Clock Rewinders on a Book Binge is where Tara @ 25 Hour Books and I shamelessly plug each other, share the fantastic posts, giveaways, or whatever else we’ve found and loved by other awesome bloggers (or authors!) during the week, and talk about the books we plan on reading in the coming week.
Announcement
After everyone’s Feedburner feed counts went down to zero this week, there was a huge freak out over Feedburner going away. But Feedburner is not shutting down. A Feedburner competitor (FeedBlitz) has been reporting that Feedburner will shut down its APIs in October, and attempting to get Feedburner users to switch to their service. While it is true that Feedburner is shutting down its APIs, I have seen nothing that tells me how the APIs are used beyond being a tool for developers (from the Feedburner API website) and I’m not really sure the news deserves the panic it received last week.
I wrote about this on Facebook, if you want to know more. I won’t rehash it here. But I *will* say this: don’t believe everything you see on the Internet. Verify your source. Read articles from GOOD sources (good sources are generally considered to be DIRECTLY FROM THE SOURCE aka primary sources, so go beyond what bloggers–yes, that includes me–say, and what non-Feedburner or non-Google sites say). Read those articles all the way through. Consider the information with healthy skepticism. Do research on what you don’t understand.
Should we keep an eye on what happens to Feedburner? YES, ABSOLUTELY. But until we know for sure, there is no reason to panic. You can research your alternatives, but DO. NOT. PANIC.
If you need to do something, subscribe to your Feedburner feed. I’m subscribed to mine both through Google reader and email subscriptions. If there is an issue, I will know about it right away. I am reconsidering my need for a third party service to deal with my feed (I’m starting to think it’s really not necessary, especially since Jetpack offers an email subscription, which I’m now using). I am NOT panicking. I am doing research and I am evaluating all my options before I make a final decision about anything.
(For the record, this isn’t the first time Feedburner has had issues with stats being at zero. But it’s probably the first time it’s happened since GFC went away. So there you have it.)
On a Book Bender Recap
- Review: Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield (8) — Satisfying in a sad, creepy way.
- Top Off Tuesday [67] — Where I coined the new tag line: “Brightening everyone’s Tuesday, one almost-naked man at a time.”
- Review: For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund (10) — This book absolutely blew me away.
- How Not to Make Friends on Twitter
- GLA on Reading the Paranormal: 50 Shades of Snow White by Sami Summers
- GLA on Reading the Paranormal: Goldie and the Three Doms by Patricia Green
Meanwhile, in Amanda’s World
- For some shenanigans, Kelly and I tweeted our thoughts on Virgin Hostage. You’re welcome.
- Sarah crowned me Peen Queen. The conversation digresses from there. (In a good way, though, because who doesn’t love a little vagina love from the peen?)
- Oh! The boyfriend and I decided to sign up for a 5k race to motivate ourselves to get back into running. I’m on this three day cycle of running, biking (cross-train), and rest. Except I had to take two days of rest this week because, um, I may have overdone my run the first time out.
- I declared Wednesday to be Wine Wednesday, and had fun with everyone who drank with me (in spirit or otherwise). Seriously, Twitter likes it when I talk about alcohol. And peen. (What’s not to love about alcohol and peen?)
- Yeah. I’m not really going to lie. My life was pretty boring this week.
Around the Book Blogging Community
- Rick the Zombie crashes Reading in Winter to talk about why zombies are better than vampires.
- Smash was quoted on the stepback of Deadly Sting by Jennifer Estep. YAY SMASH!
- Was it just me or did not a lot happen this week?
Search Terms
what’s up with joey lawarence eyebrows? — I have NO idea. (Also, the lack of possessive here makes me think there is an eyebrow style called the Joey Lawrence.)
stalker love — Yes, the giraffe shifters love you.
die-hard grammar — I just… for some reason this term makes me laugh. Is there a type of grammar that’s die hard?
Goodreads Stats
Read in 2012 (126)
- Wicked Werewolf Night by Lisa Renee Jones (2)
- I really had no idea what was going on here. Here’s my GR review.
- Heartsick by Chelsea Cain (7)
- Review 10/15!
- Virgin Hostage by Tiffany Towers (2)
- Kelly and I read (and tweeted our way through) this book. It was… not that great. Here’s my GR review.
- A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray(8)
- Review 11/7!
- Red Fox by Karina Halle
- SO CREEPY.
Own-Must-Read (94)
- Shady Lady by Ann Aguirre
- A SIGNED COPY! Ann Aguirre held a giveaway of lots of her books. And I got a book. *thumbs up*
Amazon Wishlist (64)
- Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha
- Because it inspired RAGE in Kelly upon finishing (it was that good).
- The Diviners by Libba Bray
- Because Jenny the Supernatural Shark/Shobster said “supernatural murder mystery” and I was sold.
- Hunter’s Season by Thea Harrison
- If I have to explain this one, you don’t know me very well.
- Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
- BECAUSE KELLY SAID SO.
Unbreaking the Shelves Progress
Wow, I suck. I read two books from my own-must-read list, but added one. But… I have a couple books that are series out of order, so I might have to copy Kelly’s “series-out-of-order” shelf (Oh, am I copying Kelly? This never ever happens). My pending shelf may have technically gone down, but… well, I don’t want to talk about it.
Next week will be better, right?
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal September 23, 2012 at 12:05 am
I feel so loved after reading this post. *sniffle* *thumbs up* *high five*
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 23, 2012 at 12:00 pm
As you should. *high five* *huggles*
Shaunesay September 23, 2012 at 12:19 am
I haven’t completed any of my unbreaking the shelves books yet, except for the one that I decided to give up on today and just pass along, so 1, yay! :D
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 23, 2012 at 12:00 pm
PROGRESS! That is PROGRESS.
Ellie September 23, 2012 at 5:35 am
I looked into the feedburner thing a bit more and they announced nearly a year ago they were removing the developer API. This means that you can’t have third party applications accessing the data to do fancy pants things with the stats. Doesn’t help that they broke the stats but I imagine they are doing lots of things in the background prior to the API shutdown.
At the end of the day, people are still receiving my feed, that’s what matters :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 23, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Yes, that’s what I gathered after I did a little more researching, too. And I agree, it’s about people receiving my feed.
Hannah @ Once Upon A Time September 23, 2012 at 7:33 am
I forgot about that part of Jetpack! Thanks for the reminder. :)
Don’t think I can do Unbreaking the Shelves. I’m weak, okay?!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 23, 2012 at 12:03 pm
I was trying to figure out a Feedburner alternative, but I read an article that basically wondered why you would trust a 3rd party to handle your feed when RSS these days were pretty much capable of handling most things. Add Jetpack into the mix for email subscriptions, and that seems to be the way to go.
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) September 23, 2012 at 9:27 am
OK, it wasn’t just me! I didn’t think a lot happened this week either. And don’t worry — my life was crazy boring this past week. Maybe I should’ve joined you for Wine Wednesday!
I’m currently reading The Devil’s Metal by Karina Halle … AND I have Darkhouse on my Kobo and want to read it soon! I love a good, creepy read!
Thank you for sucking at Unbreaking the Shelves with me … THIS WEEK I WILL DO BETTER!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 23, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Wine Wednesdays FTW!
I say I’ll do better with Unbreaking the Shelves every time and then it never happens. So… yeah.
Amy @bookgoonie September 23, 2012 at 10:32 am
Crap! I got the wine, but missed the peens.
Yay! More good Libba Bray. I have to read more. I have Going Bovine. The cover…a cow holding a gnome. Must read, but haven’t yet.
Scuttling off to find out how to not make friends on twitter.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 23, 2012 at 12:12 pm
The peens were fun. As always.
hahaha. Wow. That sounds like a fun cover.
Mary @ BookSwarm September 23, 2012 at 10:46 am
Why is it Google can’t leave well enough alone? I get that they’re not completely shutting down FeedBurner but API sounds…important (even if it’s not really). They need to stop dicking around with things. Improving is great but dropping like a hot potato, especially when lots of people use it (GFC, iGoogle…) is incredibly annoying. Okay. /rant
I like Wine Wednesday, even though I’m a beer girl. Still, a drink’s a drink, right? *clinks glasses*
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 23, 2012 at 12:13 pm
I don’t know, but it’s a free service, so I don’t know how much we can legitimately complain about it. It’s their prerogative to change things even if we don’t like it.
A drink is definitely a drink. :)
Smash Attack September 23, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Wine & Peens for all! *cheers* I wish I drank wine, but I’ll take a shot with you instead. :)
I started exercising, slowly. Doing a walking program. Baby steps. I am wicked out of shape.
Queen Peen FTW!
This week was kinda boring. :/
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 23, 2012 at 12:18 pm
I approve of shots! How about an oatmeal cookie shot? :)
Walking is a good place to start. A lot of 5k races also have walking portions (or you can walk the entire thing). 5k races are great for motivation, because they give you something to work toward. (I’m seriously in love with 5k races.)
I’m kind of glad that I wasn’t the only one who thought this week was boring. Not that I want other people to have boring weeks, but at least I’m not alone.
Smash Attack September 23, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Yea, I don’t run. My frakin busted ass knees won’t allow it. I really need to work on strengthening them. :/
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 23, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Running is really rough on your body. Biking is also a good cardio workout that’s not hard on your knees. I like biking because I get *speed*. For some reason, walking just doesn’t move fast enough for me, so I generally only walk with a dog or with other people who want to walk. Part of exercising is just finding what works for you. :)
Andrea @ The Bookish Babe September 23, 2012 at 12:27 pm
I loved this post, Peen Queen!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 23, 2012 at 12:31 pm
HA. Thanks! (I also just realized that my Peen Queen announcement is in my 69th CR post. Huh.)
April Books & Wine September 23, 2012 at 12:52 pm
FINALLY! A voice of reason in the Feedburner madness. Seriously, I have been having my doubts especially because Feedblitz is the one to announce it and are a competitor of Feedburner.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who is not entirely freaked by feedburner.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 23, 2012 at 1:05 pm
I keep wondering where everyone’s critical thinking skills went. I mean, yeah, something is obviously happening with Feedburner and it’s probably wise to keep an eye on what happens. But no one seems to really understand APIs and what they do, and rather than researching it or attempting to learn more, everyone is assuming the worst and jumping ship.
Felicia September 23, 2012 at 7:08 pm
I am not moving off Feedburner anytime soon. API is really only a concern if you are a developer. It might mean that some of the “tracking” might go away. The service itself should continue working. I don’t use Feedburner for numbers that is what Analytics and Live numbers are for :)
Anywho great info to get out to people. I know a bunch of people panicked. Research is a great thing to do when something appears or does “break”. It is just a good rule of thumb.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 23, 2012 at 9:36 pm
There is an awareness API in the Feedburner options somewhere. Mine wasn’t even activated. Does that even MEAN anything? (Or would it only be important if I was looking to develop something?)
I agree that research is good. But being able to evaluate the source of information is important as well. The rumors originated with a Feedburner competitor. It’s hard to believe that they wouldn’t skew the information to make themselves and their service look like the better option.
Sarah (saz101) September 24, 2012 at 1:08 am
“Should we keep an eye on what happens to Feedburner? YES, ABSOLUTELY. I don’t know how the APIs affect how we use Feedburner. It could be NOTHING. Until we know for sure, there is no reason to panic. You can research your alternatives, but DO. NOT. PANIC.”
Oh for the love of THE ALMIGHTY PEEN QUEEN THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR THE STUFF ABOUT FEEDBURNER.
The article says APIs are going away. NOT Feedburner. I think some third party’s jumped on it using scare tactics to get people OFF Feedburner, and onto their platform.
It’s giving me a headache.
I really wish Google would be clearer. A ‘What this means’ bullet list would take them minutes, but can you even imagine the bandwidth it would have saved them?
JUST SAYING.
Also, I think you need a graphic announcing your rightfully appointed title as Peen Queen to all. But how to make it innapropriate and pornographic as possible without it actually being pornographic? Hmmmm… *plots*
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 24, 2012 at 9:25 am
I’m honestly a little appalled at the reaction. People bought into it SO EASILY and FeedBlitz did capitalize on some people’s ignorance. Good for FeedBlitz, I guess, but I don’t know that it’s something to be proud of.
Google definitely could have made things clearer.
YES, A NON-GRAPHIC PEEN QUEEN GRAPHIC! (Ha. That makes me laugh.)
Amanda @ Letters Inside Out September 24, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Considering Google admits they are no longer offering support for Feedburner, I’m hesitant to believe they don’t plan on either closing or majorly changing things…but my big reason for leaving Feedburner? The fact API IS shutting down. I rely heavily on the API for a lot on my blog…from tweeting posts automatically to having accurate feed counts. I’m kind of a computer-geek, so I need that ability. Most bloggers on WP DO use the API for at least part of those functions.
I’m actually pretty put off that your post (and resulting comments) implies bloggers who changed didn’t do their own research. I did. A lot of it, I’d been reading up on various methods back when GFC went kaput. I’ve continued to do so for months now, this was just a push in that direction.
I do agree that people need to evaluate the situation and decide what is best for them, but no where in any of the FeedBlitz posts did I see FBlitz saying it was for closing – they listed their opinion of the situation like MANY other bloggers did.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender September 24, 2012 at 6:24 pm
You’re right about FeedBlitz, and I have since reworded my post to reflect that. I am sorry if it seemed my post implied that no one was doing research, as that was not my intention. Rather, my intention was to caution people to not panic and consider every angle before they made a final decision.