Just some more info about MarjoleinBookBlog

Today I just wanted to post some more background, bookblog advice and review policy stuff on MarjoleinBookBlog.
So here it goes:
My blog which I called MarjoleinBookblog was started in april 2008. After I finished reading the first four Dutch translations of the Princess Diaries books by Meg Cabot, there where not more books, only the US/UK editions. So I started to ordered the books from my local American bookstore. (I am so lucky to have a store like that close to home!) That store has a website and blog, and has a customer book review program, which I participate in. Then I thought: Hey, wouldn't it be great to start my own blog where I can review books? That started my blog. With thanks to some great authors who helped me out in the start up period and sended me books to review! Wich leads me to a question/comment I hear often when I tell people about my blog;
Ah, you have a book review blog..you must be getting lots of books publishers and authors send you to review?
Yes and no is my answer when I people ask me this. My review blog is first not started because I want to get (free) review copies or ARC's. (= Advanced Reader Copies; sample books publishers /authors send out to reviewers/media for a review before the actual book launch date) If I had to depend on review copies/arc's, then wouldn't have much choice about books to read. I am very thankful if an author/publisher/PR contacts me because they want me to review a new or upcoming book. So I review every book that is send for review, because I really appreciate that they took the time and attention to give my blog a look. The amount of review copies that I get is very tiny, as publishers from the usa don't send out many review books overseas, which is totally logical because of the costs. I am happy with every review book I get!
But as I said, you have to have more sources to get books. The main source for me is that I buy them. That gives me the chance to review the book I really, REALLY want to read, and that makes your blog and reviews more original and gives it a personal touch. I often see on other blogs that everyone is reviewing the same books, and that makes more and more bookblogs look like the same.. I try to avoid that.
As everyone knows, buying all your books can become pretty expensive, especially when you are on a temporary sabbatical like me. That's where libraries are for! Altough I focus on American and British books and particularly Young Adult/Teen books , my local library (which I recently became member of after years of abscence) has lots and lots of Dutch translations of USA/UK YA books. So I just read those and review them as the US/UK edition. But more and more English books can be found in my library, a great thing!
And it really is much fun to enter book contests and giveaways! Over the years I have won some great books and you get in touch with many great authors.
About blog content: Try to keep it relevant. I sometimes see people post really irrelevant content on their blog. Ofcourse, that's their decision and right to do so, but did they start a book review blog for that?? Ok if you don't post what you wanted to post, but don't bother your readers with 1001 excuses.
My review policy:
Authors and publishers are always welcome email me for a request to review a book. I try to review new books as soon I get them, especially with arc's. I don't handle a special scheme which says whichs book I have to read in any particular order. It just depends on which book I want to read, but that I read and review them is sure, as I review every book that I read, and read every book I get. If you are an author/publisher and are planning a book blog tour, I am very pleased to participate. Want to write a guest blog or be interviewed or do you want me to host a book giveaway of your book? just email me, my email addy can be found in the sidebar menu.

Finally, I really would like to know your opinion about the blog. What would you like to see on the blog? A few months ago I created a blog survey which is still open, and can be anonymously be filled in by clicking here At the moment Iseriously want to know how to attract more readers and fellow booklovers to my blog and how to get more followers.
If you have any more questions or comments about my blog, just leave a comment or send an email,