In which I realize I suck because I am American
is my name and you are seeing my name in bright sparkly pink text because I am American. Being American makes me loud, obnoxious, and a self promoting douche-bag. Seeing as how I have no class, and of course could never be well read. Let me forward you to a far superior British blog. Farm Lane Books this post in particular by Jackie the author of the blog, has made me realize that I should just stop now and let the Brits handle the book blogging. They are less loud, less annoying, and actually have relevant things to say other than the mindless dribble that comes from any blog in America.
While we are at it, let’s forget there are other countries out there. Some of my favorite blogs are from Malaysia, New Zealand and tons of other countries. Remind me again why I read them? They are obviously inconsequential.
Reading the comments of Jackie’s post, I realize that because I occasionally do a meme, am great at social networking (hello it’s my job), and actually care about promoting books I actually like I am a loud, obnoxious blogger. Reading YA I saw gives me another bounce down on the intellectual totem pole.
So please do accept my apologies for being loud, crude, unsophisticated, and brash. If you can find it in your hearts to forgive all my mindless dribble I would love for you to continue reading my annoyingly American blog. By the way you can find me on Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, and any other place on the web I can promote my badly written blog.
And to all of Britain. I really am sorry about the tea.
By: Vasilly
Love this response to a very offensive post, Pam!
By: Girls Gone Reading
Amen Pam!
Blogging, social networking, and communicating across the globe is a wonderful phenomenon of this era. I couldn’t be happier to read blogs from all over the world. True, there are subtle differences in culture, but our love of reading/books is universal, and that is greater than any negativity.
I hope other people don’t respond to this prejudice with more of it-although some of the comments were headed that way. So, bravo for using the great literary skill of irony to teach all the imbeciles a lesson. Keep it up!
By: Monica
I just got your twitter name while reading the title of your post in the google reader. I feel so stupid, that’s fine, I am American :p
I read the post and I have to be honest I do fee offended, I didn’t comment thought because I respect her right to post whatever she wants on her blog, I don’t know how any of her loud America readers will feel about it but, I was offended. *shrug*
By: Julie
My blog has both UK and US writers. Lanna and I blog most often. She’s from the UK, goes Waiting on Wednesday, In My Mailbox, and gets UK ARCs. I’m from the US and I do most tweeting and non-review related posts, I made a meme (where I actually do review books, it’s just to highlight that genre), and I chat with authors.
We don’t clash, we have fairly similar taste though it does vary enough to cause interest and expand the other’s horizons, and we both read more YA than anything.
Jackie’s post does make me wonder if our blog is “British” or “American.” Personally, I don’t classify it, but maybe others do? Either way, I just always saw it as…a blog.
By: Jennifer
I’m confused. As book bloggers, we are promoting books. Isn’t that pretty much what we do? How is promoting them loudly a bad thing? You’d thing the more bright, loud, even obnoxious attention we shine on great books, the more effective we’d be.
By: Christina
Great post, Pam! I agree with “Girls Gone Reading”— AMEN!
By: Dianne Salerni
My mouth is still hanging open after reading that post. I honestly don’t know what to say.
By: Pam
LOL Dianne. After I finally was able to close my mouth. I wrote this post.
By: Eva
LMAO Can you pass the glitter glue?! :) This was awesome.
By: Alicia
Haha. Too funny. I agree. Don’t forget we’re douchebags because when we have contests they aren’t always international.
By: Michelle
Amen, sister! Say it loud and say it proud!
By: Jenn
UGH, way to go girl, what an awesome post to a very offensive and ICKY post that has me wanting to go take a shower…
Hate promotes hate, and what’s with all the HATE going around the blogging world these days? :(
By: Debbie's World of Books
LOL. Loving the sparkles you obnoxious American. One thing I didn’t miss being out of the blogging loop for so long is all the drama over crazy things. You wrote a great response in the comments though.
I never claim to be high quality. I write what I think and if people don’t like it they don’t have to read it. If they think I’m obnoxious or rude oh well. Their problem not mine.
By: Aarti
That was fabulous, Pam :-) Hurrah. As an Ugly American (though I was told I was an “exception” to the general rule of horrible and ridiculously “loud” American blogs- compliment?), I applaud your ability to embrace our many flaws.
By: bookmagic (deb)
I love this. Love the glittery pink name.
What the hell was she thinking with that post. That doesn’t create a dialogue!!
By: heidenkind
For the lulz. I was shocked while reading this post to discover that Dutch blogs tend to focus on Dutch books, and Canadian blogs Canadian books, and so forth. Say it ain’t so! Why are we not all enslaved to the only kind of books that matter, those penned by properly reserved Brits? And on a side note, I’d like to meet one of these reserved British people some day. Because I sure didn’t meet that many while I was living there. :P
Whatever. If British blogs and the search thereof make her happy, she’s free to stay away from my filthy American self. LOL
By: Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
Sorry. I cannot apologise enough for my post.
I phrased things really badly. I was actually trying to say that I wish UK bloggers would promote themselves a bit more and that I love the way Americans feel able to do so.
I realise I’m probably digging myself into a bigger hole, so I won’t try to explain any more. All I can do is apologise. I don’t think I have ever felt so stupid in my life.
By: Jamie
From one “obnoxious” American to another….KUDO’S to you…oh and can you pass the glitter glue to me too please?!
By: Shweta
Being in a different time zone it took me while to go back and forth between the blog posts . I thought the post on Jackie’s blog was really offensive. I mean , if nationality is basis for passing judgment on blogs then I guess as an Indian blogger I will be subjected to something like ‘ As English isn’t their primary language their posts are inferior ‘ .This kind of a judgment may come up some day :)
I thought it wasn’t worth saying anything over there because it was a totally uncalled for post .. Love the glittery , self promoting blogs ;)
By: Savvyverseandwit
http://www.farmlanebooks.co.uk/?p=4521 is the link I think you meant….because the one in your post goes to a post about Wuthering Heights.
I think there are generalizations in her post that should be addressed, which you’ve done, but I also think that she’s unaware of the differences in the publishing industries in the UK and the US. Self-promotion is a way of life in America, like it might not be in the UK because the publishing industry is so prolific….but is that really a bad thing? I don’t think so.
Additionally, books published in these nations are different. I know one blogger in the UK who talked about the recent publication of a series of books that have been in the United States for several years. So her comments about not recognizing newer books is probably accurate because there is the process of buying international rights, etc.
I do note that translation works in the U.S. are not as widely available, but that is a trend that is turning around and more of those works are becoming available, but they are still struggling to find an audience.
Ok, that’s my 2 cents.
By: Pam
Jackie: This was not meant to make you feel stupid. Maybe only for you to see your generalizations where in fact a bit silly. I accept your apology completely because I have always found you to be a sound, intelligent person and I love to read your blog.
By: Jenny
Oo. This seems a bit nasty. Even with apologies and forgiveness all round. I was bothered by the post too, but it wasn’t targeting anyone in particular, and Jackie’s apologized. So I think this is mean.
By: Pam
Jenny, this post was made before Jackie apologized. Yes it is a bit mean but it was meant to be a bit biting with satire, to show that the generalizations she made were crass. I have accepted Jackie’s apology and think she is a great blogger.
By: Jenny
I know, I know. Just reading this post and the comments felt like people were ganging up on Jackie a bit, and that’s what bothered me. I’m glad everyone is friends again. :)
By: heidenkind
Note to self: when feeling the need to preface a post with “I apologize in advance,” it might not be a good idea to publish said post. The end.
By: Maria
I’m not an American or UK blogger but I do read many blogs from both countries and I’m now unsubscribing from your blog and several others which I used to enjoy reading. I think your post is very nasty and childish as are some of the comments. In my eyes, you have stooped lower than Jackie and I now find this to be a more offensive post than hers. Grow up, people!
By: Pam
Maria, I am very sorry you feel the need to unsubscribe from my blog. Yes I was childish and nasty and full of satire and snark. That however is something I will not apologize for. The post was meant for a laugh and to show Jackie how ridiculous her post was. It seemed to have worked. It is not an attack, more of a look I can post ridiculous things as well.
As for the comments, how would you like me to control that? I do not ever delete a comment. I do not lord over the public forum of my website with a hand on the delete key. Any ideal is welcome here on my site and I am sorry if that offends you but I won’t police my comment section.
I hope you do come back, sometimes I like to post things that aren’t so politically correct but that is just me :D
By: janicu
I’m not going to comment on this issue, since I think it’s done. I just wanted to say (because I’ve been to your blog before and I’m not sure I said it then), that I absolutely adore your blog design. So lovely. Love it. (OMG the send button!!!)
By: Emily
Wow I just noticed this today. Doesn’t like blog posts that aren’t about books… or prejudice against an entire nation of bloggers. Admirable.