BBAW: All About Your Blog

Hopefully this week you’ve been visiting a bunch of new book blogs and maybe noticing some things about them you’d like to try yourself. Or maybe you’ve just had some ideas for improvements to your blog you’d like to put into place or new ideas for content. But there’s also probably something you really love about your blog, too, something you’re really proud of. It’s time to show off! Tell us and this is really important, in 50 words or less what you love best about your blog! And then in 50 words or less where you want your blog to be by the next BBAW! Ready? GO!

I love how this blog gives me a chance to keep up with what I'm reading and lets me meet new people in the cyberworld who have a great love of reading as I do. In the future, I'm hoping it all leads me to reading new and exciting books.

Wow, exactly 50 words and I wasn't even trying! LOL


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

BBAW: Thanks for Introducing Me to This Book

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!

I had to think about this, and try to remember where I learned about the books I've enjoyed this year. The one book I absolutely loved and only learned about it through a blog is The Tyrine Cat by Inbali Iserles. You just knew it would have to be something with cats, LOL. I "discovered" this book from Vivienne at Serendipity I just knew, from reading her review, I'd love this book. So, I contacted the author and was able to get both a review and an interview. So a big thank you to Vivienne!

BBAW: You and Your Reading Habits

Today’s it’s all about the creativity. We have this fabulous reading meme for you below and all you have to do? Pick ONE or answer them all in as few words as possible! Be creative, have fun, stand out! That’s all! smile

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?
Nope, I'm too much of a slob and would mess up my books.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of
writing in books horrify you?
Unless it was a textbook for school, I would never write in a book.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears?
Definitely bookmarks. Lately I've been using postcards from my last vacation. It makes me feel like I'm still on vacation :)

Laying the book flat open?
Nope, never. I'd be afraid of breaking the spine.

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?
I'd say about 99.9% fiction. Once in a blue moon I'll read non-fiction if it's something that I find interesting.

Hard copy or audiobooks?
I prefer hard copy, but will listen to audio books.

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?
I'd rather wait for the end of a chapter, but if I have to stop in the middle, I will.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
No, I keep going along. Usually I can figure it out by the content of whatever I'm reading.

What are you currently reading?
So Into You by Sandra Hill

What is the last book you bought?
Shades of Gray and Probable Claws - both by Clea Simon

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 usually. Although I can read a print book and have an audio one in the car at the same time.

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?
Usually in the evenings, after work.

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?
Doesn't matter, I like both.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
Three authors - James Patterson, Janet Evanovich and Debbie Macomber. My favorites :)

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)
No, real order to anything. Whatever I can fit into a rubbermaid tub. Although, if a book is part of a series, I do try to keep them together. It doesn't always work, though.

If you'd like to find out about Book Blogger's Appreciation week, just click the button at the top of this post.

BBAW: Book Giveaway!

In honor of Book Blogger's Appreciation Week, Socrates' Book Review Blog is having another book giveaway. This is for a book I read and reviewed a while back "The Italian Lover" by Robert Hellenga. You can check out my review. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

If you'd like to enter the contest, there are just a few simple rules...

1) Comment here that you want to be entered.

2) Leave a valid email address in your comment (I need a way to contact you! No email address, no entry!)

3) For an extra entry, follow my blog. If you already follow my blog, just mention that in your comment.

4) US only (sorry, financial constraints!), no P.O. boxes.

5) For an additional entry: If you follow me on twitter, you'll get an extra entry. Just mention it in your comment!

6) Subscribe to my blog and mention that in the comments, too, for another entry! If you already subscribe, mention that in the comments!

7) If you blog about the giveaway on your blog, you get 5 extra entries!

All entries must be submitted by September 25th, midnight est. I will contact the winners by email. If I don't get a response within 3 days, another winner will be chosen.

All winners are picked by Random List.org.

BBAW: Interview with b a good read

Today we celebrate Book Blogger Appreciation Week by swapping interviews with another blogger. This was alot of fun! I was matched up with a "new-to-me" blogger Samantha from be a good read. She has a terrific blog...let the interview begin...

1) How did you become a book blogger?

I discovered the book blog world through my writing blog. Surfing around, I realized excitedly that there are many other--as my friends like to say teasingly--read-aholics. So I began to comment around. Eventually, in the late summer (bad timing on my part because of school starting up), I made a book blog of my own. It was nice writing about books I read and receiving comments on the book--much better than my ever-silent journal. She doesn't respond when I talk about a fantastic book, haha.

2) What do you want to get out of your experience as a blogger?

For some reason, most of my friends are science people. So I'd love to make more friends with a passion for books. Also, I hope to work in the book publishing industry someday as a writer, a literary agent, and, eventually, a bookstore owner. Book blogging, I think, will provide me some great insight.

3) How do you pick the books you want to review?

Good question. Most of the book reviews that are currently posted--I chose them because of their first couple of pages. I like to feel pulled into the story, but it doesn't have to be in a very...loud way. Sometimes, however, if the synopsis sounds interesting or I heard good reviews, I'll read it through even if I find the beginning slow. Usually, the story gets better. But the writing--the writing is what hooks me. If the book shows promise in its writing then I'll definitely check it out.

4) What kind of writing do you do?

Besides all those academic papers? Haha. =) Right now, I'm working on the short story and novel form; I want to write Middle-Grade and Young Adult stories mostly. I wrote a few one-act plays back in high school, but prose is my favorite. I also write a few personal essays/articles: I did a small travel piece this month's issue of The Asian Herald (a Southeaster publication).

5) Which blogs do you read regularly and do you have any to recomment?

I follow more writing blogs than I do book blogs, but I'll definitely name a few: GoodBooksInc. is one I follow and definitely recommend for literary readers. They also have a wonderful blog with quotes from the books they read. The Book Smugglers--they have such a great name and great content. There's also Angieville, The Story Siren, and more. Although it's not a book blog, I like to check out Merry Sisters of Fate. I'm obsessed with Maggie Stiefvater's work right now (thanks to Shiver) and, in Merry Sisters, I get to read short fiction by her and other writers. I definitely recommend checking out BBAW directory for more blogs though. =)

6) What advice would you give to someone starting a brand new blog?

Definitely check out other blogs. You can learn a lot from them and, if you contact a few, I'm sure some of them would love to help you get started or even be a mentor. Don't be scared to say hi in the book blog world. Start a conversation with someone. Try out different ways to review; you may like bullet points or sections or whatever. There's no right way of talking about a book you love.

7) Besides writing and reading, what other hobbies do you have, if any?

I love how you added the "if any," haha. Besides reading and writing, I like dusting up on my martial art skills, hanging out with friends, watching movies, doing homework, fulfilling my leadership roles on campus, being part of campus activities, volunteering, and working at my job.

8) How many hours a week do you spend working on your own blog?

Since school started, none. I know--it's terrible of me. I'm still trying to figure out a way of balancing everything I do. And it seems I may be taking on too much..

Before school, however, I spent about 3-5 hours a day on it which was about...21 hours a week at the very least. I didn't have a job then but..I sure do miss summer haha.

9) Have you ever met another blogger in person?

Nope. I'd like to though.

10) Is there any one experience during your blogging time that stands out the most?

When other book bloggers responded to my comments on their blog. I loved finding people to talk books with! It was like a dream come true. =)

Thanks for doing the interview with me! Have a great BBAW week!

Thank you, Samantha, for doing this interview with me and sharing your insights into the blogging world!

For anyone who would like to find out more about Book Bloggers Appreciation Week, just click the button at the top of this post.

BBAW: Let's Celebrate Bloggers!

Welcome to BBAW 09!! We are beyond thrilled that you’re here! The book blogging community is truly the best online community there is and while we may have many differences among us, we share a love for books! So let’s celebrate each other and celebrate books.

Last week was fun seeing all the shortlists and visiting some new blogs but now it’s time to make it personal.

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!

If you'd like to participate, click the button at the top of this post.

Let's see....there are many, many blogs that are special to me. This is only a small sampling of those that did not make the BBAW shortlist...

The Bookworm - Naida does an amazing job with her blog and she's a romance reader, too!

Serendipity - Vivienne's blog is like spending time with a good friend and sharing the day. Plus, she posts great pictures :)

Bookgirl of Mur-y-Castell - Blodeuedd has very similar reading tastes as I do and posts excellent reviews.

Musings of a Bookish Kitty - You just knew I had to include something with a cat, didn't you? LOL Seriously, though, Wendy's blog has very thought-provoking posts that I love to read.

These blogs are just a small portion of the blogs out there. It's impossible to name all those that I visit and enjoy so much. If I could, my list would have been much longer.

Thanks to all the hardworking bloggers out there - you ALL do an amazing job!

Book Giveaway: Simon's Cat by Simon Tofield

In honor of Book Blogger Appreciation Week and thanks to the generosity of Hatchette Books, I can giveaway 5 copies of Simon's Cat by Simon Tofield. Being the cat lover I am, I couldn't resist this one.

Simon Tofield's animations have taken YouTube by storm. Now, the feline Internet phenomenon makes his way onto the page in this first-ever book based on the popular animated series. SIMON'S CAT depicts and exaggerates the hilarious relationship between a man and his cat. The daily escapades of this adorable pet, which always involve demanding more food, and his exasperated but doting owner come to life through Tofield's charming and hilarious illustrations.



If you'd like to win a copy for your own, here are the few simple rules:

1) Comment here that you want to be entered.

2) Leave a valid email address in your comment (I need a way to contact you! No email address, no entry!)

3) For an extra entry, follow my blog. If you already follow my blog, just mention that in your comment.

4) US and Canada residents only, no P.O. boxes.

5) For an additional entry: If you follow me on twitter, you'll get an extra entry. Just mention it in your comment!

6) Subscribe to my blog and mention that in the comments, too, for another entry! If you already subscribe, mention that in the comments!

7) If you blog about the giveaway on your blog, you get 5 extra entries!

All entries must be submitted by September 25th, midnight est. I will contact the winners by email. If I don't get a response within 3 days, another winner will be chosen.

All winners are picked by Random List.org.

Announcing the Second Annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week September 14-18, 2009

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!

WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
Please help us spread the word about Book Blogger Appreciation Week by posting about it on your blog, stumbling this post, twittering about it, and telling everyone you know that it’s time to have a party and celebrate book bloggers!

Please register by filling out the registration form! Registering ensures your inclusion in the BBAW 09 Database of Book Bloggers and enters you into the drawing for the BBAW 09 Grand Prize!

Come back often as there will be many updates! And follow us on Twitter!

AWARDS
BBAW Award Nominations will open tomorrow, July 15 on the BBAW Awards Blog.

Book Blogger Appreciation Week - Book Giveaway!

Book Giveaway!

In honor of Book Blogger Appreciation Week, Socrates' Book Reviews is having a 3 book giveaway. We will be giving away.......

House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III

Colonel Massoud Amir Behrani was once a powerful and respected officer in the Shah of Iran's air force. Having fled the country with his family, he works by day spearing trash on California highways and by night as a clerk in a convenience store while deceiving his family into believing that he has a loftier job. Now, willing to risk the modest remainder of his fortune to restore his family's dignity, he buys a small house at a county auction, planning to sell it again for three or four times what he paid. But the house has been auctioned because of a bureaucratic error, and Behrani's fragile plans are jeopardized when Kathy Nicolo, the owner of the house, begins to protest the sale.

A recovering alcoholic and addict, Kathy is desperate to regain her only tie to stability — her home. In doing so, she enlists the help of Deputy Sheriff Lester Burdon, a married man who has fallen precipitously in love with her. As Kathy and Lester become obsessed with seeking justice by whatever means possible, the three characters converge on an explosive collision course. Combining unadorned realism with profound empathy, House of Sand and Fog is a devastating exploration of the American Dream gone awry.

Awaken My heart by DiAnn Mills

1803, the colony of Texas Marianne Phillips, the daughter of a wealthy rancher, has never agreed with her father's harsh treatment of the poor mestizos who first inhabited the colony of Texas. When rebels kidnap Marianne, in hopes her father will trade back their land for her freedom, she realizes her loyalty lies with her abductors, not her father, who plans to marry her off to the don of a nearby estate.

Armando Garcia is the locals' reluctant leader, but his people revere and depend on him. Knowing that without his leadership they'd be forced from their land, Armando accepts his role, but does not approve of the latest attempt to manipulate their enemy. When he learns that Marianne actually speaks his language, of her loyalty to his people, and of the faith that keeps her strong, Armando is faced with a difficult decision. Will his newfound love keep him from letting her go? Or will he set her free and risk losing their land forever?

Distant Heart by Tracey Bateman

Toni Rodden has escaped a life of prostitution and vows she'll never let a man control her again. After months on the wagon train, she's finally earned her place, albeit grudgingly from some, and has found a surrogate family in Fannie Caldwell and her two siblings. For the first time she can taste freedom and the possibilities of a new life. But as Fannie prepares to marry wagon master Blake Tanner, Toni realizes how alone she is and questions whether she'll ever find acceptance, or true love.

Despite Toni's conviction that no man will be able to see beyond her marred past, Sam Two-Feathers, the half-Indian wagon scout and acting preacher for the train, seems to know of a love that forgives sins and values much more than outward appearances. Will Sam have the confidence to declare his love? Will Toni be able to trust in a love that can forgive even the darkest past?

If you'd like to participate and win all 3 books, just post a comment saying you want to be entered. Please leave your email address or some way in which I can contact you if you win. The contest will last through BBAW and end on September 19th. The winner will be picked on the 20th. Good luck!

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-Lax
John's Quest by Cecelia Dowdy
Confessions of a Contractor by Richard Murphy
Acedia & 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. Cross
Doing Business in 21st Century India by Gunjan Bagla
Branding 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 Moody
by 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 Announced

Many 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!