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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

How has book blogging changed you?

How has book blogging changed you?

I used to think of myself as a wide reader. I read several genres and sub-genres, including classics, fantasy, paranormal, suspense, romance, middle-grade, and children's.

Then as I wrote more reviews, and started receiving (and turning down) book requests, I realized that I actually have a limited scope of books I read, and whose reviews I read. And aside from that, the genres I enjoy have become more defined. It's great when looking for a new book, but it can also be boring.

From the blogs I follow, I used to only read posts of books I've read before. This was a way for me to make sure I won't plagiarize anyone if I was planning to review a particular book. But lately, I've noticed also that there are a lot of books I don't read or haven't even heard about. It has been making me doubt my bookworm creds, actually. And don't get me started on the romance books. Or New Adult.

I read YA a lot, but I haven't read any by John Green, Cassandra Clare, Veronica Roth...etc. This isn't me bragging or trying to sound unique. Honestly, I'm feeling like the odd duck around here. But this has also got me wondering:

Am I the only one not enamored by current plot and tropes that is dominating the best-seller and must-read lists?
Should I start expanding my bookish interests more. Am I the only one who hasn't read books by these authors?

So as a result of my rumination, I've started to comment on reviews of books I don't plan to read or review, even if they're outside of my usual genre. And reading up on reviews from other genres is also a way of my exploring other books or genres that I'm not usually interested in.

What about you? How have you changed in terms of reading or reviewing, or commenting since you started blogging/reviewing books?

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Monica · 576 weeks ago

I haven't read anything by John Green, because the thought of reading TFIOS or Looking For Alaska for some reason fills me with unholy terror.

I actually find that since getting into this online book community (blogging, booktube, goodreads) my reading tastes have expanded. I used to only read classic for school (and sometimes then I didn't even read them). but LAtely I've been willing picking up classics. In high school, I read NOTHING but the popular, best-selling books, Twilight, Hunger Games, mainly PNR and Dystopian. Nowadays, I find I'm branching back into my favorite genres from middle School, Sci Fi and Fantasy. And I'm reading books that I otherwise would not have known about.

4 replies · active 576 weeks ago

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lilradrad 51p · 576 weeks ago

I haven't read John Green or Cassandra Clare but I have read Divergent and Insurgent. I plan to read The Fault in our Stars too (at least before I see the movie) but I'm not really that interested with C.Clare books. I know what you mean, I visit blogs and read reviews of book 12 in the series and Iit's the first I've heard of it. Crazy! I try to expand my reading scope too, like I just tried ou steampunk romance which I really enjoyed but at the same time it took me awhile to try out that genre. It's so easy to stick with genres you always enjoy. Like ordering the same thing in a restaurant you visit often. Great post Goldie :)
My recent post Random Musings: On Facts and Opinions

1 reply · active 576 weeks ago

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acade 61p · 576 weeks ago

Hmm I don't know that blogging has changed me reading-wise just that my tastes have evolved over the years. I read less paranormal and UF now days and am more into contemp/historical and erotica but I think that's more just me not the blog. And no you so aren't alone in not reading some of those "big names".

I comment on blogs a lot more now than I did when I started. I really enjoy seeing what everyone's doing and have picked up a handful of books I might not have tried otherwise. So it's changed me a bit that way. And just socializing more with bookish people. Have actually met a good few from blogging now in the real world at events or such so that's fun.

3 replies · active 576 weeks ago

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drewolf 48p · 576 weeks ago

Before (book blogging), I thought I was a wide reader. I've actually read books that I wouldn't normally pick, but now, I lean towards YA, some NA, and a bit (a really tiny bit) of Adult books. I also discover new books by reading other book blogs. I've read 3 John Green books and Cassandra Clare's TMI and ID. I think book blogging opens a lot of doors for both blogger and authors (especially Indie authors).
My recent post Book Review 148 : Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

1 reply · active 576 weeks ago

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hannahsophialin 91p · 576 weeks ago

I've actually changed a lot. I used to like every book, lol. I wouldn't have known about self publishing either!

(see mom? It's why I can't give up blogging... or reading for that matter. Even if it's nutrition labels)

2 replies · active 576 weeks ago

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Zeee · 576 weeks ago

Blogging has changed my life in a good way, I think. I have noticed that I read a lot more than I used to and I show a little of my bookish nerdy-ness to other non-readers. I have also tried out new authors and discovered new authors that have now been one-click buys (or pre-orders) for me.

Although I still have a limited scope on the books that I actually read, I like it that way. I am never going to read those thriller/horror/non-fiction books. However, I may venture into uncharted territory and read a few controversial books (e.g Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code) and classic books (which is one of my goals this year).

These days I lean towards Historical Romance, YA a few NA and children's books but not much. I read to relax and entertain myself and I just can't do it if I read those scientifically mind boggling books (e.g Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Sphere, Timeline, Congo...all of which I have read) and highly techy books like Rodber Ludlum (never will read it!).

I also comment on more blogs and I actually revisit those blogs that I like and those that share the same genre that I like.

Eww this is a mouthful... LOL
My recent post Top Ten Tuesday: My Bookish Bucket List

1 reply · active 576 weeks ago

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Ella · 576 weeks ago

I just recently started blogging, and I've changed quite a bit. Before I'd prefer novels with characters having instalove. I wouldn't even look at book series before because I think they're to many for me to handle. I thought reading standalone books was better.
But after following some book bloggers and after creating my own blog, my reading range have widen. Before I'd only look at books that were from famous authors, but now I like taking challenges and read books that I haven't heard about. :D
My recent post Hey! #1: How Often Do You Buy Books?

2 replies · active 576 weeks ago

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iskultripscans 74p · 576 weeks ago

Since I started blogging, I've become more critical. I used to read James Patterson's book without even thinking about it, like, mindless reading only. But the I started going reviews, I started justifying why this worked, why this didn't, and I just became more analyzing. Also, since I've read and reviewed so many great books, I'm quick to be disappointed now when others don't measure up to the mark. Or since I've read REALLY GOOD world-building, if I see a plothole, I'm quick to call on that. Haha.
My recent post ARC Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa – The whining has ended!!

1 reply · active 576 weeks ago

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jaclynrcanada 17p · 576 weeks ago

I haven't read John Green or Veronica Roth either though I have read Cassandra Claire. I feel like there are a ton of authors that I haven't read because I don't really get into NA or Contemporary romances. I need a bit of paranormal for the story to interest me so I'm even more limited that you found you might be. I read all the reviews for these genres though and the majority seem like the same sort of plot lines to me. I like different. I also really enjoy worlds created in an entire series more often than a stand alone. Great topic! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

1 reply · active 576 weeks ago

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Lexxie 66p · 576 weeks ago

I have started reading in genres I don't think I'd ever had tried if it weren't for blogging. I often discover books I hadn't heard of because thanks to blogger friends, or people I follow on Goodreads or Booklikes, and it's always exciting when I pick up a book and I have no idea whatsoever if I'll be completely out of my comfort zone or not.

I only read my first (and so far only) John Green book a year ago, and while I really enjoyed TFioS, he didn't become my new favorite author. I have read most of the others you mention too, Goldie, but I read really quickly, and I have lots of online friends who recommend books to me.

I don't think there's anything wrong with staying with YA stories if you love reading YA, and the books you are getting keep you happy :)

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!
My recent post #COYER Review: Mad About You – Joan Kilby

1 reply · active 576 weeks ago

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mel1704 86p · 576 weeks ago

I've always been someone who likes to try new books, so that hasn't changed :) I still like to switch things up every now and then, even when I have genre I always return to. I don't think it's wrong to stay with one genre, but I do recommend branching out sometimes. It's fun and you might find a favorite book in a place you didn't expect!

1 reply · active 576 weeks ago

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mel1704 86p · 576 weeks ago

I do have moods like that, where I just want to read 'ALL THE BOOKS' from that genre. And after a while I feel I want to read other books to, so I switch it up. I don't really feel burned down on genres :)

1 reply · active 576 weeks ago

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fishgirl182 · 576 weeks ago

I don't think any of my reading habits have really changed since I started blogging except that my TBR pile has grown exponentially. I like reading reviews of books I have not heard of because I get an idea of whether or not I might like it. And there are so many authors and books out there, I can't imagine keeping up with them all. I just read my first solo John Green book this year and still have not read books by a lot of really popular authors. Personally I kind of read what I want, when I want so my reading is all over the place. And let me know if you ever need romance recs. :)

1 reply · active 576 weeks ago

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aimeecanread 69p · 574 weeks ago

This is great, Goldie! I usually only comment on reviews of books I've read, want to read, or have covers that look interesting, LOL! I try to expand my tastes to genres I don't normally read from (like historical--I found that I do enjoy historical romances, especially if there's fantasy mixed in) since I started blogging, since I don't want all my reviews to sound the same, you know? But there are just some genres that not even blogging can make me read. As for "popular books", I do like to read them, just to know what all the hype's about. But there are some that I haven't read, like Brodi Ashton, Michelle Hodkin and the likes. =)
My recent post Top Ten Most Unique Reads

1 reply · active 574 weeks ago