Since creating Magiverse (my blog) and getting intensely more involved in social media; twitter, instagram, goodreads... I've been feeling the need not only to read more, to be right on to the "hottest" stuff with everyone, but also to review more.
And that need put intense pressure on me and pushed me into an even worse reading slump than I already had.
Seeing bloggers reviewing literally every book they read, so effortlessly, made me doubt myself. I started thinking: what if I'm just not good enough? What if I can't review every book I read? What then? Will my blog even be a book blog?
It got to the point when all I could think about while reading a book was how to review it. Only then did I realize how much pressure to review books did I put myself under.
Reading books is fun, beautiful, unique, immersing and the most magical experience in the whole world. It shouldn't be treated as a job.
I cannot treat it as a job.
Otherwise... reading will lose all meaning for me.
I cannot treat it as a job.
Otherwise... reading will lose all meaning for me.
When I see reviewers reviewing a book according to categories - plotwise, characterwise and such - I feel... how to say it? Less feelings and more professionalism.
I mean no disrespect for everyone who review this way, of course. There is nothing wrong with professionalism. Professionalism is a good thing.
It's just that, personally, when I read a book - when I review a book - I go by my heart.
Every book is a unique experience and so I review every book according to how it made me feel. Which means every review is different from the previous review and from the review after it.
I mean no disrespect for everyone who review this way, of course. There is nothing wrong with professionalism. Professionalism is a good thing.
It's just that, personally, when I read a book - when I review a book - I go by my heart.
Every book is a unique experience and so I review every book according to how it made me feel. Which means every review is different from the previous review and from the review after it.
Back to the pressure of writing book reviews:
I don't feel like every single book brings up a review out of me. It doesn't make the book I read any less than what it was. It only means, for various different reasons, that I'm unable to review it.
It took me a long time to realize I shouldn't put pressure on myself to review books.
I love reading books, and I absolutely love sharing my thoughts and feelings about them with you, but if it doesn't come from the heart... it won't really be from me, now would it?
It took me a long time to realize I shouldn't put pressure on myself to review books.
I love reading books, and I absolutely love sharing my thoughts and feelings about them with you, but if it doesn't come from the heart... it won't really be from me, now would it?
But now, let's hear what you think.
Did you ever feel\are feeling that pressure in the blogging community?
How do you feel about reviewing books? Everyone has their own style - what's yours?
Do you agree\don't agree with my opinion?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
As always.
Until then...
Did you ever feel\are feeling that pressure in the blogging community?
How do you feel about reviewing books? Everyone has their own style - what's yours?
Do you agree\don't agree with my opinion?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
As always.
Until then...
"If we were in a film, the villain would turn out to be the least expected person. But as we aren't in a film, I'd go for the character who tried to strangle you."
-- Ruby Red, Kerstin Gier
