BBAW - Day 4: Reading and Blogging

We have no blogs without books! Today’s topic explores that even more!

Book bloggers blog because we love reading. Has book blogging changed the way you read? Have you discovered books you never would have apart from book blogging? How has book blogging affected your book acquisition habits? Have you made new connections with other readers because of book blogging? Choose any one of these topics and share your thoughts today!

It is the fourth day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week. I didn't plan ahead and I don't have a lot of time for an in-depth post, but I did answer the questions. Enjoy!

Has book blogging changed the way you read?

Yep! I read trying to remember names, places, dates, etc. When I used to read before I started book blogging, I didn't really care how much I remembered. I would remember that I had read a book, but I wasn't planning on blogging about it and I rarely discussed books with anyone, so I didn't worry about the small things. I also read with people in mind either because they have recommended the book I am reading to me or because I think they would really enjoy the book. I also read more than I used to from what I can tell. I haven't always kept track, but I don't think I read quite as much as I do now.

Have you discovered books you never would have apart from book blogging?

Oh, probably. It is hard to say exactly what I would be reading if it wasn't for blogging. In the past a lot of my book acquisitions were because they looked good in the bookstore. I very rarely go to the bookstore any more just to browse. I always have books in mind and unless something is very new, I have likely heard of most of the books or at least of the authors. I read genres I never read before blogging, that's for sure. My reading is drastically changed from the past. This year I have been trying to get back to my roots and read more epic fantasy, etc. That's what I started out blogging about and with all the new recommendations I hear about daily, it is hard to stick to anything any more. This is also why I have way too many series on the go.

How has book blogging affected your book acquisition habits?

As I said above, I used to do most of my reading from books that looked interesting at the bookstore. Nowadays, I very rarely just walk into a bookstore and browse aimlessly. Even when I seem to be doing that, I have certain authors in mind or books that I would really like to read. The local bookstore has a clearance section on their website. It was not unusual for me to go through it online and buy the books that sounded interesting. In a way this change is good for my reading, but on the other hand I don't randomly pick up fantasy books any more. A lot of my favourite reads have been random selections, like The Time-Traveller's Wife. I read that pre-blogging and it was only because I walked into the bookstore and it sounded interesting.

Have you made new connections with other readers because of book blogging?

Yes. I have people to talk about books with and I have made a lot of friends in the book-blogging world. I have a few friends in real life that read, but more so now than in the past, so I never really had anyone to talk about books with. The guy likes to read, but he doesn't make time for it. I do ramble on about books that I think he would like and I have seen him flipping through books I leave out, but generally we are not a bookish couple. I think it would bother me a lot more if I didn't have an online world of people to talk about books. I love getting comments on my posts and talking about the books I have been reading with people that know what I am talking about.