Friday, August 4, 2017

Book Blogger Hop - 8/4 - 8/10

 Question of the Week: 

Do you ever go "way back" to when you first started blogging and look at your old review posts? Do you see any differences from then to now? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

My Answer:

I definitely have taken a "look back" and see a huge growth.

My reviews became more polished and more like a review should be by giving details that generate interest instead of a review that resembles a book report that re-tells the story.  :)

I also have more confidence in saying NO to books I really don't want to read.  I have to say I am more particular. 

Just like anything, experience is the key to improvement and change.   :)
Posted by at

31 comments:

  1. ElizabethAugust 4, 2017 at 7:30 AM

    Happy Friday!!

    ENJOY your weekend, and thanks for stopping.

    ReplyDelete
  2. bermudaonionAugust 4, 2017 at 8:19 AM

    I haven't looked back in a while and don't think I want to. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 4, 2017 at 8:27 AM

      I hear you.

      Some of my first reviews were awful. LOL!!

      Thanks for commenting, Kathy.

      Delete
  3. Katherine PAugust 4, 2017 at 9:07 AM

    I definitely have more confidence in the saying no department. Early on I took everything which made for some pretty bad reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 4, 2017 at 10:36 AM

      Oh yes...pretty bad reading is the perfect description. :)

      Thanks for commenting, Katherine,

      Delete
  4. Heather's Reading HideawayAugust 4, 2017 at 10:18 AM

    I'm happy to hear you've seen such a big growth in both your blog but also in yourself! Saying no to books is definitely a hard thing to do and it's awesome that you have found the confidence to do it! Have a great weekend Elizabeth!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 4, 2017 at 10:38 AM

      Thanks for a lovely comment, Heather.

      And...thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  5. AFTanithAugust 4, 2017 at 2:26 PM

    I'm being totally honest when I say that your answer here is what I hope mine will be eventually! Seeing that growth as you get more experience reviewing/blogging is so important, and the ability to say no to books you aren't actually excited about is perhaps even more so (and is definitely something I still struggle with a bit).

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 4, 2017 at 2:34 PM

      I hope you reach that point.

      Thank you for your lovely comment, AFTanith.

      It took some guts, but saying NO is necessary at times. :)

      Delete
  6. Erica RobynAugust 4, 2017 at 2:43 PM

    I seriously need to work on saying no to honest review requests when it looks like the book will be a total miss for me. So far, I've only turned down two books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 4, 2017 at 2:57 PM

      Very difficult to say no, but you get better at it as time passes. :)

      Thanks for commenting, Erica.

      Delete
  7. Ronyell (a.k.a. Rabbitearsblog)August 4, 2017 at 2:48 PM

    I agree that experience is important to improvement! Glad you came a long way from reviewing books!

    Here’s my Book Blogger Hop!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 4, 2017 at 3:13 PM

      Experience in any endeavor or job makes it easier and better.

      Thanks for commenting, Ronyell.

      Delete
  8. TasAugust 4, 2017 at 3:37 PM

    I would love to be at the point you are at now, and be just as confident with my reviews. Hopefully I will see the improvements with time! Have a lovely weekend Elizabeth :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 4, 2017 at 10:17 PM

      I am sure you will see improvements, Tas.

      Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  9. UnknownAugust 4, 2017 at 5:24 PM

    It's so great to be able to "look into your past" and see growth. It's a part of what makes blogging so satisfying.
    Happy Friday
    My Hop

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 4, 2017 at 10:18 PM

      Blogging is very satisfying and especially when you see improvement.

      Thanks for commenting, Kymberlee.

      Delete
  10. Nicki J. Markus / Asta IdoneaAugust 4, 2017 at 9:37 PM

    That's great to look back and see improvement. Always a good feeling.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Elza ReadsAugust 5, 2017 at 6:25 AM

    Experience yes...!! That golden word!

    I've always loved your reviews Elizabeth!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 5, 2017 at 10:46 AM

      Oh yes....a golden word.

      Thank you, Marli...you are so sweet. I am glad my reviews are helpful.

      Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  12. KarolineAugust 5, 2017 at 2:03 PM

    I see too often reviews that end up being a summary of the books. Annoys to me to no end. However yes! it's a learning process :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 5, 2017 at 2:15 PM

      Time and practice make perfect.

      Thanks for commenting, Karoline.

      Delete
  13. Maria BeharAugust 5, 2017 at 4:36 PM

    Great answer, Elizabeth!! <3 <3

    You're SO right -- experience is the key to growth. With time, a blogger can see what works and what doesn't on their blog. Many things can be improved as one goes along, especially as one visits other blogs, and gets ideas from them. I have certainly learned a LOT from other blogs.

    The challenge is to learn from others (and through trial and error) and come to create a unique look for one's own blog. That has always been my primary goal. I certainly don't want my blog to look like anybody else's! Lol.

    I can really relate to what you say about reviews. My early ones also had the "book report" vibe! Lol. I noticed I was rehashing the plot. So I started including the synopses in my reviews, and that took care of the problem. Instead of retelling the story, I began to focus more on my reactions to the characters, plot, and world=building, as well as the setting of the story.

    "Live and learn", as the saying goes! :) :)

    Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a lovely comment on my blog post, as always!!

    Happy Hopping!! ENJOY your weekend!! HUGS!!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 5, 2017 at 6:58 PM

      Hey dear friend...thanks for commenting.

      OH yes...live and learn but have a unique blog is the way to go.

      Always a lovely, thoughtful answer from you.

      Delete
  14. NicciAugust 6, 2017 at 10:06 AM

    I totally agree with not re-hashing the story in a review. It's a big annoyance of mine when reading reviews.
    I flip between being quite content and wanting to curl up and die when I flick through old reviews on goodreads... I'm curious what I'll feel about the ones on my blog as time passes. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 7, 2017 at 5:45 PM

      Love your comment, Nicola.

      Thanks for the thoughts and commenting.

      Delete
  15. KatiriaAugust 6, 2017 at 8:33 PM

    Yes I am the same way now saying no, too books that I am not interested at all as well. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog hop Elizabeth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 7, 2017 at 5:48 PM

      It is difficult to say no to books, but a necessity. :)

      Thanks for commenting, Katiria.

      Delete
  16. Jemima PettAugust 9, 2017 at 5:32 PM

    Thanks for suggesting such a good question - it was really fun looking back on when I started!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElizabethAugust 9, 2017 at 9:42 PM

      Great to hear you enjoyed the question, Jemima.

      It was fun for me too.

      Thanks for commenting.

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)