About Comment Moderation On This Blog

UPDATE, 10/13/18

I have updated this post as of today, because I have gotten more SPAM comments. So the comment moderation will now stay in place PERMANENTLY.

I have decided to publish this post because I have had to enable comment moderation as of today, and I will need to leave it enabled, at least for the time being.

Let me begin by stating that I have NEVER liked comment moderation. Some blogs do have it, though, and I am in NO way criticizing those bloggers who have enabled this feature. Personally, I feel it makes commenting on blogs a bit disappointing, because one has to wait for one's comment to be published. However, I don't have any choice at this time. So I'm publishing this post to explain to all of you, my visitors and regular readers, why I have suddenly taken this action.

I have come across an unpleasant surprise on my blog: the very same SPAM comment on FOUR of my posts!! 

I came across the first one yesterday, on my Book Blogger Hop for last Friday. There were four total comments on this post. I expanded it, and scrolled down to see who the commenters were. The first three were regular visitors and readers of my blog: Sue @ The Great Raven, Brian @ Babbling Books, and Stephanie @ Bookfever. They are good blogging buddies of mine, and we regularly comment on each other's blogs. However, the fourth comment was from somebody I didn't know. When I read THIS comment, I was shocked and ANGRY to discover that it was a spam comment advertising an ESCORT SERVICE in a Middle Eastern country!!  

As usual with spam comments, the grammar was atrocious. The whole thing consisted of words strung together, with the phrase "call girls" randomly included somewhere in the text. 

Now, I've had spam comments on this blog before. I've simply deleted them, but I've also gone to the person's Google + page, blocked their profile, and reported them to Google. End of story. But this comment REALLY angered me, because of the very nature of the comment. I am a feminist, so any reference to "escorts", "call girls", or anything related to the  sex trade really bothers me.  

When I went to their Google + page (I am not going to reveal this person's name, as this could result in free advertising for their "escort service", which is really thinly-disguised prostitution), I saw that all the posts had photos of women in them, along with a link advertising the website for this "escort service". 

I have reported and blocked this profile. But, I have also taken the extra step of enabling comment moderation, as I don't want this to happen again. 

In the past, any spam comments on this blog were usually limited to one comment, on one post. This time, however, there has been one comment on four different posts. That means I really need to nip this in the bud.

So, dear visitors and readers, I do apologize for taking this step. I want everyone to feel welcomed here, as well as to feel  that it's easy to comment on my blog. However, I don't want spam comments such as these to be visible on my blog, not even for a few minutes. Since I get up late, these four comments were, unfortunately, visible on my blog for several hours.

I hope to continue to receive comments from all of you who regularly visit and read this blog. I GREATLY appreciate all of your comments, and read every single one. As you all know, I always do my very best to reply to everyone, as well as to visit the blogs of those who have left the comments.

So, thanks again to all of you who always take the time to reflect on my posts and let me know your opnions!

Along with the comment moderation, I have enabled email notification of new comments, so I can get to them as quickly as possible. This will actually be an inconvenience for me, as I will have to be checking my emails on a constant basis. However, it's a necessary inconvenience.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!! Love all of you guys!!  <3 :)

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!

 

 

What are your thoughts on
 this topic?
Please leave me a comment
and let me know!

NOTE
This post is the personal opinion
of this blogger. If you wish to submit an opposing comment, please remain
respectful while doing so.
Otherwise, your comment will
be deleted. Thank you.

Book Blogger Hop No. 136: Bloggers' First Names Promininently Displayed on Their Blogs

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop,

hosted by Billy @

Ramblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer!

This Week's Question

Do you agree or disagree with this

statement: "A blogger's first name

should be in a prominent space

on his/her blog"?

(Submitted  by Elizabeth @

Silver's Reviews)

My Answer

This is certainly something that can be pretty frustrating. Since we bloggers (whether we blog about books or not) belong to a blogging community, it stands to reason that we would all want to know how to identify those who are nice enough to comment on our posts. So, in principle, I would tend to agree that bloggers should make it easy for visitors and commenters to find out just who they are, and that this information should either be visible in the blog's sidebar, or on an "About Me" page. 

Having stated this, I can also understand that some bloggers might prefer to remain anonymous, and thus, not use their real names on their blogs. This could be for any number of reasons, and is something that should be respected. However, such bloggers could nevertheless use some sort of name -- perhaps a nickname, or "pen name", or whatever. It just becomes pretty awkward to address someone by their blog name, lol. Like, "Hi, A Night's Dream of Books!" Lol. 

Of course, no blogger should feel COMPELLED to use their real name, but a nickname, I think, should be good enough. In my case, I would use "TwilightDreamLover", if I had a mind to. That's how much I LOVE The Twilight Saga! Lol. Or, in honor of my OTHER literary love, I might use "HermioneWizard", or some such thing. :)

When I first started this blog, I DID use "TwilightDreamLover" for a while -- a VERY short while, though. I then decided to use my real name ("Behar" is my husband's last name). So, for this blog, I am really "Maria Behar", which I figure is easy to remember. Besides, I still have dreams of writing a book someday, so of course I will want to write with this name. (Although, who knows, I might decide to use a pen name, lol.)

Sometime back, I had my Blogger profile information in my blog's sidebar. Then I decided to create an "About Me/Contact" page, which is where I now have a short bio, as well as a picture. 

I also have a "signature" at the end of most posts. You'll see it at the end of this post. The one exception to this is when I do a blog tour post. In that case, I always include the tour company's button at the end of the post.  

I have to add that I really don't mind if someone doesn't use any name, not even a nickname. Yes, it does make things a bit awkward, but what I do, when I get a comment from someone with no name other than their blog name, is to address my reply as "Hi, there!". I think this works just fine!

Naturally, it's a different story entirely when a blogger is emailing a publisher or book tour company for an ARC to review. Then they need to use their real name. But that's between the publisher and/or the book tour company, of course.

Bottom line: I think that bloggers should feel comfortable doing what works best for them. Yes, having access to a real name or nickname is nice, but if a blogger chooses not to use one, then they will be "Hi, there!" to me. Lol. 
  
By the way, one blogger I know uses the nickname "J9". This blogger doesn't want their employer to know that they blog, for whatever reason. So I address them as "J9". If they had chosen to go by their blog name, though, then you all know how I would have addressed this person.  :) 

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!!!  
 

A Thousand Pardons.....

I would like to apologize to all those who have left comments on my latest posts, as I have neither replied to these comments, nor commented back on your blogs..... 

I did put up two blog posts, yesterday, and today. However, these were just a matter of copying and pasting the HTML from previous similar posts, making a few quick changes, and then clicking on "Publish". I am referring to the "Book Blogger Hop" and "Surprise Favorite Cover Giveaway Winner!!!" posts.

As you guys who have been visiting and commenting for some time already know, I do adhere to the policy of replying to all of my comments, as well commenting back on your own blogs. However.....I've been dealing with some personal issues for several days now, and have gotten behind on this. 

I have every intention of not publishing another post until I can catch up with all of my replies and comments back. In fact, I might not publish a "Can't Wait Wednesday" post this week, in order to enable me to catch up. 

To make matters worse, I also have a book review pending, and have had to stop reading the Star Trek novel I had started.

So please bear with me, folks. I will do my utmost to catch up! I GREATLY appreciate all of you, and thank you all for taking the time to read and comment on my blog posts.

I have to take care of some of those urgent personal issues today, so I probably won't be able to resume blogging until tomorrow. During the week, I lose close to 7 hours a day on work (I am including commuting time). Luckily, I don't work Fridays! I do spend some time in the beauty salon on that day, though. I have to! Lol. But I can get some blogging done on Fridays. Saturdays are usually laundry days, but again, I am able to do some blogging then. Sundays as well.

Well, thanks to you guys for 'listening'!! <3 :)

I hope to be back to blogging by tomorrow around 11:00 AM!  <3 <3 <3 :)  :)  :) 

 

Book Blogger Hop No. 106: The Bloggiesta

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop,

hosted by Billy @

Ramblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer!

For more information, and 

to find out the topic of next week's question, click HERE.

This Week's Question

Do you participate in the Bloggiesta?

(Submitted  by Elizabeth @ 

Silver's Reviews)

My Answer

The short and sweet answer is "No". I had never even heard of it until I saw this question. So, of course, I Googled this word. 

Well, it turns out that this is a fun, interesting event, hosted by Suey @ It's All About Books, and Danielle @ There's A Book, that takes place on a bi-annual basis. It's actually a blogging marathon, and they also hold quarterly mini-challenges. Any blog can participate, and the topics are all related to the process of blogging itself, such as blog organization (personal organization is also included) blogging tips, and getting the best from social media.

The event also has Facebook, Google +, and Twitter pages. See the links below.

The name "Bloggiesta" is super cute, and incorporates the Spanish word "fiesta", which means that it's definitely a LOT of fun!

I would love to participate, but I have noticed that these blog posts do take a LOT of time to put together. Most of the posts offer advice that I certainly need for my own blog, lol.

If I think of something REALLY helpful and interesting, I might participate in the next Bloggiesta. Not the mini-challenge coming up in September, but perhaps one of the marathons or mini-challenges next year.

I think this is a great way to acquire more helpful blogging knowledge, as well as find more blogging friends, and I want to thank Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews for bringing this to my attention, as I had no idea such an event existed! 

There will be a mini-challenge held from Sept. 21st to Sept. 24th. You can access the signup page HERE. 

Here are the links to find out more information about this event.

Bloggiesta Home Page

Bloggiest "About" Page

Facebook

Google +

Twitter

Here's a list of links to some very interesting past posts included in mini-challenges, which I know will definitely help me out in my blogging, and might help some of you guys out as well! ENJOY!!  :)

Digital Photography for Bloggers

Understanding Image Copyrights

Creating Post Templates for More 

Streamlined Blogging

Planning Your Posts

Bullet Journaling for Book Bloggers

Tips on Contacting Publishers

Increase Readership and Engagement with

a Wrap-Up Post

What are your thoughts on

this topic?

If you're participating in this meme,

I'll go comment on your 

own BBH post.

If not, I will then comment on one 

of your blog posts!

Thanks for visiting!!!  
 

Book Blogger Hop No. 42: Balancing Blogging and Reading

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop,

hosted by Billy @

Ramblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer!

For more information, click HERE.

What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this week's

question:

How much of your day is devoted

to your blog, and how much is

devoted to reading?

(submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the

Linky list on Billy's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and

comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's

question when you visit

Ramblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer!

My Answer

I wish I could say that I have perfectly balanced my blogging and my reading, but alas, I have not.... I'm way behind on reading the books I want to read. There's another cause for that, as well, but I'll get into that later.

Like most bloggers -- whatever the subject blogged about -- I have always been a perfectionist regarding my blog, and want to make sure that I present not only posts done to my satisfaction, but also the best blog design I could possibly get, that would reflect my visual values. So, during my first year of blogging, I went through a few blog designs, until I settled on this one. My post backgrounds used to be dark gray, then I changed to black, and now I'm satisfied with the Navy blue I selected some time ago. 

Since I don't know anything about PhotoShop, I could not create a header I liked and could live with. Then I came across the work of Jennifer Johnson @ Sapphire Blog Designs! She designed my header and blog button, and I absolutely love them! (As you an see, I'm a huge fan of the color blue, lol.)

Added to all this is the fact that I want to maintain a certain style and look for this blog that goes along with its name. So I've experimented throughout the years with font sizes and colors, as well as image sizes. 

When I'm creating a new post, I'm also very much a perfectionist in regards to the writing. I always check for spelling and grammatical errors, as well as the best ways to express myself. This is especially true when I'm writing a book review; many times I will tweak and re-tweak a review several times even after I publish it.

One hour is usually not enough for me to create a post if, in addition to the writing, it contains several images and links. In fact, it can take me up to 5 hours to create one post, depending on what's to be included in it.

Then there's the issue of commenting. I think this is extremely important! Since I greatly appreciate any comments I receive on my posts, I always make it a point to not only reply to them on my blog, but to visit the commenter's own blog, and comment back on their post. When I read posts on other blogs, I always read the entire post, too, instead of  just skimming it. Then I can leave a thoughtful comment about it. 

All of the above translates to a LOT of time spent every day on my book blogging!  

When I do find time to read, it's mostly at night, when everything's quiet and hubby is fast asleep. I can sometimes get in a couple of hours, and maybe even three, depending on the book I'm currently reading.

I have found, of late, that I'm not reading as many YA novels as I'd like, in order to review them on this blog. I do have another blog, in which I review literary fiction and nonfiction. So the trouble is that lately, I've been wanting to read more of those types of books, and less YA.   

Recently, I've also been wanting to read books that are uniquely interesting to me. Therefore, I know practically no one will be reading my reviews of such books, which means I won't bother to write reviews of them.... But this means NO blogging activity while I'm reading them, of course.

Then there's the issue of blog tours.... I have been cutting down on those, because I don't seem to get many comments on such posts. I've heard that many bloggers consider blog tours to be spam, especially when these posts don't contain any original material. However, I have made sure that my blog tour posts contain at least some original material. Still no comments, not even when the post features my review of the book in question. So I'm thinking of not doing these posts anymore, which will definitely give me more reading time, and then perhaps I will be posting more reviews (non-tour-related, that is). Besides, blog tour posts are very time-consuming.

I really should have made a New Year's resolution about balancing my reading and blogging.....sigh.....        
 

     

What are your thoughts?

Please leave a comment,

and I'll go check out your post!