Books At Midnight: Am I the Only Blogger/Reader Who...

Aug
09
2011

Am I the Only Blogger/Reader Who...

Just reads her review books whenever she wants, wherever she wants (as long as the review is on time)
Feels stifled when scheduling posts
Now writes reviews in a stream of consciousness, without multiple edits
Needs occasional blog hiatuses
May have her fidelity questioned by her 492 literary crushes
Picks up whatever is lying around when reading and uses it as a bookmark
Often cries in empathy over literary heartbreak
Thinks she's pretty prepared at this point for a vampire takeover or the fall of society
Feels like a disappointment if she can't keep up with upcoming releases
Sometimes pretends she remembers a little more about a book than she actually does
Still isn't completely sure where the reviewer line lies between brutal honesty and brutal attack
Is, at times, too emotionally-driven and impulsive -- and regrets some of her previous posts
Gets intimidated meeting authors and other bloggers face-to-face
Would be happy if her life mirrored THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, INKSPELL, or HARRY POTTER
Needs an about page -- WHEN DID THIS ABOUT PAGE TREND START *rageface* (forever ago, sigh)
Wishes some of her books could have lovely book cover babies together
Can't help but want to review like some other bloggers she admires -- and sometimes tries and fails
Frequently has a hard time seeing past eye-searing blog designs, but it's possible
Still pictures a computer behind every blog (though I SHOULDN'T, AGH)
That doesn't really have a social life, but is okay with her life the way it is
Is shy as a caterpillar in real life -- and is scared of caterpillars in real life
Is putting an end to her struggles over these two years and finally resolves to BE HERSELF 24/7 (as lame as that is)
...sucks at resolutions

It's a mix of blogger and reader, serious and non-serious things up there, but some of the blogger bullets are legitimately areas that I feel... alone on? Like a disappointment as a blogger.

Do you share any of the same bullets (serious or no)? Are there any things you do/habits you have/etc. that you feel alone on?

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Tara · 711 weeks ago

I'm with you on a lot of these. I no longer feel the need to review every book I read, and now on my blog I only review the books that I LOVE and those I've accepted for review. It was so freeing, because my blog was becoming a ball & chain, and now I can love it again.

I also learned LONG ago that I was never going to be a "big" blogger. It takes more dedication that I want to give, and I'm okay with that.

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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Kristen H. · 711 weeks ago

Totally with you on the lack of a social life. But I have my job, which makes me interact with hundreds of kids and a handful of teachers every day. I'm lucky if we see actual friends in real life once a month or once every two months. I have my hubby though, and he likes vegging out with me just fine.

I'm pretty much with you on everything. Actually. This is why I gave up my "big blog" if you could call it that and started a blog with my best online blog buddy Kate. Yes, I have never met Kate but I do believe we are best friends. :) What does that say huh? Definitely a bit anti-social.

I for one love your reviews and always have. :) Keep it up darling and don't worry about the About page.. that's what Bloggiesta is for twice a year. To help you rethink blog stuff. :)

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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Aubrey · 711 weeks ago

I am completely with you and Tara!

I have made a goal to just read when I can what I can, and only commit to reviews and tours if I know I can do it on time. From there I just love and support the book world and share what I am doing. If only 300ish people deem that worthy of following my blog, then that's fine with me. I need to stop stressing about the numbers and being the biggest blogger out there.

I follow lots of book bloggers (including you) and it's nice to just have someone be honest about the blogging process. Cause sometimes I feel alone in all of this too! Thanks for the post!

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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P.E. · 711 weeks ago

Pretty much the same for most of those. I have way too many literary crushes. And sometimes, even if I call a book "unforgettable" which I honestly think is true at the time, a month later I forget everything that happens except something vague like it was about mermaids.

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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Marce · 711 weeks ago

OMG you lost your Kindle :-( I would be in tears and full time depression.

I don't think About Me is necessary, do you read everyone's?

Some of those had me cracking up. Have fun deciding what should change, stay the same etc but have fun.

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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Danielle (WithABook) 29p · 711 weeks ago

I feel the same way about almost all of those up there. Sometimes I go regret things I posted, or think that a review is to harsh. I don't have an about me page either. I keep saying I'm going to make one but it never happens....I should probably do that.

"Would be happy if her life mirrored THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, INKSPELL, or HARRY POTTER" Is one I can't actually agree with because I haven't read any of those yet....I think I need to fix that.

The cover babies line made me laugh. So true :)

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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Mel (He Followed Me) · 711 weeks ago

It's a phase we all hit at one point in our blogging lives ((hugs)). Just realize why you do it and things fall back into place again. It's all about being something you WANT to do & not what you think others want from you ;)

Tara - great advice!

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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Donna · 711 weeks ago

"Wishes some of her books could have lovely book cover babies together"
Ain't that the truth!

Brilliant post. I felt like you were writing it about me. I can relate to just about every single one of those. I would be terrified to meet another blogger and/or author in person. I freak out if an author talks to me on Twitter and I immediately check to see how badly I mucked up any review I did of their book. And sometimes I'm almost as much of a fan-girl of certain book bloggers as I am of some authors! Its nice to know other people have the same issues and can still put together a wonderful review blog, it gives me some hope for my own.

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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Jinny 67p · 711 weeks ago

Haha, some of them I share with you!

The first two about reviewing whenever you want and scheduling posts is bang on how I feel as well. I just like to read whatever, whenever! I also do the whole "pretends she remembers a little more about a book than she actually does" =P

One thing that stood out to me on your list though was when you wondered about the line between brutal honesty and brutal attack. I always thought those lines were pretty clear to me :O As long as you're not insulting the author or insulting the work, I think it's not a brutal attack. There's a difference between "This story sucks" and "I didn't like this story because ...". I mean, yeah, I understand that either way, the author may feel offended anyway, but there IS a difference, and hey, if authors are going to put their stories out there for public consumption, they have to be prepared to take the bad with the good.

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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deleted8578366 88p · 711 weeks ago

I feel like you read my mind with some of those bullet points. I read review copies when I want and sometimes, despite having some titles that A LOT of people want, I end up going to the library and read what I get there instead. I also feel stifled when I have to adhere to a scheduele (unless it's for a blog tour) so that's why some weeks I have A LOT of posts up while days can go by and I barely update. As for hiatuses.... sigh. I feel like I need more than one at times but I don't think it's fair for the people that read my blog. :/

LOL@ the about page comment. Ahhh, I have one but it's not really that informative. I just mention that I'm in college and I blog because I love books. Sometimes I feel like I shoud be a little more personal but eh. I don't feel intimidated meeting other bloggers---they're just like us, really---but authors? Whooooole 'noter story. the few authors i've met, I usually want to kick myself afterwards for either NOT saying something or for saying something stupid xD

2 replies · active 711 weeks ago

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Ivana · 711 weeks ago

Great post, and probably the most sincere post on blogging I ever read. You hit it on the head-I too need a hiatus every once in a while and I don't want to feel like I have to apologize for it. And sometimes I even wish I didn't have the obligation to review something because I just don't know what to say. Especially when the story sucks.
Tara said it-don't let blogging become a duty or a burden. Reading is important, blogging about it an added bonus. I have less than 60 followers, and honestly couldn't care less.
And this post just proved that you're anything but a disappointment of a blogger :)

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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deleted8578366 88p · 711 weeks ago

Also.... I admire some bloggers and I wish I could review like them too! I personally love your reviews since you get right to the point and you are 100% honest. I wouldn't change a thing :) I could go on about everything else I agree with but.... yeah, basically I agree with you xD

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Justine · 711 weeks ago

Oh my, I've got a lot of similarities here! It's so hard to list em all! I feel like I'm disappointing as I'm blogging, lol. Especially since I haven't commented here in soooo long. (Sorry, Jenn!) I've just been so.....freaking lazy lately. The entire summer, actually. Blah. It's time for me to get back on track....very soon....

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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StephTheBookworm · 711 weeks ago

I agree with a lot of these points. I am also a bit anti-social, because I would usually rather be reading, but I try to make it work.

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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Bookish in a Box · 711 weeks ago

16 of these could be mine! But only half of the caterpillar one...

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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Anna · 711 weeks ago

Yes, definitely, I share some of the same feelings. But no one's perfect. I think that as long as you enjoy blogging, that's what matters. :D

1 reply · active 711 weeks ago

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Alyssa Kirk · 711 weeks ago

Obviously you're not alone! So many of us are with you on these points! Take it easy and don't be so hard on yourself.... Advice I should give myself!

I love the idea of our favorite covers having babies - I think there is an awesome post in that idea!

This is an awesome honest post that we can all relate to. Now I don't feel alone - Hope you don't either! Wish was there but take this virtual *HUG* instead!

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Krazzyme · 711 weeks ago

The first three points are so true!
I feel so guilty when I start reading a book that I don't have to review urgently and ignore the one that's due in a week!

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Cara 85p · 711 weeks ago

Preach.

Basically everything applies to me. We must stick together, Jenn!

Mostly feel for the want to review like other reviewers bit. *cough in which a girl reads cough*

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Bere · 711 weeks ago

Wonderful post, Jenn. Thanks so much for sharing! As you can see you are definitely not alone up there. I'm not a book reviewer, as you know, so I don't feel pressured in that way. But there are a lot of other things that make me feel a bit so-not-cool about my little blog, hehe. Let me just say that I think your blog is pure awesome. I love coming over and reading your posts. I have to admit that I'm a bit lazy when it comes to commenting but I'm trying to get better with that, hehe. Your doing a fabulous job so don't be so hard on yourself! By the way, I need to read Inkspell. I read Inkheart a loooooong time ago and I loved it! =]

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Samantha · 711 weeks ago

I could relate to tons of these including needing occasional breaks from blogging, would love to live in Harry Potter's world, wants but cannot keep up with new releases, and so many more. Thank you for posting this!!!

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Nomes · 710 weeks ago

oh i relate to BUNDLES of this.

i always read according to mood (which is why i dont really accept review copies any more)

i do have blogging breaks. i dont think anyone cares. i drop back to 3 - 4 posts a month, and then get back in shape when i am feeling it <3

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Marie · 710 weeks ago

I agree with the being shy and... I took an internship across the country for 7 months so my book reading was put on hold. I come back and I'm at B&N and I swear every five steps I was like "OMG THIS IS IN PAPERBACK? SINCE WHEN?!" it was depressing.

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