I have been in a blogging funk for a while now and I haven't really been able to put my finger on the reason(s). It's not just this book blog that has been neglected, my personal blog Mooncat Farms Meanderings has also been suffering from my inattention. I think that blog's neglect has been more due to the craptastic weather we had been having more than anything else. Maybe I'll snap out of it now that we have some sunshine!
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As for this blog, I've been reading books, I just haven't been writing my reviews in a timely manner. I think I've been feeling a little soured on the whole book blogging/reviewing scene due in part to the drama that is at an all time high right now. While I have been very fortunate to not be directly involved in all of this, it still makes me feel defensive as well as a bit sad that bloggers are being attacked by the very people whose work they are supporting.
THIS ARTICLE by the fabulous Kristi at The Story Siren gave me a lot of food for thought and helped me pinpoint some of my discontent and weariness(?). I'm not going to rehash the entire article, but it is basically Kristi talking to "Author X" about the dynamics between authors and book bloggers. There are good points made on both sides, especially Kristi's. I find though, that I am in serious disagreement with several comments from the anonymous author (anonymous because she said she didn't want this to seem like a promotion..hmmm). Much of what she stated stuck with me and I think it'll eat at me until I just lay it all out there and have my own say - even if no one reads it :) So get ready or hide, because here it goes...
Why do book reviews? First and foremost, I AM A READER and a BUYER OF BOOKS. I started this blog because I love books. I own HUNDREDS. While I have people in my life that also like to read, I am the only one who has a serious LOVE of or addiction to the written word. I have no one here immediately in the physical world to discuss books with and share newly discovered gems...ahem, JEWELS.. with. When I stumbled into the book blogging world, I was HOME! Here are people that will introduce me to fantastic new reads as well as listen to my opinion on what I've read.
I don't make any money on this blog. Yes, I have affiliate links on the posts and sidebars. But, I have never received a dime from any of these links. That's not why I have this blog. I have this blog because I love books and I love discussing them. I'd love to have a job where I was surrounded by books day in and day out, but I don't. I'd love it if I could be paid to do what I love. I don't. This blog is a hobby, but one that I take seriously. I didn't get into blogging so I could get my foot into the publishing industry as Author X states, although it would be sweet. I JUST LOVE BOOKS.
ARCS.. I do get advance reading copies from publishers and authors. I am not going to apologize for it. Especially since I almost always end up buying a finished copy if I enjoyed the book. I buy books as gifts for friends and family on a regular basis. Many of these are finished copies of books I was introduced to as an ARC. Once I am finished with an ARC, I usually pass it on to another BLOGGER who will read it, review it and probably also purchase a finished copy for themselves and others?
The issue with giveaways, hops and memes. I have fun holding giveaways. I usually have some kind of question related to the book being offered and it is interesting to see what the readers come up with. (My current giveaway of India Black is a great example of this.) Some of the giveaways are sponsored by the publisher while others come directly out of my pocket - as in I pay for them, books AND shipping.
I also enjoy entering giveaways. It's a fun way to try to get my hands on a new book or one that is making the rounds of the blogs and sounds interesting. It is a rush to get an email stating that I've won a fantabulous new book. ~ It's almost as much fun to send out those winning emails.
Blog hops are a fun way for me to "meet" many new-to-me bloggers in a short period of time. Many of my favorite blogs were found during one of the various hops I've participated in. I also enjoy the increased traffic when others come visit me during a hop I'm playing along with as I meet some more lovely bloggers and readers in that way.
I don't do many memes myself but I have found them to be a source of material for my wish and TBR lists. The one I do participate in on a fairly regular basis is "In My MailBox". Not because I'm bragging about what I've received, but because I use it as a "weekly wrap-up" post. It also helps me keep track of the books that have come in either through blog tours, giveaways or that I BUY. I enjoy reading the other bloggers' IMM posts as I always find new books that I want and either immediately buy them or add them to my list.
*My thought on all three of these above (giveaways, hops & memes) is that if you don't like them - IGNORE them. No one is forcing you to acknowledge or participate in them. Just don't bash bloggers that do find enjoyment in them.
Bloggers don't affect the market much. I admit that I was offended by that statement. I buy a TON of books every year. Way more now that I am blogging - due directly to the fact that I READ other blogs. The same blogs that are recommending and reviewing these books that I am now buying. I don't have a bookstore near me anymore, the closest is about 35 miles from here. Even when I do make it into a store, I usually have to ask a salesperson for a specific book. Author X's statement that the store displays are what really sell the book has not been my experience, because you usually can't find them.
So guess what, I make my purchases online - almost always right after reading a review on a BLOG. Then, I will post about that book as well as tell people in my life about that book. I buy and gift books. The word gets spread and sales of that book are made. I am just one blogger. If you multiply this by the thousands of book blogs out there....... then yes, bloggers do affect the market - we buy, we read and we recommend books.
As for author websites, I honestly don't usually visit them until AFTER I've read their book or AFTER I've read a review from another blogger. I may visit while I'm writing my review of their book or as a requirement for a giveaway from another blogger.
Negative reviews.. I have posted a few negative reviews, it's not fun. I try to be very careful about the books I choose to buy or those I accept for review. I don't want to post negative reviews, it's not pleasant for me or the author. Above all, I want to be honest and fair with my reactions to the book I've read. I try to say exactly why it didn't fit me or what part I didn't care for. I have been very fortunate to have dealt with some wonderful writers who were extremely gracious when I mentioned that I had an issue with their book. I've been able to have some very interesting and educational (to me) dialogue with them regarding those reviews. As for myself, I read books that receive negative reviews; especially if the reviewer is clear on what their own issue is with the book. It may not be something that affects my enjoyment of the story.
I don't agree with Author X when she says that negative reviews are easier to write. I find them harder because I want to be articulate in exactly what it is that didn't work for me. Specific negatives are much more useful and more difficult to define for me than that gushing "oh I loved it" in a glowing review.
I am not writing my reviews to win a popularity contest. I have disliked books that others have completely gone nuts over. I've also enjoyed books that others intensely hated. It's all about our own personal feelings and reactions to the book. I won't tailor my review to fit with someone else's perspective or expectations of a book. I also try to not read other reviews when I am about to write mine. I don't like to let other opinions directly influence what I have to say. So if I do mention something that another blogger has said in their review, it is not intentional. In this big old world could it be possible that two people actually have a similar thought on a book?
Self-published authors.. I have reviewed many books that are self-published and enjoyed them immensely. There have been several that are permanently on my keeper shelf. To be fair, there are also a couple that I couldn't finish, either due to storyline or editing issues. But I have found a few from the big publishing houses that have had similar problems. So I do enjoy reading new and upcoming authors, I just try to make sure their style and story matches what I usually enjoy. I read books for my own pleasure first and foremost, no matter who publishes it. Everything after that is icing.
Regrets.. I am not concerned about looking back in five years or so and regretting what I've written. I am an adult and since I do try to choose my words carefully, it shouldn't be an issue. I got the feeling that Author X seems to think that MOST book bloggers are teens who want to "be a part of the scene". I think this is unfair to those of us who are adults as well as those teenage bloggers who do an outstanding and mature job with their blogs. Some of these young adults leave the older readers in the dust and they don't get pulled into this drama. My hat's off to you!
So if you've stayed with this major unloading, I appreciate it very much! Thank you. While I wasn't wanting to jump into the fire and still hope to avoid the turmoil and backlash, I do feel better just getting this out there. I'm off to read a book and...
Remember, like a book review -
IT'S JUST MY OPINION!
~~~~~ Disclaimer: All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own. I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links. I may receive books in order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one. Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.
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