A Book Obsession..: T.G.I.F. (3)

T.G.I.F. (3)

May 18, 2012 by Kt Clapsadl

This Week's Question:

A Book Blogger is Born: What made you decide to start your very own book blog?

That is an easy one. I had just gone to the RT Giant Book Fair in Columbus, Ohio back in 2010, and once I got home I realized I didn’t have any place to really show off my stuff. I also started to think about how I didn’t have anyone to talk to about all the awesome books I had been reading. So, A Book Obsession.. was born. Although at the time it was called One Book at a Time. Shortly after starting the blog, I realized that someone else was already using that name, so I quickly changed it, and here we are today. I just love the blogging community, and I have made so many friends and readers that I love to share my love of books with. I can’t imagine how I ever got along without this blog!

On a slightly side note, I’ve heard of some people starting their blogs because of being able to review books early from the publishers, etc. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but when I started I had no idea that was even possible, let alone something I could do. Although I would really caution new bloggers, that getting “free” books isn’t really the best reason to start a blog. Those books aren’t really free due to all the work that is involved with building and maintaining a book blog. Those reviews take time, and it isn’t always easy. Sometimes writing a post is like pulling teeth. So I just think it really helps to have other motivators to keep you moving and happy with your blog. You don’t want it to become chore, and it can be so easy for that to happen.

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pagesunbound 39p · 677 weeks ago

I didn't know about ARCs or anything when I first started blogging either! I just wanted to record and share my thoughts and see what other readers had to say. I still haven't gotten too many free books, but the ones I have were a very nice surprise.

1 reply · active 677 weeks ago

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ABook_Obsession 81p · 677 weeks ago

I remember when I first found out about ARCs. I was like what?? The publishers send books to people like me?? Woah! Of course I started out with Netgalley and then grew the confidence to contact publishers directly. Now I have more contacts and books coming in than I know what to do with. So as they say, the rest is history. :)

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Smash_Attack 103p · 677 weeks ago

I had NO clue about ARCs or any of this stuff prior to my starting the blog, either! Hell, I don't even except requests half the time due to so many older books sitting in my TBR. heh. Our love for reading is what keeps us going. Reading new or old, it doesn't matter!

3 replies · active 677 weeks ago

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ABook_Obsession 81p · 677 weeks ago

I have a severe problem with the "new and shiny" syndrome. My TBR pile gets severely neglected because I always have so many new books coming in. Between what the publishers send me, and my addiction to stalking Netgalley and Edelweiss, I'm usually biting off more than I can chew ><

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Smash_Attack 103p · 677 weeks ago

Same here, so I had to put a stop to it. I have over 400 of my own books that I need to read, and that grows constantly. I could care less if my blog is inundated with older books. A book is a book! :) I still allow past contacts to contact me though, and I have a relationship with Scholastic. Other than that, I do not do requests anymore. I can't keep up with it. I stay the eff off NetGalley unless I really want something. And there are 2 books I really want. Let me know if you see Middle Ground by Katie Kacvisnky or Rebel Heart by Moira Young. :D

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ABook_Obsession 81p · 677 weeks ago

Aside from my ridiculous stalking of Edelweiss and Netgalley most of my books show up on my doorstep with ever having requested them. Then the new and shiny syndrome gets even worse. I have been getting a little better at reading my older stuff whenever I get caught up on reviews. I seriously use your random.org trick to take the stress out of the choice.

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GREATreviewer 90p · 677 weeks ago

Oh awesome! I went to that RT!! That was my graduation present to myself!! Wasn't that just the best!

Hey, if you're planning on going next year, I am too and I'm looking for a roommate. I like to plan really early! Just a though! ;)

But isn't it incredible how we all have different stories as to how we got to blogging? Mine is pretty lame, it just started with a contest that I wanted extra points to and all. Didn't even win! But oh well, that was 3 years ago!

Here's my Friday Hops

Have a GREAT weekend!

Old Follower :)

1 reply · active 677 weeks ago

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ABook_Obsession 81p · 677 weeks ago

I only went to the signing portion of it in Columbus. I'd LOVE LOVE to do the whole convention sometime, but money is a big issue since hubby is the only one who works. Also he has a huge paranoia about me traveling by myself. I'm very short and small so he just sees me as so fragile compared to him (He's a big man). He worries like crazy about my safety. I'm hoping that RT will be somewhere close to PA next year so I can at least get him to take me to the signing day. *crosses fingers*

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Tanya Patrice · 677 weeks ago

What a great story about how you started - I didn't even know about bookish conventions! And for sure, I didn't know about ARC's, although I don't accept them, but it's definitely a nice perk to be able to get books in advance.

1 reply · active 677 weeks ago

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ABook_Obsession 81p · 677 weeks ago

Why don't you accept ARCs?