Challenge 4 in my year long support for book bloggers from the ladies at PagesUnbound. Today’s post delves deeper into book blogging.
If you are active on social media and you love reading, you’ve probably read your fair share of book reviews from book bloggers – and, if you’re like me, I imagine you’ve been inspired to click the Amazon link a few times, after doing so!
This is why I started book blogging: I want to be a positive force in this corner of social media, linking readers to writers they may never have heard of before, and talking about books which I enjoy. Although I mix my reading with mainstream authors, I prefer to support indies. Giving them an extra voice amongst the many million in cyberspace gives me great satisfaction.
There are no rules about writing a book review (except to avoid spoilers); everyone has their own slant, though it’s not just bloggers who are talking about books; pick any social media site and you will find book enthusiasts. However, a blog post can offer an opportunity for a longer article as opposed to other social sites which rely heavily on soundbites. A book blog gives a personal touch—most regular reviewers will have had a review rejected by Amazon, for any number of reasons; language, comparison to other works, sensitive subject matter, whatever. On your own blog, though, you can write exactly what you wish – and when you wish. You might want to review two books a week, or one every two months. Novels, short stories, novellas, whole series – it’s up to you.
‘A book blog gives a personal touch‘
Book bloggers are of key importance to the reading world as they are prepared to share their thoughts and feelings about a book online, where billions of potential readers can access the reviews. There’s no word limit, which is good when you feel the need to wax lyrical about a book, one you stayed up late reading or a book you just don’t want to let go. There’s nothing quite like finding another bookworm who felt the same way about a particular story; I have some fabulous book friends made through book blogging. We’ve had meet-ups where we talk book for hours – it’s marvellous!
Some say that its popularity is on the wane; like everything that first made its stamp as the internet found its way into everyone’s homes, it has ebbed and flowed. Perhaps book blogging could be likened to those who don’t mind travelling in the slower lane; those who want to watch the view and take their time. However, I have no doubt that there are still new audiences to capture, for anyone who wants to use their social media profiles to join us in sharing their bookish thoughts in the online bookworm world! Rosie Amber’s Book Review Blog has been going for ten years now – it’s taken time, enthusiasm, adaptability and the support of my family, review team members, publishers and authors who submit to me regularly. My best blogging tool, though, is the fact that I enjoy it.
‘Perhaps book blogging could be likened to those who don’t mind travelling in the slower lane; those who want to watch the view and take their time.’
Is there a future for book blogging? Sadly, the majority of readers in the general public don’t post book reviews, which is why, for authors and publishers, book bloggers are like angels sprinkling magic dust. Unless a book has the backing of one of The Big Five publishers with a large marketing budget, getting it seen by its target demographic is an uphill challenge. If book reviewers start raving about a book, it will hit social media and draw attention to itself. Every person who sees its cover, sees someone tweeting the title, notices that it’s got yet another great review, is another who may decide that, yes, today is the day they’re going to Amazon to buy it.
Book bloggers are like angels sprinkling magic dust.
If, like me, you enjoy delving a little deeper into a book after reading the book blurb but before making a purchase, go seek out some book blogs who read the type of books you love. We’re not paid by publishers or authors, so we have no agenda – we simply write what we feel. We don’t claim any great skills in literary critique; we use our own words, as they come out of our heads. We’re ordinary people who have one massive thing in common with you – we’re obsessed with books, and we want to tell the world about those we love!
Jeff Sexton from Book Anon lives in Florida and became an exclusive e-reader in 2013 and now reads a book a week. I found Jeff on Twitter @jsxtn83 or on Instagram @jsxtn83
Jonetta from the Blue Mood Cafe lives in Greensboro, NC but hails from Virginia. She reads most genres and appreciates those who not only write well but can deliciously craft a character and a tale. Twitter @BlueMoodCafe1
Belinda Witzenhausen lives in Toronto, she’s a book blogger, writer, creativity coach, artist, student, bookworm, history geek, armchair archaeologist, amateur photographer, coffee connoisseur & hubby’s grossly under-paid bass roadie. Find her on Twitter @BWitzenhausen or Instagram @bwitzenhausen
Gem from Dyslexic Reader lives in Cheshire, since she was diagnosed with dyslexia she has worked hard to prove that being dyslexic doesn’t have to stop you achieving academic and goals. She began her blog to post review of books that she has enjoyed reading. Gem’s on Twitter @dyslexicreader2 or Instagram @dyslexicreader
Katy from KKEC Reads live in North California and she says ‘The written word has always brought such peace to my life; books and stories have always been the best companions. Find Katy on Twitter @kkecreads or Instagram @kkecreads
Jenny from Jenny Lou’s Book reviews recently began book blogging during the pandemic as an aid to getting through the uncertain times. She lives in Essex, England. She’s on Twitter @McclintonJenny and Instagram @mcclinton1985
Kate from Everywhere And Nowhere lives in Scotland. She describes herself as a reader, reviewer, a composer of language, a listener of podcasts, a tasty treat maker, a procrastinator, a lady of ink, a purveyor of items with lenses. Occasionally a peculiar creature, oftentimes a typical one. Find her on Twitter @Kate_everywhere and Instagram @kate_everywhere
It’s never too late to join a challenge like this. To find out more details check out the full post from Pages Unbound here.
Previously I have introduced this new challenge from the ladies at Pages Unbound, with a blog post which you can be read here.
Today’s post is my entry for challenge 1: Introduce 10 book bloggers that I enjoy.
Davida Chazan (Aka The Chocolate Lady) lives in Jerusalem. She posts book reviews for adult literary fiction – both contemporary and historical – with an emphasis on women’s fiction and biographical fiction. She likes culinary fiction and is passionate about chocolate. Davida often has posts which encourage a good discussion around book related topics. Find her on Twitter @ChocolateLady57
Karen from BookerTalk is a life-long book addict from Wales. On her blog you will find conversations about books. They might be reactions to the book she has just read or chats about her latest purchases or what she’s planning to buy next. Occasionally she might grumble about the size of her TBR mountain. Karen likes to support Welsh authors. Find her on Twitter @BookerTalk
Jo at Tea And Cake For The Soul is a life-style blogger, but she also loves books. She blogs about upcycling, travel, books, and of course cake. She also discusses matters such as sustainability, gardening, and money-saving tips, and offers ideas about how to promote kindness and improve your well-being. I discovered that Jo lives quite close to me and I have plans to meet her soon. Find Jo on Twitter @JoJacksonWrites
Kim from Brockway Gatehouse lives in Salisbury and is a fiction editor. She is currently promoting book bloggers in a feature on her BG blog, click through from here to read her introductory post. Do ask if she is still open for more book bloggers for her posts. Follow Kim on Twitter @KimProofreader
Stephanie Jane from Literary Flits is a proud vegan. On her blog she supports books from indie and small press publishers. She also reads and promotes books from global literature. Stephanie will review books that she ‘loved, liked or loathed!’ Find her on Twitter @Stephanie_Jne
Stacey and her team of reviewers at Whispering Stories post reviews for a wide genre of books. They also feature and promote authors each week on their blog. Stacey lives in Manchester and is a mum and carer for two of her children. Look out for the book related giveaways that Stacey runs. Find Whispering Stories on Twitter @storywhispers
Yvonne from vonnibee turned her love for reading into her book blog. I recently started following her book review posts. As well as her reading, Yvonne takes part in book blog tours and other book promotions. Find her on Twitter @yvonnembee
Jo from My Chestnut Reading Tree describes herself as a proud mum. Proud nana. Lover of Marmite. Book obsessed Norfolk girl living in Cheshire with her grumpy Scotsman. I met Jo in person a few years ago at a blogging event. Jo enjoys thrillers and contemporary fiction. Find her on Twitter @jocatrobertson
Sarah from By The Letter Book Reviews is an avid reader and loves to share the books that she enjoys. She is also a freelance publicist for Bookouture. I met Sarah, briefly, at a Bloggers Bash event. Follow Sarah on Twitter @sarahhardy681
Anne from Being Anne is retired and lives in Wetherby, West Yorkshire. Anne reads a range of books and has received several awards for her support of authors and their books. She was the RNA (Romantic Novelists’ Association) Media Star of 2019. I met Anne at a book blogging event in London. Find Anne on Twitter @Williams13Anne
It’s never too late to join a challenge like this. To find out more details check out the full post from Pages Unbound here.
Everything I know about gardening I've learnt from a combination of my mum, Carol Klein and Monty Don. My garden is a tiny 2x3m yard requiring a lot of TLC...
Rosie Amber 