Book Bloggers Have The Power Too

What are the qualifications necessary to engage in book blogging? Do you need to have a Bachelor's Degree in Literature? Or maybe a Master's Degree in some other course? Do you need some work experience for that?

Or maybe you need to take an oath or an affirmation that you will tell the truth and nothing but the truth if the book is good or not.

I never really understood why some professional reviewers think that non-professional (as opposed to unprofessional) reviewers harm literature. What kind of harm are they contemplating anyway? I can't think of any as I firmly believe blogging is a merely sharing your thoughts about a book. Like talking to your best friend, telling him or her about your favorite book, and asking them to buy a copy because the story is just so mind-blowing. It's an expression of opinion, which should never be curtailed. It's like writing in a journal, only you share that journal with the whole world.

Which reminds me... have you seen this Moleskine Book Journal? Hmmm. I think I want one.

But I digress.

Another point I want to make is this: education. Is it necessary for one to get a degree in literature for one to enjoy a book? Books are written for readers regardless of age, sex, color, religion, social status, educational attainment, sexual preference, and so on and so forth. And the last time I checked, book bloggers are readers too. In fact, bloggers buy the books they read and review with their hard-earned money. (Not all are lucky enough - or worthy enough - to get advance copies and review copies from publishers.) And through those sales, publishers and authors earn money. So, what is the issue here? I fail to see it.

With respect to the quality of reviews, I think an honest review has greater weight than a polished review. This is not to say that bloggers do not write polished reviews. And I'm not saying reviews from professionals are not honest. All I'm saying is that some people relate better with bloggers because bloggers share their thoughts as casual readers; it's very much similar to everyday friendships - looking for a friend who has the same likes and dislikes as you. And once you find a book blog that fits your taste, you check out the books recommended by that blogger hoping, wishing, and praying that the book he or she recommended will be as orgasmic for you as it was for him or her. I admit, blogging isn't centered on grammar, usage, style, and punctuation, and this is reflected in some reviews. But! It's more about passion for reading. It's about influencing other people to read. It's about celebrating books and authors and their talent. I actually consider it more of a "recommendation" than a "review." That recommendatory power is the power of a book blogger.

Granted, some bloggers behave badly, but these are a small part of the book blogger population. Most members of the book blogging community are responsible, courteous, decent, and educated. A tiny segment of the population should not represent the whole.

Another point I want to make is that bloggers have day jobs. They review books for fun. They don't get paid for it. Through blogging, they are merely expressing their love (or obsession) with books. They are just sharing their thoughts about the stories they read. It's a hobby, and any small benefit they get from it is merely incidental. For most, book blogging doesn't put food on the table. It's a form of stress release, a manner of getting high. They shouldn't be denied that because it's good clean fun.

With that, book blogging has its positive and negative consequences, like with all things in this world. Do they actually matter? Maybe they do. Maybe they don't. But it cannot be denied that the world is changing. It cannot be denied that the internet is changing the book reviewing world. And it cannot be denied that book bloggers have the power too.