my blog then a couple of things will happen.

First thing to happen is that I will need to write to someone else's standards. I want the freedom to write things the way I see fit. I want to be able to write about a book, or a DVD, or a CD if I want.
The second thing to happen is that it will suddenly seem like a job.  I do this because I want to and because I enjoy it. The day I stop enjoying this process is the day I will close down my blog. I still have a mission to read and enjoy books and share that love with others in hopes they will find a book they love.

By having my own blog and doing it my way I can take a break as needed. I recently had major surgery and knew I would have to be gone for a couple of months. I was able to do that because I control my blog.

Now some of you may want to start a blog and make money from it. I can't help you there. However, if you go to this link, you will find a blog that tells you how to make money from your blog. This is a decision you must make for yourself. Either way I do believe blogging is worth it. Go ahead and check out the link and see if "How to Make Money from Your Blog" is for you.

Good luck and have a great day!

Dragon’s Heir by Kandi J. Wyatt

Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Young Adult

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:

In the ten winters since Kyanos was defeated, Rider Braidyn and his dragon, Turqueso, have made a place for themselves in the sleepy Boeskay colony. But when two nestlings are stolen from the hatchling cave, Braidyn’s sense of justice leads him on a quest to find the person responsible. 

After recovering one nestling, Braidyn recruits his old friends Ruskya and Carryl to help. The friends travel to a faraway desert colony where they find a group of riders with different customs, and meet a beautiful young woman who could be the key to finding the missing nestling. Can Braidyn learn to temper justice with mercy, or will he risk losing everything? 

Journey along in this exciting fantasy world in the spellbinding second installment of the Dragon Courage series, Dragon’s Heir, by Kandi J Wyatt.

My Thoughts:

Once again Kandi Wyatt has written a book full of adventures and of course dragons. We meet up with Braidyn who is grown up and determined to locate two stolen nestlings.   He manages to find one of them. When he tracks down the thief of the second one, and learns why  Sarai took the nestling, things change. Braidyn learns much about himself and what he has been longing for.  This is the sequel to Dragon’s Future. Both of these books are must reads, especially for those people who love fantasy, dragons and adventure.

Borrowed Names by Jeannine Atkins

Genre: Middle Grade, Young Adult Biography

Source: I purchased a copy. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:

As a child, Laura Ingalls Wilder traveled across the prairie in a covered wagon. Her daughter, Rose, thought those stories might make a good book, and the two created the beloved Little House series.

Sara Breedlove, the daughter of former slaves, wanted everything to be different for her own daughter, A'Lelia. Together they built a million-dollar beauty empire for women of color. Marie Curie became the first person in history to win two Nobel prizes in science. Inspired by her mother, Irène too became a scientist and Nobel prize winner.

Borrowed Names is the story of these extraordinary mothers and daughters. From Goodreads:

My Thoughts:

Borrowed Names is a very unique book in many ways. First it is written in verse. I loved that. Many of my students have learned that they like books written in verse. There are three biographies  of three women and their children. The first is of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter. The second is Madam C.J. Walker and her daughter A’Lelia Walker. Finally we learn about Marie Curie and her daughter Irene Joliet-Curie.  Each of these biographies shoes how their relationships with their daughters were formed and developed over time. I found in all three, there was usually one particular thing that drew them together. They inspired each other in so many ways.  I loved learning so much about all of them and will definitely recommend this book to my students.