As a book blogger, does reading others’ blogs spark ideas for what to write on your own?

My answer:
When I read other bloggers’ post that I do find interesting, I do think that “I wish I had thought about that”, but to actually than use it, I don’t.  Unless it is something that is so phenomenal and I think it pertains to me and/or my followers, I might, but I always will always give credit, give the link as to the original post, and talk first about how I found it on someone’s blog.  I recently found an event that I host on my blog, on another blog, where the some of the questions were the same, but no mention of my blog. 

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
                                             Author-galley                         Doubleday

Do you need to have your owned books out where you can see them, or are you okay with them being stored away?

My answer:
I definitely need to be surrounded by my books.  In my reading room, I have a bookcase filled with my personally signed and tbr books and another bookcase with my recently read books.  Being a self proclaimed book addict, there is such a feeling of “comfort” of being among the items that I enjoy and bring me pleasure and entertainment.

July is being hosted by Gwen from A Sea of Books

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

Do you need to have your owned books out where you can see them, or are you okay with them being stored away?

My answer:
I definitely need to be surrounded by my books.  In my reading room, I have a bookcase filled with my personally signed and tbr books and another bookcase with my recently read books.  Being a self proclaimed book addict, there is such a feeling of “comfort” of being among the items that I enjoy and bring me pleasure and entertainment.

July is being hosted by Gwen from A Sea of Books

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

July is being hosted by Gwen from A Sea of Books

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”

Please send email with following info:

*Name
*Blog Name
*Blog URL
*Email
*Facebook Name
*Twitter Name
*Comments
ex: likes, dislikes (cozies fantasy, erotica) EReader, Info of past tours, Any other info

July is being hosted by Gwen from A Sea of Books

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”

Please send email with following info:

*Name
*Blog Name
*Blog URL
*Email
*Facebook Name
*Twitter Name
*Comments
ex: likes, dislikes (cozies fantasy, erotica) EReader, Info of past tours, Any other info

Do you think it makes you NOT (or less) “well-read” if there are certain genres that you won’t read because you KNOW you won’t enjoy them? Why?

My answer:
At times, Yes.  But that is pressure and guilt that I put on myself.  I have ambivalent feelings on this topic, especially when I blog hop and  see conversations regarding the “classics” and “historicals”.  I respect those that read books of these genres and enjoy them,  I feel left out in the formidable cold and not a “well rounded” reader.  However,  on the other hand, I read for pure enjoyment and pleasure.  There are so many books that are in my tbr bookcase of the books in genres that I do enjoy and that are just sitting there waiting for their turn to be picked up and  read, and without doubt, know more will be added to those shelves.  So I guess my question to myself is….should I read a book that I probably won’t enjoy to feel “well rounded” or read books that I do enjoy and take pleasure from.  My bookcase books win!!

Do you think it makes you NOT (or less) “well-read” if there are certain genres that you won’t read because you KNOW you won’t enjoy them? Why?

My answer:
At times, Yes.  But that is pressure and guilt that I put on myself.  I have ambivalent feelings on this topic, especially when I blog hop and  see conversations regarding the “classics” and “historicals”.  I respect those that read books of these genres and enjoy them,  I feel left out in the formidable cold and not a “well rounded” reader.  However,  on the other hand, I read for pure enjoyment and pleasure.  There are so many books that are in my tbr bookcase of the books in genres that I do enjoy and that are just sitting there waiting for their turn to be picked up and  read, and without doubt, know more will be added to those shelves.  So I guess my question to myself is….should I read a book that I probably won’t enjoy to feel “well rounded” or read books that I do enjoy and take pleasure from.  My bookcase books win!!

CMash@Partnersincrimetours.net

This week’s musing (courtesy of the BookCrazy Yahoo! group) asks…

Below is a link to an NPR discussion about the simple fact that there’s no way you can read, see and experience all the things that are available to be experienced. The two methods for dealing with it are culling (i.e., cutting out certain genres that don’t interest you, etc.) or surrender (i.e., just making peace with the facts and enjoying what you can in the time that you have).
http://www.npr.org/2011/06/27/137451477/you-cant-possibly-read-it-all-so-stop-trying
So, do you cull, or do you surrender? Or do you do both?
My answer:
I would say I do both.  I definitely cull and proud of it lol.  While I blog hop, visiting my blogging buddies, to see what they are reading, I will read their reviews, even though I know it is a genre I will never read. However, I feel it allows me to know the blogger a little bit better by what they are reading, what they like and how they write their review.  I definitely surrender to the genre that brings me enjoyment and it is evident.  I do not have a tbr pile, I have an oversized 5 shelf tbr bookcase that is stuffed with books waiting to be read.  And I blame it all on blogging  lol.  Since I found this great community, my list has tripled.  What saddens me, at times, is when I look at the books on those shelves and wonder if I will even make a dent, especially at my age.  That is why I have renamed my list to “my tbr bucket list”.  And since today is also Mailbox Monday, I am off to add more books to the list lol.

                                              Author                              Tribute Books