Hey, bloggers, we need to talk.

Yeah, that’s right, I said it.  So let’s talk.  

I’ve been blogging for 6 & 1/2 months now, and when I began blogging, I posed a question to you all.  What is your advice for having a successful blog?  I still don’t know the answer to that question, I’m not even really sure if I’d count my blog as “successful.”  I’m also not sure that it matters.  Technically, my page hits have stayed steady, though most of them come from Google image searches for Coraline, for some odd reason.  I’ve have been steadily climbing in subscribers (thanks guys!  I appreciate it SO much, it’s the one way that I know people are really listening!!), comments have stayed steady.  Things are looking pretty even just about now, and I’m a-ok with that. 

One day, a few months ago, my roommate thoughtfully said that people blog to hear themselves talk.  At the time, I was kind of offended.  UM, hello, NO, I blog because I want to engage in conversations with other bloggers!  How dare you insult me!  was basically my response.  But, it’s kind of true.  I like to make my posts sound well-written, but at the same time conversational and just a little bit funny.   And I like it when people react to them, so she’s right, in a way.  I think accepting that is the first step, the first step to making this more about communicating with other readers out there than just listening to myself talk about books.  Because, that’s really why I started this, I wanted to talk about books with people, since I couldn’t really join a book club in my area.  Yes, I like to hear myself talk, but that’s only half the conversation!  It’s all about the communication, and sometimes I’m worried that I’m not the best communicator.  So, I’m going to try to be a better communicator.  Okay?  Okay.

So is this an existential blog crisis?  Not really, just thoughts on blogs and blogging in general.  I don’t really know what my blog is, or why it exists, and I don’t really know how to make it better.  Do you have any more suggestions on how I can make it better?  Do you like my reviewing style?  Would you like to see something else?  Please tell me!

Other than following through with giveaways… I need to catch up on that, I know!  If you won or entered a giveaway and have not received the prize yet, DO NOT WORRY, it will get to you at some point.  In the future.  I hope it’s the near future.

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So what has made me think about all these things?  Just this little thing called Book Blogger Appreciation Week!   It looks like a blast, and I’m really excited that Amy @ My Friend Amy’s Blog is hosting this opportunity for all the great blogs out there to get some lovin and also a chance to get your name out there.  This will be my first time participating, and so far it looks like it’s going to be great.  

Have a book blog?  Haven’t signed up yet?  Go here!  

Read book blogs?  Vote for your favorites here!

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I guess I’d better talk about reading, in some form today!  First, let’s all jump around and be happy because I’m finally out of the reading slump I fell into the last couple weeks.  I have about 7 DNFs to my name, but I’ll just let them live in my car for now.  I might go back to them some day. 

I just finished Broken April  by Ismail Kadare, which was for my A-Z Challenge, the Orbis Terrarum Challenge, and the 100 Books Personal goal.  

I’m halfway done with Widdershins by Charles de Lint.  After reading The Mystery of Grace, it’s nice to read de Lint when he’s in his prime, really working with the characters he knows well.  Has anyone else noticed the similarities between Widdershins and American Gods by Neil Gaiman?  Very similar themes, but completely different, too.  I love it, and with only half way read, I highly recommend it.  

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Interesting links at blogs this week: 

• Does race matter in speculative fiction?  It’s just a made up world, right?  Wrong.  Nymeth, as always, has an incredibly thoughtful post on race in speculative fiction.  
• I’m really intrigued by the concept of Read it Forward.  Anyone interested in swapping, or just collecting some books from me?  I’ll put up a list in the next week or so, if you are interested.  
• Alyce just joined Shelfari.  Do you have a Shelfari?  If that’s the case, then let’s be friends.  
• God, this thing is so cute!!!  Like cute videos of baby animals?  Good, you’ll love this.

Have a great week everyone!