The Book Lover's Den No. 30: I LOVE 'Dark Blogs', and I Cannot Lie!

Welcome to my renewed literary musing feature! I have decided 

to post it on Mondays now!

In each weekly post, I explore 

my thoughts on several 

book-related topics.

This Week's Topic

 Contrary to most (book) bloggers, 

I much prefer to use a dark 

background with light text 

for my posts. 

I explain why below.  

When I use the term "dark blog", I'm not referring to blogs dealing with the horror genre and other fear-inducing subject matter. Instead, I'm referring to the background color of the posts, as well as to the overall design of the blog. 

At the time I first started this book blog, back in 2010, I had to make some decisions as to its design. After all, part of the total effect of a blog -- whatever its subject matter might be -- is its design. A blog is a combination of the written posts and the visual aspect. Neither is more important than the other, in my honest opinion.

From the very beginning, I always gravitated toward a dark background, with light text. Yes, I've read the online articles that state that this combination is not easy on the eyes. I beg to differ. I find it much easier to read blog posts with a dark background and light text. But that's just me. Most bloggers would say the opposite. The blogosphere is the ultimate free expression scenario, so all approaches to blogging are welcomed. I am by no means stating that blogs with dark backgrounds on posts are "better" than those with light or white backgrounds. Heck, I visit several blogs on a regular basis, and most of them have white or light-colored post backgrounds. Although I must admit that reading these blogs is a bit hard on my eyes, I still visit them, read their posts, and comment on them. So, in case anyone reading this gets the idea that I am categorically stating that blogs with dark backgrounds are "superior" to those with white backgrounds, then they are reading into this post something that I haven't put into it. 

The reason for this topic today is that I've come across such categorically rigid statements on a couple of other blogs. These shall remain nameless. One of these bloggers has actually attacked the use of dark backgrounds on blog posts. Now, there's no need to do this. As I have stated above, there's room for all types of blog designs on the blogosphere. So I felt it necessary to put in a plug for blogs with dark backgrounds. 

Some of the Internet articles I read regarding dark backgrounds have also stated that, since books have black text on white backgrounds, blogs should use the same combination of text and background colors. I totally disagree with this! Reading a book -- specifically a printed book -- is not the same thing as reading on a computer screen, so the two experiences should not be equated. (This goes for reading ebooks, as well, but somehow I don't see these being published with dark backgrounds and light text, lol.) Yes, I do think it's easier to read a printed book that has black text on a white background. The same does not hold true for me when reading on a computer screen. I reiterate that, for me, it's much easier to read light, or white, text on a dark background.

Another objection offered by these Internet articles is that most visitors to blogs with dark backgrounds will visit once, and never return, precisely because of the dark background on posts. So I'm at a disadvantage here. However, I'm not going to capitulate and change my style. If I get fewer visitors and comments, so be it. I have to go with what makes me feel comfortable.

On the other hand....some of the blogs with dark backgrounds I've visited (and listed below) have gotten a LOT of  comments, and many of those comments have been made by bloggers whose own blogs have white backgrounds, with black text. So I'm thinking that this "objection" doesn't really apply.

Another aspect of most blogs with white backgrounds that I've visited is their minimalist design. Again, this is not my thing at all. I am a very visual person, so I want lots of colorful images on my blog. I have recently tried to tone this down a bit, but I don't want to suddenly "go minimalist". It's just not me. Again, those who appreciate my style will gravitate toward my blog. Those who don't, well, "it is what it is"! Lol.

In earlier years, I used to include different-colored fonts in my posts, too. That's another thing I've toned down. My "Shelf Candy Saturday" posts, for example, are no longer "color-coded" according to the main color on a book cover. The text for these posts is now white.  The post "headline", though (not the title) is now a light blue.

Another reason for my preference for dark backgrounds is that, although I am an eclectic reader, I do review mostly paranormal romance and urban fantasy on this blog. Thus, a dark background is entirely appropriate. Of course, not all blogs that review these genres have dark backgrounds. That's entirely up to each book blogger. Still, a lot of the blogs with dark backgrounds that I have visited do tend to  review these genres. 

Yet another reason I prefer a dark background is that book covers really stand out against such a background. And I know I'm not the first person to realize that any image really stands out, when placed against a dark background. I refer readers to my most recent "Shelf Candy Saturday" post, in which I featured the cover of the novel Circe, by Madeline Miller. That cover has a black background, and the bold design on it totally pops! Take a look at the image below. For more information about this book, click on the image, which will take you to the Goodreads page.

As part of my SCS post, I referenced an image, as well as some links, of ancient Greek pottery, which had predominantly dark backgrounds and orange-toned figures. The effect is just stunning; there's no question about it! And this was the style that influenced the cover above. If you would like to read the full SCS post, just click HERE.

One last point: one of my favorite bloggers uses a gray-green background for his posts, with light gray text. He uses a light blue for any quotes he includes in his posts. I find this entirely wonderful and enjoyable! And, by the way, I LOVE reading his posts, which are always interesting and well-written. He always gets a lot of comments on them, too. You will find his name and blog name at the top of the list below. 

Here's a list of book blogs with dark or black backgrounds, and light text. Except for the top one, created by the aforementioned blogger, who is also a friend, they are in no particular order. I LOVE all of these blog designs, as well! (Sadly, some of these blogs are not active at present. But that's not due to visitors not liking their dark backgrounds, but to the bloggers having life-related problems, such as interfering work and/or school schedules, that have made it impossible for them to continue blogging.)

Brian @ Babbling Books

Roxanne @ Bewitching Book Tours

Morrighan @ Morrighan's Book Reviews

Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows

Jackie @ Jackie's Bookbytes

Teresa @ Readers Live a Thousand Lives

Kat @ A Myriad of Books

J9 @ Blood Rose Books

Briana @ The Book Pixie

Anna Marie @ Read Between The Lines

CCAM & GZM @ Mythical Books

Janine @ Supernatural Central

Wrapping things up, I say the old motto of "Live and let live" applies here. Those who prefer blogs with white backgrounds and dark or black text, more power to them! Just don't criticize or attack those of us who prefer the opposite. One style is not superior to the other. There's room for all kinds of opinions on blog design, on the blogosphere, the ultimate bastion of free expression!

 

 

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