Hello, lovelies!
I’m back this Friday participating in another Let’s Talk Bookish post, as always hosted by the amazing Rukky @ Eternity Books and awesome Dani @ The Literary Lion! For this week, our topic is:
BookTube: Why or Why Not?
I am pretty excited to blog hop to read about this topic in particular, because I feel like I’m going to be pretty bland in comparison, because I’m one of those (seemingly rarer and rarer) bloggers who only has a book blog and doesn’t run a BookTube at all. I also don’t watch BookTube either, which makes me sound like I’m anti the platform, but I’m actually not!
Why Not?
I don’t BookTube for a few reasons.
- I really love my blog and this is such a natural thing for me.
- I really struggle with liking anything about my appearance, so the idea of creating a channel where that would be on display all of the time is not appealing in the least (which is intriguing, as I *would* be interested in doing video game streaming at some point *shrugs*).
- I don’t have the video editing skills or equipment.
- I don’t have the time.
It’s not something I’ve ever really seriously considered starting, all of the above reasons. I love my blog (although I do wish book bloggers were more appreciated, especially as it seems like other platforms, like Bookstagram and BookTube, seem to get a little more love in the industry…) and I love the way this platform works for me. The lack of time, equipment and talent is a really big one, too. While I don’t doubt I could learn those skills, I am already pretty overwhelmed with everything I’ve committed to, to begin with. I don’t need another hobby.
Why Book Blogging on a Blog?
For me, a blog is perfect. I’m a writer who is wordy, so having a blog and writing my thoughts out in longform through a blog just feels more natural than talking them out and recording myself (or even doing shorter snippets through Bookstagram). Plus, since this blog is more of a hodgepodge website, serving as an online journal of sorts, it allows me to express myself in ways I otherwise couldn’t.
Why Don’t You Watch It?
Again, it’s a time thing. I wish I had time to do all the things I wanted to and was interested in–and I have no doubt that I’d find channels that I would love! But, between working two jobs, being in grad school, trying to stay consistent on my own writing, book blogging, reading, owning a pet, having a partner; it’s just….a lot. So, even though there are so many ways for book bloggers to branch out and express themselves in different forms, it’s the traditional book blog for me!
What about you? Do you have a BookTube and a book blog; one or the other; neither? What do you think about the platform? Let me know in the comments below!
Cheers.
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I neither do nor watch BookTube for the very same reasons. I also have no patience for watching videos. Even watching TV is a stretch for me, so watching BookTube is completely out. I do have other social media for my blog, but my blog is my home. There are far too many words I like to use to express my thoughts, so it’s really the only logical place to do anything!
Yeah, same! I used to love watching TV, but I don’t have time for that either. Plus, I *LOVE* blog hopping and reading long-form thoughts on blogs!
Blog hopping is so much fun! Especially since it only means even more reading for booklovers!
Yes!! I’m so bummed because I haven’t had time to blog hop in the last few weeks and I miss it!
I hate the sound of my own voice, and I hate how I look in pictures so there is NO way I’m going to BookTube or even do podcasts of my reviews.
Preach, my friend.
I love this post! I agree that it’s really up to personal preference, and I hope that publishers take that into account 😓 I thought about making a booktube, too, but I’m very self-conscious of my looks and constantly being on cam won’t help my mental health at all.
Thank you so much, Eleennae!! I really wish publishers *would* take that into account, especially when you look at how book blogging is the FOUNDATION for all other types of bookish content! And I agree. I struggle with my mental health enough as it is; I don’t need to add more to it!
Great post! Like you, I don’t do BookTube, and I’m not interested in it. Just not enough time, and I have zero on-camera skills or interest in learning. Plus, I just don’t watch videos much, so there’d be no reason to pursue it. I’m happy with my nice little book blog!
Thank you so much, Lisa!! And I’m so glad you have your book blog! <3
I also don’t really participate in the BookTube community, mostly due to time. I’ve never really wanted to run my own (don’t have the time/patience to learn that skill set right now), but I always feel a bit bad that I’m missing out on some amazing people because I don’t watch BookTube. But I read so much faster than I watch, it’s much easier for me to consume content that way!
Dude, time is just such a major factor. Like, would I give all the different platforms a shot if blogging was, like, a full-time job? Absolutely, I think it’d be rad. But who has the time for that!?
I am happy with just my blog as well, and I don’t watch booktube, either. I agree with all the points you’ve made here. I much prefer to read about books than watch/listen about them.
Thanks, Jenna! It’s honestly really refreshing to see how many people connected with this post, as sometimes, it feels like blogging is a dying form. I’m glad to see that’s very much not the case!
I’ve had my blog for almost 14 years now and while I do have a Bookstagram now and have fun with it, I don’t see myself giving up my blog anytime in the future. I love the variety of posts you can share and I think blogging will be around for a long, long time. I don’t have a Booktube and I don’t watch them either. I can read a blog post a lot faster than I can watch a video, so it’s definitely a time thing for the most part. Plus, I just love reading blogs! 🙂
-lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
I really hope blogging will be around for a long time!! I’m like you, I just loving reading them too much to see them disappear in favor of other platforms!
I’ve been book blogging for over ten years but had gotten away from regular participation the last couple of years. When I “came back” at the beginning of this year I realized that Booktube and Bookstagram were things. Honestly neither appeals to me. I watched one video one time and my thought was “If she put that in a blog post I could skim it in 10 seconds, rather than the five minutes of the video I watched before turning it off”. The pictures on Bookstagram are pretty, but if I want to know about the book I have to look elsewhere.
Those are fair points! I think all platforms have their positives and weaknesses, of course, but I am very thankful for the long form blogs!
I’m pretty much exactly the same. I have every once in a while considered branching out into Booktube, but I just don’t know that I have the skills or equipment necessary to do it well, and what’s the point if I’m not going to do it well? I also don’t watch it because of time. I can read a blog post in just a couple of minutes. I don’t have time to sit and watch a whole video!
Yep, I connect with this 100%!!
I honestly feel the exact same way, so BookTube really isn’t for me. Sometimes I do imagine what it’d be like, but like you said, it’s just so much nicer to ramble and write long posts. I don’t think I’d be able to say as much as I want if I had to talk out loud. And yes, it’s such a time intensive hobby compared to blogging (it’s not like you can record parts of the video in snippets like you would if you were writing a post and didn’t have enough time) and I’d probably give up on it very easily.
Wonderful discussion, Nicole ✨❤
Thank you so much, Rukky! Yep, I feel you on this. While I think it could be a really fun avenue, I am just so connected with blogging and it feels so right and natural and enjoyable that I’m okay with not branching out for now!
I also am just on the book blog and don’t even watch booktube! I prefer my bookish content to be written word as it is a medium based on the written word (fancy that); I watch a lot of youtube but none of it is booktube. The only reason I have EVER considered starting a channel was for monetization because book blogging gives zero dollars but lol this isn’t a reason to do a thing so I don’t.
Yep, that is totally fair. I have definitely considered that and why I would love to make some money from blogging (because it IS a lot of time and effort), making a channel to increase that chance just isn’t in the cards right now.
Yea exactly, I don’t have the time for another thing… especially for a thing I don’t really want to be doing.
I love this so much! You’re definitely not alone. I don’t have a booktube and I never watch it (well… never is a strong word. I did watch a couple videos, but I can count them on one hand). I just feel more comfortable with the written word, too and I’m too insecure about myself and my French accent to ever think about trying this out. It’s just a little frustrating to know, because of this, we’re often feeling irrelevant compared to people on other platforms. 🙁
Honestly, I have been surprised by the response! I thought everyone would be all over the BookTube train and I’d be alone in this, so I’m pleasantly surprised that so many people still seem to love book blogging! And yes, personal insecurity is a BIG reason I don’t do anything that’s not written (I’m so sorry you have insecurity about that, too). If it helps, though, I’d support ANYTHING that you did, because you’re amazing and I adore you.