tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post1878677381877225245..comments2024-03-28T14:39:26.897-04:00Comments on We Live and Breathe Books: Discussion: Identity Crisis! Kiersten Kozbialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00538943081866009856noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-87113507175506473112018-10-16T19:09:41.620-04:002018-10-16T19:09:41.620-04:00I can totally understand that. I reflected on who ...I can totally understand that. I reflected on who actually follows this blog, and my followers appear to all be well into their adult years, but, you know, if I was writing MGs, I probably wouldn't want adult romances being part of my image. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-52145380411896227482018-10-16T10:21:01.743-04:002018-10-16T10:21:01.743-04:00I used to blog about a broader range of books, but...I used to blog about a broader range of books, but nowadays I focus almost solely on YA and MG. And now that I'm writing MG, I sort of feel obliged to take down reviews of the "spicier" books on my blog. Of course, that's a very specific issue that only applies to me because of my writing.<br /><br />Nicole @ <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com" rel="nofollow">Feed Your Fiction Addiction</a>Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addictionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637114079800138680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-53346004239739060262018-10-03T20:55:44.795-04:002018-10-03T20:55:44.795-04:00I have been getting more romance approvals than YA...I have been getting more romance approvals than YA, so you know what, I am going to feature those books on the blog too. It seems like most of my followers are mixers, it's just my mixing comes via age ranges vs. genre. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-86109352676838162582018-10-03T09:31:19.306-04:002018-10-03T09:31:19.306-04:00wonderful post! I can relate so much to this post....wonderful post! I can relate so much to this post. I read so much romance, but I will also throw a few YA books in my TBR a month. I was thinking of only doing a romance blog but my love for YA wont let me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02522255498672611889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-3051594393383919922018-09-30T19:21:08.768-04:002018-09-30T19:21:08.768-04:00I am the opposite of you. I rarely read anything b...I am the opposite of you. I rarely read anything but contemporaries. I do like a genre focus, because I think a lot of people read across age groups, and would love to see SFF books for all ages. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-24873038017394501992018-09-30T12:39:15.882-04:002018-09-30T12:39:15.882-04:00I've definitely had a blogging identity crisis...I've definitely had a blogging identity crisis. It's actually what made my blog what it is today. I started out as just a general YA blogger. I reviewed anything YA. And I'll still write reviews for just about anything I read typically. But I spent months thinking about what I wanted to do and I tailored my blog off what I found I enjoyed and read the most. I read fantasy and sci-fi more than anything. I still typically read mostly YA, but I wanted room to step out of that, so I turned my focus towards the genre pairing of sci-fi/fantasy. I don't review contemporary books anymore on it, and that's totally fine because I don't really like writing reviews for contemporary novels. I hardly ever read anything that can't somehow fit into the the sci-fi/fantasy - even the historical fiction I tend to read can easily settle into the blog because it tends to feel like sci-fi/fantasy. I am so happy with the change I made. If you feel like your blog isn't quite right, I say make the change you feel would make you like it more!Madam Peregrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18299099684363229177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-52790451243616754832018-09-19T18:24:12.007-04:002018-09-19T18:24:12.007-04:00I read mostly contemporary and mostly in the YA ag...I read mostly contemporary and mostly in the YA age range. I guess my variety comes via age range, but I will read a mystery/thriller or SFF book every once in a while. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-51194304336068778712018-09-19T11:24:14.843-04:002018-09-19T11:24:14.843-04:00I read very eclectically so I don't limit the ...I read very eclectically so I don't limit the books I blog about at all. In fact, I get bored with book blogs where the people limit themselves to just one genre.heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00247612074517816806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-41759383849471648712018-09-17T14:37:29.750-04:002018-09-17T14:37:29.750-04:00I actually started out reviewing more YA/fantasy r...I actually started out reviewing more YA/fantasy reads (and I still do from time to time) but I think as I've progressed with blogging I learnt to read and review what I want. Romance is my jam, yes I still read YA and fantasy and review it but I am more for reading what I want. I went through a reading and blogging slump and found it was because I wasn't reading and reviewing what I liked. I do think having a good blogging identity is important to have a more successful blogs but I think sometimes it can restrict you too much. I've always been the philosophy of blogging in a way which makes me happy so if you want to talk about more romance go for it and it you don't then don't. The good thing with blogging is you can figure it out as you go and some readers may appreciate seeing something different now and then, I know I liked seeing romance reads featured on YA book blogs because it opened my eyes to all these books I was missing out on and maybe folks will feel the same if you mention them from time to time. Always good to show folks something different, right?Becky Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14938602345709426466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-67058112320665791792018-09-15T12:26:21.292-04:002018-09-15T12:26:21.292-04:00I totally agree with not boxing myself in, and I t...I totally agree with not boxing myself in, and I think I am embracing switching it up. I read a lot in general, and will dabble in different genres and age groups all the time. I am considering maybe keeping the focus within features, but mixing it up more on the blog. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-72382081900711892222018-09-15T11:31:03.034-04:002018-09-15T11:31:03.034-04:00I guess I had moments of doubt of what should my b...I guess I had moments of doubt of what should my book blog be really about. When I was starting I was never aware that book blogs should have a niche genre or age groups. So when I attended a book blogging forum prescribing this, I got confused of what to do because my book reviews are a mishmash of genre, YA and adult books. But later on I got over my confusion and said to myself that my reading preferences will surely change over time so I decided to not care about having a focus on what books I would review. I also like to thing that I am an omnivore reader. Recently, I mostly consume YA contemporary and YA/Adult mystery. Maybe in the future I'd review a true crime or a memoir? Nothing is set in stone with regards to my blog. More stress-free for me that way. :)<br /><br /><a href="https://rurounijennireads.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Jennilyn @ Rurouni Jenni Reads</a>Jennilynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02620535211366987608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-39676105052497424772018-09-12T12:20:26.907-04:002018-09-12T12:20:26.907-04:00That's awesome that your blog has evolved and ...That's awesome that your blog has evolved and changed with you. It totally makes sense. The other WLABBers did a blogoversary post, and Noor and Amrutha talked about how their reading tastes have changed since this blog started. I am sure, if they had the time, their posts would reflect those changesSamantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-14272566661650456692018-09-12T10:51:45.405-04:002018-09-12T10:51:45.405-04:00My blog was never meant to be a book blog. It was ...My blog was never meant to be a book blog. It was supposed to be a place I could word vomit about whatever I enjoyed - books, music, tv, rants - more of a diary/journal...I don't think I even knew about book blogs at the time. <br /><br />Over the years it became a book review blog, and mostly YA, but then I started reading other genres. I've worried about it but if I don't blog about what I enjoy I don't have fun with it and I burn out so I guess I've come full circle and I blog about whatever I want again lol<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.fwiwreviews.net" rel="nofollow">Karen @ For What It's Worth</a>Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-42001631142740581642018-09-11T08:37:47.264-04:002018-09-11T08:37:47.264-04:00And maybe that is the question I should ask myself...And maybe that is the question I should ask myself. I do think I have enough YA focused content. My CWW, TTT are usually YA. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-35230700031721708782018-09-10T23:08:26.844-04:002018-09-10T23:08:26.844-04:00This is a great topic! I honestly have struggled w...This is a great topic! I honestly have struggled with this a bit myself lately as I've been enjoying more adult novels, but at the end of the day my love of reading is so based in YA still (and that's often the genre of books that I pull from when I do recommendation posts, discussions, top ten tuesdays, etc.) that I feel like I produce enough "YA content" to still brand myself as a YA book bloggerCristina @ Girl in the Pageshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18386751381524579160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-43050267982108340592018-09-10T19:09:11.299-04:002018-09-10T19:09:11.299-04:00I am starting to feel like most people are ok with...I am starting to feel like most people are ok with mixing it up, which makes me happy, because I would love to feature more of the books I read outside of YA. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-65407907233360229512018-09-10T17:54:27.138-04:002018-09-10T17:54:27.138-04:00I essentially read everything! I read across genre...I essentially read everything! I read across genres and age groups so I've never really defined my blog as being anything other than a book blog because I talk about all kinds of books. I review both adult and young adult books and feature books from those categories as well as middle grade and children's.Michelle @ Fitkittymama Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00944373655333504580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-1957123104457339542018-09-10T06:00:17.396-04:002018-09-10T06:00:17.396-04:00I definitely don't feel pinned in my the blog ...I definitely don't feel pinned in my the blog name, which I commend my co-bloggers for picking back when they were in their teens. I just tried to stay true to their vision for the blog, but I have their blessing to do what I want. I was just curious how other people felt about age/genre choice to see if mixing it up were a good or bad idea. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-40848827053675440832018-09-10T05:58:29.544-04:002018-09-10T05:58:29.544-04:00I feel like you are more lifestyle, which would be...I feel like you are more lifestyle, which would be silly for me because I don't do anything but read XD <br /><br />When I first started, I tried to mix my genres, but in reality, my favorites are contemporaries. So, I stuck with contemporaries in YA, while I still read outside of YA. I may start featuring more outside of YA though, because all of you seem open to it. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-22122879628374734512018-09-09T22:02:56.797-04:002018-09-09T22:02:56.797-04:00I totally get this!! My blog used to be primarily ...I totally get this!! My blog used to be primarily a romance blog until I started reading and reviewing a lot of YA! So I added the "& YA" part of my blog name but not in my domain since I already bought it way before I decided to mix YA and my adult romance.. LOL<br /><br />I think it's okay! BTW your blog name and URL is more generalized so you can definitely review YA and romance!Zeee @ I Heart Romancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08120545951032621199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-16810719563021479232018-09-09T19:32:20.709-04:002018-09-09T19:32:20.709-04:00I get this! I think I mostly focused on YA when I ...I get this! I think I mostly focused on YA when I first started featuring books on the blog. I've always been a bit of a mix though - I don't JUST focus on books. So yeah, I think I have it a bit easier when it comes to talking about whatever types of books I want. For you though, I'd totally be okay with YA AND Romance books. I don't mind what genres or age groups a blogger focuses on. Whatever makes them happy. <br /><br />-Lauren<br />www.shootingstarsmag.netShooting Stars Maghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-37542426860914112582018-09-09T16:45:49.152-04:002018-09-09T16:45:49.152-04:00I can see the upside to both - wide range and narr...I can see the upside to both - wide range and narrow range. You would think featuring a lot of different things would attract a lot of different people, but then I worry that people looking for something more specific won't stop by, even if that is part of my wide range. I feel pretty good about mixing it up a little after the response to this post, though. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-71265073822635433002018-09-09T16:43:54.618-04:002018-09-09T16:43:54.618-04:00Good point. I also really only blog for the joy of...Good point. I also really only blog for the joy of getting to talk about books, and (hopefully) talking about them with other readers. I feel like the upside of having more variety is attracting different readers, because there seem to be a lot of mixers out there. P.S. I think it's awesome you and your dad talked about books. I used to discuss books with my daughter, but then she went to college, and now lives half way across the country. *sad face*Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-46776570920001139682018-09-09T14:23:58.368-04:002018-09-09T14:23:58.368-04:00I've definitely had an identity crisis with my...I've definitely had an identity crisis with my blog too. I talk about a wide range of genres of books, and I've always been OK with that, but in the last year or so I've talked a lot more about writing and just general lifestyle stuff on my blog as well. And I never know if that's good, because I'm appealing to more people, or bad, because I'm maybe alienating the people who are just there for the book posts, because I'm definitely a book blogger at heart. I still don't really know, but I've been trying to just go with the philosophy of just posting whatever I want on my blog!<br />Great post! :)Laura Cooksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00535393070248355283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-7334429838969819992018-09-09T09:02:36.089-04:002018-09-09T09:02:36.089-04:00This is a really great post! When I originally sta...This is a really great post! When I originally started blogging, I was reading fantasy. High fantasy got me into reading, then a course I did at uni introduced me to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. Time has gone by and I would probably have issues with them now, but tat kind of fantasy - set it our own world - urban fantasy, really appealed to me, and I started reading lot of urban fantasy, both adult and YA. So I started blogging to talk about those blogs, because I could no longer discuss my books with my Dad; we both loved high fantasy, so would read each others books and discuss them. But with urban fantasy I had no-one to talk to.<br /><br />But then I started broadening out when it came to YA, reading more contemporary. The blog readers I had were fantasy fans, would I lose my readers if I started reading YA of other genres? I started a separate blog for YA. But after a year or so it just became too much, and I amalgamated them both. I think I probably did lose some readers, but I blog for me, and this was easier and more enjoyable for me. So now I'm a fantasy and YA book blogger. Most people don't seem to have a problem.<br /><br />I do think blogging should be something you enjoy; it's your blog, and you should do what works for you. :)Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02828378728962868575noreply@blogger.com