Yes, yes you did read that right! Next year is the year three (originally two) things will happen on this blog!
First, it is the Year of Wilbur Smith. I plan to read the Courtneys, Ballatynes, Egyptians and Hector Cross series. Now, this is no mean feat! As it stands there are 18 books in the Courtney series, 6 books in the Ballatynes series with 1 out in 2020, 6 books in the Egyptians series and 3 in the Hector Cross series!! A lot right…now I will also tell you that most of the books are over 500 pages!! Now I am not sure how many I am going to read but I am planning on blitzing a few. Plus I do have to get the new shiny covers!
*Update since I wrote this post and planned it, I went to the cinema and went to see Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. (Beyond epic I LOVE STAR WARS!) I was probably the biggest geek in the cinema which lead me to think I need to read the books…So in addition to Wilbur Smith year and the Author TakeOver, I will be reading the Star War books, starting with the Legends timeline and crossing over to the Canon timeline when I need to. I won’t list all the books below because well…..it will take all day as there are over 50! I mean 11 books alone in The Pre-Republic and The Old Republic Era. Instead, I will show the first two books that I am reading
Ok, so that was the small part of next year (!!) the big news I have is my blog, throughout the year, will be taken over by authors!!
How did this brainchild start?!
Well, I have seen so many awesome bloggers sing for a month or so about their favourite indie publishers, which started the cogs in my head whirring. At the same time, I had won a giveaway hosted by an author and I won such an awesome present, which set more cogs whirring. I love the idea of bloggers thanking the publishers for publishing epic books but I wanted to do something different. I wanted to thank the authors. The authors whose books in one way or another have meant something to me, or stayed with me. Not only that, the ones that I have some interaction with on social media, some of these authors I would like to say I can call a”friend”.
I have contacted some authors (1 still to reply and I would freak out if it is the answer I am looking for) and the feedback and excitement I have got back have been absolutely amazing!! I didn’t realise that one small thing could have this much effect. If it hadn’t been for the feedback from the first author I reached out to, I am not sure this little baby would not even be kicked started, so you can all thank the absolutely fabulous Carol Wyer for this!! Once I contacted her with my idea it completely snowballed out of control…but in a good way!
For some of the authors, dates have been confirmed and a week/fortnight/month has been blocked out. It will basically be a party celebrating the author. I will be reviewing all the books I have not already read and re-sharing any reviews I have already done. There will a profile on the author, there may be Q&A’s, there may be excerpts, there may even be some guest posts, fingers crossed some surprises too even for the authors (!) and finally, there will more than likely be a LOT of giveaways and hopefully exclusive content to tease you all about! Most of the dates tie in with anniversaries, new book releases, the month of love or horror or their birthdays!
Please also do join in! I will be planning the schedule and posting it up so if you want to read the books or re-share your reviews please do so! It’s a time to shout about these authors!
I hope to bring to you the authors I love and hope you will love, you might even discover a new favourite author or book in the list below!
Who is on board so far in this Take Over?? I am excited about ALL of them! So many epic books to read and share!!
I have not finished contacting all the authors, but if this is something you might want to hop on to, please let me know!!
Ok, we will start with my Year of the author:-
Wilbur Smith
Courtney Series
Ballantyne Series
Egyptian Series
Hector Cross Series
And the TakeOver begins!
Wendy Dranfield
Rich Amooi
Chris Merritt
Amanda James
Gina Kirkham
Jane Cable
Lizzie Chantree
Patricia Dixon
Olga Gibbs
Kim Nash
Noelle Holten
Louise Beech
Jonathan Janz
And last but by no means least!!
Carol Wyer
DI Robyn Carter
Detective Natalie Ward
Standalones
Phew! Good thing I have read some of these before! But I am really excited about this feature! I have a couple more authors that I am planning on contacting too! This is reading on top of any tours I am signed up for (currently 5 for so far!) and my ARCs, NetGalley and personal choices……best thing I can take my time to read them yay!!
Do hope you will also take part and reshare your reviews or if you want to join in with any of the authors let me know and I can let you know dates if you want to share your reviews and take part too. 🙂
Look forward to starting 2020!
Until next time xxx
Davida Chazan says
Good for you! My Countdown Questions seems to have fizzled out for now…
Zoé says
Oh no! That’s a shame I did like that feature x
Davida Chazan says
Well, if I can get other authors to do it, I’ll bring it back. There are two who agreed but never sent me their answers, but both have new books coming out (one in January the other in March).
Zoé says
Oh fingers crossed!!! Xx
Ritu says
Well, that sounds like loads of fun… And a lot of rereading for you too!!!
Zoé says
It’s going to be crazy reading but I’m so excited for it! X
Ritu says
Good to have an aim like that!!! How many books did you read this year? ?
Zoé says
I think final count was 174. But I really don’t want to go so mad this year! How about you? D
Ritu says
Wow! I ended on 147. Gobsmacked!!!
Zoé says
That’s awesome!!!!! I am planning on 150 this year but I think it’s too much
Ritu says
I’ll stick with my 50 goal… Because I want to use more time to write, but ill probably go over, because you can’t stop a reader!!!
Zoé says
At least with 50 you have zero pressure! Lol
Ritu says
That’s what I thought!
likeherdingcatsblog says
Oh this looks so exciting ❤
Zoé says
I’m hoping so! More than welcome to join in lovely xx
likeherdingcatsblog says
I daren’t commit to anything else but I’m going to enjoy reading yours
Zoé says
No worries about reading but re share your reviews maybe?! That’s all I am thinking I know it’s added pressure and I want to add to people commitment xx
likeherdingcatsblog says
Oh yes of course. You mean when it’s that authors turn on your blog. Of course I will. That’s a great idea ❤
Zoé says
Yes exactly that ❤️ the first one is in a couple of weeks so will be putting a post up about it. X
likeherdingcatsblog says
Oh I’m in if it’s an author I’ve read xx and if not, you know I’ll spread the blog love
Zoé says
Aw thanks lovely! I appreciate that a lot!! You will have fair warning lol x
likeherdingcatsblog says
? happy new home, new year to you all ??
Zoé says
Happy new year to you lovely! This year I will be better with buddy reads as I’m doing 5 tours and that’s it so far ?? xx
likeherdingcatsblog says
I’m gradually reducing them just because of time and work but I’ll still do them.
I loved buddyvreading but so hard to fit in when you’re doing tours
Zoé says
We will do more together I promise! Xx
likeherdingcatsblog says
2020 – year of the buddy read!
If we both do the tour for Beast that would be an awesome buddy read
Zoé says
Ah not on that one but I will be buying the book ??
likeherdingcatsblog says
The email hasn’t gone out yet but if I’m not on the tour I’ll be buying too
Zoé says
Then we can buddy it! ❤️
likeherdingcatsblog says
Yay!!! We can be terrified together
Zoé says
???
Rachel Gilbey says
Nooo don’t reduce the amount of tours, either of you amazing people. I need you!!!
likeherdingcatsblog says
Ha Rachel I’m not going drastic. Just trying not to have them on consecutive days for days on end- although I have a few like that this month.
I’m trying to better organised. I’ll still be participating in many
Rachel Gilbey says
Ok that makes sense to me Kerry, especially since I’m sure I’ll have things coming up this year that you won’t be able to resist!!
likeherdingcatsblog says
? you always do. When I fo my spreadsheets about 75 of my tours are yours ❤
Zoé says
Ha ha I have 5 for next year so far and that’s it. 1 is yours just waiting for the book! So I’m still about don’t worry ?
Rachel Gilbey says
I have the mobi in my inbox when you’ll have it in the next day or too, depending what order I actually do things in!! However I read it while I was away since it appeared just before Christmas and its fabulous, well worth the wait!
Zoé says
Yay can’t wait! And I will finally read the first one before the tour so I will complete the set! Lol
Rachel Gilbey says
So no isn’t a good time to say it’s not the end of the series, looks like there is another one up for pre-order already!! I just don’t know when that tour is yet, as not had that conversation!!
Zoé says
Oh I can’t wait!! How exciting! You know I will be there!! X
Rachel Gilbey says
What a fabulous idea. Wonder’s when you are doing the Jane Cable takeover… as I know what email I’ll be sending out in the next week or two!!
Zoé says
Ha ha don’t worry I had that chat with her already! ?
sandys5 says
Great idea! Some of those authors look great, I can’t wait. Looking forward to this.
Zoé says
Thanks Sandy ? it’s going to be busy for sure on the blog this year!
Kelly says
I love this so much!!
Zoé says
Aw thanks lovely! Obviously you must join in where you can!! Lol x
Simon says
Exciting year for you Zoe, I had no idea you were a Star Wars geek. Halt new year to you!!!
Zoé says
A complete geek! ?? happy New Year!
Simon says
We can talk about our at this year’s bash! Thank you ?
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
Wow looks amazing! xx
Zoé says
Obviously join in wherever you can by re sharing or reading the books when I do the author takeover?! That would be fab xx
Kelsey @ There's Something About KM says
So looking forward to this series! Such a great idea!
Zoé says
Thanks Kelsey! I’m looking forward to it! Just a lot of reading to do ?
Kelsey @ There's Something About KM says
You can do it!! ??
Zoé says
Aw thanks to for the support!! I need it, my ideas keep snowballing lol x
FictionFan says
Haha – you’ve got some amount of reading lined up for this year, then! I hope you’re not planning on doing much sleeping… 😉 Sounds fab – hope you have lots of fun with it and I look forward to hearing more about your chosen authors!
Zoé says
Thank you! I know I didn’t realise how much until I started looking at the list! It’s ok it’s not for tours so no pressure To read to deadlines.
Meggy | Chocolate'n'Waffles says
WHAT A BRILLIANT IDEA! You’ll get my full support and I’m so excited to read all the amazing things you’ve prepared!!! xxx
Zoé says
Oh thanks lovely! Well if you have read any of the authors on the list let me know ? xx