BBAW: What Does Book Blogging Mean to Me?
Sep 12
I’ve written and rewritten this post so many times already. I think I’m having such a hard time composing my thoughts because book blogging has come to mean so much to me. I may have started this with no real direction, no real thought about the future and no altruistic reason for doing so. But it’s developed into something I love doing and it’s introduced me to a community I’m incredibly proud to be a part of.
When I started out I shied away from the term “blogger.” But now I embrace it. I see book bloggers as those readers who care so deeply about the books they read that they want to share their love of reading with others. They want to shine the spotlight on the authors they love. And they do all this in their spare time. They do all this without any real compensation. They do all this without any guarantee of success or praise or even notice.
And it is because of this that I feel so happy, so privileged, so honored to call myself a book blogger.
Blogging about books has given me an outlet for all those thoughts that rattle around in my head. It’s given me a forum to voice my opinions on not only my thoughts about books but on anything book-related I feel like talking about. It’s introduced me to a group of people who are equally as passionate as I am about the books we read.
And it’s given me an overwhelming sense of accomplishment for sticking with something even when it’s not easy, for trying new things instead of keeping a closed mind, for taking risks when I’d much rather take the safe road and for being myself even though following in someone else’s footsteps might be easier.
Blogging has allowed me to be creative. It’s shown me that I am capable of things I’d never thought possible. It’s given me back a voice I wasn’t sure I’d ever see again. And it’s helped me fill that void of time that television just couldn’t fill.
Blogging has given me something I can call my own. It’s given me the chance to connect with the wonderfully amazing writers that were simply names on a cover page heretofore. It’s given me the courage to meet new people. And every so often it makes me feel as if something I’ve said makes a difference to more than just me or my friends and family.
And blogging about books means that I’m doing something I love doing. I’m doing something for me and no one else. And I’m doing it because I choose to do it, not because someone thinks I should.
My blogs are a little piece of me. Out there. On the interwebs. For the whole world to see. To ignore. To enjoy. To hate.
But hey, at least I’m putting myself out there. And that’s more than I can say about the me from two years ago.
So, yes, book blogging means so much more to me than just these few words I can use to express its meaning in this short-for-me blog post. It means creativity. It means friendship. It means courage. It means joy. It means pain. It means hard work. It means heartbreak. It means envy. It means pride. It means sleepless nights. It means secrets. It means drama. It means smiles. It means trust. It means honesty. It means dishonesty. It means laughter. It means love.
All I can say is: very well said:)
It’s introduced me to a group of people who are equally as passionate as I am about the books we read. <~ My favorite
This community is fantastic!
Sometimes along with everything else blogging also means finding a way to cope with real life, our blogs allow us to share our sorrows as well as our triumphs with people who are not immediate family but they can help put things in perspective in a way people too close to us cannot. In my own little circle of online buddies that has been a wonderful help over and over in the past few years.
That along with finding people who love to read the same authors and finding new to me authors from people in the community has really been the greatest part of book blogging, I finally have a “place” where my obssessive reading hobby is shared and enjoyed by others just like me. After a lifetime of non-reading family and friends that is a gift that keeps on giving!
Sooooooooooooo true that blogging is a little piece of yourself. And…what wonderful descriptions you have in the last paragraph. Great job!!
To Me….Blogging is all about the wonderful bloggers who make it happen.
Stop by to see my post if you like.
Have a fun day.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
http://silversolara.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-blogger-appreciation-week-day-3.html
What an eloquent response! And so true. I am so glad you continue to blog.
You put into words what I and so many others feel about blogging. Thanks so much!
Ah…………………I love this post!
Aw I love this post. You and your magic with words, always! This is why I “But hey, at least I’m putting myself out there. And that’s more than I can say about the me from two years ago.” It makes me reconsider something I had completely forgotten…how much I wanted to start my own blog.
Wonderful post! I started out with no direction either, but have gradually found my way. Really love the book blogging community, and have discovered so many new authors and tried new genres because of them!
Alexia’s Books and Such…
Yes, yes, yes to everything you said here! Very well said. That’s pretty much what book blogging means to me too, though I’m still not consistent enough to call myself a blogger out there.LOL
Anyway, I love your post!:D Here’s hoping you’ll be able to do this forever!:D
You have said it perfectly…thank you! am following you now and will be back to visit..
Aw *hugs* I just came back (today, actually) after a two-week break (hated it but I had to…) and I realized over those two weeks, when I just didn’t have time to blog or visit blogs or comment, just how very much I missed it and how much it’s become an integral part of my life.
Keep putting yourself out there!