Before I started my own blog, I was an avid reader of book blogs. There were certain things then that drew me to particular blogs, and now that I've started my own, some things really stand out to me that make me want to keep reading the many blogs I follow, as well as incorporate into my own!
- A similar taste in books. I like following bloggers who read the same books I do. They're so helpful in finding even more books to read, and I can rely on them for reviews that help me decide whether to pick up a certain book or not.
- A dissimilar taste in books. I know, this totally contradicts the first one! There are so many bloggers out there and we definitely do not all read the same books - but this is good! Bloggers who read stuff outside my comfort zone have really opened my eyes to all the possibilities out there. I find out about books I probably never would have otherwise heard about, and it really broadens my reading horizons.
- A search button. Sometimes I know I remember reading about something on a blog, but I can't remember exactly where. A search button makes it so easy to find things instead of searching through all the posts.
- A way to easily add a book to my TBR. If I see a book on a blog that I want to add to my TBR, it makes my life so much easier if there's an "add to Goodreads" or "add to Amazon" button or even just a link in the title. I can open up new tabs and search for it myself, but let's face it, I'm lazy.
- Good discussions. I think we can all agree that discussions are some of the most fun and thought-provoking posts out there. I love reading the creative things other bloggers are coming up with and the way they can bring the community together.
- Getting personal. If a blogger only wants to talk about books, that's totally cool. Everyone has their own comfort level with what they want to share. However, I also enjoy getting to know the people behind my favorite blogs. Even if it's just little things like what you did over the weekend, it can make me feel even more of a connection with a blogger.
What are some things that you like to see in a blog?
Definitely agree with good discussions! I especially love learning more about people's reading habits: when/where/how do they read? How do they decide what to read next? How do they review what they read? It's all so interesting to me!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! Even though we're all readers, we're all so unique!
DeleteGreat post, Angela, and I agree wholeheartedly with a lot of these. I'm especially a big fan of #1 and #2. I like reading blogs that have different reading tastes than I do because I sometimes like to expand my horizons and read books that aren't the norm for me and I think blogs give me the best recs for that.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy getting to know my fellow bloggers too, whether it's full-fledged personal posts that explore other interests or even just weekly recap posts where people talk a little about what's going on in their lives. It's just nice to connect on a little more personal level.
I'm definitely relying more and more on other blogs for recommendations these days!
DeleteI agree with all of these! I especially appreciate a search button as well and I like when there's a good discussion. I haven't been coming across as many great book blogs anymore. Everyone seems to be into bookstagramming, so I always appreciate a good book blog like yours! :) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you, Christina! It does seem that bookstagramming is becoming way more popular.
DeleteSearch buttons are very helpful! I use the button on my own blog whenever I have to link to an old post. I never remember what I title my posts. I also like getting to know the people behind the blog. That’s the only way to form connections with people.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I use my own search button, too!
DeleteI love a search button, too! Often times I read a review and then want to go back to refresh my thoughts. Also, when a blog is established with tons of posts, it is frustrating when you can't find them. You make some great points here! :)
ReplyDeleteMy #1 is your #1 as well.... I definitely gravitate to those who have similar reading tastes. I do branch out once in a while, but I tend to read the same genres repeatedly, so I enjoy when someone has review, etc about the books that I would be most interested in.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, those types of blogs are great for letting me know about other books in genres I like but may not have heard of yet.
DeleteI agree with #2 for sure. I read a romance this year, and I'm NOT a romance reader. (And yes, it was good.) I also like to see in a blog a simple layout. It may just be me, but a distracting layout (a bazillion badges and so forth) means I just feel distracted when I'm trying to read a post, blech.
ReplyDeleteYes! I totally agree, a simple, clean layout, that loads quickly and easily, definitely makes things easier!
DeleteAll of these are great answers, but I especially agree with your last point. It's so interesting to get peeks into the personal lives of book bloggers!
ReplyDeleteI think so, too, even just a little bit is nice!
DeleteTotally agree about discussions---I actually host a yearly Discussion Challenge because I love them so much! Oh, and I also love to read personal posts too---it's nice to get to know our fellow bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI love reading discussions, but it can be so hard to come up with some for my own blog!
DeleteThese are such great points! And I agree- a similar taste in books, but also a dissimilar taste, both work great for introducing me to new books! I have discovered so many books through bloggers that I never would have read otherwise. And discussion posts, as well as little personal snippets, are also nice.
ReplyDeleteExactly - and now that I tend to branch out more in terms of what I read, it makes it much nicer than I can more recommendations.
DeleteLove this post and agree wholeheartedly! A search bar is a must, and I also enjoy personal posts too. I also get frustrated when there's no follow option on a blog - that's something that needs to be there!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy! YES - a follow option is key! I should have added that above!
DeleteI use my own search button on my own blog... it's handy when I want to find how I formatted a previous type of post, or what I put on my Spring TBR, etc.
ReplyDeleteI do that, too!
DeleteI think I follow a fair amount of blogs, that feature books I am interested in, but I also follow a bunch, because I have connected with the blogger in some way. Not only do I want people to have a link to the books in GR/Amazon, but I want a picture of the cover. I am always sad, when there are no pictures.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm totally into covers and that's often what draws me in first, even more than a synopsis.
DeleteThis is a lovely post! I agree with everything you mentioned here, I really follow and read blogs that talk about books I'm interested in reading and about books I usually read, but I also enjoy seeing books out of my comfort zone, too, because they give me so many inspiration for my TBR ahah :)
ReplyDeletePeople adding the goodreads links to the book are AMAZING, I'm very lazy just as well haha, you're not alone ;)
Yay, I'm glad to hear that!
DeleteI love this, Angela! I adore reading blogs with similar and different tastes too. The different ones really help me stretch genres!
ReplyDeleteExactly!
Delete"A way to easily add a book to my TBR" I NEED to work that into my process!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's so helpful, a way I can easily find out more about a book!
DeleteThis is totally helpful. I don't think I add a Goodreads button enough. I try to remember this but sometimes I fall short. I will try to be better at that. Great advice and I thank you for it!
ReplyDeleteMary
You're so welcome, Mary!
DeleteI basically agree with all of these, especially the getting personal on the blog and discussions!
ReplyDeleteGenesis @ Whispering Chapters
I'm glad!!
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