The site has long been overdue for an overhaul for a while so I finally spent some time digging back in. Some of the updates: adding in a blog component so I can incorporate other types of content, embedding the Instagram feed into the front page, converting the subscription list to a mailchimp list (so I have more control over the output — the built-in Jetpack subscription functionality is not customizable at all), re-doing the search result display so it’s more useful, redoing the front page. Oh, I also tweaked a bunch of the fonts since they were looking a little dated. The Related Posts section is gone now temporarily. It was obnoxious to maintain, mostly because I basically had to manually add related posts. I’m on the lookout for a plug-in that will automatically populate and do it well, but we’ll see.
A big benefit of converting to a mailchimp list is getting better analytics regarding the subscribers. I was pleased to find that 70% of the subscribers actually open the e-mails, so it’s nice to feel like I’m not writing into a void. Beyond that, I’ve also been catching up on some reading. Here’s what I’ve been reading lately:
The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons by Sam Kean. Non-fiction. It’s a collection of stories involving the human brain, focusing on incidences of trauma or injury that resulted in interesting anomalies and other revealing behaviors. I’m liking this a lot so far.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. Fiction. Won a pulitzer and everyone says it’s good, but I’ve had a hard time getting into this book in the past. I’m about half-way through and have some mixed feelings.
Hild by Nicola Griffith. Historical fiction about the Dark Ages, supposed to be fantastic. Bit of an undertaking though. Just started it, so no thoughts yet.
Anyway, I’m still tweaking some other stuff and trying to think of what other stuff to add to make the site more useful. If anyone has any ideas, feel free to drop me a line. :) Otherwise, happy reading!
Love your blog banner :)
thank you so much! really appreciate it! :)
You’re welcome! :)
Your artwork is superb. Love your home page!
I’ve always struggled with Michael Chabon. Everyone seems to love his work but I just can’t seem to find the rhythm of his writing. He’s not for me.
The site is gorgeous, BTW. Really nicely done.
Hey, thank you so much! Really appreciate it. Yeah, I ended up really struggling to get through that book — every time I would start to get interested in a plotline, it would drop off for 20 pages, etc. Plus, I had a hard time identifying with the characters. Thanks again!
What a gorgeous site you have here. I love your banner, which I’m sure you hear a lot. I was really impressed with the line-up of books you had on the first page, and not because they are books I read, but because they are books I probably won’t read. You can keep me up-to-date on those books that I might think seem important and popular, but not necessarily to my taste. That might seem weird, but I can’t read everything and I already read the ones for my blog, so I can rely on you to read the others and tell me about them. I love what you are doing with your blog. Because I didn’t see it before you updated it, I can’t compare it, but it’s very classy and au courant. I think your blog would be the example I would point to for someone who wanted one to follow and learn from. Very nice, m’dear.
Judi at a thoughtful reveal (previously Blue Cat Review)
Hey, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I agree, I like following other book bloggers because it’s a good way to discover new books (or figure out which ones I can go ahead and skip). Thanks again; I’ve followed you as well, so I’m looking forward to hearing about what you’re reading too!
Your blog banner is gorgeous!
Thank you! Really appreciate it! :)