What kind of posts do you like to read? (other than the actual reviews)

[Jillian Raymundo]

Other than the actual book reviews that bloggers write, what other topics are you usually interested on reading? Memes, giveaways, thoughts, questions to readers, personal accounts, hauls?
I am very curious as to what you read other than the blog's reviews.

Also, please leave your blog URL as I love discovering new blogs! Thanks everyone :)
Here's mine ---> Random Ramblings.

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

I saw your post yesterday, Jillian, and didn't reply at once because I wanted to give it more thought.

Having had more time to your question over, I'd say that what I'm looking for in a blog is not so much a type of post as it is an approach that can be applied to all types of posts.

For instance, I'm usually bored by posts about hauls, if all they are is a collection of covers or the summaries already given on the backs of the books. However, I've found a couple of posts of that type which stand out because the blogger had chosen unusual books and shared some equally unusual reasons for buying them. That post was really interesting to read, because it gave me the sense of hearing what a person had to say, rather than what a marketing machine might churn out.

[Lesa]

Yes, I agree with E--- if the overall approach or tone of the blog is appealing then I'll keep coming back to read. I just skip over the memes/contests and most of the reviews (unless one catches my eye) until I get to the posts that interest me. I am most interested in thoughts, questions to readers, personal accounts and items of interest going on in the literary world. I like to see photos of special or quirky bookish things that bring joy to the blogger's life. I loved all your Alice photos and your movie review.

[Jillian Raymundo]

Thank you, Lesa. I know it's such a late reply!

[Jillian Raymundo]

Thank you RYCJ! I'm glad my blog is tasteful! haha. I like yours too, very easy to navigate!

[Simcha Lazarus]

Good question! While I enjoy reading book reviews, I also like blogs that include thought provoking posts about interesting ideas or questions. I find many of the book blogging memes irritating, as I have no interest in hearing about what books everyone received, though the blogger that Enbrethiliel mentioned does sound like they might be doing it in a more interesting manner. I also like to read the occasional posts that give a glimpse of the blogger's personal life, as I appreciate getting to know the person behind the blog.

One meme that I do participate in is Wordsmithonia's Favorite Fictional Character feature. It's a really fun meme that I enjoy taking part in.

Simcha
SFF Chat

[Lindsay Phillips]

I especially dislike things like "Mailbox Mondays" when it's one of two posts a week a blogger puts up. The entire page becomes lists of books without actually being about any one of them. If it's one post among many, I can skim over it without too much trouble. But one of two? Ugh. (This could apply to any meme or "What I'm Reading," obviously.)

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

I know what you mean, Lindsay. When I do similar memes or lists, I always try to have something interesting to say about the titles I mention. I want my blog to be entertaining!

[Jillian Raymundo]

I completely agree with you with this one! I dislike memes that have not much substance or content. If all I could read in the memes are the book titles, but no 'unique and personal' explanations, it gets pretty boring. I ignore them most of the time, unless the blogger has something really interesting to say.

[elyse sommer]

I am not really a book blogger as my prime activity is as the editor, publisher and chief critic of a theatrical website. However, I read a lot of plays and alsobooks related to the theater-- sometimes remotely so-- and we have a section of theater related book reviews. I also maintain a blogspot blog-- a sort of annex to the main site-- where I try to post something every day-- a couple of days ago I received news about this summer's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, one of the biggest summer theater festivals in the world. Having just read 3 of Kate Atkinson's terrific books-- about (but not necessarily starring) Jackson Brodie-- it gave me a chance to advise readers to get some background on Edinburgh with these enjoyable books-- especially Atkinson's One Good Turn in which Brodie accompanies his girl friend, an actress who's in a play there.

It's always fun to fit pertinent books in with all the reviews I do-- I'll be reviewing actress Judy Dench's memoir shortly. I also keep an eye out for good reference books-- having myself done quite a few of those (the most popular and in print being Metaphors dictionary.

[Lisa Richards]

I love to read about books that are due out soon. I enjoy seeing reviews about older books that have out for awhile as well as the newest ones. I wish that so many of the contests didn't ask that your blog about their contests to get an extra entry. I get tired of seeing the same contest 50 times.

[Marty Shaw]

Great post, and very timely too. I've been trying to figure out what might appeal to visitors to my blog...and what might keep them coming back.

Since the blog is focused on books, reviews and interviews are a no-brainer, but what else do readers want? I've done two contests; one being a points-earning contest - Hey! I was still very new and points seem to be a big theme. I've since decided all future contests will be based on a random drawing, or maybe some other method, but no more 'blog about this and earn 5 points' type stuff.

I was thinking of doing some articles geared more toward writers, like tips for online promotion, and book publishing information. Would this be something that gets attention or would it simply be skimmed while looking for something else?

Incidentally, it's nice to know I'm not the only one turned off by memes and reading lists.

[Lisa Richards]

WooHoo! no more memes!

I enjoy reading short articles geared toward writers cause as a reader I'm just nosy that way. Also if most readers are like me they think if they had the time and knew a little about publishing, they might pen that little "novel" that's lurked in our minds.