Reader Confessions: I'm Sick of Blogger Gloating

"I'm effing sick of the blogger gloating going on. And I'm not talking about IMM posts. I don't see those as gloating. I'm talking about constant twitter posts of what's been received, how you're the first to get this, how you're part of something exclusive and continue bragging about what you got. It grates my teeth reading blog posts about bloggers going to uber-exclusive events and explaining why they got the invite: because they work super hard on their blog, insinuating that those that didn't get invited don't. Talk about feeling like a failure reading stuff like this. "It doesn't matter that you've been around longer and seemingly work just as hard. It's obviously not hard enough because you weren't invited to this, that or the other thing." Obviously it's not expressly stated like that but it's insinuated and I want to tear fucking heads off every time I see it. Shit like that isn't encouraging: it makes people feel like shit and makes people like you less and less ("Every day I like you less and less . . ." Hooray for poignant Arctic Monkeys). There's a difference between sharing an experience and rubbing it in people's faces. No one likes a braggart." - Anonymous

Thoughts? Agree or disagree?

Do you have a confession?

Reader Confessions: It Gets To Me When Bloggers Try to Market Themselves

"When a blogger tries to market themselves rather then the books and authors it gets to me. A personal choice, I know. But I started blogging because I loved books and wanted to meet others who loved books and I love talking about books and authors and sharing my thoughts with whoever will listen.

When a blogger is all about how important THEY are -- by talking about their stats or their contacts or how many hits a minute their blog gets -- it really turns me off. I don't care how important you think you are or how important others think you are. I want to know what you're reading. I want to know how you felt about that book and I don't care how many other people visited your site before or after me.

Why is this a confession? Because like you said, I feel that I can't say these things in front of some people. I don't know my stats, I don't pay attention to or even care about my SEO. I care about the books and I care about the authors. Isn't that why we are all here in the blogging world to begin with?

And also, like you said, I really wonder if I'm alone in my opinion.

Thanks Jenn!!" -Emily

Thoughts? Agree or disagree?

Do you have a confession?

Reader Confessions: I'm a Hypocrite About Spoilers

"I often glance at the back of the book even though it infuriates me when other people do it. I am a huge hypocrite! And I totally looked online for spoilers on the seventh Harry Potter book and Breaking Dawn. And then when I had midnight release party/all night book reading parties for both the books I refused to let my friend peek in the back of the books, even though she does this all the time and is very up front about it. It's my secret shame. The tension just gets to me! I think it bothers me when other readers peek simply because I dislike the fact that I don't have the self control to stop myself. Is there some 12 step program to quit peeking? Help!" -Anonymous




Thoughts? Agree or disagree?

Do you have a confession?

Reader Confessions: I Don't Hate Captcha

"I don't hate Captcha. I don't even think it's anything more than a minor inconvenience. Maybe a little annoying, but I don't even blink when I see it. (I hate auto-music WAY more & refuse to follow your blog if it plays.)" -Ashley




Thoughts? Agree or disagree?

Do you have a confession?

Reader Confessions: I Feel Obligated to Sell Something I Didn't Enjoy

"Oh goodness, I need to confess.  A contemporary romance author was having a contest to be a member of her "cheerleading squad".  25 people were to be chosen to help promote her new series of books.  Yeah!  I was chosen. 

First things first, I had to read the book.  I did.  But I barely finished.  I didn't like it at all and now I have to promote it!  Well, not true, I could do nothing and call it a day, but I feel obligated.  500 applications were submitted to this author and out of those 500 mine got picked!  I can't just sit on my ass & do nothing. 

Ugh, so I wrote a review, then I rewrote it, then rewrote it again cause my hubs said it was too negative and made me feel some serious guilt over it. 

So, I guess that's my confession.  I feel obligated to "sell" something that I didn't myself enjoy, and to be quite honest I don't know how to do that." -Jenn3128

Doing a bit better, I think. Edited out the more rambling parts.

Thoughts? Agree or disagree?

Do you have a confession?

Reader Confessions: I Change My Blog to Fit Other People's Opinions

"I change my blog to fit other people's opinions. For example, if a few bloggers are complaining about a blog on Twitter, I'll change my blog a bit to make sure it fits that person's likes. Does that make sense?" -Briana

Somehow managed to get make the last 30 seconds or so blurry. *sigh* I'll get this vlogging thing eventually.

Thoughts? Agree or disagree?

Do you have a confession?

Reader Confessions: I'm Easily Influenced by Reviews

"Whenever I read a review about a book, even if it's got lots of positive reviews, I dwell on those reviews. My feelings about a book are easily influenced by reviews, even after I've already read them and liked them." -Anonymous

Ignore my amazing public speaking skills. Or make it a drinking game. Drink every time I say "and, uh" or "I mean" and be hammered in less than 8 minutes.

Thoughts? Agree or disagree?

Do you have a confession?

New Feature: Reader Confessions (vlog!)

Why does YouTube always pick such awful frames to display?

In the spirit of take-no-prisoners honesty, I bring to you Reader Confessions. Each posting of this feature will showcase one reader's confession, my response and a call for discussion. Confessions can be owned or anonymous, a simple sentence or a long-winded rant.

What to confess? Anything you've been holding inside. If it has to do with books, bookstores, the publishing industry, authors, bloggers, other readers, book-based websites, fanfiction, movies based on books, graphic novels, ebooks, audiobooks, anything that relates to reading - it's fair game.

Why confess? Its good for the soul. And you'd be surprised how many other people agree with you. And I'm nosy and want to know your dirty little secrets.

Does it have to be negative? Not at all. I want to hear the good and the bad, the things that piss you off and the guilty pleasures you've been hiding.

Do you have a confession?