BBAW 2011: Reading and Blogging

Today's BBAW Topic: Reading and Blogging

Book bloggers blog because we love reading. Has book blogging changed the way you read? Have you discovered books you never would have apart from book blogging? How has book blogging affected your book acquisition habits? Have you made new connections with other readers because of book blogging? Choose any one of these topics and share your thoughts today!


Attempting to book blog has certainly changed the way I think about books!  For starters, I now meticulously track my reading using both goodreads and my own bullet list in a Word document.  This satisfies two of my needs: making lists and remembering what I've read.

Blogging about books has also given me a more conversational style of reading, if that makes sense.  Now when I read, I sort of compose posts in my head as I come across intriguing quotes or ideas.  I imagine what I might say about particular aspects of the book if I were talking or writing about it.  Does this make me sound crazy?  I hope not!  I guess my approach to reading has changed, whether I wanted it to or not.  It seems I can't help myself now.

For me, I think the best part of book blogging is discovering new books through other blogs.  I've heard about more books than I could possibly ever read.  I've been exposed to fantastic new books before they became pop culture phenomena.  There is so much fabulous content out in the book blogosphere waiting to be discovered.  I'll never have to look far for a good book recommendation again!

BBAW 2011: How Do You Do Community?

Today's BBAW Topic: How Do You Do Community?

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!