Books, Reviewing and Blogging

As I've cruised through the book blog world, I've noticed a few things.  First, lots of year end wrap ups and postings of favorite books read.  I love those posts and did one myself.  I've enjoyed perusing so many favorite books and I've added quite a few to my reading list.  The second thing I've noticed is several posts from bloggers who are re-evaluating their blogs, reviewing, etc.  I've been doing the same thing myself.


I love reading.  I was always the kid who had her nose buried in a book and I became an adult who always has her nose buried in a book.  I love reading and it's why I started this blog.  I wanted a place to keep track of the books I read and what I thought about them.  The reviewing part just sort of happened and, for the most part, I've enjoyed it.  I love receiving complementary books in the mail.  I have enjoyed "meeting" authors and bloggers.  I get a kick out of seeing a new comment on my blog.


One thing I've finally admitted to myself, though, is that I don't enjoy reading for deadlines.  I understand the reasoning behind scheduled book tours and I know that publishers/authors want the books they send out to be reviewed.  However, I've learned that sometimes you have to be in a certain mood for a certain book. There have been DNFs and one and two star books that I think I might have liked, if I could have read them within my own time frame and not someone else's.

Towards the end of 2011, I didn't want to visit book blogs, I didn't even want to read because of the pressure to finish certain books.  And, let me tell you, not wanting to read is a very disconcerting, strange feeling.


So, I've decided to be more discerning about the books I accept for review and that means less self published books and fewer scheduled blog tours. I won't give up on blog tours altogether though as there are authors whose books I will always, gladly review. But I also want to read more of the unread books lingering on my shelves.  As well, instead of always accepting review books I'd like, I will utilize my library to find those books on my own time, not for someone else's deadline.

What about you?  Is everything in your blogging life staying status quo or are you changing things up?

Comments

  1. I've been laying low on the tours for a while. I agree that the pressure of finishing a book by a certain date can take away the pleasure - some books are meant to be lingered over.

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  2. I can completely understand, I don't think I could ever read to a time limit, and one of the joys for me, is the choosing of what I want to read. Even though I get given alot of books by my very kind Mother in Law, I know she gives them to me with thought, thinking I will enjoy them. I love this part of reading.

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  3. I had similar feelings at the end of last year. I had a horrible first trimester which made reading hard but when I was able to crack I book I couldn't seem to rouse much excitement.

    Not sure how I am going to change things up this year and I am off to a slow start but things seem to be moving in the right direction.

    Love your point about reading for deadlines. :)

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  4. Ah you must have been in my head these past several weeks! I despise reading for deadlines - I do understand the purpose, but for some reason it takes the enjoyment out of the book. And I hate to complain, but goodness knows I've had to re-evaluate what I will accept and what I won't. I agree whole-heartedly with your post. Thanks for putting my thoughts into such a powerfully written post.

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  5. Lots of us seem to be coming to this conclusion recently. I stopped accepting self-published books a while back and only rarely do tours. I hate committing to a date because you never know when life will get in the way.

    Hope you find joy again in your reading this year :)

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  6. I have been feeling the same way. I have so many books on my bookshelf right now that I have been wanting to read, but I never have time to read them because of the books I have promised to review. I have been way more careful about the books I choose for book tours and reviews as well.

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  7. I understand where you are coming from! I am being very picky about which books I accept now. I want to be able t read for fun and that doesn't happen hardly at all anymore. There are favorite authors I will always read and promote. I think there are many bloggers who are feeling the same way.

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  8. A book with a deadline sounds like a book report for school. And that sucks all the fun out of it.

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  9. I haven't completely decided what I'm going to do. I'll still do tours for books I want to read but I really want to read some of my own as well. More than anything I'd like to get back to visiting blogs again. After all that happened with my dog I really fell out of touch with bloggers who I really liked. So for now that's my goal.

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  10. what a great blog- I'm going to have to look around here for some book ideas!

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