After yesterday’s love fest, you’d think I would be tired of all this, but I find these events so invigorating. Today’s theme builds upon the idea of community.
The world of book blogging has grown enormously and sometimes it can be hard to find a place. Share your tips for finding and keeping community in book blogging despite the hectic demands made on your time and the overwhelming number of blogs out there. If you’re struggling with finding a community, share your concerns and explain what you’re looking for–this is the week to connect!
How does one define community in such a context? For me, after two years of an ever-expanding feed reader and blogroll, I had to redefine my own definition of community to include only those blogs with whom I had a true affinity. If I found myself skimming through a majority of a blog’s posts or even marking all as read, then it was removed from my reader. As a result, I feel a closer bond with those remaining blogs because I know that I will actually comment on these blogs. Even if I don’t, I know that they will provide me ample fuel for my growing wish list, honest and thoughtful reviews, and greater appreciation for the wide world of books. They are my own little community.
Still, I would absolutely love the chance to meet more bloggers face-to-face. I would love to create just as strong an Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana Book Blogging community as exists in Utah. I crave more get-togethers with like-minded adults and harbor secret dreams of creating a real-life book club filled with fellow bloggers. If anyone lives in the tri-state area and is interested, please let me know!
In the meantime, I will continue to check out new bloggers in an effort to find the next kindred spirit and member of my little community. It’s my own solution to the overwhelming number of blogs out there!
Yes, there are readers everywhere, but there is a dearth of indie bookstores in the area, and I am loathe to get involved in a book club at the local B&N. I always keep my eye out for book club announcements at our library or in town but remain unimpressed with what they are reading. I haven't given up yet and will continue to try to find a local group that works for me. As you say, they are out there. I just need to uncover them!
I have plenty of blogs I follow that do not fit my genre. I may never read any of the books they read, but I appreciate what they have to say, and I like the exposure they give me to an entirely new world of books out there. It sounds like your system is working very well for you. I say do whatever works…
I know what you are saying. 300 blogs though?!? Yikes! I cannot imagine having a feed that big. I admire you for not giving up on them and continuing to visit other blogs. Time is always an issue, and it sounds like you have found a method that works for you quite well.
Don't feel bad. I cut mine down and still struggle to read other blogs. There is no perfect system, but those bloggers I do follow know the intent is there, and that's half the battle.
I know that Utah certainly sets a high bar when it comes to events and get-togethers! I can imagine that in the larger states, it makes it more difficult to plan and attend get-togethers. I would love to come visit California someday, and I will definitely give you advanced notice to be able to plan an event!
LOL! That's usually how I end up meeting other bloggers – convenient trip homes timed with one event or another. Sometimes, you just have to play a little dirty to get what you want! 😉
Wouldn't it be cool? I think this is going to be the next big book blogging trend. Granted, it may be wishful thinking.
I will definitely do so. The same thing applies for if you find something that works with your Colorado bloggers!
So, we have two for Ohio Bloggers United! (I just made up that name on the spot.) I will have to see if I can cull up any interest for a meet-up. There is the Books on the Banks in October. Hmmm…I definitely need to see if people would be interested.
I never did get around to creating folders in GR. I must confess I gravitated towards Feedly or Reeder instead. I have yet to find one I truly love yet though, so I guess I'll keep looking until I find something that truly works for me.
I was able to cull quite a few from my reader by using that criteria! I'm obviously not interested in what they have to say, because I am barely reading what they write, so why should I continue to follow them?
I hear you. I've tried Feedly and Reeder. I keep going back and forth between those two in an effort to find one I like better. Google Reader is just too intimidating after a while. I will continue to attempt to find a method that works best for me, but I am definitely open to suggestions!
It is exactly like meeting a long-lost friend. As someone who shies away from social interaction, and really struggles with idle chit-chat, the comfort and ease I feel upon "meeting" a book blogger in real life never fails to blow me away.
A book club of book bloggers would be an absolute blast, wouldn't it? Challenging too. You couldn't fake your way through that book discussion!
It is impossible. I don't know how people do it with over 200, or even 100, blogs in their readers. I had to cut mine to under 100 before I felt any sense of relief. There are just too many these days.
I don't like rubber stamping. I came up with a system. I take my total number of blogs and divide that by how many days I have for visits. for instance I have 100 blogs and five days to visits. so i visit 20 blogs a day. If its only four days to visit then that would be 25 blogs per day. As much as I like blogs, I also like to be attentive to those I have. When I reached pass my limit i placed a few blogs in my favorites and make a visit on the weekends. One thing i use to struggle with and finally came to the realization, I had to delete those blogs that didnt fit my genre. however, I have selected a few blogs(5) not in my genre so I can stay abreast of current books/authors and etc…
I've been cutting back on the blogs I'm following as well. I probably should cut back even more since I tend to neglect my reader. :$
My recent post BBAW Day 3: Community
I really envy those Utah bloggers as well. I have a lot of family out there and I've even contemplated "going to visit family" just as an excuse to crash on of the Utah Book Bloggers' parties. 😉
My recent post BBAW – Community (part the second)
Very cool, love your idea to get local bloggers together!
My recent post BBAW: Community Part II
This is a great post. I think those of us in major metro areas forget we live in a bubble and it's not easy to find like minded readers in all parts of the country. I don't know what you have in the area for bookstores, but getting involved there might be something, or a book club in your neighborhood or church. I know there are readers out there- everywhere!
I'm with you, I am so jealous of the community that Utah has put together. I found a few Colorado bloggers to connect with during Armchair BEA last year, but I know that there have to be more of us out there. If you come up with any ideas on finding other bloggers nearby would you share them?
My recent post BBAW 2011: Teresa’s Reading Corner Welcomes The Librarian Next Door
There are a few blogs that I should remove from my reader because I rarely comment on them, just skim them from time to time. You have some very valuable tips!
I like the idea of meeting more bloggers in person. I have had the pleasure of meeting a few blogger friends outside of book blogging and it is like meeting a long lost friend. I like your idea of a book club comprised solely of book bloggers. How fun would that be?
-jehara
My recent post BBAW-Fostering Community
I had to do that too. There was a time you could pretty much read everyone's blog but now it's impossible.
My recent post BBAW: Community, the Sequel