It’s time to take a look at what it truly requires to be a book blogger.
Because not everyone can do it, you know! We book bloggers are rare, slightly psychotic creatures of the darkness and some humans would look at aaaaall the things we do and just FAIL INSTANTLY. For instance: frogs can’t do what we do. Neither can the carpet. * Neither can a tree. We are better than all of them when it comes to book blogging. **
But apart from not being a frog / carpet / tree, there are other very legit and very serious requirements for being a book blogger that I’m going to share with you today. You might not meet all the criteria and yet still be a book blogger, but pfft, GIVE IT TIME. And if you never meet all the criteria I’m about to magnanimously list, then shhh. Don’t tell the internet. They cannot know I’m not always right. ***
Today I’m linking up to Top Ten Tuesday for the prompt “Required Reading Freebie“. I’m taking, ahem, a lot of creative license with the prompt, but that’s who I am, Bob. A rebel. I see a rule and I just… gotta …BREAK IT. It’s who I am inside.
* Unless it’s Aladdin’s magic carpet I guess???? Then who knows what it could do. I DON’T MEAN TO PUT YOU IN A BOX, CARPET. Fly! Be free! Run a blog! I will say nothing against you!
** Unfortunately we’re not better than them when it comes to other things. For instance, trees are generally taller than you. They are winning. You are not.
*** In case you were getting worried, dear small Bob, DO NOT BE. I AM ALWAYS RIGHT. Keep calm now. Sometimes I cast the illusion that I make mistakes so the human mortals can feel closer to me. But we all know the truth. #PerfectCaitIsPerfect
HAVE A BLOG VAGULEY DEDICATED TO BOOKS
Raise your hand if you call yourself a book blogger AND have a blog!
Good. You’re obviously doing something right.
Also: I also say “vaguely dedicated” because goodness knows most of we bloggers have small attention spans. I mean, books are great and we love them but — OMIGOSH CAN WE BLOG ABOUT THAT CUSTARD TART AND THAT PRETTY SHIRT TOOOOOO???? So “vaguely” allows us room for custard tarts.
FIND YOURSELF HAVING A MILD BOOK ACQUIRING PROBLEM
Some book bloggers are very reserved with their book collections. Others are…not. Very not. ALL THE NOT. But whether you acquire 1 book or 10 books or 873 * books per month (and whether or not they’re ebooks/physical or borrowed) YOU STILL ARE GOING TO HAVE BOOKS PILING AROUND YOUR EARS.
And I use the word “problem” loosely. I mean, is it really a problem that you can’t see the floor because of all the books???? It’s not. There are worse problems to have, for instance (A) you could be eaten by a zombie, or (B) all your hair-ties could break on a day when you really really need them. Those are real problems. Not being able to get out your door because books are in the way is not a real problem in comparison.
But I know for a SOLID FACT: that I collect WAY more books now that I’m blogging. Blame it on the blog.
* If you do acquire this many books per month, PLEASE ADOPT ME??? I’m very quiet. I will be like a quiet pet Cait and live in your bookshelves and read all your books and the arrangement will be perfect. Take me.
YOU FIGHT WITH YOUR BLOG ABOUT FORMATTING AT LEAST ONCE IF NOT 93 TIMES AN HOUR.
This is honestly how the blogging process goes:
ME: This is a really nice gif, I want to add it to my post.
BLOG: ok
ME: *uploads gif nice and easy*
ME: *tries to place it in nice position*
BLOG: Yeah but no. How about you put it this other place?
ME: No that was not the plan.
BLOG: Well then how about we SCREW UP THESE LETTERS AND EXPLODE THE PARAGRAPH AND AUTO-DELETE HALF THE POST AND EXPLODE 9 PLANETS, YOU FOOL. HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE.
I fought with Blogger so much I wept. So I moved to WordPress which is kinder in letting me put things where I want them to go. But do planets still explode? Yes. Honestly I think blogs take vindictive pleasure in screwing up post formatting.
YOU PANIC OCCASIONALLY ABOUT PUBLISHING A BLOG POST
That controversial opinion? That low-star-rating on an ARC? That post where you’re not sure if you got your opinion across clearly? OR ALL THE POSTS IN GENERAL!!!! BECAUSE MANY OF US BLOGGERS ALSO HAVE ANXIETY!!! PANIC!!!! JUST PANIC!!!!
YOU’RE MORTIFIEDLY EMBARRASSED ABOUT SOMETHING YOU’VE DONE IN YOUR BOOK BLOGGING CAREER.
I’m sure we’ve all looked through our archives and thought, “Well, gosh darnit, Susan, what was I thinking maybe I should consider just BURNING THESE WITH HOLY FIRE” because your first blogging attempts were horrendous. Or last week’s. Or, like, yesterday’s.
YOU’VE STARTED DOING WILD THINGS IN THE NAME OF BEING A BOOK BLOGGER.
Like at first it was “I’m just gonna write a book review!” and then suddenly it was “I need to travel to Italy to get the Italian edition of Cinder and now I need to rocket to the moon to take a #bookstagram photo of me with it”. TRUST ME. THIS IS THE NATURAL PROGRESSION.
YOU HAVE 3 HEADS AND 8 ARMS.
You are OctoBlogger because there’s no way you can blog AND reading AND upkeeping social media AND doing all those other piddly things in life like, well, work / school / family / sleep without at at least 8 arms.
If you don’t have 8 arms, you are weak and what are you doing???
SOMETIMES YOU SPEND MORE TIME BLOGGING ABOUT BOOKS THAN ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, READING THEM.
Despite being a book blogger, there ARE TIMES in our precious lives of organised evil where we actually spend so much time blogging it’s hard to squeeze a chapter in there. Like what is this??? Are our blogs not centred around books? How did I just spend 15 minutes reading and 3 hours answering comments??
WHAT IS MY LIFE.
(Spoiler: Also some days I spend more time photographing my books than reading them. I’d be sorry, but…I’m really not. Books are so pretty omg.)
YOU’VE COLLECTED A FEW EVIL GOBLIN TROLLS.
For this “requirement” I’ll be honest: I HOPE YOU FAIL IT. Because trolls suck like nothing else. I’ve actually dreaded checking goodreads notifications before which is THE WORST because goodreads is my favourite place of ever. But regardless: at some point you’re going to meet a troll that wants to eat your opinion up and spit it in your face. And steal your chocolate. And call you mean names. And despite not even knowing them IT STILL REALLY HURTS WHY CAN’T A METEORITE JUST DROP ON THEIR HEADS OMG YOU DON’T EVEN ASK FOR THAT MUCH.
List Of Troll Activities:
- Attacking you because you hate their favourite book. It’s like they think they own it or something??
- Attacking authors because they don’t like their book. Like “I don’t like your book” somehow equals “I want you dead”. How? Why? Sit down with your animal crackers, little child, and learn some maturity.
- Stealing content from you.
- Writing snide comments on your things so you can never figure out if they’re joking or sarcastic or want to sacrifice you to the spiders.
- Sub-tweeting or sub-posting about you.
If you’ve never encountered a troll yet: GOOD. Their opinion really doesn’t matter because who are they??? Some random sour grapefruit. You are a Pyjama Blogging Queen Extraordinaire.
YOU’LL FIND SUCH AWESOME BLOGGISH PEOPLE YOU REALLY ADMIRE AND WANT TO BE BFFS WITH IMMEDIATELY AND MAYBE KIDNAP / ADOPT BECAUSE THEY ARE CLEARLY YOUR BOOKISH TWIN.
The only annoying part about online friendships is you can’t spontaneously say “hEY I’M SENDING YOU DELICIOUS WARM PRETZELS” it’s more like “hey I’m sending you mouldy / cold pretzels” and that doesn’t really make you think FRIENDSHIP does it? Hmm, no. But moving past that: BLOGGING HAS GIVEN ME SUCH GREAT FRIENDS. I’ve found bookish twins and brain twins and writing buddies and other oddball creatures I can flail with. Blogging lets me be around MY PEOPLE. I admire them. I sometimes want to steal their brains. But they are, solidly, awesome.
I’m totally putting down as a requirement that you’re going to meet epic people. For instance, you are on my blog, so there you go! You’re welcome for the gift that is ME.
THIS POST SPEAKS TO ME. I recently started a book blog and the thing about collecting books is so true. Recently we shifted our house and now we live like 40 km away and all of my books are there since I don’t have a bookshelf here. My old one is so old, I just left it there. I miss my books so much. I only have like 15 books with me. O I also saw the Italian and Thai editions of Cinder. They are AMAZING. WE OBVIOUSLY NEED THEM. But you know we have to travel to Italy and Thailand to get them. That SUCKS.
AHHH SAME. Like 3 years ago I owned a handful of books?!? THen I really got into book blogging and KABOOM. I need more bookshelves. Like a lot more bookshelves.😂 (Obviously it would be complete #goals to own all the language editions of favourite books.😍 And then go to the moon to take the most epic bookstagram photos *nods*)
Why are these all so relatable?? *cries* I spend sooo much more time blogging about books than reading them, it’s not funny. I don’t collect as many books these days, which is good, but I still should spend less time talking about reading and more time actually reading!
On the plus side, I’ve had this account for 9 years and haven’t encountered any trolls, so that’s good!
One requirement I would add to your list is having too many ideas for blog posts and not enough time and energy to write them. Sigh.
Not to mention the neverending TBR list! That grows each time you read a positive review!
IT’S JUST SO EASY TO DO THINGS WITH BOOKS INSTEAD OF READ THEM. Like, omg let’s photograph them and talk about them and take them out for tea and scones. Reading? Who has time for that.😂 (Just kidding. I do love reading books.) BUT OMG NO TROLLS?! THAT IS GLORIOUS!! You are clearly just a totally kind person whom everyone adores. 😉
ohhh yes that is definitely true *nods* I have like a list of 40 blog post ideas I want to write. And either I don’t have time to write them or when I DO write them I feel completely unmotivated all of a sudden.😂
Post formatting is my absolute nemesis! Trying to put pictures anywhere but dead centre is apparently impossible on my blog, so I’ve just given up trying!
And I’m pretty sure I spend way more time blogging and taking photographs of books these days than actually reading, which is pretty crazy when you think about it!
Awesome post! 🙂
Blogs are just maliciously CRUEL when we try to have our own opinions. Gawsh. I mean, how hard is it to put photos and text where we want them?! THAT’S ASKING TOO MUCH APPARENTLY.😂 Ahem. And omg I’m glad I’m not alone with my spending-more-time-blogging-and-on-bookstagram than actually reading sometimes. hehe. But it’s all about the bookish experience, right? :’)
I can’t even splain how much I love this post. Like, I’m about to die because it encompasses my entire world of being. Also it’s good to know that I’m not the only one who spends a ridiculous amount of time taking pictures of books. Even though I usually read eBooks, I am reading a hard copy right now. And I took like 30 pictures of that book with my cat. She wouldn’t look at the camera (because that explains it in a way that makes me still seem sane).
OH GOOD. I AM GLAD. And omg what is it with pets and being disagreeable for photos though??? My dog is a beast if I try to pose him in a shot. And if I DON’T want him in a shot, then he comes and lays his toys down all over my books. I mean, gah, I cannot win with that one.😂
YES. My cats (which are both beautiful and I love them to death) are this: *doing something cute* Me: *dying from the cuteness, so I pull out my camera* cats: *oh, a camera. I’m going to walk away now or just flop over and play dead*
BUT HOW CAN WE NOT LOVE THEM.
WE ARE DOOMED TO LOVE THEM EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE DISAGREEABLE HELLIONS AT TIMES. *sighs long sufferingly*
My sentiments, exactly!
Hey, why did you have to bring sacrificial spiders into it!? Spiders are hideous creatures. You do remember Aragog right? All his children would eat you and laugh about it.
We couldn’t find a spider emoji so moving on….
This was a really great post. It was funny and we have almost none of your problems. We don’t struggle with formatting because we’re royalty and as such we have minions to struggle for us.
We don’t have trolls. Thank the book blogging gods! We feel bad that you’ve ever experienced them.
We loved your natural progression about Italy and the moon. That is something we can relate to.😊
Oh and we’re going back through the archives today. Do beware 🙂
SPIDERS ARE AWFUL. I am so opposed to spiders omg.😭 I’m glad there is no spider emoji, but there is a crying emoji 😭😭😭 and that’s the same sort of thing.
AHHH STOP GOING INTO THE ARCHIVES. 🙈🙊 You’re embarrassing me hahhaha.😂
But I’m actually glad you haven’t experienced any trolls!! All the friends and happy blogging vibes for you two!
THIS POST IS MY LIFE
“Well then how about we SCREW UP THESE LETTERS AND EXPLODE THE PARAGRAPH AND AUTO-DELETE HALF THE POST AND EXPLODE 9 PLANETS, YOU FOOL. HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE.”
I actually hate adding GIFs and Images to my post because that’s exactly what happened: My Blog explodes and everything deletes and cuts off and has spelling errors and doesn’t make sense!!!
I go into a mental breakdown when that happens.
Ahh, I’ve met so many friends here in the blogging community! BUT ALSO ENEMIES AND TROLLS! But, mostly friends! 😀
AND YES, I may have deleted some embarrassing posts for the sake of the human race. If anyone read them they would die. Safety precautions!
P.SYOU REALLY ARE A MIND READER, AREN’T YOU? WHAT IS YOUR SECRET?
I’M GLAD MY BLOG ISN’T THE ONLY ONE WITH TEMPER TANTRUMS.😂 I mean, I’m not glad your blog chucks fits, but omg, what is it about blogs and messing up the formatting?!?? They do it to destroy us, I just know it.
Sometimes I feel like deleting like…half my posts from when I started omg. But at least it’s proof we all started somewhere, right?!?😂
YES I AM A MIND READER, MWAHAHAH.
rip I had to put some books I’m never going to re-read/didn’t like/lost interest in into two big boxes to make room for books that had been covering my table and floor lol IT’S A STRUGGLE NOT TO BUY ALLLLLL THE BOOKS (even though my bank account weeps after every purchase lol); Hah I used to think about moving from blogger, but honestly, it’s not worth the hassle anymore esp when I blog this infrequently. BUT I LOVE WHAT YOU’VE DONE TO YOURS OVER THE YEARS AND YAY FOR NOT STRUGGLING WITH FORMATING *AS* MUCH! omfg that was such a thing back when I blogged almost ever ysingle day that I didn’t have much time to read? I still don’t read 2504290 books a year and my yearly reading count has lessened, but the quality of books is better/more for my taste hah. The time I used to spend blogging and commenting is spent on other good things now though 🙂 YEEEEEEES @ ALL THE PEOPLE I’VE MET. BEST THING EVER TO TAKE AWAY FROM BLOGGING :’)
IT IS A STRUGGLE OMG SUCH A STRUGGLE. Plus if you like requesting books on netgalley or whatnot or devouring your entire library…*laughs weakly* RIP me too basically.
AHHH THANKYOU.😂 I definitely don’t have to fight with formatting as much anymore…unless I want to put my gif in a certain place that’s not just the centre of the page and my blog is like “Hello Cait…no.” #rude Who is queen here? Apparently wordpress, not I.
I think back to when I blogged everyday too and OMG how did I even fit all the blogging in plus reading plus everything else?!? Like at the moment I barely get anything done and I only blog 3 times a week and sometimes don’t even fit reading it.😂 LIFE IS A WEIRD BEAST.
OH, HOW NICE TO BE CERTIFIED! From now on, I’m putting “certified” next to “blogger” in my CV (yes, I’m THAT PERSON who includes the insane blog in their CV because it contains all of my bookish experience of ever and it’s good that the employer knows what they’ll have to deal with right away). But now I am certified, too, because *AGGRESSIVELY FITS ALL OF THE ABOVE*!
With the addition of “I QUIT OMG I CAN’T DO IT I CAN’T WITH THIS POST OR THE BLOG OR LIFE I QUIT EVERYTHING!!!!!!!! And by ‘quit’, I mean ‘I’m off to make coffee and bitch and then I’ll finish the post. BRB!'” (Consider it a kind of hyperbolic amalgamation of #3, #4, #5 and #7 on your list. On caffeine.)
And also, since I met the entire community through the wonder that is PaperFury a few weeks back, I tooooooooootally thought of you for #10! So you do NOT, in fact, joke. ‘Tis true. The Caitishness is a gift to all. <3
OH YES DEFINITELY DO THAT. And if anyone questions you, you can say “Cait said I’m certified” and they will all nod and accept that because I am queen. #legit
Omg I had “I quit” on there actually and I removed it to add in the 8 arms, because I thought having 8 arms comes up more *nods* Definitely for sure. And I forgot, also, to put on when you have 903 million post ideas but when you have time to write them YOU SUDDENLY HAVE ZERO POST IDEAS. #bookbloggingtragedies
CAITISHNESS IS A GIFT TO ALL. I WON’T EVEN DENY IT BECAUSE I’M JUST THAT HUMBLE. :’)
Yes is my answer to most of the requirements *.* Especially when it comes to blogging more than reading. I don’t only write reviews but I do also other things so I actually get lost following my blog.
And I can totally understand how you feel about Blogger <.< It's a bitch. But during this time my Blogger blog has been kinda to my posts and brain, don't why and how.
And the panic ç_ç One time I wrote a review about a book that in Italy everybody loved, but I hated with all my heart and brain and strenght XD I was terrified when I published the review because I was imagining about a mass of rabid fangirls ready to kill me and found where I live
AGh, it’s so scary posting a controversial opinion! I HEAR YOU. I’ve had some posts that I’ve scheduled and then un-scheduled and then panicked over for ages.😂 But we just have to own our opinions and not worry about the haters, right?!? *hi fives* 😂
OMG YOU PERFECTLY CAPTURED WHAT IT’S LIKE TRYING TO FORMAT STUFF ON BLOGGER. It’s a daily struggle, I swear. But then switching to WordPress sounds really scary and I actually quite like Blogger, apart from all the crazy formatting! Also, I have to agree, since I started blogging I’ve acquired many books, through my own uncontrollable book buying but no regrets because even though I have zero time to read them all (where does the day go?!?!) AT LEAST I CAN PHOTOGRAPH THEM!!! And book blogging has also made me realise yay for internet friends! 😃
THE STRUGGLE IS SO REAL AND PAINFUL WITH BLOGGER. AGHHHHH. I swear, though, wordpress is so much kinder.😂 Although switching is scary, but I’ve not once regretted it. (Although, I mean, you have to pay, so I’m not like telling anyone to switch hahha…I’m just sayin‘.)
But YES, where does the day go??? It’s ridiculous. I’m sure I am losing hours somewhere AND I NEED TO FIND THEM BECAUSE THERE ARE BOOKS TO BE READ. *stomps foot*
I am professional panicker with enough books to build a to-scale model of the eiffel tower. Oh. And Blogger HATES me.
You are definitely now an OFFICIAL BOOK BLOGGER since you’ve met the requirements. *assigns you sparkly verified sticker*
I’ve read a couple of your posts and they’ve all made me chuckle to myself. You have a great writing style!
I’ve only been blogging for 8 months and its nice to know that I’m doing things right but it’s okay to do things wrong as well! I have become an extreme literary hoarder since I started my blog. I swear I wasn’t this bad last year. I’m always get anxious about writing any ‘controversial’ opinions but I’m getting better at it too!
Ahhh thankyou! And I’m actually super glad about that.😂 I TRY. hhehe. And omg YES it’s okay to do things any way you want to do them, tbh, (also yay for starting your blog because blogging is awesome!!) But omg each year I become worse and worse (or better and better?😂) at hoarding books. IT’S THE INTERNET. IT’S ENCOURAGING ME.
You’re welcome!! I also blame the internet. Although I worked in Waterstones last Chirstmas and I have to say nothing is worse for your self control then a staff discount or having pretty books shoved into your face daily. Stronger people than me would have caved!
I collect books…but until recently I bought ebooks because I was broke, and so I have like a shelf to fill up before I’m full…*flops* I NEED MORE BOOKS RIGHT NOW!
ALWAYS. NEED. MORE. BOOKS. < --- Basically my constant cry even though my family keeps yelling why, but I keep yelling NEED. So that is my life. 😂
Why yes, I do fit most of these requirements. *struts around*
Although, *whispers* I haven’t really dealt with trolls yet. This probably means that I’m just not big enough yet and that eventually they will show up. I’m not excited about that. But, I am happy that at the moment I don’t have to deal with it, and also its makes me sad that you have to. I wish trolls would just go away and reform and become nice people.
Someone should definitely start kidnapping trolls and taking them somewhere and feeding them cake and rainbows until they’re forced to be kinder. *nods* Although this year hasn’t been so bad for trolls so that’s GOOD.😂 They’re all just hanging out on twitter instead hahaha..hah…oh dear.
BUT CONGRATS FOR REACHING ALL THE BOOK BLOGGER REQUIREMENTS. You are officially a book blogger, decreed be me. (Which makes it totally legit now. You can put it on your business card.)
I’ll adopt you! My bookshelves need arranging. Also I’ll bake for you so don’t worry, you’ll have cake and books!
Ignore the trolls Pyjama Queen!! I live for your posts I am telling you! They make me laugh and smile soooo much! ❤️❤️❤️
#PerfectCaitIsPerfect (this is the only thing that should be trending)
THIS IS PERFECT. I will live in your shelves and come out for cake, like a very nice library brownie faerie or something. IT’S A GOOD PLAN.
Awww, *SQUISHES YOU WITH HAPPINESS* I’m so so so glad you like my blog. THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. <3
Ha! Most of the things on your list apply to me. I started blogging a long time ago…in the midst of a Twilight obsession. So…I definitely have some embarrassing things in my archives. 😉 Fun list!
I think most of us are terrified of our archives right?!? hehe.😂 But we had to start somewhere!!
THIS IS SCARILY ACCURATE *checks for cameras in room*. Although I don’t yet have 8 arms (I actually think I’m losing limbs the more I blog, I GET SO FAR BEHIND), I definitely need to go to the moon (or other planets … Jupiter seems fun) for the #bookstagram potential. Also I HEAR YOU on that blog suggestion about PURPOSEFUL SABOTAGE OF MY PRETTY GIFS. WHY MUST THEY BE SO CRUEL *shakes fist at the establishment*.
I AM JUST AN ALL KNOWING CREATURE, THAT IS THE ANSWER HONESTLY. I think you probably maybe need to work on more arms though?? Because I mean, how can you call yourself a book blogger WITHOUT 8 ARMS. IT’S JUST NOT DONE. *nods sagely*
Such a funny post and so relatable! I HATE FORMATTING! I’m on Blogger and it’s so frustrating trying to do anything that isn’t very basic, but then I’m to scared to move to WordPress. The struggle is real!
Okaaay…. I basically fill out all the requirements except the trolls which is totally 100% okay. I love this list oh my gosh. I would add: having a TBR longer than your body because suddenly you know about ALL THE BOOKS and you have to read ALL THE BOOKS what is this amazingness. And you have to write lots and write critically and in interesting ways which is great. But otherwise: you’re totally right. I’ve met so many awesome people because of blogging as well. Hmmm, I try not to collect books because I am going to have to move countries for university next year, but I have a very very full ereader😅. Basically half of my brain is 📕📚📑📖📙 Yay for blogging!
THIS IS WONDERFUL. I AM GLAD. Because (A) it means my post is very accurate, which shouldn’t be a surprise tbh, and (B) I’m very glad you have not been eaten by trolls. I WILL PROTECT YOU IF THEY EVER COME CALLING. *brandishes weapons made from cake*
Oh oh yes to the writing critically. And not being able to turn off and just watch/read something without analysing it?!😂 I can’t STOP reviewing now.
*Cait describes herself as a gif instead of a gift*
Me: It’s finally happened. Cait has merged her personality with the internet. SHE IS ALL THE MEMES.
(Ok, less coffee for me…)
OMG I CAN’T BELIEVE I MISSPELLED GIFT. HAHAHHAHH. But it is accurate. I am one with the internet now. You think there’s a human behind this blog, but no. There is a GIF.
Great post, as always, Cait! I’m happy to say that I’ve not met the 9th requirement yet in the book community, having only met wonderful book-loving people such as yourself so far, I have encountered plenty of trolls in other fandoms though and they are no definitely fun, so I hope I continue to avoid them in the book community.
I am enormously glad you haven’t been eaten by trolls yet! KEEP IT THIS WAY, SUZANNE. LIFE IS SO MUCH BETTER. *shares cake crumbs of happiness with you*
Jokes aside 😉 I do read more now that I have … blogging needs. Met ahhh-mazing bloggers (like yourself… here’s some red velvet for ya), and well… in general I’ve been reading more critically and my tbr is soaring and all that. And of course, my blog is as vague as it gets… publishing is scary because … TYPO. *Gasp*
*eats all the red velvet* WHY THANK YOU. It’s like you know the way to make me happy or something. :’) #CakeIsLife And omg YES to the soaring TBR. For every book I read, I add like 5 more to the TBR (usually just the virtual TBR but stiiiiill…it’s out of control!)😂 I’ve learnt to accept my typos hahaha. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE I CAN’T ESCAPE.
In the immortal words of Douglas Adams, “DON’T PANIC.” Although it is difficult when planets are exploding, totally get the formatting issues. About 2 months ago, I had a BIG struggle with formatting. Sympathies!
Trolls really need to return to the cave or the underside of the bridge from which they crawled out. That will be a law pretty soon.
I’m glad to have found you. 🙂
Yes trolls so need to stay under their bridges.😂 Someone really out to start dragging them back to the darkness whenever they open their mouths.😂 bahah. Ahem.
Aww, I’m SO GLAD we bloggishly met! You always leave such lovely comments! <3
😀
You forgot to add perching precious tablet/eReader on a tree branch whilst waiting for your turn on hospital visiting and being bitten by ants or other vicious tiny bugs all in the love of book pictures.
Oh, Oh, I read The Scorpio Races! *inserts sarcasm* thanks, btw, it only caused a night dreaming with horses and blood and sand (partially my fault because I stayed up late reading it) and a day of being unable to move or do something productive because #feelings.
Just in case my engish failed me and I wasn’t clear, I loved the book. I’m also afraid of reading your reviews or recs now, because it will add more books to the mount doom (aka TBR)
OHHH YES. THE THINGS WE DO FOR BOOKSTAGRAM.😂 But always worth it right?! (I love that photo btw!)
BAHAH I’M SO GLAD YOU LOVED THE SCORPIO RACES!! *shrieks and flings confetti* ahem. I mean, I apologise for the trauma. (*whispers* I’n not even sorry. IT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK IN EXISTENCE.) Just stick by me and I will keep flinging excellent recommendations your way. It is my life. :’)
These are all so TRUE!!! Like, seriously!! I recently encountered someone who basically ripped my face off on Goodreads because I had a different opinion to them about a Maas book … I mean, I know the last book caused a lo my of mixed opinions and hat, but they like, attacked me! Also, I recently had a look back at some of my very first reviews and talk about cringeworthy!! I don’t even know…
I have recently been updating everything so much, I don’t even know how I find time to read in amongst my normal day to day life as well!! And I definitely started collecting more books since blogging … I even went and bought a kindle at christmas … Well, my husband bought it for me after I told him I want one, and now there are piles and piles of books, both physical and e copies, everywhere and I don’t know what to do with life!!
OMG that’s awful! Actually I’ve found the Maas fandom is entirely unreasonably rabid. It’s a bit awful. 🙁 I get attacked a lot if I don’t like a book on a diversity/minority. Like, I mean, yay that the book is representing stuff, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good book! And like same with SJM: she’s famous and deserves to be, but that doesn’t mean her books are flawless and everyone is going to like them! I really wish people were more mature. :/
Eeep, I want to update some of my archives…at LEAST my reviews.😂 BUT WHEN WILL I HAVE TIME FOR THAT, OMG, SOMEONE GET ME THOSE 3 HEADS.
About the 873 books thing….
I have bookshelves in every room of my house, floor to ceiling.
*packs bags*
*moves to your house immediately to live in your bookshelf*
Yes to the power of yes. I started this post thinking, “This probably won’t really apply to me, because I have a tiny little blog run by an elderly woman with too many responsibilities to really dive into it properly while Cait runs The Book Blog Of All Book Blogs and is young and peppy and a universe ruler who understands Bookstagram and blog design.” But then EVERY SINGLE ONE was true.
Which is why Paper Fury is TBBOABBs and you are a ruler of the universe.
Omgg The Book Blog of All Book Blogs? THIS MAKES ME SIMULTANEOUSLY LAUGH AND BE VERY HONOURED FOR THE TITLE.😂 But I’m so glad it was a relatable post anyway!! See?! ALL WE BOOK BLOGGERS ARE THE SAME. *hi fives*
Haha, nice creative twist to this week’s theme. You definitely had me chuckling 🙂
Eeep, YAY!! I’m really glad you liked it!! 😀 I had to do something since school goes back in Australia in February hahah, so it’s a bit of a cultural difference there.
Firstly why you got to food bait me like that? All I’m thinking about are custard tarts and nom nom. Attempting to format blog posts are such a pain. I swear I spend more time fixing the spacing and rearranging than the actual writing of the post (the amount of times I have to click that ‘preview’ button to check is beyond countable numbers). Yes they still end up exploding and I can’t win. Also I devour libraries so extra anxieties include collecting reserved library books before they disappear and returning them because I refuse to be banned from my true home. I panic so much about publishing blog posts: will my sarcasm translate, do I consistently sound like a negative nancy, am I bashing too much??? *gulp*. Fortunately I haven’t personally met any trolls but their methods of telling people their “opinion is wrong” baffles me. Another awesome relatable post Cait!!!
I’m here to write cruel posts to give you cruel cravings. (Tbh, I’m craving custard tart now and I don’t have one so this totally backfired. *HOWLS*) And YES. I spend more time formatting than actually writing posts.😂 Why does blogging have to be so disagreeable sometimes omg.
And there’s sooo much to panic over when blogging, GAH. I’m glad you’ve not had any trolls yet, though! OR EVER, LET’S HOPE?!? *crosses fingers*
Oh my I don’t even know where I should start on this. Such a fun post! <3
So, you had me laughing at a LOT of sentences: P I'm not even going to start listing them up here.
Haha, I fight with Blogger formating a lot too, which is why I actually started writing most of my posts in html so I don't have to figure things out with the pictures anymore 😛
#5 just hit me in the gut 😛 I have to be reeeallly strong to not delete all my older blog posts up until to like… Sunday 😛
#8 is a real problem, though… I mean I should actually be participating in this ReadAThon and what am I doing? Sitting at my laptop writing and exploring things about books, but not ACTUALLY READING THEM! :0
So glad to say that I failed #9 (so far) and hope that that'll stay that way.
#10 is my favourite thing about blogging! You get to talk to so many great people who like the same things/books you do 🙂 <3
I can honestly say that I haven't started collecting more books since blogging than before … because I've been a book nerd all my life and obsessed with them before, too. So my collection actually is just steadily growing (and will never stop…. HELP?)
Such a great post!! 😀
Here's my TTT @ Swissbookworm
YAY I AM SO GLAD YOU LIKED IT.😂 THIS MAKES ME VERY VERY HAPPY.
ohhhh but I’ve heard of people writing posts in html. That seems like a really logical thing to do, I should probably try it.😂 Instead of fighting the whole time hahhah. Ahem. But omg the archives are just scary right?! staaaay away from the archives. I think we bloggers should all pledge to each other never to look into each other’s archives.😂 I’M ALSO GLAD YOU FAILED 9. KEEP IT THAT WAY. *flings confetti*
There is no help to be had for a book-collecting-bookworm. YOUR’E DOOMED.
I’m just way too lazy to switch my blog host so I’m just gonna have to live with blogger for a few more months at least 😛
I created some cheat sheets in html which allows me to use the same format for book reviews and so I only have to put in the new text and pictures and stuff 🙂 Quite time saving 😛
Yes, I’m really not allowed to look at the archives otherwhise I’ll probably even get a heart attack :0 glad to know other blogger feel the same way ^^
This is all so relatable! I’m glad I’m not the only one who keeps fighting with the blog in order to post something.
ME: I know HTML code better than you.
BLOG: I don’t really think so!
*it changes everything before pressing PUBLIC*
ME: damn you!
SAAAAAME. Blog’s mottos are probably: confuse and destroy. I JUST KNOW IT.😂
What I won’t give to actually have 3 heads and eight arms. Imagine the productivity! I could probably, like, get a lot of things done. Or you know, watch a few more TV series or YouTube videos. Three of them AT ONCE. Can you let me know how you managed to get yours? Would love to know.
I knooooow, right?! You could blog, read, and write all with separate heads! AND IT WOULD BE AMAZING. I mean, with 8 arms and 3 heads…the math is a little off there, but pfft, we’ll still put those extra arms to good use. I’M THINKING MAYBE YOU CAN ORDER THEM ONLINE. PROBABLY AMAZON.
I love this. I have no evil trolls yet so I guess I haven’t hit the big time yet. However, I have met the rest of them and you know how much I love Octopuses so I’m thrilled to say I hit #7 some time ago. Wonderful topic as always.
OH GOOD. I’m not alone in my Octopi status. It makes life much easier tbh. One can like type super fast with so many arms. *nods* (I also hope you never get any trolls!!)
Love your reasons as always hehe 😀 I always panic about my blog posts and I want all the books ever because they look pretty. I spend way too much time just looking at books rather than taking photos like you but it’s still fun hehe 😀 Happy reading! http://www.curious-daisy.com/top-ten-tuesday/top-10-books-from-my-childhood/
It IS fun. It’s to fun to stop, hence my TBR will always be a problem because I’m like “oooh must own pretty book” promptly followed by “ooh have no time to read pretty book but will photograph it instead”.😂
OMG the formatting struggles are real. I’m on Blogger, and at least once a week I’m like, “Why can’t these images go next to each other without causing the apocalypse?”
Exactly! Like why is it so hard?! Why must blogger cry and weep and gnash it’s teeth? THEY’RE JUST TWO PHOTOS. *cries and begs blogger for sensibleness*
This post is just…yeah…describing me, myself and I…Your posts are so good and funny and yeah probably I buy more books since I have this blog but… who cares?!
Chiara
I AM GLAD YOU LIKED IT. My job here is done. :’) Cake for us BOTH now.
Yay! I meet most all of these requirements!! I am three months in and I will say it is HARD to find time to read books and then post and promote etc. etc. I am curious – Are most book bloggers full time book bloggers?? I am not because I have another previous job but I think it could EASILY be a FULL TIME JOB and then some!
That Blogging Loudly gif – I just want to look at it all day LOL!! Also LOL about rocketing to the moon for a bookstagram photo. I feel I can never meet the status quo of bookstagram these days. So now you have to read a book, write something intelligent about it, promote the heck out of the post, and also stage a beautiful photo with related props – LOL!! But thank you all for the beautiful book photos – I do appreciate them!
I have no idea if most book bloggers are full time…I’d say not! Since most of us don’t really get paid, which is sad. We should totally get paid because then we could blog all day and IT WOULD BE GLORIOUS.😂
But omg so much to do right!?? I used to post like 6 times a week and now I only post 3 times and struggle with that much.😂
Ahh thankyou!
Hahahaha, YES to all of this. #6 actually sounds ridiculous to other people BUT IT’S SO TRUE. I asked my family to make a detour from Charlottesville, Virginia to CHICAGO (multiple flights lol) just so I could attend ALA. Was it crazy ’cause I practically dragged my family a great distance? Yes. Do I regret it? Nope, nope, nopeity, nope. Blogger I find is surprisingly easier to format than WordPress. I had another blog and I would constantly want to bash my head on the keyboard because WordPress would NOT delete that line of spacing I didn’t want there. Oh well. Also, I’m seriously in love with that GIF from Ned’s Declassified <3 Great post and thanks for sharing! I love the little rants you go on, haha 😀
NO REGRETS EVER!! We book bloggers have our priorities in order. *nods* and families should honestly just do whatever we want because they’ll be grateful when we’re super mega famous right?! #legit
Ugh, yes, I still can’t figure out why WP always has that line…but I’ve learnt to live with it now. EVEN IF IT IS ANNOYING SOMETIMES.😂 Blogs, omg, they just want to make life difficult.
I’m so glad you appreciate my little rants.😂
OMG YES THIS POST IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD. <3 (or world, which is what I just typoed there. wow. yes. ahEM.) “BLOG: Well then how about we SCREW UP THESE LETTERS AND EXPLODE THE PARAGRAPH AND AUTO-DELETE HALF THE POST AND EXPLODE 9 PLANETS, YOU FOOL. HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE.” << LAUGHING SO HARD AT THIS OMG. Because it's SO FREAKING ACCURATE. Like…why??! WHY DO BLOGS HATE US? If I was a really smart technologically inclined human I would invent a whole new blogging platform that allowed said blogger to do any gosh darn thing they wanted with the formatting and there would be no coding and html and all that garbage and the stars would align. #goals
AHAHA YES I CAN RELATE TO #6 SO MUCH. wow. yes. THE THINGS WE DO FOR OUR BLOGS. :''') or or let's talk about how bloggers are frowned upon in public when going through such great lengths to get the perfect photo of their face/food/shoes/coffee??? IT'S LIKE YES CONDESCENDING TURNIP THIS IS WHERE ALL THE PRETTY INSTAGRAM PHOTOS COME FROM STOP JUDGING ME I CAN SEE YOU JUDGING ME. *sigh* we have it rough, bro. #bloggerwarriors
FLAWLESSSSS AS ALWAYS. <3
BLOGS DO HATE US. I swear their motto is “confuse and destroy” because that’s how I end up 99% of the time *sighs* And I really think you should go ahead and invent that new blogging platform, that would be super nice, yes please and thankyou. It took me like 5 years of blogging to even be slightly happy with my formatting.😂 And coding? WUT IS CODING. *runs away from it howling*
Omg yes the judgement is real! Why can’t people just understand that we need to do aesthetically pleasing things for an aesthetically pleasing blog? #priorities
I think my book collection grew like 5 (or maybe 10) times since I started blogging. Blogging and blog hopping just made me aware of so many books and books that are yet to come. and I just want to have them all!!!! And now my shelf is exploding! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO!?
and have I told you how much I enjoy reading your posts (and tweets and goodreads updates)? You always make my day, Cait!!!
My book collection literally sprang out of NOTHING. I didn’t even own a bookshelf before blogging and now I own 3 and still don’t have enough room.😂 I want them alllll toooooo. BOOKS. <3 My true love.
OMGG THANKYOU SO MUCH!! That means so so much to me *sends you cake*
I feel ya. Especially with the formatting problems. This week mine was battling it out over random resizing of fonts NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I CORRECTED IT. And just in one place. I had to make it larger than the rest so it was readable. Still annoyed. I like uniform! It makes the blog flow but does the blog agree? Nope.
Saaaame. My decided to change font colours the other day and I was like…no??? Where is this even coming from??? I JUST WANT YOU TO BE BLACK FONT + WHITE BACKGROUND, STOP HURTING ME. *glares at blog* 😂 They are such disagreeable beasts sometimes omg.
Ummm….yes to all of these! Guess that makes me official as a book blogger huh? And I was fortunate enough to actually MEET in PERSON some of my beat blogger friends and authors this week in Nashville for Christian Fiction Readers Retreat and ACFW. #bestillmynerdgirlheart
DEFINITELY OFFICIAL, MY 8-ARMED FRIEND. *hi fives you…8 times* Oh oh that is awesome you met blogging friends in person though!! THAT WOULD BE EPIC.
Hi Cait! I can ALMOST call myself a blogger. ALMOST. I already suffer from symptoms from #1, #2, #3, #4, #8 and #10. Whoop whoop. #8 Is really a problem. So bye – I need to go read. But your post was lovely and great visiting you again. Oh oh – I’ve just posted my 100th post (okay 101) and I’ve listed your blog as one of the blogs I like to visit. By the way. Bye. http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/2016/08/10-x-10-1-101th-dalmation-give-it-sniff.html
YOU ARE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO GETTING A BLOGGER VERIFIED STICKER. *nods* Happy symptom suffering!
omg, meeee?!?? *blushes* YOU ARE SO KIND. CAKE FOR YOU. <3
AH I WISH I COULD COLLECT MOARR BOOKS. Unfortunately the thing is, it isn’t easy here because there aren’t many. 🙁 HOWEVER! Even if I don’t live in a cave of books (Can this be a thing please?), it’s my wallet that suffers whenever I see a new shiny XD I’m a broke college student who likes to go to the bookshop and CAN’T STOP BUYING BOOKS.
A cave of books MUST be a thing. Or else an igloo of books? Or a castle of books? Tbh, I’m open to any bookish structure because #obsessed with books.😂 We just need a bookish fairy godmother to gift them to us, right?!?
LOL, if only! One day, I’m going to have enough books to make a sort of book castle and I’m going to bookstagram the hell out of it!
I CAN’T WAIT FOR THAT DAY.😂
Numbers 3-5? SO MUCH YES! I can relate on various points to all of these. Also, your last point, TRUE. I’ve met amazing people in this blogging journey, but sadly, none of them can I say, “Hey, let’s meet for coffee.” But we still have fun through our love of books. 🙂
Soooo true. I mean, it’s awesome too that you can be up at ANY time of the day/night and there’ll be some bookworm in some part of the world who you can chat with.😂 But NOT COFFEE. Which is a downfall. *sighs*
Hiya Cait, I’ve only just started my blog (literally today) so not much of this applies to me yet; but the thing about lots of books definitely does!! I’m rapidly running out of book space but do you think that stops me from acquiring new ones? nope 🙂 Also, I was just wondering where you get the GIF’s from that you use in your posts?
Oh congrats on starting your blog!! AND WELCOME TO THE BOOK BLOGGING LIFE!! I HOPE YOU GROW THOSE 8 ARMS REAL SOON. *nods* I just get gifs off either giphy.com or google search. 🙂
Omg I really related to these posts! Especially the format battle (and breaking a hair bobble, but that’s less to do with blogging!). I’m currently using blogger, but I’m debating changing, which would you say is better and has more range with designs? And I took a picture today by a waterfall in the name of bookstagram!(‘:
Ohhh definitely wordpress. I am a 100% wordpress convert.😂 Although I do self-hosted so it’s paid for, and I don’t know what free wordpress is like. But I enjoy not fighting AS much with the formatting.😂
AHHHH YOUR BOOKSTAGRAM PRIORITIES ARE #GOALS.
haha fun post! I do think most of us have anxiety over something. It’s tough to be a blogger – of any kind – but it’s also awesome.
I’m sure we do!! And it’s pretty natural.😂 We are shouting our opinions before the whole world, right?! *twitches nervously*
This post? PURE GOLD.
Except you forgot about the ability to contort yourself into positions that shouldn’t be humanly possible to get a book picture of a book. Bonus points if you’re outside, it’s raining, and you also have one leg and arm in a bush.
THANK YOU. WHAT CAN I SAY. I AM THE GOLDEN ONE. #legit
And ohhh yes. That should definitely be on here. We’re not just book bloggers, we are PRETZEL BOOK BLOGGERS.
I LOVE this post! And I can now proudly call myself a book blogger because I do kind of fit all requirements, yay! Except for the evil goblin trolls, because I haven’t encountered those yet. But I guess that’s good, so yay again 🙂
Book blogging is soo amazing to meet new people and make some friends! People in real life don’t seem to appreciate me raving about books for more than one minute (Seriously, they always say I’m too quiet but when I start talking about books I can see the fear in their eyes 😉 ) but I can talk about books with the lovely book blogging community ALL DAY LONG. YAY again!
And I definitely collect more books now that I’m a book blogger. I got an extra shelf and am again running out of shelf space. The struggle, it is very real (though not really a struggle at all, because as you said, all your hair ties could break and THAT puts everything in perspective 😉
OH GOOD. I’m glad you too have 8 arms, because I was beginning to get lonely in my ocotpi status. And I actually am glad you haven’t found any trolls. We’ll keep them from you. *brandishes sword so the trolls don’t come* 😂 And yes! Why don’t people IRL care about books?!? It’s so strange. I’m endlessly happy I have found my people on the internet, or else I’d be a very sad blogger with zero bookish discussions in my life. hehe.
I’m ALWAYS out of shelf space. #bookwormproblems 😂
Ha. This sounds very familiar. I haven’t encountered goodreads trolls but have had random negatives on Amazon which just make me chuckle. Have yet to travel to Italy or the moon but I have probably bored half of my family to death about books., And friends. And colleagues. And I do panic all the time about what I am writing likre it isn;t enough to express how fab books are. And I have run out of kindle space (on number 2) and physical book space, so much so I am convertin a whole room for book storage 🙂
We are such a unique and fabulous breed, book bloggers.
Ohhh you’ve run out of kindle space!? OKAY THAT IS INTENSE.😂 hehe. And I am constantly out of shelf space. I even stole my sister’s shelves and it worked for like, a week. Now I’m back to panic stations. hehhh. BUT YES ABSOLUTELY: BLOGGERS ARE THE BEST NO DOUBTS.
Omigosh, I’m totally in the 873 new books a month category. I feel like I have to practically DIG myself out from all the mountains of books I have to read. And yet I feel like I’m constantly donating them, but more of them somehow just appear??? Finally, how did you know I was planning your kidnapping? XD *cackles*
Awesome post, as always! <3
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
OKAY WELL I’LL PACK MY BAGS AND BE ADOPTED BY YOU SOON, I ASSUME. *packs cake because it is the necessity* I will fix your flood of books problem and read and review them for you AND I SHALL BE A WONDERFUL KIDNAPPED / ADOPTED CAIT-PET.
Well that actually sounds like a great plan, you’ll be a kidnapped co-blogger XD hahaha
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
OMG ALL OF THESE. You’re so good at these posts, Cait! I’m basically the queen of “why blog, why do you hate when I try to put things in the center, no I don’t mean align left, what the hell is up with this font” and also “what do you mean I shouldn’t spend all of this week’s paycheque to fund a trip to go see bookish buddies and also BEA and also buy all the books”.
So good. I’m lucky I’ve only been troll adjacent and not fully trolled yet. I have had some lewd comments on my GR (EWW) from creepy dudes, who I guess I should consider trolls?
Anyway. Awesome post.
Sometimes blogs just HATE US and it’s very confusing omg. *glares fiercely at blog* Sometimes I feel like deleting and starting again hahahahh….gah. I’m sure technologically intelligent people don’t have trouble with this BUT I JUST CANNOT.
I’m glad you have not been trolled!! KEEP IT THAT WAY IT’S MUCH NICER!!😂 Although I suppose lewd comments are really trolls…eeek.
Amen to that last one! Reading used to be such a solitary activity, but now it seems like there’s a limitless community no matter what you read! The internet is a truly magical place.
Yesss!! I love how reading can be such a community thing! It’s sometimes my favourite part to do the review and discuss the book after!!😂
Great post as always! I couldn’t help but nod with certain things you mentioned!
aHH I’M VERY GLAD YOU LIKED IT. *awards self with cake*
*shares some with you probably*
OMW YES. this post is the best and it was a terrible idea for me to read this on my lunch break (noodles + laughing = not good). SURPRISINGLY ENOUGH I DO FIT SOME OF THESE! obviously I’ve made some positively amazing friends through blogging! (don’t tell the others, but you’re my favorite)
and obviously since I started blogging my TBR has fallen on top of me and crushed me. OBVIOUSLY.
I APOLOGISE FOR YOUR NOODLE CATASTROPHE.😂 But I’m not actually that sorry because mwhahahah THIS MAKES ME HAPPY. Ahem. Making epic blogging friends is just aaaaamazing. AND OMG YOUR FAVOURITE?!? *blushes* You get a whole cake for that. No wait, more like nine whole cakes, precious bean. <3 Also being crushed by one's TBR is like an occupational hazard right?!
Hi friend! 😀 I’m glad to hear blogs don’t just have to be about the thing they were created to be. My writing blog is 50% about writing, and 50% whatever.
Also, formatting. I used to at least try, but blogger has defeated me and I no longer even try.
I have met cool people via blogging! I think you are the first person I ever met blogging, and I am glad of that. Keep posting!
Blogs can be about everything and everything right?!? 😂 I mean I call myself a book blogger but what do I really blog about? CAKE. So what kind of blogger am I really? WHO CAN KNOW.
Blogger used to defeat me so bad, omg. And even now I still fight with WordPress but at least not as much.😂
The BEST people hang out in the blogging world. TRUTH.
Love this list!! Super helpful for newer bloggers. 😉 Just have to figure out how to grow 8 arms now. On a slightly more serious note, I love meeting bookish people on social media, whether through Twitter or my blog, we are an amazing breed of people. And I like that I’ve pretty much found my people. Great post! Thanks for stopping by mine earlier! 🙂
You MUST grow 8 arms if you want to be considered a book blogger. Also, try for 9 if you want to be, like, a Super Dooper Book Blogger. (Totally legit title there *nods*) 😂BUT YES AHHHH BOOKISH PEOPLE ARE THE BEST!! And (mostly) everyone is amazingly nice IT’S JUST SO FUN.
Sadly I don’t have eight arms and enough pairs of eyes to read all the books I want to at once.. and still post my reviews… I really need to post more of them to my blog, but but time, time, time precious…… Luckily I have not met many trolls though. But as to all the others yes.. oh and blog formatting….. sometimes that can get so bad I almost have to delete the whole post and start again!
WHAT. NO 8 ARMS?!?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE, CLARE. Go grow some immediately. *nods* (And I hear you with deleting the post and starting again.😂)
Awesome! You made me nod, laugh and gigglesnort.
AHHH YAY!!! I’m so happy!😂
“YOU’LL FIND SUCH AWESOME BLOGGISH PEOPLE YOU REALLY ADMIRE AND WANT TO BE BFFS WITH IMMEDIATELY AND MAYBE KIDNAP / ADOPT BECAUSE THEY ARE CLEARLY YOUR BOOKISH TWIN.”
Yes! This is 99% of the reason I keep blogging. I love all the wonderful people I’ve met. It’s so nice to have something that instantly connects us all. And finding a bookish twin isn’t too bad of a perk either. 😏
Thanks for sharing Cait and, as always, fabulous post! <3
The blogging community is GLORIOUSLY WONDERFUL. <33 I sometimes think of how puny my life would be without bookish people to flail with. And omg all the horrible books I've been saved from because of you, my wonderful bookish twin. <3 😂 BOOK BLOGGING IS GOOD.
Eeeee I love this post. Actually I love all the posts of yours that I read so yeah.
And I don’t term myself specifically a book blogger, but yeah, I can very much relate to a good deal of these. =P
Awww!! YOU SAY SUCH NICE THINGS I MIGHT JUST GIVE YOU ALL THE CAKE NOW.
I AM CRYING LAUGHING!!! This post is everything, lol! Everything rings sooooo true, but I’m currently battling with #8 😩 I think taking a tumblr break is helping me get past it and focus back on my main blog.
I HEAR YOU. OUR LIFE AS A BOOK BLOGGER IS SO HARD HONESTLY.😂
LOVE THIS! I totally identify with wrestling with post formatting every 5 seconds. It’s gotten better over the last 6 years (the technology advances!), but it’s still pretty much a mess, which says a lot about how motivated I must have been wen I was just starting out. Also my bookshelves are quite literally bulging at this point. I blame the flimsy particleboard, definitely NOT my zeal to pack as many volumes as possible into a too-small space. 😉
YES! It does get better! But it’s taken me like 5 years to actually get my posts formatted how I want them to look.😂 And it’s always the bookshelf’s fault for not being big enough. Their fault. Not ours. We are blameless. #legit
I actually consider myself to be a writing blogger, but in a very loose way. My tagline is “The whimsical adventures of an author” cause I want young aspiring authors to know what it’s *really* like… But, but, can I just pretend that I fit in here? After all, I DO post book reviews and gush about books and sometimes invite authors in for interviews, so it works, right?
Number six would have to be the best reason, because anything for an excuse to be wild (in a very bookish way), right? I never actually went on a trip simply because of a book, but I did take books to certain countries where they originated, then happily read them in said countries, and felt like the best little bookworm ever.
And YES, bookish friends through blogging? I’m constantly amazed at how friendly and helpful and just “Let’s be friends” people there are out there. It makes me wonder if other people think such nice thoughts about me? But, no, how could they? I mean, SURELY I don’t come across as being so wonderful, right?
Ugh. And #3? Currently my blogger blog is refusing to let a lot of people comment…SO, I’m considering WordPress. Only, I’m one of those little people who can’t really even format the most simple thing. So. We’ll have to see how long this idea has to grow before I finally act on it.
Aidyl from Noveltea
You can totally fit in here *nods* Like some of these work for any blogger right?! Like…fighting with blogger about where image and text should be.😂 AHEM.
OHHHH that is so awesome you took books to countries specifically! YOU ARE THE BEST BOOKWORM. I have not yet taken my copy of the Lunar Chronicles to the moon yet, so I’m clearly a lazy bookworm. Sheesh. Where are my priorities?!? But all the bookish friends make up for my lack of aesthetically pleasing moon-book-photos. AHHHH. I’ve met the best people in the internet. THE BEST. <3 YOU COME ACROSS AS BEING ENTIRELY WONDERFUL, BTW. I may or may not flail whenever you comment. Just saying.😂
Hahaha, wonderful list Cait! I can relate to almost all of them (spending more time blogging than reading, buying more books as a result of blogging (as if my habits before weren’t bad enough), picking up the Italian and Spanish editions of my favourite books, etc, etc) xD
*hi fives* YOU ARE CLEARLY A BOOK BLOGGER NOW. You’ll get like a shiny Book Blogger Verified sticker from me. *nods*😂
I have not had any trolls, probably because I’m not as awesome as you at this book blogging thing. But I have met every other requirement which are all the good ones (kind of) so I’m happy. When I do really get into blogging I become kind of obsessed with it so just reviewing – really reviewing and commenting does take so much time.
My books are everywhere! I can’t wait to get my own place and move it all out. It’s hard to give them away especially since I’ve picked most of them out and will reread them whenever.
Well I am GLAD the trolls have not come out from under the nasty bridge for you. THIS IS GOOD. WE’LL KEEP IT THIS WAY. I think I’m just too loud and I attract them?😂 Bahhahah. AHEM.
But reviewing does take so much time omg. And answering comments and writing up posts and finding gifs and just…it all piles up!
Oh I HEAR YOU. I hate the thought of getting rid of books but I literally have no more space. None at all.😂
OH YES I panic although only mildly every time before I publish my post. because first, English is not my native language so I worry about having grammar errors etc, and secondly like you said, I’m afraid my opinion hasn’t been addressed clearly. And considering my fear of any existence of grammar mistakes, it just intensifies.
And blog formatting YES. Like, dear blog why can’t you cooperate with me?!? The effort of composing and structuring the look of our blogs should gain us an award.
Omg your English is AMAZING…(plus now I think you’re an incredible superhero because you blog in a language that isn’t even your first one?!? LIKE THAT IS AWESOME I struggle with English and it’s the only language I’ve got.😂)
Ah, blogs, DEAR BLOGS. Their motto is: confuse and destroy, I’m sure of it.
Aah thanks! I’m always fascinated by the English language even when I was little. And my blog has become a place where I can improve my English, I think. Hopefully.
I sometimes make the mistake of reading really old posts from the early days and it makes me cringe!
I NEVER look at my archives….ever…hahahaha. IT’S TOO PAINFUL.😂
I love this post! I did start buying way more books ever since I started my blog! And lately, I’ve been blogging more than reading. HELP ME, I’m in a reading slump… THE HORROR. I haven’t encountered a troll yet -at least, I don’t think so?
I did get a comment on one of my posts I disliked so much I deleted it. I had made a post about YA, the term itself, and how I think that the age it markets to isn’t actually “adult” whether young or not. I hope you know what I mean? I was saying that I do love the books, but that there doesn’t seem to be a market for actual young ADULTS like 18-25 (aside from NA romance). And how I feel kind of left out sometimes? And this person commented saying that he agreed with me, that YA was just a marketing term to encourage low quality literature without feeling ashamed. EXCUSE ME? First of all, did you even read what I wrote? I didn’t say that! Second of all, you are just drowning in all of your WRONG. I didn’t even know what to answer, so I just deleted it…
WE ARE TWINS IN BOTH THESE MATTERS.😂 I honestly spend soooo much time blogging these days and reading?!? HAHAHA. I need more reading time. Especially for all these books I’m “suddenly” acquiring. Like where did they come from. Who can know. Surely I am not to blame.
I thiiiiink I read that post of yours!! But omg what was that person on about?!? SO RUDE. I’ve been told not to censor my comments, but pfft, I delete them if they’re horrible. I once had someone totally NOT read my post properly and take ONE SENTENCE out of context and totally rip into me about being a bigot and diversity-hater and just…it was bizarre and awful (plus they ended the comment saying they were only telling me this because they were my friend…and I was like “noooo you are not a friend”.😂) SO YEAH. Deleting is needed sometimes, right?!?
I’m sure you’re not to blame for those books suddenly appearing. And can I really be blamed for getting books when there is a SALE in my favorite independent bookstore? I don’t think so.
Exactly! It’s so rude. Before you say anything, you should obviously read the post first! And I don’t care what anyone else says. If it’s your blog, you decide to delete comments you don’t want on your blog. It’s no one else’s business! If someone is rude, you delete that comment. It’s the only way to go sometimes, becasue arguing with them will only make it worse…
P.S. I hate it when people do that. It’s like starting a sentence with “no offense”. OBVIOUSLY YOU WILL SAY SOMETHING OFFENSIVE NOW. But it’s okay because you said no offense?
Spent time on blogging way more than reading – THAT’S ME! What the? It actually frustrated me sometimes (every time)! Urgh.
http://laxsourire.blogspot.my/
SAAAAAME. I feel bad when I spend so much time blogging and get no reading done.😂 BUT WE DO WHAT WE CAN DO RIGHT?!? I need more clones…
I LOVE THIS POST.
I run a small blog (basically non-existent) but the one about having eight arms, I totally get. I’m hoping I’m going to get better at it ha. Maybe I need to be better at scheduling my time, and maybe watch less netflix ha.
Collecting books is totally true I even have to justify it to my husband, that it’s okay, I’m a book blogger and that’s what we do.
Anywho, great post!
YAYY I’M GLAD YOU LIKED IT. *flails* And omg just grow those 8 arms and all your problems will be over. Guaranteed. More heads is also handy so you can blog with one head and read with the other. #winning
We NEED books!! It’s like OUR JOB. (That we’re not getting paid for but whatever.😂) Books keep us alive!
Do you know of anywhere that would attach said eight arms or the two heads? I’m willing to pay a small amount of money!
Book addiction is definitely a thing. If we don’t get the books, we get super grouchy. No one wants that!
I’m sure we can order extra arms online, right??? AMAZON MAYBE?!?
Hahah, if only!!
I think? I met most of these. Haha, for real #4 is me right now. I just scheduled an ARC review for a book that I just couldn’t stand and I keep going back to to see, “Was I too harsh? Did I make it clear I just didn’t like the book? I hope the author doesn’t think I’m attacking her! I just didn’t like the character. AHHHHHH!!”
Nine planets explode? No kidding! Blogger is evil.
Honestly, the awesome people are my favorite part. *points to entire book blogging sphere* I LOVE YOU NERDS!
IT IS EVIL. I’m pretty sure one has to preform dark wizardry to make blogger behave. *dramatic sigh* And omg YES so many glorious nerds here. IT’S THE BEST.
I do! I do meet all the requirements for being a book blogger, Cait! Yay! This is a fun post, my dear, and I loved reading the requirements and realizing things about myself and blogging. 😉 Oh, and, um, about adopting you…since I do meet your requirement of acquiring *at least* 873 books a month, and I find myself minus a chick (college) in my nest……. lol
OH GOOD. I’m very glad (I’m assuming you definitley have 8 arms, right? *nods*) And I shall be packing my bags and moving IMMEDIATELY because I need more books in my life. Obviously. I don’t have enough as is.😂
Hehehehehe….. still don’t have a blog, so, uh…. 😛 But, however, I have gotten into contact with plenty of nice and interesting people through reading and commenting (such as yourself, Cait! And I know sometimes I will disagree with things…… occasionally… but still, all the same… ‘Tis cool) 😛 I am almost glad I don’t blog because as much as I would love to and dream about doing it, I am the perpetual foe of technology (pfft! More vice-versa!) especially fickle technology.
Awww, I’m so glad that I met you too, Isi!! And pfft, it doesn’t even matter if we disagree on things?!? Like we’re ALL DIFFERENT AND THAT’S ACTUALLY AWESOME. So long as you like cake. Then we can be BFFs very easily. *shares cake with you*
Honestly I fight with technology ALL the time but it’s worth it.😂
Yep, total agreement with ya there. Cake is one of the best things that ever happened to anybody on this earth. 😉 Especially chocolate cake with chocolate icing. But – yes – cake is awesome. :’D Yeah, I am soooo glad I don’t have a phone, ‘cuz tech is out to get you…. 😛
YES TO ALL OF THIS. Especially the issues with Blogger. Oh man, I’ve never wanted to throw my laptop like I did when I had Blogger. WP has been amazing and I haven’t had any problems. *knocks on wood*
Another fantastic post that had me cackling loudly at work.
Yesss, I’m so so glad I changed to wordpress. I am NEVER going back, basically. Never ever.😂
All the truth here lady! Maybe not to Italy, but I totally flew to Portland with my previous co-blogger for a book release party. Sigh, that was the pre-baby days lol.
OMG FLYING TO A BOOK RELEASE!! THAT IS AWESOME! (Although I mis-read that and thought you said Portugal.😂 And I was going to be very VERY impressed hahah. Ahem.)
Cait, why are your posts so scary relatable?!
“your first blogging attempts were horrendous. Or last week’s. Or, like, yesterday’s.” <— Actually me xD
I'm totally guilty of spending ore time on Bookstagram/blogging than reading books. It's slightly hard to write reviews when, ya know, you haven't read a book in a week.
I also 100% collect more books now that I blog about them but I can't say I'm mad about it. (I'm guessing my wallet does not feel the same way about my bookish obsession.)
Oh, yes, and I've also met some FABULOUS people through blogging!
A-MAZING post Cait!!!
=D
BECAUSE I’M SCARILY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT ALL THE THINGS. #legit 😂
And ohh I totally agree! Or when you keep taking bookstagram photos of books you haven’t read and your followers are like “GO READ IT” and you’re like “BUT I’M BUSY PHOTOGRAPHING IT”. I don’t even know, omg. Sometimes my life is very strange hhahaah. Ahem. And at least we’re collecting beautiful things, right?! and USEFUL things. We will get smarter from this addiction. (But not smarter about collecting books obviously.😂)
All so true!
I’m glad you agree!😂
Yeah, I totally have a book acquiring problem…I mean, I always have but since I’ve started blogging it’s just gotten worse (or better). And, the people are the best part! 🙂
But is it REALLY a problem?! We could be eaten by zombies < -- actual problem AT LEAST WE'RE ONLY ACQUIRING BEAUTIFUL BOOKS AND WE CAN EVENTUALLY BUILD BOOK IGLOOS SO WE ARE, INDEED, WINNING.😂
Ola! (Did you know that the Portuguese word for pineapple is abaxaci? You’re welcome.)
I MADE THE LIST!!!
IIIIIIIIIII’ve only met one troll. Well, I figured out that she really wasn’t one, because, really, she’s just a little hard to understand her very straight-up and hard-to-understand way. Also, only something I’d written, someone commented saying that I need to change stuff because the name was the same as another guardian. Ummm … what?
I’VE MET SOME GREAT AND AMAZING PEOPLE (you included!!). ‘Cept, sometimes they don’t know that I exist… #awkward
I DID NOT KNOW. but now that I know I feel like my life is greatly enriched. THANKYOU.
Ooooh-kay those are weird troll experiences.😂 I hope you don’t have to suffer through many (any!?) more!! Trolls are kind of baffling sometimes because like half the time WHAT ARE THEY EVEN ON ABOUT. Who can know. The leader of the troll evil kingdom probably.
Aww, I’M GLAD I MET YOU TOO, ALYSSA, YOU WONDERFUL BEAN! *flings confetti*
I WILL TAKE YOUR COLD MOLDY PRETZELS AND TREASURE THEM FOREVER. (now i legit want to mail a pretzel to you just to see what exactly it looked like when it arrived)
(OH. ACTUAL STORY. A lady in Europe my step-dad knows mailed us like two packages of bread and sausage and SO MANY BAGS OF GIGANTIC BREADY PRETZELS and they were NOT moldy, though they were cold. But they also probably cost so many moneys. BUT YOU CAN MAIL PRETZELS) (i did not treasure them forever though. i ate them.)
“For instance, trees are generally taller than you. They are winning. You are not.” Omo I love you Cait XD I was laughing through at LEAST half of these (ALTHOUGH I CONFESS: when I first opened this post I sorta tried to guess what requirements you had listed AND I TOTALLY EXPECTED YOU TO MENTION ‘MUST OWN AT LEAST FOUR DRAGONS’ or something. BUT YOU DIDN’T???? ARE YOUR DRAGONS OKAY??? or did you fire them because they are terrible secretaries)
Nothing says “Friendship” like a fabulously mouldy pretzel, right?! *NODS* RIGHT. When I’m a famous rich author (ahem, happening any day now I’m sure) I’m totally going to send you a package of Australian stuff. JUST BECAUSE.😂 I’m really glad you didn’t treasure your European pretzels although that kind of concerns me how they didn’t go off?! WHAT WERE THEY MADE OF? MAGIC?!?
Ohhhh I did not mention dragons. SOMEONE TAKE AWAY MY DRAGON CARD. I’M CLEARLY NOT WORTHY. *goes away to sob wildly* Actually wait, let’s just assume I finally got my dog to start blogging for me and he wrote this and that’s why it’s failing. #legit
Omo I for real want to send you a package of US stuff. WHEN WE’RE RICH AUTHOR HUMANS WE SHALL TRADE PACKAGES OF STUFF YAY.
(they probably were made of magic honestly. there were so good and gooey and we warmed them up and put butter and sea salt on them. uuuhhgggg now i’m hungry help)
SHAME OF YOUR DOG FOR LEAVING OUT THE DRAGONS. Never EVER forget the dragons, Cait. tsk tsk tsk.
THAT WILL BE THE ULTIMATE GOAL YUS LET’S DO THIS. And food that is magic is just the best food honestly and stahhhhp describing them you’re making me so hungry.😂
you’re weeeeeeeelcome XD
It actually, genuinely scares me how alike we are. Except for one very important thing: You put your sass into your blog posts. I can not do that. *Weeps* So I shall stick with book reviews for now.
Also: I have acquired about 800 books this year, come live with me, but only if you bring YOUR books and we can make it a PARTAY. I mean, I haven’t literally acquired that many books, but it probably isn’t too far away. It actually makes me laugh when people are like “I have so many books on my TBR” and “so many” equals 20. I LAUGH IN THE FACE OF 20 BOOKS ON YOUR TBR. That’s nothing. NOTHING. I have LOTS. Like hundreds and hundreds and possibly into the thousands (but just the 1000, I’m not totally crazy) and I am not far off being able to BUILD A REAL BOOK HOUSE.
I need to move into some sort of residential facility (preferably for free) where I can just sit and read ALL THE TIME FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER. Otherwise there’s no way I will ever clear my TBR, mostly because I just can’t stop buying. It’s a real sickness people!!!!
OH HELLO BLOGGING TWIN THEN. SHARE CAKE WITH ME, MY TWIN. *flings cake crumbs in the air*
Omgggg 800 books this year. Yes, just hang on a second, I am packing my books and then packing myself and coming immediately. I shall also bring my bookshelf and my dog and my cake. Because #priorities hahah, yes, I mean, 20 books WOULD BE NICE WOULDN’T IT?!?? I have 1000+ on my goodraeds list but I don’t actually own them. But I’d like to.😂 BUILDING A BOOK IGLOO THOUGH IS COMPLETE GOALS.
I only have 44,087 books in my Calibre library (no joke); I don’t have a problem, I promise. But my blog is on Booklikes, so I fight with it constantly (I’m considering a divorce). I’m too new to have many trolls; but when I published my review of Battlefield Earth, quite a few trolls came out and bashed me for being a Scientologist (despite the fact that I’m not).
My List: Care to Matriculate?: Ten Top Schools of Science & Magic
Omggggg, that is a lot of books.😳 You will DEFINITELY need to find immortality so you can read them all, right?!?😂 And omg that is a horrible troll-y incident. *sad face* I hope you don’t have too many instances like that! Some people are bizarre. Worst is when they don’t even read the post and just start ranting about stuff you’re not even saying *sighs*
Yes, yes, yes to all of these!!! Fantastic (and hilarious) post as always. 😘
I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKED IT!! *flails copiously*
I love it, “SOMETIMES YOU SPEND MORE TIME BLOGGING ABOUT BOOKS THAN ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, READING THEM” Yup, mhmm, totally me. I loved this, you’re so funny! This was great.
Elizabeth
http://whimsicalthoughtss.blogspot.com/
I’m glad it was funny! 😂 MY WORK HERE IS DONE.
“Mild book acquiring problem” *hysterical laughter* *cat laughter* *fictional character laughter* *satan laughter* mild. Ha. If only. This octoblogger has a serious issue. I may be in dire need of intensive therapy. But you’re right, I DO spend more time blogging or thinking about reading than, ya know, ACTUALLY reading. But there’s some people who haven’t picked up a book in years, so AT LEAST I’M BETTER THAN THEM. And I have made so many wonderful friends because of this blogging shenanigan. Awesometastic post, Cait!
omg “satan laughter” < --- SO ACCURATE NOW I'M LAUGHING. Ahem. But pfft you can't get intensive therapy, dear Octoblogger, because then you won't fit in with the rest of us psychos. WE'RE ALL MAD HERE. <-- probably our mantra tbh And SO TRUE. Like I heard statistically a person is most likely to read one book per year. ONE. So obviously we are 10000 x better than that already. #winning
Right now I am so far behind on my reading, it feels like I am never going to catch up. It’s good to know there’s someone else who feels my pain. 😛
The pain is EVERYWHERE for we bookworms. *sobs with you* 😂
Right now I have 4 or 5 (or maybe 6?) books I’m supposed to be reading to review, so naturally they have to come before anything else. I barely get one finished when one of the authors pops up with their next R2R title…at this rate I’ll never get around to any of my other titles. 😛
How did you know about my goblin trolls? 🙂
Reading this post, I was like yep, yep, yep! I fight with my blog about formatting, I’ve met super cool bookish peeps (like yourself!), and I keep getting way too many books!
~Sara
Awww, you are SO NICE. <3 I'm so glad I met you too!! Blogging is just AMAZING for finding incredible people. *flails happily*
Oh, this is freaking GOLDEN, Cait! Because it is so true- the entire time I am just nodding along like “yep this is a thing!” Seriously, you completely summed up why I left Blogger. Because I swear, if ONE MORE GIF had refused to align… I was probably going to explode. Like, actual bits of me on my laptop screen, smeared all over the offending image, that’s where the coroner would find me. WP isn’t always perfect but it is so much better I want to hug it!
At first I was like “Oh, I don’t think I have any personal trolls” but then I thought about it, and I don’t have like, any DEDICATED trolls, but I have stumbled across each of those so… I guess I have “made it”? I have had some really… bizarre trolls too. I want to rant about them but I am trying to be non-evil right now. That could change later.
Also, wasn’t I going to adopt you, Cait? You shopping around for better offers? I see how it is. I have 4 full bookcases. Big ones. Just saying. And of course I have met the loveliest of lovelies through blogging- like YOU! ♥♥♥
Well see I have to ask for options BECAUSE YOU HAVEN’T COME TO COLLECT ME YET, SHANNON. HURRY UP ABOUT THAT. Else I’ll just have to mail myself to you in an envelope?? I could probably do that. As long as I bring snacks. #sensible
And omg isn’t blogger the worst?!?😂 Sometimes I swear it was like you had to sacrifice a goat to the blogging gods before it would let you even have photos in the right position or font all orderly. I AM NOT SAD I LEFT. NOT SAD AT ALL. Blogger is like a super annoying ex honestly… ahem.
I love this post! Especially the part about reading for 15 minutes and blogging for 3 hours…had me cracking up! (But yeah…it’s true!)
I’m just glad I’m not the only one who accidentally spends more time blogging than reading hahhaha.😂
#7, yes. I’m actually simultaneously commenting on 7 other blogs right now.
Oh you are the multitasking hero!😂 I have like a dozen blogs open in my tabs right now too haha.
AHHHH. FELLOW BLOGGERS/BOOKSTAGRAMMERS. THEY ARE MAGICAL. I met one of my best friends on Bookstagram. And my favourite blogger. That I want to kidnap. That is maybe slightly worrying. That is fabulous. That is you, Cait. You write hilarious posts AND interact with your readers. HOW DO YOU DO THIS? WHAT CHOCOLATE DO YOU EAT?!
I have indeed also started to buy ALL THE BOOKS OF EVER now that I blog about them. #Whoops. And… Yes, I admit. I have done wild things, but all in the name of books. So I am forgiven, yes? I maybe, just MAYBE, attempted to climb a tree so I could snap myself with a book. In a tree. As you do. Anddd… It did not go well. Books + trees = NOPE.
But how was your day, Cait?
Happy reading! 😀
AWWW, I’M FLATTERED YOU WANT TO KIDNAP ME.😂 Wait. I should probably like brandish a frying pan or something right? Ahem. But like seriously lure me in with cake and I’m a goner. Absolutely. So easy to please omg.
And all the wild things are absolutely justified WHEN IT’S IN THE NAME OF BOOK BLOGGING!! We do what we must right!?? And I’ve stood in many bushes to try and get the perfect photos.😂 BUT IT’S WROTH IT.
Yes to all of these! But especially #3, 7, and 8.
And #2? We don’t speak of #2 in Book Buyers Anonymous. If I admit I have a problem, I’ll have to work to solve it. What would the poor homeless books do then?
It’s not really a problem anyway, right??!? WE’RE ADOPTING BOOKS AND SUPPORTING AUTHORS. WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN THAT.
This made me laugh so hard! It is all so true, except for #9 I have managed to avoid that, but it’s early days!! Haha. And OMG I ma secretly (ok not so secretly clearly) glad you struggle with #3, I thought it was only newbs like me. Also #10 is my fav req for being a book blogger. <3
I hope you avoid #9 FOREVER.😂 And nope, I am the worst at formatting. It’s taken me LIKE FOUR BLOGGING YEARS to get my posts looking how I want them to look!! So you’re definitely not alone. ;D
This is such a wonderful post! Have a nice day:)
irenethayer.com
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Oooohh I could totally relate to this!! I panic ALL THE TIME?? Like, what if people love this book I’m giving 2 stars rating? What if people don’t relate with I feel? What if there are typos? Wrong grammars? WHAT IF??! I relate so much to that gif of… is that an owl? A squirrel? A racoon??
And yes I started doing crazy things for book blogging AND bookstagram! Like the other day, I spent extra 100k rupiah (it’s probably around 9 USD?) to get the US cover of A Gathering of Shadows while the UK cover is half the price because I want it to look good on pictures! I’m honestly broke so I don’t know why I did that :’) and yes omg there are SO MANY THINGS TO DO! Writing blog posts, living my actual life, taking pictures, editing, and actually reading. I think I talk about books more often than actually reading them. Great post! <3
*hi fives for recreational panicking* 😂 WE CAN BE THE PANIC QUEENS. It works. Ahem. But yes I think it’s an owl. It is the most relatable owl in the world omg.
oh and I TOTALLY hear you on spending extra on a specific book cover. haha. I nearly spent like a TON extra to get a hardcover but at the last minute I was like “Seriously, Cait?!? No you cannot until you are rich.”😂 But SOMEDAY I will buy all the hardcovers…ahh. It’s worth it to have them looking gorgeous in pictures right?!? Like I used to always go to the library, but now I want to own books so I can photograph them. #noregrets 😂
Omg, the formatting thing is SO real. I swear, every time I see a picture or something that would look perfect in my post, it won’t go where I want it. It is so incredibly frustrating, I wish someone had told me this before I started using blogger because now I can’t must the energy to change platforms. Great post!
IT IS THE WORST, ARGHGHHG. 😂 Blogs just live to torment us honestly.
Haha, I meet most of these requirements. I have thankfully avoided trolls in my book blogging life because I am still new and small in this world. I did sadly have a trolling experience in my previous blog life, but we won’t go there.
And even worse than WordPress messing with your formatting is having your entire system crash! Two weeks without a computer {or access to my beloved blog} were torture!
I’m super glad you haven’t encountered any trolls lately! WOOO. I hope it stays that way for you. *nods*
Omg I haven’t had my WordPress crash yet, although I have had it disable my blog….but luckily I have a relative who does web design and they fixed it for me straight away.😂 I always panic so bad if my blog goes down!
yes! especially number eight. the struggle is real. plus with the book blogging comes the other book blog reading too!
oh yes, I spend so much time reading blogs! No regrets, but sometimes I don’t get much reading done hahahh.😂
I’m glad you added that bit about not encountering a troll yet…I could identify with everything else, but that one made me feel left out a bit…like I must be doing something wrong. I have spotted a few trolls on friends blogs. Nice list.
Pfft, you mean you’re DOING SOMETHING AWESOME.😂 It just means you’re so nice! I hope it stays that way for you!
This post. I love. 😀 I am also many of these. *nods* I’m also WAYYY behind on blogs because I took a slight hiatus last month, SO NOW I GET TO CATCH UP ON SOME LOVELY CAIT POSTS. *huggles your blog*
Aww, the fact that you’re catching up on my blog IS REALLY KIND. THANK YOU. <3 I hope you had a nice hiatus though!!
BEST LIST EVER. I FIT THE MAJORITY OF THESE REQUIREMENTS. VERY WELL. YES, INDEED. YOU’VE DONE IT AGAIN, CAIT.
I can relate! Just substitute music for books in my case. YouTube recommends pretty much makes me think “oh I should do this instead!” Then I end up scrolling before doing anything!
THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH, AMY. I AM ALL THE HAPPY THAT YOU AGREE.
*double chin smile* I ALWAYS DO.
Even though my book blog is brand new and I’m in the middle of writing my first posts to go up next week, I already relate to most of these. Especially the collecting of books. The Goodreads deals email I get daily isn’t helping me slow down adding to my 574970493794 mile long TBR list either.
I love this list. It made me laugh a couple times but I’m TOTALLY thankful I have not been met with trolls (yet) in all of my time blogging with previous sites.
Oh oh congrats on your blog, Adrienne! *flings confetti and cake at you* You will be a glorious book blogger when you start FOR SURE. I hope you have 8 arms though. That’s pretty much a non-negotiable requirement, we all know this *nods sagely*
Oh my gosh Cait you just gave me nightmares on when I was on self-hosted WordPress, I had to code most of my post formatting by hand! It was terrible! NUMBER 8 IS PRETTY MUCH MY LIFE ABOUT NOW but actually let’s just replace “blogging” with “hauling”. I love how we’ve all come to be friends because of blogging, the greatest thing ever!
Omg coding posts sounds terrifying! But wait you’re not on self-hosted wordpress?! I thought you were hahha.😂 Anyway. Your blog is SO PRETTY AND PROFESSIONAL BTW. Just sayin’. And yes, omg it’s so great to meet so many wonderful people!! I think your blog is one I’ve been following the longest actually!
*raises hand* Yes. Actually yes. And I spend more time on photos as well at the moment (not so much time on blogging…TOO BUSY). But it’s all worth it, right?
IT IS SO WORTH IT! Sometimes I spend like HOURS and HOURS on photos and then have no time to blog…but oh well. My bookstagram looks pretty.😂
Totes yes. Except the trolls thing. I do not have those (yet?). I hope never. I’m a Libra, for crying out loud. We don’t do CONFRONTATION. 😨 and whoever tries to steal my chocolate shall suffer the wrath! But all in all this is the dealio!!
I HOPE YOU NEVER EXPERIENCE TROLLS!! And I hope no one ever steals your chocolate because honestly that sounds like the worst cruelty of the world. *brandishes weapons* 😂
I’m starting to think that in my Sunday Post instead of linking to the discussions I’ve happened to love that week, I should just link up to your blog and say, “Here. Go read this. All of it. You won’t be sorry.”
OMG THIS ABSOLOUTELY MADE ME SMILE S MUCH YOU HAVE NO IDEA.😂😂💕💕
Oh my gosh. Thanks again for the priceless entertainment, Cait. #3 tho…SO TRUE!!!
I’m not *only* a book blogger, but I’ll add to the list…deriving enormous amounts of pleasure from reading spam comments. Because they are seriously some of the best nuggets of nonsensical amusement you’ll ever come across.
I’m glad you liked it!! *flails happily* And I’m sure some of these apply to just bloggers in general anyway, right?!😂 BUT YES TO THE SPAM. Sometimes spam is so kind and complimenting omg. Bless you spam for calling me a talented writer and then asking me to buy cat insurance or whatever. :’)
Oh gosh yes to all except the trolls, not got any yet but I did have to explain a picture of Signourney Weaver and the Alien from Alien/Aliens (you get the idea, that alien) having a laugh, the guy seemed really put out about the fact they were having a laugh and it wasn’t (a) real life (b) it’s an alien, its not real! I don’t have a custard tart post yet but my new series of favourite things started with my love of flavoured coffee!
I do hope you NEVER GET TROLLS THEN. But honestly, Heather, shame on you for neglecting custard tarts. What is wrong with you sheesh. (Okay tbh I think this is the first time I’ve mentioned custard tarts on my blog. I’M SO RANDOM I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF.😂)
I love this post! This is just the best.
I’ve only been blogging for a couple of months and yet I understand SOOOO MANY of these points. I’ve been blogging, commenting, social media-ing and acquiring so many of ALL THE BOOKS lately and yet my reading time is so much less than it was. But my opinions are awesome and really, I owe it to the world to carry on with this obsession, so – HELLO OCTOBLOGGER!
Again, thanks for the awesome post and thanks for being one of those awesome Bloggish people.
OCTOBLOGGER HI FIVE!!! You are spectacular! And I’m just really glad you liked this post! I’M VERY HAPPY.
Ugh, I hate it when blogger moves images to unwanted places but I don’t like WordPress *cries* >.<
"Why can't a meteorite drop on their heads" Oh, Cait xD
I recently made a goodreads but no trolls yet because I haven't posted reviews
Ugh, blogger is SO CANTANKEROUS THO. I love wordpress.😂 SO much more agreeable when I demand it put images in certain places. haha. Ahemmm. I’M SO GLAD YOU’VE NOT ENCOUNTERED GOODREADS TROLLS!! I hope it stays that way for you.😉
This was a delightful post. Who knew I could spend so long kneeling in leaves talking photos of my books?? “Why don’t you just read them Emily?” OR I COULD POSITION THEM UNDER A TREE AND TAKE PICTURES OF THEM, HELLO, FAMILY!
HAHAHAH this made me laugh! You crack me up!
As new book blogger I am so happy I stumbled upon this post! “I fought with Blogger so much I wept.” is so me right now and I’m struggling to decide between WordPress and Squarespace, on top of every other requirement you posted. Thank you for this post and your humor!
Brilliant….except this: “You are a Pyjama Blogging Queen Extraordinaire.” I’m more of a blogger baron
Bookblogger twin. I legit want one. How do I get it????😂
I can identify with many of these…not all. In particular, ya know what…I’ve not really encountered the trolls yet. I’ve read from others who have, but I must be doing something wrong…just haven’t run across that yet. Anyway, fun post. Cheers.
That’s AWESOME that you haven’t encountered any trolls!! I hope it stays that way for you. 🎉
THIS is so me!!!
I just created my second book blogger and now I spent, even more time writing than reading!! What a life.
Oh well, the things we do for books, right?
By the way, love your blog <3
Ahhh I’m so glad you enjoyed this post!! And AW THANK YOU!💕
I passed! Well, thankfully except the troll. Still just starting and it all still looks daunting (tried blogger and failed…using WordPress happily now). Great post!
I am considering entering the foray of book blogging – something along the lines of a busy book loving mother type page.
I think I could totally dig most of those requirements. I don’t know. Let me consult the 1000+ books in my home. Yep!
This was an awesome, inspiring page that provides insight for those looking to join the virtual club that is book blogging.
This is one of the funniest posts I have seen. I think I am or could turn into all of the above. I am just restarting out; I tried a blog and got very overwhelmed and just quit. Then reorganized me and tried again; I have two almost three blogs now. One sells printables; one runs itself; I hope; Find food recipes, and my new project ReviewBug…. reviewing any and everything. So this post was a funny and helpful addition to my research. Thanks, Shani Dee
I’m super glad you enjoyed the post, Shani! THANK YOU!
Nice, I definitely meet the mark for being a book blogger 😛 Although fairly new to it but its so much fun.
Awesome! Can’t stop laughing.
Thanks for reading!
I love this! I started my book blog this year and my husband complains that he’s drowning in books. Can you explain to him IT’S NORMAL AND THERE ARE WORSE THINGS!!! Seriously, amazing post 🙂 <3
I LOVED this!! Oh my gosh, you completely nailed it. I feel you on the blogging taking away from reading bit. Your pictures are fire though! I’m just getting into photographing, so I’m still experimenting, but your site is inspo gold 🙂
I love this post SO much! I just started to book blog, but you made me laugh. A lot. You’re so funny!
So I want to start a book blog so naturally I did the thing where you search about blogs because you want to make sure you do it right. I’m not even blogging yet and I’ve meet several criteria. The main criteria is the book hoarding. And I’m an e-reader person because let’s be real, my house couldn’t even attempt to contain the books on my e-reader, let alone the books currently saved on my “books to read” and “books to buy” list. So here I am, thinking I have a problem but it’s really not and maybe I can talk my husband into building me a library that competes with that of Belle’s. And yes, that would actually be my favorite part of the movie. That library makes me drool. A lot.
So thank you for this list and maybe I can get myself onto the path of blogging about books.
SOMETIMES YOU SPEND MORE TIME BLOGGING ABOUT BOOKS THAN ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, READING THEM.
I started to die laughing at this. It’s so true.
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