#BBAW
Book Blogger
Appreciation Week
2016
Day 5
Day 5:
One of the unfortunate side effects of reading and blogging like rockstars seems to be a tendency toward burnout.
How do you keep things fresh on your blog and in your reading?
How I keep things fresh in my reading:
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I try to keep a healthy balance between New Releases AND classics, and books that have been on my TBR for too long.
How?
Doing Reading challenges helps,
but mostly, I have learned to be very very very picky at what book I request or agree to review. I have not counted, but maybe I accept to review only 1/10 books I get offered through email.
But I guess that requires self-discipline.
And when I do accept, I look at my review schedule and give myself a lot of time ahead, and tell them: yes I’m interested in reading your book, but I won’t be able to post until that day.
I only accept to be part of a book tour when I really want to read a book and again, it’s schedule far ahead, so that I have no pressure.
I think that’s also what is keeping me sane: I ultimately read what I really chose to read, no pressure.
And schedule, that is organization! -
I keep an eye on diversity in books mostly through books in translation.
Review copies are important for me, because I don’t have a lot of dough, and books are expensive. I use a lot my library, but that’s not always easy with new releases (unless, like for my favorite authors, I know when the book is going to be released, so I keep an eye on my library catalog months ahead and request it as soon as it says they are ordering it – but that’s pressure to organize!)
I also read a lot of books in translation that are coming from smaller presses. If I get them through interlibrary loan, usually I can’t renew the loan, and they may be fat books! So review copies save me
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and through books published in French – it helps to be tutoring in French: for instance, with one of my advanced students, every week, we work on an except of a book which received a literary award in France in 2015 (there are A LOT of different French literary awards).
How I keep things fresh in my blogging:
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By doing all of the above, as my blog is essentially about books I read
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By trying to write better reviews
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By visiting other blogs and gathering new ideas here and there
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By reading material to try to always improve (Blogging University for instance)
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By trying to create conversation through my posts
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By accepting guest-posts from different authors
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By taking part in current blogging events, such as #BBAW!
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By staying away from controversies when they come up – so keeping blogging positive, not a place to fight
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And also by not bothering if I can’t do anything on the blog, because I’m away with no internet connection. It’s good to totally disconnect from time to time
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By trying to update the look from time to time – I know, I have promised a major update for a while…
Words And Peace 
“WOW cela est génial” (no, I do not speak French – I used the translator…) You and I have totally different approaches to almost everything here. You are extremely impressive — I look forward to following your blog and all you do. I also want to know more about Blogging University, please. 😀
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You use wordpress, so perfect! The Blogigng University is free classes offered by wordpress, where they give you tips and advices, and ask you to parctice them , it works over days or weeks. go here and scroll down to see the different classes they offer: https://dailypost.wordpress.com/blogging-university/.
Look also on top of the site, daily prompts or other challenges can also be good. I have done the photo challenges in the past. tons of people come and visit
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Thank you! I keep thinking about an online bootcamp… This might be perfect.
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then yet, that should be exactly what you need
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Oh, yeah, keeping a regular blogging schedule is so important to stop me from feeling stressed. If I don’t have posts scheduled a bit in advance (which is the case right now! eek!), I get anxious. Having that preparation done helps a lot.
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absolutely!
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Reading what you want to read is so huge! I learned years ago that ARCs aren’t for me and that I much rather read from my shelves or books that have been around a year or so. Great advice to alternate between a newer book and a classic! I need to make more time for classics.
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I just joined the Classics Club for that!
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This look like great tips! I struggle to say no with all the requests and I am just working on a priority list and not saying yes to every request.
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excellent move!
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Organization helps me too, as well as keeping a schedule (but one that is flexible and not feeling bad when I can’t keep to it). I used to be able to write and post at the last minute, but I don’t have that luxury anymore. If I don’t schedule ahead, nothing gets posted.
And staying away from controversies! Such good advice. I usually hear about them after the fact now, when I hear about them at all, and I’m glad for that. It does help with keeping things positive. And I’d rather not be caught up in the drama.
I enjoy visiting your blog, and am glad to know you. I hope you have a great weekend!
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thanks, you too. I totally agree for the schedule, it’s more like a map to have an idea where to go, but if you see an interesting side street, it’s good to go off the map
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Love all that you have written. And, I particularly liked your note on taking a break. 🙂 Thank you!
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you are welcome
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I think just feeling free to do what you need to do to make it work – in a relaxing way – is the best. Right? 🙂
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totally
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Yes, I love what you write about being organized and being picky. I think I would get burned out as a reader very quickly if it started feel like a job. Reading what you really want to read keeps it fun!
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exactly
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Very sound advice – I tried two of the blogging university courses recently, the 101 course was excellent, the one on commenting less so
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good to know for the commenting one. I started the 101 as well, though I still need to work on some assignments, that was the time when my computer crashed, and then things got in the way
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I did the ones I was interested in
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Using post scheduling is key for me. I feel so good when I get some weeks ahead and don’t have to worry about where the next post is coming from!
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I’m getting there on that, but still to improve
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I think we’re in the same boat with a lot of things. I also try to do what you are doing to keep the blogging fresh. Perspective is the most important thing to have – and getting away from the blog is really important.
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it seems so, for most of us
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