Week in Review - Week 8

Random Thoughts

I ended up participating in Book Blogger Appreciation Week last week hosted at The Estella Society. It was fun to brush off the old tag from the days when Amy hosted it. I am sort of outside the blogging sphere nowadays, but it was fun to join in! I added new bloggers to my feed reader and talked on Twitter a lot. We will see if I can comment on these new blogs and keep using Twitter... This last week also announced some changes to Scribd, a site I use to off-set my TBR pile. I am pretty disappointed with the changes and have found myself trying to read books off my list there instead of my personal challenge to catch up in some series. This is mainly because if I don't like the changes, I will be cancelling my membership in March. We will see how things play out...

Graphic Novel Year

Rat Queens - Volume 1: Sass & Sorcery (reread)

Rat Queens - Volume 2: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth

Morning Glories - Volume 8: Assembly

Morning Glories - Volume 9: Assembly

Jim Henson's Storyteller: Witches (Scribd)

Clive Barker's Nightbreed - Volume 1 (Scribd)

Clive Barker's Nightbreed - Volume 2 (Scribd)

Girl in Dior (Scribd)

Currently Reading 

Weekly Reading

Rat Queens - Volume 1 (reread) - I love this comic about a group of sassy, female heroes. They are not your conventional band, though, and are often fighting trouble they brought on themselves... But, I was so happy to reread it and revisit with the characters! I hope this series goes far and they continue to develop! Recommended!

Rat Queens - Volume 2 - I am so glad I finally got around to reading this book! It arrived during my reading slump last year and while I started it, I never finished it. Now I could read it with enthusiasm and once again enjoy my time with the characters. I didn't love this one quite as much as book 1, but I am still a huge fan and cannot wait until Volume 3 is out later this year. Recommended!

Morning Glories - Volume 8 - Okay, so I was so close to being caught up in this series that I splurged and bought the last two books before Volume 10 is out in May. I love this series and its messed-up, half the time no idea what is going on, storyline. I knew if I neglected it, it would be next year before I finally caught up and I didn't want to wait that long. This series continues to be a page turner for me. I am definitely a fan! Recommended!

Morning Glories - Volume 9 - And here we are, caught up! Once again this volume was a page turner and I was left at the end wondering what was going to happen next... It seems like the minute something is explained, more weird things start happening. The pieces are starting to come together, though, and I am loving the ride! Recommended!

The Storyteller - I read this on Scribd because I have been meaning to get to it for a while and didn't want to miss out. I love Jim Henson. I love The Storyteller. I loved this comic book. The art is stellar and the retellings are a lot of fun. I think that Jim Henson would have approved! It is essentially a collection of fairy tale retellings involving witches, so I would have enjoyed this even if it was not tied to Henson. Strongly recommended!

Nightbreed - Volume 1 & 2 - I read this on Scribd, too. I am not even sure why.... I didn't like it at all, but I still read all 12 issues that were on there. It was weird, which I expected, but I think I was just not the right audience for it. It was also the first time I have ever read anything to do with Clive Barker and may not have been the best starting point... Just not my thing...

Girl in Dior - I had seen this around the blogosphere and added it to my library in Scribd, but it was because of this post by Melanie and the whole trying to read stuff off of Scribd that I finally read it. And, I really liked it! The art was really great and the story was well-told considering it was based on true events. It is about away from what I normally would read, but it is a graphic novel so that always catches my interest! Recommended!

For the Love of Cats: From A to Z - This just sort of happened... It was a fun cover, I love cats, and it caught my eye last night. I did learn a few things from it, though, and enjoyed the artwork. Another one that I read on Scribd...

Go the Fuck to Sleep - I have been curious about this book since I noticed it when it came out. Not something I felt a pressing need to buy, so I had been planning to read it on Scribd. That happened yesterday and it was a lot of fun! It definitely captures the frustration a parent can feel! Recommended!

You Have to Fucking Eat - And then, there was apparently a sequel. So, decided to read that yesterday as well. It is also lots of fun and definitely represents the frustration of picky eaters well! Also from Scribd and also recommended!

New Additions

Morning Glories - Volume 8: Assembly

Morning Glories - Volume 9: Assembly

Shattered: The Iron Druid Chronicles (Book 7)

Hunted: The Iron Druid Chronicles (Book 8)

The Wicked + The Divine - Volume 3: Commercial Suicide

Weekly Posts

Week in Review - Week 7

Book Blogger Appreciation Week - Day 1 - Introduce Yourself!

Book Blogger Appreciation Week - Day 3 - Blogger Recommendations

Book Blogger Appreciation Week - Day 3 - Books I Read Because of Dewey

Books I Am Excited About - March Edition

Weekly Pictures

Book Blogger Appreciation Week - Day 3 - Books I Read Because of Dewey

Books I Read Because of Dewey

Dear Dewey,

It is hard to believe that so much time has gone by... I read these books almost 7 years ago. Some of them have stuck with me. Some were okay, but I am not sure I ever need to read again. Others I want to reread sooner rather than later! This post is why even when my blogging gets quiet... I don't stop... I remember reading So Many Books, So Little Time in a hotel after my great-grandmother died. I remember all the excitement bloggers had about American Born Chinese. It is too bad you never got to read his newer stuff... I am sure you would have loved him. At the end of the day, though, I have blogging friends that influence my life and my reading. I explore things that I may missed entirely if not for people like you. And, you continue to influence reading every time the blogosphere has a readathon. This means that people that never even met you, are still being inspired by your sense of community. In a way, you will always live on even if blogging becomes a thing of the past... I am sure there are still books on my TBR pile I have because of you. And, I know there are others I read other years because of you.

Much love to you and your love of reading and community!

Until next time...

And now, on with the books!

Read in January, 2009

A quote from Dewey's post: 

[O]ne of Jin’s classmates, a Japanese-American girl the bullies in the class call “chink,” which is a demeaning term for a Chinese person, not a Japanese person. The ignorance of some of Jin’s classmates is so deep that they can’t even get their racial slurs right. If you’re a woman like me, you may have been called names usually reserved for women. That’s pretty horrible, but imagine if the people degrading you with words paid so little notice to who you really are that they didn’t even use ugly words reserved for females, but instead called you names commonly used to insult men. With the former names, as awful as they are, you at least know that you’re not alone, that other women are called these names. With the latter, your femaleness is completely dismissed. Imagine how much damage something like that, happening day after day to a child, could do. How would that affect your sense of who you are?

You can read my Dewey letter here.

Read in February, 2009

So, when Dewey reviewed this post she answered questions. When I did my post I added my two cents to her answers. You can read the post here. 

Originally read February, 2009

When I posted my review I linked to all the mentions of John Green on Dewey's blog. Unfortunately the links go to other places now, but the idea is there!

Read in 2009

Words from Dewey:

I’ve noticed myself that many teenage girls consider developing breasts and hips to be “getting fat.” So many girls and young women I’ve talked to seem convinced that the ideal for a woman is to retain a pre-pubescent straight-up-and-down body. They seem to find it horrifying to gain weight, even when that weight gain goes along with increased height. This determination to retain a childlike stick figure body seems to go along with a horror with body hair. When I was in high school and college, it was considered “gross” to retain any armpit or leg hair, but now more and more I hear from girls and women that age that it seems “gross” to retain pubic hair, too. It concerns me that female secondary sex characteristics are considered so repulsive. It’s sickening to think that without realizing it, women attempt to please men by appearing as much as possible like little girls.

Unfortunately, like above none of the links to Dewey's blog work any more, but you can see the original post here.

Originally read in March, 2009

Thoughts from Dewey:

Since she lost her memory after an accident, she frequently looks up words. This serves a couple purposes. First, the character will keep using words she looks up later in the book, showing in a way how she has to use repetition to learn new things you might expect a girl of seventeen to have mastered. Second, it shows the reader, at times, some of the more obscure meanings of certain commonplace words. Adoration is not just the noun for the verb adore, to love, but can also be a religious term, mean a demonstration of worship.

You can read the original post here.

Originally read in 2009

A fitting book for #ComicsFebruary! Dewey and I both really liked this book. Read the post by clicking here.

Originally read in 2009

I mention browsing Dewey's blog and discovering that she had read this book, too. I really wish her blog was still active! You can read what I call a ranty post over here.

Read in 2009

I really loved this blog. A lot of other bloggers recommended it, but it was Dewey that got me to finally read it. And I wish I had read it long before I did... I should reread! I included a quote from Dewey in my post:

In fact, once it’s discovered who P.L.A.I.N. is, Jane’s new friends try to decide how to restructure themselves now that they’re no longer anonymous. Jane ends by saying, “Of course we can still be an art girl gang.” And she thinks, “I feel a fierce pride. This is my tribe.”

Check out the full post here.

Originally read in 2009

Dewey and I both really liked this book, but not for the same reasons as other bloggers... She made me feel not so alone on what I took away from the book. Read the post over here.

Originally read in 2009

I remember really loving this book. I must reread it! The original post is here.

Originally read in 2009

I love Terry Pratchett. I am glad one of my favourite books by him, I read because of Dewey! (And probably Nymeth... Oh, yes, I mention Ana in my original post, too!)

Thoughts from Dewey:

The story takes place in the mid to late nineteenth century on a tiny island which has been nearly destroyed by a tsunami. One survivor remains from the entire nation: Mau. But survivors from other islands and from a shipwreck wash up on the island and help Mau rebuild his home. One character, Ermintrude (who says her name is Daphne) has the biggest adjustment to make. She’s an English girl who was on board a ship that runs aground on the island. Unlike the other survivors, she has no shared language, history, culture, or even similar appearance to the others. But they all learn to communicate.

Read my original post over this way.

Originally read in 2009

 You can read my original post about this book here.

Book Blogger Appreciation Week - Day 3 - Blogger Recommendations

What have you read and loved because of a fellow blogger?

This is the most complicated question ever... I posted my first post on this blog on December 16, 2015. (I just hit 10 years and didn't even acknowledge it. Go me!) In those years, lots of bloggers have come and gone. That means lots and lots of book recommendations! To even narrow it down is a huge project, right? So, let's see what I can do... I decided to go with the books I have read between January 2015 that I enjoyed and were because of book bloggers.

I love this series! I read it because of Darren. 

I read this series because of Debi.

I really liked the first two books in this series and read it thanks to Heather.

I originally read one of my favourite series back in 2009 thanks to people like Carl and Heather. (I read two volumes in this series last year, so that is why I consider it counting...)

This is one I loved last year and read it because of Aarti.

Love this series and read it thanks to Memory!

Another book I read because of Heather. She is on a roll!

And, that, folks... Is a year of blogger recommendations! There were others I know I read because of blogging but couldn't remember who the person was... And if I went back even further this list would grow by a lot!

Book Blogger Appreciation Week - Day 1 - Introduce Yourself!

Day 1: Introduce yourself by telling us about five books that represent you as a person or your interests/lifestyle.

Today is the first day of the BBAW! I was around when this was first thought up, so I am happy to see it back around and revamped.

We Should All Be Feminists - Girl Power! I like to read books that are about strong women and believe that the world should work on how women are treated. I consider myself a feminist, though!

The Republic of Nothing - A novel set off the coast of Nova Scotia, where I live. The island is imaginary but the title can sort of represent a few things at the moment.

Understanding Exposure - I dabble with photography, but I am definitely enthusiastic and constantly trying to learn!

Fables - I love fantasy and fairy tales and graphic novels!

Wayward - Some things are constant in life, but I think everyone can be a Wayward soul about life... Definitely me!

BBAW - Day 4: Reading and Blogging

We have no blogs without books! Today’s topic explores that even more!

Book bloggers blog because we love reading. Has book blogging changed the way you read? Have you discovered books you never would have apart from book blogging? How has book blogging affected your book acquisition habits? Have you made new connections with other readers because of book blogging? Choose any one of these topics and share your thoughts today!

It is the fourth day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week. I didn't plan ahead and I don't have a lot of time for an in-depth post, but I did answer the questions. Enjoy!

Has book blogging changed the way you read?

Yep! I read trying to remember names, places, dates, etc. When I used to read before I started book blogging, I didn't really care how much I remembered. I would remember that I had read a book, but I wasn't planning on blogging about it and I rarely discussed books with anyone, so I didn't worry about the small things. I also read with people in mind either because they have recommended the book I am reading to me or because I think they would really enjoy the book. I also read more than I used to from what I can tell. I haven't always kept track, but I don't think I read quite as much as I do now.

Have you discovered books you never would have apart from book blogging?

Oh, probably. It is hard to say exactly what I would be reading if it wasn't for blogging. In the past a lot of my book acquisitions were because they looked good in the bookstore. I very rarely go to the bookstore any more just to browse. I always have books in mind and unless something is very new, I have likely heard of most of the books or at least of the authors. I read genres I never read before blogging, that's for sure. My reading is drastically changed from the past. This year I have been trying to get back to my roots and read more epic fantasy, etc. That's what I started out blogging about and with all the new recommendations I hear about daily, it is hard to stick to anything any more. This is also why I have way too many series on the go.

How has book blogging affected your book acquisition habits?

As I said above, I used to do most of my reading from books that looked interesting at the bookstore. Nowadays, I very rarely just walk into a bookstore and browse aimlessly. Even when I seem to be doing that, I have certain authors in mind or books that I would really like to read. The local bookstore has a clearance section on their website. It was not unusual for me to go through it online and buy the books that sounded interesting. In a way this change is good for my reading, but on the other hand I don't randomly pick up fantasy books any more. A lot of my favourite reads have been random selections, like The Time-Traveller's Wife. I read that pre-blogging and it was only because I walked into the bookstore and it sounded interesting.

Have you made new connections with other readers because of book blogging?

Yes. I have people to talk about books with and I have made a lot of friends in the book-blogging world. I have a few friends in real life that read, but more so now than in the past, so I never really had anyone to talk about books with. The guy likes to read, but he doesn't make time for it. I do ramble on about books that I think he would like and I have seen him flipping through books I leave out, but generally we are not a bookish couple. I think it would bother me a lot more if I didn't have an online world of people to talk about books. I love getting comments on my posts and talking about the books I have been reading with people that know what I am talking about.

BBAW - Day 1: Community

Today is the first day of BBAW and I thought I would join in for the first topic on community. In December I will have been blogging for 6 years and in that time I have seen a lot of changes in the book blogging community. I have seen blogs come and go. I have watched book blogging change from a very small world to a huge community that can be over-whelming at times. I often wonder what blogging would be like if Dewey was still around. I wasn't as good a friend of hers as other bloggers can claim, but we knew each other and commented back and forth on our blogs. When I was doing up a post the other day with links, I actually found some old comments that Dewey had left on my blog. Dewey was all about community, so it would have been interesting to see what other advances she made in this huge blogging world.

I am a bit fickle. Sometimes I love community-building projects, but other times I run the other way. What I do know is that in the spring and in the fall, Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings will host his challenges and if I have been very slack for the rest of the year, I know I will belong in the community then. Carl has always had one of my favourite blogs anyway. I am pretty sure I have been reading it since the early days of my blogging. Carl has the sort of personality that draws people together and it is thanks to him that I have met so many people over the years. I remember when I found his blog I was so excited because he liked the same sort of stuff that I did. In my real life that was virtually non-existent. I have met other people that like the same sort of things as me since, but in the beginning their was Carl. The blogging world is very lucky to have Carl in it.

Through Carl's blog, I met three very special people: Ana, Chris, and Debi. They have become very good friends and I am very lucky to know them! We even attempted to start a book club together, but life got in the way. Their blogs are three of the blogs I visit whenever I get a chance.

Then, there is is Heather from Tales of a Capricious Reader. I have actually been reading her blog for years, but we only became good friends in the last couple years. It is because of her and a few other bloggers that I discovered Fables, and anyone that reads this blog knows how much I love Fables. Heather is a fun blogger, though, and I am very happy to have her blog to read and to be friends outside the blogging world.

The blogger I have known the longest is Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader. She started blogging in November and I followed her in December. We have become very good friends over the years and I hope to one day get the chance to meet! At the moment the closest we have came is Skype.

One other thing about the blogging community is the Canadian blogging community. When I first started blogging I was always really excited to discover a blogger was from Canada. In the beginning there didn't seem to be very many at all, but after a while they started to appear more and more. Canadians are some of the nicest people in world (really, it's true!), and these bloggers are some of the nicest people you will meet. They include Chris, who is from Nova Scotia, too. We were just reading each others blogs for a while there, but then we started doing buddy reads and it made things a bit more informal. One of these days we will illustrate just how small Nova Scotia is and actually meet! Then there is Court from Once Upon a Bookshelf. I have known her for a very long time and love her posts. We also have a friendship outside of blogging and she is the only blogger that I have talked to on the phone a couple times. (Wait, that's a lie, Marg also called me once!) We read a lot of the same type of books and I have discovered lots of great books thanks to her.

Which brings me to Rachel. Rachel is probably the blogger that it is not surprising for me to say... What should I read? Thanks to her I have read, and loved, Arthur Slade (Court helped, too), Derek Landy, Catherine Webb, etc. She has great taste and tends to love authors that don't get as much attention, so it is fun discovering them. The other book blogger from Canada that gives me lots of great recommendations is Karen from Sassymonkey Reads. I have known her for a very long time, too, and she is my go-to person for Canadian and World War books. She always has a suggestion and it is thanks to her lots of books are on my TBR pile. Plus, she is a very nice person who I enjoy emailing back and forth.

Then, there is the blogger that I have to mention, even though her life has been very busy lately... Stephanie from Stephanie's Confessions of a Book-a-holic. I knew Stephanie before she started blogging. We have emailed and chatted many times over the years. Her life has been a bit crazy and hectic lately, but hopefully she will return soon!

Other Blogs the Blogging Community is Lucky to Have:

3m from 1morechapter.com - I love her posts! She was quiet for a bit there, but I am very happy to have her back around. Hopefully she remains!

jenclair from A Garden Carried in the Pocket - I feel like I have known about her blog for a long time, but she is another blogger I have been paying more attention to in the last couple years. She posts on a wide topic of things that I love reading about. Plus, she is a very nice person!

Booklogged from A Reader's Journal - Booklogged is a blogger that I have been reading for a very long time. I think pretty much since the beginning. She has been a bit quiet this year, but I still enjoy hearing from her!

Eva from A Striped Armchair - Eva was also an example of me being a slacker. I used to see comments from her everywhere and then with her hosting Library Loot in the beginning, people were always talking about her. And yet, I didn't know her! We just seemed to pass each other randomly, but not actually talk. That has since changed and I consider her one of my favourite bloggers and people. She has added lots of books to my TBR pile and constantly demonstrates to me just how lacking my library can be in terms of quantity...

Aarti from BookLust - Aarti is a blogger that I knew before she started blogging. We met on a forum for historical fiction and quickly became friends. We both love fantasy and historical fiction, so we always have lots to talk about. I was very happy when she started blogging and enjoy our email conversations over the years. I am sad I wound up really disliking our buddy read earlier this year. Hopefully we do another one soon!

Darren from Bart's Bookshelf - I am not sure how I missed Darren's blog for so long, but I started notice him participating in things that I was and decided his blog needed to go on my reader. He has a great blog, talks about wonderful books, and is a wonderful person.

Cat from Beyond Books - I actually discovered Cat through Sassymonkey. She kept being mentioned for book recommendations, so I decided that I needed to get the recommendations straight from the source. Cat is a really fun person and writes great posts about great books! Plus, another Canadian!

Melissa from Book Nut - Melissa is one blogger that I have become friends with over the years. We have done several buddy reads together and always have fun conversations.

Nancy from Bookfoolery and Babble - I have been reading Nancy's blog for years. She is such a fun person and I love getting glimpses into her life and her reading. We also talk outside of blogging and I always enjoy hearing from her. I have watched her blog grow and change over the years and look forward to more from her!

Iliana from bookgirl's nightstand - Another blogger that I have known for years. I have memories of reading her blog many years ago. Some of her posts have stuck in my mind all these years later. Through her blog and correspondence over the years, I can safely say that she is a very nice person and I love her blog!

Darla from Books & Other Thoughts - I don't think Darla reviews a book that I don't want to turn around and read myself. She shares many interests with me and writes fantastic reviews. I really love her blog!

Carrie from Books and Movies - One day I started talking to Carrie and next thing I know, she is one of my favourite people. I actually remember our first random conversation and am very happy that it has happened. We have also read a few books together here and there.

Pat from Here, There, and Everywhere - I actually think I discovered Pat from Carl's challenges, too. I have watched a lot change in her life over the years, but she always has a smile and kind words for others. Plus, she reads fantasy and I love discovering blogs that read what I read. I hope Pat will be blogging for many more years!

Nat from In Spring it is the Dawn - I have read Nat's blog for a very long time, too. It all started because she was a fellow Canadian, just living in a different country, and quickly lead to conversations and books added to the TBR pile. Hopefully one day she will come to this part of Canada and visit!

There are many more! These are just a taste of the great blogs out there and people I am lucky to know!

Thank you to everyone that visits my blog, comments, and makes the blogging world what it is!

BBAW Interview Swap

As part of the BBAW events I get the opportunity to interview Amy from My Friend Amy. I was rather excited because this week was all her idea and she deserves lots of recognition for such a great idea!

1. As the brains behind Book Blogger Appreciation Week, what has it come to mean to you? Has it changed how you look at the blogging community?

BBAW has always been a labor of love for me. I am genuinely thrilled there's a group of such amazing, intelligent, thoughtful people who take time out of their lives to write about books. I love the way book blogging allows us to create community around books as well as discover new ones. I am still amazed by this.

Yes it has changed the way I view the community in that I realized it's truly a community. Which means that the first year I went into it all naive and honeymoon-ish and was quickly reminded that real flesh and blood individuals write book blogs. And even though I have the best of intentions with BBAW, I will at times hurt people feelings without meaning to or cause them to feel marginalized when that is the opposite of my goal. It's something that I've really had to keep in mind every year. I hope that most bloggers know the very last thing I want to do is make them feel any less than appreciated--which they are--deeply.

2. What are some books that you are particularly interested in buying when they come out?

I really like YA paranormal and dystopian. These are the kinds of books I end up spending more money on than others. I really rely on recommendations for other purchases, or trusted authors.

3. If you had to pick three, what were your favourite reads of the year?

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins was the most powerful read for me.
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Sacredness of Questioning Everything by David Dark

4. You get a chance to guest star on one of your favourite tv shows. Which show would it be and what would your character be doing?

Um, I would totally guest star on The Vampire Diaries and I would be seducing Damon naturally! :P

5. Is there a book you have read in the last couple years that you would love to see made into a movie? If so, any thoughts on the casting?

You know, I would really like to see Hate List by Jennifer Brown made into a move-- it felt very cinematic while I was reading it. However, I have no idea on casting, I'm terrible at that!

6. Earlier this year I talked about childhood and books that you feel have influenced you as a result of reading them back then. Do you have a book that you feel influenced who you are today?

You know, I'm puzzling over this question. I think the Little House books framed what I think of as family and survival, the BFG taught me all not all monsters are bad, and the Best Christmas Pageant Ever made me realize that beauty is for everyone. But that's not a great answer is it? These were all books my mom read out loud to me.

7. On Historical Tapestry a few people have been posting about their 'Books of a Lifetime'. If you were to make a list off the top of your head spanning your life so far, what would you choose to include?

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Silence by Shusaku Endo
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith
The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers
Nothing but Ghosts by Beth Kephart
The Baby-sitters Club by Ann M. Martin
Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene

8. Have you discovered any new blogs this year that you believe deserve more attention?

I really love Jason Gignac's blog Moored at Sea. He blogs sporadically but he's one of the most insightful writers out there I think. Another blog I really love is Sarah Clarkson's Thoroughly Alive. Sarah has an amazing gift for words and a deep and abiding love for story.

9. If people could know just one thing about you, what would it be?

That I do my best.

10. We have been discussing another buddy review. Any thoughts on what book you want to read for it?

I thought we were going to do The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters! (ha ha ha! Oops! We are! Don't mind me... lol)

Friday Friends - BBAW Edition

On Monday, the activity was to talk about your favourite blogs that did not make the short list. I wasn't going to participate because I find it really hard to narrow things down, but I have been meaning to bring this feature back for a while. I decided to combine the two and just post late. Some of the blogs I list were nominated for BBAW, but that's okay.

These are my top 50 blogs. I read 294 blogs all together (and counting) and I honestly cannot list all of them. So, I decided to go with fifty.

3M from 1 More Chapter

Rachel from A Fair Substitute for Heaven

Heather from A High and Hidden Place: Tales of a Capricious Reader

Lesley from A Life in Books

Booklogged from A Reader's Journal

Raidergirl from An Adventure in Reading

Nicola from Back to Books

Darren from Bart's Bookshelf

Cat from Beyond Books

Melissa from Book Nut

Joanne from The Book Zombie

Chris from Book-a-rama

Nancy from Bookfoolery and Babble

Iliana from Bookgirl's Nightstand

Aarti from BookLust

Darla D from Books & Other Thoughts

Lisa from Books Lists Life

Amanda from Bookwormom

Charlotte from Charlotte's Library

Clare from Confessions of a Book Addict

Debbie from Debbie's World of Books

Ex Libris

Fyrefly from Fyrefly's Book Blog

Deslily from Here, There, and Everywhere

Tanabata from In Spring it is the Dawn

Melanie from The Indextrious Reader

Suey from It's All About Books

Kate from Kate's Book Blog

Lesley from Lesley's Book Nook

Staci from Life in the Thumb

Melissa from Melissa's Bookshelf

Jen from The Movieholic & Bibiophile's Blog

Wendy from Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Deanna from My Tragic Right Hip

CJ from My Years of Reading Seriously

Debi from Nothing of Importance

Court from Once Upon a Bookshelf

Cath from Read Warbler

Marg from Reading Adventures

Renay from YA Fabulous

Rhinoa from Rhinoa's Ramblings

Karen from Sassymonkey Reads

Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings

Stephanie from Stephanie's Confessions of a Book-a-holic

Stephanie from Stephanie's Written Word

Chris from Stuff As Dreams Are Made On...

Daphne from Tanzanite's Shelf and Stuff

Ana from Things Mean a Lot

Amy from Thrifty Reader

Andi from Tripping Toward Lucidity

Leya from Wandeca Reads

Zeek from The Way I See It

SuziQoregon from Whimpulsive

Susan from You Can Never Have Too Many Books

Amanda from The Zen Leaf

Okay, this was meant to be my top 50, but I apparently can't count, so instead this is my top 55. I was musing over the list and it is an interesting assortment. Some of those blogs I have been reading for years, while others I just discovered this year! And, you know, limiting it was very hard. I feel bad because I left off a lot of really great blogs that I have been reading forever, but I had to be a bit harsh or I would be here all day! If you want to know why, just wait for future Friday Friends. Some of those blogs have all ready been mentioned, but others you will hear about in the future!

BBAW - Book Recommendations

I know that I read a lot of books because of recommendations from bloggers, but I was having a really hard time thinking about something that I loved that I wanted to specifically talk about. Then, it dawned on me! Fables! I have read the entire series this year, so I think it is safe to say I love it. I have been hearing about it forever, but finally decided to take the chance on it this year. This is a group effort for getting me to read it, too. I credit the discovery of the series first with Heather. She has been talking about it as long as I have been reading her blog. I remember reading posts about it a couple years ago and thinking I needed to give the series a try, but I never did until this year.

I can also thank Nymeth, Chris, Debi, and Carl for introducing me to this series and contributing to me finally reading it! Now, I have to wait until next year for a new one, so in the meantime I have started work on Jack of Fables. There is also a novel based on the series out in October which I plan to read.

So, thanks especially to Heather, but also to all the other bloggers that have lead to me taking a chance on this series! I love it!

BBAW - Reading Meme

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?
- Only if it is mealtime.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
- It horrifies me!

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?
- Bookmark (usually receipt, napkin, etc)

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?
- Both

Hard copy or audiobooks?
- Hard copy.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?
- Depends, but normally any point.

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

What are you currently reading?
Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

What is the last book you bought?
- Generation A by Douglas Coupland

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
- One at a time.

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?
- Not particular about either.

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?
- Series books...

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
- Lots. Everyone is different...

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)
- Read or unread, genre, author last name.