This month, inspired by some Bloggiesta posts, I installed Disqus for comments on my blog. Then I removed it again less than 24 hours later. It was annoying that when I imported old comments into Disqus, all the reply threading was lost and commenters’ avatars and links were gone, plus all comments on static pages disappeared. But beyond that I was disturbed by reports that comments from mobile devices or from versions of the site viewed in foreign countries could get lost and were very difficult to retrieve…and that syncing with Blogger doesn’t always work, so if I ever left Disqus, or it went under, all comments might be lost. Plus, a lot of people refuse to use it at all, and there seem to be some security issues.
What is your opinion? Do you like Disqus or run away from it as fast as possible? I’m really not sure what to do, since the Blogger commenting system also has issues. Maybe I will move to WordPress sooner rather than later.
In actual reading news, this was the month of School Library Journal’s Battle of the Books, and I made an effort to read more of the contenders than I ever have before. It was fun, but it took up a lot of my reading time! Here are my reactions to the first rounds of judging. The winner will be announced on March 31, in case you’re interested.
This month’s most popular post was the discussion about “What makes a good book title?” I had a great time making this list of book titles that I love (the books are good, too). Thanks to everyone who commented and contributed their own favorites. What’s yours?
I was excited to announce that in less than one month we’ll be celebrating Elizabeth Goudge Reading Week. As you can see below, I’ve been reading some of her books in preparation. Will you join us?
Reviews
- Alias Grace – Margaret Atwood’s sly take on a real-life historical mystery.
- Echo – Historical fiction for kids, with three intertwined tales and a magical harmonica.
- The Towers of Trebizond – A wacky yet melancholy ride through the Middle East.
- Year of the Griffin, for DWJ March
- H Is for Hawk – Helen Macdonald’s stunning memoir of life (and death) with a goshawk.
Other features and events
- Publisher Spotlight: David R. Godine
- Favorite Fairy Tale Retellings, for Away to Whimsical Fairy Tale Land
- I joined in the Once Upon a Time Challenge
- Author Interview with Susanna Calkins (The Masque of a Murderer blog tour)
Other books read
- A bunch of contenders from the aforementioned Battle of the Books.
- And a batch of Elizabeth Goudge: The Bird in the Tree, Pilgrim’s Inn, A City of Bells, Henrietta’s House, Sister of the Angels
- The Islands of Chaldea by Diana Wynne Jones and Ursula Jones, another DWJ March read (and the topic of my first-ever Twitter chat, which made me feel very hip). I also polished off The Pinhoe Egg, which I’ve been meaning to reread for some time.
Favorite posts from other bloggers
- This was a Bronte month! From Behold the Stars, a review of The Infernal World of Branwell Bronte, a book I have never read but that sounds fascinating; also from Behold the Stars, a wonderful illustrated consideration of Shirley (I am now dying to have that edition with the illustrations by Edmund Dulac), and from Reading the End, a hilarious readalong post about Villette that highlights the weirdness of this book without reducing our affection for it.
- On a more somber note, a thought-provoking essay at Book Snob about a visit to Ypres, site of so much death and destruction 100 years ago. Now it’s a peaceful suburb, but signs of the war are still everywhere.
- At A Gallimaufry, the promised review of Lud-in-the-Mist. I love that original dustjacket but a copy would set me back $3000. Ouch.
- There have been many tributes to Terry Pratchett, who died on March 12, but this one at Things Mean a Lot was particularly moving.
- River City Reading and It’s a Book Life got spiffy new designs from New Chapter! However, these will be the last blog designs from the talented Stephanie — she’s closed her design shop indefinitely. I’m so glad I got in before the end.
How was your month?
Linked in the Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer
The Emerald City Book Review Archive 
I just use the comments system on WP. It works fine for me I can't think why I need other stuff instead, http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/2015/03/je-suis-pret.html
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I hear of problems on Blogger (although I haven't experienced them myself), and that's one reason why people switch. I'm interested in WordPress because it seems to have more options and be more stable.
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Honestly, I avoid Disqus, I don't know why, it's just not something I particularly want, and people don't seem to mind using this platform here, so I'm not rushing. Good luck finding what works for you though 🙂
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Thanks! It's working at the moment.
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I'm not fond of Disqus only because whenever I've encountered it, I've had problems. The Once Upon A Time Challenge was very tempting but I just couldn't manage it this year. 😦 Next year, though. Have fun!I can't wait for Elizabeth Goudge Reading Week. Thanks so much for hosting this, Lory. I'll be getting a post up on my blog about it next week!
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Hooray, that's great!
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I've vaguely thought about Disquis but not enough to investigate it. There are some benefits but I also don't want to miss with anything that's actually working too much! Have a great week!
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I like some things about it, but not the lost and unthreaded comments.
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Hey, I am in your month in review! We are both really lucky we got in before she closed shop. She was great to work with and is very talented. I don't mind using Disquis on other people's blog, but I have yet to really feel the need to use it on my own blog, especially now after you shared your experience. I think your commenting system works just fine how it is as far as I can tell. I just use the basic blogger one as well, but I don't think I have had any problems yet.
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I liked how you showed the evolution of your blog design! So happy with mine now.I haven't had any problems with Blogger so far. I just hear that they can happen. Hope we're both going to be lucky. : )
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I'm neutral on Disqus, and I tend to find the Blogger comments system less irritating than some find it. But the latter thing may change if Blogger keeps making me choose pictures of hamburgers to prove I am not a robot. I don't mind doing words and letters, but the choosing pictures thing is maddening.
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I can see how that would get annoying. I have moderation turned on specifically so commenters don't have to do anything (as far as I know).
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I hate Disqus and am very glad you're not using it…because then I'd never be able to comment on your blog…and I would hate that, too. 🙂
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A good reason not to use it right there!
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I'm planning to write a wrap-up post for my month–I need to get that up soon! I've had lots of good reading but it's also been pretty crazy with other tasks and teaching as well! I love that you joined in reading some of the SLJ's Battle of the Books. I have Echo but haven't read it yet. Also, I'm joining the Literary Blog Hop because I saw the banner on your blog!! 🙂
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Very good! I can't wait to check out everyone's giveaways. The Battle of the Books was fun but intense. Moving on to Elizabeth Goudge and Anthony Trollope now…
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Sorry to hear you had issue with Disqus and decided to abandon it. I've been thinking of moving to self-hosting and using Disqus for commenting, although WordPress commenting seems to work fine. Otherwise, it sounds like you had a productive month of reading!
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It's hard, because some people won't comment on Blogger and some won't comment on Disqus! I'm wondering if regular WordPress comments aren't the way to go.
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