Friday, June 1, 2018

Book Blogger Hop No. 130: What My Blog Says About Me



Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Billy @





This Week's Question

What do you think your blog
says about you?

(Submitted  by Cathy @





My Answer

The very first thing I think most first-time visitors to my blog would notice is that I'm a very visual person. I love images! This might not be to everyone's taste, but this is who I am, quite honestly. Some people have very simple, even minimalist blogs. That style just does not reflect my own personal aesthetic taste. I've always been very visually-oriented. Therefore, I wanted my blog design to be colorful, vibrant, and absolutely bold! Again, everyone has their own styles and preferences. So that means that those who prefer simpler designs should go with that preference. I am certainly not advocating that everyone should have the type of blog design that I have!

Ironically, the fact that I do prefer a more visually exciting design means that I have to take more time to create my posts. I like to highlight book synopses with a color that matches one of the colors on the book's cover, for example. Then I have these "dividers", which I created myself, that serve as little headers for the different sections of my post. I have included some samples below.









These small headers are based on an alternative header design for the blog itself. It was created by a web designer I used to know. Here it is!




I will be alternating this header with the one I currently have, which I designed myself as well, using a Google program named "Picasa". Sadly, Google has retired this program, so if I want to create another header in the future, I will need to look for another image-creating program.

Before clicking on "Publish", I also change the color of the post's text to off-white, so it will stand out more.

As for the blog background, well, it's very obvious that blue is my favorite color! Lol. It's not only the color in the blog background, but is also the post background color. Blue has always been my favorite color, as far back as I can remember! 

Another element of my design is that the text is a light color against a dark background. I have read several Google articles stating that the "best" combination is dark text against a white background. Supposedly this is much easier on the eyes. Well, I have found it to be the opposite for me. Reading light against dark is much more comfortable for me. Besides, this is part of my blog's aesthetic, and goes perfectly with the theme of nocturnal dreaming about books!

As for what type of books I blog about, they're from several different genres. I'm very eclectic, although I have reviewed quite a few Young Adult novels. I must admit to being very partial to this genre. This, too, will be noticed by first-time visitors. I used to include nonfiction on this blog, but I now have a second blog where I review such books.  (If you're interested, check my blog header for the link to this blog. It, too, has a very visually bold design.)

As for my writing style, I think it reflects my love for the English language. I really enjoy the flow of words as I write. I also love words themselves. Also, since I'm a perfectionist, I frequently revise my posts over and over again. I want everything to be just right. So that's another thing I think my blog says about me -- I'm a perfectionist. If I find an extra comma somewhere, I will take it out. If a word is misspelled, I will immediately correct it. And I'm constantly looking for the best way to convey my point. What all this means is that I love to write just as much as I love visual design! In my opinion, both of these elements should come together harmoniously on a blog, no matter what type of blog it is. 

I also like to have variety on my blog. So I not only write reviews, but also participate in blog hops and book memes. I also have two book memes of my own which are not blog hops -- "The Book Lover's Den", which I publish on Mondays, and "Shelf Candy Saturday", which I publish on Saturdays, although sometimes I do a late post, which will then appear on Sunday.

Book tours are another aspect of my blog; again, because I like to offer readers a variety of posts. Besides, this is one of the best ways to let readers know about newly-released or recently-released books. Fortunately, the Blogger platform allows bloggers to publish book tour posts. Those bloggers who use Wordpress are not allowed to do this, because Wordpress considers such posts to be spam. This is totally ridiculous! But, "it is what it is". I plan to stay with Blogger as long as I can, even though it does act up every now and then! Lol.

And then there are the giveaways! I like to participate in blog hop giveaways -- the kind that are hosted by one blog, with participating blogs signing up through a Linky widget. The day the giveaway kicks off, the whole list goes up, as well. It's always a lot of fun to "hop" from one blog to the other, entering giveaways! I host my own giveaways, too. I have one when celebrating my Blogoversary every year, but I also have a "Favorite Cover Giveaway" from time to time -- on my meme, "Shelf Candy Saturday". 

Of course, blog tours nearly always include giveaways, so this is another way in which readers can enter to win!

So there you have it! I think that, most of all, my blog says just how much I adore books, and how much I enjoy blogging about them! And I greatly enjoy doing so in a style that also shows my love of art. Furthermore, I think this combination shows my wish to have an inviting "blog atmosphere" that all members of the book blogosphere can enjoy!


What are your thoughts on
this topic?
If you're participating in this hop,
I'll go comment on your 
own BBH post.
If not, I will then comment on one 
of your blog posts!
Thanks for visiting!!!  
 





15 comments:

  1. I just wanna say how glad I am I discovered you and your blog. You're one of my favorite bloggers. And I love your comments on my blog as well. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Steph!

      Awwww.....you're so sweet.... <3 <3 I'm very honored that you consider me one of your favorite bloggers! I really try hard to make my blog the best it can possibly be, and it's very gratifying when that's appreciated by other bloggers! :)

      I always do my best with comments, too. I like to say something meaningful each time I comment on a blog. I do the same with replies to comments left on mine.

      You're one of my favorite bloggers, as well!! <3 <3 Your posts are always interesting! And your blog design is SO cute! I especially love your header! That owl is ADORABLE!! I ALSO ove that you feature nonfiction as well as fiction books!! <3

      Thank you for such a LOVELY comment!! I'm SO happy to have met you and found your blog!! HUGS!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

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  2. Great post Maria. This is also a great topic. I love your blog. It is perfect for you. Aesthetically it is superb. I agree that your writing style flows. It is also interesting that sometimes, when you review books thaf I would not otherwise be interested in, you make the book sound so interesting i consider giving it a try.

    Our blogs are a reflection of ourselves. Many of us really try hard to convey a part of who we are through them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Brian!

      Thanks so much for the compliments!! <3 <3

      I am SO glad you love my blog! I especially appreciate your mentioning that it is "aesthetically superb". Music to my ears!! Since I love art so much, I have put a lot of passion into the design of this blog. So yes, it is indeed perfect for me. And, of course, I wanted to make sure to feature my favorite color! Lol.

      Thanks as well for the compliment on my reviews! It's GREAT that they sometimes make you consider reading books you wouldn't otherwise have felt much inclination to read! :)

      GREAT quote: "Our blogs are a reflection of ourselves. Many of us really try hard to convey a part of who we are through them." Absolutely! I think we really can't help but reveal ourselves through our blogs. We will naturally and easily gravitate toward certain design styles, as well as certain writing styles. So true!

      On that note, let me say that I also love YOUR blog. Your reviews are BRILLIANT and thought-provoking! You, too, have made me get interested in books I wouldn't otherwise read. And you have an interesting variety of books, too.

      I also like the fact that your blog has a dark background, with light text. Believe me, for me it's much easier to read such blogs!

      Thank you SO much for the LOVELY comment!! Hope you and your wife have an AWESOME weekend!! <3 :)


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  3. This is such a good and detailed answer! I really like how you've gone onto explore what the different elements and features of your blog - both throughout the theme and the style to the content and reviews that you post - say about you as a person. It's important that we remember that our blogs are, of course, our own platforms that we can decorate and use as we wish. Therefore, it's completely understandable that everybody is going to have different styles, and they're all great!

    My blog is still very new, so I'm still getting my footing and trying to involve myself in the community - which is sometimes tough to do due to my anxiety - and I want to expand my blog out to include my other interests, but I don't want to 'ruin it'. I'm not sure what I'm doing yet, really, so I think the blog probably shows that I'm somewhat of a mess.

    Your blog shows your dedication to showcasing who you truly are and it does a great job of showing your personality, likes and dislikes, and your opinions. Once again, this is an excellent answer and I love the thought that you put into it so thank you for sharing.

    Feel free to check out my own answer if you wish!

    - Charlotte (InkBlottings)

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Charlotte!

      Thank you so much!! :) :) :)

      I have always felt that a blog -- any blog, really, not just a book blog -- will always reflect the blogger's personality. And I also think that a blog shines best when it has a harmonious combination of effective blog design and well-written posts. So I have always tried -- and I think I've succeeded -- to achieve this harmonious balance. This is a labor of love, too! No one has to nag me to create new blog posts. I create them simply because I LOVE doing so! I don't make any money from this blog, but I don't care. Blogging about books makes me VERY happy!! :)

      I know what it feels like to not know exactly what direction your blog is going in, believe me! That's how I felt at the very beginning. I didn't give up, obviously. I did feel somewhat self-conscious at first, too, though. I mean, putting yourself out there is no easy task. But I did persevere, and I think it's paid off -- in terms of sheer enjoyment, of course, not money. Lol.

      If you need any blogging help, I recommend you buy one or two books on the subject. I remember I bought "Blogger for Dummies" when I was first setting up my blog. If you don't want to spend money, though, try a blog named "Parajunkee's View". That blogger has many helpful blogging posts. Of course, the blog for Blogger can help. I don't know if you're on Wordpress instead. If you are, I'm sure they, too, will have very helpful articles. There are also inexpensive Kindle books on blogging.

      Thank you again for such a wonderful, LOVELY comment!! Good luck to you in your future blogging endeavors!! <3 :)

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  4. What a fabulous-as-always post, Maria.

    LOVE your answer.

    AWESOME!! Very thorough and a perfect explanation of you. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Elizabeth!

      Thank you so much, my friend!! <3 <3 <3

      I don't think I can write a short answer....LOL. Charlotte @ InkBlottings has the same "problem", too. It's just that I really love and enjoy writing. And, of course, I love art, as well. I think the marriage of design and writing on a blog is very important, and always reflects the blogger's personality.

      Thanks for the lovely comment!! HUGS!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

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    2. It is wonderful to see your answers and comments.

      Love stopping by. You have a lot of energy and are fun, and I see it on your blog and in your writing.

      Have a great day!!

      Elizabeth

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  5. I discovered your blog via Book Blogger Hop and must admit the visuals drew me in! And then the content.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Sue!

      Thanks!! As you can see, I'm a VERY visual person! Of course, I LOVE art, so I decided to use vibrant, bold design on this blog

      I'm glad you like the content, as well! I have tried to have my blog look as good as possible, and I have also tried to make the content match the vibrancy of the blog!

      Thanks for being such a frequent commenter!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

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  6. Wonderful, detailed answer as always, Maria.

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    1. Hi, Nicki!

      Thank you so much!! It's GREAT when all my hard work is appreciated!! HUGS!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

      Delete
  7. I love the vibrancy of your blog and always look forward to visiting. It's obvious that you pay a lot of attention to detail, as your blog reflects that too. I think you take a lot of pride in your blog and it shows - so glad you are one of my blogging BFFs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Barb!

      Thank you so much!! <3 <3 <3

      Yes, I DEFINITELY pay a lot of attention to detail! I want everything to look just as PERFECT as possible! And you're right, I do take a lot of pride in my blog. It's my only creative outlet at the moment, and has been for several years now.

      Awwww.....you're so sweet to say that!! I'm very, very glad YOU are one of my blogging BFFs, too!!!

      Thanks for such a heartwarming, lovely comment!! HUGS TO YOU AND THE PUPS, AND WOOF, WOOF TO THEM, TOO!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

      Delete

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