Secret Life of a Book Blogger Tag

In line with my goal of doing at least one book tag every month for the year, I chose to do Secret Life of a Book Blogger Tag. I encountered this book tag recently through Never Not Reading book blog; I simply bookmarked it for future reference, waiting for the perfect time to do my own version.

The book tag is comprised of questions that give an insight on what kind of book blogger you are (and well, what kind of blogger you are), so finding the perfect timing was quite tough. As I am currently celebrating my fourth year as a blogger, I deemed it appropriate to do this book tag.

I hope you get to enjoy my version of this book tag! Without further ado, here goes!

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1. How long have you been blogging?

I’ve been blogging for four years now (as I have mentioned in the introduction). However, my book blogging ventures just started in early 2017 when I decided to share a different facet of me to my blog readers. I just wanted to share my thoughts and insights on the books I read. Now, my book blogging forms part of at least 50% of my blogging activities! Haha.

2. At what point do you think you’ll stop blogging?

When I started book blogging, I never thought of quitting. But there were serious stumbling blocks I had to go through to reach the point I am right now. At countless times during my book blogging journey I found my self questioning my motivation; balancing work and writing is quite tedious. But I kept pushing on because, in a way, writing has become my escape and my safe haven. And with how strongly my blog is doing these days, quitting is far from my mind right now.

3. What is the best thing about blogging?

There are numerous good points about blogging! The first (and perhaps the most important) is that I get to share my thoughts and insights on a variety of subjects (well, as this is a book tag, then the subject refers to books). As I have mentioned above, it has also taken the shape of an escape. When I blog, I get lost in a swirl of words; a magical and wonderful swirl.

Book blogging has also made me very critical of the books I read. Reading has become more than just an exercise for pleasure (although it largely still is). I try to skim through the author’s motivations, try to understand the characters. I don’t know, but book blogging made me really want to sift through the books I read so that I can have something substantial to share. It is like looking for a needle in a haystack at times though. Haha.

4. What is the worst thing? What do you do to make it okay?

The worst thing about book blogging? Hmmm. Let me think it through…

Got it. It is when I run out of words to describe my thoughts and ideas, especially when I find myself focusing too much! To remedy this, I take a break and then come back on things I am doing after my respite. Breaks realign my thoughts, especially when they are jumbled.

5. How long does it take you to make/find pictures to use?

Longer than you think. Skimming through my own gallery is quite difficult, especially with thousands of pictures.

6. Who is your book crush?

Even though I find myself immersed in the narrative, I barely encountered having a book crush. Hermione is a technical choice; I only picked her because Emma Watson (through the Harry Potter movies) gave me a personification to this erudite of a young lady.

7. What author would you like to have on your blog?

I would be flattered if even one author would be within 10 feet of my blog. Salman Rushdie or Haruki Murakami would be great as I have written countless reviews on their books already. Would it be a reality? Who knows? I am crossing my finger though.

8. What do you wear when you write blog posts?

Haha. Tough question? Just kidding. Of course, I am wearing whatever I am wearing when I write. I don’t connect blogging with any particular superstition. I write in whatever set of clothes I am wearing. 🙂

9. How long does it take you to prepare?

I am very particular and critical of the things I write. These have caused me to take my time when writing. It can take me a total of at least five to ten hours to write just one book review. Mostly because I want that what I write to make sense that I end up being a laggard. I edit and re-edit my reviews; I am not always satisfied with what I write. This happens with my travel blogs as well.

There are few exceptions, like when I have already formed a solid opinion on the book while reading it or, on extremely rare cases, when my thoughts are simply flowing fluidly. To reiterate, such cases are extremely rare, but when it does happen, I can write a piece I am satisfied of in two to three hours. I hope I am always that inspired! Haha.

10. How do you feel about the blogging community?

I was intimidated at first, especially with the mix of personalities that are converging in the community. I was daunted because I felt like I had to come up with something better to be taken notice of. But I slowly started fitting in. I begun liking the community as a whole because in spite of the disparities in opinion, everyone is open-minded and accepting. I like how the community is supportive of each and every member.

11. What do you think one should do to create a successful blog?

Haha. I am not exactly the right point person to answer such a pivotal question as I am not as successful as some bloggers are. I guess the entire point is just to be yourself regardless of the diversity that lingers beyond the world of the world wide web. Be you. Write you. Blog you.

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Thus ends my version of this blog. I hope you enjoyed reading through it.

As was customary, I am not going to tag any particular blogger to do this but if you interested to do your own version, please do so. Just don’t forget to tag me so that I can read yours.

Happy book blogging!