Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2010 Day One

BBAW was started by My Friend Amy to celebrate the book blogging community. This year's theme is A Treasure Chest of Infinite Books and Infinite Blogs.

Day One:
Let’s talk about that first treasure today.
For those of you who participated in BBAW last year, what’s a great new book blog you’ve discovered since last year’s BBAW?

I have discovered several new blogs but one of my favorites is Shelia at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books. http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/
She is very creative and we read some of the same books. She hosts several memes including Its Monday What Are You Reading?. She is the founder of the Word Shakers Book Club. I love her reviews. They are well put together and interesting. I highly recommend checking out her blog. :)

BBAW Day Four

Can you believe it’s already Day 4 of BBAW? Where has the time gone? Well hopefully you’ve discovered plenty of new book blogs to clog up your RSS feed readers and introduce you to more marvelous books throughout the year! But let’s talk about that book you know, the one you discovered only because you read about it on a book blog and then you realized you couldn’t live without it! And then you read it and you loved it so hard! Tell us about it and about the blogger (or bloggers!) that introduced the book to you!

Deena of A Peek At My Bookshelf is responsible for my addiction to the Hannah Swenson Mysteries by Joanne Fluke. The first is called The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. They are cozy mysteries that each focus around Hannah Swenson and her bakery.For the most they are good clean books. I love them. I would never have started them without Deena's review. Thank you Deena! Her blog address is: http://deenasbooks.blogspot.com/

Shauna of Reading and Ruminations is responsible for my addiction to the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig. http://www.laurenwillig.com/books/index.html

It is hard to describe them. Click on the above link to read about them on the author's website. Shauna's blog is:http://readingandruminations.wordpress.com/

I am seriously addicted to the above series and I would never have picked them up without reading about them on their blogs. I am on pins and needles waiting on the next books in the series to come out. I highly recommend both series. :)

BBAW Day Three Meme

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?

Not usually. I will take a break and eat though. Some books are so good I can ignore my growling stomach for just one more page after page. lol

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

It does horrify me for fiction but for nonfiction I am tempted. I have a huge stack of little post its.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears?Laying the book flat open?

Bookmarks consisting of almost anything. I do not like dog-ears or breaking the spine.

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?

Both but the majority is fiction

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 on the book but most of the time I try to finish the chapter

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

No

What are you currently reading?

I have bookmarks in like 10 different books. My concentration has been shot this week.

What is the last book you bought?

I bought a stack of Love Inspired books at Wal Mart on Vacation

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

I read many books at one time

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

I can read anytime anywhere :)

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?

I really can't pick one. I just love books.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?

Dee Henderson, Susan May Warren, Jane Austen, Angela Hunt, Jenny B. Jones, Erynn Mangum, Tamera Alexander, Diann Hunt

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

I have several areas for unread (TBR ) books. Then my main book shelves I have divided by Fiction and Nonfiction. After that I try to put all the titles I own by an author in one place on the shelf.

BBAW Day Two Interview Time

For Day Two of the BBAW festivities I had the pleasure of interviewing and being interviewed by Suey at http://sueysbooks.blogspot.com/
Her answers are below and mine are posted at her blog. Go check it out!

Me: I noticed you also participate in reading challenges. What is your favorite and why?

Suey: The TBR one is probably my favorite because it was the first one I ever tried, and it got me into the blogging world, and because it concentrates on what I need to do anyway, which is to work on my huge TBR pile.

Me: Who are your top 3 favorite authors?

Suey:Markus Zusak , Jane Austen and Shannon Hale. For now, at this very moment anyway.

Me: What genre of books do you like the best?

Suey: Right now I'd have to say YA... anything. I also really love classics, but I've been neglecting them of late. And then (see I can't pick just one!) I also enjoy current so-called literary fiction. Oh, and fantasy. :)

Me: Which classic book character do you relate to the best and why?

Suey: Once I took one of those "which Jane Austen character are you" quizzes and the result was Elinor from Sense and Sensibility. I always thought that was quite accurate. I tend to appear in control and unemotional, but inside I'm probably quite an emotional mess. Anyway, I have always felt connected to her somehow.

Me: Describe your favorite reading spot.

Suey: I have two favorites. In the living room (which we sometimes call the piano room for obvious reasons) on the couch there because it gets one away from the chaos of the rest of the house sometimes. And also in bed, always at night, but I really like reading in bed late into the morning on weekends. I just redecorated a corner in my basement with bookshelves, and I hope to find some cool comfortable chairs for that area, and then maybe it will end up as my favorite reading spot soon.

Me: How did you get into the blogging world?

Suey:My sister invited me to have a Yahoo 360 blog years ago. It was really fun, but after awhile I noticed I wanted to talk a lot about books, and no one cared. Then I discovered the above mentioned TBR challenge, and that nearly everyone had a Blogger blog, so I decided to do what I'd been wanting to do forever, and create a book blog. That was two and half years ago.

Me: Why do you rate books with a letter grade versus another method or none at all?

Suey:First of all, I rate so someone can quickly glance at my review and know right off if I liked the book or not. I decided to use a letter rating, (stolen from someone somewhere) because it just seemed easier than a number thing or stars or whatever. Everyone just knows right off what it means, and there's all those pluses and minuses for the inbetweens.

Me: List your top 5 favorite blogs.

Suey:
Ug! Too hard! This kills me!

Some "old" favorites:

Chris at Book-a-rama
Melissa at Book Nut
Heather J at 30+: A Lifetime of Books
Stephanie at Confessions of a Bookaholic
Raidergirl3 at An Adventure in Reading

And because I'm going to cheat... some "new" favorites:

Amanda at The Zen Leaf
Kim at Sophisticated Dorkiness
Michelle at Fluttering Butterflies
Britt at Confessions of a Book Habitue
Melissa at One Librarian's Book Reviews

Me: Is there any particular food that you like to eat when reading?

Suey: M and M's if they are around, which isn't too often thankfully!

Me: What are your top 5 reads so far this year?
Suey: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison (my giveaway this week too btw)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

BBAW First Giveaway

In honor of BBAW I am giving away one $15 GC to bookstore of the winner's choice! Just leave a comment with your email address to be entered to win. Thank you to all the other book bloggers and readers out there. :)

*Contest is open worldwide and ends on Sunday September 27 at midnight.

BBAW Day One

What book blogs mean something to you? Who are your most trusted sources for recommendations, your greatest help, the blogger you turn to for a laugh or to vent? Whose writing do you admire or who introduced you to a whole new genre you didn’t know about? We want to hear all about them…because we want to know them too! Please share about the blogs we haven’t had a chance to meet via BBAW and let the party begin!

Some of my favorite blogs include:

*Nancy at Bookfoolery and Babble: http://bookfoolery.blogspot.com/

*Jenny B. Jones

http://www.jennybjones.com/blog/

*Erynn Mangum

http://erynnm.blogspot.com/

*Rebecca

http://thebookladysblog.com/

*Katrina at Callapidder Days

http://callapidderdays.com/

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Coming Soon

Book Blogger Appreciation was started by Amy Riley of My Friend Amy in an effort to recognize the hard work and contribution of book bloggers to the promotion and preservation of a literate culture actively engaged in discussing books, authors, and a lifestyle of reading.

The first Book Blogger Appreciation was observed in the fall of 2008 and occurs every September. The week spotlights and celebrates the work of active book bloggers through guest posts, awards, giveaways, and community activities. Book Bloggers are encouraged to register their participation for inclusion in a database of book bloggers.Last year over 400 blogs came together to celebrate the art of book blogging during the first ever Book Blogger Appreciation Week! I am so pleased to announce that the second annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week will be taking place September 14-18.

WHO Anyone who blogs about books is invited to participate. In fact, we want everyone who blogs about books and reading to be a part of this week!

WHAT A week where we come together, celebrate the contribution and hard work of book bloggers in promoting a culture of literacy, connecting readers to books and authors, and recognizing the best among us with the Second Annual BBAW Awards. There will be special guest posts, daily blogging themes, and giveaways.

WHEN September 14-18, 2009

WHERE Here at the new Book Blogger Appreciation Week Blog! (Please note that this year there are three separate blogs and feeds—one for the main event, one for giveaways, and one for awards.)

WHY Because books matter. In a world full of options, the people talking about books pour hard work, time, energy, and money into creating a community around the written word. I, Amy, the founder of Book Blogger Appreciation Week love this community of bloggers and want to shower my appreciation on you!

Brittanie:
I have been nominated in the Most Chatty Category. I was definitely surprised. Thank you!

Sunday Salon September 14, 2008

* This morning I finished Q's Legacy by Helene Hanff
* I read part of First Place 4 Health by Carole Lewis
* I read part of an ARC (advanced reader copy) of The Bride Bargain by Kelly Elieen Hake
* Still getting over the crud and my mother has been staying with me and the cats while my sister is in Ohio so I have not really been able to focus.
* I love her but I will be ready for her to be back at her house and my sister to be home. (We only live 10-15 minutes away from each other) :)
* Work sucks right now (sorry but I can't think of anything positive to say about it) (I tried)
* I miss my sister even if she is lazy and messy. ;) (and so do her cats)
* I am really hoping that this week is going to be better than last week in many aspects including reading.
* Book Blogger Appreciation Week Starts Tomorrow so don't forget to visit My Friend Amy's blog for more details: http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/

The Official BBAW Giveaway List

If you follow along for the festivities of BBAW at My Friend Amy, you will find many chances to win LOTS of goodies!

Like what? Well have a look below.

All of these things will be given away between September 15-19. There will be a huge variety of ways to win them and giveaways will be announced constantly throughout the week. So be sure to check in often!

A HUGE thank you to Hachette Book Group, Penguin Group USA, Harlequin, The B&B Media Group, Shera of SNS Blog Design, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, Catherine Delors, Pamela Binnings Ewen, Andromeda Romano-Lax, Ceceilia Dowdy, Sormag, Book Club Girl, Savvy Verse and Wit, Cafe of Dreams, Fashionista Piranha, and Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'?.

Daily Raffles:Monday--Books and Chocolate sponsored by My Friend Amy and Hey Lady! Whatcha' Readin?

Tuesday--Books and Going Green sponsored by My Friend Amy

Wednesday--Books and Coffee sponsored by My Friend Amy

Thursday--Books and Charity sponsored by My Friend Amy and Fashionista Piranha

Friday--Books and Movies sponsored by My Friend Amy

Win a Book Club Girl Hostess Survival Kit!Do you find it's your turn to host book club and not only do you not know what to serve but you don't know what books to offer up for the next month's selection?! Let Book Club Girl come to your rescue with the Book Club Girl Hostess Survival Kit.One lucky winner of the kit will receive:

* A basket of cheese, crackers, cookies and wine for up to 12 people

* 5 great book group books to vote on for your group's next pick. And Book Club Girl will then donate 12 copies whichever book is chosen for your entire group to read.

* 12 Book Club Girl mousepads to give out as party favors that night

* 12 Book Club Girl bookmarks to mark everyone's favorite passages

* 12 Book Club Girl coasters to protect your coffee table from all those wine glasses!

TWO SORMAG Goody Bags containing books and more!

A Special Pamper Me Basket from Cafe of Dreams!

From Avon Foot Works~ Inflatable watermelon shaped foot tub~ 3.4 FL oz Watermelon Cooling Foot Lotion~ 3.4 FL oz Watermelon Exfoliating Foot Scrub~ 12 count Watermelon Effervescent Foot Tablets~ An ARC of So Long At The Fair by Christina Schwarz~ A variety of Hot Chocolate and Tea mixes

A pre-made blog template from SNSDesign!

A Subscription to Poetry Magazine from Savvy Verse and Wit!

BOOKS

Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors

The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen

The Spanish Bow by Andromeda Romano-

LaxJohn's Quest by Cecelia Dowdy

Confessions of a Contractor by Richard MurphyAcedia & Me by Kathleen Norris

The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer

Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley

A Tale Out of Luck by Willie Nelson with Mike Blakely

The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson

An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken

Exit Music by Ian Rankin

The Smart One and the Pretty One by Claire LaZebnik

Gunmetal Black by Daniel Serrano

Isolation by Travis Thrasher

The Miracle Girls by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt

Every Freaking! Day With Rachell Ray by Elizabeth Hilts

Dewey by Vicki Myron

The Shiniest Jewel by Marian Henley

Keep the Faith by Faith Evans

The Book of Calamities by Peter Trachtenberg

A is for Atticus by Lorilee Craker

After the Fire by Robin Gaby Fisher

Mike's Election Guide by Michael Moore

War as They Knew It by Michael Rosenberg

Fixing Hell By Col. (ret.) Larry C. James

Wild Boy: My Life with Duran Duran by Andy Taylor

The Last Under-Cover: The True Story of an FBI Agent's Dangerous Dance with Evil By Bob Hamer

Border Lass by Amanda Scott

Insatiable Desire by Rita Heron

Hungry for More by Diana Holquist

Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee

Trespassers Will Be Baptized by Elizabeth Emerson Hancock

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Trish Ryan

Never Surrender by General Jerry Boykin

Dream in Color by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Congresswoman Loretta Sánchez

Beyond Belief by Josh Hamilton

Cobain Unseen by Charles R.

CrossDoing Business in 21st Century India by Gunjan BaglaBranding

Only Works on Cattle by Jonathan Salem Baskin

Launching a Leadership Revolution by Chris Brady, Orrin Woodward

How to Hear from God by Joyce Meyer

Knowing Right from Wrong by Thomas D. Williams

Pope John Paul II: An Intimate Life by Caroline Pigozzi

Pure by Rebecca St. James

He Loves Me! by Wayne Jacobson

So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore by Wayne Jacobson and Dave Coleman

Move On, Move Up by Paula White

The Rosary by Gary Jansen

Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

Right Livelihoods by Rick Moodyby George by Wesley Stace

The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

Trunk Music by Michael Connelly

Hollywood Crows by Joseph Wambaugh

Dead Boys by Richard Lange

The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters by Lorraine Lopez

Sisterchicks Go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn

Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky

With Endless Sight by Allison Pittman

Harlequin Titles: To Be AnnouncedMany other blogs are giving away books and prizes for BBAW as well!

You can see the links to all of these giveaways here.

Interested in gaining entries into the daily raffles? Post this complete list on your blog with links and you'll earn two extra entries!

Book Blogger Appreciation Week

***Important Announcement from Amy at My Friend Amy***

Book Bloggers: You work hard. You read books, you write reviews, you maintain relationships with your readers, publicists, and authors. You are constantly running to the post office to mail your giveaways and participating in carnivals to help boost traffic. You sometimes want to faint when you see the size of your TBR pile, but faithfully you read. And you do it because you love it. Book blogging is for most a hobby. But it's a hobby that takes a lot of work and time. It's a labor of love.I've been blogging for three years but only really got into book blogging in the last year. I have found, without a doubt, that book bloggers are the kindest, most open minded, and supportive group of bloggers on the internet. With book blogging, it's about community and a love for the written word.

The Readers: We love you! You don't have a blog, but you read our reviews and share your thoughts with us. You enter our giveaways and click on our Amazon associates link. We do this for you and appreciate your readership. We hope you'll join in the fun and festivities of BBAW! (we'll have a special contest just for you!)

Book Blogger Appreciation Week: Acknowledging the hard work of book bloggers and their growing impact on book marketing and their essential contribution to book buzz in general, I am excited to announce the first Book Blogger Appreciation Week. Think of it as a retreat for book bloggers and a chance for us to totally nerd out over books together. And of course, shower each other with love and appreciation.

Register: In order to experience the maximum impact of the week, I invite you to register your participation (just like a retreat)!To register, just send an email to bookbloggerappreciationweekATgmailDOTcom with your blog url and what you consider your niche...i.e, general book blog, classics blog, personal blog with a healthy dose of books, YA books blog, etc. Then, add one of the two buttons at the bottom of this post to your sidebar. If you are a reader (no blog) just send an email announcing your plans to follow along.Why bother? If you register, you will be added to a book blog directory which will exist long after this week is over. Additionally, you will receive one raffle entry into the daily giveaways during BBAW here at My Friend Amy.

Awards: Oh yes, there will be awards. The Oscars of Book Blogging. :) Nominations start next week.

Spread the Word: If you are excited about this idea like I am and the other book bloggers who are helping, please consider writing a post on your blog announcing this event and inviting other book bloggers and readers to join.