Jillian at Random Ramblings got me thinking this morning....Do you like when the book bloggers you follow stick to books or occasionally get personal?
I use to think my answer to that question was strictly books. But I've noticed that I really appreciate those personal posts. I may pass on a book review but I rarely pass on a quick personal or opinion post. So tell me darlings, what do you think?
I like to see a mix up on blogs. Personal posts are fun because they allow you to get to know the blogger better.
ReplyDeleteLOL. That's been on my mind a lot, as well. A year ago I'd have said that I only wanted to read about books. But, honestly, if I see more than two reviews on a book on the same day I skip them. I also, skip many of the meme posts. I like the teasers & the friday 56 because it gives me a better view of writing style & interest but those are about it.
ReplyDeleteBesides that, I just want to read things that make me laugh. If my attention isn't captured in the first sentence or two I skip it. I have way too much to read to take time for everything.
Gina Hott: We are so in the same place! :D
ReplyDeleteI use to say no but now I see that I'm drawn to those posts.
I like you don't like many memes but like the teasers (Teaser Tuesday, Friday 56, Book Beginning Friday, etc.).
Missie: Agreed :)
I responded to you over at Jillian's blog but I'll say it here too, YES to more personal posts! I love reading more about the blogger behind my favorite blogs. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteI like the personal posts too because I can understand the blogger better. I also agree with the same book review or same meme..I pass it by too.
ReplyDeleteJoy: Oh funny! Right on :)
ReplyDeleteJulie 5: :)
I used to think it was all about the reviews but now I have so many books that I don't often need to read reviews for recommendations, I can just pick off my shelf. But of course, I do still read reviews so I don't miss out on other books I've never heard of.
ReplyDeleteNow I love personal posts that show the person behind the blog. Especially when it is a blogger I've followed for two years or have even met. It's nice to see what they're up to.
I also like thought-provoking posts.
I like personal posts every now and then. It's good to get the occaisonal glimpse into a reader's life. I think it helps to break the monotany of the books posts.
ReplyDeleteit doesn't bother me either way! i say it's your blog so you can do whatever you want!!
ReplyDeleteBecky: Oh what a good point. I hadn't thought of it that way. I'm in the same boat I think. Wow. So true. You have really given me something to think about.
ReplyDeleteI like that. Thank you. Your input was invaluable.
Jade: True :) it does help break things up and shake things up a bit.
Carrie: :) I know what you mean. I think I'm genuinely curious to what people prefer.
I enjoy sharing about books but lives are more interesting. I enjoy getting to know the person behind the blog as well.
ReplyDeleteI like a little of both. I used to do the memes but they got quite cumbersome. Personal stories every now and then are good, becuase it allows us to connect with one another, and the author can control what they reveal. It is the interwebs after all.
ReplyDeleteGood question darling :)
I love reading book reviews (I usually read yours at work, when I'm supposed to be crunching numbers --ugh -- instead of letters, but don't tell!) I also love personal posts and photos taken by or of the blogger. (Jenny B. Jones, for instance, can make me fall out of my chair with her photo captions.) Many reviewers do a great job of injecting a bit of themselves into their reviews and I feel like I know them -- but every now and again it would be nice to get a glimpse into their lives/hearts as well.
ReplyDeleteI like a personal post now and then too, I think it's fun to get to know the people behind the reviews:) Any post that shows some of their personality is something fun for me to read!
ReplyDeleteKaye: That's definitely true. :)
ReplyDeleteJenny Girl: Very true :) Connection is a great word/way to put it.
Serena: Well hello Serena! Nice to see you! :) I promise I won't tell a soul. And you're right. We always leave a bit of ourselves in our reviews don't we? But it is nice to get a glimpse at their lives. Great point!
Jenny Snark: :) I agree.
I love to read personal posts from the bloggers I follow and comment on often, it helps to know them more as a person.
ReplyDeleteThere are many personal posts that can still be book related also.
It would be great to have personal posts from you Juju, I love that some of your personality shows already too.
I do like it when they get a little personal. I like to feel like I know my bloggy friends.
ReplyDeleteI never write anything personal but I might have to reconsider changing that.
ReplyDeleteI like personal stuff on blogs...it makes me feel like I get to know the actual person behind the blog. When I first started I never thought I would share things but Im finding myself more comfortable sharing things I wouldn't mind the world knowing...;)
ReplyDeleteI like the occasional personal comments and posts--they help me feel more connected to the blogger. :-)
ReplyDeletea blog is a blog is a blog no matter the content - I heard this somewhere. to me, a book blog is just like any other blog expect more about books but I do not might personal post as long you do not share pictures of open wounds or injured body parts. I've seen these and totally turned off by them. I think a post or two about the blogger is nice between book reviews. one can only read so many book reviews without getting sick of them.
ReplyDeleteI also like bits of personal stuff... but I usually pass rants... specially if it occurs quite often.
ReplyDeleteI love variety bookish blogs so definitely more personal posts for me.
ReplyDeleteI do like it to be all about books, but then I do like a personal post here and there too because they give me an insight about the blogger :) Just not all the time
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the personal stuff as well. Its nice to get to know a little about the people you are getting information or recommendations from. Its also nice to get how books effect them because a lot of books effect us personally, abd they are ment to. They are ment to show us other ways if thinking, help us through tough situations, or allow us to understand how others feel when they are going through tough situations so we can be there for them. I think its almost inevitable to bring a little bit of our personal lives into our reviews and blogs, because books are important to us and our blogs refect us. At least thats my thoughts.
ReplyDeletegreat question it really made me think.
I like to mix things up... it makes it feel more personable and fun. You get to know more about the person who's doing the reviews... plus everyone always loves to talk about themselves! ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat question. I've actually never thought about it until now. I like reading about others lives, but I also love reading book review. I don't mind reading a few personal posts, I guess. I'll have to think on this more.
ReplyDeleteMarce: True! And thank you :)
ReplyDeleteWalltowall & Shannon: I can totally relate to that :)
Jenny N: Have I got you thinking too?
Tina: It's funny how we bloom as bloggers isn't it?
Lissa: "As long as they don't share pictres of wounds or injured body parts?" LOL And I feel ya. There is only so many books one can fit in a day.
Cherry: Good point! Too much ranting isn't good. Nobody wants a Debbie Downer.
Lesa: Thanks :)
Blod: Ok :)
Laura: How true! They do affect us and it's nice to see why :)
Tipsy: I actually feel weird talking about myself sometimes. But then I noticed I love reading about other people and started thinking, "Maybe my readers would like and appreciate this."
Penelope: Right on. Let me know what you end up making of it. :)
I like a little of both...I like to know the bloggers I follow, but not daily personal posts. Maybe one or two personal posts per month.
ReplyDeleteI had a book blog and love blogging, but needed to simplify it down to a one-stop blog with a variety of interests, meeting a variety of people. It was supposed to save me some time, but so far that hasn't happened. lol
ReplyDeleteI like a good mix of both. It's fun to get to know the blogger behind the blog, but too many personal posts get to be too much...so definitely a happy medium!
ReplyDeleteKelli: That's reasonable :)
ReplyDeleteGeorgia Girls: LOL Really?
Christina: Right on. I could never come up with that much of it anyway. I fear I'm not interesting or creative enough. ;)
I love reading both! I would like to post more personal stuff but I don't know what to talk about! I'm out of work and working on my writing...I'm rather boring at the moment! lol
ReplyDeleteJulie: LOL I know what you mean. Personal stuff takes way more energy. ;)
ReplyDeleteI like personal posts that are still linked to books or blogging. Personal posts make me feel like I know the blogger better and I feel more connected to the community. Review are nice but when it is post after post of reviews, it starts to feel like the blog is a machine. The personal element is needed.
ReplyDeleteYou sometimes write personal posts and tidbits too, Juju, and it's nice to see that sometimes :)
ReplyDeleteI think there's a big difference between a book blogger that posts nothing BUT personal posts and those who share a bit about themselves and their lives every once in a while. For me, you would notice that for the most part, even my personal posts are book and reading-related; this is mainly because books are just a huge part of my personal life, that even then, they still mean a lot to me.
I also feel as if these personal posts give the blogger a chance to really showcase his/her voice and personality. It's a different case for everyone, of course.
As long as the blogger doesn't overdo it, I LOVE reading personal posts sometimes, whether or not they're related to books and reading.
I would have to agree! I enjoy personal posts a lot, but don't think anyone should overdo it and post them nonstop.
ReplyDeleteI've posted a few personal ones in the past, and they actually seem to be my most commented-on and popular posts. I do like to feel like I know the bloggers a little better through these kinds of posts.
I do like personal posts - but I think it's all about the ratio! I'd prefer to have more book reviews than personal posts, rather than the other way round - I mainly go to their blog because of books, but would like to know them a bit better from personal posts.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't mind personal posts. I, however, made my personal blog to separate my mind into two distinct places :)
ReplyDeleteGreat question. I mostly like book posts, though I don't mind a few personal posts thrown in. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sweetie....sorry I haven't visited sooner. I am a big book reader when I have the time or when I am in the mood! Thanks for all your lovely comments on my blog!! I will be back to visit you soon!
ReplyDeleteDaisy~
I love it when my favorite bloggers share something personal. It makes me feel that I know the person behind the blog a lot better. It doesn't have to be a personal post. It can be a small tidbit sneaked into a review or a personal sunday salon post, etc.
ReplyDeleteAlexis: A blog machine. LOL I like that.
ReplyDeleteJillian: You're right I do huh? I guess I didn't think of it that way. I try to update my followers so they don't wonder why I disappear from time to time. :)
Good points!
Steph: I remember those. I really liked those :)
Christa: Ratio = excellent way to put it :)
Melissa: Oh right on :) My fear is that I can't maintain two sites. I tried it once and had to give it up. Your site looks FAB btw.
Lily: :)
Daisy Pink Cupcake: Yay! Thanks for coming by. Your blog is so delightful. Yay!
Aths: Great point!
I don't mind the personal posts. I follow a few bloggers who don't even write about books, just blog about themselves.
ReplyDeleteJessicaBookLover: :) I follow some of those myself.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting discussion. I also skip over meme posts. With so many of us skipping them, why do they remain so popular?
ReplyDeleteAt first I was set on writing about books or bookish things only. Lately I've felt the need to get a little more chatty, and am working toward more personal posts. I'm hoping that by opening up to my readers a bit more, they might be more apt to hop out of their reader and over to my blog to comment.
Great discussion!
Teresa: I think it's because some people enjoy doing certain memes. Like I love teaser memes so whenever I see other people's teaser meme - I happily read them.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly :) Thanks for popping by!
Gazillions of comments! Wow!
ReplyDeleteMy take is that a blog is just an extension of yourself, in writing, in public. Unless you're writing professional book reviews, I don't see why there shouldn't/couldn't be personal stuff on the blog. I do have both a personal and a book blog, but the book talk is more on a personal level, rather than a technical review. I like knowing about the person writing about the books, it just makes me believe their opinion of a book that much more.
You already know, I am all over the personal on my blogs, I guess you don't hate it too much or you wouldn't read it. ;)
Cat: *smile* Girl I love everything you do. Seriously! Your voice and way is fabulous. You make me smile and smile. Thank you so much for your input.
ReplyDeleteI like personal posts mixed in. They help me relate to the blogger reviewing the books. I like your blog because you share how you respond to the books you read. It makes your reviews more than just ads for the books!
ReplyDeleteRenee Ann: Oh thank you :) I hadn't thought of it that way :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI do like it when there are small insertions of one's self. It is a glimpse into seeing a real person and that real connection is something many people crave, especially in this distanced technology-driven world. But the degree of that "reveal" is up to the person. :)
ReplyDeleteHeather: You bring an interesting point. We do crave that don't we? Great point. Thanks for your input doll!
ReplyDeleteI agree with most everyone.. definitely little bits of personal content here and there :) xo
ReplyDeleteShannon: :)
ReplyDeleteWell, you already pretty much know I lean more toward the sharing of personal bits, otherwise I wouldn't involve my kiddos. Plus I have my Saturday meme that is more about interests/the person than books usually, it gives me a chance to chat about me without having to feel like I'm laying everything out there for the world to see. Still...I don't think I'd be reading a blog of someone I don't "know" if it was constantly a journal of events, definitely needs to be a good mix. ( I'm rambling....I'll stop now. :oP )
ReplyDeleteDanielle Angel: I love seeing your kiddos. And good point. So are you saying you definitely get a feel for me? :) PS You can ramble here anytime ;)
ReplyDeleteI love personal posts! Book posts are awesome but getting to know the blogger better is always fun too. Like finding out you have similar music tastes and stuff. :D
ReplyDeleteAnna: Amen so very true. I do get excited when I see I share something with a blogger.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely think I get a good "feel" for who you are! Maybe from the books your review or even the images you use or the flair you throw into your reviews with the "W's". All of it shows a little bit of "you" on here. Now, am I saying I don't want more? Never! I'd love to see the occasional more "personal" post, but honestly...I'm not going anywhere either way. It's all about what ever is comfortable for you! :o)
ReplyDeleteDanielle Angel: *smile and laugh* Fantastic sweet answer. *hugs* Thank you.
ReplyDeletei like the occasional ;-D
ReplyDeleteVV: :)
ReplyDelete