Book blogging: status quo and the future

An opinion piece, in lieu of a Sunday Salon installment today:

 

I was pondering the other day - yes, it happens - on book blogs, specifically why people read them and why people write them, what purpose they serve, that kind of thing. I began because it looked like a world of fun. Though I belonged to book groups online, I knew no one in real life who cared about books - at least not on the scale I do, though I believe that number is very small, judging from the number of people who can't quite "get" me and my lust. For books.

When I started up my blog there were nowhere near as many blogs as there are now that the internet rabbits have begun mating and the proliferation of blogs in general about one gazillion more than were around then. Of course, loads of those have folded, their owners moving on to other things, letting their blogs languish as lost links.

I wonder what percentage have actually stuck with it? Less than half, I'm sure. Maybe 30%? 40%? It takes a  lot of discipline keeping a blog going, finding stuff to talk about and the time to sit down and actually write. And, despite what some say, the practice of writing daily - even on a mere BLOG - does help strengthen the writing muscle. Depends how you use it, of course. If you're all about LOLing and OMG! not so much. If you write in text-speak, likewise. But if you're semi-serious - I don't mean in tone, completely, but dedication - you can go a long way toward improving your writing. It's no different than keeping a journal, after all. It's just a journal the world can read.

Hi, world!

So, why do we read book blogs? I read them partly for the recommendations and info about books I should avoid but also I enjoy the personalities of certain bloggers, how they come through in their writing. I also enjoy their off-topic posts, which is one way to "get to know" them. And their photos, too, especially when they come from real life things they do. Some may not care for the off-topic posts. I don't quite understand that, personally.To me, they round out the person behind the opinions. And I enjoy "knowing" the people.

How will book blogs morph from here and will they become more important, less important or stay the same as far as their usefulness and popularity? I really don't see them declining; I trust the opinions of bloggers I follow more than mystery reviewers at Amazon, often friends of the author, publishers posing as readers and even, occasionally, those paid for positive reviews. All these virtual cheaters don't have the "stick-to-it-iveness" to keep up a blog. At least that's my opinion. And that's why I trust the opinions of book bloggers much more.

We all know I'm prejudiced toward book blogging, for obvious reasons, but I honestly do think they are a great thing. For trustworthiness, entertainment and likeable personalities I don't think they'll drop in popularity.

Any other opinions? I'd love to hear them.

Comments

[Bluestalking]

Dark Puss, I have posted some negative reviews here and there but generally feel moved to bother writing about a book when it's so great I want others to read it. But you are right; I should post more about the really badly-written books, if only to contrast them with the great ones.

[Dark Puss]

I trust the views of a number of people who write about books. Some of them write for newspapers, some put their opinions on the internet and some write for specialist literary publications. My only (generalising wildly) regret is how rarely a literary weblog will post a negative review. I think I understand why but I still wish more of you would do it more often. Of those whose views I respect very often you will be positive about books that I have no intention of reading. Like you I very much enjoy the posts that are not about books, I wouldn't call them off-topic however!

[Lisa Guidarini]

Simon, that's true. I've swung past blogs on which the owner has resorted to complaining no one comments. Some have been perfectly good blogs. Maybe they're not picked up by search engines? But I also do a link check on my blog roll every now and then, to make sure the blogs are still active. Need to do that again, speaking of.

[Simon T]

Interesting point about people who stop blogging - I suppose there must be lots of bloggers who are never found by bloggers, and it would be dispiriting to write post after post with no comments...

[Bluestalking]

Nicola, yes, exactly! Especially when I started writing this blog, there was just no one who wanted to talk books with me. Fortunately, I know a couple of people now who share my passion but still get something via blogging I can't get elsewhere.

[Nicola]

Interesting subject. I think I read book blogs because I don't know too many people in 'real life' who are willing to ponder over the finer details of, say, a Jane Austen novel or aspects of her life. I think the internet means you can hook up with 'like-minded people' (horrible phrase but you know what I mean!) with a shared interest. People who will understand why you stayed up until 2.00 am to finish a book.