Little Features Around The Blogs

[Yiota G.]

I know almost everyone has little gadgets around the blog most of them affiliates,countdowns and stuff like that.

In my blog i did some different things, like Artist of the week, quotes, astronomy pics.
I was also thinking to add Blog of the Week later.

So i'm searching for new ideas. What other thing would you like to see?
I really want my blog a happy and enjoyable place for everyone. With things that everyone can find interest in.

So,ideas?Other book related stuff?

Here is my blog if you want to comment at the related post as well:)
http://splashofourworlds.blogspot.com/

-Thanks in advance!^^

[Sharon Essex]

Personally, I prefer blogs with simple, streamlined layouts, a large easy-to-read type face, and short paragraphs.

I do enjoy features like a reading poll or a weekly wrap-up post. Guess I just prefer content to sidebars.

Please understand this isn’t a slam against anyone’s blog. I'm just stating my personal preference.

[Yiota G.]

No it's totally ok.
That's why i made the topic!

I really want to hear what other thinks about it:D

Thanks for taking some time and replying!

[Margaret Duarte]

Hi Yiota. I like the way your "Latest Posts" in your sidebar shows images. How'd you do that? As far as other gadgets for your side bar, ummm. Have you tried The Cutest Blog on the Block? http://www.thecutestblogontheblog.com . They have some nice free widgets, including blinkies!.

[Yiota G.]

Thanks for the link! I'm checking right now;)

And here where i found the latest posts thingy: http://natsujikan.com/
If you want any help, feel free to tell me:)

[Yiota G.]

Your blog is confusing me a little. I can't really understand.
Can you give me some tips?
I really wanna check it out and support you!

[parchmentgirl]

I prefer tidy sidebars with basic essentials and a few extras, links to other blogs/websites, and some widgets that make navigation easier (for example, I have a recent posts widget which makes it easy for visitors to find posts without having to scroll through pages of content). And I stick ads, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads widgets in the footer and sidebars as well. Your sidebars look great... well organized and simplistic.

Kate
http://parchmentgirl.com

[Yiota G.]

oh my god! i love how you set up your blog!
is one of the bests i have seen, for me! great job!
And the you have the facebook/twitter thingys at the end. Good idea;)

Thanks for commenting and giving me your ideas:)

[Michelle-IPBR]

Hi Kate,

I was wondering where you got that little widget/tool thingie at the bottom of your reviews where it says "'Read it? Rate it yourself!" with star rating. I've been looking for something like that. Can you change the labels associated with each star?

Michelle

[Michelle-IPBR]

ooh! I like those, I didn't know poll daddy did the star ratings and thumbs up/thumbs down. I thought it was strictly polls. I'll have to take a closer look at that. Thanks so much!

[Iben]

Personally I prefer blogs that are focused on being a book reviewing blog, not a gadget show or a picture display. It's all about the main content for me! I think it's a great idea to link to other blogs (buttons, banners, etc), we all need to help each other out, it's huge world of book blogs out there after all.

Myself, I only have a "currently reading" gadget displaying a front cover, twitter, links and banners to bookblogs and goodreads on my blog atm (but maybe I just haven't found the right gadgets to add yet ;)

Anyway, you mention astronomy pictures - I ask, why? Are you particularly interested in reviewing astronomy books? Does astronomy have anything to do with your blog? What's the connection, why is it there? Again, I think it's more important to focus on related appropriate stuff rather than clutter it up with random oddities.
Countdowns to books being published/reviewed/etc are great, quoting - if you must, quote only books you love/paragraphs that mean something to you. Quoting stuff just to sound cool or seem smart just never works and it won't represent who you actually are.

Sorry for the lengthy reply, just my thoughts on the matter.

(also, following you, I like your reviews :)

~iben
http://boroughofbooks.blogspot.com/

[Yiota G.]

If you check my blog you will see it's not only book review.

They are reviews on anything we like. Anything we think it's need to be known by others.
Mainly it's books but we also put art,music,movies,games..that's why there are astronomy pics there.
As for the quotes, i believe there interesting quotes outside of the books too. I don't see it as a "smart" thing at all.Just phrases that i found interesting.

No worries for the long reply. It's always good to see what other people believe and i don't have problem to read.