Today I’m excited to welcome a fellow blogger whom many of you know. I can’t recall if we met through Word Press or Twitter, but she is definitely one of my favorite people. I’ve invited her to talk about her journey as a book blogger. Please welcome Barbara Vitelli, whom many of you know as Book Club Mom!
Book Club Mom – one book blogger’s evolution
My WordPress blog turns 6 years old this summer, but I started writing book reviews much earlier than that. I’ve been in a book club for 18 years and, after a few rounds of books, I wanted to find a way to keep track of not just those books, but everything I read. I was a lot younger then and had a better memory, but I was also raising little boys and I knew I’d never remember if I didn’t write something down. I also didn’t want to be caught in a conversation and have to say, “Oh yeah, I think I read that. Was it good?”
So I began posting reviews on Amazon. I liked seeing where I fit in Amazon’s rating system and wanted to be a top reviewer. Of course, my initial ranking was somewhere in the millions, but why not aim high? I soon discovered, however, that book reviews are mixed in with everything else Amazon sells, so there’s nothing meaningful about the reviewers ranking.
I was clueless when I started my blog.
At the time, my son had just started a WordPress blog and he encouraged me to start a book blog. I had no idea how to blog and I made many embarrassing mistakes. But I learned. There’s a limit to how many books I can read, however, so I try to fill in with other bookish posts. Of course, there continue to be some clunkers, but you cringe a little and then move on.
I learned that honest book reviews are important, but they have to be fair.
My book review style has changed over time and I’ve since deleted many early reviews because I didn’t think they were good enough. My goal now is to express my opinion fairly but also maintain a brand so that readers can trust my opinion as being true. A certain responsibility goes with writing book reviews, however. Just because I don’t love a book might just mean it isn’t for me, so I always try to see the bigger picture. I also pay close attention to how other bloggers handle reviews of books that were not their favorites and learn from them.
In addition, I have special admiration for indie and self-published authors. I know how much work goes into getting a book out there, so I read indie and self-published books with the respect they deserve.
Then I got a job after 20 years.
Three years ago, after 20 years as a stay-at-home mom, I decided to return to the work force. I set my sights on our local library and spent a lot of time during my interview talking about my book blog. I got the job and I’m sure my experience as a book blogger helped me. Working with people who love to read and helping our customers find the right books is the perfect job for me!
Blogging is a balancing act.
I have made great friends on WordPress and interacting with them has become an important part of my life. It’s a wonderful way to connect with people. I now have friends all over the world and we visit each other’s blogs like we’re stopping in for a chat. Of course, there’s always the issue of time. But I don’t worry if I have to step away from blogging for a bit because I know my friends are doing the same balancing act and we always find a way to catch up!
Through blogging, I have found a way to express my ideas and keep a record of my books, but what’s the best part? My blogging buddies!
Thanks so much for visiting! Barbara will be around to answer any questions you might have.
In addition to blogging, Barbara has published 2 books with her father, Fred H. Rohn, a collection of short fiction and a memoir. Check out Rohn’s books here:
Encounters – Relationships in Conflict
A Fortunate Life
You can learn more about Barbara on her WordPress blog, Book Club Mom. And be sure to catch up with her on Twitter @BookClubMom and Facebook @BookClubMom
Jill
Jill Weatherholt 