Book Blogger Hop #6

Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme that was originally created and hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books in March 2010. As of February 2013, it’s hosted by Billy at Coffee Addicted Writer.

It seems I misunderstood the schedule again. I accidentally answered last week’s question. Oops.

Today’s Question(s) is …

What inspired you to start book blogging?

My Answer(s) is …

Even though this particular blog only goes back to December 2021, I’ve been blogging since 2007. My blog started as an everything blog. In 2009, I stumbled onto the book blogging community thanks to an author friend. I didn’t think I could be a book blogger, though, because I may read more than the average person but I don’t read as much as other book bloggers.

During my lurking phase, I learned that a lot of book bloggers at the time were from my home state–Utah. I befriended Natasha Maw, a popular book blogger back then, during that time. I found out she spearheaded a group bringing local book bloggers and authors together. She organized in person meet-and-greet events as well as Utah Book Month where bloggers focused on promoting Utah authors and their books.

I went to my first in person meet-and-greet in February 2010. There I met Suey (It’s All About Books), one of my BFFs, along with countless other bloggers and authors. Sadly, there are very few remaining Utah book bloggers from those days and Utah Book Month has gone the way of the dodo. Fortunately, I’m still friends with most of the people I met and my IRL book club always reads a book celebrating a Utah author in the month of August.

Thanks to the friendships I made, I started book blogging.

What about you? What inspired you to start book blogging?

About Jenni Elyse


Hi, I'm Jenni. I’m an eclectic reader. I mostly read fiction and I favor fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thrillers, and romance. The more kissing in a book the better!
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24 replies
  1. Kami
    Kami says:

    Sadly, I joined the blogging community towards the end of the golden years. I’ve still had fun though.

    Reply
    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      I’m glad you’ve still had fun. Even though I miss the other Utah bloggers, I like the overall community better now. It’s more relaxed and everyone’s so friendly!

      Reply
  2. Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys says:

    I started blogging 3 years ago, which is baby steps compared to most of the bloggers I follow. I started because I read quite a bit and thought it would be fun to share and talk about books. I find it’s more work than I expected, but also more rewarding. I feel like there’s actually less “book talk” shared in terms of back and forth conversations. There’s book info shared and some of that is super helpful, but not so much conversations.
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
    https://www.bookshelfjourneys.com/post/friday-memes-14

    Reply
    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      I’m glad you started blogging and that you find it more rewarding than you anticipated. I’ve noticed that a lot of the bloggers now started about 3 years ago. I wonder why so many people decided to blog at that time?

      Reply
  3. Wendy Williams
    Wendy Williams says:

    I love your story, Jenni! I got into book blogging as a means of something to do after retirement. And I’m loving it.

    Reply
  4. Margaret
    Margaret says:

    I’m not a book blogger although I do review my BC books on my sidebar. I started blogging in 2004 (I think?) as a way to let off steam and chronicle my life and times. I enjoy reading and writing as well as the interaction among other bloggers.

    Reply
    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      Blogging’s definitely very cathartic. I’m glad you found something that’s so helpful for you. 😀 The interaction with other bloggers is my favorite part when I’m actively blogging. Right now, it’s a little more difficult as I’m just trying to keep my blog afloat while I figure out my health crap.

      Reply
  5. Snapdragon
    Snapdragon says:

    I started blogging after seeing most book bloggers and booktubers review and talking about the same books. Now it not like that anymore.
    Recently my blog has evolve to reflect more of my interests that I don’t consider myself a book blogger anymore.

    Reply
    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      Thanks! I’m really lucky to have such an awesome bookish community. 😀 I had another blog blog as well about 10 years ago. It was a health blog about my weight loss journey. I bagged it, though, when my mental health started to decline. I’m glad you’re still blogging, even if it’s a different one. 😀

      Reply
  6. Meezan
    Meezan says:

    You answered last year’s book blogger question. I have almost made the same mistake a few times since all of the questions from 2022 are still listed. I like this question, though, so I’m glad you answered it. That’s great you have met fellow bloggers in person. I also started an “everything” blog in 2012, but I only shared it with some close friends. Last year, I decided I wanted to branch out and connect with other bloggers. Mine is not just focused on books, though. It’s a “cozy” theme, which includes cozy mysteries in books and movies, other cozy books and movies that are not mysteries, and my cats, which themselves are cozy mysteries. Lol. I also post cozy-ish puzzles on Saturdays. Mine was inspired by my best friend who passed away in 2010. The whole explanation of my current blog is under “Why cozies” on the right sidebar of my blog if you want to read it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      OH…. That’s why I had issues. LOL. I like the meme, but I think the setup’s a little confusing. I wish the setup was more like Jana’s TTT topics page. Oh well.

      I’m glad you decided to branch out and connect with other bloggers. 😀 I don’t think blogs need to be just book blogs. I know mostly book bloggers are the ones who participate in these memes, but I like reading bloggers’ more personal posts and learning about their other interests. 😀

      Reply
  7. Suey
    Suey says:

    Ah i love seeing these pictures. The Natasha days were great. It was sad when she decided to stop being a part of it all! I love seeing Catie in these pictures too! I was trying to remember when I first met her, and I bet it was this party too! That was a good one!

    Reply
    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      It brings back such awesome memories, doesn’t it? I also love seeing Catie in the pictures. I wish I was in contact with her more than I am. I’ve known her since my Twilight days when I was an active member on the Twilight Lexicon. I think, however, I didn’t meet her IRL until around the time you and I met … maybe, lol. 😀

      Reply
  8. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
    Deb Nance at Readerbuzz says:

    I started blogging because I had to take a class in the summer for advanced training credit, and I chose to learn about new technologies to use in the classroom. I never thought I’d continue writing on my blog for fifteen years!

    Reply
  9. Lindsey @ Lindsey Reads
    Lindsey @ Lindsey Reads says:

    Such a lovely story, I’m so glad to hear you got to meet a few bloggers and made some great friendships that also got you blogging. I hope I’ll someday be able to meet some fellow book bloggers too.

    Reply
    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      Agreed. Although, I like the blogger community more now because everyone’s more friendly and less competitive. While I made some awesome friends back then, like you, it was way more cutthroat and less reciprocal if you know what I mean. 😀

      Reply

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