I read a blog the other day, a blogger I did not know. I was intrigued by the post because of a reference to Doris Day, who died a few weeks ago. I liked the post.

Fine.

This is what bloggers do: they read posts and like it if they find it interesting, or just to say- hey- I was here. No creeping.

Well, the next day or so, the blogger read my post (and you know my posts this week were about the spectacle called social media) so the blogger commented “Did you actually read my post?”

We all know this is a valid question. We all have the questionable likes. As told this week, the “like” is considered “important”, as is the “follow”.  The other day I had someone “like” about forty posts in 10 seconds. Wow. Speed reading record.

We also know that blogging is a game. I know some people are deeply offended when someone likes the post without reading it. I take it with a grain of salt: blogging is a microcosm of life. The same behavior I see on the mean streets of NYC are the same behaviors I see in blogworld. Maybe I’ve just become too accustomed to people just doing what gets them through the day.

But do I read every blog that I like?

The short answer is: Yes.

The long answer is more complicated.

I love books and cooking and organizing. Therefore I follow bloggers who write about these things. Do I read every word of a book review closely? No. I look at the star rating: the lower the star rating the more likely I am to read the review. I’m not a disaster queen: I find it’s very valuable to know the why as to why someone doesn’t like a book. People are usually more clear as to why they DO NOT like something. They have concrete reasons. When they like something, the reviews are more “It’s got a good beat. I can dance to it. I give it an 85.” I also like to comment on books that I’ve read- you know I’ll do anything to engage in a book discussion…

Recipes. I skim recipes. I like to cook and have a folder full of recipes on my TBC, but I skim recipes because sometimes there’s a new technique that I never thought about. Someone wrote about making pizza last night and they suggested leaving the dough out for a few hours before making. I only leave the dough out twenty minutes. Hmmmm. And sometimes people try things with food that is just so intriguing my brain goes into overdrive. (You guys all know that I’ll be having a discussion with someone in blogverse and the next thing you know I’m planning out a weeks worth of blogs- Like yesterday with Shalini and Jessica- it’s the same thought process)

Organizing tips and ideas. I skim these because it’s mainly been there, done that. I look for something that I haven’t tried, read before or thought of. But who am I kidding: organizing books and such are my porn.

If a blog is five thousand words, I’m probably skimming it. Even though as Earthwalking states that the average reader only reads 178 words, I’m usually good for 500-1000.

Speaking of Earthwalking, I read most of his posts twice this week. He’s on a roll with some deep thought and such, and his ideas are so profound I need to really look at it to get on his page. Great stuff.

I also admit that I often read while on mass transit, or when I am physically online at the market or such. These are times when you might not see a comment from me, or a really really badly worded one because I can’t type in those situations. I have learned to “Save” a post I want to comment on. FYI- best WordPress addition is the Save option. How deep is my reading on the fly? Depends on the post. The other day I was on line at Whole Foods and one of my blogger buddies wrote about her boyfriend cheating on her. I was in deep because the blog was so poignant and heartbreaking.

I read posts in reader, or I have been getting them in my notification field. I rarely open up the blog itself. I don’t get all the “blog stuff” that incorporates many websites. I like to read quickly and cleanly.

I do try to set aside blog reading time. I will set up an block of time strictly for reading blogs and drinking tea. I often eat breakfast or lunch at the same time. Sometimes I just don’t have the time to read. I catch up if I can, but often just can’t. That’s life. We do the best we can with what we have.

Do I remember every blog?

No.

Yes.

Here’s the thing: I actually have a decent memory, and I remember much of what I read. (makes me a great trivia partner) I just can’t always place what I know to where it came from. Sometimes I’ll get an idea from something I read, and I can’t remember what the source was. That’s the problem with reading so many varied things- they get jumbled. And I’m an analyzer: my brain takes in data, and then ideas spew out: ideas that are often only vaguely resembling the source material. I wish I knew a better way for my brain to catalogue info, but there you have it: even my brain has its limits.

So there you have it.

What are your blog reading habits?

109 thoughts on “Read Me?”

  1. 🙂 It is only good to eat breakfast at lunchtime provided that you woke up late.

    Also, you are better off having your meals on time.

    In regards to reading blogs, a large percentage of people skim content.

    Apparently, one cannot force human beings to read a blog post in its entirety if they are unwilling to read.

    And, in reality, it is impossible to remember every blog.

    Do enjoy the rest of your day!

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  2. I will scroll through the day’s new posts in the morning, and if the title of one sounds interesting, I’ll go ahead and read it. Sometimes I’ll see 1- and 2- star book reviews by a particular few bloggers and read those, even though they read genres I don’t particularly care for because their negative reviews tend to be funny. I do read every blog post I ‘like’, I just don’t always have a sensible comment to add.

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    1. I’m the same way. How can you really comment in a book review, unless it’s really scathing or if you’ve read the book? There are some things that are just nice, but yeah…what do you say. And obviously, there are times when you can write a book as a response!!

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  3. I skim read most to know what it’s about and if the topic interests me I read in detail. Reviews longer than the book strains my eyes, so I read important points. I read 100s of posts per day, can’t read all of them in detail

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  4. I read first thing in the morning. Blog reading is my morning coffee without the coffee activity while the news plays in the background. I know who posts regularly and like to start my day with their blogs and then I will spend time at some point during the day catching up with the irregular bloggers if they post, or even going back to checkout comments from blogs on interesting discussions. I follow some blogs for their photos-they keep words to a minimum.
    I told another blogger recently that I’m pretty picky about who I follow. The concept and the writing really has to connect with me so at any given time I have a handful of bloggers to read and yes, I read the whole post.
    I like to think that I choose wisely, not only for who/what is being written but also for the way they post. Makes my life easier all around 😉

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    1. 😉 I love bloggers who have a true voice. I read a British blogger who I really have nothing in common with except middle age, but he’s so dry and witty I truly look forward to his posts

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  5. 🙂 When I click ‘like’ on a blog post that means I’ve both READ and enjoyed……………… and as you are no doubt aware lol 😀 , I read all the other reader’s comments and invariably reply or ‘like’ those as well!!! And here’s an interesting fact, I follow only middle aged female bloggers! Hmm how did this one come about I wonder?

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  6. You read me..you REALLY read me! 😂(PS- This is the first time I left the dough out so long..met a friend at Starbucks and things went long..) I find the dough is much easier to pull and shape if left out longer..the only thing I’ll do different next time is I’ll oil it up with a bit of olive oil before letting it sit so it doesn’t develop any dried out cracks.

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    1. Oh…olive oil…good idea! I made pizza this week and after you wrote that I thought oooh maybe that’s why my dough is sometimes hard to shape…I. D.o.n.t leave it out long enough!

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      1. When I do pizza, it is normally a double batch so I’m making 2 at the same time. I’ve found that it seems easier to spread and shape if I push it out until the dough starts to kind of tighten up then I work on the second one, letting the first rest for a few minutes. When I go back to the first, it feels softer and more pliable.

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      6. Thicker than a regular crust but thinner than sicilians. You need to get the bottom crispy. I’m making a tomato cream sauce with it

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      8. It’s yummy. I sauté some onion and garlic, add diced tomato, simmer it down, add a tablespoon or two of heavy cream. Simmer. Yum

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  8. During coffee in the morning. If I’m up before the kids. In reader.

    Sporadically throughout the day. On my phone when I’m at kid activities. It depends.

    I read comments too though, not just blog posts. I like the dialogue. If I like a comment by someone else on someone else’s blog I’ll like it, too.

    And I only like if I have read it. I don’t click like for the hell of it. I sometimes, rarely, read a post I don’t like by a blogger I do like and I hesitate if I should hit like. Did I like the fact that the blogger wrote something I disliked (i.e. appreciate the craft of writing)? If I dislike the message, but generally like the blogger, does the blog post with the message I dislike still deserve a like?

    I am not sure what the answer is there. Most of the time I will ‘award’ a like because of the action of writing it takes to make it happen. But not always.

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    1. weather. Had that issue recently. A blogger I like wrote a post I didn’t like. I hemmed and hawed and ultimately did not like it. But I’m conflicted about this

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  9. More often than not, I’m a lurker. I’ll read and like and move on. I don’t often comment unless I feel like I have something to contribute. Even then, it is more likely that I only do that on blogs where I feel comfortable with the blogger. Otherwise, it kind of feels like that situation where a group of friends is talking and some random person jumps into the middle and adds their two cents and I’m that random person. I have actively been trying to do better because it is a vital part of being in the blog community, but I’m still more of a lurker. Most of the time I do fully read posts, but I do also skim, especially if the topic isn’t one I’m overly interested in.

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    1. I’m really comment shy too. I rarely comment on someone’s blog if I don’t have some sort of rapport.i totally feel like an interloper on a private conversation. But some people equate just liking with not reading

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  11. I read in the morning with my coffee, regularly, and then later in the day, irregularly, as the mood and time allows. I also open the post to the bloggers site so that I get the full effect. Reader is streamlined and you can miss out.

    I do not read every post that comes to my attention. And I don’t always read every post that I like. This is my way of saying, hi there – I see you’ve taken the time to write today and I acknowledge that.

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  12. I go through the reader and if something catches my eye I will read the whole thing and I usually have favorites that I will read every time (you know who you are!), when I comment I try to show that I read the content of the blog so it means something. I will like something if I do like it and feel my comment would add nothing.

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  13. I have to admit I’m a skimmer on some posts. I do read my favs all the way through. I read them when I have time although sometimes I dont have time to comment and have to go back and do it later.

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  14. Thank you for this, I need to get in to the habit of saving posts I want to comment on or read again before I comment. I generally read whilst on the train which when quiet is great but when it’s busy I feel like I sometimes miss things and saving the posts would help me with this so I appreciate the tip!

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  15. I use reader once or twice a day when I have a few minutes to sit down with a cuppa. I skim the titles and click in to posts that interest me. I’m starting to read a few people more regularly now (I’m quite new to this) like your good self. I only ever like posts I’ve read all the way through and I’ve only recently started commenting. I think like TJ Fox said already I used to feel like I was intruding joining in with comments. I feel like recently a couple of people I’ve read have sounded more like they were inviting comments and I guess that helped me feel more able to get involved.

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  16. Hey! Well, interesting post. If I find a blog post particularly interesting, I’ll probably read it word to word and even comment and like. If I know the blogger and he/she is an excellent writer, then most probably, I’ll read the whole post and actively participate in the discussions below the post. But if I’m just reading because I know the blogger and would like to maintain the bonds or maybe, because it was a list post then there are high chances that I’ll skim through it. I may even comment if there is a question at the end or because I find list useful. If I’m reading a poem and I just lose the flow in the middle then I might just skim through the poem.
    I don’t have a remarkable attention span but I’m working on it.
    So I don’t “read” every post I like. Most of the time, I read it. Sometimes, I don’t. But I try to get the whole message of the post every time.

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  17. I have the blogs I read every word and the ones I skim through. I find the bloggers I have a connection with to be the most interesting. I get inspired by a lot of bloggers recipes which creates new ideas in my mind. This was a really good thought provoking blog!

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  18. But, but why would someone come ask you if you read their blog? I just don’t understand spending my energy doing that.

    Anywho, I set aside at least 2 hours to read (and sometimes comment) on other people’s blogs. The system is based on who has visited my blog recently, so it keeps me busy and helps me to reciprocate, which I think is important in any relationship, including a blogging one.

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    1. I get the quid pro quo…if I notice someone read my blog I try to reciprocate. And the guy….yeah….I was a little surprised by the comment, but yeah….there you go

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  19. Love your blog! And thanks for the compliment on my posts! My reading habits are similar to yours. I have favorite blogs where I usually slow down and read every word. Others I skim or speed read. If someone has written 5 to 8000 words, I’m likely to read the first sentence in each paragraph to see if there is something there that interests me. That research I wrote about on attention span and what people will read does end up short of 200 words – but I really think it depends on the forum. I do think the blogging community here reads much more. It’s not like surfing the net. This week has been interesting for me because I injured myself – pulled a muscle – so I’ve spent considerable more time indoors on social media. It’s been fun, and I’ve written a lot too, but I’m missing my hikes really bad 🙂

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  20. I’m afraid I’m someone who almost always gives up somewhere between 500-750 words in, so I never reach the end of some blogs. And I simply cannot read all the blogs that come in every day. I post 3-4 times a month and hope people have time to read what I write.

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  21. when I have time to spare (seldom), I read all the posts, leave a like, sometimes even read the comments before I leave a comment as well. When I have a limited time for blogging (most times), I usually go through the blogs of the people who liked and commented on my blog first – and return the favor; if I didn’t post anything on that day, I’ll go through my reader, pause at the titles of the posts that catches my attention, and read the first few lines of the posts. If it doesn’t grab me, I like and move on, if I want more, I go over to the blog and read there. But if I don’t have time for blogging (occasionally), I don’t post anything on mine, because blogging takes time and i think it’s rude to ignore the people who took the time to read and comment/like my post.

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    1. I try to get to everyone who read mine, but some days!! Like last Saturday I woke up with a little headache, wrote blog, got worse as day went on and didn’t read or respond

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  22. I always read the posts I like. Sometimes I would like to comment, but if I just have my smartphone with me I might just like instead of comment. My fat fingers do better with the laptop than the phone.
    I will usually read my followed blogs in the morning and then later on in the day.
    Blogs that are visually distracting or twitchy, I will give up sometimes. Another blogger might like cutesy font in purple on a black background—too much work for my eyes.
    I will also skim the blogs featured under certain tags like nursing or marriage or aging.
    I will sometimes skim…I can read quickly as long as the blog isn’t too technical. Sometimes I will go back and reread before I comment to make sure I understood the content.

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    1. I read in reader because everything becomes generic….i know people spend lots of time, but in the end I want to read a post. And I’m with you on commenting on the phone. Impossible for me!!

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  23. I’m the worst. It’s hit or miss with me. There are a few blogs I follow that I really enjoy and will always look at when I’m reading (yours is one). There are a bunch in my reader I am not interested in but don’t know if I’m ready to unfollow. I forget to like sometimes. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’m not the best at the blogging game, but that’s okay because I’m mostly here to write…it’s kinda like a diary for me. If a few people enjoy it, I’m happy. 😊

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  24. I read all the blogs that I follow though sometimes read. I’m naughty though as I don’t follow all that many blogs. The ones I do are thought provoking and generally make me think which is a joy. The negative is that because I am thinking about a particular matter I don’t comment as often as I should. I think to myself , hmmm, I’ll come back to that with a clever response, but it doesn’t happen. A Gemini – juggling too many balls at once..

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  25. If I take the time to read a blog, then I read it carefully. I think about it, and often respond to it if I emotionally connected to the writing or the topics. Ive just spent the last week in hospital so I’ve missed several blog posts. But usually, when I have my morning coffee I read new blogs. Often times I get behind writing and reading. Time gets away from me… I write because I have to write. Now and then I share those thoughts. (Mostly I don’t). So I pretty much write for myself. But I read for enjoyment and what I’ve discovered is that I have met many bloggers who I have truly connected with and look forward to reading their thoughts. Some lovely folks on WordPress.

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  26. It is like a habit: reading blogs morning or after work or a work out or a good breakfast on the weekend or the minute I wake up to see if anyone is feeling the same way I do. I love the blogs where I feel I would want to be friends with the person writing the blog. I skim recipes, crime stories, news, and bloggers. Sometimes reading the responses to the blog is like dessert.

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  27. I’m so excited that I found this post of yours today, LA! If I take the time to read a blog and enjoy it, then it gets a like. It happens that not every blog post will be up my alley– but I’ll never leave a rude comment. Just move on, ships passing by at sea. When I first started blogging I got sucked into the vortex of feeling like I had to read and interact with everyone leaving me comments. It wore me down fast. For a while I was only reading content from the blogs I followed, mostly because I knew I would almost always like their posts and I didn’t have the time to read anything else. I try to correct that; I want to read new content when I can, it’s just hard to find something “new” for me. I read mostly poetry blogs. It’s nice trying to find something new and keep my attention. Gotta find a happy medium because some days are busier than others.

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  29. I usually read most blogs I follow. If not than why bother, right? But if I come late to the game I may not comment simply because most things have already been said so why be redundant. It’s like the person who has to say something in a meeting just for the sake of talking even though its already been discussed. Used to make me crazy,

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  30. I read two blogs in the morning … yours and one other. I have a couple other blogs that I follow, but I only read those now and then. Oh and I usually, but I guess not always, read the entire blog. I also like to read comments sometimes. I was wondering if I might ask for the link to the British blog you read? That sounded interesting too 🙂

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  33. I generally try to read the blogs I like. I do skim promo posts for the important info, like buy links if I want to buy the book or social media for the author. I’m not super offended if people don’t read mine. Grain of salt, like you said. Great post!

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  34. My habits match yours pretty closely. I typically skim through cooking blogs; although, occasionally something will make me stop and comment. Plus, right before reading this I marveled aloud at the number of gardening themed blogs I follow when I can barely grow dandelions. I do read every blog I follow, though, but some days they probably don’t receive the attention they should.

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  36. I also set aside a certain amount of time each day for reading blogs. Like you, I read some completely and others I skim, depending on the length and the content. I am quick to hit the “like” button (to let the author know I’ve been there), but I don’t always leave a comment. Sometimes I honestly have nothing to add to the conversation (which doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the post), and I think that is okay…commenting just for the sake of commenting is silly, in my opinion.

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    1. I know what you mean about commenting….sometimes there isn’t anything, but I know we’ve talked about this before, but you want people to know that you’ve read and appreciated the posts.

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  37. Being a latecomer, I didn’t go through the comments, though I usually do. I never “like” a post unless I’ve read the whole thing and, well, liked it! The people I follow can count on that much. I don’t always have a comment, but that’s okay. I appreciate that you read my blog, given it’s not one of your hot topics.

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    1. I don’t want to trace my roots (I fear many skeletons in that closet) but I am totally interested in people who do. And you have some great ancestors and you tell the story in a cool and concise way. You don’t sugarcoat, but there’s always heart. I go for writing and things that are interesting

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  38. I read you! Read all the first half, then skimmed the rest, as the thought of some tulips I spotted on the school run is luring me outside. Sitting here on my laptop watching the sunshine fading away is not the thing at this moment in time. But, loved what I read. Well-written. High-quality. Tasty!
    Now, I ought to start planning for my day job tomorrow – but, it’s so sunny out there and the tulips are so red! See you later!

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  39. I’m pretty much a lurker, but always hit ‘like’ when I’ve read a post. Sometimes I comment if I feel I have something of value to offer or if something strikes a heart chord or a mutual agreement. I never make negative comments, but I do actually read posts I’m in disagreement with (after all, I may learn something). I e-mail subscribe to those I never want to miss and spend hours some mornings catching up on those I follow via reader (and I get frightfully behind, but I TRY to catch up). If I get a new follower or someone I’m not familiar likes one of my posts, I always visit their site and check them out. I never hit ‘like’ on posts I don’t open and read–it feels, well–sort of like cheating. I look at fellow bloggers as multi-faceted friends with varied interests and backgrounds, and try to learn from them and let them know I value them.

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  40. I read blogs sporadically. Like today, I’m getting a little caught up. I follow some through Reader and subscribe to others. I also tend to read without going to the blogger’s site but occasionally I will click through to it because I check my stats and wonder if they do too.

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  41. You’re honest and realistic about your own habits, and they’re pretty close to my own. Yes, when I Like ablog post, I have read the whole thing, and often the comments as well. I’m going to start using the Save button but fear it will be counterproductive. We’ll see!

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  42. If I like a blog it means I’ve read it all, though I may not read it with a great amount of concentration. Recipes are a good example – at the best of times I regard them as suggestions, so like you, I skim for ideas. Your blog needs my full attention, though I tend to start skimming when it gets all girly and starts on about feelings and all that stuff. 🙂

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