The world of books is never boring. Every week (well, most weeks) I’ll discuss a different topic related to books, often inspired by or in response to what’s going on in the online book community (or something I’ve seen another blogger talk about). I call this Book Thoughts on Thursday. Feel free to weigh in with your own thoughts in the comments, or even write your own post on the topic and share the link with me!
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Earlier today I was sitting at my desk, looking through my Twitter feed. I follow almost entirely bookish folk – authors, publishers, and fellow book bloggers (well, I also follow a few accounts dedicated to cute cat photos, because of course). So my Twitter is a hotbed of literary discussion – people tweeting about books they’re reading, book events they’re attending, book awards, and book-related hashtags I’m not in on (#OTSPSecretSister??).
I love all the book chatter. I’ve bonded with people over mutual love of a recent read. I’ve discovered some amazing books I never would have heard of (I don’t remember who recommended Ann Aguirre’s Enclave to me, but man am I ever grateful!). I’ve even gotten to interact with some of my favourite authors to let them know how much their books meant to me and ask when their next one is coming out.
So bookish Twitter is one of my happiest happy places. But. No matter how much I’m enjoying my Twitter feed, for every Tweet that I RT or reply to, there are at least ten that leave me feeling like I have no idea what’s going on. Now, some of these are back-and-forths between people who are in the middle of a convo I’m not part of. And that’s fine. But a lot of them are about books or series (or TV shows/movies based on books and series) I haven’t read yet – some I’ve never heard of. They’re about book events I either can’t go to (Canada, yo) or haven’t heard of. Or they’re revolving around hashtags I’m not in on and don’t have time to decipher.
Of course, Twitter is just like that. You’ll never be in on every discussion or know about every trending hashtag. There’s just too much. I know this, but I can’t help but feel that I’m somehow missing out on things everyone else is aware of. It’s like being in high school again only you’re the one who didn’t go to the party everyone else was at on the weekend. And even though I know that everyone is in the same boat as me (particularly if they follow as many diverse accounts as I do), it’s still hard sometimes not to feel left out.
So what I’m wondering is: do you guys feel the same way? Are there days you go on Twitter, only to abandon it five minutes later because it’s just too overwhelming? Does anyone else have #FOMO (fear of missing out, in case #FOMO is one of those hashtags you missed while having a real life)? And are there any important convos you’re part of on Twitter right now that are really worth looking into?
I don't visit my Twitter for bookish stuff as much. I stalk a couple of pages, hunt for new books and giveaways and I'm gone. Just like that.
I don't visit my Twitter for bookish stuff as much. I stalk a couple of pages, hunt for new books and giveaways and I'm gone. Just like that.
Well, I think I exemplified your point when I read the title of your post, and was internally like “What the H is #FOMO”…. so yeah… I agree.
Well, I think I exemplified your point when I read the title of your post, and was internally like “What the H is #FOMO”…. so yeah… I agree.