Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Book Blogger Confessions #1


Book Blogger Confessions is a meme hosted by Tiger from All Consuming Books and Karen from For What It's Worth Reviews to discuss issues unique to book bloggers.  To find out details, click HERE.

Q. How has the "job" of book blogging changed your reading habits? Both pro and con.


A: Like Karen stated in her answer, I now look at books more critically. It really doesn’t serve anyone if I simply say I thought a story was stupid or the characters silly. How is that helpful? I need to figure out what didn’t work for me and what would have worked for me. Same way the other way around. If I think a story is awesome and the characters rock I need to support this opinion as well. This also might have to do with the writing classes I’ve taken in the past several years and what I’ve learned in my writing group. I notice details that I may have not noticed before or maybe just didn’t pay as much attention to. This is both pro and con. Pro, because obviously it can be a learning experience to read a book, not just in what the message is or details of the book provide (like learning about another culture), but in figuring out structure, characterization, etc. Con, because it makes it more difficult to just shut my brain off and simply read.

Book blogging has also changed my reading habits for the better because I have been introduced to so many different books that I may not have otherwise known about. I have gotten to know more authors, more series and I’ve learned about all the different genres out there and the world of publishing. I also think more about what I’m going to read next, but this always depends on my mood.

The negatives - I feel the days when I just read with no agenda are gone, when I didn’t have to explain why I liked or didn’t like a book. But then again, I didn’t have a lot of people to share my reading opinions and ideas with before I started blogging. Now, I have a ton of people to share with and sort of report to. And therefore, I get more validation and more satisfaction from reading. I know I’ll find someone who will have an interest in what I’ve read and what I have to say about it.  And of course, I get to read a vast amount of opinions on books which to me is priceless.


2 comments:

Karen said...

I think the pros outweigh the cons (even though it doesn't seem like it sometimes lol)

The BEST thing is being able to talk about books to people who share your interests. No one reads the type of books I do and my husband can only listen to so much before he starts to glaze over!

I'm glad you joined in this week!

La Toya said...

Mmm interesting answers! I think I agree with you on everything. I feel like saying I don't like a book because it's crappy just isn't enough anymore...but at the same time, I can't just say this book is awesome! Without any reasoning!

xo,
La Toya (La Toya, Literally.)

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