BBAW Vlog and (temp) Adieu

I had so much fun this week during BBAW. I met some new to me bloggers, participated in a few daily activities (record number of weekly posts by me!), and even entered a few giveaways (a few). Today we're supposed to be talking about goals, and honestly I don't have very many goals for my blog. Just to enjoy and not let the pressure of blogging get to my head. I'd like a new template that doesn't take so long to load and a horizontal tab bar, but those will have to wait until I can take the time to figure out how. So until then...enjoy enjoy enjoy.

So, instead of rambling on about goals that I may or may not meet, I'm leaving you with a little minute-long vlog. I have got to be the most awkward person ever, but I didn't want to take several videos, so awkward is what you get. But I hope genuine is the message that comes across stonger. I cannot fully express my gratitude and appreciation for you and the community. I'm proud to be a part.

I'm leaving today for Europe and will be back Sunday the 27th. Since I got so caught up in BBAW, I don't have any posts scheduled. But oh well. I'll catch up when I get back. I hope everyone has a wonderful week and yes, I promise to post pictures as usual.

Much love,




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BBAW - Thanks for Introducing to...

Today’s BBAW prompt is focused on discussing a book we’ve read because of blogger recommendations. I’ve written about blogger influence once before and shown you my huge stack of books purchased partially based on blogger recommendation, but today I’ll focus on one book.

I’m kind of funny when it comes to blogger recommendations. If I see a book that is interesting to me, I’ll add it to my Amazon wishlist, or just make a mental note. I rarely buy a book based on just one recommendation unless it sounds absolutely fabulous. Too many books out there for that! But when I start seeing a book here and there and everywhere, that’s when I’ll round up all of the recommendations, take them to the bank, and cash out with a shiny new book.

This is what happened with Maus. I remember first seeing it mentioned on Nymeth, Debi, and Dewey’s blogs—and let me tell you these ladies write some pretty memorable and fantastic reviews. They planted the seed and all the many of you who reviewed Maus after watered that little seed for me.


Anyway, I hadn’t meant to turn this post into a novel, so in short I’m now recommending The Complete Maus to you. Highly highly recommending it. In fact, my copy is now with my mom who is scared to death of reading a comic book. But I’ve assured her—it will be one of the most powerful books she’s read.

Do you pick up books based on one blogger’s recommendation or do you like to see multiple people endorsing the book?

BBAW Bookish Meme

Holy Crap! I've posted 4 days in a row. I usually hate doing this because then I feel like my book reviews get passed over, but unfortunately I'm guessing people are skipping over book reviews this week, so why not post again! It's BBAW after all. Although it wouldn't hurt my feelings if you did decide to read my review of The Lace Reader. Hmmm--sorry for the shameless plug, but I was so excited about the book that I'm getting our book club to read it next month so we can then go see the author in person!!

Back on topic: a bookish meme. We've been asked to keep our answers short, so I'll bite my tongue and show you just how concise I can be!

Do you snack while you read?

Ice cream

(edited note: caught in a lie...see comments)

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea horrify you?

Sometimes if neccesary

How do you keep your place while reading a book?

Bookmark

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?

Both (mostly fiction)

Hard copy or audiobooks?

Hard copy (always)

Do you read to the end of chapters, or can you put a book down at any point?

Chapter breaks if possible

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?

Nope!

What are you currently reading?

Yellowknife; Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

What is the last book you bought?

Hunger Games and Catching Fire

One book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?

Mostly one at a time

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?

Any time I can

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?

Stand alone

Is there a specific book or author that you recommend over and over?

Margaret Atwood

How do you organize your books?
Read versus Unread (and then some)

How's that for concise? I'm feeling anxious not giving you longer answers, but I'll get over it.

Ok, so don't look at this picture and think I'm abusing my cat. Maggie has her own water--she just wanted mine! It was too funny to pass up. If I know how to write on the picture, it'd say something like "Iz thursty Mom!" See how Miss Spoon is there watching? Haha! I amuse myself.

BBAW Adoration

In honor of Book Blogger Appreciation Week, I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite bloggers. I usually hate this type of singling out of people, especially because I follow several blogs and have made several blogging friends and connections, but this handful has become truly special to me and I wanted to shower them with appreciation. Thanks you guys for simply being who you are.

Thoughts of Joy – Joy has a really special place in my blogging heart. She was one of the first blogs I grabbed onto when I first started, and even though she won’t agree, I pestered the heck out of her about this and that. She was patient and friendly and supportive and I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor turned friend. And what’s funny is I think Joy knows my taste in books better than I do!

Melody’s Reading Corner – I met Melody about a year ago, and I really wish I could remember how exactly. She was one of those who I immediately felt comfortable around and have since shared stories and reviews with one another. She's always leaves such wonderful comments here and in response to comments she receives on her blog and I always look forward to what she's going to say.

Peeking Between the Pages – One of my favorite things about hosting challenges is the great people I’ve met in the process. I met Dar last year during the Classics challenge and if I’m not mistaken she has just started blogging. She rapidly found a comfortable place in the blogosphere and has become a quite popular gal, but she hasn’t lost the personal friendships along the way. Dar has the sweetest disposition and I always look forward to her thoughtful posts or her wonderful comments. Plus, that Buddy is so adorable!

Books.Lists.Life. – Lisa Lisa Lisa. I have a special bond with Lisa and has just kind of evolved over time. We started emailing a few summers ago when we were both reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. She re-introduced me to the term “freezer book,” and that little bond has grown over the years. She was my best cheerleader during my first read-a-thon and I cajoled her into joining me for the last one. She’s also the first blogger I’ve met and we’re still talking so I guess that went well. :P I can always count on Lisa to give me a pick-me-up or laugh when I need it.

Musings of a Bookish Kitty – I don’t want to put in a whole bunch of hoopla about who was short-listed and who wasn’t, but I was pretty disappointed that Wendy wasn’t nominated for Best Literary Review Blog this year. Wendy writes such wonderful reviews and has added a number of books to my TBR list. In addition to her fabulous writing, she also is such a warm and welcoming blogger. I remember feeling rather intimidated by Wendy when I first started blogging, but she couldn’t be a more accepting person.

Dolce Bellezza – Is there a blogger with a bigger heart than Bellezza? Well, she’s got a lot of strong contenders, but I’ve always been drawn to her warmth. Bellezza, like Wendy, intimidated me a bit when I first started blogging. She is always able to find such beauty in the books that she reads and the way that she conveys her feelings just tugs at your heart. Besides all of that, she’s helped introduce me to Japanese Literature, which I’ll always be grateful.

My Year of Reading Seriously – I’ve talked a lot over the past few years about CJ and how cool I found her reading project to be. When CJ first started blogging she decided she would dedicate her year of reading to her mother who had passed away. I loved this idea, especially as I have a special reading bond with my own mother. Once her year of reading “seriously” ended, I was thrilled that she continued to blog away about this and that—love her Sifting Thoughts. I also secretly think that our cats are soul-kitties. Hers, Maddie, and mine, Maggie, do look curiously alike (in a cattish way).

Nothing of Importance – Debi. What can be said about Debi that hasn’t already been said. Everyone loves Debi. And if you don’t know who I’m talking about—put her on your list! Debi is one of those bloggers who I secretly wanted to get to know but just didn’t know how to go about it. She was a frequent commenter on some of my favorite blogs, so when Dewey did one of her first Weekly Geeks—meet other bloggers—I headed straight over to Debi’s. The awesome thing? Debi found me that week, too.

Also, quickly I know we're supposed to be talking about blogs who weren't short-listed this year, but I couldn't help mentioning Amanda and Nymeth who have been such wonderful blogging friends. And of course their blogs are "must check out" blogs.

What bloggers have you met that have gone above and beyond being just a blogger to being a friend?

Happy BBAW Week!

Commenting and Such

Wow--let me first say thank you for the BBAW nominations--yesterday I noticed I was short-listed for Best Commenter/Commentator. While I'm flattered, I have to admit that I'm also quite flabbergasted. This is one of those categories that didn't require any input from me, so I have no idea what the criteria for the judging panel was. Did they do a search to see how much the nominees had commented in the past week/month/year? Were repeat nominations taken into consideration--if you were nominated in a category last year, were you more likely to be short-listed again this year?

I'm not trying to sound ungrateful, because I appreciate that someone out there thinks I'm a good commenter. Really I am. The problem? It instills guilt within me. Guilt for being a bad blogger, for not being more active in the community, for being comfortable with the status quo etc etc. If you've been following along for quite some time, you know that I have a constant battle with commenting. Once upon a time, I would have said I was a really good commenter. That was before the blogosphere doubled/tripled and I could get around more easily. Now I just watch my GReader climb into the triple digits knowing that I can't possibly get around to the 100+ blogs I subscribe to. It's frustrating and discouraging and I usually just shut down--as I have the past couple of weeks. I know how ridiculous this all sounds.

It's been a rough year for me, and I've really struggled to come to terms with what I want to get out of blogging and how to balance blogging with life. And for those of you who can read between the lines have gathered that life in general has been tough the past year. I want so badly to be a big part of the blogosphere, but in the end I just can't put in the hours each day or week due to this that and the other. Neurotic me says, well, if you can't be a big part of the blogosphere, why blog at all? Sane me responds, because you love blogging and have met some great bloggers who you've really connected with. Neurotic and Sane me battle all the time. It's enough to drive me batty--and make me disappear for a few days.

I don't really have a point. And I'm not trying to be all "woe is me" whiny little baby. And I don't want to argue with whoever was generous enough to nominate me, but I also know in reality that I haven't been the best commenter these past couple of months. And I struggle with that because commenting is such a huge part of the blogosphere to me. It's my way of telling you--hey, I'm listening to what you're saying and I care about what you have to say. I keep hoping that I can do better at this, that I'll be a better community member...just gotta find that damn elusive balance!

Ok, let's brighten things up. Tell me what makes a great comment? If you happened upon a new blogger who was wondering about commenting (you were that timid commenter at one point...), what would you suggest to them?

Book Blogger Appreciation Week II

It's the announcement we've all been waiting to hear! The Fabulous My Friend Amy has announced the second annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week.

What is Book Blogger Appreciate Week (BBAW) all about? Well, appreciating and recognizing book blogs, of course! It's a week of fun starting September 14-18 and there will be so much hubbub and excitement that week that you'll definitely not want to miss it.

Go check out the BBAW Blog to register your own blog, nominate other blogs for great awards, and see all the news about events and giveaways.

Did you participate in BBAW last year? What was your favorite part of the week? I loved being able to recognize all of my favorite blogs--and I'll admit the giveaways were pretty sweet as well. And of course, I was honored to be nominated in the Best Commenter category (*blushes*).

In the spirit of BBAW, I thought I'd recognize two blogs that I've recently discovered that definitely deserve a spot in your Google Reader:

Cavaclade of Awesomeness

A Damned Conjuror

Go check them out! And while you're at it, why don't you share with us who your favorite new blogs are--whose blogs do we need to check out right now?