Why I Love Being a Book Blogger
April 5, 2010
You know, there’s been a vicious case of blogging burnout going around lately, especially amongst older bloggers. I’m not saying that I’m immune to it, and book blogging is definitely different from back in 2007, when I started. But every time I take a blogging break, I end up coming back. And here are just a few reasons why, both silly and otherwise.
- I hear about new books coming out before the ‘average’ reader. That means I can put them on hold first, and then smugly look at my library queue as tons of other people pile on behind me. And then every time I check my holds page (which is rather more often than I’d like to admit), I get to feel special all over again. For example, seeing this:
Yep, it’s a bit childish. But knowing I’ll be first to get my hands on The Girl Who Fell From the Sky? Priceless. - Occasionally, a book that I’m really, really coveting comes up in a giveaway, in which case I always leave a comment. And sometimes, I win! This makes me feel like the stars are aligned, that I live in a benevolent universe that wants me to be happy. It’s a delightful thing.
- If I suddenly get a hankering to read a certain author, or explore a new-to-me genre, there’s almost sure to be other bloggers interested. And it’s almost guaranteed that I can either find or create a read-a-long or challenge. I feel like book blogging’s equivalent of ‘There’s an app for that’ is ‘There’s a challenge for that.’ Nothing is too nerdy or esoteric, and often times, the strength in numbers inspires me to read a book I might otherwise not have tackled. I picked up both Les Miserables and Moby Dick to read with fellow bloggers despite my trepidation, and I ended up adoring both! And I continue to be in awe of all of the community building and support that is the Women Unbound Challenge, born of Twitter and currently featuring almost 400 reviews of books with kickass women. And it’s still not even halfway over! And all of the different group read-a-longs and buddy reads (usually casually created on Twitter!): these are pretty new to book blogging, and I think they make our little corner of the universe that much more cozy and wonderful.
- The way that a blogger can spread their passion amongst the rest of us. Like Rebecca and the Classics Circuit or Aarthi, Amy, and Chris and Spotlight Tours. Or Color Online. I could keep going, but I think you get the idea! There’s so much passion here, so much grassroots activity, that just fills me with awe.
- The support I get. If I mention I’ve had a flare-up, I receive so many comments leaving ‘get well soon’ sentiments. If I have a dilemma, book-ish or otherwise, I know that there are bloggers I can e-mail who will reply asap and go out of their way to help me out. And I know that if I notice someone hasn’t posted in awhile, I’ll send them a quick e-mail just to make sure everything’s ok. And when I have wonderful news, I can’t wait to share it on my blog and see the congratulations pour in. :D Book bloggers have each other’s backs.
- I think it’s obvious that I’ve made some deep, true friendships with other book bloggers. And what I love about that is that these are people I couldn’t have possibly met just wandering down the street. They live all over the US and all over the world. They’re all at different life stages, or in different fields of work. They don’t all look like me, or think like me, or have the same background. And I truly marvel at this diversity that book blogging has brought into my life.
- Speaking of which, I love that there are so many more book bloggers than there used to be! It’s magical to stumble across a new blogger (or even an older one that I’ve somehow not visited before) and think: “Hey. I need to get to know this person!” or “OMG, her reading tastes are just like mine.” or “Wow. I really kind of wish I was her.’ lol (Tell me I’m not alone on that last one! In college, we called that ‘having a girl crush.’) And then, I start leaving comments here or there, and they come visit my blog and leave a comment. Isn’t that thrilling? And within a few weeks, I have another blogging friend, and it feels like I’ve known them for ages, and I casually drop them into my posts. That whole process is just delicious, and I’ve never felt rejected by a book blogger. Ever. Even the ones where it took me months to work up the courage to comment, because I thought they were way too cool for me. Which is more than I can say for some face-to-face people I’ve known! ;)
- The time and energy and thought I’ve invested in my blog has been paid back a hundred fold. My reading is richer. My friends are richer. My life is richer. I’m a better person because of blogging…and what more could I ask from a hobby?
I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of why I can’t imagine a life without book blogging! So let’s take a moment to remember why we keep coming back to this crazy thing called blogging. What makes you love it? If you’re a new blogger, what made you decide to join in the fun?
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- BOOKS AND MOVIES » Bookish links for Saturday, April 10, 2010
- Jumping Right In « Book to Book
- One Thousand! « A Striped Armchair
- There’s a Challenge For That! And Other Reasons to Remember Why It’s Great to be a Book Blogger | Book Blogger Appreciation Week
- There’s a Challenge For That! And Other Reasons to Remember Why It’s Great to be a Book Blogger | Book Blogger Appreciation Week
A Striped Armchair 
I love this post!! And yes many of those reasons are the same reasons that I’m still blogging.
I’m so glad you loved it Suzi!
I would think the friendships with other book bloggers is the best thing to come out of it, to relate to and connect with folks sharing a common interest.
Definitely Anil! :)
What you said! I love to blog because other book bloggers don’t mind if you go on and on about books…we all do it ;) Also, other book bloggers will often articulate something that has been floating around in your brain vaguely for a while – like you have here, once again.
Those are both two other great reasons! :D
Hi Eva! I’m a new book blogger (just put up my first post this week!). I started because I thought maybe putting pressure on myself to write a little about what I’m reading will help me to retain more of what I’m ingesting and also interact with new material. I have had a blog before and it was a wonderful outlet. Keeping a blog makes me feel more organized! I also love that sense of community you describe.
I’ve been following yours for a few months now and it’s one of my favorites :) I’d love it if you’d stop by mine in a few days or so once I’ve added more content!
Hi Emily! Thanks so much for the compliment. :) I’ll definitely stop by and welcome to book blogging!
I love this post too! For me, blogging is a creative outlet. I started blogging because I needed to use the creative part of my brain more. I added a book and movie section a few years ago and it gave another dimension to the blogging world. Like you, I sometimes need advice about life and book related matters. Speaking of which, if you have a few minutes can you give me some advice about how to recover from a bad book week? Here is the post in which I explained the problem:
http://beastmomma.squarespace.com/from-shelf-to-hand/2010/4/5/the-sunday-salon-56-pissed-off-about-books.html
I popped by! It’s so nice to have a big group to turn to for advice, isn’t it?
Love love LOVE this! And I’m glad to see that you’ll be sticking around :P
Aww-thanks Christina!
I get to meet Heidi Durrow tonight!! How exciting is THAT? :-)
I love book blogging, too. Sometimes I worry about leaving it because I don’t want to be out of the loop of awesomeness. But I know come fall, even if I don’t leave, I will be changing my approach.
And I also love the grassroots efforts of blogging- the spotlight series really makes me feel good about myself! And the Classics Circuit is so fun, too. And the Woolf in Winter series made me realize she is not nearly as intimidating as I originally thought.
PS – Heidi Durrow = Awesome! I even told her about your being #1 of 58 on a library hold list and that nothing measures a book’s success like a library hold list!
You crack me up Aarti! I’m so glad she’s awesome in r/l. I can’t wait to read her book. :)
Such a wonderful breath of fresh air to read a post celebrating book blogging rather than lamenting burnout! We’ve all been there and experienced it, but for me, the rewards of blogging greatly outweigh any drawbacks. Like you, I’ve loved becoming part of what I find to be a really collaborative and welcoming community, and my reading has definitely flourished as a result. I’ve become a more dedicated and serious reader, and have been exposed to tons of titles and authors I likely never would have come across on my own. Plus, I really love sharing my passion for reading with others! It helps it burn that much brighter!
So well said Steph! :D
What a wonderful post. You know, when I started this whole process, I thought only my family would read it. I never imagined that people would read what I had to say about books, or that I would get to know so many amazing and diverse people! It is definitely an experience like no other. While Matt sometimes thinks that I spend too much time checking blogs, I wouldn’t give it up for anything. I love seeing all these reviews and comments, and it has helped me make a huge list of books that I want to read in the future!
Thanks Allie! Isn’t it wonderful to find an audience? I still can’t believe other people bother to read my posts. :)
Even though I don’t get many comments I like writing mt thoughts down about books I have read. I also love challenges which make me step ouside my usual boundaries and bookbloggers who introduce me to books, authors and genres I would never have delved into.
My boundaries have been pushed by other book bloggers so often too! It’s great fun. :)
yay! I love this post Eva, I’m going to link to it from the BBAW site b/c I was trying to think of an encouraging post to write there, but you’ve said it all and beautifully! We are so lucky to have you in the book blogging community!
I just need to say what Amy already said. And add my 25 cents about your diversity comment. That is the thing that is hard to get across non-bloggers: all ages, all types, all countries, all tastes . . . and all great. So glad I’ve gotten to know you.
Thanks to both of you! You’re so sweet. :)
Now that was a post that left me with a smile. Thank you!
Thanks Zee!
gods I don’t think I could stop no if I tried! It’s addictive, being able to talk to other people who love the book I love is still such a blast.
It is totally addictive!
Excellent post, Eva. Would you believe I have been blogging since 2001!! I feel like a pioneer. I didn’t even know it was called blogging at the time. I used to handcode everything in HTML and upload it using ultra slow FTP software. It was a personal blog, which is still running although I’ve deleted all my old entries and redone it about three times since then.
I branched out into book blogging in April 2004 but only posted about once a month. I then went full tilt at it, posting almost every day, in 2005. And I haven’t really stopped.
I have to say that the book blogging community is one of the nicest ones. I also maintain a cycling blog, and the comments I receive on that one are often vicious and aggressive. In 6 solid years of book blogging I could count the nasty comments on one hand. Although, mind you, I did attract a bunch of hate mail in 2006 when I dared mention book blogging ethics and the need for transparency in reviews. That post still attracts an audience, but I’m proud that I was probably the first blogger to come out and say those things. It’s funny to see that debate come up again and again by newbies… to me that argument was sooooooo yesterday. LOL!!
That’s so interesting about your experience in other blogging communities. You are a pioneer! :) I’ve had various webpages since the late 90s (when I was in middle school & they were about my fave computer game, heehee), and I kept a personal blog for friends and family when I studied abroad in 2005, but this is my first time in a blogging community.
The ethics thing is weird to me…I’ve always said when I got a book for free in exchange for a review, and so I assume everyone else does too!
I love that I can structure what I say the way I choose, emphasizing what in the book really appealed to me — or otherwise. I find that I read differently when I intend to post about a book. Maybe it’s better, maybe it’s worse, but it is different.
Also, like you, I enjoy the world of book bloggers. I’m not fully acquainted yet, but I’m working on it.
That’s so true Nancy. And welcome to our community! :)
I was going to recommend something about BBAW with this post, but Amy got there first. I totally agree with everything you wrote, and I’m glad you always come back!
Thanks Jen!
This is so well put. I have only been around since last June but I have so much fun connecting with people. I love it when a Blog becomes a person, becomes a name. I can see a comment now from a blog and reply with “Thanks Kate, or thats a great idea Sue!”
And I love how you said that we are connecting with people from all over the world – people we would never have a chance to meet in most cases if not for this community. I love sharing a beloved book with a blogger in Australia. These connections make my day.
Wonderful post.
Isn’t the connecting fun?!
This post just made me smile from start to finish, Eva.
I’m not really a book blogger, so maybe I shouldn’t answer. But then most of my friends who blog are book bloggers, so maybe you won’t mind if I answer anyway. ;) Yep, the books. Everything about them–from the ridiculous amount you all have made me buy ;) to just listening to the loving way you all talk about them. But even more than the books, it’s the people behind the book blogs that keep me here. My blogging world is very, very small compared to most, by necessity and by choice. But the friends I’ve made…wow. Just wow.
I love that you’re answering! :D I love the books too; I’ve read so many AMAZING ones that I never would have heard of w/o book bloggers.
You’ve made wonderful friends because you’re such a wonderful person. :)
I love book blogging because I was suddenly open to a whole new world of books. I actually read book blogs long before I blogged about them and back then I just had my personal blog. I just loved reading them so much that I wanted to do my own and share what I love to do most which is read. The reasons you posted are definitely reasons why I blog and read other blogs especially getting to find out about books early on!
That’s great you decided to start your own blog as well! :)
I really adore this post! I am one of the new bloggers out there and I just started joining this community in January this year. The main reason I did it is because no one seems to understand my obsession towards book. Some regards my book buying habit as a total waste and I don’t think I can accept that *lol* Anyways, I truly feel belong in this community and I found myself growing more and more fond of the people I meet. I can see myself doing this for years to come!
Thanks Shy! Welcome to book blogging. :D And yes, it’s nice to be among people who don’t think you’re crazy for being book-obsessed!
Agree on all fronts! It is lovely to be able to share books I’ve enjoyed with a community of readers, and to get recommendations for books I’d never have heard of otherwise.
Definitely!
I love book blogging to, if for no reason to be a part of a community that loves books as much as I do.
Oh yes; the huge amounts of book-love among us all are wonderful. :)
I love this post…I’m sticking it in my hubbub around the blogosphere feature!
Thanks!
What a great post! These are among the reasons why I also love blogging, but my love for the written word is first and foremost or I never would have started a book blog in the first place! Community is such a wonderful aspect of blogging. Just this morning, I received an email from a blog buddy directing me to a post by another blogger about a book that she is so sure I will love. And I think she’s probably right. Now that’s what I call spreading and sharing the love!
–Anna
Thanks Anna! And yes, it’s neat how we start to get to know other blogger’s tastes and think of them when certain books pop up. :)
Great post! You definitely made me smile. I’ve been a sluggish blogger lately, but it’s true, I love blogging and always come back to it, too :)
Thanks! I’m glad you always come back. :)
I like that your library tells you what number you are in the queue. My library doesn’t do that, but I sure wish it did.
It doesn’t tell you?! That would drive me crazy.
I’ve noticed the burnout going around, too, and it makes me sad because it’s affecting some of my favorite bloggers! I know life has cycles, etc., but I still can’t help a childish exclamation of “Nooo! Don’t stop blogging!” ;-)
I love your post & agree with all of your reasons. I think, for me, the richness writing about reading brings to my relationship with literature has to be right up there at the top – closely followed by all of the wonderful relationships, of course!
I’m SO with you on your first couple sentences! In fact, that’s how I originally started this post, but I decided I didn’t want anything negative there. lol
What a wonderful post!
I love book blogging because it lets me keep a much better record of what I’ve read and how I’ve read it. It lets me discuss books (and more!) with all sorts of people, and it introduces me to books I never would have tried on my own. In short, it’s just fabulous.
Thanks Claire! I love the record-keeping aspect as well. :)
I’ve started many blogs for a variety of reasons but the book blogging seems to fit more than anything else. I think writing about books is something that I need to do! This post is very encouraging, thank you!
I’m happy to be encouraging! :) I think book blogging is wonderful, so I’m all about more people joining.
All of the above! Which is why I keep doing it even when I get burned out.
I’ve found the burn-out phases end pretty quickly for me. :)
Great post (as always)! I started blogging about books a year into my job as a high school Teacher Librarian. I really enjoyed it right away, participated in the Dewey Read-a-Thon last October and realized that there were posts I didn’t necessarily want students reading on a school-related blog. And so Helen’s Book Blog was born. So much fun!
Thanks Helen! What a fun evolution story of your blog too. :)
I love the positivity of this post! Now if the posts would just write themselves sometimes … ;)
Thanks Kristen! Yep-autowriting posts would be marvelous. :)
Wonderful post. I know they are not very popular, but I love doing author interviews. I think they are one of the main reasons I keep blogging. I’ve gotten a chance to meet many authors through email exchange and to get to know them. And it makes me feel a little bit like Terri Gross.
I’ve also enjoyed working on projects with other bloggers.
That’s so neat CB! :) I’m the opposite; I don’t like getting to know authors outside of their books, but it sounds so enriching for you.
What a lovely post and I agree with pretty much eveything you said :)
Thanks Lynsey!
There are so many things to love about book blogging. I love being in “the know” and knowing what’s coming out before it hits the shelves. I love the people I’ve met both in real life and virtually. Book bloggers are just awesome in so many ways. I find them to be much more open and willing to lend a hand when needed and the folks that work in publishing are just as awesome.
So true Ti!
Loved this post! It was uplifting to read about the positives of book blogging, because I truly do enjoy it. Thanks for this encouraging post!
I’m glad you enjoyed it Nadia!
I’ve been blogging for over a year now, general blogging, and just taken the plunge into book blogging to satisfy my craving for posting more about literature. So speaking of blogging in general I love the community aspect. When I first started I’d been reading blogs and commenting but it hadn’t occurred to me just how big a part community plays. I love that you can put your own spin on a topic and develop someone’s idea further and recently I’ve been noting down other’s recipes.
Regarding books, your last point is what I was looking at when I was planning my blog. My life is better for books and the information they cause me to seek out but I knew I could further that enrichment by sharing with others and going into detail, and knew I’d go into more detail if I had a site to post them on.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Charlie! It is fun to play off one another’s ideas. :)
Wonderful post! I never understood online friendships until I started my blog. Now, I consider quite a few people I’ve met online to be very close friends.
I didn’t understand online friendships pre-blogging either!
Such a wonderful post, Eva! What I most love about blogging is that now I can ramble on about books to people who are actually interested instead of getting on my not so bookish friends´ and family´s nerves :)
Thanks Bina! I think my non literary friends & family are grateful that I blog. hehe
Thanks for putting such a positive spin on the blogging mood of late. As for me, I love the ongoing conversations, the ways that you get to know certain people and think of them as you are reading a book that might appeal to them, the opportunities to give form to my thoughts and record my own reading life. When it does not fit the schedule or I don’t feel like it, I don’t do it. That is what helps me avoid burnout.
That’s so well put Frances! And I think not forcing yourself is the key to happy blogging. :)
Great post, Eva! I think you articulated all the best parts of this world.
Thanks Michelle!
Yay! Fun post. I agree — book blogging rocks. I don’t blog about only books, but everyone is always so lovely and supportive. This is a great post; I’ll think about one of my own. Glad you are continuing to blog!
I hope you do your own post as well Daphne! :)
You sum it all. Nice knowing you (less than a week), but feels great to be in good company. So thanks Eva. ;)
Thanks Jo! Do you have a blog? If so, it’s not linking via your name. :)
This is a most fantabulous post.
I think it’s easy for us to think that because blogging relationships happen online, they’re somehow subject to different rules than our IRL relationships. But the truth is that, as with anything, there are good days and bad days, times of joy and fun and times of frustration and angst, moments where you love it and moments where you question what it all means.
I love being a book blogger for the conversations, the community, and the incredibly fun spirit.
That’s so true Rebecca! It can’t all be rainbows and bunnies. :)
Thank you, Eva, for all your positive reflections on book blogging and the community! I agree with your points and second many of the comments. Thank you for always being welcoming and friendly!
Thank you Marieke! :)
As usual you have summed things up so eloquently and I couldn’t agree more. I love the book blogging community and am honored and grateful to be a part of it.
Thanks so much Kathleen!
I get girl crushes all the time, so no worries there! I love this list, and I agree completely with the points you’ve made. I adore blogging, and while I understand why people suffer from burn out, the good points far outweigh the negatives.
Oh girl crushes! :)
I have to be honest, I haven’t book-blogged since January, although I read like crazy still (that’s never going to stop). But I still come on here to read your blog and occasionally I’ll update my challenges just to stay on top of them… and I have to say, I love the whole community you get from book-blogging too! I started off doing it just for myself to keep track of what I read and write out my feelings on books, but I love seeing what other people have to say and finding books for challenges. The whole friendly feel of it is great, knowing that there are hundreds and maybe thousands of people out there who have something in common with you, who all like to curl up in bed with a book all Saturday despite the people you call you insane/psychotic/stupid. But with book bloggers, we all get why that’s an acceptable way to spend time!
Well, I’m glad you still visit my blog, even if you aren’t blogging so much anymore. :) And there’s nothing better than curling up in bed all day with a book! :D
Wonderful post! I started blogging to meet and interact with other readers, to talk about books I’m reading, books I love, books they love…I’ve been inspired not just by other bloggers’ reading choices (my TBR list has grown ridiculously) but by their attitudes and opinions. It’s been wonderful to discover so many fabulous people, all with such unique viewpoints.
That’s so well put Claire!
Wonderful post – positive words and thinking are so inspiring. I’d been blogging for 3 years on a different subject when I decided to have a change last November. I wanted to feel a part of a community that loved books like I do, to participate in group activities and to be able to relax and have fun. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made and I’m loving every minute.
From my last experience I’m aware of the situations that are liable to cause burnout and I try to avoid putting myself in that place although it’s sometimes hard with so much activity going on.
And I do love being at the top of that library hold list, too. ;-)
Thanks Cat! I’m so glad book blogging is everything you wanted it to be. :D
You hit all the main points, Eva. When I started NWB, it was just meant to be my online book diary…I didn’t expect any comments, so a few months later, I was thrilled when I got one. I’ve definitely been enriched by the friendships formed by blogging.
Sorry to hear so many bloggers burn out. I don’t think I post often enough to get it.
What’s really sad is when book blogs turn into mommy blogs…sigh…
I don’t think I’ve read a book blog that’s turned into a different type of blog! But I can imagine that would be sad. You’re totally one of the book blogging pioneers Susan! :D
Great post, Eva! I agree with so much of what you said, and I think that’s why I’m still at this book blogging thing even though it’s grown progressively harder for me to keep up with. Even though I struggle with guilt about getting so few posts up every week and not having the time I wish I had to spend with my friends via Google Reader and Twitter, I’d be terribly sad to give it up completely for many of the reasons you mentioned. Oddly enough, that there are so many new bloggers to know is something that *frustrates* me – not that they exist and are blogging (that’s great!), but that I don’t have the time I want to expand and make new bloggy friends of the many many many people who are blogging about books these days.
I’m with you in loving to be in the know about the new books coming out. I know I’d hate not being up on all that stuff! I’ve also always been so impressed with how supportive and welcoming the book blogging community is. Even on days when I’m sure nobody is reading and I write a post about being down or nervous or whatever, people always turn up to comment and are so encouraging. I’ve met so many great people, discovered so many great books, and even managed (I think…..I hope!) to make a better reader and writer out of myself all through this blogging hobby, and it’s true that it’s made my life richer, too.
Thanks for writing that post about all the *good* in book blogging. I think many of us needed to be reminded of it just now! :D
I can understand the frustration; it helps that I have so much free time. :) Still, I think blogging on occasion is better than no blogging-and I wish I could erase blogging guilt!
I actually quit, and then recently started again because I missed it, for many of the same reasons you mentioned. I was still reading other blogs, and enjoying that aspect of it, but I would find thoughts about books floating around in my mind that I felt the need to write down. A blog is such a great place for that, in case there is someone out there who wants to share their thoughts too.
That’s neat that you’re giving it a second chance! :)
Wonderful post! I don’t have much to add beyond what others have already said so well (getting book recs., talking about books, community, support, worldwide community, etc.). And on the whole burnout issue, I haven’t felt it with book blogging (or at least not for more than a day or two), but I’ve discovered that sometimes with other things (workouts, diet, grad school, etc.), just telling myself it’s ok to take a break or even quit altogether keeps me from burning out. Something about knowing I don’t *have* to do something makes me not mind doing it.
The worldwide aspect of blogging has been huge for me. When I was trying to decide on someplace besides London to visit when I go to England this spring, I got lots of suggestions from book blogging friends in the UK. And, as it happens, one of those suggestions led me to a destination that I never heard of before but that sounds absolutely perfect! Without connecting over books, that other connection never would have happened.
Yep; I think bloggers get burnout when they start thinking they have tons of obligations. :)
I can’t wait until I have a job and can start travelling-I feel like I could hop around the whole globe just to meet book bloggers!
I can see it already: “Eva’s International Book Blog Tour Meetup in a City/Country/Continent Near You!” I want to come, too.
Thanks for this, Eva! We all need to be reminded every now and again of why we love doing this so much. And there really are so many amazing things about book blogging, I could never see myself abandoning it. I haven’t been feeling burned out, per se… more like less enthusiastic than I used to be, but you definitely inspire me to always keep at it. This book blogging community is so fantastic and I love so many of the wonderful people I’ve met here. Thanks for keeping me grateful! :)
Aww-I’m glad it perked you up Heather! I’d be too sad if you quit. :)
Excellent post! We share many of the same “loves”.
I did a post similar to this one last year around BBAW, but I also included what I hated about being a book blogger. :)
Thanks Susan!
Yaaay for this post, Eva! It’s why I keep coming back too……the people I’ve met, especially the friends I’ve made. I think blogging is like everything else, you get back what you’ve put into it, and so for some people, it’s easy to leave, and for others, it’s too meaningful to be away from for long. Certainly I fall into that last category. Where else can I go for book reviews, to say hi and see what’s happening with my book friends around the world, to occasionally feel not so good and get a cheering up message? where else can I learn about how other people read, and discover I am not the only one that books are the stuff of life? So even as blogging is evolving – and I think for a lot of us, it is changing – we are creating a kind of living community here in the internet.
You are always one of my deepest pleasures, Eva, both as a friend and for all the fabulous books you read and share with us. Thanks for the lovely post!!
You’re always so eloquent Susan. I adore your writing and your self. :)
This is a lovely post, thanks for writing it. I agree!
Thanks Kim! :)
Great post, Eva! I recently posted about the burnout/drama issue, and while I called myself an “aloof” blogger, I simply meant to the drama parts. I’ve been bloggin’ for five years, and the reasons you mentioned here are the reasons I stay with it. The good far outweighs the bad moments.
I tend to avoid the drama stuff too. :)
Great post! Like you, I’ve noticed a lot of “burn out” posts lately! I haven’t felt the burn-out yet. The only time I wonder whether I should keep blogging, though, is when I think “gosh, it doesn’t look like I have that many readers/commenters”.
Also, reading all these great book blogs really make me realize how many books are out there and how much time I *don’t* have to read all these books :-) !
I remember feeling the ‘no comments’ thing a lot during my first year of blogging. It can be so frustrating! I’m glad you’re not feeling burnt out though. :)
Holy cow – I bookmarked this this morning to get back to it when I can – and here there are 62 comments! I love all those things about book blogging too – we have a wonderful community.
We do have a great community! :D
A wonderful, insightful and, to one who has suffered that burn out, inspiring post. A thousand times yes, to everything you’ve mentioned here.
Thank you Jess!
I love this post, so glass full of you :) I’m pretty new (just over a year now) and one of the things I love is how little relationships are starting to develop with other bloggers, like I’ll mention them in a post, they’ll be excited about something I’m saying. I love that interconnection.
Thanks Jodie! :D
Your post is wonderful. When I started blogging a few months ago, I never imagined I’d have 4 readers for every entry, let alone more! I think what I love most right now is the community feeling of bookblogging. I never thought I’d meet so many nice people in so short an amount of time. And the support out there is incredible.
“Wow. I really kind of wish I was her.”
No, you’re certainly not alone in this. I feel that way so often, coming across other book blogs
Thanks Iris! It constantly amazes me how nice book blogging is. :)
Aww, what a sweet tribute to the book blogging community!
My library hold list doesn’t show me where in the queue I am. It’s a consortium of 15 libraries and it’s apparently complicated (i.e., some libraries give me priority and not others) so I can’t track it day by day. But the good thing is I rarely have to wait (but then I rarely request NEW books…)
How interesting re: your library’s queue! I only have long waits for newly released books that are super popular or something Oprah picks…that kind of stuff.
I loved your post. I started blogging books to help me with readers’ advisory. It was like a reading notebook I could access anywhere there was an internet computer. But I’ve found so much more with other bloggers, and that is just a huge bonus.
Thanks Shonna! That’s so neat you started as a readers’ advisory resource. :)
Great post, Eva!! :)
Thanks Melody!
Great Post!
I love everything you said but I especially like the friends I’ve made. I wish I was closer with many book bloggers than I am and I wish I had the money to meet some in person but when I want to talk books and none of my family or friends care, I have my fellow book bloggers and book lovers on here to talk to!
Aren’t the friends wonderful?! I wish I had the money to travel around and seem them all too. :)
I have been blogging for many years, but on totally different subjects. Book blogging has been the most fulfilling though. The community, friendship, and the exposure to new books and even genres has really been exciting. For me, I finally found a subject that I never fail to love talking and learning about. Heaven!
That’s so neat that book blogging is your favourite subject! :D
Really great post Eva!
Thanks! :)
I love this post, Eva!
I’m pretty new to the book blogging world (I started posting in December 09), but I’ve found that the book blogging community is like no other. I could spend hours upon hours reading about the books everyone’s reading, or having conversations on Twitter, and there always are far more challenges and read-alongs than I can ever hope to finish!
I really only created my blog to participate in book challenges, but it’s been so much fun to get into everything else since then – The memes, the read-alongs, the read-a-thons. I don’t foresee closing my blog anytime soon. :)
It’s really addictive, isn’t it? :)
I love it for so many of the same reasons. Mostly, though, because I don’t know any people in real-life who are such avid readers. I just don’t have anyone to babble about books with around here, so it’s wonderful to do it online!
That’s so true Jeane! :)
What a fun and inspiring post. You rock. As always.
You rock too Care!
Wow! Look at all those comments and this fabulous post!! You’ve listed some great reasons (except you forgot to mention that it gives you a way to share those wonderful reading lists you create :-D ).
I love blogging because I love connecting with people who are as passionate about books as I am…unfortunately, the people I hang with IRL just don’t get it.
Hehe-how did I forget an excuse to make reading lists?! Most of my friends and family don’t get book love either. At least I have my mom though!
What a fun post! I echo so many of your sentiments on why I enjoy being a book blogger. I know sometimes I need a bit of a breather from my blog but I still love it as much as when I first started it. Here’s to continue sharing the book love! :)
Thanks Iliana! You were totally the inspiration for starting my own book blog. :D
All I can say is AMEN!! I am new to book blogging, so I’m still learning, but there is nothing I love more than blog surfing and finding new recommendations to add to my list. I love how you talk about challenges are like “there’s an app for that.” That is exactly how I feel, and it’s so great to be able to take part in a group like that. It really is a great sense of community. I also love what you said about how book blogging brings more diversity in your life. I have definitely felt that. There are so many books I never would have picked up on my own, and I can’t tell you how much depth reading others reviews has brought to my reading.
Thanks Cam! Welcome to book blogging, and I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. :D
What a lot of comments! Gosh.
I feel a bit like an old-timer now, having started blogging three years ago (about the same time as you, I suppose?) I thought I was late to the game, but there don’t seem to be *that* many bloggers from before that date still around. And sometimes it makes me feel like I haven’t moved on with everyone else, and that my blog is looking a bit old-fashioned and tired… but then I remember how much I enjoy it, and how many lovely people I’ve met, and the experiences I’ve had because of it, and it makes me so happy!
I hadn’t spotted a blogger exodus… that’s sad. But long live blogging!
I know: I think I struck a (happy) nerve! I feel like an old-timer too, which amuses me. :) I don’t think your blog looks old-fashioned at all though! The blogging burnout I’m talking about is more temporary breaks/sad posts than actual quitting. It’s still sad though.
I ve been blogging seriously since turn of year ,main reason passion for books and mainly passion for world lit
I’m glad to hear it! Your name isn’t linking to your blog; would you mind sharing it so I can visit you?
Just a fantastic post, Eva. I have had trouble feeling the blogging mojo, as it were, since beginning my second year blogging this past January, but it has gradually come back. I think I just needed a bit of a break because I dove in pretty hard-core last year after my dad died. And I never really understood people who could keep up friendships with people they had never met in real life until I began book blogging. I have met the loveliest people. And, like you, I love the support that comes in when I have a flare-up (and I love meeting other people who get what it’s like! :) or when I lost my dad right after I began blogging, I had comments from people giving me comfort, hope, and, later, advice. Twitter has been a great piece of it all because it is like a chat room and a message board all rolled into one and I have met more people through Twitter and had more cool conversations and learned about awesome events than just blogging without it.
I am bookmarking this page so I can come back and look at it if I ever feel my “blogging mojo” slipping again. Thanks :)
That makes sense Rebecca. And oh flare-ups! I love Twitter too. :) And I’m glad you’ve got your mojo back!
Great post, and I totally have a ‘girl crush’ on you! Your blogging is fantastic and this post is just one more example :) The diversity of books, challenges, and people is definitely my favorite thing about book blogging!
Aww-thanks Amy! That’s too sweet. :)
Awesome post! I love all of those things, too. :D And, I especially loved your comment about “There’s an app/challenge for that!” Priceless! :D
~MizB of Should Be Reading
I’m so glad I came across your post just now. I started book blogging 3 months ago for several reasons. First of all I need to read like I need to breathe, and I need to talk about what I’m reading. Second I wanted to write, the urge was intense, and the internet was just sitting there waiting. (I had no idea there were so many people already doing it, that I was actually joining a community) The third reason I started was to build up some long lost confidence by expressing honest opinions that I knew not everyone would agree with. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I love every single minute of it. It is an absolute joy to write and I’m getting more comfortable about sometimes having negative things to say about some books. I have an agreement with myself that the first time I find myself posting what I think someone wants to hear instead of the truth, I’ll shut down the blog. I haven’t gotten to know many people yet, but I’ve so enjoyed reading through other people’s blogs and I’ve already added about 50 titles to my tbr list. Every time someone drops by my blog, leaves a comment or signs up to follow, I am like a kid at Christmas. All this to say I know why you love to blog and I share the passion. I love it!
Just seeing this now (from the BBAW blog) and have to say thank you! I’m speaking this afternoon at my college alma mater about why I blog, and I just may have to borrow a few of these points (with giving attribution to one of my favorite book bloggers, of course).
I agree with the above, fantastic post.
Hey! I have an account here! Lol. Didn’t know the account worked. Anyway, I have like 11/12 blogs(only 2 of which I am currently using and they are Tumblr blogs). I agree with you. There’s loads of friendships that can be made with blogging. I’m actually a blogger for a fictional blog(the a-list) and a personal/spoiler for the vampire diaries blog and I love it. I’m going to start my third blog(a book blog) in a few months, yay!
The point I should have made already and didn’t- is that blogging is addictive and fun.