A week ago I was in a Waterstones and came across a copy of The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon. This is not particularly surprising because it was close to the release date. But when I saw that book last week, it was on a shelf 5 days before the official release. Normally during occasions like this the book blogger in me would have had a tiny freak out moment in the store. Immediately buy the book then come home and tell everyone on the internet that I got a book before the release date.
ON NOT BUYING BOOKS
This time it wasn’t quite like that. This time I noted that it happened to be a book I wanted to read. Was surprised to see that it already had money off. Then had a little think about whether I really needed to buy that book. Yes it is one I want to read, I enjoyed The Bone Season and The Mime Order. But I also already had the book on pre-order (though it wouldn’t be too hard to cancel that). There was also the fact that it was very unlikely I would read this book any time soon. So I did something I’ve never done in a bookstore before. I didn’t buy a book I wanted to read.
AM I A BOOK BLOGGER?
This is happening more and more regularly now. I don’t go into book shops all that often. I’m buying books even less and I hardly read anything at all. As of Wednesday the 8th of March it has been a week since I last picked up a book. And the thing is I’m totally okay with that. I’m tired, I don’t have much time and as a result I’m not reading so much. I still write blog posts about books I just don’t write so many actual book reviews. I’m sure some people would be horrified to see they were 5 books behind on their Goodreads challenge but it doesn’t bother me. To me reading 52 books has always been something I want to try and do every year, it’s not something I have to do.
But the thing is I have become known on the internet as a book blogger. I don’t call myself that but companies like putting people into groups and somehow I’ve become known as a book blogger even though I write about other things too. But I feel like I shouldn’t be called a book blogger anymore because I’m not doing the one thing book bloggers are mostly known for. That being reviewing books.
FINALLY
But that makes me think if writing about books I’ve read in the past is enough to make me a book blogger. I don’t go all into the literary analysis, I’m not the sort of person to write essays on why Dumbledore was the worst character in the whole Harry Potter series. All I do is recommend books, and you can only recommend the same books so many times. So basically, am I a book blogger? Sort of.
The Paper Kind 
19 responses to “Am I Pretending To Be A Book Blogger?”
It doesn’t matter how many books you’ve read, what matters is what you took from them and that you enjoyed the journey. 😊
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Yeah I suppose. I could try doing more article type posts.
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Yes that is important for book review visit my blog
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You’re still a book blogger. I think you’re on a little hiatus, in a kind of slump, maybe, and you might be back to writing reviews sometime soon but also there are other ways to be a book blogger. The passion for books never really dies out and there are lots of ways to express that fire.
http://runwright.net
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I don’t know. If anything I’m back to normal. The last few years I’ve read books more than I have ever done in the past. I’ve always enjoyed reading, but never to this extent before.
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haha. isn’t that the thing then? Because reading is its own reward.
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Pretty much!
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You are a totally legitimate book blogger. More importantly than that, you are a blogger, full stop, with an interesting voice that people want to read. Get well soon.
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I don’t mind calling myself a blogger, it’s the books bit I have more of a problem with right now. And thanks!
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I have not been buying books, but I am guilty of trading! It’s totally fun and addictive.
Good luck on your ban: I just filed my taxes and hope I can treat myself and a friend to some books!
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I wouldn’t exactly call it a ban but thanks!
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Hahahaha You’re welcome!
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Just do what you want- there are no rules or blogging police. I think a blog that reflects the variety of someone’s life is interesting
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I never did like the labeling trend in blogging… it always just feels so limiting, particularly if it’s something you do as a hobby as opposed to as a career. Let the “label” change with your life, I say.
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Yeah. It’s just most people are known for blogging about a specific subject. And your blog is more likely to do better if everything is on one topic.
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Feels like an amazing coincidence reading this post today. I just met Samantha Shannon a few hours ago when we were on a panel together at the Tucson Festival of Books. Afterwards, she autographed my copy of The Song Rising.
As for the blogging, I’m a big believer in blogging about what you want to blog about. If you’re reading a lot of books, feel free to blog about books. If you have other things on your mind, feel free to write about those things. No need to force yourself into a pigeonhole, unless it’s a niche you particularly want to pursue.
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You did! Thats so cool!
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Book are just like drinking knowledge.
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I don’t like labelling a blog to a certain category because blogging is ultimately about sharing your thoughts and views. Though my blog would mostly be about books, it will most certainly contain other topics too. But, if people call you a book blogger, that’s absolutely fine. Book blogs don’t have to necessarily contain a lot of reviews. If you discuss about books in anyway, then it’s a book blog.
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