BBAW Day 4: Reading and Blogging

Because I'm not feeling particularly creative today, I'm not going to be very original in the way I field the questions regarding today's BBAW topic. I hope you will forgive me. *sheepish grin*

Has book blogging changed the way you read?

Yes, definitely. Before, I would just walk to my shelves and pick a book...or, because I own so many books, I had slips of paper with the letters of the alphabet and I would pick one. Whichever letter I picked would be the initial of an author and I would pick a book accordingly. Ahhh, the good ole days! Now, I'm not being negative here because I love reviewing books and discovering new-to-me authors, but sometimes I sigh wistfully when I think about those more simple times.

Have you discovered books you never would have apart from book blogging?

Yes. I have discovered self-published books and Indie books. Some (most) of them have been absolutely wonderful. I've also discovered new genres like steampunk and dystopian (not saying that I had never read a dystopian book in the past, but back then I didn't know what to call them). I have also had my obsession love for historical fiction enhanced by learning about the many excellent and diverse historical authors out there.

How has book blogging affected your book acquisition habits?

This hasn't changed too much. I'm still a huge fan of library sales and I have to admit that, due to my tight budget most of the time, I usually acquire most of my books via these sales or from Goodwill. One thing that has happened though is that I win a lot of giveaways...for books and gift cards. So, I've actually acquired tons of books that I otherwise would not have if not for blogging. I'd like to take this opportunity to once again thank all the blogs/authors I have won books from in the past two years. =O)

Have you made new connections with other readers because of book blogging? 

I have made so many connections with other readers in the past two years. I know in the real world there is no way I would have ever met so many like-minded and diverse people. So many fellow readers/bloggers have opened my eyes to new and exciting genres and books and I am truly grateful for it. I really can't see my life ever being without the book blogging community and all of the lovers of reading I have met and interacted with not only within book blogging, but also via social media. I think we should all move to a private island and establish our own utopian society! Who's with me?!