Blogs promoting the love of reading....what makes a great blog?

[Suzanne Levin]

Hi Everyone! I'm quite new to the blogging community, having just created a blog myself, and am enjoying reading the different blogs on books and the reading world in general! What do you think is important in a blog? Are reviews enough? Do you think tidbits about the reading world make it more interesting? Are you looking for reads or entertainment? I think blogs are a great way to promote reading and I like to read not only about the books but the industry too. What do you think? And while your here...check out my blog and tell me what you think! http://chickwithbooks.blogspot.com/

[Suzanne Levin]

Hi Janette!
I love your blog! and your keen sense of humor! Your design is quite nice and I enjoyed reading thru your posting! You would have fooled me that you are a beginnier! Thanks for introducing yourself and sharing your blog! I'm finding out that blogging is wonderfully fun (and a bit addictive) ! Stop by and say hello at my blog, it's at www.chickwithbooks.blogspot.com

[Johanne Poulin]

GOD .. SO MANY BLOGS.. DON'T KNOW IF I'LL HAVE TO TIME TO SEE THEM... LET ALONE MAKE ONE

[Suzanne Levin]

You're right Johanne, Many blogs to check out! It's so interesting to see how people design their blogs- each one is a reflection of a person's particular interest. Book Blogs is a great spot to just involve yourself in the wonderful discussions, but you'll have fun creating your blog too! Enjoy!

[Vanessa Dow]

I will definitely check out your blog. Have a look at mine too. Today's Adventure

I love to read all about books, reading, the publishing industry, etc. I think reviews are crucial, but I'm also interested in the other stuff.

[Suzanne Levin]

Hi Vanessa! I joined your blog today! (It's my real photo not my cute puppy photo) Very nice design! I really like the top of your page- is that something you designed? Thanks for your input here too- all very helpful for us beginner bloggers, especially pointing out that reviews are crucial, but not everything. I like talking about things going on in the publishing world too, I think it impacts us behind the scenes. But I will be working on adding a few more fun elements- such as the challenges and giveaways. Stop by and say hello at Chick with Books! Happy reading!

[C.S. Bhagya]

Blogs are a great way of catching up with what others are reading and good recommendations.
I love browsing around blogs which write about books.

http://csbhagya.wordpress.com/

[Suzanne Levin]

I have to agree- I have found so many new authors and titles just by visiting other blogs. Thanks for sharing!

[Janice Y]

I think what makes a great blog is a personal thing. Maybe I'll like the voice of the person reviewing and the way they write their reviews. Maybe it's what genre's they review. Maybe its the news on new books out there. I prefer to go to blogs where I can relate to someone's opinions and if I discover someone with similar tastes, I'll pay attention to what they say over other blogs which may not review genres I'm as interested or have extremely differing tastes than mine. Even though I say this, I find A LOT of blogs I want to follow because it helps keep up with what new is out there and find undiscovered books.

Another thing I think it's nice is as a blogger to go visit other people and comment. I'll see the same names commenting over in the same places I go. Building friendships/community online in this sphere is pretty fun, you can't just focus on your own blog and that be it.

[Suzanne Levin]

Hi Janice! Yes, even though I may not read the same genre of books someone is reviewing, if I enjoy their writing I will definitely come back for more! And I have discovered lots of books I normally wouldn't have thought to pick up either. I agree it is important to regularly visit other people and comment- it does make a nice community and I am having loads of fun! I learned something new today too- livejournal! I took a peek over at your blog there - I can't believe how many different mediums there are available out there to post your blog! Maybe that would be a great discussion- available resources. Thanks for adding some great input to the discussion!

[Suzanne Levin]

Hi Everyone! It's been a while since we talked about "what makes a great blog", but let me ask... do you like to change the look of your blog every so often? I just changed the template I was using on blogger and spiced up my blog a little and I notice that quite a few other people are doing the same.... So is change good or should we stick with what we have forever?