Bookish Confessions
I’ve been keeping this draft going for quite a while because I’ve been thinking of all the different book-related “secrets” I keep. These can be things that aren’t realllly secrets because I’ve spoken about them before occasionally, but sharing them here can still qualify as a confession, right? Right. Other things I haven’t discussed with anyone before, so I’m definitely curious to hear your thoughts on them! So without further ado, here are six bookish or blog-related confessions I want to share. Everyone should start the New Year with a clean slate, amirite?
My reading history is spotty.
This is pretty much the one thing I’ve discussed before, but I feel like I should clarify a little bit. I was a HUGE reader back in elementary school and middle school. I used to go to the library multiple times a week with my mom and get countless books. Over the summer when my sister and I were bored at my nana’s house, we would walk down to the library and read all day in the sun. It was glorious. My reading in high school definitely continued, but dropped off a bit. This became especially true when I got my license. I was never home, and when I was, I was watching TV or immediately going to bed. Most of my reading (okay, probably all of my reading) happened right before bed for an hour or two. I did a good job of keeping up with the book series’ I was reading, but I definitely bought less books and went to the library much less. This got even worse at college. I convinced myself that I wouldn’t stop reading for pleasure during college – I was going to defeat the norm! I headed off to school with a literal crate of books I planned to read. Guess how many I read by the end of Freshman year? Half of one. (I DNFed it, actually. Not because of lack of time, but because of lack of interest. So there’s that at least.) I did a decent job of reading during summer breaks though, primarily because of my hour-long lunch breaks at my internship, so that felt good. After graduating college, I finally had more time to read… hence this blog! Hence the crazy amount of reading I did last year! Hence the crazier amount of reading I plan to do this year! Regardless, at least I can say I’ve always been some kind of reader.
I am a creeper.
A long time ago, I saw Jamie’s posts about how she is a major creeper on what books people are reading in public and talking to people in bookstores. Same, girl, same. Except my creepiness is a little creepier, in my opinion. I have a problem. Here are the ways in which I lurk on the book blogging community and/or times I get frustrated because TELL ME MORE:
- If someone mentions a book they’re interested in reading and someone replies “I’m reading that one right now!” … my reaction is usually “…AND????” I want to know what you think of it! I’m glad you’re reading it and replied to let that person know, but c’mon telllll meeeee if you like it or not! “I’m reading this one right now and loving it so far!” See, that’s only 20 more characters!
- If someone updates their status on Goodreads with just the page number or percentage, I have a similar reaction. Well, what do you think?? Loving it? Hating it? Laughing? Crying? Is the main character kickass? Is the main character a dickhead? Lmk.
- If your blog has an About Me section, you can be assured that I’ve read it. Honestly I probably even forgot I read it and have read it more than once. I’m not sure why, but I’m a big fan of knowing about your life beyond blogging. Without seeming like the lurkiest lurker ever, I’m curious about your job. Where you live (not specifics, of course – I’m not THAT creepy). If you have kids and/or are married. Etc. I like the personal stuff! It’s nice to get to know the people I follow.
- If I’m in a bookstore, it is VERY hard for me to not creep on what literally everyone is holding in their hands and/or looking at on the shelf. I constantly resist the urge to blurt out my thoughts on the book in question. If it’s a book I feel very strongly about, I will persuade you to buy it. Looking at you, lady-holding-Gone–Girl-that-I-once-scared-the-shit-out-of.
- If I’m in a bookstore I will also stronglyyy resist the urge to whip out a sticky note pad and make notes on books. “READ THIS if you want to feel fluffy and warm and perfect.” (That one’s for Anna and the French Kiss.) “DO NOT READ THIS because it’s stupid and overhyped and the characters are boring.” (That’s for We Were Liars.)
- If I follow your blog, I have definitely read many old reviews of yours and will probably comment anyways because I am just that crazed. I am a sucker for the “Similar Posts” section of blogs, man! Yes, I do want to read ALL of your two-star reviews because you’re funny and snarky and I like your style! (This goes out to Debby.)
I used to rate all books in a series the same.
Yikes. This one makes me cringe now. I was BIG into series back in the day (and still do enjoy them). I got my Goodreads account back in 2010, when I was in the middle of a few series. I was finishing up Gossip Girl, working on Private, and still cranking through Pretty Little Liars. I would finish a book, give it five stars because it was one of my favorite series, and move onto the next. This is a major reason that my average rating on Goodreads is skewed so high. I always rated all books in a series the same (high) rating because I liked it! Gossip Girl really doesn’t deserve five stars, but that’s how I’ve always had it done. WHYYYYY. Now that I blog, I’ve noticed how obvious it is that some books in a series are just BETTER than others. I need to go back through Goodreads and do some re-rating, but I have literally no idea what to even rate some of them. How am I going to remember if Gossip Girl‘s fifth book was better than it’s third???
I write reviews immediately after finishing the book.
I am constantly wondering how people operate any other way. Every time I see a blogger tweet about having so many reviews to catch up on, I can’t help but feel lucky that I clearly suffer from short term memory loss. I have an issue with remembering almost anything from a book after I finish it. If I don’t spit out my thoughts immediately after, I’ll lose just about everything. That’s also why I’ve become a big note-taker when I read. I could absolutely love a book and think a variety of smart and funny things about it while I read and then have ALL of that go out the window when I close the book. I, in no way, would be able to be a book blogger if I didn’t write my reviews right away. Waiting a day or a week or a MONTH before writing a review??? By then I’d be lucky to remember the main character’s name.
Sometimes this all feels pointless.
I really enjoy reading and blogging and connecting with others, but sometimes I just feel like… I don’t matter. This sounds probably very depressing and/or morbid, but I can’t help but wonder if anyone would care if my blog disappeared. I am very happy with doing all of the blog THINGS that I do but I wish there was some more interaction. I know my blog is still under a year old, so I shouldn’t put too much pressure on myself, but I can’t help but feel like my blog doesn’t matter much. So, shout out to all of the people who make me smile regularly with a comment or a tweet! You guys make it worth it. I can’t help but feeling lame in a sea of awesome blogs.
I have very mixed feelings about ARCs.
I absolutely love the idea that I can read a book before it comes out and in turn help the author with some promotion. Publishers are VERY cool for making this a thing. This is probably why I request too many ARCs that sound moderately appealing and then hate myself if/when I get approved. I’ve never gotten approved for an ARC of a book that I am literally dying to read. I only have gotten approved for books I randomly saw on NetGalley, thought they sounded interesting, and decided to send a request. I’m never in the mood to read the eARCs I end up with! I’ve decided to limit myself to only requesting books that are on my Goodreads to-read shelf BEFORE I log onto the website. However, I do have a major case of ARC-envy. This kind of rolls into the previous confession, but I am so jealous of people who get books randomly sent by publishers. The physical ARCs are the ones I die over. I received one surprise ARC in the mail and now I am a crazed mail-checker, hoping for more. I get so jealous of people who get books I’m dying for (like Things We Know by Heart and A Court of Thorns and Roses). I am, however, not jealous of the random surprise books some people get that they’ve never heard of before and/or have no interest in reading. See, MIXED FEELINGS.
Thoughts, folks? Are you a creeper like me? Do you have a love-hate relationship with ARCs? Do you have a lot of reading- and rating-related regret, like I do?
Yes, yes, yes! I totally feel you on the spotty reading history, college was a complete deadzone until Twilight. I’m also in my first year of blogging and the mixed feelings about ARCs is soooo true! I would get real excited and request ALL the books and never review them. I now have a huge backlist. Going into this year I’m definitely more selective and will be super picky at book cons as well. Pair this with book envy and it’s enough to drive one mad. Keep blogging 🙂
Haha exactly!! ARCs are such a great concept but really only worth it if they’re books you REALLY want. Thanks for the comment 🙂 <3
I totally know what you mean about ARCs, Lauren! I’ve been approved from some that moderately caught my interest via NetGalley but reading them quickly tuns into a bit of a chore! Plus for me, I’m not a huge fan of e-books so physical ARCs are so desirable for me…it just feels so much more real when I’m holding a book in my hands and can take pictures of it to share on my blog! Now that our blogs are a little bit older and more established I hope we can both make more publisher contacts to start receiving physical ARCs…I hope publishers will see how completely dedicated we are to supporting the books and authors we love!
YES! Exactly. Obviously with time comes better stats, so hopefully it’s inevitable that publishers think we’re “worth it.” I feel pretty accomplished after blogging for less than a year, so hopefully soon there’s more to show for it! 🙂
“I write reviews immediately after finishing the book.” This! I am the same and when people mention having X reviews to write I can’t relate as the most amount of reviews I have to write is always 1 and I write that review before I start a new book. Although in my case I actually have a good memory, but I am just so obsessed with writing my reviews before I start a new book. It’s a rule and I must follow it, I have way too much discipline sometimes.
Also I think it’s awesome you read about me sections and old reviews, I always feel like no one reads those, so I think it’s great that you do.
For almost 1,5 years I also felt like my blog was just one tiny blog in a sea of awesomness and I stil regulary feel this way. Although the only advice I can give is comment more on other blogs and connect with people. I It takes a lot of time, but you get a lot back as well. Since last summer I started blog commenting more and it really made a difference on how many comments I see on my posts. Although I still have those post were no one comments as well. In general I think that as long as you made it as far to have a blog there are always some people who would miss you if you would dissapear.
I think it’s a great habit to have to write the review before starting a new book. You’re able to move into the next book with fresh eyes and mind!
I’m glad some of my creepiness isn’t too creepy then 😉
Thanks for the tip on commenting! I’ve been trying hard to comment back a bit more and I think it definitely works in my favor. I do plan to keep blogging because I don’t REALLY want to disappear. It’s nice to feel wanted from those who do comment and check my site out daily! <3
NO YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL BLOGGGGG DON’T DISAPPEAR.
I’m also with you on the spotty history, I only really started reading seriously when I started blogging, but I read maybe a total of 10 books over the course of my high school career? And I remember always wanting to read the “adult” books because I figured that I “grew up” and was “too old” for young adult. Nope. Not true at all. But at least the both of us have caught up with reading yes?
AND YEAH YOU ARE A STALKER. Just kidding. I actually remember a lot of bloggers and what they’re reading, their interests and the likes, and I don’t know why I remember? I guess it’s good and all, but why can’t I do that with college and finals and studying??????? And books for that matter too, I honestly forget books depending on how interested they were to me. But I think that’s gotten better since I started writing reviews 🙂
Really awesome discussion post Lauren!
Hahah thank you <3
YES catching up on reading and reading what you enjoy is a huge part of keeping it going. Not to mention the whole blog thing haha.
I feel like I know SO much about people hahah. Definitely a little stalkery.
Thanks for the comment 🙂 <3
I smiled at some of those confessions since I’m guilty of a few myself, but not saying which ones 🙂
I don’t do ARC’s tho, I really need to read the books I have bought. I think I will go after the ARC’s after finishing the huge mountains of books I already have.
Makes sense! Good luck with your TBR
You know Lauren everybody told me that I wouldn’t read for pleasure in college either and I have the same attitude that you did that I was going to prove them wrong. So far I have. My reading has slowed down since high school that is for sure, but I was able to read 65 books during my Freshman Year of College. I think for me reading is one of those things I can’t give up. I have to continue reading even if I’m only able to read before bedtime. Did you have a lot of textbook reading and classic reading for you major?
That’s awesome! I had a lot of textbook reading, for sure. All of my Marketing classes were textbook-heavy (which was partially because one professor I had for 2 classes was OBSESSED with teaching right from the book). Since I minored in Literary and Cultural Studies as well, I had a lot of assigned reading for those classes.
It also got to a point in the day where I was just so tired of using my brain that I would just flip on Netflix.
[…] Lauren confesses she has some book-related quirks. […]
*high-fives you* Oh my god, I’m SUCH a book creeper, you have no idea. I’m right with you on stalking alllll the About pages (which is why I took such great care when writing my own, haha ;)). I just love to see the person behind the blog, especially when they don’t do many personal posts – I feel so much closer to them when I know their cat’s name and the fact that they only like the orange M&Ms, you know?
EXACTLY
I’m the same way with the About Me sections! I’m just curious about what others do outside of the blog. I guess it spawns from the fact that pretty much everyone I know offline doesn’t like reading, thinks blogging is odd, says they have no time because they have children, etc. so when I read someone’s about me page I silently think SEE, IT IS POSSIBLE haha.
OMG, I totally wish I could write a review as soon as I finish. I mean I intend too but then I get distracted. I’m trying to do it… failing miserably haha.
So yes, I am definitely a creeper. I do have a love-hate relationship with ARCs, mostly caused by my own self though because I take too many from Edelweiss and then get irritated that I have to read one of them before my TBR (which is totally my own fault and then the cycle starts again haha) and I ABSOLUTELY have reading and rating regret. If I had enough time I would reread all the ones I feel like aren’t right just so they can be accurate, but that will never happen 😛
Glad to know I’m not the only one!
I always want to know people’s thoughts on a book if I’ve read it (or even if I haven’t but I want to).
I like knowing about people’s lives beyond blogging too. Especially if they have kids or are married. That sounds creepy, right? I think it’s because the majority of my friends are now married….
YES! I AM TOTALLY DOING THAT PERSUADING/SCARING THE SHIT OUT OF PEOPLE FOR BOOKS I LOVE. Namely, All The Bright Places. Yep. Goal for the week? Go to the book store and shove that book in everyone’s hands that I see in the Young Adult section.
Oh my gosh! That sticky note pad idea sounds great! I WANT TO DO THAT. I think I will, just like, take a sticky note, write a note, and put it inside of various books. All the sticky notes will be for All The Bright Places….
I have a few two/three star books. 🙂 Those books though…
Ah, that’s really interesting about how you used to rate series books! I think I’ve done that too with Twilight and Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants. 🙂 But I rated those years before I began book blogging.
I need to start writing reviews after finishing them! I’m kind of getting better at it though, at least writing down some of my thoughts. Goodreads Status Updates help me a bit since I’m using them much more often. I’ll admit I had three books to review from….November. Yes, November. And I have three-ish from last month, so that’s not too bad, but still! Ridiculous.
Say what? Lauren, don’t say crazy stuff like that! I would miss your blog, I’m sure tons of other people would miss your blog. Your blog is freaking amazing and all of your content is just so interesting. Plus….your blog’s just really cute and I love looking at it. 🙂 I can relate to your feelings though.
When I began blogging, I requested four or five books (that I were approved for), but I never was able to read due to not having the right “software” (to open the files). Anyway, months later and my NG ratio is shot. And of course, I’m no longer interested in three of those books. *sigh* Then there’s a book I decide to read that I requested but apparently didn’t care too much about until two months later (The Walled City by Ryan Graudin) which I totally ended up loving and totally kicked myself for not reading sooner. In my defense, I could’ve only read it a week sooner than I had.
I get major ARC-envy too. Especially with…wait for it….All The Bright Places, that was a big one. 🙂 And then there’s somI always want to know people’s thoughts on a book if I’ve read it (or even if I haven’t but I want to).
I like knowing about people’s lives beyond blogging too. Especially if they have kids or are married. That sounds creepy, right? I think it’s because the majority of my friends are now married….
YES! I AM TOTALLY DOING THAT PERSUADING/SCARING THE SHIT OUT OF PEOPLE FOR BOOKS I LOVE. Namely, All The Bright Places. Yep. Goal for the week? Go to the book store and shove that book in everyone’s hands that I see in the Young Adult section.
Oh my gosh! That sticky note pad idea sounds great! I WANT TO DO THAT. I think I will, just like, take a sticky note, write a note, and put it inside of various books. All the sticky notes will be for All The Bright Places….
I have a few two/three star books. 🙂 Those books though…
Ah, that’s really interesting about how you used to rate series books! I think I’ve done that too with Twilight and Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants. 🙂 But I rated those years before I began book blogging.
I need to start writing reviews after finishing them! I’m kind of getting better at it though, at least writing down some of my thoughts. Goodreads Status Updates help me a bit since I’m using them much more often. I’ll admit I had three books to review from….November. Yes, November. And I have three-ish from last month, so that’s not too bad, but still! Ridiculous.
Say what? Lauren, don’t say crazy stuff like that! I would miss your blog, I’m sure tons of other people would miss your blog. Your blog is freaking amazing and all of your content is just so interesting. Plus….your blog’s just really cute and I love looking at it. 🙂 I can relate to your feelings though.
When I began blogging, I requested four or five books (that I were approved for), but I never was able to read due to not having the right “software” (to open the files). Anyway, months later and my NG ratio is shot. And of course, I’m no longer interested in three of those books. *sigh* Then there’s a book I decide to read that I requested but apparently didn’t care too much about until two months later (The Walled City by Ryan Graudin) which I totally ended up loving and totally kicked myself for not reading sooner. In my defense, I could’ve only read it a week sooner than I had.
I get major ARC-envy too. Especially with…wait for it….All The Bright Places, that was a big one. 🙂 And then there’s some for The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West…And Finding Mr. Brightside…and Magonia….Anyway! Haha. Fortunately enough, I’m mostly only envious over books I’m interested in rather than “Omg, that blogger has like a million arc’s, I want a million arcs”. (Not really though, as I said, I’m terrible with reviewing at a decent time. :()e for The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West…And Finding Mr. Brightside…and Magonia….Anyway! Haha. Fortunately enough, I’m mostly only envious over books I’m interested in rather than “Omg, that blogger has like a million arc’s, I want a million arcs”. (Not really though, as I said, I’m terrible with reviewing at a decent time. :()
I love finding out if people are married or have kids! Hahahah. I guess it just makes things more interesting for some reason, to see how many more “adult” people read YA books.
I need to read All The Bright Places ASAP.
Any weird series ratings I did were definitely WAY before blogging. I would just go on and be like “yep, I really liked this series. I’ll rate all of them four/five stars.” Sometimes it makes me want to reread the series to see how I’d rate them now… and actually give them a real rating.
I do use status updates a bit, but not as much as I used to. I usually write some thoughts in my book journal, which help with reviews. But I still have to write it within 24 hours or I lose a lot of thoughts haha.
Thank you for the blog compliments <33333
I had that issue with some Netgalley books too. I actually wrote that in the feedback section and submitted it as if I wrote a review, in order to get my ratio up. I just didn't want to be penalized for something I couldn't really help.
ARC-Envy is the realest. I only have it for books I desperately want to read. Sometimes I just get jealous in general if someone gets a lot of ARCs, but it happens less often.
Sorry about my crazy repetitive comment. I have no idea what in the world happened there. I really should be more careful when typing…
And yes! I like knowing “adults” read YA. I always see adults in Barnes and Noble and….they never even look at the YA section *sigh*
You do need to read AtBP ASAP.
Yeah, I’m sure I rated Twilight and Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants back when I was around 16.
I’m addicted to status updates, haha. I need to write my reviews sooner. Gah. One day I will.
You’re welcome!
I would do that, but I still have access to the books, haha, now, on my Kindle. Since they weren’t archived.
Yeah, I’m not too jealous over people with arcs, unless it’s one I really really want. Or if they just have a lot. Lol. Unsolicited. Other than that, I’m all like “Eh”.
I’m the same about ARCs for the most party – just jealous of the ones I REALLY want.
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