Saturday Spotlight & Ash Giveaway!

*Whew* This has been a tough week for me but I am SO glad it's the weekend! And because it's the weekend, you know what that means don't you? That's right! Saturday Spotlight!

For those of you that are just tuning in and don't know what Saturday Spotlight is, let me explain just a little! Saturday Spotlight is when I spotlight another blogger and their blog that they work SO hard on, right here on MY blog! If you would be interested in a Saturday Spotlight,PLEASE contact me and I'd be happy to help! (*Note: You do NOT have to be a new blogger)

Enough chit-chat (Something I'm SOOOOO good at) and without further hesitation let me introduce this week's blogger!


Please tell my readers, the audience, and fans your name. Kristen!

What's Your Online Alias? bookgoil

What Did You Name Your Blog? Bookworming in the 21st Century

And Where Can We Find You On The Web? http://www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/

Can you give us a quick bio about yourself?
I'm a 24 year old elementary school librarian. I just started that job this year and I'm really loving it. I love reading and especially reading Young Adult books. I've worked in a public library and a college library before as well - can you tell I like being surrounded by books? I'm getting married on October 24th this year to the man I love. He also likes to read - but mainly adult sci-fi and fantasy. (I'm trying to convince him to do some guest reviews on my blog right now.) No pets, but we want a dog eventually.

What's on your nightstand right now?
Right now, Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater is on my nightstand - being neglected for my review books, but I'm slowly letting myself read it. :)

Why did you start your blog?
I started my blog on June 9th of this year. So I've only been blogging about 3 months now.

What is your favorite genre and/or genres?
I love Young Adult books and really tend to read fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal, and historical fiction.

Who is your favorite author?
I have a ton.. but Francesca Lia Block really can't be beat. I've read every single one of her books.

What's your favorite book of all time?
That's a tough one. Probably Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens - the ultimate action-adventure book.

What book do you wish you could read all over again for the first time?
The Hunger Games - it was such a stunning read. (*ahem* Please see contest on my blog this month...)

Have you ever "Faked It"? Get your minds out of the gutter! I meant it as in pretending to have read a book but not? For school possibly?
Definitely.. for school mostly. I never got through Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and I gave up on Into the Wild.

Name & describe your blog features:
Well, I review books first off. I participate in a ton of memes, a few of which I created. What are you reading Mondays, Teaser Tuesdays, Waiting on Wednesday, Link a Contest Thursday (created myself!), Friday Finds, and Saturday and Sunday Spotlights (created by myself as well..).

My Link a Contest Thursdays are a great way to find out about contests as well as letting other bloggers give their contests some promotion. It's also easy to manage because I use Mr. Linky. (Love this one!)

I started Saturday and Sunday Spotlights because I LOVE finding new blogs. Especially less known ones. So, I figured I'd start with Saturday Spotlights and then it exploded into a ton of interested bloggers and I made it a weekend special - Saturday AND Sunday Spotlights.

Describe your review system: I actually need to revise my review system a bit. I have a 5 rose system, but I rarely get down to 3. Right now, it's basically running like this:
5 Roses: Loved or enjoyed the book, highly recommended
4 Roses: Some flaws, but good read
3 Roses: I didn't like it, but someone else might.
2 Roses: Not sure how I got through that book - *cough*Skimming*cough*
1 Rose: Gave up. Completely.

How is your blog unique from other blogs?
I am an update-a-holic. I love posting and I love getting the word out there about other things going on in the blogging community - such as contests, cool sites, and more. I try to read and review promptly and I'm always trying to "fix-up" my blog. I like to show my enthusiasm on my blog and hope that shows through on my posts. I'm probably the calmest person around, so I don't get worked up about much and there's rarely anything negative written on my blog.

How do you market your blog?
Well, I run a lot of contests and I use twitter a TON. I also love being interviewed, note yet another interview... I finally created a button that people can use. But, I really think my main marketing strategy is friendliness. I try to get chatting with other bloggers, authors, etc. and so far it seems to have worked. (Note the crazy amount of followers I have... still don't know where they all came from *swears blogger is broken*). No...I think they're just attracted to your "cuteness"...wait? IS Blogger Broken? *Looks Around*

Anyway...Back to the "Spotlight"

Can you give us 3 tips about content?
1. Be honest when reviewing, but make sure you add something good in there as well.

2. Proofread - I know, I hate doing it too - but typos are painful to read and will make people less likely to follow you.

3.Make sure you're saying something meaningful - not just "it was good".

How about 3 tips to help blog promotion?
1. If you can, run a contest. It can be for homemade bookmarks or something small if you can't afford books or other types of giveaways.

2. Put yourself out there - find some blog lists like the YA Blogosphere and get yourself listed so people can find your blog.

3. Comment, comment, comment. I know whenever I see a new name, I have to check out who it is. So keep commenting and you'll find some new blogging friends following you.

LOVED your Answers! Thank you for Visiting "Park-Avenue Princess" Kristen! It's always a Pleasure!

Kristen is sweet enough to offer YOU a GIVEAWAY. She has a copy of "ASH" by Malinda Lo! So, if you'd like to win. And I *KNOW* you do! Please follow the instructions Below!

SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT GIVEAWAY!!

ONE Of My LUCKY Readers Will WIN A Copy Of ASH For Their Very Own!!
Courtesy of BookGoil and Park-Avenue Princess
You MUST Reside in the U.S. or Canada ONLY
Also, You MUST Have a Street Address that You Can Give Me IF You Win
NO P.O. Boxes Please!

How Do you Win?

It's Simple!
You must follow BOTH Blogs by hitting the FOLLOW button
that way we can see you and know you are one of our readers!
If you are NOT willing to follow this rule, you can't participate.
(But, how simple of a step IS that...plus, you'll get all the important updates)

All Entries MUST be in By Midnight October 10th Winner Drawn on the 11th!

Extra Entries

You MUST be a FOLLOWER with GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT HERE ON BOTH BLOG
(It's the Button Over On The Right Side Of the Blog You Should See Your Picture)
I Recommend Following On Twitter -It's NOT Required But I do Contests
and Giveaways There Plus Major Announcements!


The Choice Is Yours!

+2 If you Subscribe by Mail
+2 If you Subscribe via Google Reader
+3 If you TWEET About This Giveaway

+3 If you Rate Me On Blogged (see bottom of blog)

+10 If you Follow Me @APrkAvePrincess on TWITTER! (Leave @TwitterName)
+10 If you Follow Kristen @BookGoil on TWITTER!
+10 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post (or any others I'm having)
+20 If you Put My Button On Your Blog and Link Back

Try to Separate your entries one per post!

(+15 for each and every NEW follower you bring me)
They just have to mention it in their post!

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!
Thank you ALL for Stopping By!
Without you, your comments and input, this blog
wouldn't be able to continue to grow!

Questions/Concerns? Please do not hesitate to Contact ME!
If you'd like to be FEATURED, Please Hit "Contact Me" or

Send me an email at IAmHiMaintenance@aol.com

and Preach to the Princess!!

x0xx ~ KISSES