Reader Spot – Meet #BookReviewer Jennifer Thomason (@jenthomason1109)

Here on the Reader Spot, I share the bookish love of our avid book reviewers. From young adult to historical romance, chick-lit to a murder mystery, they know what they like, and they’re happy to share.  Whether you are a reader looking for a new book, or a writer wondering what your reader wants, I hope you find this series enjoyable.

Next up to the Reader Spot is reviewer, Jen Thomason from Dandelions Inspired. Find her book review blog HERE.

What genre do you enjoy reading?

Romance has always been a consistent favorite of mine, standing the test of time, but honestly it changes. I have periods where I love literary fiction, then I get on a Crime/Thriller kick, then I’ll fall in love with SciFi. I try to accept review requests for a variety of genres so I can pick what to read based on my mood.

Do you have a favourite author in this genre?

There’s no way to pick one! Romance authors that I love are Audrina Lane, Holly Cortelyou, Kelly Moore. I have a few favorites in every genre honestly! Alison McLennan blew me away with a historical fiction novel, Katie Rose Guest Pryal is definitely a favorite in Contemporary/Women’s fiction. James Anderson, author of “Never-Open Desert Diner,” can’t really be put into a specific genre, but his writing is incredible.

 How do you prefer to read your books?

Typically my reading is done on Kindle, but I still love the feel of a real book. Most ARCs these days are e-books, but fortunately there are still some authors and publishers that send out physical copies of ARCs. You just can’t beat the feeling of looking in the mailbox and finding a real, physical book in there!

Where do you purchase your books?

Honestly, I don’t remember the last time I purchased a book. I know I’m spoiled! Considering I’ve only been reviewing and blogging for about 4 months, I have been lucky to make a great deal of connections with authors, publishers, and resources such as NetGalley, LibraryThing, etc. Although overwhelming, I typically have about 20-30 books waiting to be read. However, prior to starting to review and blog about books, I loved to go to Barnes and Noble and choose books. Strolling around with a coffee and just going up and down the aisles looking for something new is the best. Second best is absolutely Amazon. They can give you recommendations for days and days based on your reading history.

Where do you find out about the books you read?

Most often it is from authors themselves that contact me with a review request. Second to that would be publishers that I review for or NetGalley, LibraryThing, Juniper, and so on. One thing I love is Reading Deals e-mails that I get each day. They typically offer books that are free or up to $2.99 on Amazon. So much of my reading now is based on review requests, so it’s fun to find something on an email that just calls my name. I also keep track of authors that I have reviewed for and any upcoming new releases. If I loved one of their earlier books, then I try to grab their new releases once available. To be completely honest, there have been times when I finished a book and then contacted the author practically begging for the next in the series. Luckily they usually oblige!

Do you have a budget when buying books?  Do you stick to it if you do?

Long, long ago when I only bought paperback or hardcover books, I limited myself to around $40 a month. Then when I started downloading eBooks to Kindle, it dropped to around $25-$30 a month. I didn’t always stick to it though!

Do you write a review when you’ve finished reading?  If so, where do you post this?

More often than not, I try to write my review within an hour or so of finishing the book. Sometimes, with really complex books, I’ll sleep on it and wait until the next day. Books evoke so many different emotions regardless of genre. Whether you are happy, sad, frustrated, or confused at the end of a book I feel that’s usually the best time to write a review when the feelings are still fresh.

I post my reviews to my personal blog Dandelions Inspired, which is linked to the social media platforms that I use. If the book has already been published I will post to Amazon, Goodreads, and B&N if available. Otherwise, I have to set a calendar reminder to go back and do it after the release, which I’m not always on top of! I’ve also recently started posting to MyTrendingStories.com

What do you look for in a book?

The first thing that catches my eye is the title and cover (if available). The synopsis of the plot is what really drives my decision though. Regardless of the genre, if the storyline sounds silly or unoriginal then it usually doesn’t peak my interest. After reading, it can be anything that causes me to love or hate a book. Sometimes it may be based on just one character, other times it may the author’s style of writing.

Where do you like to read?

99% of the time I read on my deck, with my dogs Puddin and Pig hanging out at my feet. Otherwise I like to pile up in my bed and read. I try to read at least one book a day so it really doesn’t matter where I am!

What social media platforms are you active on?

I am active on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest. Whenever I post a review, the review goes to all of these platforms.

I hope you enjoyed reading this feature, and if you are a book blogger/reviewer and would like to take part, please do get in touch. Next week I’m sharing the book love with Abbie Rutherford who blogs at Bloomin Brilliant Books.