So, Book Blogger Appreciation Week is over, and to be honest it’s been a blast. I haven’t been blogging long, and this was my first BBAW. It feels like the end of school break and this is where our new year starts. The week has been so much fun, from reading all the daily meme posts to the great and generous giveaways and, of course, lots of book lovin’.
I especially enjoyed Natasha’s (Maw Books) post on the BBAW website, about why we blog about books. I found myself nodding throughout the entire post because it rang so true. How many of us have friends and family that don’t understand our passion? I have to smuggle in books as my husband really doesn’t get why I keep buying them, when I already have a zillion to read. And now that I get books sent to me for review he understands it even less. “It’s my hobby” I say, “it’s an obsession” he replies or “it’s an addiction – you have a problem.” Of course he’s only joking (most of the time) but, you know what? I think he’s kinda right. I do spend way too much money on books and I know I’m not going to get around to reading them for months and months, even years.
Most of my friends think I’m slightly strange and *nerdy* and others get defensive when I say I couldn’t live without books, their reply is “I don’t have time to read.” But you know what, if you love books, you always find time. I love the fact that I read. I love all genres, I have favourites, yes, but I read horror, romance, crime, fantasy, literary fiction and classics. I have a wide repertoire of books on my shelves and I’m proud of my ever growing collection. I display them on gorgeous bookshelves in plain view in every room of the house. I celebrate literature. I find it sad that so many people do not read anymore and children are not being read to. One of my favourite memories of my childhood is my mum reading Alice in Wonderland to me and I believe this is the reason I love books and reading so much.
Because most people prefer to do other things than read a book nowadays, the number of people I have to talk to about books is diminishing. It’s hard to find a kindred spirit ‘in the real world’. Nobody fully understands the love I have for reading and I see their eyes glaze over when I begin to discuss a book I’ve just read or give me *the look* when I come home with a bulging bag from Waterstone’s. Unless they read themselves, they just can’t comprehend the obsession. And that’s why I enjoy blogging. That’s why I love you guys. ‘Cos I am you, and you are me. We may live continents apart but our love of *the word* is what brings us together. So many different people from different backgrounds, all coming together because of one thing. Books. How powerful is that. To think that literature can get people who have never met, talking, laughing, sharing. I say that is pretty, freakin’ cool!
But, as we all know, there is a darker side to blogging as posted by Kristi. In the last couple of months alone we have had ‘Siren Bashing’ and ‘BBAW Gate’ and have seen how Twitter can spread negative, as well as positive opinion, like wildfire. But what this week has shown me is that 99% of bloggers are sweet, kind and friendly people, who just love books.
Our blogs may be different in style, different in genre and we may share different opinions, but it’s this diversity that makes blogging so interesting. During BBAW, I have come across many blogs that were new to me. Some you may know, but maybe a few will be new to you too. So, to end my Book Blogger Appreciation Week, I thought it would be great to share them with you.
* Sapphire Romance Realm * Reading with a Bite * Bites * Book Binge
* Things Mean A Lot
* Amberkatze’s Book Blog
* Steph Su Reads
* A Novel Menagerie
* Parajunkee’s View
* Bookwormy Girl
* Literate Housewife
* Mysteries in Paradise
* Dirty Sexy Books
* Mr Ripley’s Enchanted Books * Reality Bites, Fiction Does it Better
A HUGE thank you to Amy & Friends for organising such a fab week. BBAW may be over for this year, but our quest continues… spreading the word of literature.
17 Comments
Fantastic post! I know exactly what you mean about he way others react to my reading. I'm lucky that my mum and sister read too, but my friends just don't get it.
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What a great post!! And I'll check out those blogs you linked to as well!
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Such a super week. And you blog is one I discovered. I'll be here regularly!
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Great post!! I missed out on a lot of the BBAW stuff but… YES the book blogging community rocks!
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What a great post. I couldn't agree more.
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Sigh, I know that slightly defensive "I don't have time to read" very well…Sometimes said in a tone that implies, "and if you do, you probably don't have a life". I'm so glad I found this community. And I'm also very glad I discovered your blog during BBAW
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Great post! My hubby doesn't really understand my passion for reading and blogging, but he's totally supportive. My mother-in-law once commented that my blog is "just a book blog." Uh, that's the whole point. Oh well.
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What a brill post! I enjoyed reading it and can certainly identify with you in sneaking in the house with another bag of books, hoping my husband and sons don't see me. LOL!
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Hello all,
Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog and for the mention you've given me.
I've had a look round your blog and was very impressed, I will be visiting again very soon.
Vincent
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Wonderful post! Was nodding in agreement though the whole thing! You captured my feelings exactly, as it's so hard to find someone to discuss the latest book with in the "real" world.
Great job!
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Now this is a post that made me nod as I was reading!
I couldn't agree more – I ocassionally get to discuss books with people since I work in publishing and bookselling, but I tend to get carried away (goodness knows I could talk about books all night long) and some people might find that annoying … So then I was browsing for books online and I came across some book blogs and I thought, "Hey, I want to do this too, just talk about books I've read and want to read and bought etc." so I started this little blog of mine (which is entirely selfish as I only post stuff that's relevant to me, but that's alright) and met some wonderful people who share my brilliant passion/obsession, who actually understand me!! It's a great feeling, I agree! 
I'm a lot like you, I celebrate the written word and books are my life, quite literally (no pun intended, heh). Luckily my boyfriend is a passionate reader too so he doesn't mind my compulsive book buying too much, but sadly I'm surrounded by a few people who think I shouldn't be wasting so much money on books, eh. I was just thinking myself that I have a problem as well, that this passion is indeed turning into an obssession (must. have. more. books. now!), but surely this is one of the best obssessions one can be guilty of!
So yeah, I'm proud to be a book fanatic and very glad to have met great people (doesn't matter who they are or where they're from) who share my interest – you know what they say: great minds think alike!
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Very well said, Carolyn! You know, my husband says the same thing to me, but he dead on serious. He just shakes his head and says that the house is dirty, the kids aren't fed, and things are slipping into ruin because of my obsession! Good thing I can do most of my blogging while he is at work! Ha!
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Hey there Carolyn. Spiffy blog you've got goin' on over here. Sandy sent me over – I always do what she suggests.
I love that you exist to celebrate literature. I see that you are a member of Goodreads so you know what a haven that place is for readers and writers. You are in the UK – I belong to a group there called You'll Love This One which is primarily filled with other UK book lovers. I like being welcomed into their world as an American and we have lots of friendly discussions about all things reading. Maybe some of them are located near enough to your "real world" and you could find yourself a face to face book group.
I'm still searching for one of those myself – but luckily I have enough friends and family members who will sit and chat with me about books when I need a fix. And my hubby is slowly succumbing to the book worm. So some day I envision engrossing conversations about the classics. Until then I settle for brief summaries about crime thrillers. Baby steps.
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P.S. – the UK group I mention is on Goodreads – I don't think that was all that clear from my initial rambling comment ;0)
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It was a great BBAW week. Your blog is a new one, I just discovered today –it's great, so i'm sure I will be back. Enjoy your Sunday
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This is a great post…I couldn't agree more. I've been enjoying your blog for over a month now. Keep the great posts and book recommendations coming. There are lots of us out here that are as "obsessed" as you are with books and reading!
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Great post. You made so many great points and I agree with you so much. The blogging community is a really great place to share your love of reading because as you said, "we all get it." I agree that it is really unfortunate that not everyone can share my love and appreciation of the written word. My boyfriend doesn't get that on most nights I would prefer staying in with a good book to going out or watching movies/tv. It's great to have people who are interested in what I have to say about the books that I spend so much of time reading.
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