I started my book blog 8 years ago because I loved reading and wanted to find like-minded people to share that passion with. Read: I just wanted to scream about books with more people. As the years went on, as I discovered so many things I never expected about book blogging (both good and bad), I found that my relationship to reading itself changed and grew, too.
Sometimes, it changed for the best and sometimes… not so much. I kind of wanted to reflect on that today.
How I Find Out About New Books
Before?
I honestly can’t recall how I added new books to my TBR before book blogging. It seems SO far away, almost like it was in another life.
At that time, I read mostly in French (my native language, in case you didn’t know that). I browsed online on Goodreads (subscribed on there since 2012, two years before I started my blog). I browsed offline in French bookshops and libraries a little bit, just as well. Basically, I picked out the books that “spoke” to me, in a way and read them.
That was it.
Now?
I can safely say that, after so many years here, YOU are all responsible for ALL the books I’m adding to my TBR.
Ever since joining the community, I find out about new books EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. My virtual TBR grew from, like, 10 books to over 600 books I want to-read now (aerm…), my wishlist grew exponentially as well and I have no freaking idea how I’m going to get to read everything I want to read in this lifetime.
New books find their way to me thanks to book blogs, from their incredible reviews to their book recommendations posts and from social media as well.
I’ll admit it: bookstagram almost never works for me when it comes to book recommendations, maybe because I’m not that active there. I follow a lot of authors and a lot of book deals are announced on twitter, though, and this results in me adding a book to my TBR YEARS before it releases. Something that never happened to me before, either.
Is It For the Best?
Well, yes of course! ✅
How Much I Read (And How I Feel About It)
Before?
I didn’t really keep track of the amount of books I read before I started book blogging. Goodreads is telling me that pre-book blogging Marie read 28 books in 2012.
I think it’s a pretty fair amount of books to read in an entire year. I didn’t mind, either, because I had nothing and no one to really compare this number to.
Then, I started book blogging and that changed everything.
Now?
You know what? Let’s take a look at my stats right here below.
From 2014 to 2019, I went from reading 39 books to 75 (!!!!) books a year. That’s… a LOT. I started book blogging at the end of 2014, so I think we can safely say that book blogging made me read more.
To be completely transparent here, I also know that this growth has had a lot to do with the changes in my life at these times. from 2016 to the end of 2020, I commuted for 2 hours every day to and back from work, which allowed me to have more time to read, too. Yet, with blogging and having SO many new books to get to, this expanded.
I won’t lie: being part of the book blogging community, which inhabits some readers able to swallow over 300 books a year without blinking, has made me want to read more, too. I have felt a bit inadequate, because I wasn’t reading “enough”, at times, as well, of course. But most of it all, in those years, I challenged myself and devoured books, so many books I fell for. I really can’t believe the amount of lives I’ve lived thanks to these stories. It’s so, so wonderful.
I know. If you’ve taken a look at the stats above, you’ll notice that I’ve been going downhill in the past year. Blame it on life’s changes, the lack of commute and a lot of other things, as well. While I’m a bit sad about it, I know I’m doing my best and, most of it all, reading when I want to and at my own rhythm, growing away from the “I need to read enough” mentality.
Is It For The Best?
I’m still reading more than before I started this blogging adventure and, most importantly, I still WANT to read more than ever before, so… that’s all good! ✅
The Kind of Books I Read: How It Changed
Before?
I realise that I used to read a whole lot of fantasy when I was younger. As I grew, I discovered science-fiction and dystopia, cried my eyes out while reading The Hunger Games for the very first time and also found my happiness in mystery/thrillers. I got, like, really, really obsessed by the Pretty Little Liars series, for instance. Here are some books I read before:
Now?
I started book blogging and all of a sudden, I was given book recommendations left and right and didn’t know what to do with them. I slowly turned towards YA contemporary, more and more as the years went on, falling for Morgan Matson, Jandy Nelson and Robin Benway, for instance.
I also discovered some popular book series at the time and diversified my reading, both in terms of genres and authors I read, all thanks to book bloggers and their incredible recommendations. As a French reader of English books without a library / bookshop nearby with these kind of books, I know I wouldn’t have heard about any of these books if it weren’t for book blogging.
The hype came in early and, like anyone else, I didn’t avoid it, at first, throwing myself head first into it all, wanting to read the books everyone was talking about and to be part of this something that seemed, BIG.
Sometimes, the hype worked for me, giving me new favorite books I still feel very fond of… or am still completely OBSESSED WITH okay.
Some other times, it disappointed me cruelly. These times helped me into refocusing on myself and my own taste, shutting off the little voices telling me that I “had to” read this or that book.
Is It For The Best?
Now, I know my reading taste better than I used to, I almost immediately know that a book is going to be for me and another one, not so much. I’m in a comfort zone, I’ll admit it, maybe one I need to try and leave more, every now and then, but I’m here. ✅
How I Organise My Reading (or do I?)
Before?
I read whenever I wanted to and that was it. I never thought about having a reading schedule, a deadline or making a TBR for a month.
I had no organization, AT ALL.
Now?
I discovered that people make TBRs and plan their reading according to reading challenges going on in the community, according to the season and more.
I’ll be honest: I never really tried doing that. Both because I never have enough books at hand (physical or digital copies) to actually plan my reading for an entire challenge and because I feel like it might get me into a slump and/or make me feel pressured to read this, or that.
Despite seeing it growing everywhere in the community, I’ve never been one to make a proper reading schedule or to keep track of the books I read with a spreadsheet.
Enter ARCs. What an incredible privilege to be able to read books before they release, a privilege I, at first, never ever thought I’d reach. I discovered that Advance Reading Copies were a thing earlier in my blogging “career” and I was honestly stunned that some people were able to get this opportunity.
I’m not going to get into my journey with ARCs in this post, because it would be way too long. (Should I sometime? Let me know!) Now, after 8 years of blogging, I’ve been lucky enough to receive ARCs and… suddenly, there was a need for organization. A need to read books before or close enough to their release date, a need for me to live up to the expectations publicists put on me for their books. A want, I’ll admit it, to own up to the chance I’ve been given.
So… I organize my reading a tiny little bit with ARCs. I keep an ARC tracker, which is basically a list of the books I need to read, with their release date.
☂️ Check out my ARC tracker in my latest post: How I Use Notion For Blogging: My Organization Tips For Bloggers
Is It For The Best?
I’m… not sure? I feel so incredibly grateful for the opportunities I received, when it comes to reading books. Yet, sometimes I feel like I’m not letting myself be too spontaneous, since I now… kind of have a bit of a schedule.
How My Feelings Towards Reading Changed
Before?
Reading used to be one of my hobbies. I read under my desk in French classes (yup, that happened) and really liked it.
Now?
I thought I loved reading before, but book blogging somehow gave my love a whole other dimension. I have a book’s title in my head and I know the author without having to check their names. I even know how to write the author’s name correctly without even checking it.
I have so many stories in my head, and so many stories I still want to discover.
I love reading even more than I used to. I thrive to read more, I thrive to discover more authors and fall for more books.
And yet… being in the book blogging community has sometimes made me feel like reading was yet another job, another thing to cross-off my to-do-list.
I know this is an entirely personal feeling, but when you’re surrounded by people reading SO much, sometimes, you might get a little competitive and… WANT to read more, feel like you HAVE to, to fit in. Or, feel like you have to read certain books, in order to feel adequate. When you suddenly have ARCs to read, this feeling might grow, expand inside of you until you just want to give up or fall into the worst of slumps, ever.
Is it for the best?
Yes and no, but whenever I start feeling overwhelmed by it all, I remind myself of why I’m here and why I love reading and.. it’s mostly okay.
Has Book Blogging Really Been The Best For My Reading?
I don’t have a yes or no answer to that question. Blogging is such a huge part of my life, it was bound to change me a little bit and my reading habits, just as well.
That being said, despite the stress, at times, the feeling-like-a-job moments, I still feel like, with time, breaks and proper self-care, I managed to keep my love for reading alive and bigger than ever.
There are so many books I wouldn’t have discovered if it weren’t for book blogging. There’s so many stories I hold close to my heart now and, no matter the ups and downs, I know now with certainty that reading is and will always be a part of me.
You might also be interested in these posts:
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- How To Increase Your Book Blog’s Traffic : 7 Easy Ways To Grow
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📌 Pin 5 Ways Book Blogging Has Affected My Reading on Pinterest!
Do you feel like your relationship to reading changed over the years? Do you feel more pressured to read, or not? What are some changes in your reading habits or taste you’ve noticed? I’d LOVE to hear from you in comments!
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Nice post!
Thank you!
In terms of organizing my reading, I’ve learned it helps me to set weekly tbr’s, instead of monthly. When I set monthly, I’m more prone to ignore all the books on the list. But if it’s weekly, for some reason, I actually stick to them and it helps me to tackle my arcs and the books I want to read for fun!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
Oh that’s a great idea! I don’t read enough to set weekly TBRs (I barely read a book a week 🙈), but I completely understand how setting a TBR for a shorter period of time might help you! 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment!
It was so interesting reading about how blogging has changed the way you read. I know the same goes for me. In fact, I think things changed before I even began blogging about books, but when I started my bookstagram. I’ve always been a massive bookworm, but I went from 30 books in a year to 180+, tracking, lists, paying attention to new releases, etc. I also never ever bought books before and now I purchase them and add to my personal library after I’ve read books that I love and want to read again. It’s been a lot of good for my habits, buuut I’m sure there are not-so-great things as well. Really sitting down and pondering all of that could be beneficial! You’ve inspired me!
Ah that’s amazing. I feel like this works anytime you join a bookish community online, whether it’s bookstagram or book blogging: you’re suddenly surrounded by so many readers, you HAVE to want to read more and so on.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post and that it could inspire you! I’d love to read a version of this post if you’d like to write one! 😀
Amazing post! It sure has changed. Now I’m picky I know what is fantastic writing and story but before I was naive. I was new to reading so pretty much all books impressed me and I used to read whatever came in my way. As for reading habit, I can give only little of my time, some days I can’t even read and it’s not just blog that has changed things it’s life as well.
I can understand that! As you grow as a reader, you get to know your taste a bit better and know the kind of books you’ll end up loving! 🙂 And I get it: some days I can’t even read, either, as well. Life gets in the way sometimes!
When I first started blogging, I didn’t really engage a lot with the community because I was too nervous but after connecting with more readers and new blogs, it definitely impacted my relationship with reading in both positive and negatives ways. I whole heartedly agree about the pressure to read more and constantly as well as to create engaging content and it took me a while but I think it worked out for the better. I don’t read as often as I did before but the books I’m picking up, thanks to all the wonderful recommendations, are resulting in a higher level of enjoyment overall 😊
I get that! I didn’t find a significant change in my reading habits until I really got involved with the community: read other blogs, started chatting with people and so on. It’s so great that you’re enjoying your reading a lot more! 😀
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! <3
While I don’t have a book blog, I feel like as long as it’s still fun for you and doesn’t take your love of reading away, then it’s a good thing! I’m happy you started your blog, so we can chat. Not only that, but throughout the years you’ve recommended so many really amazing books to me! xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Oh thank you so, so much Melina. I’m forever grateful to have met you thanks to blogging and so happy you love my recommendations! <3 <3
The way that I discovered books before blogging was recommendations from Amazon. Like I read The Hunger Games and they’d be like “you may like this because you read The Hunger Games” etc. haha. I think discovering books is for the best, but also a little bit not. Because now I have SOOO many books that I want to read or bought because I wanted to read them and haven’t yet. So my actual physical TBR is INSANE and I feel like it’s out of control now. Before my TBR was manageable with only a few books at a time. Now I have hundreds and I don’t even know if I will ever in my lifetime read them all. Then I feel guilty for spending the money when I may never read them, sigh. lol
I did read less before I started blogging, then I started to read more when I started to blog, and now I feel like I’m slowly starting to read less but still a lot more than before. I think my taste in books has changed since blogging too. Before I read a lot of non-fiction, but now I read pretty much everything and less non-fiction LOL!
Great post, Marie! <3 🙂
ohh yeah that’s a good one, these websites are always recommending books to us… sometimes they’re good at it and sometimes, not really 😂😂 Maybe doing a bit of spring cleaning with your books might help you feel less overwhelmed with it all? i’m sorry you’ve been feeling that way!
Thank you so, so much for sharing your thoughts! <3
Book blogging has changed my reading habits so much! Before I started blogging I would only read two chapters before I went to sleep every night and then more when I was off school, but early on in my blogging I was reading two books a week and I would review all of them. Now, I can only read one a week and I barely write reviews for anything anymore. I’m not sure if it’s for the better or the worse because I think I’m more relaxed with my reading habits now, but I do still sometimes feel the pressure to read as much as other people do.
I’m really happy to hear you’re feeling a bit more relaxed, now! I kind of had the same journey, reading more but then feeling that pressure to read everything and review everything all at once. It was ovewhelming! I hope you’ll keep on picking up books you love, at your rhythm and that with time, the pressure will leave! <3
My blog left a overall positive impact for me; but I was also in such a poor state that I couldn’t read even 10books a year.. and that’s only in french. I’ve broaden up to english ones, i’m now successfully reading 30(!) books a year, and ive also discovered a bunch of books I would’ve probably never seen before.
I do feel the pressure though 😬 especially as my brain can’t handle fantasy books too well, and that’s mainly 90% of the hype! Not to say about how my numbers are still low, though slowly rising, and yeah I don’t read as quickly either..
Ah that’s amazing! I’m so happy you got to read more and discover more books thanks to blogging, it’s one of the wonderful perks of it, I think! <3
I can understand that. I also feel pressured to read more and to read certain books. While I do read fantasy sometimes, it's not my go-to genre, so.. we can be confused about them together ahah :D
This was such a fascinating blog post! I haven’t thought about it and broken it down myself for a really long time, but you know what? I think I read more books before I blogged haha I remember spurts of reading like 11 books in a month and I haven’t done that in forever. I was a much faster reader and had a different book with me in high school close to every other day. (Props to my fave teacher, who knew every single obscure book I brought along and talked to me about it)
This whole change from *just* a reader to a book blogger really does have its ups and downs. Loved reading about what is different for you now!
Oh thank you so much, Kat 🥺🥺 oh my god that’s incredible ahah how did you read SO much in a month, that never happened to me, before or now haha. I get it though, as life changes, whether you’re blogging or not, your reading will change as well 🙂
Genuinely no clue how I did that haha I sure as heck can’t read that much now anymore! I just remember my parents not wanting to gift me books, because I’d be done with them so quickly.
😂😂 that’s amazing, though. Must have been some kind of younger-you superpower to read so quickly!
I have noticed a difference. Now I follow book bloggers, I have a long TBR list than I used to. I did track some many years ago, but now I track with Goodreads, it’s so much easier. No, I don’t read as much as you. I only read 28 books last year. But that is ok. I don’t really feel pressured. The books I read really hasn’t changed. Although I did read a lot of YA books a few years ago. But I did read some adult books too. Recently though I have been reading alot of fantasy and thriller books.
I’m glad that you’re finding out about new books thanks to bloggers, too! And the amount of books you read doesn’t matter, as long as you’re enjoying yourself!
I loved reading your reflection on how blogging influenced your reading! ❤️ I still remember how I found out about new books, I would browse online on the site of a local bookstore chain or just pick up the books in store and read the synopsis there 😄 It’s nice to have a lot of recommendations now and find out about books I never would have found on my own 🥰 Starting blogging and getting out of a years long reading slump happened at the same time for me back in 2016, so both of them are kind of connected now 😄
Yes! I think it’s so nice that now, we’re drawn to books we wouldn’t have heard of before, of wouldn’t have naturally been curious about before. I’m so glad blogging got you out of your slump, too!! 😀
I’ve had my blog for 9 years and can’t imagine my life without it. My reading was REALLY different before the blog. Almost all of my reading was classics. Now I only read 1 or 2 classics a year. Blogging teaches me about all the modern books that are too interesting to pass up.
Ahhh that’s so wonderful! I’m so happy you’re finding out about new books this way, it is truly the best thing about blogging 🙂
I relate with sooo many of this! Like the way I discovered books, and how I read more since blogging but sometimes they do feel like chores… And how my reading tastes have changed! All of them have their good and bad side hahaha but it’s really interesting when you reflect how blogging has change our reading habits! 🙂
I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way! Thankfully, I feel like the good outweight the bad! 😀
Wow, what a great post. And here I am, still trying to read quicker than one book a month. I’ve recently gotten into audiobooks, and they’ve been a huge help, especially since I’ve realised I spend a lot of time working with my hands, and those moments are a great time to ‘read’. Anyway, thanks for this post!
Oh thank you so much! I’m so happy you’re enjoying audiobooks, I need to try them out sometime. Thank you so much for reading! 🙂
I loved reading this and seeing how blogging has changed the way you read. Yes, blogging has its ups and down is definitely something that has made all of us stressed at times, but it clearly has changed you for the better and helped you discover new and amazing books! It’s so important that you were able to find books that you truly enjoyed and that weren’t just revolving around the “hype”- especially since the hype isn’t always the best thing to follow.
Oh thank you so much for your sweet comment, Gianna! I’m grateful that blogging has given me so much and made me discover so many books I cherish, now. it’s hard to resist the hype, at times, but it’s important to learn how to, for our own sake! 🙂
i love this post, marie!! it’s so wonderful seeing how blogging has impacted your reading in such positive ways, and i think it’s especially sweet how you discovered your favorite genre through blogging. finding all these new books has definitely been one of my favorite parts of blogging—even though i have more access to books in the us than you do, i think i also wouldn’t have found a majority of the books i love today
Oh thank you so much!! I think it’s so great how we manage to discover all of these new books, books we wouldn’t have heard of or naturally gone to, if it weren’t for blogging. I love it so much. <3
I’m definitely the same. I read way fewer books before I started blogging and part of that is because I didn’t know about the existence of a lot of books. I love it though and I love that what was probably a weekend activity is now a daily activity for me. And definitely my reading genres have changed too. I used to only read mysteries because of availability and then moved to YA when I started the blog and now mostly read adult romance.
Ah that’s so great! I think it’s so fun to see how our reading changes because (or thanks to) blogging. I always love seeing all of your adult romance recommendations so thank you SO much for that! <3
Before I blogged I kept a little journal of what I was reading and what I thought about books. It was just for me and I didn’t worry about what I wrote, just making sure that it was enough to help me recall the book if I ever looked back on the book. Now I read with blogging in mind. If I pass by a quote I want to remember, I jot it down or highlight it. One never knows if it will enhance the review. I think I am doing better at evaluating books and my selection of reading materials has moved to more sophisticated choices but I don’t like it that I am always evaluating and grading books. It put pressure on me to read only good stuff, making me much more likely to abandon books earlier, too. But on the whole my reading experienced are enhanced by blogging.
What do you do when a favorite author dies? Let’s Discuss!
I’m glad to hear your reading experience has been better overall thanks to blogging! But yes, I have to agree, it puts a certain kind of pressure on your reading, that’s for sure!
I’ve just come across this blog and love reading how blogging has changed your reading habit. I totally agree that book blogging has been completely responsible for my TBR. Before I started blogging, I didn’t really have one at all. Now everyday, I hear about another book that I want to read. It’s definitely widened my reading too.
Oh thank you so much for reading, Janette, so happy you enjoyed it. I loved how we’re able to discover so many different books thanks to blogging, now, it’s SO wonderful <3