Posts
Happening This Week:
I am so grateful that I had this week off of work so I could focus on getting ready for Christmas. So as I write this on Friday night, December 23rd, am I totally prepared? No way! But I am close. I just need to spend tomorrow wrapping gifts and coming up with one more dessert for the big dinner at my aunt's house. For a hot minute, I toyed with the idea of (gasp) buying ready made pumpkin pies and cakes from the store. But I just couldn't do it. So tonight, I made two pumpkin pies, and my famous Bailey's Irish Creme cake (I'm not allowed in the door at Christmas without it). Tomorrow I will attempt an apple tart. Pinterest, don't fail me now.
I also had a difficult decision to make this week. I had signed up some time ago for a Pen Pal program with other bloggers. I was really looking forward to it, and I got the person's information and a link to their blog a few days ago. Eagerly, I clicked on the person's blog and was immediately uncomfortable with what I saw.
First off, this person's website was a "lifestyle" blog, not a book blog as I have. At first I thought this would be a minor thing, but as I read the posts I began to realize this person had very different views of the world from me. I found the postings very offensive.
After a lot of soul searching, I wrote back to the person organizing the pen pal program and asked to withdraw. The only thing the pen pal had in common with me was that we were of similar ages (and I have to wonder if that was why we were paired). But otherwise I knew we would not be a good match. I'm sure that the other person would not have been excited to become friends with me either.
I know I am being vague about my objections, but my motive here is not to call this person out. On the one hand, I know it is good to hear other people's views, but I also do not feel compelled to expose myself to opinions that I consider offensive. So what do you think? Was I right to back out?
New Books:
Kindle:
Curse Of The Sphinx was only $0.99, and the other two books were free!!!
Public Library:
I devoured Marie Lu's Legend last week, so I was happy to get the audio book of Prodigy so quickly. This makes my chores go by in a breeze.
What books did you get this week? What are you hoping Santa brings you on Christmas (if you celebrate it, that is). Whatever holiday you enjoy, I hope it is filled with family, food, and fun.
I think you did the right thing over the penpal issue. Writing to someone who holds different views is ok if you both agree to differ but when it actually makes you uncomfortable and offended, it is better not to get involved. You need to feel at ease with the people you write to or neither of you will enjoy the experience. I used to have lots of penpals but I chose them from the Interpals site based on shared interests not a random matchup. Your own judgement should be trusted!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a good Christmas!
Thank you so much. I really didn't want to hurt this person's feelings, but the opinions expressed on her blog were very opposite of mine. If you celebrate Christmas (or Hanukkah) , I hope you have a lovely weekend.
DeleteOoh nice! Sounds like some tasty desserts! My mom would probably love the Bailey's cake! I love Marie Lu's books so I hope you continue to enjoy her Legend trilogy! The rest are totally new to me ones!
ReplyDeleteI think you were right to back out of the program. I mean, I know it was a difficult decision but things seem to be really tense lately with all these changes we've endured in 2016. Plus I can totally understand the difference in opinions and likes and what not. I'm actually surprised this wasn't a book blogger program. To see that it's one that can be just about anyone I think would make it harder for everyone. I mean this other person might find she doesn't have much in common with you. It'd be hard to find anything to talk about! Even with my current #OTSPSecretSister program people, neither of my sister (the one who has me and the one I have) really read the same books. There are a few books we share together, but there's different tastes. But we still love reading. We still love blogging. And we're learning we have a few other things in common, but honestly the book blogging is the foundation of all that. So long story short, I think you were right to back out if you felt uncomfortable and have nothing in common.
I hope you have a GREAT Christmas tomorrow!
My STS will be up tomorrow, stop by then if you can!
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
The Bailey's cake is so easy to make! I really am ordered by my family to make it on Christmas. Thank you for your support about the pen pal issue. I don't know why I feel so bad about it. Have a wonderful weekend.
DeleteI think you made the right decision with the pen pal thing. It’s good to learn from people who are different from you, but if you’re _really_ different, you’ll both just be uncomfortable. Enjoy your new books, and happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Thank you AJ. I love connecting to people, and do try to see others opinions. But this person was rally out there in her views. Plus, I wanted to connect with a fellow book blogger, not a random person who would not understand my obsession with books. happy holidays to you too!
DeleteAwesome haul of books this week.
ReplyDeleteGrace @ Books of Love
Thank you, Grace. If you celebrate a holiday this weekend, have a great one.
DeleteOhhh, Prodigy! I loved Lu's latest series, The Young Elites/The Rose Society/The Midnight Star. Such a wonderful (and heartbreaking) series. I hope you enjoy all of your new books!
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays, Ardis. :)
Check out my STS post!
I think you did the right thing in backing out of the program, especially if the person was being offensive about their viewpoints. I would have back out a long time ago the moment the person made an offensive comment that I didn't agree with. What Pen Pal program was this?
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Here’s my Stacking the Shelves!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog
I have been meaning to read Prodigy for the longest time. I read Legend a while ago (way back when it came out) and I remember really loving it. Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteKrystianna @ Downright Dystopian