Good afternoon blogging friends!
I have a dilemma and I am hoping you can help me. I am not a stats or comment watcher but lately since publishing my book reviews as summer is approaching, I've been asked by several publishing companies to review some must read summer books and thus the reason for so many recent book reviews.
Yet the one thing I have noticed is that my comments and stat numbers have been falling weekly since I started this. Yet I have received some great comments from those of you that stop by and participate in my book reviews and even giveaways. In addition, I even posted a poll to ask if you all think I should create a separate blog just for product reviews which would include household items, book reviews, food reviews, well you get the picture.
But those of you that participated asked me to keep my book reviews on my blog. So can you help offer a solution that would work out for why you come here and offer it to me in my comment window.
Be as bold as you need to, trust me my feelings won't be hurt at all. I am even considering changing the format like so many other blogs I have seen that do multiple blog postings and yet have different headers that they fall under like reviews, and perhaps incorporate my ARK blog, Heart to Heart blog and Book Review blog. My other choice is leave things like they are and just complete multiple postings. However, some publishers want their authors to have the whole day dedicated to them. Please help me! Since without readers, I wouldn't be asking.
I feel led to continue to do this because I have been blessed with a gift since I was a child for love of books. Literally I can inhale them in a day. Most days if I am not blogging, I can read 3 a day depending on the subject. Self help books are slower to read when you need to understand the concept so I can get through about 1 a day.
So many of you have asked how I do it, it's a gift God's blessed me with. I can't get enough and I am not neglecting my family. This is my down time hobby. When I was a child, during school instead of TV, I read. In fact I read so much during the summer I emptied our Book Mobile of so many titles.
Here's where the dilemma lies, the publishers love to see so many readers and thus the reason for allowing you to review the books as well as the product reviews that I have been asked to join as well. So what should I do? Leave me a comment and tell me what your recommendations are.
Looking forward to hearing all your comments and do you think I should offer a rating system for my books? I want to be 100% honest with you all and think if there are things that are inappropriate in a book, you should know whats in there and you can make the choice yourself.
Again, I can't wait to get your input as it really means the world to me. Comment away!
Posts
18 comments:
Hello sweet friend, Thank you for openly asking your readers their opinions on this. I too love to read and have thought of reviewing books but it would take away from what I want to blog about-you don't have this situation at all and you balance it well. I think that you could possibly have most of your reviews on a separate header or blog name or whatever-link it on your side bar but limit your book reviews to an every other week type of schedule-maybe 2-4 times per month so that if readers are busy and don't want to read your review they still get time with you....instead of the book. Does that make sense? I always look forward to reading what you've written because it is like spending time with a dear friend....however I do like occasional reviews. Anyway, those are some random thoughts and you can just toss them out if they aren't what you were looking for. I sometimes review books too...
hugs to you today.
Noreen
Hi Kat! I check every post, but don't usually comment on the book reviews. I like to read, but don't have lots of time for it. I've won one of your giveaways and still haven't got around to reading them!
I do like the idea of rating the books, and I think a separate section for reviews would be good, or maybe not so many. I find your regular posts the most interesting, but would enjoy some book reviews mixed in.
Hope this helps!
I read all of your posts, but don't always comment on the book if it doesn't look like something that I would read. I will come to your place anyway you handle it. You just do what you feel God leading you to do and it will be the right thing!
I have been reading since we used karosene lamps. I have not read as much since I started blogging. I do enjoy a good book, but could never read as you do. You are right the good Lord has given you a gift. However, he has given you more than one gift. You can do both, but schedule a few days of just blogging and others for your reviews. Variety is the spice of life. I enjoy all your post and try reading each day. Sometimes I just fall behind. You are an inspiration to us all. Do not change - just be yourself. I ramble a lot and say nothing at times. Regardless, I love your blog.
I love to read so this is not a problem for me. I understand that is not the case with everyone. Maybe "Kat's Komments" could form on the side somewhere: book reviews and book giveaways too.
3 books a day is definately a gift from God.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
Marj
Hello Dear Kat,
I like what both women before me have written. I think you should have separate headings below your main header for different topics or types of posts. I also prefer reading your personal posts, but also like reading reviews on occasion. The many giveaways are a plus.
Having book ratings is a good thing as well. I hope this helps.
Blessings,
Carol
That's a tough one Kat. I'm not much help in deciding. I enjoy both ... the book reviews and then your personal views on life. Maybe you could do a little of both.
I know you'll make the best decision and it will work out great.
Aine :)
Kat,
You know I started a book blog and it is growing with book lovers and those who WANT to read the reviews. You know I have shared with you the ONE publishing company who insists I still put my reviews on the magoos news. So guess what I posted their review that day on both blogs. I got 1/2 of the comments on the magoos news than normal. Why? bc those readers aren't as concerned about books ~ they, like these precious ones here said ~ would rather it be personal content or things like that. I know you will do the right thing. I do miss reading about you, your life and family. I know you will do what is best and just as the Lord leads.
Love you
I enjoy both but as a fellow blogger with tons of books and products to review, I totally understand your dilemna.
Personally, I've cut down on the amount of things I review, I love books but at one point, the blog started to become a chore to me with the amount of reviews I was doing.
So what I do now is still review a few, but I mix in personal posts and a bit of this and that...I don't do only reviews and giveaways :)
I don't know what to say to you other than, do what you feel is right for you :)
Hugs,
Sandra
Kat,
I love your posts, but I must say that the book posts I generally don't read. My suggestion would be to do different tabs at the top of your blog. I recently did that in my own blog, and I LOVE it. Faith at walkwithmebyfaith.blogspot.com did mine. She does fantastic work and she is so GREAT to work with.
Hope this helps!!
Have a Blessed evening,
Dawn
I like everything you share on your blog sweetie.
Either way I will be by to comment. I am sorry I am of no help.
Hugs,
Mimi
I'm sorry, Kat...my life has been very hectic over the past several weeks. I've not been visiting lately!
For me, personally, I will skim book reviews, but don't always leave comments. So, perhaps a separate blog would work. I don't know, though...that's a lot of extra work for you!
Please know that even when I don't comment, I am reading your blog.
Big hugs,
Beth
Hi there Kat, for me, I prefer both of blog and review because if you seperate your review with your blog, I think many peoples will lose their excitement to the blog, because not many peoples have a time to read a book review. So if we put a review seperate, I afraid the blog that only put a review will same as commercial web or the advertisement web that not many peoples like it (commercial web)
If we combine it with blog, than the visitor will not get bored with the review because they can read your life story and then reading your book review. And then the other aspect is, that the blog will kill the other, the one will be visited by many peoples and the one will be visited few peoples, why not just combine it? :)
So in my view, my opinion is not to seperate it. Hope that my comment can help you in decision.. But it is your last decision to take , not from us :)
Regards,
Teddy :)
I've got 2 friends that just started review blogs, their comments and folloerws number are way out there already. I feel there are many people out there who just read review blogs so that may be your way to go. I've got both of their buttons on my left side bar, Queen of the Castle Reviews, and Reviews Forn the Nut House. Check them out and see what you think. I was originally for you keeping the reviews here, but I think I've changed my mind after seeing their success!
Hi Kat, I have to admit I am not much of a book reader, I used to be but with my fibro and the fog that comes with it, I can't concentate very well..I think that is why reading blogs works well for me.
Maybe not as many book reviews and a little more of you..but you have so many readers who love the books, do what FEELS right for you..I am here regardless!
hugs
Barb
Hey there. I always come by your blog too, like most of the other commenters already. Books are my favorite thing in life, but I'm not at a place where I can read them as much as I want...so I don't usually comment..
Also if I'd comment, it'd be about the same day for each review: Looks good, would like to read it someday. :)
Sorry, I don't have a great suggestion...I'd probably do a separate header or something like that for the books, but don't want you to get in trouble with the publishers.
Either way, we'll all keep coming back. :) XOXO
I am not an avid reader. I want to be but really I am lucky if I read 4 books a year. I do however read your reviews if it is a book of interest to me and I will leave a comment. So I guess I may not leave as many as I use to but I think you should continue to do it.
I am a Christian and I love God, He is my heavenly father but I often don't comment on many of the religious blogs I read too. If I don't give the post my full attention and read each word I feel it is not right to leave a comment.
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