Friday, April 24, 2009

I had to do it...I just couldn't stop myself.

There seems to be quite a havoc going on in the reading blogosphere recently. I have read all the posts (I think) concerning the reviewing policies and culture, the reasons why we even blog, the lengths bloggers will or will not go as far as getting the coveted ARCs, and so forth. I am sure you all are familiar with the issues and I don’t like to repeat what has already been discussed by bloggers much more experienced and well versed in book reviewing than I am.
What I want to do here is just put in writing all my thoughts and feelings triggered by the controversial posts. I wanted to forego that but it seems to be quite stuck in my head and won’t leave until I write what I think down.
I am a fairly new blogger. I started my blog in November, 2008 and I do still have a loooong way to go in order to ever dream of achieving the status of being ‘popular’. But that’s quite all right with me because popularity and wide readership were never my reasons to start a blog in the first place. My history with books and reading is quite difficult and sometimes tumultuous even. When and where I was growing up played a major role. I was a kid in the times of great, communist censorship, the one that thankfully kids nowadays only read about and seems like a story taken out of Orwell’s 1984. It was very real for me and other children, teenagers and adults around me. We were not allowed to have access to international literature, we knew nothing about America’s great children’s authors, no Dr. Seuss or Beatrix Potter for me. All we were allowed to read were magazines published in the Soviet Union, narrowing our horizons and knowledge to the greatness of socialism and communism. The same articles and other propagandist books or writings made sure that no individualism was allowed and that our love of reading would soon be extinguished before it even had a chance to fully bloom. Yet, somehow I came out of it with a great love and appreciation for a written word. I suspect I was lucky enough to also experience the fall of communism in my country while still being a young girl. You can only imagine my joy, surprise and exhilaration when I got my hands on Winnie the Pooh and Anne of Green Gables. I think that when I was first allowed to enter my school’s library and to check out these books was the time when I knew I was doomed. I became obsessed. Since then, I grew to realize that most of the people around me would never share my obsession and unconditional love for books. I almost became resigned to my fate of being the nerdy, geeky person who never had anything else to talk about other than books.
Suddenly, lo’ and behold, I came upon a website where a person seemed to show the same signs of geeky-ness I had. I didn’t know then that it was a blog or that there were countless other blogs and people who loved books as much as I do. I believe that when this realization finally hit me, my emotions could only be compared to the ones I felt when entering the school library. I proceeded to be flabbergasted when I noticed that I also can have a blog like that, that I can actually read a book and then write about it and know that I no longer would be perceived as a weirdo, but a member of great community of people who share the passion for reading and who understand my need to use every spare moment on reading these extra pages of a book.
So there’s my story. I do not want to become disillusioned with my great blogging community because of a few bad eggs that apparently have blogs only to get copies of books from publishers. And I don’t think there is such a risk for me. There are many wonderful bloggers out there whom I consider my blogging friends, they are smart, funny and clearly as obsessed with books as I am.
And last but not least, a note for and on publishers. I appreciate them greatly, we have had great relationships. Because they deem my amateur reviews worthy, I get to receive copies of books they want me to review. I think it’s grand and still honestly beyond my expectations. In return for the kindness, I read and review the books they send me, I try to always mention some positive aspects of a book and if I cannot find any (which of course happens), I do communicate with a publisher and leave it up to them whether they still want my review up or not. And I do not think it’s selling out. I simply don’t write anything about a badly written book. I do post negative reviews but mostly of books that I bought. I do it because I want to be honest about my feelings. And most of my library (some 500 books) comprises books bought by me, only small percentage belongs to ARCs, so I do support authors because even if I do not like a certain book, I can only imagine how hard their job is.

20 comments:

  1. Oh how I agree! We can not let one bad apple spoil the bunch! I do get ARCs and am very appreciative of the authors and publishers who send them my way. I also reviewed finished books and always try to be very honest with how I feel about the book. It is a privilege to receive books and even though I have a stack to read and review, I will get to them ALL!

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  2. Oh, lilly, you said it so much better than I did! I didn't have the ban, or government propaganda to wade through. I just had no-school-libraries, and way-overpriced bookstores (due to import duties, etc).

    I too am thankful to receive ARCs, or even finished books, to review. I love that I can explore genres and authors that are not in my comfort zone. As a matter of fact, I haven't reviewed hardly ANYTHING fantasy, if you compare the 8 or so books to the 70 I've read this year...

    Keep up the good work. I too am new-ish at reviewing, and I find it lots of fun. I cannot speak for those who're only in it to "get", I can only say what my intent is, and see it through. Have a great weekend!

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  3. Thanks drey, you're an awesome blogger and I'm very happy that you liked what I had to say.

    shelburns: I am as well glad that you liked it, thanks for commenting and you certainly write your 2 cents

    Smash: i already commented on your post so you know what my thoughts are

    Girls, because of you and bloggers like you this is still a wonderful place for first and foremost people loving and being obssessed with book.

    A huge thank you!

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  4. Yup. :-)

    I too have purchased almost all of my books, and I feel like I can say whatever I want about them. Books for review though...well, I am capable of being gentle, although I still won't lie.

    I'm always fascinated when people share tidbits of their childhoods...especially when they are so different my own experiences. I can't imagine growing up under such strict censorship. I think your story makes this post even more wonderful. Well done!

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  5. Thank you softdrink. I am glad you think well of this post. I think that's most important to me: my fellow bloggers good opinion of what I write.

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  6. Lilly, I love your honesty in this post, after all why blog if you can't be honest but I also love your gentleness when it comes to the ARC's that you cannot find anything positive about. Leaving it up to the publisher whether they still want your review up is a very kind way to deal with that issue.
    I'm a new blogger too & I must say, I'm feeling kind of grateful now that here in Australia we don't seem to have the ARC issues that the US girls do, we very rarely get ARC's, especially not if you're a newbie LOL

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  7. Teddyree, your blog (and I'm not even trying to flatter)is so awesome that I thought you had had it for a long time now, I had no idea you were a new blogger!
    With ARC, as Amy from myfriendamy said it's really not free when you consider the work put into the whole review process but thank you that you appreciated the post and me being kind about the whole issue. I'm happy you don't see it as being a sellout. Some people might but I think I owe that much to publishers and authors.

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  8. I'm one of your new followers (love Google Reader). Great article, it's really interesting to read about why people read and why they blog!

    I think the fact that you're honest in your reviews and that you give the publishers the option of whether or not you post it is an honerable thing to do.

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  9. Alaine, I think that as you said, reading why others blog and read and love books is very enticing and a lot of times other bloggers, through their posts, give me a renewed willingness to blog some more and to have fun, most importantly.
    I agree, Google Reader is the bestest.

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  10. Lilly what you wrote was beautiful. I couldn't have said it better.

    I too am a new blogger (Aug 2008)and to be able to get ARCs and other books to read and review is amazing. I truly appreciate the contacts that I have and that they are willing to send me books to read and review knowing that I am only a small time blogger makes me appreciate them more.

    I know my TBR pile is huge but I am slowly getting through them. Granted it might take me awhile but I will. I feel as though i buy as many books as i get free.

    I love coming to your blog you are doing a great job. Lets hope that the few bad apples that are causing the problems don't ruin it for the ones who truly appreicate the books we get.

    I know since i have started blogging I have meet some really nice people (bloggers, reps and authors) and I have read books that I normally wouldn't have read before this.

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  11. You got an award waiting :) please pick it up here ..

    http://desertrosebooklogue.blogspot.com/2009/04/2009-friendly-blogger-award.html

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  12. Great post :)

    I love my book blog, I had blogged for years before. But I never wrote real reviews, and then I started to wonder why cos I have been obsessed with books even before I could read.

    And most of my reviews will always be library books. I love the library too much.

    But sure wuld love ARCS too, maybe one day. Well ok I do have an ebook :) Yay

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  13. Wonderful post! I am new to blogging (March 2009) and have had a lot of mixed feelings since I have started my blog. I have also read many controversial blogs, and it has made me think "Am I sure I want to continue this?". You couldn't have said it any better...If I constantly keep comparing myself to other bloggers, I will never be truly happy with my own. I don't have "the gift" of giving flawless sounding reviews...but at least I am honest. My writing (to me) sounds like an elementary school kid writing a book report, but I realize that it will get easier the more that I do it. Plus, who cares if it doesn't? My blog makes me happy!
    Also, I loved reading the tid bit about your childhood. Thank you for sharing that. :) You have a lovely blog...I enjoy visiting it every day. Keep up the good work. (I like the music, too)

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  14. An award for you! http://alainereading.blogspot.com/2009/04/some-more-lovely-awards.html

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  15. Oops forgot to mention Lilly, there's an award waiting for you at my place :-)

    http://teddyree-theeclecticreader.blogspot.com/2009/04/some-friendly-lemonade.html

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  16. I also am a new blogger since I started in april 2008.. only one year :)
    I love your honesty with your reviews and giving the option to the publisers.. that is very noble of you..

    Anyways I'm back here for another award :)

    http://desertrosebooklogue.blogspot.com/2009/04/super-comments-award-you-dont-say-3.html

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  17. Cindy: I agree with you, I have read books and got to like genres I wouldn't normally have since i started blogging, it's one of the great pluses.
    Desert Rose: Thanks you so much for the awards, your blog is wonderful and I'm glad that you like my honesty and don't think I'm a sell out because i give publishers options.
    Missy: for a blog that's only one month old you're doing a wonderful job and your posts are great and always remember to stay happy about blogging, it's not supposed to be a job. I'm glad you like the music, the recent book inspired it.

    Alaine and Teddyree: thank you so much for the awards, I am truly honored.

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  18. You are really and truly fantastic and I love this post. You put it all in perspective!

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  19. "I can actually read a book and then write about it and know that I no longer would be perceived as a weirdo, but a member of great community of people who share the passion for reading and who understand my need to use every spare moment on reading these extra pages of a book."

    Yes! This is exactly what it feels like for me. Excellent post.

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