#rabidmunky

Well, I always loved reading and eventually I started writing things down so that I would remember what I thought about a book after I read it. When I was in college, I decided to start a book review blog because I wanted to go into publishing and thought that having a book review blog would look great on my resume. Plus I wanted people to whom I could talk to about books since I didn't have anyone to talk to in real life-- so blogging was a good answer.

To be honest I don't know enough about professional book reviewing to really comment on it. I never considered it as an actual career path.

Moreover, I don't think it's possible to have a lucrative job as a book reviewer? Maybe it was possible before the internet and before book blogging. But now the only reason to review books is because you enjoy it. It's literally why I decided not to go into publishing-- I saw the average amount the entry level folks get paid (something ridiculous like $12-14) and I laughed and started looking for new career path). It's the top business level folk who make all the money in publishing. And I know that for some people money isn't everything... but I'm saddled with student debt and I knew I had to find a job that paid enough to cover basic living expenses. Plus most publishing jobs are in New York and other big cities -- were living expenses are really high and I didn't want to live in a closet and eat ramen every day.

Sure, there are still people who review books for certain publications and literary journals and review websites like kirkus-- but I think their duties include more than just reading and reviewing books. Often times they are part of marketing for publishers... or part of journalism in general. A lot of those jobs are very unstable right now and journalism didn't interest me.