I've finally returned from my hiatus, it's been a few weeks and I'm enjoying reading again. For awhile, I was getting nervous because books REALLY didn't interest me. Books are my way of escaping and relaxing, and blogging is my way of sharing my thoughts and opinions. In addition to sharing my reviews with fellow readers, I also enjoy having a log of my reviews for my own personal use. I like to go back and reread my reviews if I've forgotten about a particular book.
I've decided to change a few things on my blog. I will no longer participate in weekly meme's and only post book reviews, and/or discussion posts. I want my blog to primarily be book reviews. I will not be posting every day, I don't read fast enough to be able to do that. I also want to stop feeling intimidated by chunkier books. I tend to stay away from them because I'm worried about getting a review posted. My goal is to read and review, and not worry about stats, comments or subscribers. I don't want to feel intimidated by my Goodreads yearly goal. At first I wanted to read 100 but I've since decreased this to 80. When I first started blogging in 2009, I was so concerned about stats but now I want a more relaxed approach to blogging. No comments, don't necessarily mean less stats. I don't want to feel like I'm posting something, just to have something posted for that day.
I will also no longer participate in blog tours. I don't read well under deadlines, and this will continually be a problem when the baby comes. So, no more blog tours. I will accept review books, but I will be more selective.
Thank you for those who have stuck with me all these years, and I hope you continue to enjoy reading my reviews.
I recently stopped doing blog tours and I am being more selective about the books I review and it has been great. It is a lot less pressure and I am enjoying reading a lot more. I hope it works out for you as well!
ReplyDeleteI quit doing blog tours a while ago too and I quit looking at stats because all it did was make me crazy. I hope you love your new approach to blogging!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Stick with what works and continues to make blogging/reading, etc. joyful and fun.
ReplyDeleteYes, good for you for reshaping your blog to fit your life. I look forward to your reviews!
ReplyDeleteI think your plan sounds perfect. I've cut out almost all blog tours, and there's much less pressure now. First and foremost, blogging should be fun!
ReplyDeleteLife changes such as starting a family bring on changes in all aspects of our lives. Good for you for making the changes you feel will be better for you!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I totally understand what you are saying. I've been flip flopping between just reading what I want and doing blog tours. I stepped away for a while, read more of what I wanted to, but have just accepted a few blog tours. I have a feeling in the new year I will be reading what I want and saying YES less often to tours and such.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying reading again - isn't that what it's supposed to be about anyway? :) Read books you enjoy with no real deadlines and you will probably read more.