A typical day in the life of a #BookBlogger (in this instance ME!)

I have found myself a little shocked recently at how much book bloggers are seen as people who gain in some way from what they do. So I thought I’d do something a little different today with this post and try to explain what I do as a blogger and how it is for me personally, Mrs Typical Book Blogger.

BUT YOU ONLY DO IT FOR THE FREE BOOKS, DON’T YOU?!?

Eh……NO!! And I probably don’t get as many books as you think. I’m a member of netgalley and get the majority of my review books from there. I’m not autoapproved by lots of publishers on there either-only two major ones Bookouture and Penguin Michael Joseph. And I only got the MJ one due to an email asking them what I could do to my profile to improve my chances of approval as they always declined my requests. And I am NEVER approved by Orion either but I take it on the chin, buy the book I want and move on.

I rarely get book post-I now have two publishers who send me books on a regular basis and one of those was probably because she got fed up of other bloggers asking why I wasn’t on a particular blog tour! I don’t ask for books unless they are offered in a general tweet. I have never again approached a publisher to ask for a book after a rather awkward incident where an author contacted me saying they wanted me to read their new book and could I ask the publicist for a copy. I did-she was very rude and so I just bought the book myself. That also leads me to say (after a rather nasty comment on one of my posts) I DON’T have a copy of the new Paula Hawkins and I won’t ask for one either! I have preordered it just like other fans!!!

I don’t get invited to lots of events!! I went to my first book launch this month for Everything But The Truth by Gillian McAllister and I went to a publishers lunch at Harrogate last year but that’s it! Any meet ups I go to are usually organised by TBC where I can meet other like minded people (it’s fabulous to have authors, bloggers, reviewers and readers all mixed up together having fun!) or a couple of times a year I go to the Author/Blogger Shenanigans organised by the lovely Kim Nash.

I only blog about books I have actually read and enjoyed. I choose my books well so I’m rarely disappointed. I will also only be part of a blog tour if I have read and enjoyed the book.

I am contacted by authors to review their books but if it’s not my thing then I say NO!! There is no point in me reviewing an manga zombie apocalyptic rom com because I am not going to enjoy or recommend it! *cue authors of manga zombie apocalyptic rom coms sending books my way saying I shouldn’t knock it till I’ve tried it* but it’s not my thing and it’s not what readers of my blog expect. 

So there you have it! I’m just a reviewer of books who happens to also review on a blog. 

WHAT DO YOU DO ALL DAY-SURELY YOU JUST SPEND HALF AN HOUR WRITING A REVIEW?

I live in a madhouse and have done for years as unfortunately it’s my home! My eldest daughter and her daughter live with me and my Grumpy Scotsman and have done for last two years since her relationship broke down. My other daughter moved back in with her partner and son at Christmas as their new house which was supposed to be ready by then wasn’t (and they still have no set moving out date!!) I work in a school for 2 hours a day and I also have an eBay business. I look after all of my four grandchildren while their mum’s work. I’m not saying I’m busier than anyone else just that I fit my blog into my busy life.

0600-0700

I wake up and I’m straight away on my phone sharing posts from WordPress and emails onto Twitter. I then share my blog post for the day into various Facebook groups and catch up on what’s happened in the world of books and blogs while I’ve slept. 

O700-0900

Up to get showered, dressed and give  the little ones their breakfast before taking them to nursery or school.

0900-1130

Home to a quiet house apart from the two mornings when I have the baby! I have a coffee, make myself some toast and marmite and settle down at my desk (the dining table-after cleaning up Weetabix spills!!) Now I turn my attention to Twitter to thank all those who have shared that days post already and share anything on there that’s interesting in the book world. I check my emails and update my diary then share that days blog post onto Amazon and Goodreads and also check what books have been published that day. I will then share any reviews I have written of those books on Twitter, Amazon etc and tag publishers and authors. 

1130-1330

Work!!

1330-1500

Home from work and have my lunch. Usually homemade soup (I make THE best soup!!) If there has been book post I jump up and down like an excited 3 year old. Then I will make sure I photograph the book and share on Twitter and Instagram. THIS IS NOT ME SHOWING OFF!!!! This is me thanking whoever has sent it and acknowledging it has arrived. Then I check my emails again to download any blog tour packs and add them to posts I have prepped ready. You’ll notice that I’m now at 3 in the afternoon and have yet to pick up a book to read or write a review!!!

1500-1800

Kids back to Nanas house and it’s a flurry of homework and jacket potatoes for tea with a quick coffee for me as I’m flagging by now. How grandparents older than me manage I do not know!!

1800-2000

So kids have all gone home or to bed and I depart to the kitchen to cook some food, drink some gin and nibble a few Twiglets (I’m obsessed!!) then…..relax!!! 

2000-2200

Reading time!!! I will read a paperback book downstairs now usually accompanied by a coffee and some chocolate (Twirls are a favourite if anyone wants to get on my good side!!!) I will also spend time writing a review if there is one due as well. This involves doing buy links, posting pics of the book and the blurb which sometimes takes more time than writing the actual review!!

2200-??????

I don’t sleep (I have tried everything even a new mattress. It was very expensive but no one told me a memory foam mattress plus a menopausal woman was NOT a match made in heaven but in the fiery bowels of HELL!!!) so  I will read on my Kindle till I fall asleep. Some nights I can read a whole book before this happens!! I also do a final check on the blog post  scheduled for the morning to double check spellings and tags etc. Or spoilers heaven forbid! I used to write reviews in bed after finishing a book but realised when I checked them in the morning that they are the biggest load of gibberish you’ve ever read. My review of one crime thriller actually had a sentence that said “and then the Christmas trees are coming.” Nope, no idea where that came from!!!

And the next day I get up and do it all over again as I blog most days. I try to fit in my eBay stuff on Saturday and most of my Sunday is spent writing reviews-sometimes as many as four which can take me most of the day. 

SO WHY DO I DO IT??!!!

Yes it is more work than I ever realised but I LOVE IT! I love the people I have met through my blog and the authors I have had contact with as well. But my main reason for doing this is THE BOOKS!!! Books have always been in my life. They pretty much ARE my life! They have been there for me in my darkest times when nothing and no one else has. I have no hidden agenda apart from spreading the book love!!!! And my blog is just my own little home away from home where I can relax, be me and tell people about the most amazing book I have just read. 

Published by

jorobertson2015

I am a Norfolk girl living in leafy Cheshire with my grumpy Scotsman. A mum and nana who lives for my family but who is also addicted to reading (and Marmite!) I will read almost anything but my preferred genres to review are psychological thrillers, crime procedural novels or women's fiction. My kindle is my life but I also have a substantial bookshelf in my cosy reading room where I can go to escape the stresses of family life with plenty of tea and chocolate. I am a member of netgalley and bookbridg. I review on Amazon, where I'm a Top 500 reviewer, and Goodreads. You can always find me over on Twitter @jocatrobertson for any review requests.

93 thoughts on “A typical day in the life of a #BookBlogger (in this instance ME!)”

  2. Great post Jo! I love twiglets and twirls too!!

    You have a fab blog and I love your reviews. Given its something you do for fun, you work blooming hard!! xx

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I find it depressing when the role of book bloggers is diminished by people who don’t really understand what’s involved. However, I think the positive messages by bloggers such as you will ultimately drown out the negative comments. And whatever happens we’ll carry on reading anyway.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Absolutely! I just think there is a lack of understanding as to why we do what we do. We are just normal reviewers who happen to have a blog as an outlet for those reviews! X

      Like

  6. I love this post, Jo. I have a toddler and a part-time job so I don’t get much time for reading during the day either, although thankfully I’m not up all night reading. That must be awful for you. I had to laugh at your mattress comment. Ours isn’t memory foam but has something on the top layer that practically boils me alive in bed so I do sympathise.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know we all work so hard doing what we do don’t we. And sometimes our real lives great in the way so we also shouldn’t feel guilty about that!!
      I would get a new one if I could but the grumpy Scotsman loves it!! X

      Like

  10. Fantastic post! You couldn’t have conveyed the work it takes but also the love and passion it requires to fit blogging and reading into a busy life better!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Donna! I am always ready for my annual holiday I must say! 😂😂 we all work so hard and I’m trying to say that it’s nothing to do with free books which is what most people seem to think! X

      Liked by 1 person

  11. So true Joanne! You’re day sounds hectic and I don’t think anyone realises how much organisation goes into blogging – I work full-time in a job where I can’t predict how busy a day is going to be so prepare the majority of my posts at the weekend purely so I can fit some reading in every day and just can’t engage on social media during the working day apart from the odd quieter day when I might manage to read a couple of posts and tweet – but I love it, like you books have been my constant companion through rough times and they are my ‘me time’ so there is nothing better than engaging with other like-minded people.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I knew you would all understand I just wish others did too. Our love of books help us through so much. And I have to say I loved your cameo in A Dangerous Crossing. What an amazing book to have your name immortalised in! X

      Liked by 1 person

  12. A great post Joanne and hopefully an insight into how much time blogging takes for those who don’t realise. I don’t know how you find time to breathe! 🙂 x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It will calm down one day! We just have a big, busy and noisy family. I actually had another job delivering parcels as a courier every weekend but had to give that up last year when I had a bit of a health scare. Just hoped to show as you say how much time goes into doing what we do. X

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Love this Joanne! Good for you putting the record straight. We have had a bit of blogger bashing of late.
    I don’t write reviews or post them at night any more either. Reading them the next morning is so embarrassing, especially when the other lovely bloggers have shared one of my posts with errors, bad grammar and gibberish. 😳

    Caryl x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes it happened to me too so now I’m paranoid about checking! My spellcheck spells things wrong too. I once had a review post and spellcheck had changed the authors name and I was out all day and couldn’t change it for 8 hours. I was mortified! 😳 xx

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Great post Jo. A lot of people just don’t get that it’s about the books (and I don’t mean all the free ones that DON’T drop through my letter box). I think books are my equivalent of a security blanket and blogging probably legitimises my obsession! It’s also a great way of ‘meeting’ like minded people. Though as I don’t attend publishers events and meet ups most of my friends are virtual – your the only blogger I actually know. I guess people will always choose to believe what they want to, as least we know the reality.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes I know that people will choose to believe what they want. Such a shame really but no one knows how dedicated we all are until they actually start a blog themselves unfortunately.
      And I’m so pleased to say that when I meet bloggers in real life they are just as lovely as they are in this virtual world. Book people
      are fabulous people! Xx

      Liked by 2 people

  18. Jo, you are amazing and make me feel like a sloth! I live in Canada so have no knowledge of these twiglets and twirls of which you speak. 😢 If I ever get to England I’ll be sure to check them out. Love this post.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Love, love, love this post!!! You are an amazing and wonderful person, Joanne!!! Spread and share the love for books, reading, and everything bookish! thank yo ufor sharing this awesome insight into your life xx

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Thank you, Joanne for such a stormingly good post about the world of book blogger, though I am certainly not as involved as you are, much of what you say does chime. Though the daughter and grandchildren moved out several years ago and they are now at school so I end up having them on occasional week-ends and during the holidays. Yes, the negative comments surrounding the world of book bloggers have depressed me, too. Though I think they are also generated by the realisation that the power has shifted from those occasional reviews in the papers to bloggers, so there is a sense of grievance. As a writer, I have also been told that I have no business writing reviews – but I refuse to back down. I happen to also be a passionate reader and am never anything but respectful – and as someone who spends a fair amount of time crafting my own books, I have things to say about how I see it done by others. And – like you – other than a handful of arcs and a sense of helping to spread the word about a cracking read I think others will also enjoy! Have another busy week. I, too, love Twiglets!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s frustrating isn’t it Sarah? I don’t normally do posts like this but just felt it needed saying. Nice to see so many others love Twiglets-my family hate them but all the more for me! 😂😂

      Like

  22. I blame all the non-book blog posts that say things like “I made a million dollars on my blog before breakfast and you can too”. People think bloggers are only in it for money. Me, I like the free books (who wouldn’t) but I like finding out about books and book nerds like myself even more. If I never got a free book again I would still do it.

    Liked by 2 people

  23. Goodness gracious, I knew you were a busy woman, but I had no idea just how busy until I read this! Sounds like a pretty full house too, which would make it a real challenge for me to concentrate on writing even a paragraph, let alone a review almost every day, like you do.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s a bit mad! We had the house to ourselves for a week in January and it was heaven. No tv on just sitting reading together and walking the dog (didn’t even mention the dog walking in this post!) and lots of pub lunches. And no washing!!!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I wish!!! But as some of us have said if we never had another netgalley book or arc then we’d still be doing this! We all live such busy lives but still find time out of our days to share the #booklove with others xx

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Reblogged this on Site Title and commented:
    A wonderful article for a newbie #bookblogger like me! “Books have always been in my life. They pretty much ARE my life! ” Well said!

    Liked by 1 person

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  34. Wow this is a great post.. I kind of had another idea too I’m almost ashamed to admit (in general I mean of some bloggers, not you specifically). I thought you’d be auto-approved by all (I never got an approval from Michael Joseph either by the way.. so what exactly do they want?), that you’d get loads of bookmail too and I admit I’m always a bit jealous if I hear bloggers don’t have to work as much as I do (poor me) and I think sometimes they have much more time for reading. I’m very sorry now for thinking this way, thank you for setting the record straight!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t think it’s talked about enough and sometimes we are competing with each other thinking everyone else is getting all these books or being asked onto blog tours etc. But we all need a big cheer for doing what we can when we can in our busy lives 😊😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I for one really, really, really appreciate all your hard work, but you know that, right? Love you Glamorous Granny to the moon and back. 😘😘❤❤❤

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t work any harder than anyone else but just trying to raise awareness of what bloggers do and how we fit it all in lol. It’s a passion for us and we do it because we love you Author’s and your wonderful books xx

      Like

    1. Thank you so much! Feel a bit embarrassed at the attention it’s got as I’m quite a private person normally but felt I had to try and put the record straight about why bloggers do what they do! 😊

      Like

  40. You are so much more successful book blogger wise than me it makes me sad…. but I guess I can’t complain because I’ve only been going for 1 year so I should just keep working. Totally agree with what you said about not getting a lot out of it monetary wise, but the friends and relationships and fun of book blogging (plus occasional free books) 100% make it worth it!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I have only been going do a year just work very hard at it. I would do it even if I never got another free book cos I just love reading and raving about books! And love the blogging community loads 😊

      Liked by 2 people

  41. A wonderful post! The majority of us blog for the same reason, because we love books. It takes hours of our time but it’s worth it. I think your reviews are absolutely amazing, Joanne. You are so busy yet you fit so much in. A true book lover. x

    Liked by 1 person

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  44. I think anyone who doesn’t read and review has no idea how much time it really takes! I review books for my blog but also for a newspaper. Writing a review for the paper can take well over an hour – usually closer to 2. Plus the 8 hrs or so it takes me to read the average novel! Blogging, and my You Tube channel are major time black holes. The average 8 minute video takes about 4 hours between shooting, editing and posting. The social media time varies but it’s usually a couple of hours a day. You have to keep up with everyone LOL. Whew! No wonder we are so tired!!

    Liked by 1 person

  45. Great post!! I feel exhausted just reading it all. Two things that have helped my sleep is a bamboo pillow and I play a station on TuneIn called Ambient Sleeping Pill, it’s brilliant and I fall asleep in record time with that playing so definitely give it a try if you can!

    Liked by 1 person

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