Thursday, July 26, 2007

Blogg-y Thoughts

I've been trying to figure out some blog-related issues lately, so I thought that I'd share!

**The comments thing. Up until now, I've been replying to people's comments on my posts on their own blogs. To me, it made more sense-if I replied on their blogs, they'd definitely see it. However, I've noticed lately that all the other bloggers reply on their own blogs. Plus, sometimes it's weird to have a complete non sequiter comment on someone's post. So, I've decided to start answering on my own blog.

**Blogroll. In the past week or so (since I've feeling ill, which leads to lots of sedentary computer time), I've been looking for more book blogs. I know that there're a lot of great blogs out there that I just haven't stumbled across yet. So, I'm thinking of starting up another blogroll game, a la Dewey, but with a twist: I'd ask participants to leave comments suggesting blogs *not* in my blogroll as well as visiting the ones that are. Of course, I'd have book prizes (though probably not as many as Dewey offered). What does everyone think?

**TBR organisation. How does everyone keep their lists organised? Yesterday, I decided to create an Excel template to let me keep track of books I've read, books I own, and books on the tbr list. I like it, but there's something that feels kind of cold about Excel. You know? Before that, I was using bookmooch to keep track of tbr (whenever a book sounded interesting, I'd add to my wishlist or save-for-later), but I'd get frustrated when the site was down. Plus, I can't sort it the way Excel lets me.

**Challenges. I'm almost done with all the challenges I chose for the summer, so now I'm gearing up towards fall. Anyone run across new challenges they think are awesome? If so, please share! Also, I'm toying with the idea of some kind of short story challenge, but if any one knows of one already existing, let me know!

**A non-bloggy point. My copy of The Virgin in the Garden has gone into hiding. I was only about 50 pages in, but it's still frustrating. Hate it when books run away!

**(edited to add) For some reason, I forgot to mention The Bookworms Carnival hosted by Dewey when it first came out. I enjoyed it a lot, so I don't know how I didn't link it! Anyway, superfastreader is hosting the next one, with a submission deadline of August 10th. I'm trying to figure out if any of the books I've read that 'take my mind off the heat.' Here in CO, I feel like I have the opposite problem (I'm used to San Antonio summers), and I've been immersing myself in hot, humid, glorious summer days and nights!

That about sums it up. I finished The Eustance Diamonds last night and am now in love with Trollope. Once I finish my rave review of Delta Wedding, this one is up next.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm always on the look out for more book blogs so I'd be willing to participate if you hosted a game.

And I've gone through a couple of iterations of a TBR list and finally settled on an Excel spreadsheet. I've been pretty happy with it. I like to be able to sort like you.

Petunia said...

I would love to find new book blogs. I missed Dewey's blogroll game. Count me in.

I keep my list of books read on my blog. I keep a list of TBRs on Microsoft Word. I have not yet catalogged the books I own but I'd probably use Word since I'm familiar with it.

Do you know about the Book Awards Challenge? Read 12 award winning books from July '07 to June '08.
http://bookawardschallenge.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I missed out on Dewey's blogroll game so I'd love to participate in a new one.
As far as organization, I used to keep a TBR list in an excel file but have sort of given that up. I still have the file just haven't updated it in a while. Since I started using Bookpedia I'm trying to stick with it for recording all of my books and keeping tracks of books I want. That way I can upload the file to my iPod and have it with me when I go book shopping and hopefully not buy the same book twice (has happened!). Good luck with that!

Kelly said...

I sometimes comment on both mine and theres. I keep my TBR organized on Library Thing and Chain reading.

Gentle Reader said...

I have no idea how best to organize my TBR list, mostly it's just in my head, which is like a sieve lately...

And on another note...

Tag! You're it--I'm tagging you for the Blogging Tips Meme, so check it out on my blog. No worries if you can't play :)

Eva said...

Matt, I enjoy being able to sort w/ Excel, but I wish I knew enough about the program to make a fancy one like the 1001 books to read!

Petunia, I missed Dewey's game as well, which is partly why I'm thinking of hosting one. I'm definitely going to-just trying to figure out the best dates for it right now. I'll check out the awards challenge-sounds interesting! (until now, I haven't been letting myself look at challenges, in fear I'd join more)

Iliana, bookpedia looks really cool. If I ever get an Ipod, it seems like it'd be super convenient!

My Utopia, I'd never heard of Chain Reading before, so I googled it, and it looks interesting. Can you sort the books as well?

Gentle Reader, there's no way I could keep my tbr list in my head! I'll go check out the blogging tips meme. :)

Anonymous said...

I just discovered your blog and I'm really enjoying it!

As far as organizing a TBR list goes, what about Library Thing (www.librarything.com)? You can tag books with "TBR" or "read" once you enter them. Although, it's also very addictive and I found myself playing on it rather than getting work done....

Eva said...

Sarah, I'm glad you're enjoying my blog! I'll pop on over to yours and cbeck it out. Always fun to find new blogs. :) I've been over to Library Thing, and I appreciate some of its features, but I don't like it aesthetically, lol. Plus, my internet is unreliable, so I need something I can access regardless! I think my favourite thing about Library Thing is the groups-those are a great way to waste time. :D