I feel like I've gotten myself into a bit of a conundrum. I don't know if you, my faithful readers, remember a post I created a few months ago about "What's my brand?" (you can click and it'll take you to the post), but I basically said I didn't want to pick a brand because I just post about whatever I feel like. And then I went on about how much other stuff goes on in the blogging world.
Well since then I haven't done anything about a "Brand" and I've continued to post whatever I want whenever I want. So I stuck to my guns there.
But what I did do was express more of an interest in reading and doing book reviews. I even put my name in a database of sorts so people can contact me to read their book. All well intentioned, but now I have 6 books coming my way (in the mail, I don't like e-reading) and I hope they are all pretty good because I often find it hard to stumble through a book I'm not really into.
Luckily I made a claim that I sometimes am a slow reader (relative to pre-kids and husband) and they can't really pressure me to get things read super quickly. In fact everyone that has approached me has actually stated in their emails that as long as I do read them and create some sort of review there really isn't a timeline attached. I'm very grateful that people can be quite understanding.
I love the idea of getting new books (for free!) and especially that some of them are not available to purchase yet, and some the authors will sign their books for me as keepsakes. And I like the flexibility of reading on my own time and creating a review without so much pressure. But I'm going to have to start scheduling and replying to these people with something like "I have 6 books ahead of yours, I would love to read yours too but it will be a month before I can even start it."
Here's an oxymoron for ya: I don't want my blogging to be a business, but I would still like to make money and/or get these free things to review. All I mean by that is I can't take away from my family time with blog-related stuff (especially if there's no payment involved!) If this interest in my reviewing continues I will eventually have to say no. Or at least "Not right now."
Today I am excited knowing that 6 books (4 are a set) are on their way to me. Although I do have about 20 books already in my house that I've borrowed or been given to read, that just makes me feel like I'll have to instate "Mom's Reading Time" in which I get 30 minutes uninterrupted. Ya, right - like that will happen!
If you're reading this and you have a book you'd like to send (or a product to review), drop me a line at iamjess@gmail.com and I will reply. I may tell you I need 30 days before I can even look at it, but we can be candid with each other, right? I'm always grateful for people who give me these opportunities!
~Jess
No comments:
Post a Comment