Today I’m thrilled to have the awesome Renee from http://itsbooktalk.com answer my #TopFiveThursday questions. Renee’s blog is one I follow religiously, she reviews most genres so her blogs got something for every type of reader. I love her honest and to the point reviews. If you haven’t come across Renee’s blog already, why not pop over and take a look at some of her fab reviews you won’t be disappointed I promise.

Top 5 Books you read in 2016?

It’s really hard to narrow it down to just 5 but I’ll give it a go.

Daisy In Chains by Sharon Bolton

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

I Found You by Lisa Jewell ( read in 2016 but being published April 25, 2017)

The Trespasser by Tana French

The River at Night by Erica Ferencik

Top 5 authors you think everyone should read?

Sharon Bolton

Dennis Lehane

John Hart

David Nicholls

Lisa Gardner

Each of these authors brings to the table consistently engaging storytelling, realistic multi-dimensional characters and plots that will leave you staying up late to finish one more chapter. These are my auto buy authors, I don’t even need to read a synopsis, I’m reading whatever they publish!

Top 5 Books you want to read before the end of 2017?

Since We Fell By Dennis Lehane

Round Midnight by Laura McBride

Dead Woman Walking by Sharon Bolton

Sirens by Joseph Knox

The Green Mile By Stephen King

Top 5 blogging tips that you would give to new bloggers?

Well I’m pretty new so I don’t know how much advice I can give yet but here are some of the strategies I try to follow:

Become comfortable with social media, especially Twitter

Write honest reviews. If you have a critique of a book, be very mindful that the author is often reading what you’re writing so be respectful yet constructive in your feedback

Don’t compare your blog to others, everyone has their own unique style and way of writing so find yours

Make your blog visually appealing by not cluttering it up with too many widgets

Engage in the blogging community by reading and commenting on others blogs. This has been the BEST part of blogging for me, I’ve met some truly amazing book lovers and there’s always someone willing to chat about books

Top 5 blogs you follow?

There are so many wonderful blogs that I try to read daily but these are ones I never miss visiting

Amy at https://novelgossip.com

Janel at https://keeperofpages.wordpress.com

Annie at https://themisstery.com

Sam at https://cluesandreviews.wordpress.com

Chelsea at https://thesuspenseisthrillingme.com

I’m Renee. Wife and mom to two teenage boys which never gets boring. I’ve been passionate about reading since I was very young .Back then I carried a book everywhere, today I carry my Kindle everywhere so my hundreds of books go where I go.

Reading is not my only obsession when it comes to books though, I also love talking about what I’ve read and loved, what I want to read, favorite authors and debut authors…all things books!

I started my blog as a way of reviewing and recommending books all in one spot. Among my friends, I seem to have become the go to person for book recommendations for the past several years which led me to starting my own book club…5 1/2 years later and we’re still going strong with monthly books and wine!:).

I thought it would be fun to put my reviews and recommendations in one place for all my friends to check out and at the same time interact with other book loving people out in the blogosphere.

Links: Blog     Twitter     Instagram      I’m also on goodreads under the email itsbboktalk@gmail.com

My thanks to Renee and all you other awesome  bloggers for taking time out of your busy schedules to answer #TopFiveThursday, without you all this feature would have never took off.