So, the last little but I've been thinking of some things and thought I'd share. Maybe it'll open up some discussion.
First up, the ever annoying "love at first sight" so prevalent in YA theses days. How do you feel about it? Is it romantic? Does it make you blush and sigh a little? Or, like me, do you roll your eyes when are main protagonist is "inexplicably" drawn to the cliched love interest? Do you feel like it's real and believable or do you just except it cause it's fiction? Cause it drives me up the wall. Which I don't really understand. I guess the idea is awfully romantic but somehow it makes me go beserk! Is it just because it's in practically
every YA book these days? What do you think?
The other thing I've been pondering is why my book reviews are usually the least commented on. Maybe this is needy and a little arrogant of me but it just seems weird. Isn't that one of the major reasons we book bloggers blog? To review? And yet I too find it hard to comment on book reviews. Either I've read the book and I agree or disagree and can say as much, or I haven't and can only say whether I want to read it or not. So, am I making sense? Does anyone else have a hard time commenting on review posts? Do your review posts seem a little light on comments or is just me?
Well, there you have it. Two things I've been contemplating. So let's here your opinions. Am I all alone in my thoughts?
As to your first question, well, love at first sight doesn't describe my own experience. Certainly, my husband and I loved each other at a young age - started dating at 14 and 16 - but we were friends and buddies before that time. We had a friendship that morphed into love and we've been married for almost 31 years. I say, marry your best friend.
ReplyDeleteThe other question is one that I think we all experience. Yes, I think that opinion posts or ones that feature books you've bought or received or pictures of family or flowers or your cat can certainly gain more comments. Often it seems, the comments on reviews of books that are just released are primarily "looks good", "I'd like to read it", etc. I mean, what can you say if you haven't read the book, but it does look like one you'd pick up. The more meaty comments seem to come when the commenter has indeed read the book also and tells of their experience. So, yes, we spend all this time and then don't get much feedback. However, we all want to share what we've read so I'm not sure what the answer is. For me, a nice mix of various types of posts is the answer. Plus, commenting on others blogs and posts. Maybe this wasn't really what you were looking for, but it's what's in my head this morning. :-)
First little thing: Sometimes I like it, and sometimes not. However, I find that I really enjoy those books where they can't stand each other at first and then realize they are perfect for each other. I also really enjoy the ones where they've been friends forever, and then realize they are more than friends.... so there are those sorts of stories too, right? Shall we think of examples? Ponder that for some other day!
ReplyDeleteSecond little thing: Ah, yes. Interesting one isn't it! It's true it's hard to comment on reviews. And so I try not to let it bug me when my reviews seem to be ignored, YET I also get some feedback that in fact people are reading them and taking note, even if they don't comment.
1. I like the inexplicable feeling of the protagonist being drawn to their romantic interest, but I love tension (not love triangles) between those two characters. And, love at first sight doesn't bother me unless it's too easy for the characters to be together when they first meet.
ReplyDelete2. My reviews don't usually get as many comments as my other posts. I think it's normal. I don't often comment on reviews unless it's a book I've read, and sometimes even then I don't. I don't know why; I just don't.
Men were always falling in love with me at first sight so I at least think it is believable. Ha ha just kidding. That is usually my least favorite romance. And I love reading blogs but don't really comment very often...still like reading them.
ReplyDeleteI find the comments on my book posts pretty light as well. I just figure people use them as recommendations later on when they're looking for something to read.
ReplyDeleteSince we are on the topic of leaving comments I feel obliged to leave on and I want to acknowledge Jenny as one of my most loyal commenters. Thanks Jenny, I really appreciate it :)
ReplyDeleteI try to comment as much as I can, but usually stick to books I read/want to read.
As for love at first sight. I do want to believe in it, but in stories its more than often corny and unbelievable.
Kay, See! I think your story is much more romantic! I totally agree, marry your best friend.
ReplyDeleteSuey, There's lot's of those stories and I like them much better than the love at first sight crap.
Jenni Elyse, Well, I can't pretend I don't think it's romantic just unbelievable.
Janssen, Hey! Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, I just need to get over light commenting on reviews I guess. At least people are reading them.
Selina, Ah, thanks! See that's why I like you. "corny and unbelievable" couldn't have said it better myself!
I don't really have much about love at first sight. Sometimes I believe it in a story and sometimes I don't. But I haven't figured out why that is.
ReplyDeleteBut, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who gets few comments on reviews. Sometimes I think the book reviews are the most boring part of my book blog! I love it when people say they liked a book I didn't, or didn't like one I did. But those are pretty rare.
Kathy, Truthfully I agree with you, sometimes it's easy to except love at first sight and sometimes it just isn't. I don't know why either.
ReplyDeleteThe book review thing is a little sad but as all the other commenters said, at least they're being read.
+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI rarely comment on book reviews because they seem like closed cases. The reviewer has already formulated his opinion on the book; there seems no point in further discussion. If I'm familiar with the book and disagree with something the reviewer said, I hesitate to speak up because it seems like the rude response.
When I do comment, it's usually to thank the reviewer for telling me something that has helped me decide whether or not I want to read a book--but since I usually know my own mind, I don't read many reviews for that purpose to begin with.
I vastly prefer discussion-type posts like this. ;-)
Wait, you review books?
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about sped-up romances in books, particularly if they were instant attraction or even the opposite where they hated each other and then found themselves getting along. To be honest I prefer a long, drawn out story where I can see everything about how they met and what it took for them to come together. I know that's not for everyone, but I love knowing the details especially with a really talented author who knows their characters well. (Divergent is a perfect example of this.)
ReplyDeleteThat said, there are books where they do end up in some sort of relationship fairly quickly and that I can appreciate. I thought Spellbound did this pretty well. So it can go both ways, I guess, is what I'm saying!
And I love reading and commenting on all of your posts, regardless of whether or not they are reviews. I particularly love your reviews because I feel often time we think similar things about what we read. Even when that's not the case I like reading them because it's always interesting in seeing something from another perspective.
I hope that all came out right?
Enbrethiliel, Yay, I know, these posts are much more fun. I just thought the review post topic was interesting.
ReplyDeleteBoy mom, Ha ha ha! That's sarcasm, in case you missed it. ;)
Kaye, I'm with you, I love when a romance is drawn out just enough to really see it come together. Sean Griswold's Head did an excellent job of this, I thought. Thanks, I can always count on you to comment. ;)
I am not too high on all the love at first sight stuff either, and not just with YA books. The one thing I can say about YA books is that they tend to be books that are not very lengthy so maybe the author needs to pack it in quickly. Still, pretty lame. I like the drawn out discovery and relationship building type of romance. Still, sometimes a love at first sight story does indeed grab me.
ReplyDeleteComments on reviews; well, my reviews do not receive that many comments either. I currently have one posted with no comments... (tears rolling down my cheeks..just being dramatic.ha)
Don't know, I don't think much on it, but when I do, I chalk it up to the fact that I don analyze my books at all; I can't, it is not in me. I try to comment on other people's book reviews, but usually when I do it is because I am pretty pysched about said book, or there is something I connect to. Maybe I should I start also simply comment something like; "great review, it's now on my list". That seems sort of lame though, doesn't it?
ibeeeg, I thought of that. YA books are a little too short to do the whole drawn out romance.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jenny. To answer your first question, it doesn't bother me too much, though it would be nice to see something a little different every once in a while. Part of what I liked about Kelley Armstrong's Darkest Powers trilogy is that the relationship developed. It didn't just strike like lightning.
ReplyDeleteAs for the second question, I've noticed it, too. It took quite a while for me to start seeing regular commenting on my reviews. I am nearing 250 followers and it just recently happened for me. I feel like a bad blogger. I've gotten side-tracked recently and haven't been commenting as much as I would like to. Tonight is the first night in a while I've really gotten to sit down and do some honest-to-goodness commenting.
Great questions. :)
Marla, I'll have to check out this series. I could use a normal relationship development book.
ReplyDelete