Changes coming to Sharon Loves Books and Cats
Sunday, February 7, 2010
There are changes coming to Sharon Loves Books and Cats. I updated my review policy page this morning to reflect some of these changes. The biggest change of all involves the types of books reviewed on this blog.
I'm cutting back on the number of arcs I accept or purchase at Strand. This are several reasons for this. First of all, I'm tired of reading and reviewing books on a schedule. I'm a moody reader and I cannot just read a book because it is next in line. This type of reading and reviewing has not been working out for me lately. The second reason is that I'm kind of tired of the whole competitive nature of this type of blogging. Sometimes it almost feels like a popularity contest to see who will get the most high damn arcs. Simply put, I'm sick of it.
From now on I'm going to read and review whatever books I feel like. I will still except some arcs if they are for books on my very specific wishlist.
This is how I'm doing things from now on because I feel that it will work better for me. I'm not standing in judgment of bloggers who choose to do things differently. I've merely decided to do things differently so please do not feel that I am judging any of you!
Posts
February 7, 2010 10:57 AM
I think it's a great idea to stay true to yourself. I'm a moody reader too and it's hard for me to read by schedule even for read-alongs. I think by reading according to your mood, you'll be a happier blogger.
February 7, 2010 10:58 AM
good for you sharon! you need to do what makes you happy and if the old way wasn't working for you, then you need to find something that will! kudos to you for having the courage to make that change!
February 7, 2010 11:10 AM
Good for you - I feel the same way...Kudo's to sticking to your wants and your wish list! :)
February 7, 2010 11:24 AM
I'm exactly the same way Sharon. My reading mood changes all the time. I never know what I'm going to be in the mood for next. The competitive feeling was something I felt too. That is one of the reasons I stopped posting the In My Mailbox posts. I also don't look at very many of those posts either. I tend to get jealous when I see some of the books people have so I just kind of close my eyes to those posts and move on with what I have. I get some great ARCs occasionally and am thrilled when it happens, but I try not to focus on that very much. There are so many other books out there to read and review that one can't get hung up on reading only ARCs anyway! So, this was a long and rambling way of saying I completely agree and support your decision.
February 7, 2010 11:24 AM
Best of luck :)
February 7, 2010 11:58 AM
Welcome to the world of reading 'cause you want to! XD
Other than the books I get for review sites (which are pretty lenient about when I get my reviews in anyhow) that's how I've been on my blog lately.
I'm pretty moody myself you know? Plus I got plenty to read from my shelves and from what I'm buying!
::starts a club:: We Read What We Want To
February 7, 2010 12:24 PM
I hear you on being a moody reader! I spent a lot of January just reading books because I wanted to, and it was fairly awesome. Also, I get mad jealous when I see people's IMMs, but then realize I have so many owned books on the TBR, why get jealous of someone else.
Anyways rock on for your stance, I can't wait to see how your reviews turn out now that you are reading books you want to read!
February 7, 2010 12:37 PM
Nothing wrong with that. It's how I've functioned since I started blogging. I've never wanted to feel like a shill working for someone else. Plus it's a much more relaxed way to work!
February 7, 2010 1:03 PM
This sounds lovely! Right now my schedule is so crammed I have no idea how it will get done and I ask myself, why? I am not paid for this, so why invite the stress into my life. I need to learn from you.
February 7, 2010 1:14 PM
Whatever is best for you is what you should do. I'll continue to enjoy reading your reviews. I hope this works out better for you!
February 7, 2010 1:20 PM
I've never really noticed anything competitive about book reviewing, but I do understand how you feel in regards to reviewing on a schedule. I hate it!
February 7, 2010 1:47 PM
Two thumbs up to this! I'm about ready to do this too.
February 7, 2010 2:48 PM
Hey, if you don't enjoy what you are doing, then it becomes a JOB - and that's no fun!!
February 7, 2010 2:53 PM
That's the best way of going about it, really. Whatever book you read should be because you WANT to read it, not because you have to.
Anyways, hope that your reading ways become less stressful! :)
February 7, 2010 7:47 PM
Do what you love, I support you totally in that.
February 7, 2010 8:51 PM
Good for you! I've been doing more of the same thing too. I really appreciate anything I get in the mail but I need to get more of my own books read. I also like getting titles from the library. Unfortunately these books always get pushed to the bottom of the pile. Do what works for you and enjoy! You have such a great blog and I know I will continue to enjoy it. :)
February 8, 2010 5:15 PM
Good for you. I have only started keeping a blog very recently and the whole point of it is for ME! I wanted a place that I would have all my reviews and I like keeping a list of what I get in each week and other than if I win a book( this I will read right away, I read what I want, when I want.
February 14, 2010 11:20 PM
I completely understand the whole review thing. I look at the books I need to review (some I received too long ago) and I look at my bookshelf of all the books I REALLY want to read. When picking up a book out of one pile is like having to get up to go to work at the job you hate - it's time for change :)
February 16, 2010 2:12 PM
I agree with you. I too am a moody reader. I let publishers/authors know this before accepting their book for review. I tell them straight up "It might take 3-4 months before I get to your book, I read what I "feel" like reading".
I'm finding out now that I'm on a lot of auto mailing lists and I'm getting review copies of books I didn't ask for and wasn't asked if it was something I was interested in.
In those situation I feel like, Ok, whatevs, I'll read them some time or I won't. It's kind of disrespectful to just ship books to ppl w/o asking them first. I'll give them the spot light in my IMM post but that may be all. :(
Hugs to you and I can't wait to read some more reviews! I have a ton to write. :(