Monday, November 16, 2009

Remembering My Roots!!

Approximately two and a half years ago, I started this blog as a way to keep track of the books I read and to chat about them with those who were interested. Before I discovered this whole wide book blogging world out there (about a year ago), I often felt that I was talking to myself!! BUT, I continued to write because I enjoyed it! My motivation was simply the joy of book talk and the relaxation I felt writing.

After discovering this online book community, I also began accepting books for review from publishers and authors. I have discovered some authors that I would never have discovered otherwise. I have explored some new avenues. And, I have enjoyed it!

However, I feel that it is time to remember my roots, of where and why this blog began. This past year has been an exciting ride . . . BUT, it has come time to re-evaluate as the new year comes to a close. This is what I have come to realize . . .

With my Type A Personality, I feel that I need to be able to provide those who have requested reviews a quick turnaround time in regards to my thoughts.

When I do not follow through on this quick turnaround time because life simply gets in the way, then I feel bad . . . horribly bad.

And, this has not been motivating me to get through them faster!!! Normally, it would actually . . . but this year has been a very chaotic one for me!! My normal has simply turned to abnormal!!

Maybe it has been all this chaos . . . maybe not!! BUT, whatever the case may be, I have decided to return to my roots! I am going back to reviewing those books that I acquire through personal purchases or as gifts (I include giveaways in this category). I will no longer be accepting copies for review from publishers or authors.

The weight that has been lifted off my shoulders has been amazing! I feel that I can now sit back and enjoy the ride instead of screaming at the top of my lungs through all the dips and dives, just trying to hang on to all the craziness and fulfill all the roles and duties in my life.

Blogging has been my release. It has been my way to de-stress after a long day. It has been my constant through a multitude of moves, a place I can turn to relax and release, and share my joy with others.

Many may also be asking if this has something to do with the new changes being implemented by the FTC. Honestly, it was not a huge factor, but it may have been what has pushed me over the edge.

Now for just a couple of final thoughts . . .

For my readers . . . I will be sticking around for quite some time! I will be posting on a more regular basis again! And, I will be here to talk books, my favorite topic next to my family!! And, I have some new changes coming in the new year that you will not want to miss, including a meme, monthly giveaways, and maybe even a little surprise!

For authors or publishers . . . Please do not consider this an end to our personal communication! I encourage you to still send me information on your books! I may not know of you otherwise!! If your book intrigues me, I will be adding it to my Wish List (my list of books that I wish to read). I will be revising my review policy in the next week, and all of this will be listed in my permalink in the menu above. This is a positive change! Afterall, I am one of those who likes to own the books I read . . . this could lead to my support by actually purchasing your books instead of you sending me free ones!! All in all . . . money in your pocket, NOT out!! If you have already sent me a book, ALL books will be reviewed by the end of the year.

Well, now that I have rambled enough, it is now time for me to sign off for the evening. I will be heading up to my favorite reading spot, curling up with a good book, and getting lost in the world of Panem! Until next time . . .

HAPPY READING!!!

17 comments:

  1. I'm glad you're finding the balance that makes you happy and sane. I am working on that again right now as I'm losing some of the "fun" feeling with my own blog. Because you're right ... this is all about one thing ... talking with a community about books!

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  2. So glad you are making the changes you need to make, so you can get back to just enjoying what you love!
    Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog too :-)

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  3. I have been considering this as well. Thanks for your thoughts! And keep up the great writing!

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  4. This is sort of the problem I had with book clubs. I feel like as a medical wife and mom and a dozen other job titles, that there is so little time, and life is too short to spend reading things that don't interest me. I am going to pick up a book because it's my escape or my guilty pleasure or way to relax. I think your blog will still be awesome and I am excited to see your recommendations.

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  5. I love your comments here. In the process of moving in my new home, I got terribly behind with review books and have three still floating out there from months ago that I had to beg publishers their forgiveness and promise to get to...slowly. I've also backed off accepting as many as well, as there are just too many dang good books popping up on people's blogs that I want to try.

    Love your post, and can't wait to continue to see what you post!

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  6. Tif, I'm glad you're getting back to your roots with your books.

    I've made the same change and I feel so happy about it. I'm down to 3 ARCs and then its my books 24/7! Yay!

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  7. Wonderful post! I totally agree that there's sometimes a feeling of obligation to read a book for review instead of one of your own personal purchases. Can take some of the fun out of reading. I've really cut back on review copies and go to the library and bookstore more often. This way, we can read the books we want when we want.

    Congratulations on getting back to your roots!

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  8. Well, you know me, I am pro change. (lol) I think you and I are on the same path for 2010. You'd done a better job at spaying connected with other book bloggers than I have. I wanted to in 2009, but failed and finally gave up. True, I have been all over the place, but that was to get my name out there. Next year, I am tightening my social circle. ;) I won't be out there discovering new book blogs, but spending time with the ones I've missed out on this year if that makes sense.

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  9. Have a little something for you on my blog
    , so please stop by when you have a chance. :)

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  10. Great post. With my two books clubs, reading challenges, and starting to accept books to review from authors and publishers, I am starting to feel overwhelmed. I may need to reevaluate my blog and reading habits as well.

    I know how you feel - I started my blog back in early 2007 and I don't think people started to really read it until this year:-)

    I'll still be reading your blog in the future!!

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  11. Great post. I totally understand where you have to bring it back to what you enjoy. That is what it is about. Cant wait to see what changes you have in store for the new year! :)

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  12. Kristen . . . Yep, the sane part is what got to me!! :) Sometimes taking a step back to get going in the right direction is better than going the wrong direction completely. I'm glad I found my way back!!

    Teddyree . . . You are so welcome!! Love your blog and hope you are doing better!

    Tiffany Norris . . . Thank you for the nice compliment!! I will be looking forward to hearing what you decide. That reminds me . . . I need to check to make sure I'm following you!!

    Gulbrandsen family . . . I'm glad that you are still excited to see my recommendations!! And, I agree and can relate all too well . . . I need to spend more time on those guilty pleasures with no strings attached!! :)

    mjmbecky . . . That is where it started becoming a problem for me . . . when we moved!! I still have books to review from that time period and it has been more than 6 months now!! I'm going to end up having to do a skim to remind myself of my thoughts in detail!

    Bella . . . I'm at about the same as you! After I finish my current read, I'm down to 3 as well and I can't get through them fast enough!

    Alexia561 . . . Thank you!! I'm just not sure how happy this change will make my hubby!! I already spend too much money at the bookstores!! :)

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  13. J. Kaye . . . I wouldn't say that I've done a good job connecting the last month!! I am so far behind in my Reader, it is pretty pathetic!! I'm thinking I need to unsubscribe to those that are not my faves and just concentrate on those I do have time for. Going back to work full-time has definitely cut into the time I had before and I'm having to prioritize a lot more for 2010!!

    Alexia561 . . . Thanks for the award!! I had so much fun reading all the honest things about you! I just commented over on your blog and will be posting it here again soon!

    Laura's Reviews . . . Thanks for sticking with me!!! I think the changes will be good for me and I'm hoping that they will all be good for you as well!! :)

    Sheila (Bookjourney) . . . Thank you!! I'm hoping to get the new changes posted early next month (December). Just trying to iron out all the details!! Stay tuned!!

    EVERYONE . . . Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement!! I originally thought when I decided to do this, people would think I am crazy for passing up those FREE review books!! I never thought I would get a positive response like this! It definitely confirms why I keep coming back to this community!! You all rock!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! :)

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  14. Tif - I am with you there. I won't unsub, but I plan to revamp my Google Reader. There's a way you can organize the blogs into files. If I have time, that's what I plan on doing for the Christmas holidays. ;)

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  15. J. Kaye . . . Hmmm . . . good thinking. Maybe I will try breaking my files down a little more. That may help without having to unsub. I'll try it as trial run and then decide from there. Thanks!!

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  16. I sent a tweet about this, but it was short...lol. How much can you possibly say on Twitter. I plan to detach more from blogging in 2010. I won't be able to read a 1000+ blog posts every couple of days or so. Okay, maybe I could, but I won't. I did that in 2008. In 2009, I became obsessed with reading challenges. In 2010, I'm going to back up, re-evaluate how much time I want to dedicate to this.

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  17. I think a re-evaluation is always a good idea and change is never bad, even when it may be changing back!!

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