tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post3080268995415502104..comments2024-03-28T07:07:50.059-05:00Comments on ***The Starry-Eyed Revue***: How Book Blogging Has Changed Me as a Readerstarryeyedjenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15841350560201331032noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-23358874168612735452016-04-27T08:16:03.303-05:002016-04-27T08:16:03.303-05:00Aw, you are seriously the sweetest! Again, thank y...Aw, you are seriously the sweetest! Again, thank you for the words of encouragement. I already feel better about where this blog is headed. :)starryeyedjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841350560201331032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-11721526317766532552016-04-26T12:16:24.683-05:002016-04-26T12:16:24.683-05:00Hang in there and do what feels right for YOU. Tha...Hang in there and do what feels right for YOU. That's the only thing that really matters...finding the ways to live and read and maybe blog that bring you joy. I hope you find that joy again!Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08639732368395025578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-84213387230313317782016-04-25T19:28:08.310-05:002016-04-25T19:28:08.310-05:00Thank you! I'm glad to have the support, but I...Thank you! I'm glad to have the support, but I wish we could all be the readers we want to be. :)<br /><br />I miss those trips to the bookstore. I'm sure my pocketbook doesn't...or my shelves for that matter. It wouldn't be so bad if my library actually had a decent selection, but it's not like I'm really lacking for reading material. :P<br /><br />I really, really, REALLY try not to play the numbers game. That's just a recipe for failure for me. I've got enough ways and reasons to compare myself with other bloggers...I don't need to add that one to the mix. I'm honestly just glad ANYONE wants to read what I have to say, ya know?<br /><br />I've only been able to get to older books via audio, but I'm really going to try to get to some of my physical books this year. And maybe then I can get rid of some more. I became a real book hoarder there for awhile, and the collecting doesn't help, but trying to keep my shelves just for favorite authors and series might.<br /><br />I just want to write for myself. I don't know that I'll even let anyone read it, but I just want to put pen to paper and create a story. Don't worry about the doubts...just do it for yourself!<br /><br />I'd all but given up before I wrote this post, but seeing so many positive, supportive words of encouragement have really helped my frame of mind. I hope if I just change a few key things, blogging will be for me what it once was. I hope you continue with your positive streak!starryeyedjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841350560201331032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-3134946938161779752016-04-25T15:53:02.020-05:002016-04-25T15:53:02.020-05:00I LOVE audiobooks. I love to revisit old favorites...I LOVE audiobooks. I love to revisit old favorites on audio but I also like to use them to get to the new releases I don't have time to read but still really want to experience.<br /><br />That is one big take away from this experience...all the friendships. I'm still making new friends all the time, whether online or at events. It's kind of awesome how a love of books brings people together. :)starryeyedjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841350560201331032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-84597915382793114972016-04-25T15:50:38.012-05:002016-04-25T15:50:38.012-05:00I think that's what I've taken away the mo...I think that's what I've taken away the most from my five years of blogging. You just have to do you. And reading my own books is something I want to spend more time doing.starryeyedjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841350560201331032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-66833597053885282852016-04-25T15:49:56.699-05:002016-04-25T15:49:56.699-05:00Aw, thanks! Sometimes I can't believe it's...Aw, thanks! Sometimes I can't believe it's been five years, and other times, it feels like longer, lol.<br /><br />I have the same debate with myself all the time. It shouldn't matter that much, but it does. But like you, I try to be positive about it. We'll all get to read those books in the end. :)<br /><br />I used to have notebooks full of ideas and stories all over the place, but we used to move practically every year, and they're pretty much all gone. Maybe that's why my desire to write has grown so much lately.<br /><br />I hope you do! I'd love to read it!starryeyedjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841350560201331032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-61421868507360079622016-04-25T15:47:14.592-05:002016-04-25T15:47:14.592-05:00Yeah, I'm not saying it's all bad, but som...Yeah, I'm not saying it's all bad, but sometimes I miss just being a reader. Not a reviewer first, reader second, ya know?starryeyedjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841350560201331032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-57572485857522249042016-04-25T15:43:39.168-05:002016-04-25T15:43:39.168-05:00That's one of the aspects I miss the most...ha...That's one of the aspects I miss the most...having time to visit other blogs and just that general sense of community that comes with it. I'll comment on a post if I see it linked on Twitter and it really resonates with me, but normally, I rarely have time for our blog, let alone anyone else's. :(<br /><br />I've considered a break or just quitting altogether. Many times. But it is what keeps us together. I'm afraid with as little as we get to chat now, taking this away would make it even harder. :( I think I'd rather quit social media altogether, if anything, but I just don't know if I could do it. It's how I stay informed, lol.<br /><br />I definitely do intend to start reading more of just what I want. I've said that before, though. There is this one that I just keep moving closer and closer to the couch so that maybe I'll eventually pick it up and just start reading it, everything else be damned. :)<br /><br />It is such a struggle. I'm glad you're here for it with me. =Dstarryeyedjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841350560201331032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-67165794883795914562016-04-25T15:39:25.598-05:002016-04-25T15:39:25.598-05:00I actually reviewed mostly newer books even when I...I actually reviewed mostly newer books even when I was just starting out, but it was a lot easier to keep track of them then because I wasn't as aware of just how many books were releasing ALL THE TIME. I still reviewed older books, too, though, and definitely more than I do now.<br /><br />Oh, I'd still use my library if I didn't get copies for review. I WILL FIND A WAY TO READ ALL THE BOOKS. :) But my pocketbook would definitely be feeling the pinch because there are just some books you HAVE to own, ya know?<br /><br />I haven't personally had a bad author interaction, but I've seen way too many for comfort. I have had my share of rabid fan interactions, though. I could do without those, too.starryeyedjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841350560201331032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-29921210153116780972016-04-24T11:03:46.107-05:002016-04-24T11:03:46.107-05:00This is a terrific post, Jen. And I think a lot of...This is a terrific post, Jen. And I think a lot of us have experienced similar changes in our reading, especially if we've been blogging for a while.<br /><br />Fewer trips to bookstores? Check. <br /><br />Envy? Check. (In my case, sometimes it's ARC envy and sometimes, well... I've been doing this for almost 7 years and I still don't have a big following. Numbers aren't why I blog, but I have to admit that I sometimes feel that little touch of envy when I see someone else's followers begin to climb and climb. Yet at the same time, I'm glad for them.) <br /><br />Reading fewer old books? Check. (Sort of. I've been working on that this year, and I have done more of the re-reading I love and crave, but I still haven't read as many older titles that are new to me as I would like.)<br /><br />Listening to more audiobooks? Check. But that's really more due to my daughter's influence than the blogging, as well as my sister's. They're the ones who finally got me into them.<br /><br />Collecting books. Check, but I have to admit that I've been doing that since I was about 8!<br /><br />The urge to write. Still working on this one. I'd like to be there... but I'm still blocked by a lot of fear (of not doing it well enough, of my ideas not being original or even any good, etc.) <br /><br />I'm working on some of these, insofar as I'm unhappy with any of the changes. But there are positive changes, too. I went through a long period where I rarely read any new-to-me authors. That has changed drastically, and I've discovered some new favorite authors that way. So that's one change that is definitely positive! <br /><br />Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08639732368395025578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-82852083099164925162016-04-24T06:54:27.169-05:002016-04-24T06:54:27.169-05:00I've been blogging for almost three years now....I've been blogging for almost three years now. I started off reviewing audiobooks. I've been an audiobook junkie for a while, but I've tripled the number of audiobooks that I listen to since I started blogging. I also listen to a lot more new-to-me audiobooks now than before. Before blogging, I mostly revisited books that I had already read, now I'm getting audiobooks directly from the publisher, some even before release day, so i'm going straight to audio on most everything. This has also caused me to buy less books too. I used to be at Barnes and Noble on release day buying books, but I don't do that now. Hell, I barely buy physical books any more. Everything is audio or ebooks. I do like talking to authors. I've met some great authors and have yet to have any of the Author Behaving Badly be any of the authors I actually read, which as been great. The thing I love most about blogging, is the number of friends that I've made in the blogging community. I've met some really great people and I don't think I would've met them if it weren't for book blogging. Great topic and thanks for sharing.<br /><br />Melanie @ <a href="http://www.hotlistens.com/" rel="nofollow">Hot Listens</a> & <a href="http://rabidreads.ca/" rel="nofollow">Rabid Reads</a>Melanie (@AudiobookMel)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12682752959290631075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-54406439760518418532016-04-23T12:04:01.754-05:002016-04-23T12:04:01.754-05:00Reading my own books is hardest of all. I will say...Reading my own books is hardest of all. I will say that as I approach my sixth year of blogging that I make time for the things I value most. Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15658833731713991138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-21686162222151821512016-04-23T05:48:00.121-05:002016-04-23T05:48:00.121-05:00Congrats on 5 years of Book Blogging!! I try not t...Congrats on 5 years of Book Blogging!! I try not to get jealous of people who get tons of ARCs. When I first discover them sure I was jealous. I envy them and really wonder why they get tons of ARCs but then again, I realized that not having ARCs gives me more time to go along my own reading pace. I can pick any book I want without rushing to finishing them or what. I'm just being positive about it :) But getting one would really be nice.<br /><br />I totally understand you about writing all the time! I'm not much of a writer but I try to get things out of my system by writing. I practically have TONS of notepads and notebooks. My sketchbooks are half filled with my random writings. I still keep a journal but I don't write on it so much... but I'm really hoping to regularly write again..<br /><br />now I want to right a post like this just so I can reflect at how much blogging has changed me :)<br /><br />czai @ <a href="http://theblacksheeproject.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">the Blacksheep Project</a>czaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01343988297200251224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-76178611425403035952016-04-23T01:40:23.458-05:002016-04-23T01:40:23.458-05:00Interesting post. I also think blogging has change...Interesting post. I also think blogging has changed me and in my opinion actually for the better. <br />Cassandra @ Book & Movie Dimension a Blog | Blogging since 2011Cassandra @ Book & Movie Dimension a Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09284209878050082578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-90036050277213031832016-04-22T21:15:18.033-05:002016-04-22T21:15:18.033-05:00I love this post so much. I'm have gotten the ...I love this post so much. I'm have gotten the feeling you were feeling blah about blogging lately, and I feel sorry if I've contributed to that. It's difficult to feel invested in blog posts, when you have so much going on in real life. Plus, for me, I've lost the time to visit other blogs. Working full time again, and at a job where I'm so busy I can't take time away to visit blogs, it's hard enough to post reviews, let alone read others. And that's a huge part of why I have enjoyed blogging so much in the past, the connections and interactions I've had with other bloggers. Now with out that, I feel less desire to put my thoughts out there. Heck, we don't even have time to talk as much. Which sucks, but it's okay. Every few weeks we do get around to our long ass emails. lol :) And the 5 year blogiversary, I thought about mentioning it last time we emailed, but totally forgot. As you said... priorities. ha. <br /><br />The Author thing.. LOL. Not even just the whole bad behavior, but following some of their personal social media sites, sometimes they post some things that make you think... wow.. wtf. Just stuff that maybe you never needed or wanted to know. I do sometimes miss the days when Authors were just a name on the cover. <br /><br />Ahhhh and hell yes to Audiobooks. Without you, I would never have tried them, and without blogging we would never had known each other. <br /><br />Blogging has been such a big part of our lives. I'm so hesitant to give up on it, ya know? Mainly for my connection with you. I've thought about what it would be like to just stop and go back to jotting quick reviews on goodreads. I often feel like my reviews here on the blog are better suited for that anyway, because I just can't find the words I need when I sit down to write a review. <br /><br />I wish I could give you advice on how to make blogging fun again. :/ Perhaps just read some books that you want to read, with no pressure to review? Maybe we should try to make time for some joint reviews or posts again. Those were fun. <br /><br />You could always take a break. I know that seemed to help you a bit last time. It was a short break though. Maybe consider taking a longer break. Maybe a month in the Summer. Since Summer is busy. Maybe even the whole Summer. Take that time to read what you want, and you can still read review books, but don't go crazy trying to get a review up. Just jot your thoughts down and review them later. Also take some time for writing. If your heart is telling you to write, then do it! Take a hiatus and see if anything comes of it. Keep yourself active through other social media outlets in the meantime. There are many options and everyone will be here for you when you come back. If you even want to. I realize I should just be emailing you all this. haha. <br /><br />Well, regardless. I am always here to blog with you as long as you want me. I may be sporadic, but I'm not going anywhere. In the same token if you ever decide you want to call it quits, I'm okay with that too. <br /><br />now that I've rambled on... I guess my point is I'm here for you always. Regardless, and I'm all about you writing. I know that's a passion you have. There is only so much time in a day. That's part of the struggle. lol. Aprilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08860029277147120060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-27857284189866668702016-04-22T14:27:54.853-05:002016-04-22T14:27:54.853-05:00Most of these are the same for me. When I started ...Most of these are the same for me. When I started blogging, a lot of my reviews were on old books and I only received a handful of ecopies for review. Now I have so many physical books for review, some ARCs, I get stressed over how I am going to finish them all and where I will put them. I've had to start making trips to my local used book store to get rid of some.<br /><br />Blogging is great and if it were not for having my blog, I wouldn't get to read as many new books as I do because I've never been able to afford going to the bookstore and picking up all that I wanted. I usually had to pick four books a year and get the rest at the library. Now I buy one or two and rarely darken the door of the library.<br /><br />But sometimes it takes the fun out of reading. I don't have the time to read anything older or that I didn't get for review. And, while I know I don't owe anyone a good review, I still have to do a review for most of the books I get or publishers will stop sending them, which stinks for books that I end up not wanting to finish. Then there are weeks when I feel like I need a break but I have a huge TBR pile that I need to get through.<br /><br />I've yet to have a really bad interaction with an author, but I have had bad encounters with some author's fans. I've noticed that books with large followings that I rate lowly every time results in a fan voting down my review or leaving a nasty comment.Bookishqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04815467506294547118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-76525147240887603302016-04-22T14:09:36.001-05:002016-04-22T14:09:36.001-05:00It does feel like readership in general has been w...It does feel like readership in general has been waning in recent months, so I doubt you're floundering. There are just so many outlets to get bookish news and discussions now! I would be terrified of having my own YouTube channel. I'm the person who likes to be behind the camera, not in front of it. :)<br /><br />I wish you the best in your blogging adventure and thank you for your kind words!starryeyedjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15841350560201331032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773985780576975329.post-42603633580916147682016-04-22T13:28:59.638-05:002016-04-22T13:28:59.638-05:00I've probably been blogging for the same amoun...I've probably been blogging for the same amount of time just not as a book blogger. I basically started fresh with book blogging in January 2014 but I was super sporadic and it's only been about a year really working on it. I also joined BookTube (in August it will be 2 years) and I have noticed changes in my general reading habits as well as some of the things you mentioned. <br /><br />I definitely feel slumpy when it comes to filming a video or writing another blog post and sometimes even when it comes to reading. I have to remind myself that I do this for fun and it's not my job. I can take breaks when I need to. <br /><br />I super duper rarely get any ARC's to review (a.k.a NEVER) so I understand the envy. <br /><br /><br />At the same time I would love to have people stop by my blog on a regular basis and subscribe. I would also like to start requesting ARC's and improve my bookish community. Sometimes I feel like I am floundering and other times I wonder if I should even bother.<br /><br />Congrats on 5 years though. That's pretty amazing! I hope you find happiness in doing what you love.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03788509341952776305noreply@blogger.com