The world of book blogging has grown enormously and sometimes it can be hard to find a place. Share your tips for finding and keeping community in book blogging despite the hectic demands made on your time and the overwhelming number of blogs out there. If you’re struggling with finding a community, share your concerns and explain what you’re looking for–this is the week to connect!
What a timely topic for me! The desire to be a part of the book blogging community is a major factor in my return to this blog. There are so many people writing about so many books. It still amazes me. It is easy to spend hours clicking from one blog to the next and never run out of inspiration!
Conversely, because there are so many book blogs in existence, it is also difficult to find a niche in the blogosphere. I felt like I was just starting to find my way with this blog last year, right about the time I stopped blogging (because I moved and started my first big girl job). Going forward, I hope to truly find my tiny place in this community.
I was, and still am, intimidated by the enormous number of books that some bloggers are lucky enough to have time to read. I feel inadequate by comparison, almost as if it is not worth my time to blog about books. However, when I'm feeling discouraged I must stop and remind myself why I want to keep a book blog, no matter how easy it is to compare myself with others. I want to be able to remember my thoughts and feelings about what I read in the future. I want to read others people's thoughts about the books they are reading. I want to be introduced to new genres and authors. I want to (continuously) find books to add to my own reading list.
In 2010, I read 28 books (not including school readings). I've read 30 books so far this year. And I am PROUD of this, not embarrassed. I never actively tracked my reading before that, but I'm pretty sure it was less. So for me, this is an improvement! I am pleased that I have found more time for reading and I want to keep track of it here. I must remember this perspective when overwhelmed by the enormity of the book blogging community. At the end of the day, I am doing this for me, for fun. Of course, I would love to make some bookish friends along the way!
The number of blogs out there can be overwhelming. I've signed onto blogs' RSS feeds in my reader but if after a few months I notice that I never read their posts, I delete them. You can't read everything out there.
ReplyDeleteI like subscribing to other blogs via e-mail. I don't like the Google reader...I find it annoying.
ReplyDeleteBut for others, that works.
I do like to actually visit the sites, look around and see what they're reading, writing about, etc.
Here's MY BBAW POST and
MY WEBSITE
Good for you, keeping focused on why you blog! I struggle with that and feel overwhelmed sometimes, too. There are some superhuman bloggers out there who seem to be able to keep up with everything AND read every new book, too! I think as long as you love what you're doing, whatever you do will work.
ReplyDeleteChris and Laurel-Rain - Those are great ideas. I definitely need to go through my google reader and I hadn't considered subscribing by email.
ReplyDeleteErin - You are right. They do seem superhuman! It's good to know that I am not the only one who gets overwhelmed.
Haha, I fully agree with you on the happiness that comes from making book blogging lists. My list making has definitely increased since I started book blogging!
ReplyDelete