The things I've learned about Book Blogging...

Hello there! It's been a long time since I've written a blog, or a review or anything. It's not like I've stopped reading or anything, I just needed a break. I thought that maybe, to jump-start my semi-dead blog back to life, I'd start off with some of the things I've learned about Book Blogging.

1. It can be a time suck if you let it.
I read lots of books. I listen to even more audio books. For 2009 I had set a goal to read 1 book a week. And let me tell you, I fulfilled that goal almost two fold! I was attempting to try and review every book I read, and it was taking a lot out of me!

2. Sometimes doing a review can be boring! Especially if it's a part of a series.
For instance; the In Death series by J. D. Robb. LOOOOVE these books. I love Eve Dallas and Roarke. Great characters, awesome books. But really, how many times can you say that? There is always a a murder(s) to solve, Eve is always witty, crazy, tough and soft at the same time. Roarke is always sexy and awesomely over protective and over bearing and wonderful (got to LOOOVE that accent). Ever time Eve solves the mystery, proves she's the best cop in the land and all is well in New York once again. Repeating myself for every book was a bit redundant.

3. Hello - time, where did you go?
I'm a mother of 3, and at the end of '08 I got a full-time away from home job for the first time in almost 4 years. I've got to be home and "there" for my kids. I can't be concerned about sitting down at the computer and plucking down a review on a book that I just thought was okay.

4. I LOVE ARCs! I HATE ARCs!
Nothing like a great book, especially when you get a jump on everyone else! I really love ARC's. They are hard to resist. But I find that I must for many reasons...mainly because of the time thing again, however that is not my only reasoning. Having an ARC means to me that I need to read this book before it publishes, and honestly form my thoughts at the appropriate time. I find that I really, truly absolutely LOVE only about 1 out of 5 ARC books I get. I only truly hated 1. And I don't like saying that I didn't like a book..especially one I got for free, and even more so because I'm pretty darn sure the author may just read my review. Authors love their books, and their characters (or at least they should) and I don't like tearing down something they worked so hard to build up. There are probably a million good reviews out there for the same book, but the one that they will likely remember the most is the bad review.

5. Sometimes it's okay not to finish a book.
I read so many books, listen to so many books - obsess over characters I love and what will happen next. If there is a book I just don't like from the beginning....I don't and shouldn't feel obligated to finish it. End story!


So my future plans? I think I'll start blogging again. I'll do some reviews, but I'm also going to talk about other things going on in my life, with my family, movies I watch, TV shows I watch. So more than just books. Which means....I'll probably have to change the sub-heading of my blog...but who cares, yah know? There's more to life than the "other-life" known as a book!