It was around this time last year that the idea for a book blog popped into my head. I had just gotten engaged, was trying to apply to nursing school and deal with changing my whole educational plan, was going to school and working, and I thought, "Why on earth would I try to incorporate another project into my life?" While I am just as busy as I have ever been, I am so happy that I did! Here are ten reasons I love it:1. The release. For the first four years of college (yeah, I know) I had a really hard time finding ways to wind down. I was at the library studying constantly, only stopping to cook a meal or go on an occasional date. I'm not one to watch TV or "hang out" - I'm very type-A and have to be productive or I get frustrated. Having a hobby like this where I felt like I was accomplishing something gave me the chance to relax and have some fun without feeling guilty.
2. Starting to write again. When I was younger, writing was my favorite thing. I always received journals from my friends for birthdays, and you would catch me in class scribbling away instead of focusing on my schoolwork. For some reason in college, all of that stopped. I think it was a combination of being too busy and not wanting to dwell on difficult emotions and insecurities, things that always came out when I was writing. I think I've grown up a little now and am better able to introspect, and I need to be writing and expressing myself to feel in touch with myself. Blogging is a bit more like dumping myself all over the screen rather than making a finished product at times, but just the act of writing almost daily has been wonderful.
3. The community. It has been such a blast to get to know other bookish people, to share ideas and encourage each other. C.S. Lewis said in his book The Four Loves that Friendship is defined by a shared passion for something. I think that is definitely the case in the book blogging community. We are all able to collaborate and support each other even though we are miles apart. I haven't met any bloggers in real life, but I'm hoping at some point that can happen. Maybe I'll even make it to BEA someday. :)
4. Book recommendations. I used to get into reading slumps where I had no idea what to read next. I think this is why I read so many classics - I knew that those were good, but with modern and YA literature I didn't even know where to start. I am happy that my TBR is hundreds of books long - I know that no matter what I will always have something to read.
5. I love being able to organize my thoughts! I used to forget the books I read, but now they last much longer in my memory - and if I do forget about them, I can always search for the review I wrote and revisit those memories.
6. Sharing books I love with other people. Nothing makes me happier than hearing that someone liked a book I recommended (and I try not to be sad if someone hates a book I recommended!)
7. Author interaction - I would never have met Markus Zusak or Leif Enger if I hadn't been so involved in the book blogging scene. And it is always such a high to get a response to a tweet that I send to an author. We are all much more accessible to each other.
8. Early books - I'm not going to lie, it always gives me a little high to read a book before its publication date. I haven't received a high number of ARCs but it is always a little exciting to know I have a book before it has been "released into the wild."
9. MAIL! My husband laughs at my excitement to run down to the mailbox each day, but I love seeing the packages. It's just a little excitement after a stressful day.
10. This one might be related to others I have already mentioned, but I love that my family members read my blog. It has been so fun to discuss the books I have been reading with my grandmothers, my mom, and my sisters-in-law. I love you guys!
PS: Hosted by The Broke and Bookish - Happy 1 year "Blogoversary!"
"C.S. Lewis said in his book The Four Loves that Friendship is defined by a shared passion for something."
ReplyDelete--SO true and we definitely all have that in common! The community is one of the biggest parts that contributes to why I stay in the blogosphere! I agree with all of your points above but I liked that you referenced CS Lewis. Such a huge part of friendship...that common bond over something we are all so passionate about!
1 and 2, hear hear! It's so weird to be going and going for years, and having all these goals and getting stuff done. And then BAM, you graduate or finish school and...nothing. Just the daily grind. I'm very Type-A as well, so I know exactly what you mean. :)
ReplyDeleteEverything you listed is spot on for me as well! Love this community and love the release and being able to write again!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love being able to talk about and share the books I love, too. :D
ReplyDeleteI love your response about the mail. I am a little afraid that I've become obsessed with my mail. I get upset when the mail lady is late.
ReplyDeleteHere's my list
All your reasons are mine, too. I started book blogging because like you I tend to forget the titles and authors of the book I read, but then there are so many other great things about book blogging.
ReplyDeleteI love all of your reasons!
ReplyDeleteI get super excited about mail too, which is why our current apartment is slightly disappointing. Our "mailbox" is one of those tiny little boxes next to every one else's, so I can't get anything bigger than a normal-sized letter mailed to me. I have to have all packages sent to my mom's house. Still exciting, but a little less so.
@Jamie - Me too! It is so amazing to get to talk about books with everyone here. Before my friends and family would complain about how much I talk about books, but everyone here can't get enough. :)
ReplyDelete@couchpotatocritic - Yay, another type A! I've heard so many people talk about how blogging is such hard work, but I think it is FUN hard work. (Which may be the only way I can do fun... haha)
@Coffee and a Book Chick - I actually stopped writing for almost five years and this is the way I have started again. YAY for bloggers :)
@Molli - I love the way you put in your TTT - "I get to be a book geek and you people get it" :)
@LBC - Me too! I used to work at 11 and the mail truck comes between 10:30 and 11. I was always so frustrated when it wasn't there by 10:50 so I could check it on my way to work.
@Pepca - It is the best. :)
@Sarah - It probably makes your mom happy because you have to come visit to get the mail. :) Ours are those little slots as well, but there are big compartments below and if you get a package they stick the key in your box.