Warp Drive Sunday: Sept 8 – Sept 14

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This week, some of my best blogging friends (like Asti and Nikki) are gone from the blogosphere, but they’ve got a load of awesome guest posts lined up to keep us all entertained! You can check them out in the “Notable Expeditions” section of this post. Also, this week was pretty hectic for me because everything you’ve heard about Asian parents are true: they do work their children half to death. So I pretty much spent my weekend doing homework. The joy.

What’s gone on this week, Captain?

Book Updates

Tumble & Fall The Unwanteds (Unwanteds, #1) Where the Stars Still Shine

Finished Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts
Currently reading The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
Up next Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Notable Expeditions

What about you?

I hope the increase of reviews (three a week!) didn’t put everyone off, especially since they seem to be the most unpopular on the blog! What do you think of reviews in general? Why do you think they don’t get as much traffic as other posts do? We are, after all, book blogs, right?

20 thoughts on “Warp Drive Sunday: Sept 8 – Sept 14”

  1. Thanks for including me this week! I heard about the me film as well and I seriously cannot wait. I’m hopsi bits going to be a success.

    Thanks for sharing! <33

  2. Thank you for the mention, Meg! I felt honored. \m/ And what?! A new Harry Potter film?! OMG! will I be able to sleep tonight with that in my head? Even without the finer details, I am now so excited. But I can’t stop myself from wondering on how will they create a story for that book, Meg? I haven’t read it yet but it’s some sort of an encyclopedia right? Who will be the characters? Will it be Luna Lovegood and her hubby, Rolf Scamander? Hmmn. Now, I am getting myself worked up.

    Regarding your question about reviews, I am not bothered with following blogs who post 3 reviews a week. Personally, I am posting 3-4 reviews on mine so I’m cool with that. I have to admit that one of my purposes for starting a book blog is to make an online book review database. So yeah, it’s expected that most of my posts will be about reviews.

    Honestly, I am not the right person to answer your question because in a way, I’m not bothered if people don’t read my reviews (of course, I love it when people read them and even leave a comment) because well, they have already served their purpose to me. Them becoming a part of my database. If I can get people to read them then that’s already a very wonderful bonus. Sorry, if I’m not making sense, Meg.

    Why do you think they don’t get as much traffic as other posts do? We have to consider a lot of factors with this one like book and author popularity, your blog’s popularity, how you wrote the review, etc. Personally, there are four things that would make me read and comment on a review:

    – I would read a review if it’s about a book that I’m interested
    – If it’s review of a book that I’ve read already
    – If the review is written by a blogger that I follow
    – If it’s a snarky negative review. I don’t care if I’m following the blogger who wrote it or if I am interested in the book. As long as it is snarky and negative, I am good to go. I love a good laugh. This is the reason why I stalk Cuddlebuggery because I love reading all their negative reviews (even if it’s about a book I haven’t heard of). Shame on me!

    And because the length of this comment is already competing with your post, I shall take my leave. *Bow*

    • No problem, Charlotte! Haha, I doubt it’ll be in production that soon, though, which is sad because the mere mention of a new HP film rekindles all sorts of wonderful feelings in me. 😀 I think I might have to re-read the books soon! Yeah, I’m kind of iffy that they’ll try to twist some story out of it, which would totally ruin the purpose. Or maybe they’d just tell the story of Newt Scamander’s adventures with these fantastic beasts? Ooh, if Luna’s in the film I’d be PUMPED.

      Well, the main reason why I started a book blog was to share my love for book and reading, which, I suppose, involves writing reviews, so I do get kind of disappointed when no one comments on them. But your opinion is still valid, don’t worry. 🙂 I agree with all your points. Since my blog isn’t THAT popular (I mean, look at Xpresso Reads or The Midnight Garden!), I suppose that’s why I don’t get as many comments. And yes, it’s the same with me. I’m more inclined to read a review and leave a comment if it’s about a book I’ve read, or if it’s something I want to read. Which is why reviews for indie books don’t usually catch my attention. Ha, who doesn’t love snark?

      Thanks for your input, Charlotte! I really appreciate it. ❤

  3. The Unwanteds is a book that I really need to get my hands on. I’ve heard some great things about it. And I’m super excited about the Harry Potter news! I really hope it isn’t a flop, but that seems unlikely with J.K. Rowling on board (and given the number of Potter fans in the world). I can’t wait to see how it all unravels. 🙂

    I actually find my reviews get the most views (or they have been recently, anyway), excluding posts with giveaways, but I’ve noticed that it depend on the title. For example, the popular and most-anticipated books tend to get almost three times as many views sometimes. I guess if the majority of blog readers haven’t heard of a book before, they are less likely to check out reviews of it.

    • Well, April Fools’ has already passed… right? RIGHT?! I just hope they don’t butcher the movie! Because Hollywood really doesn’t have a very good track record of producing good book-to-movie adaptions.

      That’s what I’ve noticed too. I also noticed that my negative reviews tend to get more views, hah! I guess that’s why indie reviews hardly get any comments (unless your blog is popular), huh? Thanks for your input, Sam!

  4. *sobs* Spent most of the weekend working on my assignments, WHY SCHOOL WHYYYY??

    I think reviews are awesome, however I don’t read reviews of books I plan to read soon or sequels. But if I’ve read the book before or are interested by it, I will definitely pop by and read the review. I think in general, not every book is going to interest everyone because they might not have read it, it’s a sequel etc.

    • I feel your pain! *sobs with you*

      Me, too. I tend to avoid sequel-reviews, because I really don’t want to be spoiled, but yeah, I’m the same as you. I guess that’s the problem with book reviews, huh? The more popular the book is, the more views your reviews will get (that kind of rhymed).

  5. I’ve been curious about The Unwanteds when it first came out (especially bc they were pitching it as Hunger Games meets Harry Potter — which sounds like a weird combo to me) so I’m even more curious to see how you like that one. I love your notable expeditions section. I had to go look at Ashley’s to see her analysis of popular blog posts 😉

    • That blurb was SO appealing. The book does kind of have some similarities to HP, but I haven’t spotted any THG ones yet… So far it’s a pretty decent read, though definitely not a favorite. Thanks, Becca! I hope that post helps you out. 🙂

  7. Thanks for featuring both my guest post for A Bookish Heart and the guest posts for my blog, Meg! I appreciate it. ❤

    Hmm, with reviews, I think it all depends on whether you've already read the book or not? Personally I avoid reviews for books I'm certain I want to read because I'm a huge spoilerphobe. Sometimes I skim the review and comment saying that I hadn't read the book in question yet but I was looking forward to it and I was glad the reviewer had a positive experience. But I always feel a bit torn about doing this, because it doesn't feel like a very meaningful comment.

    • Sure thing, Nikki! 🙂

      That seems to pretty much be the issue. Which makes it difficult, since most of the books I review are ARCs that aren’t out yet, so I guess that’s probably it. I feel your pain about leaving meaningful comments! I kind of speed-read through a review, so I’m still able to glean a little bit, but sometimes I worry that my comment doesn’t mean anything, too. SIGH.

  8. (I just found your blog today and I’m pretty sure I’m in love. I’m dying over the Star Trek references!)

    I’m new to book blogging, in general, but I’m in agreement with what most other people are saying in that they think the reason for the… strange unpopularity of reviews is probably that people are trying to avoid spoilers. That would be the reason for me, anyway.

    And also, uh, omg. The new Harry Potter movie(s). I seriously cannot contain my excitement.

  9. Woha some amazing things happened around the blog sphere so I need to check those that I haven’t. I’m still not sure how to feel about new HP movie. I’m happy but at the same time afraid. Great post 🙂

  10. Really great compile of posts, Meg! I wonder that about reviews sometimes too. Maybe because not everyone is interested in reading about particular books? Or they do plan to read the book soon so they don’t want to read the review and maybe taint their opinion on of the book? It seems to me that other types of posts — like discussion ones — anyone can participate in. Whereas with a book, you’re pretty much just saying how you felt about the book (if you read it) or how you’d like to / not like to read the book now? Not sure.

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