When it comes to book blogging trends, I am…not fast.
You’re probably thinking this is because I like to be my own person or whatnot. But actually no. It’s because I’m distracted and oblivious and also if people say “HEY GO LEFT!” I go right. Not to be contrary. But because I can’t tell left from right.
But that aside, I actually truly enjoy so many trends that gallop through the blogging community! Some I dislike for sure. But I feel like “follow the crowd” gets a bad rap when…if you enjoy doing something (even if a million people do it too) then YOU SHOULD GO FOR IT. Likewise it’s ok to do your own thing and not be pressured!
Today I want to list 10 things that are popular in the book community and whether I love vs flee from them!
1. BOOKSTAGRAM ✓
Oh I love love LOVE bookstagram! (Although I frequently weep at the algorithm and how I have 5% engagement fsfshfosh.) But I love how we all gather together to gush over glitter and book covers and the aestheticness of gorgeous fonts. It’s so wholesome. Truly.
And I actually was taking book photos LONG before I knew about bookstagram! So I feel like I was right on the cusp of this trend when it started?! I just…had…no idea it was happening. TYPICAL.
2. BOOK BOXES ✓
Wow I am SUCH a fan. It took me a while though. At the beginning my brain was like: “Um that is very expensive for not knowing what you’re getting…” But then I applied to rep/work with some of the companies, got accepted, and go thoroughly converted. The signed books! The merch! The exclusive covers! IT’S ALL PRETTY COOL. (Although to be very very honest, I couldn’t afford this if I wasn’t working for them. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
I am here for having a Harry Potter mug so if someone talks to me while I am in the midst of tea and writing? Evanesco, you fools.
3. BOOK CANDLES ✗
But why tho. WHY. All I can think of is how fire and books are very very bad together and also…I genuinely hate smells. I will actually sprint the Sahara instead of being forced to smell perfume. And I’m still not sure how burning a candle that represents the musk of some book boy isn’t SUPER CREEPY.
HERE, SON, LET ME BURN YOU. YOU SMELL SO GOOD.
I realise it’s like, sandalwood and fragile masculinity we’re smelling, not human flesh, but still.
4. COLLECTING MULTIPLE BOOK EDITIONS ✓
I just used to believe this was pointless. You can only read one book at a time, why have two copies of the same one, hmm?? Now I look back at my sweet innocent self and laugh and laugh and laaaaaugh.
It’s for the art of COLLECTING. And I freaking adore it. I have several multiple editions! Although I confess for many of them I actually haven’t bought them myself. I’ll get given one + get it cheap at a sale + get it in a book box, etc. etc. But otherwise it feels me with such joy to have some in multiples so WHY NOT. It supports my fav authors.
5. GIFS EVERYWHERE ✗
I actually used to be known for how much I gif’d. Now??? Don’t haaate me but I don’t love gifs. I find them super distracting from the text, so if I can’t scroll enough so that I DON’T have to see the gif flashing and can concentrate on the text??? Then I’m lost. I am an unripe pumpkin peel.
That saying: (1) yes I will use gifs on occasion!! and (2) I still read PLENTY of amazing blogs that love gifs!!
I just got old. SO OLD. (I love emojis though. I’m simultaneously 80 and secretly 12.)
6. JOINING IN BLOGGING MEMES ✓
Sometimes I think: “CAIT! This is your blog! Take control of it and use your imagination!” But those thoughts are frail and I would much rather meld with the carpet and not take control of my own fate. That’s for Merida, thanks. SO blogging memes? My lifesavers. Yes please tell me what to do for the week. Top Ten Tuesday is my favourite.
I love ones with open prompts so (a) you have an idea of what to blog about, and (b) you can still add your own creative flair around the edges!
I get how they CAN feel repetitive, if your feed is just 57 What Are You Reading type posts in a row…buuuuut. I still love them and it’s always easy to start a conversation with them!
7. DOING “INCORRECT QUOTES” ✓
I swear I was doing this before it became popular!! I WAS OK?! I AM THE TRENDSETTER. (shh let me live in my delusions.) I have been doing it on Goodreads for years! Actually to the point where I do it and people yell at me for “spoilers” and I’m like…my dear, my mate, my little frangipani: I’M BEING HORRIBLY SARCASTIC WITH THIS UPDATE IT IS NOT A SPOILER.
Anyway I highly love these. I follow Incorrect The Cruel Prince, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, and a couple of Marvel ones on twitter. You will also absolutely see me making memes of these for my own books. Shame? I have none.
I swear I DIE REGULARLY with laughter over these. (I don’t know who runs it but they’re hilarious.)
And here’s one of mine from Goodreads:
8. READING CHALLENGES / READATHONS ✗
The truth is I am just very bad at group activities. I WORK ALONE, ALFRED. (I also very much am Batman. Fight me if you don’t believe it, but I even have batman socks with little golden capes on them.) I also struggle to commit to challenges of “read this and this book!” because MOOD READER.
I do have a Goodreads goal, but I caaaan’t pledge to read certain amounts of certain types of books.
9. PASSIONATE RANTS ✗
This is NOT a call out against rants! Because I enjoy reading a lot of them. But writing them myself??? Here is basically what transpires in my brain:
- Oh I have opinions about this topic!
- I should write a post!
- Wait am I sure about my opinions??
- no i could be wrong
- actually everyone will hate me
- what if I’m misinformed??????
- if i get into an internet fight I WILL JUST CRY
- everyone else has ranted on this topic before me anyway
- i have nothing new to say
- i am a piece of bread
And therefore I never get around to writing rant posts. It’s very pathetic. Look at me, so smol and sad.
10. ARCS ✗✓
I’ll finish up by cheating, because…BOTH! I have such mixed feelings about ARCs I’ve basically turned myself into a baking pre-mix and, just add water and anxiety = and you get a PAPER FURY!!
Good Parts Of ARCs: You get free books (and I can’t afford many soooo this is crucial to my existence) + you get to read highly anticipated books early sometimes!! + I feel like there’s more chance to read things you might not have tried?! Ergo NEW FAVOURITES!
Bad Parts Of ARCs: pressure reading is…pReSSureFUL ugh + getting sent unsolicited ones is overwhelming + that anxiety of disliking a book you HAVE to review + often everyone’s reviewing the same ARCs + the who-gets-them is REALLY unfair and sometimes is so so frustrating you just feel 1000% done with it altogether + they’re ugly.
Lmao to the last one. I’M SORRY. But with my love of bookstagram —> my interest in ARCs has decreased because they’re just ugly, ok. I also have SUCH rotten luck with Netgalley and Edelweiss, it’s just depressing.
I would probably quit ARCs altogether if I were rich. Then, obviously, I would soon NOT be rich because I would have bought a lot of books. Regrets? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I see none.
hey so chat with me!
what are trends you like vs ones you avoid in the blogging world?!? do we agree on any?? do you join in reading challenges? or how do you feel about ARCs?
PS. My blog’s email subscriptions appears to have FAILED on me. So if you happen to usually get emails from my blog but haven’t lately…can you let me know?! I’m trying to fix it. I hate wordpress gah. (If you follow via bloglovin‘, it should be fine though!)
“I’m simultaneously 80 and secretly 12.” I CAN DEFINITELY RELATE WOW.
I jump onto the train of book memes/challenges all the time!
I suck at reading and reviewing ARCS, though… I have too many library loans to prioritise! !!
*hi fives for our confusing ages* 😂😂 I’M SURE WE’RE FINE HERE. And yesss the memes/and challenges can be so fun! I used to be totally all for library books until I moved and didn’t have access anymore. But I like libraries because it’s zero pressure to read.😂
I have to admit that I have a love hate relationship with trends as well. I’m never quite fast enough 😛 I do love bookstagram, and read-a-thons although university is making it harder and harder for me to join in with them. I love the IDEA of book boxes but can definitely not afford them and never get accepted to rep but MAYBE ONE DAY WHEN I HAVE A JOB AND MONEY! Also, I don’t do the multiple editions. Like, I’ll get the prettiest edition I can but then if I get a second one I’ll usually keep the most beautiful one (I only have two exceptions and one is because the less beautiful edition is part of a collection and I can’t break the collection, and the other because it’s a vintage old book and a penguin classic and I can’t choose :P) But I mostly think, if I have one book why have another one of the same when I can have space for a different one? At least, for me! Everyone’s different.
I love and hate ARCs too. When I started I wanted all the arcs but now I realise that I a) can’t keep up with that and b) only want to read books I really will probably enjoy!
My recent post: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2018/10/september-wrap-up/
Yesss bookstagram is just so GOOD AND PRETTY and I feel like people are so nice and encouraging on there?! And ahh I hope you get excepted to rep someday though! It’s definitely the only way I can afford it. (Omg I dream though of having a steady job and being able to afford things like books !!! and all the collector’s editions I want instead of just dreaming about them ahah.)
YUP. Agreed about ARCs. Like they’re very good for a lot of reasons, but I find myself frustrated and angsting over them more than not.🙈🙊
I saw this and I was like…there are book blogging trends? Then I read the post and I was like OoHh , I get it haha I personally totally agree with your view on arcs. I’ve honestly just started receiving way more review copies and arcs than ever before and the pressure is kinda scary frustrating but I’m trying to chill. *Flails casually*
The pressure for ARCs is very scary sometimes! I especially hate sending back negative reviews so…*hides forever*
Eeek I know! I just did a pretty negative review but I’m waiting to finish the other book they send me which I’ll hopefully like more haha one pro and one con 😅
Pretty fonts yass I love them!
This was a super fun post to read! Cait, you are just… AMAZING at life!
Rhi xoxo
P.S. a while back I did a post on awesome book covers… I’d love if you checked it out! https://marshmallowharmonies.wordpress.com/2018/08/25/awesome-book-covers-that-need-appreciation-period/
Words in Deep Blue has the best font ever!
Epic fonts are super nice on books!!
YES IT MAKES THE WHOLE BOOK SEEM SO MICH BETTER
I’m sorry, the link doesn’t even make sense. I hate glitches 😂
One: I have definitely stopped getting emails from this blog, either about actual posts or about replies to my comments. It’s very tragic. The last time I got an email from here was the 29th of September, if that helps.
Two: I love your reasons for now liking ARCs. I completely agree with pressure and also with the fact that they’re ugly. But since I don’t believe in collecting multiple editions of a book (I’d rather have more unique books), I then feel torn about whether or not to buy a “real” copy of the book. (On one hand, supporting authors and the whole series matches. On the other hand, if I don’t buy a “real” copy of the book, I’m probably going to spend the money on a DIFFERENT author’s book, which means I’m still supporting authors and I have more books overall. It’s a struggle.)
Three: I agree that people-scented book candles are weird, but I like the idea of books scented like the essence of a story or a location in a story. I also just like candles in general, even though I have a wonky sense of smell . . . but I live in a dorm room currently, so I can’t have any. And they’re expensive anyway.
Four: Your reason for not doing passionate rants is ME.
Five: Wonderful post. Keep up the good work.
Ughhhhh I’m SO FRUSTRATED WITH WORdPRESS. 😭😭But thanks for clarifying that for me. Hopefully support emails me back but I have my doubts.
And it is a struggle with the ARCS and buying a finished copy. I actually didn’t realise we were expected to until I saw people ranting about it on twitter? Yikes. I kind of very rarely actually go ahead and buy the finished copy. I have to have REALLY REALLY loved it. I just don’t have the money! And usually when I do get multiple editions it’s because they’re at a library sale or I was gifted them haah.
RANTS ARE STRESSFUL. 😂😂I am too nervous to lead that ranty life.
“Not to be contrary. But because I can’t tell left from right.” why is this so deeply relatable (I honestly can’t tell my left from right and my brain can’t seem to wrap my head around how people know what left and right is?? I want this superpower, pls)
I used to REALLY hate GIFS and always had a problem “should I include them in my post or not?” Sometimes I do but they’re just not my favourite thing ever. I’ve always been way too overwhelmed to try and join readathons though I joined in one hosted by friends and I was supposed to read 5 books…but I didn’t. They are a lot of stress so I tend to keep away from them. OOPS. I LOVE INCORRECT QUOTES. incorrect six of crows, and incorrectcruelprince and MY FAVOURITES, they actually make me howl with laughter.
And ARCS! I’ve stopped requesting physical copies of ARCS (and even ebooks) to just focus on the ones I have now (I have loads to catch up on) i used to just request ARCS just becuase “Oh look FREE BOOK” even though I wasn’t excited to read the book. I only request books I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to read!!
Also I’m not sure I’ll be receiving emails from you but I don’t think i have. I’ll look out next time to see if I have been getting them and let you know!
It IS a superpower and some people don’t know how lucky they are to tell left from right so easily. SMH. I like a good moment to pause and contemplate. And when people are like “RIGHT LIKE THE HAND YOU WRITE WITH” I’m like….I type. I don’t use a pen. It’s 2018. When have I last held a pen.
I do think a well-placed gif is worth it!! But overall they distract me from reading. I GOT OLD. And I joined a readathon once and totally obsessed over it and overachieved and it was very stressful.😭😂The Slytherin arises.
Aww thanks about letting me know if you start getting emails again! I am SO annoyed that this is happening. Gahhhh.
Loling so hard at your backing down from a ranty post.
I am so out of the loop that I don’t even pick up on the trends until it has already been done to death and then I feel like I am copying everybody else. I also can’t get mail or physical books in China so ARCs, book boxes, and bookstagram are kind out not ever going to happen. I did give kid book box subscriptions to my niece and nephews for Christmas and they are OBSESSED. It makes me very jealous.
I, sadly, am not getting emails from you anymore.
I’m so FRAGILE OK.😂😂And honestly we can be the same here with never realising what trends are happening *hi fives* 😂 I think book subscriptions are amazing, even though pricey, and I’m glad I got the chance to work for some!!
(I’m crying over wordpress but it’s not fixing the email issue.😭😭😭)
I mostly avoid trends, unless you count black-and-white minimalist blog design as a trend. Then I AM the trend. I’m currently trying very hard with Bookstagram, but it’s difficult to stay motivated to take photos. Setting them up and editing them takes forever. I’m extremely happy that the million-gifs trend seems to be over. Gifs are distracting and slow my computer down. I usually skip any post that has a ton of gifs. I love memes like Top Ten Tuesday. I’m happy whenever someone tells me what to blog about. I have no ideas!
Are ARE THE TREND WOOOO! *throws confetti over you* 😂 And omg gifs just sometimes make it very hard to focus on the text?! I mean a well-placed gif is amazing, but I wish you could turn them on and off at will. That would make things SO much better.
TTT is the best!! Except for when I can’t think of how to do the prompt and am left to figure out my own post. Like sheesh that’s unfair.
lol I’ve never understood the book candle thing either. The only book candle that I will tolerate is the Butterbeer one that I have.
Question: Is your aversion to smells tied in with autism? I thought that was a thing, but I’m sure it can also be just a personal preference.
I would like to DRINK butterbeer.😂I see recipes for it but still haven’t tried to make it yet (OMG I SHOULD FOR CHRISTMAS OR SOMETHING.)
And actually yes.😂I have very very intense sensory issues (part of my autism) so smells are very intense for me and I haaaate it. I’m sure it’s a huge reason I don’t like candles/scents/perfumes.
I love GIFs, I think they are fun to say the words unsaid and add more to the emotions 😀 I’m not into bookstagram, bookish box, and bookish candles- I suck at photography and candles and boxes tend to be very pricey, I can’t afford them ahaha. I also think memes, incorrect quotes, and reading challenges are found, though the last one could also be very stressful xD
They are!! A well-placed gif is AWESOME.😂And I won’t like completely stop using them. I think I just find sometimes the really flashing ones make it hard to focus on the text.😂As long as I can scroll to just text so the gif is off-page, I’m right.😂
Haha saaaame xD I totally flee. I think you’re INFINITELY better at following them than I do. I am horrible at it.
I don’t do book candles either. I’m allergic. Meh! Wouldn’t be able to do them even if I wanted to. So I haven’t ever even thought about how I’d feel about them xD I also sort of hate smells. I also hate myself for not wearing any perfume, like, ever, but seriously. Allergies and perfume just don’t go great together. I’ll tell you what I love. My odorless washing detergent and stuff like that xD xD (I am so bland and boring. I really hate my allergies xD)
LOL I am laughing at the “let me burn you son”. That’s so good xD I absolutely can’t relate to that bit too. We are so on the same page on this bit xD
I don’t dig collecting books either. It’s just because I’m too pragmatic. And I also don’t tend to own a lot of print books at all. I know most books I have won’t be reread ever, so getting another copy.. seems wasteful. If I did reread them, then yes! But the way I am? Probably no.
This reminds me! A little while ago, a local bookstagrammer uploaded a pic of a really pretty collector’s series they’re releasing here for classics. And I mean I could have understood different cover colors (although no, I really really don’t.) But they also made the latest book MUCH TALLER than the others 😀 I can’t even! What! IT’S A COLLECTOR SERIES! And they made it a different height! I just can’t even 😀 do they like kicking themselves in the groin or something..? Publishers can be weird 😀
Wow, you’ve gone off GIFs? Yeah, you used to be like the GIF queen 😀 what happened?
I actually interpret readathons as a solitary activity! I’m really bad at posting updates and the like. For me, it’s just sitting down and reading all day xD I just don’t understand how people manage to socialize during them. It’s a big mystery to me. Heheh 😀
Your “yes and no” opinion on ARCs is veryy accurate xD it’s just how I feel lol. It’s probably always going to be a love hate relationship for me with them. I’ve almost come to terms with that xD e-galleys are incredibly hard to take photos of though, you’re right. That’s a true downside.
I’m sooo allergic to perfumes too.😂Sometimes I open the candles I get in boxes and get a whacking big headache oops. I would very happily live in a world that had zero strong fragrances. 😭😭😭
Haha I understand not liking multiple editions! I used to think it was a bit *much* but since then I realised I just enjoy the collecting and keeping shelves of books surrounding me. It makes me calm. 😂However I’m not the person who can AFFORD to collect tons of multiple editions. It usually comes down to being given/sent them for review or getting them at library sales. (And omg that would bug the heck out of me if a collector set didn’t match?!)
I just find gifs distracting.😂
But it IS exciting to be sent ARCs! And I know you’ve been excited to be given some, so don’t let me rain on you.😂Although I do think if I’m not like overly in love with them and not requesting, it gives other bloggers who REALLY want them the chance to have them! (Although, honest: I get denied everything anyway lmao. I mean if I have a huge blog and STILL don’t get approvals then whatttt am I supposed to do. Sacrifice a pigeon?!?!)
I can not begin to tell you how badly that collector’s set doesn’t match. I’m not a collector and I don’t collect AND YET I thought it was appaling. I can only imagine it would make you twitch widly 😀
Yes, being international just doesn’t pay xDD by the way, which publishers (apart from the Aussie ones) have been nice to you and sent you books? Just curious, cause I’ve been thinking of broadening my requests from JUST THAT ONE NICE PUBLISHER xDDDD
(Also, no, poor pigeon! You’re not Ozzy Osborne. And I’m sure while he got free drinks, he probably didn’t get free books for that.)
Entangled Teen and HMH Teen from the USA have both sent me books! Entangled is a bit more reluctant and would rather just send me ebooks.😂 But sometimes they cave haha. Maybe you could try them?
HMH is very nice and I actually knew an insider there (a blogger, but I can’t say who) xD but the problem is, I just don’t read a lot of YA 😀 but yeah, the general HMH umbrella of publishers are quite nice to bloggers 🙂
i’d replace the “multiple copies of books” with “different editions for the series because i have no self control” (its becoming a baaaad habit its like one book is super is super tall, the next book is paperback and the other is hardcover im?? whats wrong with me?? it bUGS ME SO MUCH)
also i literally cannot go a day without ranting to someone like i NEED release otherwise its too much and puts me in a bad mood loll
I did mean that with the multiple copies haha. 😂I mean I don’t have doubles of the SAME edition. It’s always different editions for me too!! Like sometimes the hardcover vs the paperback is too pretty to decide *loving sigh*
with mine, i have one copy of each book in a series but they’re dIFFERENT, i have the first three books of the shatter me series in paperback and restore me is just there in hardcover and its taller and its bothering me 😂 i dont own multiple copies it just takes up space haha. i also literally have the first two books of the mortal instruments series in hardcover and the rest are paperback and heavenly fire is tall and glossy and its so uneven when i put them in order i need to get a grip with book buying and actually pay attention to the sizes on amazon sksjsksk
i know its weird and hard to understand i honestly dont either i just … yeah its a mess
Omg having mismatched series hurts too!! I get that!! I have the Divergent series in…three different editions. I DON’T EVEN KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED. Like each book is a different version *facepalm* 😂 I think because I won them from different places lmao.
Okay, I feel like my opinion doesn’t matter AS much anymore because I’m no longer solely a book blogger, but I’ve participated/observed a lot of these so I’m going to chime in anyways.
1. Bookstagram – YES. I don’t do it myself because I dedicate my account to my art, but I do think it’s lovely that there’s a community on Instagram for books. I’ve always thought books themselves are absolutely beautiful just as physical things, even without looking at the words inside, so it’s amazing to see how people present them in their photos.
2. Book Boxes – YES, but not for me? I like the idea of them and occasionally some will pop up where I’m like AHHH, THAT WOULD BE SO COOL TO HAVE, but I’m just not one to dish out that much money for a mystery package. I buy the books I want and don’t really tend to collect swag, so meh. But ooh, sometimes the temptation is there.
3. Book Candles – MEH. I don’t tend to light candles to begin with? (I’m a magnet for disaster so really just don’t trust myself with flames.) It’s fun to see what “smells” people come up with to associate for books, but meh. I’ll never buy one myself.
4. Collecting Multiple Book Editions. I WISH. If I had unlimited money, I MAY do this. Like that new edition of Vicious that came out with an updated design to match Vengeful? Oh, I’d buy that in a second if I had money to waste. But I don’t so I’m sticking with my original paperback.
5. GIFS Everywhere – MEH. I was super slow to ever use these to begin with (and I honestly still feel like I don’t use them anywhere near as effectively as I should). I don’t find them too distracting, but I also don’t tend to really pay attention to them? So bloggers can use them if I want but I generally just scroll past them for the text so it’s mostly pointless for me. (I have had my mom complain about them before when looking at book blog posts though, lol.)
6. Joining in blogging memes – YES. I’ve actually kept track of TTT topics this past month, I just haven’t been prepared enough to join in them (slacker). I think they’re a nice way to get involved in the community and help find others who may have similar tastes – though I will say I do tend to enjoy them more with bloggers aren’t afraid to do their own things with them.
7. Doing “incorrect quotes” – MEH. I haven’t really paid any attention to these, if I’m honest. They only pop up in my feed if someone else RTs them, and they may make me giggle but I don’t ever follow any myself? But I think it’s good for others so more power to them!
8. Reading challenges/readathon – NAH. I don’t read fast. I don’t like constantly checking in. I don’t like the pressure of trying to read a lot of books because everyone else is. The idea is good it just doesn’t suit my way of reading. I think I’ve only ever participated in one, way when I first started blogging over five years ago, and that was it. Never again.
9. Passionate rants – MEH. I’m mostly with you. It’s too easy to overthink them. And the last thing I ever want to do is offend someone. But if it’s a topic that really doesn’t matter, maybe I’ll put it out there. (Of course, everything matters in this day and age.)
10. ARCs – MEH. I honestly have never received an ARC. Even when I was a “big” blogger back in the day, I never reached out to publishers to requests ARCs or anything like that. They’ve just never been my cup of tea. I knew the pressure wasn’t for me. And, like you said, they’re usually quite ugly. But I do think they’re effective in helping build hype up for a book and sometimes it would be nice to get my hands on a copy of a book by a well-loved author before everyone else, but meh. I’m not bothered.
Look at that, it seems we’re MOSTLY in agreement towards everything. Of course, I’m not surprised. Great minds think alike, right? 😉 (Also, sorry for this super long comment. I’m a rambler. I can’t help it.)
Aww of course your opinion matters. 😂🎉I love seeing everyone’s perspectives on these!!
YES AGREED. I also think bookstagram is more focused on promoting books/flailing about them, while twitter is just all about pointing out the problems.😂It’s a much more fun community to be involved with haha.
And omg if I had money I would definitely absolutely collect like nothing else.😂So far my multiple editions usually are because of being gifted them/buying at library sales. I DID splurge on the new edition of Vengeful though. But it’s SCHWAB.
The reading challenges DO feel like pressure. I know it’s like supposed to be just a fun thing to get involved with discussing books and such?? But like…😂I get competitive. The only time I did a reading challenge, I didn’t enjoy myself because I was SO busy overachieving. Ugh.
ARCs definitely have their place! I think also my disinterest in them is coming because I never get the “good” ones. So after a while of getting loaded (unsolicited) with books I’ve never heard of and know I won’t like and ALWAYS being denied the highly anticipated books…😭😭I totally have lost interest. Haha.
This is such a great post, Cait, I love it! I have to admit, I’m more tempted to follow the trends all times than actually following them… if that makes any sense. I don’t have a bookstagram, though I’m really wanting to get one, because it seems to be THE thing to have as a book blogger now, but also I just don’t have time to do that and my bookish pictures wouldn’t be that good anyway? Same goes for bookish boxes, I’m not getting any because shipping costs are awful internationally, yet sometimes I think of them as very very cool and wishing I could get one, just to… get one haha, to see what that’s like haha 🙂
Loved this post!! <3
I love watching people do things like bookstagram and get creative and join communities!! I think trends get sneered at a lot (like people think it’s terrible if we follow them instead of being “individuals”!?) but having communities is great!! And yeah ugh I would never be able to afford boxes without being a rep for the companies. I think shipping to Australia costs more than the box too.
Wow this was such a fun post to read!!! I wish I could afford to get all the book boxes! I’m so in love with themmm!! But I’ll definitely be joining bookstagram once I get an Instagram!!
And incorrect quotes are HILARIOUSSSSS 😂😂😂😂😂😂 I love them
I have noticed that I stopped getting your emails, btw. I’ve just had to check ur site for new posts, but it’s ok!! Thanks for the fabulous post!!
Ahhhh I hope you do join instagram! It is FUN and I think people harp on about how you have to be rich to be on it but pfft. I think there’s so much you can do cheaply and still have a fun feed!!
nooo I’m so sorry about the emails. But yeah. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT. 😭😭😭
Mostly I am mildly oblivious to trends and if I notice them I often do the fleeing thing. Though sometimes I follow them accidentally in spite of myself. 😉 I’m not sure why I have this tenuous relationship with trends. I guess I’m just lazy? And the slightest bit stubborn? Also a hermit? I work alone too, Alfred.
I actually really enjoy the incorrect quotes thing. I’ve been doing that before I knew it was a thing. And book memes are a lot of fun. Sometimes. But aside from that I think I”m just allergic to getting involved.
Book candles just sound weird, okay.
I’m honestly lazy. That’s my reason.😂I’m not all like “ooh I refuse to follow the crowd!” I just genuinely don’t ever know what’s going on. And then I’m so late that when I join, I just look even more clueless.😂Let’s all be hermits. Separately tho. We can send each other letters and things via well trained antelope.
(Antelope are the new pigeons.)
And YAS for doing the incorrect quotes before it was a thing. WE are the trendsetters for that one.
I really want a well trained antelope now,
I’m totally with you on gifs! And bookstagram, of course! But I love bookish candles and wish I could get more (hardly any companies are in the UK and so postage to Scotland is like 3 times the price of the candle!!) and I love readathons but not buddy reads! I like to have prompts and challenges so readathons are great but I’m with you on buddy reads not going with being a mood reader!
Omg I understand about the postage!! That sucks, gah. The main reason I’d never be able to afford a book box on my own is the postage is more than the box. 😂I don’t blame the companies, it’s just that postage SUCKS ugh.
I thought I had to be the only one in the community who wasn’t all over the candles but your reason is hilarious. My sister and I laughed out loud when we read that part!
I’m so here for bookstagram and book boxes though! Both are great things and even though I’m not subscribed to any box, I follow a lot on IG because I love torturing myself looking at the unboxings and all the amazing goodies. Multiple editions and ARCs are more complicated because 1) Really can’t afford them and 2) not really up to me, but I’m all for it if given the chance.
Omg I’m so glad that made you laugh.😂😂I’m SO SALTY HERE ABOUT THE CANDLES. They are so confusing to me though.
And ooh I’m the same! I look at tons of unboxings even for ones I don’t work for because they’re so clever and interesting. I wish I could afford all the things!! I need to trip down a goldmine!!
Um hello left and right are clearly the same thing like the actually confusing thing is start and stop like directions??? please no. And I had no idea what you meant by book blogging trends until I read this. And congrats you wrote a semi ranty post *thumbs up* But yes, I love reading rants (unless they’re bigoted) but I will probably never write one. Look at me. I’m a mess.
Omg someone WHO AGREES. Seriously let’s get rid of “left vs right” and just say “GO THATA WAY!” and point wildly, because that would work better for me.
Is this considered a little ranty? omg!! I have outwitted my own fears!! 😂And yes agreed, there’s a difference between being passionate about an opinion and being a jerk about it haha. I don’t like the jerky ones.
Loved this post!!! I’m a huge fan of ARCs, mainly because it exposes me to new books (+ THEY’RE FREE HAHA), but I totally understand the pressure thing of having to keep on top of them! I love love love bookstagram (your feed is AMAZE), but I’m not great at taking bookstagram shots myself, I’m definitely better at secretly admiring them from a distance.
I’ve never tried a book box, but I think I would enjoy them (do you have one that you recommend?)
Lexie x
http://www.whatlexieloves.com
ajfdklsa thank you !! I’m so glad you like my photos!! I think ARCs are most definitely great 😂because I seriously can not afford to read as much as I WANT to read. But I do wish they had the nice covers haha. I mean, yes, Cait, that is the POINT of an ARC to be not finished, but I’m such a cover lover snob.😂
I love this post! I can relate so hard, I wish I could afford those lovely book boxes! One day, I guess! I love your humor!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this!!😌💛 And yes omggg when we’re rich and famous…we can get aLL THE BOXES AND ALL THE BOOKS! Ultimate life goal.
Yes my emails have gone out the window. 😛 I noticed that it started a week or two ago.
To be honest, the trends are usually gone by the time I get around to them. I pretty much just do my own thing. Having said that though, I love doing tags and memes for the exact reason you do. Much less brainpower involved for starters. I’ve never started a bookstagram though, because apparently time isn’t a thing anymore.
Omg I’m so frustrated this has happened.😫 I’m trying to fix it but tbh I’m not really sure what to do…gah.
But haha I do relate to being too slow to trends too *hi fives for our cluelessness* 😂 And YES. It’s easier to come up with content if someone gives us a few prompts?!
Oh, I love bookish candles. I just love candles though. I like multiple editions of books, but I tend to just do it for select books – otherwise, it’s too expensive and I run out of room! LOL Fun post. 🙂
-lauren
Oh yes same though! It has to be a REALLY special book to collect multiple.😂
I love book boxes. Have on bookish candle I’m oddly keeping for a special book. I gave Instagram but hopeless at photos so I don’t do that. I never job n in readathons, always have too many books on the go and no time to join them. Love ARCs but my tbr suffers 😂 yahoo has been sending most of my blog updates to spam. I need to remember to catch up with reading blogs as I miss reading them
Readathons are so hard ahahah. I do like buddy-reading with friends, though, that seems less pressure and less formal!
I love this post, I keep to my little corner of the internet so much that I am pretty clueless about current trends. Actually, I take that back, thank goodness for Bookstagram because I am somewhat on top of a couple of these! I am completely with you on the candles, I get them in nearly every book box and then they just sit there taking up room on my shelves, never to be opened or lit. I do however love readathons and challenges! To each their own, for now I keep to my little blog and continue doing what I do best.
Bookstagram is LIFE tbh. I love it so much.😂 And omg I kind of sent a whole bunch of my candles to a thrift store recently because I’m just like…I don’t know what to do with these.😂The scents give me headaches anyway haha. But yes! Each to their own, and blog about what makes us happy!
I adore this post so much Cait! I’m pretty much in with all these book blogging trends, instead of using gifs because I’m rubbish at finding the right one. ARCs are definitely great but they’re not the prettiest to photograph lol! But yes I feel like since getting into bookstagram I’ve been more materialistic in terms of collecting pretty editions whoops. At least we appreciate it right? haha
I used to be SO good at finding gifs, but now it takes me like forever anyway 😂 and who has time for that ajfsdkald. I barely have time to write the darn post!
And hey I don’t think there’s anything wrong with collections.😂Although I do blame it wholly on instagram too haha.
*Hides head* I am terrible at trends. I don’t overuse GIFs (although I do love them), but I am love reading challenges. Being controversial scares me, but I do occasionally post rants. I wrote one on gatekeeping recently. I’ve never written an incorrect quote I don’t think, but I follow A LOT of those blogs on Tumblr. :’) I may have to find some on Twitter now.
Ooh I need to read your gatekeeping one then!! I LOVE reading rants.😂I just am scared to…um…do them myself. Total wimp? I think yes.😂
I FLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! At least I feel like I do. XD For most things.
I’m VERY intimidated by Bookstagram. I feel like if I join I’ll be sucked TOO far into social media, and I don’t really want to do that because I TOTALLY get you with the whole simultaneously feeling 80 and 12! XD I feel like Instagram is like the defining thing of all social media and it kinda has this reputation of being so shallow I feel like??? And idk I can barely figure out twitter and if I add another social media thing I’m supposed to keep alive I might implode. XD
I LOVE BOOK BOXES! Or at least the two I have ever been able to afford in my life. XD I have to do the month to month thing cuz I can’t afford subscriptions. :/ I’m hoping to buy myself another one for Christmas for myself this year though, just to try it again. And maybe a Disney one…that has nothing to do with books…but you know…me and Disney. (heart eyes) XD
I love book candles too! Or just candles in general. I agree that candles based on characters are weird though. I like them for the atmosphere. Like if I was reading a Robin Hood retelling It would be cool to have one that smells like a forest, or for a cute contemporary set in a bakery one that smells like cake! COME ON TELL ME YOU DON’T WANT A CANDLE THAT SMELLS LIKE CAKE! If it makes you hungry, just eat REAL cake while it’s lit! Problem solved! XD
I do think buying multiple editions is kinda pointless though. But lately I’ve wanted to start doing it with just one title, like Hailey in Bookland on Youtube does with her Alice in Wonderland collection and it makes me want them cuz there are SO MANY PRETTY ONES! Except for my thing I think I would do it with Peter Pan, cuz that’s the one that’s been more close to my heart since I was little. But then again WITH WHAT MONEY AND SHELF SPACE WOULD I DO THIS. D:
I like gifs too, but I don’t use them THAT often. Mostly because it takes me too long to find the perfect one. XD
I like joining in memes! It saves me when I want to be lazy! And also makes me feel less lonely in my little corner on the internet. 😛
I like reading incorrect quotes, but I’ve never done any. XD I haven’t been able to think of anything that creative.
I TRY to do challenges and marathons as much as I can, but it’s more to make myself read more when I get so far behind. XD
I’ve only done rants a couple of times because I was REALLY bothered and I didn’t think anyone shared my opinions, but yeah for the most part I don’t do them cuz literally the same thing goes through my head that does yours. 🙁
And I don’t like arcs and I’ve never gotten any. I feel like it makes me bad blogger though cuz I feel like that’s supposed to be the MAIN reason for book blogging is to promote upcoming books, but seriously I AM THE BACKLIST QUEEN! Why would I read ones that aren’t even out yet when there are SO many that have been out for years that I haven’t read?! And honestly I’d rather read a finished book than an unfinished one that might get changed and then have a pretty cover that I would have to buy later but there would be no point cuz I’ve already read it? UGH it’s just frustrating. Plus I feel like I have to be a really popular blog to be able to get approved for one and I just don’t have the motivation for that. I like growing slowly and surely and just doing it for myself ok? Is that bad?
Oh and I’m not getting your email posts! I noticed a few days ago and I was going to tell you but I…forgot. :/ But so far the thing that emails me when you reply to comments still works as far as I know! 🙂 I hope you can get it fixed!
WOW this is a way longer comment than I thought it was going to be. XD Sorry.
Aw no! I think it’s sad if people find instagram shallow. 😔 I find it’s super fun and has a great community and is way more likely to be talking positive about books, whereas I feel places like twitter prefer to hate on everything. haha. I’m glad you like candles and book boxes though too! It is a pity how expensive they are buuuut probably worth it haha. I AM glad I have the opportunity to work for a few companies. 😱
And memes are SO good for helping one think up blogging ideas.😂
Definitely don’t feel like a bad blogger for not reading ARCs or all the new books! I think the important part about blogging is reading what we WANT and having fun. (Omg I’m glad you’re still getting comment replies though…that is a weight off my mind. I thought that was broken too!!)
I gave up on ARC too. I realize I did not read it fast enough and I can’t handle the anxiety of disliking a book that I have to review. I even not accepting any review request at the moment. I like book candle but as props, I rarely burn it XD heheh
The anxiety is a real issue I think!! I hate feeling that pressure a LOT. Although I still do review ARCs, I just try to avoid reading ones I think I might not like.😂
I looooove book candles, but I don’t have many of them because 1) shipping is EXPENSIVE 2) a lot of the shops on Etsy don’t really have a wide range of books they make candles inspired by? Like, I’ve seen more candles inspired by every single character in every single book Sarah J Maas has written more than I would have expected. And I’m also picky with smells so finding candles that I like can be tough.
I kind of like readathons? I never really set a goal for them because if I told myself to read x amount of books in one week I would end up panicking, and at the same time I kind of don’t like to spend ALL DAY reading because my attention span isn’t that great and needs to switch off by watching junk sometimes. As for challenges, I tend to not join them if they tend to super specific because they could be telling me to read something that I reaally don’t want to.
Agh yes SHIPPING. It is the bane of all our lives here. Especially if one doesn’t live in america because it seems everythign comes from there eep. And why IS everything SJM flavoured?😂
And it’s good when readathons and things actually motivate us!! Sometimes I do buddy-reads which I find makes me read way more too.😂
Top Ten Tuesday is a lifesaver for me at Uni, as it gives me something to tide my blog over when I have deadlines and don’t have the time to write longer posts! I’m kind of on bookstagram? I mean I like taking pictures of my books and sharing them, but I don’t actually use the tag, so I’m sort of there, sort of not! I don’t join in readathons and I only do very flexible reading challenges where I can choose what I read and there’s no time limit (or at least not a tight one. Like I do the Goodreads Challenge but that’s over the whole year, so it does not feel super pressurised) . I’ve only really got into ARCs in the last two years and I like them but I don’t love the pressure of having to get them read by a certain date, as I usually can’t! I am for the most part not a special edition lover, I think they’re really pretty and would like to collect them but I just don’t have the space, the only ones I have are the ADSOM one and the Harry Potter 20th edition ones, which I justified in that my sister technically owned our copies, so I need a set of my own! I love book boxes when I can afford them, which is rarely and I actually do enjoy a bookish candle, they just make my room smell quite nice and are great bookstagram props! Also I am an email subscriber and nope, I haven’t been getting emails.
Omg same!! When I’m planning to go away or go off and write, I love knowing all the prompts are there and I can plan in advance too.😂 and you don’t have to use the tag to be on bookstagram haha. It’s more just a word meaning we post about books.😂
ARC pressure is just so hard eeep. I prefer to read at my own pace and (now) not review if I don’t like the books!
(Sorry about the emails. 😭😭 Definitely going to attempt fixing this but I have NO idea if it’ll work.)
Yes, it’s such an easy way to still have content when you’re super busy cause they don’t take long and they’re all there in advance! Ha ha in which case I definitely do. Yeah it really is, especially being a slower reader, you’re just like, you will get the review when you get it! Ah it’s okay, we’ve all been there with technical difficulties!
(I haven’t been getting emails … but I check your blog regularly, so it isn’t a big D to me)
Okay, so I almost 100% agree with you on all of these! (that comment on burning boys legit made me laugh)I am usually the person who flees from trends because independent much?? lol.
I SOOOO wish that I had money to buy book boxes but I am … you know … a poor student with a very small job … and I buy too many books. Lol. But they look so fun! ARCs are those things that, as a small book blogger, are like the super far away treasure THAT I SO WANT AND YEEEEET. I’ve only had a few, but I so understand the pressure that you would feel, especially if you had a lot of them.
I happen to use a lot of gifs. I’m kinda the opposite of you, I guess. I use to hate using them or reading posts with them … but now I feel like it keeps me engaged when writing the post (lol) and I actually have more views then?? I just don’t understand it, haha. 🤣
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE BLOG, YOU FANTASTIC BEAN. 💛💛💛 And I’m glad my burning of boys made you laugh. I mean OBVIOUSLY kind and sweet content from me over here. *catches halo as it slips* And omg I wish I had more money to buy boxes too. 😭😂I’m very very lucky to get to work with some companies. eep.
Gifs are fun!! I like reading posts with them unless they’re the REALLY flashy ones that are like a zillion colours.😂
I often think I’m too out of the book blogging loop to even know the trends (lol), however I am aware of most of these so I’m obviously wrong there.
Starting with the bad (as its good to end on a positive), one trend that I just wish would disappear is gifs… I cannot stand gifs in conversation, and especially so in book reviews. I suppose we all have our own reviewing styles though eh.
Something I love, and participate a lot in, within the book community is readathons – I do love a readathon. There are so many out there so there is something for everyone, I find them to be motivating to read certain books and step outside my comfort zone once in a while, and I love the community feel. It gives a difference experience to reading a book.
Great post, and interesting to see in the comments what others love & loathe.
Yeah I totally get it with the gifs.😂 Like if they make people happy; go for it! But I often find them super distracting and can’t concentrate on the words. 😂I’ll still use them on occasion though! I’ve got to try a readathon at some point though?! I might be missing out haha.
I wish I could jump on the subscription box bandwagon buuuuuut it’s would burn a hole in my wallet! I love ARCs, especially when I received less hyped ones and discover a gem!
I totally understand ah haha😂I’d never be able to do it except that I work for them! But still they are SO GOOD afjdksald.
Love, love, love bookstagram! I enjoy seeing lovely flatlays and other people’s shelfies (and also wishing I had a book collection as big as them)! I still haven’t tried book boxes but I really want to! The first readathon I participated in was this year (the 24-hour readathon) and it was great! I want to participate in more readathons but I hope I can keep up with my university studies at the same time!
AHH IT’S SO MUCH FUN!! All those pretty pictures of books. It’s like a bookworms eye-candy dream. 😍😍😂
I was subscribed to get emails about your newest posts but a few of weeks went by and I hadn’t received a single email so I had to come and find out if you had posted anything… and you had! I had to catch up. 😉
Also I am so sorry about the email. 😭😭I have tried so many things to fix it, and now I don’t know what to do at all gahhh.
Incorrect quotes sound so funny!! I should try making some… XD I agree, too many gifs are TOO. MANY. GIFS. But I do liek to add one or two to my posts. 🙂 I love Top Ten Tuesday!! Such a lifesaver. XP
A few gifs are good right?! I still use a few.😂Too many makes my eyeballs spin ahha.
This is fun! So. You know I mostly quit bookstagram. Because it is HARD and it was making me miserable. But every so often I do it. (Out of obligation at LEAST half of the time, but alas.) I still like GIFs, probably *because* I am old? You know how old people love stuff long after it’s cool to do so 😂 I feel exactly the same about ARCs, of course. I wish I was clever enough for the incorrect quotes! They are so funny!
I pretend I don’t like book boxes but that’s just because I am too poor to buy any hahha. Oops? I do like the candle thing thougH! But with a disclaimer that I do NOT want candles that smell like PEOPLE. Like- if someone made a candle about your cake in ATPN, cool, I need it obviously. If they made a candle of Beck… less so. And the only reading challenge I really do is Goodreads. Other than that I might join one for funsies but I don’t actually keep track!
I still do like gifs!! I just…sometimes find them overwhelming? IDK I THINK I’VE GOT OLD OMG LOOK AT ME. 😭😂 And book boxes are super cool (super expensive 😂 but hey everyone’s gotta make a living) and actually someone DID make me a candle for ATPN and it is my favourite thing! Because I’m biased about ATPN 😂 I have no burned it though for aforementioned terror of fragrances, but I’m hoping it smells like nice things and not, you know, burning boys. (HEY. TITLE OF MY NEXT BOOK.)
Ahhhhhh loved this!! It’s so interesting to read peoples thoughts on trends. I love pretty much all of these haha.
Nabila | Hot Town Cool Girl
I’m glad you enjoyed it!!
ARCs and I do not mix. I just, I’m not a fan of being pressured to read plus what if I don’t like it?! I don’t mind so much if its part of a series I already love but I don’t really get arcs either way, mainly cause I struggle with reading ebooks. Review request copies give me enough stress and pressure as it is cause I have a smol stack and I haven’t even started them and the GUILT OF THIS IS EATING ME ALIVE.
Bookstagram and I have a love hate relationship, I’ve now just settled on having in my bio that I post sporadically cause otherwise, it’ll cause me to have a meltdown. Thanks to my inner perfectionist, wanting things to look perfect and I’m not that talented yet…or ever haha. Memes and tags, I do the sunday post meme but that’s it now I think I do think they’re super useful for those of us who struggle with what to post. Tags are great…except when you ignore the ones you’ve been tagged in and now you’re being buried under a mountain of them.
Gotta say though, I do love candles and smells like I don’t have book themed candles but I want some haha. But money and I don’t have any spare for that, cause books first xD but I live my candle life through yankee candles instead hehe, I usually write/format blog posts, whilst I have candle burning or I read with one burning
That’s fair about the ARCs! If I could afford to just buy all the books I’d like, then I wouldn’t go for ARCs either haha. I love reviewing, but I’m such a mood reader that I always end up behind on what I SHOULD have read lmao. And pressure ugh and stress! Double ugh!
Aw perfectionism is really hard sometimes I agree! Haha, tags are fun but agreed…sometimes we end up doing ones from like 1 year ago and that’s a bit embarrassing. 😂
I’m glad you love the candles though!!
This is such a wonderful list, and I absolutely love your reasoning for and against going against the grain on these popular bookish trends! I love bookstagram but I am not good at taking the pictures… so I just look from afar.
Aww I’m glad you enjoyed it! I mean, I follow a lot of trends after all haha, but it was fun seeing what worked for me vs not 😂
omg I agree with so many of these!!!! I don’t understand book candles at all, and SAME about perfume! It gives me such a bad headache, so candles are no good (though I found out recently that unscented ones are actually really good for my seasonal depression so yay). Also saaaaame about gifs!!!! IDK I just don’t get them? I don’t use them and I (personally) don’t feel like they add anything to a post?
Also lmao reading this, my brain messed up and I read “Passionate Rants” as “Passionate Pants” and was like “wtf are passionate pants”
Perfume is a scary thing sometimes. 😭😂Especially if you’re super sensitive ahh. But omg that’s good that some scenes might help with depression! Any help is good, right?!
Haha passionate pants…😂
I was just about to comment to tell you that I’ve stopped getting email notifications! I realised I hadn’t read any of your posts in ages then typed in your site and saw like 10 posts I hadn’t read 🙁 I hope you can fix it!
Also totally agree on GIFs… I can’t stand it when there’s soooo many in one post like argh my brain RIP.
I’m so sorry, Simi!! I don’t even know how to fix this, but I HOPE I have a new widget that might do it?! I don’t know if it imported all my email contacts though. 😭😭
The only one I think I disagree with is candles, because I love scented candles. But I am a bit picky as I don’t like heavily perfumed ones, I prefer more natural scents.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
I’m really glad you like candles!! I’m definitely a minority for not doing well with them.😂
I know this is an older post that I’m commenting on but the only reason is actually because I wasn’t getting emails when you posted new blog post for about a month and I just thought you were on hiatus until I finally remembered you don’t e Goodreads when on hiatus, so here I am, catching up on a month’s worth of post, because email failed me 😒😭
I absolutely want to smack WordPress into the middle of next week right now gahhh. 😭😭I actually don’t even know if my comment replies are getting through either, so fingers crossed?!
I feel the same way about arcs. I love them and I hate them. I get so excited when I get approved for an arc but then I feel so much pressure to read it and love it. But it’s still a great way to read books and I’m glad i can read them that way!
I am with you on ARCs! I am approved for a decent amount, but then my brain sees the pub date and thinks, “oh, I don’t have to read that until x” and it’s like I can’t physically motivate myself to read it beforehand — even though I should be contributing to Library Reads (which can have up to an 8-week lead time) and/or writing and posting a review literally anytime prior to the absolute last possible second.
I haven’t been on your blog ever since the mail notifications stopped working and god I missed it! Binging everything right now ✨😂
OMG YES FINALLY A FELLOW HUMAN WHO IS NOT OBSESSED WITH BOOKISH CANDLES!
I honestly don’t get the hype. Like maybe for pictures but the smells are weird sometimes and always so faint like why am I buying this? And don’t even get me started on the number of times the wax extinguishes the flame like CAN YOU NOT?! I just bought a Simon one, rest 3 I got in book boxes and not planning on buying more anytime soon.