My Favorite Feelings/Moments From Book Blogging (and why I still blog)

Blogging is… a lot of things.

It can be really frustrating at times, but it can be really amazing sometimes.

I feel like this is my mantra and I’ve repeated this 100x over, but blogging takes a lot of emotional and physical energy.

However, I’m still here for very specific reasons: Free books.

I’m kidding.

I’m here mainly because of the amazing blogging friends I’ve made. 💖 Not only that, but I love that I have an actual space to talk about my feelings and people who ?? actually ?? listen ??

It’s wild.

But, I mean, having access to more books is definitely a benefit. (And I’m not shaming anyone if they actually are blogging directly for books, as long as they put in actual efforts to review the books.)

Anyways, here’s all of my favorite feelings from blogging. If you’re reading this, I love you. (And if you’re not hate-reading this. Lol.)

WHEN YOU UPLOAD A POST THAT YOU WERE HESITANT ABOUT AND IT’S ACTUALLY WELL RECEIVED (?)

Honestly, it will never fail to astonish me that people actually read my blog and read my posts. My astonishment is kind of sad, I know. But like… what?? You’re here?? Reading this?? Right now?? Why would you  do that to yourself.

Sometimes I post something wild like Spoofing Titles of My Favorite Books or Books I Associate With Each Other and then people… actually kind of mildly semi-enjoy those posts I guess?

Readers of my blog are giving me too much confidence and it needs to stop.

WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THAT THEY RELATE TO YOUR POST

This happened with my post Things Bloggers Shouldn’t Feel Guilty For (is this post just for me to self-promo? I guess this is a thing now.) People said that they related to a lot of the things I mentioned and/or mentioned other things that they struggled with and I just felt like hugging everyone.

Like, what? My struggles are also your struggles? I’m not the only one??

I don’t know what Jim Carrey is doing to his face, but this gif is supposed to show shock. I also didn’t know what Jim Carrey looked like before this post? #BloggingIsEducational

I mean, I was aware that other people also struggled with those things but I guess it was never fully realized.

Anyways, to the main point of the post: it’s great to know that other people can relate to my posts and can feel seen and that, well, I’m not the only one.

WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THAT YOU’RE FUNNY (or that you made them laugh)

This is one of the most validating compliments, ever.

I don’t know how I got the sense of humor that I currently have (I’m assuming it’s a mix of being Gen Z + the Internet +  watching Chandler on Friends + having low self esteem) but it’s so cool when your sense of humor actually appeals to other people.

Wait… I think being funny is currently my only value as an book blog?

I definitely do not deliver on insightful and intelligent content, or consistently introduce new and fresh titles (I talk about the same five books all the time), or have helpful and educational posts.

WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO READ A BOOK BECAUSE OF YOU

I think one of the books I’ve had most impact for is The Epic Crush of Genie Lo, mainly because it’s a smaller release and I’ve talked about it every other post? Yes?

I feel so happy whenever someone says that they’re really excited to read a book after I’ve talked about it / recommended it, but also scared that the book is going to be really disappointing and I’ve been wrong all along.

Whenever someone says that they won’t read a book because of me, I want to gently place them onto a leaf (like they’re Thumbelina*) and say “no my opinions literally do not matter, why would you base your reading choices off of them.”

There are a few occasions where I feel like my negative opinions are actually valid, and they mainly consist of when the book is just… terrible, terrible quality. (ex. The Foxhole Court, Everless)

But besides those, I mainly feel like my negative opinions are just cases of mismatched tastes and I want to softly scream “noooooooooooooooo”

Anyways, this whole section was really negative and I just want to say: thank you to everyone whose reading decisions are ever impacted by my opinions! It’s so cool to actually have affected other people in some way. (is this my legacy?????)

*Autocorrect suggested “Thumbnail” instead of Thumbelina. Thank you for your input autocorrect we appreciate you

WHEN A PUBLISHER APPROVES YOU FOR SOMETHING YOU REALLY WANTED

I’ve gotta say, this does not happen that often, but I always feel a rush of adrenaline and joy whenever I get a package from a publisher or when I receive an approval email from Netgalley/Edelweiss.

Also, one time I was sent a book by Disney Publishing (Far From Agrabah) and I was so shocked because another time I’d requested from them, I was denied? I completely forgot that my stats actually did this weird thing called grow since a year ago.

Anyways, it makes me doubly happy whenever I receive diverse (or Asian / East Asian) books because it’s evidence that the publishers are making at least a slight effort to send books to reviewers of color!!

WHEN SOMEONE FEATURES YOUR POST IN THEIR WRAP-UP

Whoa… what… people… remember my post… and actually want to spread it?

I LOVE EVERYONE WHO DOES THIS AND APPRECIATE THEM SO MUCH!!! I always try to read and comment on the posts that mention me in them, and if I missed any of them I am so sorry.

But I just appreciate the people who actually take the time to remember my post and feature it. It’s ultra validating.

Wow, was this post “my favorite feelings while book blogging” or was it “I’m a really insecure person”? Did you guys relate to any of these feelings? Has Chandler from Friends ever impacted your sense of humor? What are some of your other favorite feelings from blogging?