10 November 2011

Book Blogging Community: Something for Everyone

Every year around now, I like to take the time to let you know of all the great book blogging events you can look forward to during the holiday season. Here's what's coming up:

First I'd like to remind you that there's still time to nominate your favorite reads for the Indie Lit Awards. Visit the website and let us know which books deserve special recognition in the following categories: biography/memoir, GLBTQ, fiction, mystery, nonfiction, poetry, and speculative fiction. Don't be shy. Here's a chance to make sure a fantastic book or author gets some deserved recognition.


For the second year, Chronicle Books is hosting its Happy Haulidays giveaway. One blogger has the chance to win $500 worth of books plus one of that blogger's readers can win the same books plus the blogger's favorite charity can also win the books. So three winners, including a charitable donation. A pretty neat way to celebrate the season. You have until December 2 to enter; see the website for the rules.

You have until tomorrow to sign up for the Book Bloggers' Holiday Swap. This is loads of fun and an annual tradition. You can chose to swap with someone in a country other than your own or opt to stay domestic. It's a great way to make a new friend and get an exciting holiday package at the same time. Don't miss out. Visit the website and fill out the Goggle form.


Another fun event is the Book Bloggers' Holiday Card Exchange. This is an inexpensive way to share holiday cheer with book bloggers from around the world. You can offer to send to and receive cards from up to five bloggers. Sounds fun, doesn't it? Sign up by November 30; see the website for more details.

Don't forget to start haunting the Novel Challenge site for all the fabulous reading challenges coming up in 2012. I swear there are several new and creative challenges every single day. If you look, you'll find something just right for you. Don't forget to check out the perpetual challenges too. If you're relatively new to blogging, let me clue you in: reading challenges are a great way to get to know other bloggers, to stretch your reading, and to have some good fun.

Finally: come back next week when I announce the categories for the What's in a Name Challenge 5. I've been working hard on the WIAN5 categories, and I think you're going to love them. I can't wait to share. If you haven't yet finished up the 2011 challenge, no worries--you still have a few weeks until the end of the year.

Note too that there will be a 2011 Virtual Advent Tour, which will be officially announced any day now. This is a tradition that is much loved by book bloggers. Anyone can participate--it's nondenominational and you can make your post religious or not. It's all about celebrating the holiday season, winter, and your family traditions. Spread the feeling of goodwill with the book blogging community. For more information, check out last year's site.

Are you participating in all of these activities or only a few? Which is your favorite? If I missed any other events, be sure to let me know in the comments.

30 comments:

Mary (Bookfan) 11/10/11, 6:26 AM  

Great post - especially for newer book bloggers. I've participated in the BBHS for a few years and meet the nicest bloggers (and who doesn't love to get a bookish gift?). I may try the Holiday Card exchange this year too.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea 11/10/11, 6:57 AM  

Thanks for mentioning all these happenings - I wasn't aware of some of them.

Sandy Nawrot 11/10/11, 6:58 AM  

Thank goodness for you, keeping me up to date. I would have missed the Holiday Swap, which I've done for years! I'm on that right now!

Anonymous,  11/10/11, 7:02 AM  

Wow, lots of happenings. I'm hosting my first challenge this year: http://manoflabook.com/wp/?p=3937, let me know how you like it.

Cassandra 11/10/11, 7:48 AM  

I didn't start blogging until a few days after Christmas last year, so I missed most of the holiday activities first time around. It will be nice to participate this year.

Zibilee 11/10/11, 8:03 AM  

So many things going on this time of year! Thanks for rounding it all up for me!

Helen's Book Blog 11/10/11, 8:35 AM  

So looking forward to the What's in a Name 5 Challenge and the Holiday Swap!

bermudaonion 11/10/11, 8:52 AM  

Thanks for all the links! I need to read one more book to finish this year's What's in a Name Challenge.

Col (Col Reads) 11/10/11, 8:53 AM  

Thanks for this great post! I will finally be blogging on those dang Eustace Diamonds in a few days -- and I'm already looking forward to WIAN5!

Nan 11/10/11, 8:54 AM  

I just read about a Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge here:

http://christmasspirit-truebookaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-spirit-reading-challenge-2011.html

I think I'm going to join this one, and maybe the Advent Tour as well.

For 2012, I'm just waiting for the Ireland Reading Challenge and the Foodies Reading Challenge to be announced. I so enjoyed them this year.

Andi 11/10/11, 8:56 AM  

Thanks for this! There are so many great events and opportunities for book bloggers to indulge in the community this time of year. So many, in fact, that I often overlook some opportunities I'd like to participate in!

Vasilly 11/10/11, 10:04 AM  

It's amazing how fast this year is coming to an end! My favorite events are the Book Bloggers' Holiday Card Exchange and Secret Santa. I love receiving things in the mail.

Daryl 11/10/11, 10:05 AM  

Truly something for everyone

Joy Weese Moll 11/10/11, 10:30 AM  

Thanks for this. This will be my first December with a book blog (I started in January) and I had no idea that there was this much going on!

Suey 11/10/11, 11:11 AM  

I've done Holiday Swap one since it started.. like what... four years now? So now I'm adding the card one to my list! Didn't know about that one! Sounds very fun too. :) Thanks.

dog eared copy 11/10/11, 12:44 PM  

I cannot wait for WIAN5!My Black Friday shopping list is waiting to be completed! Thanks for the link to the Novel Challenge site. I've already found a couple that are very appealing :-)

Meg @ A Bookish Affair 11/10/11, 12:56 PM  

Thanks for bringing A Novel Challenge to my attention. I found a couple more challenges that I want to sign up for!

Julie 11/10/11, 3:29 PM  

Can not wait for the categories in What's in a Name Challenge 5!!

Peppermint Ph.D. 11/10/11, 8:38 PM  

I love BBHS and have already signed up for this year but forgot all about the Virtual Advent Tour...thanks for the reminder!!

Marg 11/10/11, 9:41 PM  

Thanks so much for mentioning the Virtual Advent tour, and giving everyone a sneak peak of our new site design which I am very happy with!

Sign ups should be up in the next couple of days, and I hope to see lots of people participating!

Cath @ Constance Reader 11/11/11, 12:50 AM  

Woot! This all sounds so much fun. :)

Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) 11/11/11, 9:40 AM  

Thanks for the nice round-up. I've participated in some of these before but the reminder that they are approaching is always welcome.

Serena 11/11/11, 10:28 AM  

Thanks so much for the reminder...and Anna and I better get on the 2012 challenge planning for War Through the Generations!

Esme 11/11/11, 10:44 AM  

Thank you for posting this.

Dorte H 11/11/11, 2:54 PM  

I have almost made up my mind not to participate in ANY reading challenges next year as I have only finished one of six this year, and with c 130 books on my TBR I am NOT going to buy new books any time soon.

But let us see; I have been known to change my mind ....

Rachel 11/12/11, 12:40 AM  

Thanks for sharing all this info. I love the button for What's In a Name 5, very pretty!

Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooks 11/13/11, 9:33 PM  

There's a lot going on! The holiday card swap is one activity I didn't know about ... thanks for keeping us organized.

Unknown 11/14/11, 8:11 PM  

Thanks for spreading the word on the A Novel Challenge blog! I'm one of the admins now so I appreciate it. I'm looking forward to seeing what the categories are for your challenge too.

Michelle 11/23/11, 2:27 PM  

Book blogging really does do community well doesn't it? All of these are really great events to participate in.

Alice 11/24/11, 10:40 AM  

Thanks for this! I've just became a follower of the Novel Challenge site. Can't wait to see what's in store for 2012. :)

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