Lately, it has come to my attention that, in the book blogging community, we tend to be negative about things. When it comes to talking about books, we all love a good rant and we all appreciate it when someone points out that a book is problematic in a way. When it comes to talking about book blogging, we underline the struggles we have and how complicated, finally, it is to be a book blogger.
Don’t get me wrong: it IS important to share these things, highlight problematic books, shine a light on blogging struggles and so on. It is important to show that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in here.
Yet, it’s also important to remember the positive sides of book blogging. It’s important to remember everything it brought us, will bring us, and how, sometimes, despite the struggles, well, sunshine and rainbows are here, every now and then.
So, your local book blogging marshmallow is coming back today to share everything she loves about blogging and most especially, all of the positive things it has brought in my life. I hope this will inspire you, remind you of why you’re blogging and hopefully, words that will come back to mind whenever you’re feeling down and/or struggling with blogging overall.
Here is why I love book blogging
Or a mix of general reasons, more personal reasons and the truth about what makes me love book blogging more than anything else. Well, almost. I know I am a teensy bit obsessed, but not that much. I swear.
1. I am slowly suffocating under book recommendations – and loving it
I had to start with that reason, because it’s the most obvious one, and one you probably all can relate to. Reading book blogs regularly, keeping up with new releases, finding out about old releases I never knew, suddenly spending way more time on goodreads to add all the books, my Goodreads TBR growing from 100 to over 300 books and more. There are so many books I find out about every day and I love it. It makes me love reading more, every single day.
2. I am more aware of so. many. things.
I know that’s a super awkward title, but I did not even know how to put that together. Somehow, being part of the book blogging community has allowed me to learn so much. About publishing as a whole, about writing, as well, about diversity in books, about representation in books, about getting books to the right hands of diverse readers, about so, so much more. I am learning so much everyday from this community and I am so grateful for that.
3. I have found – and I am finding every day – the most amazing people on earth
I am thinking of a couple people as I am writing this, but honestly, book blogging has brought me the most incredible people in my life. People to have bookish conversations with – obviously, that’s what we signed up for, but also, so much more.
People that inspire me, people that warm my heart, people that make me smile, people that know how to both scream at me when I am being stupid and make me feel better when I am down, both about bookish and non bookish things. Book blogging has brought me bookish, but also true friends and the ones telling me that internet friendship is not real can come and fight me.
4. I feel more confident – well, little by little
If you have talked with me a little bit already, or a lot, you might know or figure out that I am not the most confident person there is, no matter what you might say or do, it’s in my veins, I guess. Yet, book blogging has brought me more confidence than I ever thought I could gain, or just, have.
Sitting every weekend on my couch to type down words and have the obstination to keep on going with this hobby. Feeling like I can write this damn blog post (even if I am still stopping every five minutes to question whether I am rambling, or not). Feeling like, some people enjoy actually reading my ramblings enough to leave me a sweet comment by the end of it all. Feeling like I have a voice in this community, a presence, no matter how small.
Feeling like I have found this thing, somehow, after a long, boring day at university, sitting down on my bed and creating a WordPress account, this thing that keeps me busy, screaming about books, slowly bribing my sister into getting me new releases (spoiler alert: it works and I feel like I’m the devil. Somehow I like it. What have you done with me, BOOK BLOGGING) and so much more.
There would be so much more to say about what book blogging brought me, so here’s a small list to add of awkward things I manage to do because, or thanks to, I’m not sure, book blogging:
- I somehow manage to remember the author’s names by heart now, while I struggled to remember them before. (Yeah, that doesn’t work for the main characters’ names in a book though. I wonder why).
- I can add books being released in 2020 on my TBR now because I’m hearing about it all and I regret everything.
- I’m a pro at planning out blog posts – and freaking out about it. I got Excel Spreadsheets A+ skills.
- I also got A+++++ skills at re-reading my emails 318 492 291 times before sending a request to a publisher, because #confident, am I right.
- I’m going to go there and say, free books. Before you jump at my throat, I’m going to explain that it’s not all about free books. It’s about having the incredible opportunities to, yes, get a book for free, yes, read it before its publication date, yes, somehow, being part of something as incredible as hyping up a book before it releases. I just love that sometimes, I get lucky enough to do that.
- My fingers are lightning bolts on the computer now and when I type people are like “slow down”, and I’m like “can’t. too many book blogs.”
If you are looking for some more positivity, I would totally recommend Aimee’s blog post on reasons to love the bookish community.
What has book blogging brought you? Do you also manage to remember author’s names, but not characters’ ones?! Did blogging gave you a little boost of confidence as well?
I would love to know all of the positive things that blogging has brought you, so let me know in comments!
I loved this post!! I’m not necessarily a book blogger- the word for me would be ‘everything blogger. But blogging definitely has taught me a lot and it was fun to read what it brought you.
OH I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this post <3 Blogging really is something that takes time, but also gives a little something back and that's very amazing 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
Your welcome!!! I agree, it definitely does!
Awesome post ??
Oh thank you so much! <3 <3
Aww, I love this post. Blogging does boost my confidence a little. It taught me that some people in the world do care what I have to say. That hasn’t always been my experience.
Oh thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed this post <3
I feel the same way – I find it amazing how people want to read what I have to say. It always makes me so happy <3
I love this post, Marie! <3
I'm so glad I started blogging, because I wouldn't have met all the amazing people I have otherwise, and I definitely love how everyone's so passionate about books, which in turn makes me even more excited about them.
Also: "I’m a pro at planning out blog posts – and freaking out about it. I got Excel Spreadsheets A+ skills." — I'd loove to see your spreadsheets, or to read a blog post on how you plan them out. 🙂
Thanks for writing this post, I enjoyed reading it so much! <3
Oh thank you so much! <3
Yes, I love it that everyone is so passionate about books and how it shows through their writing. It's always so great to chat with these people <3 <3
Oh you're so sweet! It's not much, really haha nothing too impressive hahaha, just mostly my posts schedule post that helps me a lot haha 🙂
I can totally relate with all of that, one more thing that make me feel grateful is I could feel my english is improved and it all thanks to this community!!
Ohhh that’s amazing, I am so happy to hear that <3 <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment <3
Anytime love ?
I needed this post today 🙂 You’re so right. It’s good every now and then to take some time to celebrate the positives. Of your list items, I most strongly feel you on the confidence thing. I feel like so many of us bloggers are more introverted and feel we are able to better express ourselves in writing than in person.
The even more amazing thing is I think that the confidence we get on blogs slowly but surely will bleed into our real lives, the more real and true to ourselves we are. <3
Oh I’m so happy to hear that this could help – it is so very important to take time to think about all of the positives this adventure brings us. Sometimes it’s a bit of a struggle because, well, there are many struggles that comes with blogging, but we love it and it also brings us so much 🙂 <3
YES that's exactly it <3 I feel like, little by little, this confidence shows and it's amazing <3
Oh, this post is so heartwarming and sweet! I love meeting new friends through book blogging and all the book recommendations are AMAZING. And I learn so many new things from own voices readers and and I’m so happy your confidence is growing!
Aww thank you so much Elizabeth, I’m so glad you enjoyed it <3 It's amazing what blogging can do to us 🙂 <3
Book blogging has brought me connection to a broader community. I didn’t exactly expect the deep connections I’ve made with people through blogging, but it’s been a huge positive in my life and it’s why I’ve come back to it.
Thank you for writing this positive and uplifting post!
Oh I get it, I did not expect to make such connections thanks to blogging either, and I am so very grateful for it as well 🙂
Thank YOU so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
Oh my goodness!!! You basically posted every single reason I started to love book-blogging. Spot on! I especially feel that the last point you made about feeling more confident applies to me, in real life, I am a seriously awkward duck so being online and blogging about books has made me feel more confident about myself and I am learning something new everyday!!
Ahhh this makes me so happy, thank you so much! <3 <3 I am so glad you're feeling more confident as well, it's so great how writing and expressing ourselves this way manages to show, outside of the blogosphere as well 😀
This is such a beautiful post! You listed all the chief reasons why I love book blogging! The community is so wonderful, I have so many amazing book recommendations, and I feel so comfortable sharing my voice with all these lovely people who enjoy books as much as I do!
And yes, it’s amazing being able to get ARC’s for books, and my typing skills have drastically improved! Awesome post, love! ?
Aw thank you so much Kelly, I’m so happy you enjoyed this <3 <3 It's so amazing to get to chat with so many incredible people about books <3
totally agree with all this! 🙂
Aww thank you so much, Carol, I’m so happy you enjoyed this 🙂
This is my first time nominating people, so i don’t really know how to link people to it….But’s here the link to my post. (for the sunshine blogger award) https://theperksofbeingadaydreamer8.wordpress.com/2018/07/04/the-sunshine-blogger-award/
Oh thank you for the nomination, that’s so sweet of you! 😀
Ahhh such a great post! And I definitely gained those 4 things from book blogging as well! 😀 <3
Aww thank you so much, Flavia! I’m so glad blogging brought you so much as well <3
Ahhh Marie, this is such a lovely post!! ?? I’m so glad that book blogging has helped you so much, and I completely agree with everything you’ve said. Even through my short time in this community, my TBR has grown TREMENDOUSLY (and I love it ?) and I’ve met so many amazing people, like you! I’m happy to hear that you’ve become more confident because of blogging, too, because you should be! Your blog is wonderful and definitely something to be proud of. ❤️❤️ (I hope to become more confident as I blog more and more too.)
Aww I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this, thank you! <3 <3
I get it – it's crazy how quickly your TBR will grow… I don't know if that's a good, a bad thing or a little bit of both ??
Aww thank you, you're the sweetest, that means the world to me <3 I honestly think you're an incredible blogger and you're doing so great, I can't wait to read every single one of your blog posts. I hope you'll gain that confidence too, because you should, you're amazing! <3 <3
Ahhh omg, you’re SO kind Marie, thank you so much!! ??? That honestly means the world to me. I’m not a confident person in general (and I need validation a lot of the time ?), but hopefully blogging will help with that. Thank you so much again; this is such a sweet comment and I’m smiling so much because of this. I appreciate your support and kindness so much!! ?
Oh I 100% get it, I’m the exact same way! I hope that blogging will help a little bit like it did for me <3 You're amazing and I appreciate you and your blog so much <3
Ahh, Marie, you’re such a ray of sunshine and happiness and just plain positivity! I loved reading this post and being reminded of all the amazing things about being a blogger. 🙂
And I agree with them all, I wouldn’t have read nearly as many great books or gotten into YA as much as I have, and I wouldn’t know all these kind people (even if it’s just over the Internet) and I would have way too much free time on my hands. XD
Great post, I loved it!
Aww thank you so, so much Olivia, this makes me so very happy <3 <3
I have no idea what I'd do if I weren't blogging. This takes so much time ?? but I love it 😛
Thank you!! <3 <3
I completely agree with you! All these reasons and more makes my journey as a book blogger so entertaining and wonderful!
Oh I’m so glad you could relate 😀 Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3
You’re welcome ?
I am grateful to blogging for so many things I think it would be impossible for me to make a list and really mention them all. I love that I always have tons of book recommendations and will never run out. I also really like that there is this wonderful community full of wonderful people (LIKE YOU) who I get to interact with and get to know better. And then I agree with what you say about being aware. You learn so much through reading!
My recent post: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2018/06/resolutions-progress-18-goals-in-2018-update/
It’s so hard to narrow it down, blogging had given me so much more than I thought it would as well. And it’s great, how this little hobby manages to be so much more for us than just a hobby 🙂 <3
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, that means the world to me <3 <3 <3
Such an amazing post Marie! First off, I’m so glad blogging is giving you confidence because I know so many people love reading your posts, including me! Book blogging has been a fun experience for me so far! I agree with you that it has allowed me to learn so much by reading other people’s opinions and expressing my own thoughts. I’ve gained new perspectives and writing experience! Another reason I love blogging is because I get to share my love for reading. I did a blog post about why I love reading, I would love to hear your opinion on that post! Have a great day Marie! ♥️
Aww thank you so much, you’re so sweet <3 Honestly I'm shocked every day that some people actually stop to read my posts and leave sweet comments just like the one you wrote right here, right now. It warms my heart and it means the world to me, so thank YOU <3
I'm so very happy to hear you're having a great time blogging so far and I hope it will continue on and on 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet words, I hope you'll have a wonderful day as well <3 <3
Awwww I love this post!!!! I love positive posts like this, because you’re right – sometimes we tend to focus on the negative things going on in the book community. I 100% agree with everything that you have said, being a book blogger has opened my eyes to SO MANY THINGS. Like, before I joined twitter or wordpress, I never kept an eye out on whether books were diverse, problematic, badly written etc. But now I feel so much more aware than what I did.
And I have found bloggers in this community to be SO LOVELY!!!! It is wonderful meeting people from all around the world who love the same things, how people lived without the internet I will never know!!!
Thank you so much for this lovely post, it made me happy 🙂
Awwww thank YOU for your comment, this makes me so, so happy <3
I'm so glad to hear that blogging has given you so much as well – and it's amazing to be able to chat with incredible people from all over the world about our favorite books, I love that so, very much <3 <3
Thank YOU so much for taking the time to leave such a sweet comment! <3
I totally feel you on the confidence thing. As you’ve probably gathered from most of my posts, I am…not a very confident person in general. But with blogging, I feel much more free to be myself because I get to talk about stuff I love all the time, which I think helps me feel more confident. Book blogging has definitely brought me at least a little bit more confidence, especially this time around. Lovely post, Marie <3
I am so, so happy to hear it, Mel <3 You deserve to feel more confident, you are such a great blogger and I love reading every single one of your blog posts. I hope that blogging more and more will bring you more confidence as you go on! <3 <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
I feel like book blogging has made me a little more confident and feel like it’s okay for me to voice my opinions or just speak in general. I feel like in my daily life I’m very quiet and tend not to join conversations because I feel awkward, but with blogging I want to get it all out there!
I am EXACTLY the same way! I’m feeling more confident and I feel like I can speak my mind more easily whenever I blog, than in the outside world 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Angela! <3
I love the book blogging community! I blogged under a different name (Books, Sweets and other Treats) many moons ago, but stopped when I had babies! A few years later I just missed it too much to stay away. I enjoyed sharing my thoughts on books, yes, but even more than that… I loved the interactions I had with fellow book lovers. There’s nothing quite like it. Some of my best friends I’ve met through blogging. We’ve gotten together in real life just to hang out for a weekend. Getting to put names and faces together at bookish events was always fun, too. There’s also always someone new to meet! <3
L @ Do You Dog-ear?
Oh it warms my heart to see that you came back – it is so great when you have a passion like that you can’t and won’t get rid of, even as life happens 🙂 I’m so, so happy to hear that book blogging has brought you so much, too, it is amazing to be able to meet new people, chat with them and really become friends, too <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3 <3
When I was a new mom and had zero time to do anything, it was my book blogging friends that kept mailing me books and checking in to see how I was doing. The bonds formed over a love of books are strong! 🙂
Aww that’s incredible. It’s the best thing, really, to find friends like that thanks to book blogging <3
That is so true! I have found a few friends here and neighbors to our kingdom! <3 that infinity and never-ending task of adding books to the TBR haha that is so true! I read a review and me 70% of the time add them to the Goodreads TBR haha being on top of bookish news is so nice! Thank you for sharing this with us <3
It’s amazing to be able to find so may great people to chat with, isn’t it? I love that part of blogging so, so much <3
Hahaha adding books to your TBR is just… ENDLESS, we can't stop, but in a way we also love it, so…. 😛
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
I love it! it is like never ending process of wanting to read read and starting all over again XD I love to talk to people! I do it in Twitter and here! :3
Thank you for you amazing post <3
Haha it IS amazing, I mean, SO many books to read, it’s ENDLEEEEEESS and we love that 😛
Aww you’re so sweet thank you <3
Why are your posts so GOLD? I loved it and can relate so much! Specially about being aware of things, and confidence. Yes, as non-US based bloggers we struggle, but we can’t deny that just being part of the online community keeps us in the loop about so many things, and not only book releases, but other important discussions as well.
And confidence is a big plus too. I make some videos for IG from time to time, but written word will always, always be my best way to communicate my feelings and opinions. I would say that without the confidence that blogging has given me, I’d have never ventured out to record any videos at all! And least of all have the courage to give workshops or socialize at writing events. All because of that tiny online space :3
OH Pam you’re way too sweet ??
You are so right about this, being part of this community keeps us in the loop about so, so much and I am so grateful for that as well <3
I am so happy to hear that blogging helped you grow more confident, as well, you SHOULD be, you're doing so amazing and I admire everything you do on your blog, instagram, worshops and everything else <3 <3 <3
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, Pam, that means the world ? <3
I’ve been in black hole of french these last few days because of exams and the first thing I thought was: Merci beaucoup. And then I remembered you are french! So yes, MERCI!
Sometimes it’s too easy to look only at the negatives, so it’s wonderful that you’re making us think about the good stuff!
Awww I hope your exams went well?! <3 <3 and you're so welcomee <3 <3 <3
Awe, I love this post! And I am going to be right there by your side fighting whoever dares say that internet friendships aren’t real. I mean, HOW DARE THEY!? I really can only agree on all the points you’ve mentioned. Blogging has given me so much more than I had ever thought it would and I am glad you took the time to focus on positives today <3
Aww thank you so much, Kat! <3 <3 I think more often than not – and I know I do, too – we focus on the struggles, but it's good to remember that, well, there's so much to love. Also I am a marshmallow so I have to do these kind of posts every now and then hahaha 😛
Hahaha I definitely would describe you as a marshmallow as well, so I get where you are coming from!
This is a brilliant post Marie, and I 100% agree with everything you’ve said because these are all things I’m eternally thankful for because of book blogging as well. I have discovered so many books. Honestly I feel like my TBR list has tripled in size since I started blogging but yes I love it. It pretty much guarantees we’re never going to run out of amazing things to read right? And there’s so much I discovered thanks to blogging as well. Like I would have never known YALC existed if I hadn’t been blogging.
For me the main thing is the incredible people I’ve met though. I mean I say this every time I talk about the upsides of blogging but the people are incredible and the community is an amazing place to belong as well. 🙂
Again great post! 🙂 <3
OH yes, even if our TBRs are now endless, at least we have an endless supply of possibilities and books to be read hahaha so that’s pretty cool 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Beth!! <3 <3
Better an endless TBR list than the other way around right?
That’s all right! 🙂 <3
Definitely! 😛
I find it so much easier to communicate with people in the book blogging community. We all just scream and cry about books together and it is literally one of my favourite things. This is such a great post! The positives of book blogging outweigh the negatives even if it doesn’t feel that way in the beginning :3
OH YES it’s one of the BEST things – what am I saying, it is THE best thing about book blogging, being able to chat together, fangirl and scream about books . I love it so much 😀
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
Great post! I do think blogging has helped me gain some confidence in different areas of my life. I also love all the people I’ve “met” while blogging – and even some of them in person! Blogging, especially book blogging, can get a bad rap sometimes but I think we’re MOSTLY a good bunch. 🙂
Also – yeah, I’m probably more likely to remember an author’s name than their character.
-Lauren
I’m so glad to hear this – I think it’s amazing how a little hobby like that can bring us so much. I love it 🙂
I’m happy to hear I’m not the only one hahaha I forget characters’ names constantly.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Lauren! <3
I really enjoyed this blog post Marie! (I guess I always do so no surprise there?) It is true that we talk a lot about “the struggle” of being a book blogger but not all the positives. We should get better at it ? Keep doing what you’re doing, I for one really like your style?
Aww thank you so much, so happy you enjoyed it <3 And thank you for your sweet words, this means the world to me ? <3 <3 <3 <3
Such a good post, it’s true we often focus on the negative side to things, maybe cause we just don’t want people to think book blogging is a walk in the park? I’ve loved learning about what it’s like for other readers over the world in different countries, I may do my own version of this post at some point. Loved the post! And I love reading people’s ramblings, makes me day 😉
Yeah definitely – blogging might seem easy from the outside, but it’s NOT and it’s important to share these struggles too. As well as the positive things, to remind ourselves of why we are struggling so much and that in the end it’s all worth it 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Chloe! Feel free to let me know or link back here if you decide to do a post about it, I would love to see it to read it 🙂 <3
Totally agree and no worries, I don’t stop by your blog often enough ooopsies, I’m slacking with blog hopping atm xD
Ah I will try and remember to link back to you if I end up doing one, or I’ll @ you on it on twitter x
Aw don’t worry about it, you’re too sweet! And yes feel free to so I don’t miss it, if you ever end up doing it 😀
OMG such a lovely post, Marie! The perfect boost (I totally just typo’d that as bookst – does that say enough about my bookish obsession? haha) of positivity I needed!
Book blogging is amazing and I love it so much and agree with everything you’ve written here. It’s true us bloggers tend to highlight the struggles more, but the reason we keep going through those struggles is because the positives FAAAR outweigh the negatives 🙂
Hahahahaha that certainly shows your obsession. Don’t worry about it though, I can’t even count the times I ended up typing books when I meant to type something else. We can’t help it I guess 😛
YES definitely – it’s good to remember the positives every now and then 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
I think I really needed this post today as it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about blogging when you’re slowly getting back into it! This helped me so much remembering why blogging is so cool and why I adore it so much! ?
As always, A+++ posts from you! I missed them a lot!
Oh I’m so happy to hear this could help you Marta <3 I hope you'll slowly get back to blogging and that you'll find your pace again <3 <3
Thank you so much!!
Ahhh loved this post!! ADDING BOOKS BEING RELEASES IN 2020 IS LITERALLY SO RELATABLE OMG. My TBR is dead!! Also… please share with us all of your techniques for planning out blog posts with Excel Spreadsheets? I’d love to hear them from a pro blogger. Also, YES I AGREE about being aware of so many things. Simply being on Twitter has taught me so much more about diversity and other people’s perspectives!!
AWw you’re too sweet I’m not a pro blogger at all, far from it but thank youuu that means SO much ?? maybe I’ll do something about it sometime 😀
Same here – I am so very happy and grateful for that <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!! <3 <3
Aww Marie <3 You are the cutest local blogging marshmallow! I love and totally agree with this list 🙂 Even though we sometimes complain about the pressures of reading new releases, I'm learning so much about books I never would've known otherwise, but not only am I being educated on new books, I'm being educated on important matters like representation and diversity! When we call out negative parts of blogging and reading, I'm learning about other people's lives and experiences which I'm really grateful for <3 100% on meeting people that warm my heart everyday (including you 😉 ) I think it's truly magical~ Love this post and always grateful for you to spread the positivity ^_^
Aww thank you SO much Tiffany, you’re too sweet ? <3
I'm also so very grateful for everything I have learned and to be educated every single day about so much. I appreciate that so much <3
Thank you so so much for your sweet comment <3 <3
I so agree with all of these, Marie!!! Especially #2–I’ll admit to being VERY close-minded before I started book blogging. My grandparents (and sometimes my parents) are kind of ignorant people, so I grew up like that. It wasn’t until people started campaigning for representation in books (hence #WeNeedDiverseBooks) that I started to realize more about people. I even wrote one of my research papers on that topic, which was fun and insightful! AND HECK YES THIS COMMUNITY HAS AWESOME PEOPLE. I’m really shy, and I guess I don’t have ultra-BFFs in the community like other people do, but I respect so many people, and so many people make me smile! ♥ And you DEFINITELY have a strong voice in the community! I look up to you so much. ♥ (Which is why I’m squeeing that you shared my post–eeeeeep.)
– Aimee @ Aimee, Always
Oh wow – it’s incredible that you wrote your reserarch paper about this, that’s so very cool! I’m so happy that being part of this community has opened your mind so much, it’s pretty much the same way for me and I am so happy and grateful for it 😀
Awwww Aimee what?! You’re WAY too sweet ?? I look up to YOU, honestly you’re such an incredible blogger and you do SO much, I admire you so much <3 <3 <3
Thank you so, SO much for your sweet comment! <3 <3 <3
I love when you say marshmallow is back HAHA THATS SO TRUE ITS SO YOU ??? I’m also super thankful to have you in this community ! Book Blogging is amazing and Yas Free boooks ❤️ SAY IT GIRL LOUDER ???
Awwww thank you so much Trang, you’re the sweetest!! <3 <3 <3
Fantastic post Marie. I can tell you straight off the bat that book blogging has not brought my my organisation… ok maybe a little but i’m still working on it. I need your organisation skills!
I agree with so much of what you have to say here, especially how book blogging has made you so much more aware of things. It has taught me so much on diversity and made me aware of representation and lack there of. I’ve also learnt more about other cultures becoming friends with people from around the world.
The biggest plus for me is how much help blogging has brought me for my mental health, the support is indescribable really. I would not be where I am today without the blogging community and the friends (you) I have made.
I think that I like to be organized and… I’m kind of a perfectionist too, so these two coupled kind of made me a really organized blogger overall I guess, even if sometimes it makes me lose my mind as well hahaha.
I am so happy you could relate to this, Hannah <3 Blogging has opened my eyes so much and I am so grateful for that 🙂 I'm also so very happy to hear it has helped you and brought you support. IT's incredible how supportive, warm, friendly and just overall how helpful the blogging community can be <3 <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Hannah!! <3 <3
Lovely post Marie, and as usual, I am late 😀
I totally agree with you on all the points you mentioned. I am most grateful to the fact that I have found such an amazing community to talk about books. You know, I don’t have anyone in my family or friends who is a reader. I am all alone there. But as soon as I switch to this community, I feel amazing. I have so many wonderful people to talk about the books I liked or not.
Also, I was able to make, kind, friends with so many people around the globe, like you 🙂 I love reading and talking to them.
And yes, knowing about the upcoming books is always an advantage 😛 My TBR is already mountain size, but each time I see my favorite bloggers ranting about a book, it makes me happy to add it to my TBR, especially your recs 😀
You are not late at all, I published this two days ago ? don’t you worry!! <3
I'm so happy to hear this – it is amazing to have so many people to chat with, I love this so, sooooooo much. I'm also so grateful for the endless book recommendations, even if, well… they are kind of endless ?
Awww you're so sweet, this makes me SO happy, thank you!! <3 <3
YES TO ALL OF THIS!!! And isnn’t it weird that we didn’t pay attention to the author’s name before. I can’t name ANY authors I read before blogging (besides the really popular ones obviously) but if you ask me about the books I read in the last two and a half years, I can name every single author!!! It’s cool but weird!
Great post <3
I’m glad this happens to you too – I am amazed whenever I’m writing down lists of books and don’t even look up an author’s name ONCE. I love that haha 😛
Thank you so, so much <3 <3
Marie! I love everything about this post & admire you for spreading positivity! sometimes we can get caught up in negative funks & book bloggers like you give us a reminder as to why this community is one of the best!
I am slowly suffocating under book recommendations – and loving it…I will live by this tag line for the rest of my years on this earth lol
Seriously though, I need to borrow some of your A++++ skills in drafting posts cause I’m also drowning in drafts over here haha! Great post <3! 🙂
Aww thank you so much! <3 I think it's important to underline the struggles and work blogging takes, but it's also very important to remember why we love it so much <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Lily! <3 <3
I agree and you’re very welcome Marie ☺️?
I want to get into book blogging myself, even if I don’t get all the extra freebie perks to getting the books. Honestly I just miss reading. This was such an uplifting post to read!
OH this makes me so happy, thank you so much! 😀 I hope you’ll get into it and will love it – to be honest, nothing like being part of the book blogging community to make you read tons of books again haha 😛
I already have so many I want to read, I’m going to drown in them.
Aren’t we all hahaha 😛
I relate so much with your ideas! It’s fascinating to see how book blogging helps us in so many (sometimes unexpected) ways!
Oh yes definitely, fascinating AND awesome, too 😀
Thank you so much for stopping by! <3
Love your post so much ! ( I just discovered your blog and I’M IN LOVE )
I have a blog, but I feel like nobody is reading my posts. Do you have any advice to bring my blog to be more “famous ” ?
Aww thank you so, so much, that means a lot! <3 <3
Honestly the best advice I can give to put yourself out there is to, well, reach out to other. Blog hop, leave a genuine comment on their blogs, make connections, make friends. I have a blog post about this here if you want to give it a read : https://drizzleandhurricanebooks.com/2018/01/17/how-to-blog-hop-why-i-do-it-and-think-you-should-too/ 🙂 I also have more advice blog posts about growing your blog here : https://drizzleandhurricanebooks.com/2017/06/07/how-to-grow-your-blog/ and more coming on my blog soon 🙂
Happy blogging! 😀
Thank you for your advices ! It really helps me❤
Oh my pleasure, I’m happy if I can help! 😀
This book community is so great and I love that everyone supports one another. There’s hardly any drama and I’m also more appreciative of the books that are coming out and ARCs and the amazing authors (which wow now I can recognize author’s names when before I didn’t even acknowledge them). I just love this community so much and even though I don’t actually have an outlet (yet) I would very much like to try!
It really is an amazing community overall, I have to agree with you on that 🙂 <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment and feel free to try, I'm certain you would have fun 😀
I really appreciate this post and the genuine passion behind it! I started book blogging on and off in my middle school years, and as I’ve grown older (I’m a high school student now), I have learned so much about books, blogging, writing, computers (haha excel and blog designs), and life. No matter how long I’m away from the community, I can always seem to find a place or other bloggers to discuss with when I return, which is something that I think makes book blogging specifically unique. Thanks for sharing 🙂
claire @ clairefy
Oh I’m so glad you always find your way “home” into this blogging community – that’s so beautiful and I hope you always will <3 It's amazing how a hobby like that can go on and on, even as we grow as people and life happens. I love that <3
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, Claire! <3
These are so, SO accurate! I mean, I am NEVER without recommendations- and then I can pass them onto other people, and it’s like, wow we are just spreading books right across the world! It’s really fun- and it feels so relevant to be in the know about all the books that won’t be published for years haha. And the people for SURE– that is definitely my biggest happy perk of blogging. But I will say that I definitely agree that it has been a huge eye opener too- I learn so much, from so many people all over the place! It’s awesome! Love this post, thanks for passing on the positivity!
Oh YES, I love how we can just get recommendations, pass them onto others, it’s endless and I love that part so, very much <3 <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment and for spreading the positivity as well, Shannon! <3 <3 <3
I love being positive Marie! These are so perfect. I especially love the little list at the bottom. Typing fast and remembering author names for the win. You should totally feel confident! You’ve been slowly plugging away at a space on the internet and its gotten pretty huge in your little corner of it! ❤ I’d also hazard to add that it got you writing on your blog and so writing a book too! That’s such a huge positive in my book.
Oh thank you so, so much for your sweet words, Dani, this honestly means everything to me <3
I have been writing for a long time, before my blog, but blogging and being surrounded by so many incredible bloggers and fellow writers certainly is inspiring! 😀
Thank you so much, Dani!! <3 <3 <3
Points 2 and 4 are so true! Honestly I never knew so much before I joined the book blogging community. And probably the first thing I would be grateful for is the confidence boost. I used to be such an introvert before. I never spoke to anyone, didn’t have many friends and didn’t go out at all. But because people actually read my blog and liked it, I got confidence that I actually have something to say! Blogging has changed my life.
Oh I’m so, SO happy to hear that it gave you confidence, honestly it is one of the BEST things about blogging. I’m so glad it changed your life in such a great way <3 <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
Honestly, I still can’t remember any names, period ? I might get better with time, though! Who knows!
And I completely agree with your point about learning! I try to read books about things that I can’t/won’t experience myself to learn about them! It’s always good to know about stuff. I have an approximate knowledge of most things.
Somehow I have no trouble with author’s names, but I can’t remember characters’ names at all ? ?
I’m so glad you’ve been learning so much as well, that’s amazing 😀
Thank you so much for your comment 😀
Aaah this post is so pure! For me, blogging has helped me develop my PR skills especially when communicating with publishers. And I would love to see your spreadsheets and learn a thing or two!
Awww Cam, thank you so much, that means a lot! <3 <3 I'm so glad you learned so much from blogging, it's amazing! <3 <3
These are such good reasons! Book blogging has enabled me to learn about web design, and make friends. It’s made me more passionate about books and better at writing. I’ve become a lot more critical of the books I read, and I think I’m starting to read more widely because I’m exposed to more books. I’ve learned about social media and how that helps with book promotion. I understand how publishing works a lot better. Like you said, blogging isa really valuable hobby, and I’m so glad you do it 🙂 <3
I’m so, so glad that blogging brought you so much, Shar – I feel the exact same way <3 I love how much I've learned about book publishing and promotion and so on, it's incredible <3
Thank you so much! <3 <3
AHHHH THIS IS THE SWEETEST MOST POSITIVE THING MARIEEE <3!! it's like sunshiny sugary syrupy goodness of feels about blogging and I agree with it all! Sometimes we just have to take a step back and remember all the wholesome things abut the blogosphere. Especially screeching together about books we love and our TBRs. And I'm glad blogging is giving you a smidge of confidence because you're seriously amazing!!
AWWWWW thank you you’re way too sweet ahh what did I ever to do deserve you ? ? ?
It’s so good to remember to be positive about everything and to remember why we love it, too <3 <3
Great post, Marie! 😀 I agree 100%! Although book blogging can become stressful at times, it’s still very rewarding too. The good definitely outweighs the bad.
Yes definitely 😀
Thank you so much, Ashley!! 😀
Honestly, yes! Blogging has made me so much more confident! it has also, like you said, made me so much more aware. It never even used to occur to me that I should get representation and now I’m like, yeah duh, no, of course I should. I’m a person too!
It’s crazy how used to a certain kind of mc you can get, so then you never even think about yourself until someone else brings rep up.
I think it’s SO important that everyone gets representation in young adult books and I’m happy to see progress happening, little by little. I just hope it continues on and that we keep on boosting these, too 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, I’m so happy blogging has made you confident, you should be, you’re doing AMAZING 😀
That’s true, we do tend to be negative about things. And mostly about ourselves! But book blogging is just so good for you in other ways. Like, when I got ganged up on on Facebook by real life people, literally at least 8 book bloggers wrote me personal messages, asking me if I was alright. It made me tear up. These are my people ;_;
The book recs though xD I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing 😀 hahaha… I have expected that I’d know all the new releases though, just by being immersed in it – but… As it turns out, I have no clue what’s being released two years into blogging xD I just… I guess it’s not my thing? I don’t know how everyone always knows that xD how do you manage that????!!!!! I want to learn xD I bet it has something to do with my attention span, lol.
Oh and totally agree about rereading that publisher request email 😀 it’s like… I don’t even reread my work emails that much, even the important ones xD the request emails are somehow… personal? 😀
Oh wow I’m so sorry that happened to you, what the hell, ugh 🙁 I hope you’re feeling better now <3 It's so amazing that people are reaching out that way and being so sweet, these are our people for sure <3 <3
Hahaha, I think it's a bit of a mix of following agents and publishers on twitter, stalking goodreads and everything hahaha. 😛
I'm glad I'm not the only one, I re-read these kind of emails a billion times hahahaha I'm the worst 😛
Thank you SO much for your sweet comment!! <3 <3
Great post that I fully relate too! ?
I truly love getting so many great book recommendations and discovering a lot of great reading material! (Looking at you Marie ?) I definitely learned a lot about representation in the last few years, like honestly 2014 me was so clueless about a lot of stuff! I also love all the people I get to chat to because of blogging, it’s amazing how great it feels to connect with other bookworms! ?
I just love seeing how much I’ve learned and grew, both with my confidence and with everything I’ve learned thanks to book blogging. I love it sooo very much and it makes me so happy to know it did the same for you!! <3 <3
Thank you so, SO much for your sweet comment, Caro!! <3
I love the positivity in a sea of negativity Marie! Book blogging has brought be so much joy these past 2.5 years. Unfortunately, this post year my blogging has been sporadic for various reasons, I am ready to make blogging a priority again.
I agree to all the reasons how blogging has brought you happiness, and I’ll add that blogging has given me a creative outlet & a sense of purpose that I lack in my real life because I am a stay at home parent. Being a stay at home parent isn’t the most rewarding job in terms of productivity & recognition, so I get that from blogging.
Oh thank you so much, Amanda! <3 <3 I'm so glad that book blogging also brought you so much, it's incredible how much a hobby can do for us 🙂 <3
I agree that I generally see a whole lot more positives about the book blogging community than negatives. In my experience book bloggers have been incredibly wonderful, supportive people!
YES and I love that so, very much, it’s incredible how the community can be supportive, warm and everything. I love it <3
Hello Marie!
Wow I love this post so much and I can relate to every word of it! I love that blogging has made my TBR a bottomless pit and that I never ever run out of books to read. I love that I became a more well-informed person through reading book blogs and the books that I discover through book blogging. I can now proudly say I know what makes a book problematic and identify problematic books 🙂 I love that I’ve made friends in the blogging community, and that it gives me something to look forward to after some very long days in the adulting world.
I am the same when it comes to names! I can easily spew out authors’ names but I am embarrassed to admit that I have to google some character names for my blog posts hahahha 🙂
Great post Marie <3
Awww thank you so, so much Sophie! <3 I have to say that I am also pretty proud that I am now able to point out so many problematic things in books, things that totally flew over my head a couple years ago. I feel so grateful to be more aware of important things like that now.
SOPHIE YOU ARE ME ? I google characters' names almost all the time, because my memory when it comes to these is the woooorst ?
Haha yes! I always feel embarrassed when I don’t remember character names, especially if they are characters that I liked from books that I really enjoyed lol. Glad that I’m not the only one 🙂
Oh same here – I wish my memory was better with that haha 🙂
Yes! I can definitely relate with the confidence aspect! ?
I think it’s actually writing in general that made me more confident — I remember walking to school a few years back the day after I finished the first draft of my WIP. Somehow, knowing that I had written a complete novel (even though it might not have been a good draft ?) did wonders to how confident I felt about myself and my abilities to just do things. Starting to blog only made me feel more sure about sharing my opinions and pursuing what I love.
This post is amazing, Marie! I loved reading this so much! ?
I’m so, so happy to hear that – you should feel more confident after writing so much, it’s such an awesome accomplishment! <3 I think it's so good whenever we manage to feel that way, like we can do, anything 😀
Thank you so, so much!! <3
Such a lovely post, thanks for sharing 🙂
Aww thank you so much for your sweet comment, so glad you enjoyed it! <3
I appreciate learning more of your book blogging journey and yourself in the process of reading your post -[ via our Book Discussion linkup at Nicole’s ] . Which also is a positive result of blogging – linking up book discussions with other bloggers we’ve never connected to prior to now!
Keep going – thanks for sharing !
Ahh thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post! 😀
Such a positive post. I’m heavy into a book I’m writing. Complete with music soundtrack to guide your emotions. I’m in the second draft and feel like I’ve been writing forever. I can only hope when the time come that people woul want to talk about the significance of what I’m write about. I have so little time to read other books right now Because every waking hour hour goes into what I’m doing and promoting what I’m doing. You can see it on my blog: mynameisjamie.net. Many book is “Inside The Forbidden Outside” and there are chapters posted. I trying to get together a few readers, just to read and tell what they think. Ok now, back to work! Have a great day! Sonni
Oh thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed the post 🙂 Best of luck with your writing!! 😀