Sunday, September 13, 2009

Sunday Salon 17 - Silent Visitors Unveil Yourself!

I'm trying to get back into the blogging swing of things--right in time for BBAW--even though I'll be leaving on Friday for Europe. If you follow me on Twitter, you probably already know about the trip, but on Friday we fly into Frankfurt and will travel around Switzerland, Austria, and Czech Republic before heading back to Germany. Crazy, I know. My husband is actually staying in Europe for another month after I leave, so things at home should be pretty quiet--lots of time to read and blog.

This week's Sunday Salon topic: Silent Visitors (aka Lurkers)!!

i ar hiding u kant c mee


It's been a long time since I've been much of a lurker in the book blogosphere, but I've started browsing around quilting and cooking blogs and those lurker feelings have come back a little bit. When I first started blogging, I don't think there was a time when I didn't feel comfortable leaving comments at all, but there were certain blogs that intimidated me for some reason or another and I always felt a little timid about leaving a comment. Maybe a feeling that what I had to say wasn't relevant or that my comment was dumb or that I was infringing on a private conversation. Now I mostly don't give two thoughts to commenting on book blogs.

Sunday's Questions:
Have you ever gone through a period of lurking? Do you still find yourself lurking around certain blogs? What makes you feel comfortable interacting on one blog and maybe not another? Are there some blogs that you love reading but just don't have anything to comment on?

I'd like to think that everyone is comfortable leaving a comment here, but as my subscription numbers go up I realize that the number of regular visitors is greatly unproportionate to the actual number of subscribers.

With BBAW rapidly approaching, I'd like to reach out to some of those readers who silently come by. Say hello today--and I'll even give you a question to answer:

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream? Don't like ice cream--fine, we'll go back to the book question. What's the most memorable book you've read? Of course if you're a regular Chatty Cathy here, let me know your answers too. :P

Hope everyone's having a great weekend! We're raining here in Dallas. Boo!



Oh, and my favorite flavor of ice cream is usually Chocolate Cookie Dough. Right now I'm on a Banana Split kick, though (chunks of banana, chocolate, caramel, nuts, cherry, and other yummy goodness). And my most memorable book. Duh--Wuthering Heights!

51 comments:

Ana S. said...

I'm not exactly a lurker, but hi anyway :P Having said that, there are still plenty of blogs where I only lurk. I realize that this makes me sound pretty pathetic, but there's a group of them that I feel are just too smart for me *hides* I love reading them, I'm always learning from them, but I feel like I'm not intelligent or knowledgeable enough to add anything to the discussions.

...which isn't to say that I don't think the blogs I DO comment on regularly are smart too, of course. To be honest, I can't quite pinpoint what makes some bloggers seem intimidating to me but not others.

I hope you have a wonderful trip, Trish! All of those countries sound beautiful and I've always wanted to visit them.

Amanda said...

I think we can all be intimidated by people we don't know. I mean - I was intimidated by Debi when I first came to her blog, and really I don't think now I could think of anyone less frightening.

Ice cream: real chocolate gelato from Italy. it's been way too long since I had that.

And you probably already know the most memorable book - Possession.

Have a great time in Europe. That's so wonderful!!

Seshat said...

Hello! I'm trying to come out of the Lurker Phase, but I'm new to blogging and new to reading blogs. There are just so many! It is rather intimidating, but I'm trying to speak up...

I love any coffee flavored ice cream or variation thereof -- cappuccino, mocha, etc. :-)

Megan said...

I guess I'm more or less a lurker. It's not really because I'm so shy or intimidated. It's more that I just don't have a lot of time, and I can choose to read a few posts and leave decent comments on them (and maybe even shuffle out a post on *my own* blog) or I can, um, not, and actually have a prayer of keeping up with my Google Reader for, like, a day.

I don't mind it when people comment on my posts several days after the fact, but, for some reason, I feel kind of goofy commenting on slightly older posts when I'm trying to catch up on my blog reading (because, like it or not, I just don't have that much time during the week for such pursuits). It feels like, to me, laughing too long after the joke has been told, ifyaknowwhatimean, so a lot of times comments on posts that I would comment on go by the wayside that way, too.

Anywho - I love chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, myself, and found the book A Tree Grows in Brooklyn to be rather memorable. =)

Anonymous said...

I guess I'm kind of a lurker here (and other places), but not because I'm intimidated, or anything. It's often a time thing, like Meghan said.

Um, I don't really have a favorite flavor of ice cream, although I do love ice cream. Actually, choosing favorites in anything is really difficult — perhaps at least in part because I like variety.

Meghan said...

I don't think I'm a lurker here, but I lurk on a ton of blogs. It usually takes me a couple of posts that I feel comfortable commenting on to warm up to a blogger new to me. And some just continue to scare me. I don't know why, I'm just shy I suppose.

Your trip sounds wonderful! I hope you have an amazing time.

claire said...

Like Nymeth, I'm very much a lurker with a certain group of literary bloggers. They're the ones I discovered before I started blogging because the books I like to read are the books they read. However, I don't feel like I can ever add to their very intellectual conversations, but I so love reading them! I'm more comfy commenting on blogs that are friendly and involved in the book-blogging world because they are, not less intelligent, rather, more friendly and warm and accomodating to even those who just comment "I loved this book!" :D

Richard said...

Trish, I wish the National Geographic Channel (or you) would do some sort of special on lurkers because these creatures just fascinate me! I'm sure many lurkers are people who check out blogs from time to time just to take a look at a post without being all that interested in what they find OR people who are really interested in something they find on a blog but are too busy to leave a comment. Very understandable. However, I know from my own blog that I have fairly regular visitors from all over the globe who NEVER comment or introduce themselves despite accessing my blog directly from bookmarks or other "favorites" type links (I have a gadget that explains this). I often wonder about these silent visitors, to the point that in the old days I think I once joked about a couple of posts in a row that had earned what I called "the lurker standing ovation": no comments whatsoever! Sorry for the rambling comment, but you have touched a blogosophical nerve...and, ahem...like a lurker, I don't think I have commented much on your blog lately. My bad. P.S. I'm of the "all ice cream is good" school, but I go particularly nuts over Ben & Jerry's Brownie Batter and Cookie Dough flavors. P.P.S. Hope you have a great time in Europe!

Anonymous said...

Hi! Thanks for the nice way you coaxed us lurkers out:) Sometimes bloggers can be really direct about it, and then we can just feel a little silly about being shy but still enjoying a great blog! I lurk mostly because I love books and like getting great suggestions from others, but I simply don't have the resources or time to have a blog of my own. (I'm an American living in Europe, and my local library doesn't have enough books in English to keep me going! Plus, there are no English-language bookstore around.) I feel like if I comment all the time but don't have any place for bloggers to reciprocate, then I'm not really keeping up my side of the "relationship", and it seems to me that the community aspect is one of the best parts! Maybe one day it'll happen for me... Anyway, thanks for a great blog and have fun in Europe!

My favorite ice cream is cake batter and I also love, love Wuthering Heights.

Frances said...

Lurkers fascinate me too. One can look at their stats and know that many many many more people have been around then actually comment. But I am guilty too. Maybe it is the time constraints - impossible to comment every place I read. Maybe shyness or feeling "worthy" of the discussion. Maybe some just enjoy the anonymity of the blogosphere completely. Just like in life, there are those who are simply content to observe. Nice post! Happy reading!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Nymeth - Hi there. :) I know just what you mean about adding to discussions on some blogs--are some of these that you're referring to book bloggers?

*Amanda - I was going to put this in my post, but decided not to call out names, but I'm a little intimidated by Chris. I guess I've been kind of lurking at his blog leaving comments here and there. So, there's my confession. :) LOVE gelato from Italy.

*Through the Reading Glass - I think every new blogger goes through that intimidation phase in the beginning. But I think you'll find book bloggers to be a generally friendly lot. Welcome! And coffee? Yum!

*Megan - It's hard to keep up with the outpouring of posts and still manage your own blog. I haven't been very good at either lately. For me, I don't mind when people comment weeks later, but I am less likely to go comment back for some reason (forgetful Trish). Chocochip Cookie Dough is so great, huh? :)

*Wordlily - There's never enough time! I've lately started subscribing to more and more blogs and as a result am commenting less. Variety with ice cream is good--it is tough to pick a favorite.

*Meghan - I don't think you're alone in feeling shy and sometimes when I encounter a new to me blogger it takes a bit for me to warm up. I'm a little less timid now, but every once in a while... :)

*Claire - I do know what you guys are talking about, and I know the other day you mentioned on your blog unsubscribing to those who don't have the same reading tastes even if you get along with the blogger. I think in a way I'm opposite. I'm more attracted to blogs where I feel comfortable and have started up a type of relationship--even if what we read is completely different. Not always the case, but sometimes. Does that make sense?

*Richard - LOL--well, I confess that I love reading your posts and seeing what you're reading but often feel like my comments wouldn't meet the caliber of your writing. :) But lurkers are really interesting, huh? Especially as blogging can be such a social experience. I always wonder what brings people here every day without any comments. I like that "lurker standing ovation."

*Anonymous - Thanks for taking the time for leaving a comment--cake batter sounds delicious! I understand what you mean about the reciprocity, but you'll find all sorts here--some who read several books a week and others like myself who are lucky to get a few in a month. But don't feel silly--certainly not my intentions with this post. Just wanted to say hi. :)

*Frances - Thanks for coming by--you make some great points about the blogosphere being anonymous in nature, and I'd agree that lots of people enjoy that privacy.

raidergirl3 said...

I lurk lots - it's a time factor some times. Sometimes it's that I've lurked so long I feel like I know the person, and if I comment I'm concentrating on not sounding like a stalker who knows their schedule and family, and that feels weird too, so I don't bother commenting. Sometimes I feel like I've left a comment, because I do it in my head and forget to actually leave it. I know this because if I follow a link from somewhere else back to a post I've read before, I look for the comment I'm sure I left and it's not there.

A good easy questions brings the lurkers out though!
Chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

Most memorable book ever? too hard of a question.
This summer, the most memorable were The Lizard Cage by Karen Connelly and Clara Callen by Richard B Wright.

verbatim said...

Hi, Trish.

I comment sometimes, but you probably know that I lurk a lot more often. I'm still slightly confused about whether I'm *supposed* to be commenting at all, since I don't have my own blog. It seems to me that the blogosphere is only about people who write blogs and not really meant for people who just read them; don't know if I'm a little paranoid there. Anyway, most blogs I frequent are run by very courteous people like yourself who respond to each comment, so if I don't feel I have anything to add to what's already been said, I won't comment. That way I'm not prompting a response (i.e., more work) by the blogger to basically a repetitive comment. Then sometimes I don't comment because I completely disagree with the blogger's point of view or think they missed the point of the book entirely, and I just don't have the patience to write that in a polite way! (So following my mother's advice, I say nothing at all.) Would you prefer that people comment in some way each time they visit? Am I even supposed to be here, since I don't have my own blog?

Jenny said...

I've commented a few times here but lurked a little too. I think sometimes I feel like not leaving a comment when there are tons of followers and I don't have anything very interesting to say. I was looking at this one person's blog where I had commented on like 7 entries in a row, and almost every entry said something along the lines of "ooh looks good" or "i have this on my TBR pile" lol.

bermudaonion said...

I do lurk on a few personal blogs from time to time because I feel odd about leaving comments about someone's personal life when I don't know them at all. Having said that, I feel like I know the bloggers who write the book blogs I visit on a regular basis.

Are you going to make it to Zermatt when you're in Switzerland? I love it there! I hope you have a fabulous trip and take lots of pictures.

Molly said...

Well first of all, Trish, I have always felt very comfortable leaving comments on your blog! I think it is because you always offer thought-provoking posts and you sound sincere in wanting to hear our opinions.

I go through phases in my commenting. Oftentimes I don't comment because I am not exactly sure what to write - especially if several others have commented already and voiced everything that I am thinking :) I am trying to do a better job of writing something --- and I am also trying to do better at responding to commenters on my blog (something you do quite well and I desperately need to improve).

My favorite ice cream has got to be Carmel Pretzel Crunch at the local Sheridan's. I absolutely love the sweet and the salt blended with the cream and buttery carmel. Mmmmmmm......

Alyce said...

When I first started blogging I was hesitant to comment, but I got over that pretty quickly.

Some bloggers may think I've been lurking again because it's been so long since I've commented on a lot of sites. I'm not back to lurking though. :) Between having the kids at home for the summer and going on vacation I didn't have very much time for blog reading. I'm loving that they're back in school now.

To answer your ice cream question - I love Tillamook's Pistachio Pecan ice cream. I've only had it once, but it was fabulous. Otherwise I'm into coffee flavored ice cream.

Alyce said...

Oh, and I forgot to say - I hope you have an awesome time in Europe!

Lahni said...

When I first started blogging (almost 5 years ago - wow!) I was really scared to comment on anything. By the time I joined the book blogging world (this spring) I'd completely gotten over that. If I have something to say, I'll comment, if not, I keep my month shut!
And my favourite ice cream is chocolate chip cookie dough - YUM!

Anonymous said...

I don't think I'm a complete lurker, but I'm also not a frequent commenter. You are in my feed reader though!

So...chocolate, preferably with swirls or brownie chunks or peanut butter in it.

Ana S. said...

I did mean book bloggers, yes. Which is even more ridiculous, because everyone's so friendly! I've been thinking about this ever since I commented here this morning, and I think that, in addition to my lack of confidence, there's another reason for my shyness.

I've told you before about some of the comments I've had to deal with in "real life" because of my taste in books. People have assumed that the fact that I love comic books, fantasy, children's books, etc, means that I'm undiscerning, unintelligent, unable to be critical, and that if I ever tried to read something more "complex" my poor little brain would overheat and explode. I have yet to find this patronizing attitude in the blogging world, but because I'm so used to it outside it, I tend to be shy around more "literary" bloggers. I guess I unconsciously assume that they'll click over to my blog and make the same assumptions about me that people at my university would make. Silly, I know. Maybe now that I've given it some thought I'll be able to stop :P

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

It makes me so happy when someone leaves a comment on my blog, so I try every Sunday to visit and leave comments on ten blogs.

I should try to visit two new blogs every Sunday, too. That would be a nice addition to my goal.

Lisa said...

I do not lurk on your blog!

I like vanilla based ice creams with swirls of random stuff and some crunchy bits. I do not, ever, like sprinkles. The salty caramel one mentioned by someone else sounds perfect.

Serena said...

I've been behind in blog reading and I fear it will only get worse with bbaw, but my favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip by breyers...yes, I have a specific brand.

One of the most memorable books I've read is Wuthering Heights, but also Pride & Prejudice.

joemmama said...

I am a self-confessed lurker! I am always afraid I will say something stupid. It is sometimes a little like high school out here. Am I dressed right? And I like(boring)french vanilla.

Janssen said...

I worked at Cold Stone in high school and I still am a total ice cream junky. Oh man, I love it.

Strawberry is probably my number one favorite.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I'm giving you an award. It's the first time I've ever passed on an award. I'll be posting it at 4 pm CST.

Anonymous said...

I lurk occasionally because

1. A post has a lot of comments which have pretty much said what I wanted to say. I'm not one for repeating, if the general gist of what I think is there then I see no point posting. Unless I have something extra to add I'll just read. Of course, people might say you should post anyway but why? perhaps people equate intelligence or confidence with the frequency of your comments and not what you say. The old adage, it's not what you say it's how you say it comes to mind.

Does the same principles apply in blogging? I don't know, the notion that you must be frequent in posts and commenting is true, although that stems more from promoting yourself (which I suppose is the same in life, talking/writing is a process of marketing oneself)

So when I lurk do I, unconsciously, deem myself to be less intelligent or deem my thoughts to be unneeded?

Went off in a tangent there.

Um, I like ice-cream but I could tell you what kind other than the originals, chocolate, vanilla etc none of these new-fangled ones like pizza with sausages ice-cream.

Melissa said...

Hi, my name is Melissa and I'm a lurker... I tend to lurk on the blogs that get a lot of comments, mostly because I don't feel like I have much of anything to add that hasn't been said already. It's probably me just being insecure and trying to make myself be more important that I need to be. ;) That and I feel bad for the bloggers who don't get lots and lots of comments, so I am more vocal on those blogs.

BTW, I like anything with caramel in it best.

Chrisbookarama said...

I lurk occasionally, mostly it's because I have nothing smart to say. Or I'm feeling lazy.

Anything with chocolate in it is good for me.... great, now I want ice cream.

Marg said...

I find that the sheer number of blogs that I am subscribed to is making me more of a lurker because I just can't keep up, and yet I keep on adding more! Quite a few times I get to a post that I want to comment on only to find it had been posted a week before, so then I tend not to bother!

As for icecream, I find it hard to go past Boysenberry, or perhaps white chocolate and raspberry. Mmmm, icecream. Now my mouth is watering.

Literary Feline said...

I have been lurking quite a bit lately. Part of that has to do with time. The less time I can spend on the computer, the more I lurk.

kay - Infinite Shelf said...

Hello hello!
I wouldn't describe myself as a lurker exactly. But the more answers are already on a post, the less I'm motivated to answer. I hate feeling like I'm only repeating what's already been said! Like on this post, for instance :P But I do feel comfortable to comment!

Suey said...

Hi! I'm quite quiet around your blog, but I don't know why. Maybe seeing 30+ comments ahead of me is part of it. Never had 30 comments YET on mine. But, yeah, I lurk a lot mostly because I can't think of things to say. But I like answering questions, so that really helps a lot.

Ice cream: mint chocolate chip or cookies and cream with lots of huge chunks of Oreo.

Book: Wuthering Heights for you, really? Cool. For me, The Book Thief is very memorable. But there's lots more too, besides that one.

Melody said...

I'm very much like Nymeth; I lurk on a few blogs because I'm kinda intimidated by them (they always post great stuff and I'm in awe of their intelligence) but that does not mean I don't feel the same towards other blogs I read/comment either. Gosh, I just don't know how to put it in a sensible way, LOL.

My favourite ice-cream: Vanilla and chocolate!!

I hope you've a wonderful trip, Trish!!

Michelle Fluttering Butterflies said...

Hello. I actually don't remember where I lurk and where I don't. Maybe I follow too many blogs, maybe reading from google reader makes it more difficult to distinguish one blog from another? But I lurk for all the reasons already mentioned, nothing new to add, intimidation, shyness, laziness, commenting several days after the post was published.

But my favourite icecream is usually mint chocolate chip. Love that. Or anything chocolatey.

Debi said...

First of all, have a fantabulous trip, Trish!!!! Sounds like it will be amazing!!!!

And oh my gosh, it's so funny to see who people have been intimidated by! I just can't for the life of me believe that you could have ever been intimidated by me, Amanda! I'm like such a complete and total dork! And Trish, you really must get over being intimidated by Chris!!!! There is no one more sweet and genuine and lovable in the world! But of course, I totally understand, because Nymeth intimidated the living crap out of me at first...and my goodness, I couldn't imagine having a better friend than she's become! But even when I look back, I remember why she intimidated me so...her exquisitely beautiful writing and her intelligence.

I do a lot of lurking these days. Mostly a time factor now though. I've started reading some craft blogs, which I totally just lurk at.

Oh, and the ice cream...would have to say coffee.

S. Krishna said...

I lurk on some blogs, but I try to comment as much as possible. Time constraints prevent that, unfortunately!

Melissa said...

I'm not too much of a lurker, but I read way more blogs than I could ever comment on. So, some unfortunately get neglected.

My fave ice cream is Rocky Road!

Fyrefly said...

I'm not exactly a lurker, but I definitely read more often than I comment. Favorite flavor of ice cream is Phish Food, but failing a nearby Ben & Jerry's, I'd go with Rocky Road.

tanabata said...

I hope you have a fabulous trip, Trish! I've been to Vienna, Prague and Berlin (briefly). I so miss Europe. Make sure you take lots of pictures so I can live vicariously through you.

I'm not a lurker here but there are still lots of blogs that I do lurk at. Mostly it's a time thing, this summer I've been awful about reading and commenting, but I also tend not to comment on the blogs that already get a load of visitors or if I don't have anything new to add.

Favourite ice cream? Well, we bought a cheap ice cream maker this summer so we haven't been buying any recently. My favourite of the ones we've made is green tea, with Cherry cheesecake a close second. :P

Jeanne said...

I lurk a lot, because I like to read more than I like to write.
My favorite is plain old chocolate. See? It was more fun to listen to other peoples' favorites!

Unknown said...

I believe I have commented at least once on your site. I am with verbatim. I always wonder if I should comment since I do not blog myself. I only started commenting after Jackie at Farm Lane books had a similar article. It never occurred to me till I read it that bloggers would like comments just to know I was there. I thought more comments meant more work. I still really only comment if I know something about the book/author/topic. I also (not being really computer savvy) don't know should I be suscribing to the blogs. What does that even mean? Should I only comment if I suscribe? Oh my favorite ice cream is strawberry cheesecake and my most memorable book-- it would be too hard to pick just one but probably one of the childhood ones when I first realized how much I loved reading (Through the Looking Glass comes to mind!).

Rebecca Reid said...

just found your site, how did I miss it?

I am more inclined to leave a comment if the reviewer asks an interesting question. Otherwise, I think "Oh that book looks good" or "nah don't want to read it" or "i loved reading that book too!" I'm not going to leave a comment to say any of those things.

I like plain vanilla ice cream. With the vanilla bean specks in it. yummmm.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Raidergirl3 - I know what you mean about lurking so long you feel like you know a person but feeling awkward bringing up “personal” tidbits. Choco peanut butter sounds delicious!

*Verbatim - I’m so glad that you’ve weighed in on this post! First, I’d love it if you started blogging—and if you do, I’d better be one of the first to find out!! Of course you can comment if you don’t have a blog—I always look forward to hearing what you have to say when you do have something to say. I’ll admit that sometimes I find myself too short on time to respond to all comments, but I *always* read them, so don’t feel like you’re adding work.

*Jenny - There’s nothing wrong with saying that you think a book looks good or you’ll need to add it to the list. When I comment, I try to find something specific in the post to reference, but that doesn’t always work out. :)

*Bermudaonion - It is odd sometimes to leave comments on personal blogs, but I always figure—the person’s publishing it for all to see so why not? :) I don’t think we’ll be going to Zermatt, but I’ll have to look. Know we’re staying the night in Interlaken and Zurich.

*Molly - I go through phases with commenting too, but I try to only subscribe to blogs where I feel comfortable enough to comment on—although there are a few exceptions. Carmel Pretzel Crunch! YUM. I agree about the sweet and salty.

*Alyce - It’s funny everyone bringing up lurking because of time issues—I hadn’t thought about that way, but I guess in that respect I’ve become more of a lurker than participant of conversations/blogs. Pistachio—love it!

*Lahni - I think there are some places where it’s easier to join the conversation, but I agree that generally one shouldn’t be scared to give input. That’s why that comment box is there! CCCD is probably my favorite ice cream, too.

*Softdrink - There are too many blogs for us to be frequent commenters at them all! Brownie chunks sounds great in ice cream!

*Nymeth - I feel so awful that you’ve had such a hard time IRL and at your university—and it’s too bad that people form judgments without truly understanding or knowing what they are judging. I have been reluctant to leave comments on certain blogs because I felt like my comment would not have been insightful enough, etc, but on the other hand, I don’t tend to frequent those blogs very often—I’d rather feel comfortable (and maybe just because I got a fair dose of lit crit in college and don’t really look for it in the blogs I read).

*Debnance - I know it’s hard to find the time to get around to comment! I think two new blogs each Sunday sounds like a great goal! And thanks again for the award.

*Lisa - Hmmm—what about Heath bar in your ice cream? That’s my favorite blizzard flavor. Toffee is my weakness.

*Serena - LOL—my favorite ice creams come from specific brands, too. Blue Bell ice cream, which might be a Texas brand? But it’s the best. :)

*Joemamma - No such thing as a stupid comment here! I know what you mean about it being like high school—but I’m most comfortable in sweats, so I hope others are too. :P French Vanilla is great ice cream—especially with Apple Pie!

*Janssen - LOVE Cold Stone. Are they the ones with cheesecake flavored ice cream or is that Marble Slab? That would be a dangerous job for me.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Damnedconjuror - Um, I do not equate intelligence with frequency of comments—although I will admit that many frequent commenters are also really good ones. And it’s interesting because I am not a big proponent of posting a lot (um, except this week), because I do think some people sacrifice quality for quantity. But each his own, right? Pizza ice cream does not sound appealing to me, but I’m almost certain you’re teasing my leg! Thanks for weighing in—tangential or not, you always give great insight.

*Melissa - Lots of comments depends on the blog for me. Some of my favorite bloggers get a million comments and I’ll still add my two cents. Sometimes I don’t know if it’s worth it, but I know I appreciate comments any time—1 or 50. Other times I just skip the post if there are too many comments. Caramel is delish! Great choice.

*Chris - LOL—lazy is a good enough reason to lurk, I guess! I hope you treated yourself to some ice cream. :)

*Marg - I’m definitely guilty about sometimes commenting on a post a week or so after it’s been posted. But you’re right, with so many blogs and so little time…! Boysenberry sounds really yummy—I find fruity ice creams really refreshing.

*Lit Feline - Lots of people have been saying they are lurking more now because of time constraints. There just isn’t enough of it.

*Kay - Glad you feel comfortable to comment. I know no one thinks I’m scary! :P High numbers of comments sometimes turn me off, but I know that I always like comments and try not to pay attention to the numbers. And everyone says their piece differently—so why not add just a little more flavor?

*Suey - LOL—well, I’m glad the questions were able to help out a bit. But really—feel free to comment any time. :) The Book Thief is one of my favorite books, too. My mom just read it so we were talking about it and laughing and crying. Really powerful.

*Melody - I do know what you mean about those certain blogs—doesn’t necessarily mean the others aren’t as intelligent, but maybe the bloggers are more approachable? Vanilla and chocolate together or separate :)

*Michelle - I think there’s something to be said about the number of posts put out and the way Google reader makes everyone kind of look the same—sometimes it’s hard to keep track of who I’ve visited in a given week. Chocolate isn’t my favorite ice cream flavor, but I love Choco Mint!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Debi - Oh I know I know! I think it’s also that mine and Chris’s reading tastes tend to differ a bit but so do yours and mine and mine and Nymeth’s, etc, but there’s something there besides books. Nymeth’s was one of the first blogs I discovered and if she hadn’t been so gracious and kind and welcoming, I would have thought to be more intimidated by her. :) COFFEE ice cream! I need that right now.

*Swapna - I know all about the time constraints! It’s so hard to keep up with everyone and yourself.

*Melissa - I used to be so proud of how manageable my Google Reader was, but now it’s gone totally crazy. :) But I’ve loved seeing all the new blogs. I don’t think I’ve ever had Rocky Road ice cream!

*Fyrefly - I don’t think I’ve tried Phish Food but Ben & Jerry’s has another flavor I really like—wish I could remember the name. Has tons of goodies in it, though. Yum! Thanks for coming by.

*Tanabata - I’ve noticed a decline in blogging this summer—both on my end and on others. Maybe when the weather starts to cool down? Homemade ice cream sounds heavenly! Would you mind sharing the cherry cheesecake? I know my husband would LOVE it.

*Jeanne - Haha—I guess sometimes it’s more fun to see what other people have to say. Sometimes. I have a lot to say. Often. :P I guess sometimes I should hold myself back a bit!

*Heidi - I don’t know if you saw my response to Verbatim, so I’ll say again that yes yes yes you can comment! Even if you don’t have a blog and you have something to say I welcome it. I would love to come visit you, but I know not everyone is interested in having a blog. Comments can be work—especially to take the time to respond to them like this (is anyone even reading them?!), but the comments are open for a reason—and I always try to ask questions in my posts so people will have something to comment on. I guess short answer is yes—please make yourself welcome. And I love strawberry cheesecake ice cream, too!

*Rebecca - LOL—I’ve been around. :) Maybe it’s the newish look to the blog? I was boring green forever. Anyway, I always try to prompt the comments with a question. Sometimes people ignore the question completely (ice cream? What ice cream?) :) My husband’s favorite ice cream is vanilla bean, so you’re not alone.

Ana S. said...

(is anyone even reading them?!)

Yes :P

PS: Häagen-Dazs strawberry cheesecake icecream *dies*

tanabata said...

What Nymeth said! :)

I always subscribe to comments on my favourite blogs, which includes yours of course, and love getting a response to a comment. I don't always read through the replies to everyone, although I did today, but I always read at least my own.

When you asked me to share the cherry cheesecake ice cream, were you speaking metaphorically, or would you like the recipe? It's actually really easy to make.

Jodie said...

Left you a comment asking about Europe before I scrolled back in my feedreader and saw this. Jealous that you're off to the Czech Republic, it is suppoused to be beautiful and not yet as touristy as it's predicted to get soon.

I am still kind of a lurker in the book blog sphere. I don't really know why, I've been reading book blogs for a good long while. I would guess it's all connected up with how I don't make a very good first impression IRL, but I'm trying to get over it.

As for icecream - it has to be the mojito icecream I had on my last day in Barcelona. Up until then I'd have said mint choc but I'm afraid no icecream will ever measure up to the stuff from that little shop in Spain now.

The Book Club Guide said...

Thanks for making everyone feel so welcome! The blogs I tend not to comment on are the ones where everyone feels the need to say something super-clever (kind of like the pressure of Facebook status updates!).

I'm definitely a pralines and cream fan!