I love my book blog for many reasons, all of which can be summarised as one: my blog brings magic into my life ๐ซโจ๐. But there’s really more to tell so here are some of the reasons.
Book bloggers.
Before I started my blog I didn’t know there was such a big and vibrant community. Reading seemed to be quite a solitary, lonely activity. As soon as I started blogging I found out how wrong I was. Book bloggers are very communicative, supportive and friendly people, and there are so many of them! They became my main source of information about good books, new releases, any important book events. Whenever I have a question I ask a blogger, or post the question onย Twitter and I always get a reply. Book bloggers made me realise there’s a whole world out there, and this world felt like home as soon as I joined it.
Book authors.
The mere fact that you can actually thank an author is mind-blowing!
Imagine being able to thank Hemingway or Tolstoy! That’s how it feels for me every time I reach out to an author and thank her. And now imagine how it feels to get a reply! Since the beginning of my blog I’ve had some conversations with several different authors, from basic pleasantries to longer talks. I would have never had this experience without my blog.
Books themselves.
Itโs been 2.5 months since I started my book blog. Iโve read 30 books since then.ย 
I’ve always loved reading but I would have never read that many books had it been not for my blog. The blog gave an extra purpose for my reading, something to look forward to after I finish the book: the chance to share my thoughts, to connect to reviewers and authors.
Writing about the books also helps me remember them, not only because of the eventual post but mainly because of the process of working on this post. When you let your mind work on something, you will remember it better.
I also started ordering physical copies because books became more than just stories. They became beautiful objects I want to surround myself with, admire and take photos of. I wouldn’t have all this beauty had I not started blogging.
And, of course, ARCs are my main treasure so they deserve their own paragraph.
Advance reading copies, also known as ARCs.
ARCs are the books from the future.
They are copies that publishers send to “readers of influence” so that the readers can read and influence, i.e. spread the information about the book before the book gets to the market.
Although I’ve read a good number of them already, it still blows my mind every time I get a new one. And just as I was writing this I got two new copies. They are The Darkness byย Ragnar Jรณnasson andย The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor. I will publish my reviews of them later but I can say they seem to be very scary stories that won’t let me sleep for a couple of nights.
An extra thought on book blogging.
For years I wanted to blog about books but was denying myself this opportunity. There didn’t seem to be a proper excuse to be having so much fun. Thankfully I understood early enough that no excuses are needed for doing something you love. The love is actually the primary reason for doing anything at all. Do what you love doing. That’s all that matters.
I feel exactly the same way – after years of reading alone, I’ve had such pleasure being able to share books with other readers from all around the world:))
That indeed feels awesome. It’s great we finally started our blogs ๐
Absolutely!
Lovely post, well done! I pretty much feel the same as you about book blogging. I always wanted to start a book blog but didn’t feel confident about putting my opinions out there… the book blogging community is wonderful ๐
I’m happy you liked it! That’s good that you decided to start your blog. I think you are fantastic blogger, you have your own voice, your posts are useful and you are very nice to chat to ๐
Thank you so much!! *bows and curtseys*
You are a brilliant blogger, very readable and not afraid to voice your opinions ๐
My turn to bow. Thank you! ๐
I hear ya!! I never thought about being a book blogger until a few months ago, and now I can’t imagine not doing it anymore. I am also amazed at how easy it is to thank and interact with book authors. I started reading waaaaay long ago before the interwebs, and there was no way then of ever really reaching an author unless you invested into becoming a stalker, haha. It blows my mind that you can just tag them on social media now, and not only will they see your words about them/their work, but they can actually RESPOND!! I definitely am fangirling about 3-4 times a month when this happens. I think I will always fangirl a little bit when this happens because it’s still so amazing to be able to directly connect with the people who have created such wonderful stories.
I also love the ARCS. I’ve received two so far, and I was giddy at being able to get a sneak peak at what’s coming up in the literary world.
Glad to connect with another book blogger! ๐
Thank you! I’m so happy you stopped by! I liked your comment about becoming a stalker. ๐ That’s so true. It feels absolutely ok to be writing to authors now. Sometimes when I have longer questions I actually write to their FB too. I now hope I will manage to get physical ARCs. ๐ It’s so great to be bloggers!
Don’t be afraid to reach out to the publicity departments to ask for physical ARCS. That’s what I did for my latest one, Wendy Webb’s DAUGHTERS OF THE LAKE. She’s one of my fave authors, so I was really excited to get the ARC. The publicity teams always want to promote their titles, so you’re sure to get some takers if you approach them directly. Good luck!!
Thank you! I will try. They might refuse because I’m not in the UK or US.
Aww this is such a lovely, positive post ๐ <3 I absolutely love the community and agree that other book bloggers are always so friendly! And I have to agree that it's awesome to be able to tell authors that their books are amazing ๐ And I'll admit ARCs are a perk ๐ And of course books in general are brilliant!
Thank you! I’m happy you like it. It was a positive experience to be writing it. I still feel the love ๐
Awesome!! ๐
First, welcome to this awesome community. Second, I’m super glad you’re enjoying yourself. I’ve also been reading a lot more since I started blogging than when I did before. It’s wonderful seeing so many other people enjoying the same genres and authors as I do, and it becomes a group thing. I’ve never been able to get into book clubs, because generally the book clubs I know of read books I’m not that interested in, but book blogging allows you to create your own little book club that you feel comfortable in. Great post!
Hi Ruby! Thanks so much for your kind words ๐ Yes, I thought so too, that the internet provides an opportunity for something like book clubs but better, because it’s not limited to anything, neither a physical place nor a genre. I’ve always wanted to be in a book club too but people don’t read in English here, or at least I don’t know about them, and actually I don’t look for them anymore because I have my blog and keep meeting great people, like you. I’m very excited I’ve found your blog because I love movies and TV shows too. Although right now it’s mainly reading for me, but I’m sure this obsessive stage will pass some day ๐ Talk to you again soon! Thanks for stopping by!
I agree with all your points. Thanks for such an uplifting and affirming post. Love it when I read from book bloggers who are proud of their work or dishes out some self-love. It makes me strive for improvement. I have been on a blogging slump for weeks now and this post makes me want to create something for my blog right away! ๐
Jennilyn @ Rurouni Jenni Reads
Jennilyn thank you for your great comment! That’s awesome news that you now want to do something for your blog! Blogs are like our online pets ๐ It’s rewarding to take care of them. But seriously I am very happy if my post brought some positivity your way. That’s the best result! ๐
Lovely post ๐
I also noticed i read more since i started blogging and it’s nice to connect with people who read the same thing.
Thank you Norrie! Yes, there are so many benefits, and I feel that I still haven’t uncovered them all. Every day brings something new in blogging ๐
I loved this post. I’ve been blogging for years but I remember in the beginning I posted whatever I wanted that day and read tons of books. I want to get back to that or at least something close to it.
Hi Adriana, thank you! I’m glad you liked the post. I like it too and yes, I love my blog, as a creature. I heard similar ideas from other bloggers with more experience, that with time the process lost all fun and they would like to go back to spontaneity and just reading for pleasure. Of course I hope I’ll never get to the point where I’d be so far away from the love to my blog and just stuck in some necessities or schedules. But right now I don’t even see how it is possible. I don’t think I’d ever get sent too many physical copies. For publishers I probably seem like a blog from the Moon as I’m not in the US or the UK, and I don’t see what else can distract me from reading what I want and writing what I want. I really hope you’ll find the way to blog exactly the way you want to.
I am happy to read you enjoy book blogging so much ๐
Oh I love my blog so much. I think I procrastinate a lot when it comes to promoting it but otherwise I love everything about it ๐
Haha yes promoting is always the trickiest part ๐ . I struggle with that as well ๐ค
It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alexandra. This is a delightful post. You are so right — the WordPress community of readers, writers, and other bloggers is a wonderful group.
I’m glad to know you are a part of it. Hugs!
Hi Teagan! Thank you! It’s a pleasure to meet you too โฅ๏ธ I’m so happy that now I can talk about books to so many people ๐