This week us Buzzers are talking about our favorite parts of book blogging, and our least favorite parts of blogging. There are definitely things that I love about blogging and the community that I have become a part of but there are always ups & downs, right? So watch on to see what I like and what I hate!
I'd love to know what you like & dislike about book blogging, so let me know in the comments. Also, don't forget that we are always looking for suggestions of what you would like to see us talk about!
LOL I think it widens my sight on books and thinking when people disagree with me, I can be like "wow, I never thought of it from that aspect and thank you for pointing that out". It'd be BOOOORING if we were all the same -.- There are so many JLA fans out there and I really like her books, but I don't know how so many people can love her books no matter if their favorite character dies or isn't one of the front runners in a book.. Like.. I visited a blog yesterday where this girl was just raving and gushing about her. She listed things she didn't like AND then she give all of her books 5 STARS???? Like who does that? If it's not perfect (or very near perfection) then you can't give it 5 stars.. -.- you'll just look stupid.. I know JLA is her favorite author (it can be pointed out pretty easily), but if the book had more than one or two flaws and she rates it 5 just because it's written by her favorite author, it's just ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI however, love the community the most. I'm not like great friends with people like you are, but I like hearing opinions, recommendations, hearing about their insecurities (they're usually very similar to mine), hearing about their experiences when they've gone to different signings and just it's probably one of the best things about blogging :)
I love a good discussion about books with people who have different opinions than me. I wish I lived near other book bloggers. I have "met" so many great people that I wish I could meet for real! Haha!! Love about the book tweeting!! I used to do that too. Unless it is something that I am pretty sure I will like I won't tweet the author about starting it. UGH!! The Drama!!! I try to stay out of it too. It's so sad. I mean we are all doing this because we enjoy it. Why be mean to each other. I think like you, my least favorite is so many books I want to read and I can't read all of them that I want to. I have gotten much better at scheduling and trying to make time for "me" books also.
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about blogging is that I've expanded into reading genres that I usually wouldn't dabble upon since I started blogging. I think it would be really sad if we could not voice our honest opinion about what we like and dislike but I understand the internal struggle when we like an author but then his/her book happens to be disappointing. Like you, I blog because I love to read and then talk about what I read :)
ReplyDeleteTopic suggestion for book buzzers: do you like to do blog memes every week? Do you ever get tired of doing them?
Side note: I like the messed up hair look that you had :)
I really agree with you about the negative comments thing! When we post reviews, do we seriously only want to hear from people who had the exact same opinion? The whole point of book blogging is to review books and share your opinions. So let's share them and not be closed-minded about it! ;)
ReplyDeleteI also don't really have any readers in my life. My mom reads the most after me, but she reads a totally different genre so we don't really... discuss books much. I really wish I had some real life book friends LOL! But I love my online friends and I'm so grateful for them!
Your negative point about Tweeting authors and then not liking the book... OHMYGOD THAT HAPPENED TO ME LAST WEEK!! I was reading Prophecy by Ellen Oh. I tagged her when I got the book, I tagged her when I started reading the book... then I finished it, and I really didn't like it! UGH! I just wanted to stick my head in the ground and hide out for a while. I just felt awful! And Ellen Oh was sooo sweet on Twitter!
Ooh, this is a fun topic. :) There are so many things to like and not like.
ReplyDeletePAJAMA DAY! That is me every weekend, only with longer, curlier hair.
Youch. I don't like opinions in my throat!
Well, sometimes they're trolling, and sometimes not. Like my massive comment on The DUFF. As long as it's not like "YOU DUMBASS, YOUR THE WERST. THIS BOOK ARE AWSOME!"
Yay for the people! People who are as passionate as I am about YA and other books.
Dislikes! Awesome!
OMG, yes. Yup, that is SO awkward. The author stuff. x_x Even if you liked it, if you didn't like it ENOUGH, they can be annoyed.
Ditto on the drama.
Oh yeah, if I'm panicking to get it done. That's probably lowered a couple of ratings.
Pretty much I agree with you. I don't like when things don't make sense, like why pubs like some people and not others, but that's only because I'm petty and greedy. O_O
Yay! I watched this yesterday so let's see. First, your hair is badass! You rock bedhead and I think you should make this your every day style!
ReplyDeleteAnd YES I loved all the people I have met so much and that's definitely what I love the most about blogging. Who would I complain to on a daily basis? And having to review books badly to authors you love is Soooo heartbreaking. Like, even if I,m NOT friends with them, having to EMAIL a freaking link to a bad review because you got sent the book for review just makes me cringe. Every time. Also one of the reasons I rarely accept self pubbed books. I just rarely like them and rather not bother having to email 1-2 star reviews.
Trolls. Baha. Everyone's a troll.
I like trolls. They're so cute with the pink hair!
And turtles. (Ninja turtles! Duh!)
"This is totally off topic, but it's happening" - LOL. You're a funny girl ;)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on the different opinions thing. Sometimes when I'm writing up my thoughts on a book, I'm like "wait, what if my thoughts are *wrong* and people don't agree with me?!" Which is crazy, because that's what I love about reading too - how everyone gets something different out of a book and really, in there is no "right or wrong" opinion on a book as long as, like you say, people aren't RUDE about voicing their opinions. I love when books generate lots of discussion and it always disappoints me when in my book club, the girls don't have anything to say that month!
Also, you're hair looks awesome, very rocker-ish!
I agree about connecting with an author, then not liking their book. It's so hard. Or if you're part of a blog tour and the book just isn't doing it for you and you have to email the organizer (although that is less bad).
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to make bookish friends! I don't have any serious readers in my life, so through blogging it's nice to connect with people interested in books.
And I love how opinionated you are! I always appreciate your opinion on a book because I trust that it's not sugar-coated or always going to be an inflated 5 star review.
You always make me laugh in your vlogs!!
ReplyDeleteI actually WANT people to disagree and see why they loved it so much/didn't like it. It's like with Finale, Ambur managed to sway me into liking the book a bit more. I don't LOVE it, and probably won't like it as much as Ambur did, but she did point out some good things! No one's opinion is ever "right", but if you ever have a disagreement, it's nice to have a debate about it. And like you said, don't be rude about it either! Everyone's entitled to their own opinion.
LOL - I love the "This is totally off-topic, but it's happening" comment. And I'm actually really digging your hair like this! And ugh, I'm with you when it comes to the drama in the blogosphere - I'm not a fan of conflict in any way so I keep out of it, too, but it still makes me feel uncomfortable whenever I see it around. I've also learned not to get too friendly with authors for that reason, until I know that I am a fan of their book and writing. Fun pyjama vlog!!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, Jenni!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part about blogging is the friends I've made and the amazing books.
Least favorite ... I don't even want to think about it. lol
Love this! I definitely agree about the drama that surrounds our community. It sucks, but at the same time because of drama I've met really awesome people so I'm thankful for it. And, while we're on the topic of awesome people, that's probably the thing I love most about being a book blogger. I've made such amazing friends since starting my blog. And I HATE when I am close to an author and they're awesome but I just don't like their book. Talk about awkward! Again, love this vlog. And hooray pajama vlogs! ;)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I'm just now starting to watch these book buzzer video. They're so good!! Once again I agree 100% with everything you said. Although luckily I haven't been involved in any of the drama as well, I two see the people being forced to "close up shop" and I feel very sorry for them. I love the blogging community and I can't imagine what it would feel like being forced out. I think my favorite part of blogging these last 10 months or so would be the expansion of my reading preferences. I use to only stick to the supernatural side of YA books but now I've come to LOVE dystopians and contemporaries as well.
ReplyDeleteAs far as negative comments being considered trolling, it depends on the tone of the comment. A lot of people come onto reviews to start an argument. If you can articulate your point eloquently and disagree in a constructive way, then I have no issues with that at all. But it totally depends on the tone. I've seen one too many trolls call my friends idiots for writing a review a certain way or having a certain opinion. It really depends on tone and wording. That matters. I totally don't mind debating with someone if they can argue their point intelligently. Just don't be a dick. It's kind of obvious when they are a dumb ass though. Hahaha! There are a lot of those on Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for mentioning me. I love you to death too. I love that you have a great group of bloggers you can get together with in your city. I wish I had that, but the nearest they are to me is Miami and up by Daytona. And that's at least a couple of hours for me. Booo.
I agree with you about becoming close with authors and then not liking their books. So much so that I really try to keep it professional with authors now. I rarely tweet them and I never try to get close. It's sad but there is a lack of trust for me right now in this community and I need to protect me and my own first. If I really love their book, I will tweet them about it, and that is it. Of course I still have kept friends with some of the authors I chatted with before and the ones I work with, but I am not actively seeking out new friendships.
And that kind of leads in to your next topic about the drama in our community. I am so sad that so many bloggers have shut down their blogs because of the drama. I will never go away, but it makes me sad to lose so many great people. I don't blame you for staying out of it. I wish I could. You have a really smart approach. I have gotten down on blogging before due to the drama, but I am kind of used to that in my life so I just roll with the punches and come back. I understand that will not work for everyone. Ha.
My least favorite thing about book blogging, aside from the drama, is having so many ARCs I am unable to read the books I bought!! I know, #firstworldproblems. Hahaha.
Great topic this week you guys!
I like the negative things -- it opens up discussion!
ReplyDeleteI also love that I've met so many book bloggers -- it's so nice to be able to build friendships through reading and blogging.
I also agree with the author thing. It's so hard! I only tweet when I like a book, not when I start reading it. Though, I really don't have a LOT of author relationships and thankfully the ones I am close with, I love their books.
The drama! Yes! It's horrible! Sometimes it's so hard to stay out of it. I agree that it's sad that people have shut down their blogs -- you're so right, this isn't our job. Blogging about books should make us happy, not make us enemies.
I think it's important to stay ahead. I try to plan close to a month ahead -- it really helps!
Great vlog!