Ohana Reads' 6th Blogiversary!

Hello friends! I'm sorry I've been neglecting you. Like my previous years excuses, it has been a busy year and one that I have not been able to get myself into a routine of things. 

I'm always trying my best to post when I can, so hopefully I post more this year.

As always, I am very active on Twitter and in the book community. So if you ever want to chat, do not be afraid to hit me up!

Break Down of the Year:

Over 226, 469 Total Page Views

247 Published Comments

488 Published Posts

My Top Series Enders of 2013 being my most viewed post...at 47, 349 views

The Ohana Reads' 5th Blogiversary Post being my most viewed post of 2019... at 232 views

33 GFC Followers

1, 470 Twitter Followers

562 Instagram Followers

Like every year, I wouldn't have been able to survive the year without the help of some amazing friends and people in my life. Here are the people that made my year amazing.

People Who Made 2019 Great:

The Brothelsprouts 

This insanely talent group of people are who helped me stay sane throughout the year. Even though they are constantly nagging me to visit them at BEA, and sometimes to rob banks, I do not know what I would do without them.

So please give them a follow: Jessica, Amber, Ellie, Taylor, Katie, Rose, Angel, Cody, Mou, Kitty, Camille, Chloe, Lili, Caro, Darnell, Ben, and Kayla.

Sabrina from Behind the Book Reviews

Sabrina is one of my favourite booknerds, but she is also my best friend. Honestly, there is nothing I can say on here that she does not already know or that she will not groan at if she reads it. 

Highlights of Ohana Reads 2019:

1. I have been at McNally Robinson Booksellers for 2.5 years now. Even though it's a job, it's almost like it's become a second home to me. I love everyone that I work with and can not imagine what it would be like if they were not there with me. 

2. In January, I became a liaison for MYRCA. Basically, I became a librarian for the committee. It's been a lot of fun organizing and requesting books for the committee. I've been apart of the committee for, I believe, almost 4 years now and couldn't be happier to bee apart of something so important to my community. 

Goals for 2020:

1. Blog. Blog. Blog. I just want to force myself to blog more. Even if it's just a review here and there. 

2. I want to get in the habit of immediately posting my reviews on GoodReads and book outlets, right as I've posted them on Ohana Reads. It's one thing I always forget and I want to get in the habit of correcting that. 

3. I literally just want to complete my GoodReads Reading Challenge. Since 2014, when I first started the challenge, I've never completed it. My goal is 75 books, I'm hoping that this year will be the year. 

Giveaway

- Ohana Reads Giveaway Policies apply. (Check out the policies page)

- Open to any country that can receive books from Book Depository!

- Price of book limited to $25 CAD.

- Winner gets to choose from any book pictured or any book from one of the series pictured.

- Must have followed @OhanaReads on Twitter, and had Retweeted the Tweet. (I will be checking)

-Giveaway closes February 27th, 2020!

To enter the giveaway click the link below.

ENTER GIVEAWAY.

 And finally, a huge thank you to all of you for supporting Ohana Reads and I. It really means a lot to know that people are actually reading my content. 

Here's to 2020!

Ohana Reads' 5th Blogiversary!

Hello friends! It's certainly been a year, and I haven't spent as much time here as I would have liked. Where I miss posting all the time, I just haven't been able to get into a routine of things anymore. I think saying that, I've come to terms with it. I'm officially okay with being that person who just posts randomly, I hope you guys are alright with that too.

Even though I haven't posted a bunch on the blog, I've still been very active on Twitter and in the book community. So if you ever want to chat, don't be afraid to hit me up!

Anyways, time for me to tell you about how my 2018 went:

Break Down of the Year:

Over 203, 672 Total Page Views

247 Published Comments

462 Published Posts

My Top Series Enders of 2013 being my most viewed post...at 47, 352 views

The Ohana Reads' 4th Blogiversary Post being my most viewed post of 2018... at 300 views

28 GFC Followers

1, 386 Twitter Followers

532 Instagram Followers

Like every year, I wouldn't have been able to survive the year without the help of some amazing friends and people in my life. Here are the people that made my year amazing.

Ohana Reads 4th Blogiversary!

   For the first time since starting my Blog, I missed my Blogiversary. The last year has been almost completely different than any other year, I continued on with University, I got a job as a bookseller at my favourite place on earth, and I completely neglected Ohana Reads.

  When I first started to notice the gap between the blog and I, I blamed it on University. If this past year has taught me anything, I would say it taught me that I have changed as a person, as along with me, my determination towards the blog. With this realization, I've come to understand that I will never be like I was when I first started Ohana Reads, so this upcoming year will have some changes.

   The first being, I will no longer have a set schedule when it comes to posts, but you can still expect the odd post from me. The second, that I've somewhat gained a co-blogger. My cousin Sarah has slowly been dragged into the crazy book life along with myself, and with that I asked her if she'd like to post some reviews on Ohana Reads, and she agreed! So expect a few reviews from her in the future, and maybe a few other things!

  Anyways, time for me to tell you about my 2017!

This is my Break Down of the Year:

Over 176, 943 Total Page Views

238 Published Comments

439 Published Posts

My Top Series Enders of 2013 being my most viewed post...at 47,317 views

The Ohana Reads 3rd Blogiversary Post being my most viewed post of 2017... at 1092 views

23 GFC Followers

54 People have me in their Circles

1,138 Twitter Followers

92 Facebook likes

446 Instagram Followers

   With my total number of posts not even being close to the number I had last year, a bunch of my numbers dwindled this year. It was to be expected, and so there can't really be any hurt feelings on my part. I did however spend a lot of time on Twitter, so I'm not really surprised at how much larger that number got.

   Like always, the year wouldn't have been anything with out amazing friends and amazing people in general. Here are the people that made my year great. (Definitely give them a follow)

People Who Made 2017 Great:

Kristie from Lost in Ever After

Ola and Lauren from The Autumn Bookshelf

I can always rely on the three girls above to talk about the latest and greatest teen novels, new book covers, as well as anything really. I can't wait to see what our group chat has in store for 2018!

Lainey from McNally Robinson Kids

Learning a knew job is always tough, and so I'm so glad to have this girl help with all my ridiculous questions as well as suggest and shove new contemporary teen novels in my face. I look forward to our Outlander and gossip nights in the future!

Steph from Doodle's Book Reviews

Of course no list would be complete without mentioning my online sister and name twin, Steph. It was a long and tough year for you, especially with the heart transplant, but I'm so happy to have been there alongside you, even if it was only through a phone screen. I can not wait to see your face in person again in July! 

and finally

 Sabrina from Behind the Book Reviews

I literally would not have been able to get through this year without Sabrina, she helped me get through University classes by taking them with me and making them actually interesting, as well as joining me with my insanity and obsession of books. You're so much more than just a book friend now, and I can't wait to spend the next year fingerling over books, clothes and so much more, with you!

Highlights of Ohana Reads 2017:

   1. Half of 2017 was my new job at McNally Robinson, and the job was definitely my #1 highlight for the year. I've made so many new friends, and who would have thought that someone could actually enjoy working for 8 hours straight? Along with being able to work with books constantly, the job itself has kept me mentally sound with all the other craziness that has happened in my life. I look forward to the upcoming years at McNally Robinson!

   2. As part of working at McNally Robinson I've learned a bunch of new things about the publishing industry. One of those new things, being how bookstores decide what to carry in their stores. One of my managers knew how fascinating I find the industry, as well as the fact that I'm going to school to work in the industry, and so she let me sit in on a few buys. In the end I got to see a Simon and Schuster buy, as well as a Raincoast one. I can not wait to be apart of the next buy!

   3. This one isn't really that book related, but a highlight of my year was being able to see Stephanie finally get a heart transplant. I've known her for longer than my blog was even a thing, and so I know how much of a big deal this was for her and her family, and I couldn't be happier for her.

Goals for 2018:

   1. This is a weak goal, but my top goal is to at least have one post every week or second week. It doesn't sound like much, but I'd really love to at least try and get back into a routine.

   2. I want to mentally prepare myself and be able loosen the reigns for Ohana Reads. I'm very obsessive when it comes to possession, and so I want to be able to not freak out when my cousin starts posting on Ohana Reads.

   3.  Then finally, my final goal as well as my new years resolution. I want to read all my ARCs before their publication date. So far I'm already behind by one, but I really hope to stick to this and actually read them all.

Giveaway

To celebrate another year passing, I have a giveaway for you all. The giveaway features my favourite 2017 releases that I read in 2017! Good luck!

- Ohana Reads Giveaway Policies apply. (Check out the policies page)

- Open to any country that can receive books from Book Depository!

-Price of book limited to $25 Canadian.

- Winner gets to choose from any book pictured or any book from one of the series pictured.

- Must have followed @OhanaReads on Twitter, and had Retweeted the Tweet. (I will be checking)
-Giveaway closes February 6th, 2018!

To enter the giveaway click the link below.

ENTER GIVEAWAY.

   Thank you guys, always, for your continued support for Ohana Reads. Hopefully 2018 will take it easy on us all, and that it'll be a good one!

Ohana Reads 3rd Blogiversary!

   It's been another year already, holy crap, oh how time flies when you're having fun. In the past year, so much has happened, for better or worst. I've started University, wither I like it or not, I joined more bookish things, and I overall got a lot of things done. I didn't let 2016 break me, that's for sure.

   Although a lot was accomplished, I didn't stick to some of my goals like I said I would. I didn't host any giveaways, I didn't really advertise my posts, but I did talk to bloggers and my online friends more! This year, things will definitely be different than last year, although I'm not sure if that's for the best yet.

This is my Break Down of the Year:

Over 140, 950 Total page views

208 Published Comments

384 Published Posts

My Top Series Enders of 2013 being my most viewed post...at 47, 310 views

The Ohana Reads 2nd Blogiversary Post being my most viewed post of 2016... at 731 views

59 Bloglovin Followers

14 GFC Followers

53 People have me in their Circles

895 Twitter Followers

86 Facebook likes

381 Instagram Followers

   Like every year, I say I only ever focus on a few sites in particular, and this year is no different. Twitter was definitely a priority this year, and in my mind GFC is as well, even if I don't boost it often. 

   Although it varies everyday, I'm really satisfied with my average number of pageviews per day, this year. I find that I get around 250 pageviews, roughly each day. To think that 250 people visit my blog a day, honestly just amazes me. That number sure has grown since I first started out. 

   I know I said this last year as well, but this year I think I'm really going to drop Facebook. I don't even check my blogs Facebook page anymore, and so I think that it's really time to go. I guess we'll see, what happens with that.

   Like always, the year wouldn't have been anything with out amazing friends and amazing people in general. Here are the people that made my year great. (Definitely give them a follow)

People Who Made 2016 Great:

Joy from Joyousreads

Kristie from Lost in Ever After

Sara from Just Another Story

Sabrina from Behind the Book Reviews

Mari, Ola and Lauren from The Autumn Bookshelf

Nori from Read Write Love 28

Brittany from Brittany's Book Rambles

and

Steph from Doodle's Book Reviews

   Like usual, Stephanie was a huge part of my year, I even got to meet her for the first time. It was the best feeling, finally being able to meet one of your best friends for the first time. Lots of tears were shed, but I honestly had the best time being able to spend a whole week with her. I love this girl, with all my heart and I can't wait to see her again soon. I love you lots girl. 

Highlights of Ohana Reads 2016:

   1. Since I first started blogging, I've encountered a few Winnipeg Bloggers to talk with online. For the first time this year I've actually had the chance to meet them all in person, and become super close with them. This group consists of Joy from Joyousreads, Kristie from Lost in Ever After, Sara from Just Another Story, Sabrina from Behind the Book Reviews, and Mari, Old and Lauren from The Autumn Bookshelf. We try to hang out at least once every month, and its become something that I look forward to. I love hanging out with these girls, and I can't wait to hang out with them more this year!

   2. This year, I was asked to become a member of MYRCA, the Manitoba Young Readers Choice Award. I couldn't be more excited to be apart of something that encourages young readers to read, and honestly, I get to read as a job. MYRCA has already made my life all that more fun, with getting to meet Kenneth Oppel, to just getting to meet every month and discuss Canadian Books that we love. I've only been apart of MYRCA for half a year, but I'm super excited to see where else it takes me. 

   3. In 2016, I was able to go to my second book convention. I was able to go to BEA 2016, with one of my best friends, Stephanie from Doodle's Book Review. It was sort of a last minute decision on our part, but in the end it was the best decision. Besides meeting Stephanie in person for the first time, I was also able to meet so many other book friends that I had been able to befriend online in the past few years. Obviously bringing home 80+ books was also another highlight, but just making so many memories to look back on was a favourite. Just looking back at that trip, always brings a smile to my face. Although I probably won't be able to do BEA again, anytime soon, I look forward to seeing more friends and attending more signings and conventions in the future! 

Goals for 2017:

   1.  With the end of 2016 being a little iffy for me blog wise, one of my goals for 2017 is to actually make time to plan and write posts for the blog. I love running this blog, and I don't want to give it up or let it die, so I gotta keep up with posts.

   2. I've only ever seen Ohana Reads as my own, but it's always nice to switch things up and have other people bring their ideas to the blog. For 2017, I'm going to try to have multiple guest posts on the blog. So if you're interested in maybe having a post or two on Ohana Reads, shoot me an email and I'll try to work something out!

   3.  It's not really a goal for Ohana Reads, but I want to actually write a book. I've plotted out a few already, and started little things but I'd like to actually write it this year. I'm one of the biggest procrastinators I know, so we'll see how that turns out. 

Giveaway

To celebrate another year passing, I have a giveaway for you all. The giveaway features my favourite 2016 releases that I read in 2016! Good luck!

- Ohana Reads Giveaway Policies apply. (Check out the policies page)

- Open to any country that can receive books from Book Depository!
-Price of book limited to $25 Canadian.

- Winner gets to choose from any book pictured or any book from one of the series pictured.

- Must have followed @OhanaReads on Twitter, and had Retweeted the Tweet. (I will be checking)

- Giveaway runs until February 6th, 2016.

To enter the giveaway click the link below.

ENTER GIVEAWAY.

   Thank you guys so much for all your support in the last year, I wouldn't have done it without you all! Hopefully 2017 will take it easy on us all, we sure as heck need it!

Ohana Reads 2nd Blogiversary!

   2 years, that's how long I've been blogging. Holy crap, it feels like only yesterday that I celebrated my 1st Blogiverary.
   In the past year my goals have stayed the same, along with the exception of adding a few more. I still want to be a published YA author, so I still use my blog for practicing my writing. (Even though I still haven't gotten anywhere with my draft.) But along with my writing, I've also decided on what career path I'd like to take when I'm older. I'd like to work in publishing as a publicist, so with blogging I find that I'm slowly learning the ways of the industry. So I'm killing two birds with one stone!

   This year has definitely been different from my first year of blogging. This year I've gotten into a routine of things when it comes to posting, I schedule everything in advance and I have more than one post each week. Unfortunately with gaining a routine and focusing all my time and effort into my posts, I've found that I have neglected a few of my blogger friends as well as Twitter chats and advertising posts. I'm sorry for all my friends who are reading this, this will definitely change this year.

This is my Break Down of the Year:

Over 107, 900 page views

161 Published Comments

269 Total Posts

My Top Series Enders of 2013 being my most viewed post...at 47, 316 views
The Vengeance Road Blog Tour being my most viewed post of 2015... at 218 views

28 Bloglovin Followers

13 GFC Followers
29 People have me in their Circles

708 Twitter Followers

83 Facebook likes

337 Instagram Followers

   Like I said last year, obviously I focus more on some sites more than others, so you can see the big differences there. I'm thinking of dropping a few of my sites this year (Facebook, GFC), and focusing all my effort into a select group. (I.E Twitter, Google+, and maybe Bloglovin')

   Even though I wasn't as active when it came to talking to all the people and bloggers that I became friends with last year, there were still a good group of people who made my previous year great and I'd like to highlight a few of them. 

People Who Made 2015 Great:

Kaitlin from Next Page Please!

Kit Kat from Let The Pages Reign

Kristie from Lost in Ever After

Brittany from Brittany's Book Rambles

Jessica and Amber from The Book Bratz

Crystal from Bookiemoji

Adi Alsaid

and Finally,

Stephanie from Doodle's Book Reviews
I met Stephanie online a few years ago before really becoming a blogger, she's one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet and I'm glad to say we've grown closer friends throughout the year. Stephanie is one of my best friends, I even call her a sister, and I'm glad to be able to call her so. She was there for me throughout the past year, and I hope that she'll stick with me for the next years to come.

Highlights of Ohana Reads 2015:

   1. Becoming more known to publishers, for some people this might not be a big deal but I've found that with being in Canada, bloggers have a harder time being noticed by the publishing houses. With some of the houses just being American, we don't even have a chance at all. So yes, to me this was an accomplishment and a highlight.

   2. I've kind of adopted my local Indie, McNally Robinson, this year. With joining their Two Thumbs Up Program, (Even though technically my membership ends in February), and their First Reads Book Club. It's been a blast always visiting them, and always feeling at home with the books and workers there.

   3. In October, my sister and I went to a Author Round Table Dinner for MYRCA, a Manitoba Literacy Choice Awards group for kids in grades 6-8, promoting books from all over Canada. Throughout the night we were seated with 3 different authors who rotated seats with other tables for each course. I was lucky enough to have been able to sit beside Kelley Armstrong, Larry Verstraeten, and Colleen Nelson, as well as see a family friend Maureen Fergus again. It was such an amazing feeling to have been able to be around so many book loving people from Winnipeg, most of the time we don't get bookish events, so it was a pretty amazing experience for me. It was also the first time being around such a large group of book people since YALLFest 2014. Since the dinner, my local public library system has asked to host me on their Teen Website as one of their favourite bloggers of 2015, and I've been invited from a local publishing to help promote their books. 

Goals for 2016:

 
   1. I want to start talking to bloggers more! When I say more, I mean I'd like to participate in more discussions and become close with my blogger friends again. So commenting on blog posts, talking to bloggers on twitter, and more twitter parties are definitely a must.

   2. Advertising Posts! Writing posts are pointless if no one is reading them! So this year I'm going to be trying my best to spread the word, and get more people reading my posts!

   3. Giveaways! I love to spoil people, and promoting books, so why not do more giveaways and do both at the same time? With learning about Book Depository this year, and their free international shipping, I'm going to try and do a giveaway every few months! Whether it's on my blog, or on Twitter!

   Thank you all for such a wonderful year, It couldn't have been as successful without all of your support and love! I just know that 2016 will be a great year! So to end my 2nd Blogiversary with a bang, I have a giveaway for you all! 

- Ohana Reads Giveaway Policies apply. (Check out the policies page)

- Open to any country that can receive books from Book Depository!
- Winner gets to choose from any book pictured or any book from one of the series pictured.

- Giveaway runs until February 6th, 2016.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

   Once again, a huge thank you to everyone for such a fantastic year. I honestly couldn't have survived it all without all of your support! I can't wait to see where 2016 will take us!

My First Blogiversary!

   One. Whole. Year.

   Oh my goodness how time has flown. Who would have thought I would have been blogging for a whole year? I sure didn't. When I first started blogging I would never have thought I'd have been so successful with everything, always posting, page views, blogger friends, actually getting ARCS. When I first started my blog, to be honest I only had one goal in mind, and that was to practice my writing skills.

   In 2010 when I first became obsessed with books, I couldn't get rid of the idea of having my own book published and on shelves in stores. Of course, my mom being a mom kept on telling me each day to practice writing. Being a procrastinator and a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to writing, I kept on putting it off. Eventually after some time my mom suggested starting a book blog, I decided to give it a chance. Now look where I am today!

   

   This year has been one of the most astounding years I've had in a while, not to mention one of the fastest. In the past year I started High School, I made a bunch of new friends in school and I've been always working and running my blog.

   When I first started my blog I thought I'd get maybe a few pages views a day. Little did I expect people would actually be interested in seeing what I post. 

   This is my break down for the year.

Over 60,000 page views

76 Published Comments

120 Total Posts

My Top Series Enders of 2013 being my most viewed post...at 2,713 views

14 Bloglovin Followers

11 GFC Followers 

522 Twitter Followers

75 Facebook likes

311 Instagram Followers

   While I obviously use some of my social media sites more often then others (*Cough* Twitter all day everyday. *Cough*)  I still think I've done pretty good otherwise.

   If there was one thing that I learned about blogging in the past year, it was that you couldn't do anything without the support of my fellow bloggers or who I now call friends. I wouldn't be who or where I am today without the following friends;

Stephanie @ Doodle's Book Reviews 

Crystal @ Crystal in Bookland

Jess @ Stuck in Books

Emily @ Tea & Fangirling

Matt @ That Crazy Fanboy

Jessica & Amber @ The Book Bratz

Stacie & Kayla @ A Wonderland of Reading

Meredith @ Pandora's Books

Emma @ Awkwardly Emma

Regina @ The Sunflower Pages

And a few others that I didn't mention!

   Along with meeting all these fabulous bloggers I also joined a few street teams which also helped me meet so many people! I even made my own street team with a few people, and let me tell you being apart of these teams is like being apart of a family.

   Along with Stephanie (Doodle's Book Reviews), Matt ( That Crazy Fanboy), Kira, Eli and Krystan. We started out little group on Twitter, and since we are always talking, books, movies, everything. These people are some of my favourite people to talk too, and I'm definitely glad I meet them this year. Like I said above, we are one big Gummy Bear Family.

Other Street Team's I joined :

(I have a few other, I just don't have any buttons for them. Check out my Street Team page for more info)

    I also got to meet many different authors and become great friends with them along the way, online and in person.

Highlights of Ohana Reads 2014:

   Everyone has their own highlights of the year, mine just happen to narrow down to 3 particular events.

1. Requesting ARC's for the very first time and actually being accepted and having them come in the mail. ( Burning Kingdoms by Lauren DeStefano & Eternal by C.C Hunter)

2. Getting an ARC of Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow in the mail and discovering my name in the acknowledgements page. This event was one of the best events of 2014, having my name in a book was apart of a dream of mine and to have it fulfilled was heart whelming. I cried. 

3. Finally going to YALLFest 2014, since I became a book nerd I'd only had one author come to Winnipeg, and that was Kelley Armstrong. I have no problems with that, but I would have loved another chance at meeting authors. So when YALLFest finally come around, I was in heaven. Having meet some of my bookish idols was incredible. Then being able to be in my zone with hundred of other book people, I couldn't have been happier. 

Goals for 2015:

   2014 for me was the year of buying books (Oops) so hopefully 2015 will be the year of actually reading them. So you could say that that'll be my goal for 2015, to catch up on my reading from last year.  Another goal of mine for 2015 is to actually find a blog layout that I like, as you can see I'm still messing with the designs and such, so hopefully I'll find something that is right for me.


  2014 was way better then I could have ever asked for, and I hope to that 2015 will be just as great and maybe better. Without everyone that's helped me out throughout the year I definitely wouldn't be here today. From Jess helping me get set up last year and answering all my questions ( Girl you are my absolute favourite, thank you for all your help. I heart you.) to having all my friends on Twitter help me whenever I needed it. Thank you all so much, you don't understand how much it means to me that you guys are always there for me. Thanks again.


   To end my post, and say a finally thank you I have a giveaway for you all.

   Today's giveaway I have for you, is for 2 Compulsion by Martina Boone book pendants along with a bunch of Heir's of Watson Island book swag to go with it! The reason I picked Compulsion for my giveaway is because I am apart of her street team! So I thought I'd share my love for the team and book here!

Rules:

-Ohana Reads Giveaway Policies apply. (Check out the policies page)

-Open to US/CA only. (Sorry INT. peeps I'm broke!)

- Giveaway runs from January 3rd, 2015 to January 17th, 2015 12:00am

- Examples of my book pendants can be seen in my Book Jewellery page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

   Check out Twitter for another Ohana Reads Blogiversary Giveaway!  (Link)

   Once again I'd like you thank you all for making 2014 so wonderful and welcoming Ohana Reads and I with loving arms. I hope you'll stick with us for another year and see what 2015 brings us!