The State of Scrapbook Idea Books

Do you use scrapbook idea books? Do you prefer physical books or electronic books?

Personally, I prefer electronic books, but the problem I am running into is the e-book description is not always a true reflection of what the book contains and you don’t really know that until you purchase the book. This is not just a problem among the scrapbooking industry, but it is happening in this industry.

A problem I have with physical scrapbook idea books is that they come and go rather quickly. A few of the titles I reviewed last winter are no longer available. Some, like the CK titles were designed to only be available a short time.

Another issue I am having with physical scrapbook idea books is that some authors and publishers are promoting books as “new” when they have been out for a couple of years. I’m sorry, but you can not call your book new if it was originally published more than one year ago. I understand that there was a big shake-up among the publishers with the demise of some of the scrapbook magazines, but changing publishers does not make the book new.

The reason I started reviewing books and blogs was to sort through all the stuff that is out there and share my findings with you. But, because of the problems I am finding with the idea books out there (and their promotion), I think I am going to have to discontinue reviewing books and focus on blogs (and the occasional class). I have a few more idea books that I have already purchased that will most likely be reviewed on here (since I already have paid for them), but unless an idea book is particularly groundbreaking in some way, I don’t think I will be reviewing it here. I am beginning to believe that my time and money is better spent blog-surfing and taking the occasional class instead of focusing on idea books.

Here are the scrapbook idea books I have reviewed so far:

• Books & Blogs: 20 Simple Secrets of Happy Scrapbookers
• B&B Review Full of Love by Nancy O’Dell
• B&B Review: Scrapbook Page Maps by Becky Fleck
• B&B Review: Stories in Hand by Jessica Sprague
• B&B Review: Journaling that Matters
• B&B Review: Scrapbooking tips & tricks
• B&B Review: Scrapbooking Everyday Memories
• B&B Review: The Organized & Inspired Scrapbooker
• B&B Review: Scrapbook Page Maps 2
• Books & Blogs: Time to Scrapbook
• Books & Blogs: Creative Ideas for Events & Holidays
• Books & Blogs: How to Scrapbook Your Personal Heritage

Are there any idea books you would like me to review before I permanently retire the book portion of Books & Blogs? Comment below or join the conversation on facebook or twitter.

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Stephanie