2012 Book Battle: What do you want to see?

It's that time of year again!  The 2012 YA Bloggers Book Battle is approaching it's third year this time around, and it's time to start preparations.  (For those of you who are new to the battle, here's an introduction post I wrote in it's first year.)  I sent an announcement about this yesterday to our Goodreads group, but for everyone else, here's the latest scoop.

Last year I tried something new by letting you, the blog readers, suggest ideas for the battle theme and then vote on which one you would like to see played out.  It worked out really well, so I'd like to do it again this year.

So take this opportunity to tell me what theme you want to see.  In 2010 we did a Debut Author Battle, and last year was Overlooked Books.  There's been additional suggestions in the past about doing mini genre brackets, versus battles, and more.  We've already got some great ideas coming in at the Goodreads group, but I want to get input from those of you who don't necessarily make it over there.

Leave a comment on this post with your battle ideas.  If you'd prefer to remain anonymous, you can also submit your ideas via this Google form.  Next week I will be putting up a poll so you can all vote on your favorite suggested idea.

Here's to another great year!

2011 Reader's Choice Awards: Time to Vote!

Thanks to everyone who voted on the Reader's Choice Awards poll. The input has been tallied, and we now are ready to vote! As we wait with baited breath to see which of the two finalists win the final bracket in Series 5, it's time for YOU to play judge.

There are 10 awards being given in the following categories: Reader's Choice, Best Cover Art, Most Likely To Re-Read, Most Overlooked, Most Unique, Best Main Character, Best Villain, Best Romance, Weirdest/Most Quirky Character, and Best Setting. You can choose any of the 24 final nominees from Round 2 as your votes. If you need a refresher about which books are eligible, cover art, plot, etc. they are all posted in our Goodreads Group bookshelf page.

To vote, fill out the Google form below (or follow this link). You are required to give your email address, but that's just to track duplicate entries and will be deleted as soon as the voting closes. Voting will be open until August 22nd at midnight.

Remember that even if you haven't read all (or even any) of the nominations, you can still vote for the awards. A vote is not required for every award, so you can pick and choose which ones to do. There's also a box for you to explain any of your choices if you wish to do so.

Questions? Let me know. Otherwise go vote! This is your chance to let your opinion be heard!

Reader's Choice Awards 2010

If you haven't heard yet, make sure you head over the Mindful Musings to vote on the 2010 Reader's Choice Awards. There's a host of awards up for grabs including best new book blog, most anticipated book of 2011, best character, best series, etc.

Normally I don't do posts like this, but I know from experience how hard it can be to get the word out about stuff like this (Book Battle anyone?). So I'm here to help Natalie out and say go vote! It only takes a few minutes, plus you can win some stuff if you vote in certain polls.

So what are you waiting for? Head over there and check it out!

Hurry, Time is Almost Up!

Don't forget that tomorrow (April 18th) is the very LAST DAY you have to sign up to judge a bracket or nominate a title to compete in the YA Bloggers Debut Book Battle.

The list of nominated books will be posted sometime on Monday, April 19th. Books that were nominated more than once are automatically on the list, and then the final spots are being filled by consulting with a few alternate judges. So want to have a say in what makes the final list? First of all, make sure you've nominated your favorite book. And then, if you're quick, you can participate in this poll below.

These books are all in the running to be on the shortlist, but there isn't room for all of them. Vote for the book YOU want to see make the list to save it. The books will the most votes from this may move on (depending on what other nominations come in). So if you see a book you want to "save" from being cut, make sure you vote for it!

*Poll removed when nominations closed*

Ironically, the most highly nominated book isn't eligible for the battle this time around. It's Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia, which unfortunately isn't able to participate this time because it won't be published until May and doesn't make the March 31st cutoff date. I don't know much about this, but the nominators have been raving about it, so it must be good.

Anyway, don't forget to nominate if you haven't already, vote in the poll above, and come back Monday to see who makes it and who doesn't.

If anyone has trouble with the poll and would rather email their vote to me, send it to shadyglade(AT)mail(DOT)com.

Cover Contest: Voting Round 2

Wow! My cover actually made it to Round 2! Not bad for a first attempt. :)

So head over to Princess Bookie to vote for your favorite cover for Round 2. But hurry, only the first 75 votes count!

Please vote for your favorite, but if you want to vote for me, I'm number 3 this time.

What are you waiting for?

Time to Vote: Hurry!

Entries are closed and it's now time to vote for your favorite recreated cover in Princess Bookie's contest. The top 20 from this round will move on to round 2. If you'd like to vote for my cover (pictured here) head over to the post and vote for number six (that's mine!).

Or you can vote for one you like better too. :) But hurry! Only the first 100 votes will be counted, and as of this post there are 68 votes.

2009 Shelfie Update

You may remember my announcement about the 2009 Shelfie Awards over at Neverending Shelf a few days ago. Well, the nominations are now closed and you have until midnight CST to cast your votes. Head over to the Neverending Shelf to vote.

Good luck to the nominees!

2009 Shelfie Awards

I thought I had posted this ages ago, but going through my archives I guess not. Things got crazy with the Christmas stuff I guess. :-)

Kate at The Neverending Shelf has come up with the idea of the first annual Shelfie Awards. To enter your nomination, make you fill out the form located on her blog. Make sure you do it soon, because nominations close two days from today! The following description is copied from her post:

To celebrate what a wonderful bookish year 2009 was, I am introducing the First Annual Shelfie Awards. The purpose of this award is to recognize YA/MG authors and their outstanding contribution to the young adult and/or middle grade genre.

Starting today through December 28th, readers of all ages are welcome to nominate their favorite reads of 2009. Then December 29-30, polls will be posted to allow for open voting for the short listed titles. Winning authors and their respective titles will be announced on December 31st.

To nominate a title please fill out the nomination form with the requested information. Please note that voters are allowed to nominate up to 5 titles per category. In addition, I will be featuring reviewer blurbs of the nominated titles. If you have reviewed a title that you are nominating, please also provide a link to your review so that I can feature you.

Criteria for titles that will be accepted for nomination:

• Read or Published in the 2009 calendar year.
• Book is published in English or has been translated into English.
• Selected from genres that have an appeal to young adult or middle grade readers.

Awards will be given in the following categories:

Best Overall 2009 Young Adult Novel
Best Overall 2009 Middle Grade Novel

Best 2009 Dystopian
Best 2009 Fantasy
Best 2009 Fiction
Best 2009 Graphic Novel/Manga
Best 2009 Historical
Best 2009 Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Best 2009 Non-Fiction
Best 2009 Romance/Romance Comedy
Best 2009 Science Fiction

Voters are welcome to write in addition categories. If enough votes are accumulated for a category, it will be short listed for an award. If not, then the title(s) nominated will be fit into one of the already existing categories.

Best Blogger of 2009

Mindful Musings is giving you a chance to vote for your favorite blog/blogger of 2009! Head over to the blog to nominate up to 5 of your favorite blogs from this year. Hurry, because it closes 12/20 (this Sunday!)

Thanks to Princess Bookie for the link.