To review or not to review…wait, what was I saying?
I’m in a bit of a quandary folks. On one hand, I guess you know your blog has “made it” when others in your niche send you free eBooks. On the other hand, I didn’t know I was in a niche and since I don’t plan on “monetizing” ALR I don’t want to start down a road I don’t intend to follow. I’ve received several eBooks recently, with information on how to set up an affiliate link so I can share in the proceeds from any purchases generated by my link. In exchange, all that was asked of me was to review the books.
The first thing I said to myself was, “aw, they respect me and want my opinion.” Then it was “my little blog has limited reach and really can’t be of much help.” The next comment was, “why am I staring at the wall talking to myself?” But that’s neither here nor there.
I blog as a way of sorting out the often conflicting thoughts racing in and out of my head. It’s my own sort of therapy. I don’t have any affiliate links. I don’t plan on adding them either. I can handle the cost of maintaining my little slice of the intertubes, it’s cheaper than a live therapist.
That said, I’m not comfortable posting reviews of others work. I will say this, all of the works I’ve received I am most grateful for, and if anyone wants my honest, personal opinion of them I’d be happy to start an off-site email thread with you where you can ask whatever you like. But as I’m not a professional… well anything at this point, but mainly I’m not an editor or writer my opinion isn’t worth too much on this topic.
Since I’ve already received these, I will say a brief word about the most recent arrivals. Again, I’ll spare you a rambling, semi-coherent pseudo-review and just give a basic rundown:
Simply Car-Free by Tammy from Rowdy Kittens – Loved it. As I’ve been car-free for 9 months now I can relate. I can’t say what will happen upon my return to the car-centric west coast…but I’m enjoying it while it lasts. Tammy does a great job of laying out the steps she and her partner took to ditch both of their cars. I really like the MicroAction Steps she includes and there’s a great resource section at the end of the book.
Project M-31 by David from Life Excursion and The Minimalist Path – loved it. One of the best step-by-step guides to getting started Simplifying your life I’ve seen. If this had been around a couple of years ago, I may never have had the issues that led to my starting this blog!
I would heartily recommend either of these eBooks to any aspiring Minimalists or anyone interested in living as lightly as they can. The above links go straight to the authors sites for purchase. Incidentally, I also heartily recommend the above blogs.
OK, I’m done reviewing things now, I’m spent.
I think blogging is a great way to avoid a live therapist, too. And much less expensive, so I have more money for wine and traveling!
Appreciate your take on both of these eBooks, I’ve been wondering about both.
Thanks for the review despite the “Reviewers Remorse”…hahaha.
I hope your readers enjoy.
Dave
TMP