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Sunday, January 1, 2012

New Year, New Direction......

As I sit here wondering in what direction I want to take my main blog, I have been reflecting on what I'm really looking for when I read a fellow book lover's reviews. I've come to the conclusion that I could really care less about the literary value (so to speak), and taking the story apart and exploring the deeper meaning that the author implied (not that I ever did this). What I'm looking for is how this book affected the reader. Would I feel the same way? Could I make a connection with one of the characters? Would this be a story that would haunt me for days? Would I be screaming at the top of my lungs for everyone to read it??? What I'm looking for is the word IMPACT. So I'm thinking that I'm going to veer away from 'reviews' and free flow my thoughts on the books that I read for 2012. What that means is I'm going to open a post up on Blogger before I open my book. When the mood strikes me to record I will do that using bullet points. I am sure I will find myself adding a lot of things that struck a chord with me as I'm reading. Then when I'm finished with the book, I can look over those points and hone them a bit, smooth out the rough edges and then hit that lovely button "publish post." To me this feels like freedom and goes along with my OLW Project (scrapbooking) that I'm venturing into this year- so I'mRENEWing the way I talk about books and renewing my love for reading and blogging. I don't want pressure...I don't want to feel like I have to impress anyone...I don't want to worry whether or not I've offended an author because I didn't like their book...I don't want to have constraints put on my joy of the written word. So with that in mind, I'm also cutting back on review copies and being on a someone else's schedule. If a book shows up unsolicited, I will decide whether I read it or NOT. I've been saying NO a lot more lately to book offers and author requests. I will accept reviews of books that speak to me. I want to read from my own shelves, I want to explore authors at a whim, I want to be real, in the present, and authentic. I feel such optimism and excitement about this....so I'm off to open up my first post for The Lost Wife....and I welcome the changes with open arms!

33 comments:

  1. Sounds like fun! I hope it works well for you.

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  2. OMG Staci, I felt like I wrote most of the post, as that I have been struggling with reviews this past year and has found it takes the fun out of reading.

    In 2012 I plan to free-format and ramble feelings more. Hope this new plan works for both of us.

    Happy new Year

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  3. That's a new year's resolution that I can relate to and adopt myself! How a book affects us is what is important, I agree. Good luck with your reading in 2012!

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  4. Good for you! I stopped accepting books for review a while ago, it was a relief. You will love it!

    I wonder how much of a review a reader really reads.... Dangerous question but it reinforces your change.

    I can't wait to see how your blog evolves.

    Happy new years!

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  5. Great idea, just go for it :D Those are the reviews I like the most. I want to know the impact, feelings and all that.

    Kind of how I write, just letting it all out at once :)

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  6. I've been feeling much the same way and I always keep paper handy to jot down notes when I read a book. I like reading reviews that tell me what impact the book had on them.

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  7. Well said Staci!!! I loveeeeeeeeeeee this post and look forward to what you are gonna bring in 2012! Happy New Year! :):):):):):):):):):):)

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  8. I haven't been accepting as many books either. Good luck - I look forward to your new style. Happy New Year!

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  9. Yes, yes, yes! I totally agree with this and plan to offer less in the way of real 'reviews'. I don't like writing them and, as I'm realizing, don't really like reading them as much as I enjoy hearing about the reader's feelings. Here's to the new direction!

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  10. Staci, I sorta do this as I read. I keep an email in my drafts folder of a current book. When something strikes me, I'll go to the computer and type it in - sometimes just listing the page number and paragraph. When I actually do a book report I write it out in that draft and then copy and paste it into the new posting.
    I believe that reading is the one thing in life which is pure fun. No pressure, no demands, nothing but joy. You are going in a great direction!

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  11. I love the sound of this and look forward to reading your first "review". It so much fun and inspiring to see how other bloggers are looking to make changes with the new year. I hope that you have a wonderful 2012 Staci!!

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  12. I'm 100% with you, Staci! My reviews (or takes) will be short and sweet and to the point in 2012. Can't wait to see your plan in action.

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  13. What a great idea for reviews! I can't wait to see them. Have a great New Year!!

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  14. Wow, it seems like everyone is feeling this way! I put together a similar post a couple of weeks ago. I look forward to seeing your new posts and completely understand the need for a change!

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  15. Yea for you, Staci! Happy, happy, joy, joy! Most of my blogging friends seem to be in the same place about "renewing" the love of reading. I'm so pleased!

    Happy New Year to you! Missed you and missed commenting a bunch. I'm back in the blogging thing with a new name and a new focus. It will not include formal book reviews. Ever again. LOL

    Hugs!

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  16. This is what I love about you and your blog Staci...you are so real and authentic! You express yourself so honestly and you may not realize that your reviews in whatever style express this. I am in the same boat and have had to step back and reassess how I am going to blog and continue writing reviews. I love your excitement and optimism. I am not sure how I am going to blog this year but I have taken a break on accepting review books and plan to read from my own shelves, books that I want to read! My reviews will be different...short, honest, brief. Looking forward to positive changes in the coming year!

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  17. What a good idea. Look forward to reading your thoughts.

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  18. I think this is a wonderful idea! I'm trying something similar-just keeping a reading journal and sharing it on fridays for the ones I don't fully want to review. Looking forward to your posts in the new format :)

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  19. Oh my gods I just want to hug you right now!!! I totally understand and feel you on this post. What else can I say? I read books for enjoyment, not as a job, and should enjoy it much more than I sometimes do. I am here with you Staci.

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  20. Excellent thoughts on the direction you want to take! That is what I want to know....what thoughts and feelings reading brought out, how you reacted and whether or not you recommend the book. Just giving a few sentences about how I reacted to a book as been the best thing I ever did, whether or not others liked that sytle. I read for me no one else!
    Looking forward to 2012!

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  21. Not the first post saying these things! I agree too. If I had a better memory, I would do the same thing, but I need to put down the plot for ME. But I love the idea of just compiling impressions!

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  22. I echo Diane's thoughts. Honestly, it's like we've all been shot with the "less pressure, less review commitments, shorter reviews and more fun reading" arrow all at the same time.

    I love it! I can't wait to see how this all pans out.

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  23. Good for you. I'm changing the way I'm accepting a lot of what I do. I got really stressed out the last half of the year, I don't want that to happen again.

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  24. Wonderful, wonderful! I think you hit the nail on the head in regards to what matters most to me not only about the books I read but also about the books you read: impact on the reader.

    Your idea about the way you want to share your thoughts reminds me of journaling. I used to jot notes in my reading journal as I read a book.

    I wish you all the best and a very happy New Year.

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  25. Wonderful, wonderful! I think you hit the nail on the head in regards to what matters most to me not only about the books I read but also about the books you read: impact on the reader.

    Your idea about the way you want to share your thoughts reminds me of journaling. I used to jot notes in my reading journal as I read a book.

    I wish you all the best and a very happy New Year.

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  26. How inspiring! I am looking forward to more freedom this year too!

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  27. Love It! I already do my reviews similar to that with a blog post open & popping random thoughts in whenever something speaks to me but I was thinking this year, rather than calling it an actual review, I'd just call it my thoughts.

    And I'd love to cut down on review books or more specifically the amount of net galley books I request because soooo many of them speak to me, I just can't resist! But that has been my source of stress this year as I feel I should review all of them if I request them ...

    Anyway I'll love your new format, your reviews pretty much tell me exactly how you feel about a book, that's why so many of my TBR additions get blamed on you LOL

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  28. Yes! This is exactly what I've been considering, too! I like the idea of creating a "dummy" post to publish once the book is finished. More like a journal entry than a formal review. PERFECT!

    Here's to a refreshing new year of blogging, my friend.

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  29. Good for you Staci. I love this idea and I'll be following what you come up with. I often feel the same way. Sometimes the joy of a book gets spoiled when I have to come up with what I think of as a formal book review.

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  30. I look forward to seeing how this goes for you this year Staci. I like to give a bit of a summary of a book but I look for what a person felt about a book the most too. That's really the most important thing to me because that is hopeful their heartfelt opinion.

    I'm not sure what I'll be doing this year. For now I'm just going with the flow. I don't accept near the amount of books I used to and then only the ones I really do have an interest in reading. I guess we'll see how things go.

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  31. What a great idea - and anything that makes blogging easier and more fun is a wonderful solution!

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  32. I've been thinking about changing my reviews this year too. I want them to be short and to the point: here's the book I read, this is why I read it, and here's what I thought. I think for me keeping it simple and will ease the pressure of keeping up with my reviews.

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