BBAW 2016: Day 2: Getting to Know a Blogger (Interview)

I'm so happy that the wonderful women at The Estella Society have brought back Book Blogger Appreciation Week, first conceived and run by Amy of My Friend Amy in 2008.

Despite my support and enthusiasm, I'm currently swamped with work, so my participation will be limited. One thing I wanted to be sure to do, though, was sign up for the blogger interviews.

The interviews are a fantastic way to get to know other bloggers, so make a point of clicking on over to The Estella Society to find more Q&As with your fellow book enthusiasts. But first stick around to meet Curtis.

Curtis blogs over at Convergence Book Reviews, where he shares his thoughts on what's he's reading and talks about some book events he's attended. Listen in while he and I visit. Oh, and don't forget to head on over to Convergence Book Reviews to see my answers to his questions.

Me: The first thing I noticed when I visited your blog is that we overlap on very few books. You read a lot of M/M romance, and I haven't read any. What two books would you recommend to someone new to the genre?

Curtis: There are some really great writers in the genre, who I think sometimes get overlooked because it’s seen as a niche and the books don’t often make it to the mainstream. If I had to choose two books, I’d start with Greenwode by J. Tullos Hennig. It’s an incredibly rich retelling of the Robin Hood story, which is a story I’ve always enjoyed in its many variations. It’s definitely one of my favorite books I’ve read. The second I’d recommend would probably be The River Leith by Leta Blake. It’s about an amateur boxer who suffers a brain injury and loses three years of his memories—including all memories of his boyfriend and taking him back to a time when he hadn’t thought loving a man was a possibility. It’s a well-written, emotional, and inspiring story.

Me: Wow, both those books sound amazing. I was just saying the other day how much I like retellings, so the first book is likely a good match for me. The second book sounds emotionally powerful. Your blog is solidly about the books, which is a good thing. But can you tell us what else you like to do besides read?

Curtis: I’m an avid fan of the arts, especially music and theatre, and I find time to be active both as a patron and volunteer in my local community. I’m a freelance proofreader, currently contracted with two fiction publishers, and I also spend some of my online time as a co-chair of the Volunteers & Recruiting Committee of the Organization for Transformative Works, a non-profit organization that strives to provide access to and preserve fanworks and fan culture.

Me: I didn't realize you were a fellow freelancer—that's a fun connection between us. How cool that you're active in the arts community. Now, of course, I have to know what prompted you to start a book blog.

Curtis: I’ve always been an avid reader, and I often have people come to me for book recommendations. I found that it would be not only an opportunity for me to share some of my thoughts on books more broadly, but it could also be a catalyst to help me stay on top of my reading goals. The authors and publishers that I’ve been able to engage with as a result of starting the blog have served as an added benefit that helps keep me going.

Me: I too love the interaction with other book people. Now if only I were better at meeting my reading goals. I see that you went to the Gay Romance Northwest Meetup last year. Can you tell us where and when will it be held this year? Any advice for a first-time attendee?

Curtis: Gay Romance Northwest will be held on Saturday, September 24 in Seattle. It’s a day-long gathering of authors, editors, publishers, bloggers, reviewers, and readers with a connection to LGBTQ fiction and romance. My recommendation to a first-time attendee would be to plan to stay for the whole day. Things usually get started in the morning and go into the night, but there is just so much to offer. The schedule usually includes panels for current and aspiring writers, reader discussions, sessions exploring the state and future of the genre, a book fair/author meet-and-greet, and a celebratory event to end out the day. Attendees also typically leave with some great author swag and free books generously provided by authors and publishers.

Me: This sounds like a fantastic event for all kinds of book lovers. Seattle is too far for me to travel, but I hope those of you in the Northwest seriously consider attending. My last question is this: You've decided not to post one- and two-star reviews, a decision lots of book bloggers make. Do you tend to skip negative reviews when you read other blogs? How do you feel about people writing posts about books they gave up on (DNFs)?

Curtis: I don’t really have a strong opinion on people posting negative or DNF reviews on their blogs, and if I see one, I don’t necessarily just skip past it. The reason I decided not to post one- or two-star reviews is the I see my blog as a place to recommend books. Recognizing that I’m probably not recommending a one- or two-star review, I prefer to focus my energy on sharing the books I really enjoyed. Everyone has their own approach, and it’s often through seeing a variety of opinions that people can really find what might be of interest.

Me: I totally understand the idea of wanting to be a source for recommendations. I agree too that a variety of opinions is important. I enjoy reading negative reviews, if they're respectfully written.

I hope you added Convergence Book Reviews to you blog reader and had fun getting to know Curtis. I'm all about expanding my horizons, and it's great to know I that I now have a reliable source for recommended M/M romance. Plus the two books he suggested in the interview have already made it to my wish list.

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BBAW: Imprint Love and Giveaway

Today is the final day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2010! This yearly event of giveaways, blog hopping, blogging, and awards is all about you! And you and you and you and me and is the brainchild of Amy from My Friend Amy.

Each day this week I'm hosting an international giveaway (winners announced on Monday, September 20), so I hope you come back to see what I have in store.

Today's BBAW topic is about blogging goals. I don't really know what my goals are, but I know that I feel strongly about a couple bookish things. One is audiobooks. For some of my thoughts on how to get listening, see the post I wrote yesterday for the BBAW blog.

Another is my imprint awareness mission. You might recall that I started out the week talking a bit about one of my favorite imprints. Thus I'm going to finish the week talking about another must-read imprint. In fact, if you are long-time reader of my blog, then you know that every Friday is imprint day at Beth Fish Reads.

Currently, I am featuring and collecting reviews of Harper Perennial Books. And I thought I would stick with tradition and turn the spotlight on Simon Van Booy's collection of five stories Love Begins in Winter.

When I first picked up this slim volume (about 200 pages), I started browsing the title story and found myself lost in it, almost forgetting to start from the beginning to let the story reveal itself as the author intended.

Here's just one passage that made me pause:

I open my cello case and smell my grandfather. I pick up the instrument and run my fingers tenderly up and down the strings. In each note of music lives every tragedy of the world and every moment of its salvation. . . . Music is only a mystery to people who want it explained. Music and love are the same. (p. 22)

Van Booy's prose is lyrical and sometimes almost stunningly beautiful. Although the collection cannot be called romance, the common thread is love. I would like to share parts of two reviews with you, both of which express my feelings:

• Wendy, from CaribousMom, says: "Van Booy captures the essence of what makes us human, and how love can be found in the most unexpected places. "
• Nancy, from Bookfoolery and Babble, says "Simon's writing is unflinchingly honest, an exploration of the flaws of humans and the love that binds them together."

Love Begins in Winter was an Indie Next pick for July 2009. For more about Simon Van Booy, visit his website.

This book was featured as part of my Spotlight on the Harper Perennial imprint. For information about the imprint, please read Erica Barmash's welcome note posted here on June 18, 2010. I encourage you to add your reviews of Harper Perennial books to the review link-up page; it's a great way to discover Good Books for Cool People. See the alphabetized review index to see what others are saying. And don't miss the The Olive Reader, the Harper Perennial blog.

Love Begins in Winter at an Indie

Love Begins in Winter at Powell's

Love Begins in Winter at Book Depository
These links lead to affiliate programs.

Published by HarperCollins / Harper Perennial, 2009
ISBN-13: 9780061661471

Giveaway

To get you started on some imprint love, Harper Perennial Books has generously donated three of its most recent releases so I can offer them to one of you. Here's what you get:

This is a great collection that should appeal to a wide range of readers. The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter is a novel of a modern life gone crazily off its tracks, The Blessings of the Animals by Katrina Kittle is novel about a veterinarian and her relationships with people and animals, and Vanishing by Deborah Willis is a collection of stories that explore the aftermath of broken relationships.

This giveaway is open worldwide and will run until I turn on my computer on Monday morning (September 20). To enter, you must fill out the form. A winner will be picked via random number generator, and I will delete all data after the winner is contacted.



Good luck and don't forget to check all my BBAW posts -- I have a giveaway each day.

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BBAW: Hidden Gem of a Book and Giveaway

Today is the fourth day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2010! This yearly event of giveaways, blog hopping, blogging, and awards is all about you! And you and you and you and me and is the brainchild of Amy from My Friend Amy.

Each day this week I'm hosting an international giveaway (winners announced on Monday, September 20), so I hope you come back to see what I have in store.

On this Thursday, BBAW asks us to talk about a book or two that we wish everyone would read. I'm spotlighting a novel I reviewed in April 2009 that I still think about: The Killing Tree by Rachel Keener. Here is a paragraph from my review:

No one seems to rest easy in the small-town world of Crooktop Mountain, and some secrets are held so closely that even those who have lived there all their lives are oblivious. Through Mercy Heron, Keener has expertly revealed the many layers of rural prejudices and hidden segments of Appalachian life. The Killing Tree is not a novel about the romance of a simpler life, it's an examination of a young woman who struggles to understand her family and her own conflicting hopes and expectations.

I found only three other reviews in the Book Blog Search Engine, and all were also positive. I'm not sure why this gem of novel did not get picked up by blogging world. Check out my review and give the book a shot if the premise appeals to you.

Giveaway

Today I am giving away three books from my own collection. I hope at least one will become a favorite of yours. I'm offering a mix of genres.

Sand Daughter by Sarah Bryant (gently read paperback) is a historical novel of a Bedouin woman set during the Crusades. A Gift from Brittany by Marjorie Price (gently read paperback) is a memoir that takes place in the French countryside. Day for Night by Frederick Reiken (gently read ARC) is a novel of interconnected stories.

This giveaway is open worldwide and will run until I turn on my computer on Monday morning (September 20). To enter, you must fill out the form. One winner will be picked via random number generator, and I will delete all data after the winner is contacted.



Good luck and don't forget to check all my BBAW posts -- I have a giveaway each day.

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BBAW: Reading across the Genres and Giveaway

Today is the third day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2010! This yearly event of giveaways, blog hopping, blogging, and awards is all about you! And you and you and you and me and is the brainchild of Amy from My Friend Amy.

Each day this week I'm hosting an international giveaway (winners announced on Monday, September 20), so I hope you come back to see what I have in store.

Today's topic is to talk about reading books under the influence of another blogger. I'll share one good experience and one not so good.

The good: One day on Twitter (doesn't everything start on Twitter?), there was enthusiastic talk about the audio edition of Helen Simonson's Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. I can't remember all the bloggers who were was talking about the book, but I know one of them was Heather from Capricious Reader. I had an advance readers copy (ARC) of the novel, but when learned how much others loved the audiobook, I decided to make it my very next listen. Thank you, thank you to Heather and everyone else in that discussion. I gave Major Pettigrew an A.

The bad: The members of my book club are all bloggers, and we sometimes push each other to read outside our comfort zone. For me, it was reading Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas. Although I finished the book, it was not one that changed my mind about the romance genre. I was surprised, however, that a light historical romance created such a lively discussion at our meeting. As I said in my review, we talked about "relationships, the reading habits of women, and the romance genre in general."

Giveaway

Today I am giving away three books from own collection. I hope at least one will encourage you to read outside your normal genres.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult (hardcover) is a novel that looks at autism. Sea Escape by Lynne Griffin (advance reader's copy) is a novel that looks at families and relationships. Enlightened Sexism by Susan Douglas (hardcover, nonfiction) explores the myth that sexism is no longer an issue.

This giveaway is open worldwide and will run until I turn on my computer on Monday morning (September 20). To enter, you must fill out the form. One winner will be picked via random number generator, and I will delete all data after the winner is contacted.

And, yes, the form is labeled "Confort." I noticed the typo too late and now I can't figure out how to correct it. Sigh.



Good luck and don't forget to check all my BBAW posts -- I have a giveaway each day.

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BBAW: Interview Swap and Giveaway

Today is the second day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2010! This yearly event of giveaways, blog hopping, blogging, and awards is all about you! And you and you and you and me. It is the brainchild of Amy from My Friend Amy.

Each day this week I'm hosting an international giveaway (winners announced on Monday, September 20), so I hope you come back to see what I have in store.

Today is all about getting to know book bloggers up close and personal through the annual interview swap. This year, I was lucky enough to get partnered with Heather from Buried in Books. Isn't that a great blog title? I think many of do feel as if we were buried in books.

If you're new to the BBAW interview swap concept, here's how it works. Participants are assigned a partner, who interview each other and post the conversation on their blog. So first take a look at what I asked Heather and get to know her if you haven't been by her blog before.

Then, to see what Heather asked me, pop on over to her blog and see what great questions she asked me. When your done reading her post, don't forget to pause long enough to explore Heather's blog.

Let's meet Heather, shall we?

Beth Fish Reads (BFR): How has the move from Florida to the Cape affected your life in books?

Buried in Books (BIB): Actually, I moved from Florida at the age of thirty one to Mooresville, North Carolina (just north of Charlotte) for my husband's job. We lived there ten years and then moved to Cape Cod. We've lived here for a little over a year. I've found that living in different places makes me want to read more about them. If I'm not reading a fantasy novel, I'm reading about somewhere I've been or lived. I recently read about a murder mystery in St. Augustine, Florida the oldest city in the United States and forty five minutes from where I grew up. Now I'm reading the whole series. I also had a murder mystery series I read by Barbara Parker set mainly in Miami that I read, first because I met her at a book signing in the book store I worked in and then because I really liked her. I read a mystery series set completely in the mountains of North Carolina while we lived there. And a mystery series about the Outer Banks while we lived in North Carolina. I also read travel guides. And ghost stories. Unfortunately I lent all those out and never got them back. I've also met some bloggers that write, "I used to live in Dennis" or had a great vacation on Cape Cod. It helps me make connections because this doesn't feel like home yet. I'm a Southern girl in the Northeast and no family. I am also very familiar with Virginia so love anything about Virginia. I haven't found much to read about Cape Cod, but I have been a Salem Witch Trials theorist forever. I'd love to get up there to see Salem some time. I've seen some witch books coming out about the Salem Witch Trials and I can't wait to get my hands on them. There is also a lot of history up here so I'm finding I want to read about the whaling history, glass blowing, and Scottish history.

BFR: What a great story! You'll have to bring a little Southern living to your neighborhood. I have been to the Cape only once, but your area is indeed a great place for those of interested in history. You've been blogging since the beginning of summer. What made you decide to start a book blog?

BIB: Short answer, if you can believe I can do that, I got tired of saving all the blogs I was following in my Favorites on my toolbar. So I started my own blog, knowing I had opinions and hoping someone cared enough to read about them.

BFR: But of course we book bloggers care! And this is week to make a lot of friends. How many book blogs are in your reader? How do you find time to read blogs, read books, and be a mother?

BIB: I'm embarrassed to say how many are in my reader. I read after they go to bed at 9:00. I take medicine to sleep. Sometimes it works in two hours sometimes it takes until 2:00am, sometimes I'm still awake when they get up at 6:00am. I take advantage of that time to catch up on blogs and read. I start at either the top or bottom of my blog list and leave a note where I left off, next night I start again. I have a pad by my bed with a pen stuck in it to write down books I want to read. I have a few blogs I visit weekly just because they are friends. My kids are supportive of my "habit" and I pick out books for my oldest son. I have him reading White Cat by Holly Black right now. The days are my own, so if I need to recoup from the night before of no sleep I will. If I don't I get some housework done (not a priority for me) and read or write.

BFR: I just recently reviewed White Cat! I really liked it. I notice that you read a lot of fantasy/paranormal. What don't you read and why?

BIB: I do not read horror such as Stephen King. I have much too vivid an imagination to read something like that. I'd think every noise was a serial killer or mutant dog trying to get in the house. No manga. Don't really know what it is. And I'm not really a science fiction fan. The fantasy comes from reading fairy tales when I learned to read. I just love them and believe it even vampires and werewolf stories can read like fairy tales if there is enough romance in them!

BFR: I like to read fantasy too. And I also don't read horror. So we're twins in that. What book have you read this summer that you wouldn't have read if you hadn't started blogging?

BIB: The Eternal Ones. The cover is bland and I'm drawn to a book by it's cover usually first. I ended up loving the book, but never would have read it other wise.

BFR: It's always fun to discover a great book that could have easily slipped by you. Which book did you read this summer that you wish got more attention or buzz?

BIB: I think it may end up being tyger, tyger by Kersten Hamilton. It doesn't release until November, but I've read Borders isn't even going to carry it in their stores and it is one of the best books I've read this summer. It had so much Irish folklore in it. It would definitely work for one of your Irish Challenge books. It's again a fairy tale. I just don't want it to fall by the wayside. As far as I'm concerned it was a flawless book!

BFR: Oooh. I'm going to keep that in mind. I really love the idea that it's Irish and has folklore in it. Last year I came up with a list of quick questions that require one-word answers. Let me try them on you:

BIB:
Print, eBook, or audio? print
Hardback or paperback? hardback
Buy books or borrow from library? buy books
Good characters or good plot? good characters

Thanks so much, Heather. I really loved your answers. There are tons of bloggers in the Boston area, so I hope you'll be able to make some good connections this week.

Giveaway

This week is all about getting to know each other and sharing our reading interests. And in that light, today's international giveaway promotes connections between readers. When Robin Blum of In My Book asked me if I wanted to feature her bookmark/cards on my blog, I knew just the right time to introduce you to her great cards. Robin agreed, and she is the sponsor of today's giveaway.

First, let me tell you all about these great bookmark/cards. You might be wondering what is with the slash? Is it a bookmark or a card. Well, it's both. To the left is a photo of my own two bookmarks (thanks, Robin!). You can see that they are sized perfectly for a paperback and have a very cool black and white drawing on the front with a fun saying (click to enlarge).

Each bookmark comes with a red envelope and opens up, just like a card. The inside is blank, so you could write a note to a book-loving friend and pop the whole thing in the mail. Your friend would then have a personalized bookmark to use when reading.

The bookmark/cards are printed on lovely paper that will hold up well to daily use. They are a pleasure to write on in either ink or pencil. I love mine and can pretty much guarantee that you'll love them too. I plan to use my bookmarks to jot down notes when I'm reading; then I'll leave the bookmark in the book so I'll have a record of my thoughts.

Robin has sent me a pack of eight bookmarks so I can hold this international giveaway. There will be two winners -- yes, two winners! Each will receive four bookmarks.

To the right are all the designs I have to give away (note that they bookmarks come in a plastic sleeve, which I left on so I could keep the cards clean and nice for the winners). Click to get a closer look or head on over to the In My Book website to get clear photos and to see the complete line of 15 designs. The cards are priced at $3.95 and are available at a variety of places.

This giveaway is open worldwide and will run until I turn on my computer on Monday morning (September 20). To enter, you must fill out the form. Two winners will be picked via random number generator, and I will delete all data after the winners are contacted. I will send a random grouping of four bookmarks to each winner.



Good luck and don't forget to check all my BBAW posts -- I have a giveaway each day.

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BBAW: Discovering Bloggers around the Globe and Giveaway

Today is the first day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2010! This yearly event of giveaways, blog hopping, blogging, and awards is all about you! And you and you and you and me. It is the brainchild of Amy from My Friend Amy.

Each day this week I'm hosting an international giveaway (winners announced on Monday), so I hope you come back to see what I have in store.

I'm taking today's blogging theme and putting my own twist on it. One of the best things about book blogging is getting to know readers from around the world. Daily, I read blogs from across the United States, Canada, the UK, Europe, Asia, South America, and the Pacific.

I want to introduce you to to three bloggers who write fabulous in-depth, heart-felt reviews. Each one makes me think, sparks great conversations, and adds to my reading list. I was going to list some of my favorite posts from each blogger and realized that I had just spent over an hour rereading their blogs, I was so lost in their reviews, their thoughts about reading and blogging, their Library Loot posts, the things going on in their lives, and so on that I've decided to let you discover them on your own.

• United States: Eva: A Striped Armchair: One recent post combines a discussion of a middle reader book, a decorating book, and a book on women's issues. Yep, Eva is not only an eclectic reader but is able to move from one genre to the next without missing a beat.
• Europe: Ana: Things Mean a Lot: In a recent post that has more than 50 comments, Ana talks about her book blogging pet peeves.
• Australia: Marg: The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader: In a couple of recent posts, Marg shares discussions she had with fellow book bloggers about a particular title. I like that approach to book reviewing.

I particularly wanted to mention Ana and Eva because they are in the process of moving and will not be blogging much in the next few weeks; add them to your readers and wait until October. Go explore these blogs and enjoy your trip around the globe in your search for great books and great readers.

Giveaway

If you're new to my blog, you might not know that I'm an imprint follower. That is, I tend to read not only by genre and favorite authors but also by the editor and imprint who are behind the books that make it to publication.

One of my favorite editors/imprints is Amy Einhorn Books. In fact, I'm such a fan that I started a perpetual challenge to encourage other readers to discover these fabulous titles. Early this year, I featured each title in the imprint and can say with confidence that every one is worthy of a place in your wish list.

The wonderful people at Amy Einhorn Books / Putnam / Penguin are the sponsor this BBAW giveaway. Be the first on your block to read the three latest releases from the imprint. Actually, only one of these books is currently available to buyers. The other two will not be out until 2011, so you really will be among the very first readers to get a peek inside the covers.

To learn more about the books and the authors visit their facebook pages and/or their websites: Mark Mustian (facebook / website), Eleanor Brown (facebook / website), and Siobhan Fallon (facebook / website). I am so excited about these titles that I can't wait to share them with you. Gendarme explores the power of memory and the Armenian genocide, Weird Sisters involves a family and its love of Shakespeare, and You Know When the Men Are Gone is made up of interconnected short stories focusing on the affects of war on the home front.

This giveaway is open worldwide and will run until I turn on my computer on Monday morning (September 20). To enter, you must fill out the form. A winner will be picked via random number generator, and I will delete all data after the winner is contacted.



Good luck and be sure sure to visit the BBAW blog to discover other participating bloggers in the week's events.

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BBAW: What I Want in an eReader

IREX Technologies is generously offering their one of their forthcoming consumer eReaders to one lucky BBAW participant. They ask us to tell them "what you think the most important feature is in an eReader." Enjoy!



What I'd Like to See in an eReader

I'd like to see a great touch screen
I think that you know what I mean.
My suitcase groans from just one more book
The nice light weight is one great hook.
Taking notes helps with reviews
A stylus feature is welcome news.
I come across a new word now.
A dictionary? Yes and wow!
Let me use my library card
Downloading from there is just not hard.
I want books from all over the place
No one store can hope to keep pace.
I love the trees, I love the shade
An eReader won't let them fade.
And finally when the mood hits me
I want to buy using fast G3.

Thanks to Irex and to BBAW!

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BBAW: Wrap-Up and Winners!

BBAW is over for another year, and Amy and crew deserve a standing ovation and fifteen minutes of applause for the fabulous job they did pulling the even together. I'd also like to thank all the individuals and companies who offered support in so many ways.

I just saw a fantastic wrap-up post by Kathy of Bermuda Onion Weblog and I loved her format so much I decided to steal borrow it. She asks: What did you learn this week?

♦ There are a ton of terrific book blogs out there, and I clearly need to do more exploring.

♦ Pretty much everyone has some kind of organizing system for their books . . . except me.

♦ No matter what your favorite genre, there are other blook bloggers with your same tastes.

♦ The book blogging community, publishing industry, and related businesses and individuals are amazingly generous with their time and with giveaways.

♦ I have absolutely no resistance to books . . . My name (isn't really) Beth Fish and I'm a bookaholic.

The Winners of my BBAW Giveaways

For each giveaway, I used random.org to pick the winner from among the valid entries. All winners have been notified by email.

Monday (lace bookmark): Penny of Penny's Pages

Tuesday (Cutting Loose and Love Is a Four-Letter Word): Emily of Fantasy Fairytales Retold

Wednesday (The Lake That Stole Children, Wally the Walking Fish, and Fairy Hunters, Ink): Lucyinthesky

Thursday (Stone's Fall and Blame): Barb from Meditative Reading

Friday (Dreams of the Dead and New Stories from the South): Dorte H from DJs Krimblog

Future Giveaways

I will be giving away another handmade lace bookmark during the fall Read-a-Thon, so I hope you will be participating. Now I just have to come up with a good challenge . . .

Thanks again to Amy and everyone involved with BBAW and congrats to the winners of my giveaways.

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BBAW: Goals, My TBR, and Giveaway

It's the last day of BBAW! Today's post prompt was to discuss goals. One of my goals is to read through my TBR piles. And in a crazy mix of a popular meme and an invitation from BBAW to photograph our books, here is . . .

My Life in the TBR

Describe yourself. Lacemakers of Glenmara
How do you feel? Among the Mad
Describe where you currently live. Drawing in the Dust
If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Winter in Thrush Green
Your favorite form of transport? In Hovering Flight
Your best friend is _____. The Mapmaker's Wife
You and your friends are _____. Sometimes We're always Real Same-Same
What’s the weather like? Ice Land
Favorite time of day? Waking up in Eden
If only your life were a ____. Fragile Eternity
What is life to you? Atlas of Unknowns
Your fear _____. Cheating at Solitare
What is the best advice you have to give? Trust Me
Thought for the day. To Catch the Lightning
How would you like to die? After Many a Summer
Your soul's present condition. How Sweet It Is
Your spouse or significant other. The Greatest Knight

Today's Giveaway (THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED)

Today I'm giving away two ARCs, each from a different genre. The first is Dreams of the Dead by Thomas Randall and the second is New Stories for the South 2009, edited my Madison Smartt Bell. To win these two ARCs, all you have to do is leave a comment here telling me (1) your email address and (2) a genre that you almost never read. If your comment is missing this information, I can't count your entry. This giveaway is open all week, and I'll pick a winner (via random.org) on Saturday, September 19 soon after I turn on my computer. There is still time to enter my giveaways from earlier in the week.

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BBAW: Thank You, Thank You!

All week winners have been announced for the 2009 Book Blogger Appreciation Week Awards and more are still going to be announced today.

Congratulations to all the winners in every category. The competition was stiff, and all who were nominated as well as all who made a short list should feel good about themselves and their blogs.

I was in the running for the Best New Blog along with Books and Bards, Galleysmith, Scifiguy.ca, and Steph Su Reads. As soon as I saw who I was honored to be sitting next to, I realized that there just wasn't any wrong answer in this category. I read all these blogs, and I urge you to do the same.

I truly could not believe my eyes when I saw that I was the winner. Wow! I am thrilled and amazed and touched. I work hard on my blog and on supporting the community, and I am so pleased to know that it shows. I was floating several inches off the floor all last night.

I particularly would like to thank Amy of My Friend Amy and everyone who put in long hours for BBAW. The week has been a blast, and I can't believe how many book bloggers I have discovered.

Thanks so much again.

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BBAW: Feeding My Addiction and Giveaway

Wow! Can it really be day 4 of BBAW? Here is today's meme:

Today we encourage you to blog about a book you read only because you discovered it on another book blog. Preferably, this will be a book you loved! You might also write a bit about the blog you discovered it on!

A good percentage of my TBR pile is a direct result of book bloggers' recommendations. Here are just a few that I've read thanks to a book blogger. And guess what? The reviews that introduced me to the novels were honest, and I know I can trust these bloggers in the future. (For my review, click on the author.)

I read Testimony by Anita Shreve because Jackie (Farm Lane Books) and Sandy (You've Gotta Read This) gave the audiobook their mark of approval.

I read the Bones series by Jeff Smith because Laza (Gimme More Books!) and Alea talked me into joining the Graphic Novel Challenge.

I read Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt because Kathy (Bermudaonion's Weblog) wrote a fascinating review, complete with a video.

I read Nothing but Ghosts by Beth Kephart because Amy of My Friend Amy had such wonderful things to say about Beth and her writing.

I read Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson because Alea (Pop Culture Junkie) wrote such a great and honest review.

I can't complete this list without mentioning Amy of Passages to the Past. She may be one of the biggest contributors to my wish list and TBR. If you even remotely like historical fiction, then you should be reading Amy's blog. She is always up to date on the latest releases and re-releases. I really should zap her from my reader. . . .

Oh and please take the time to click through to the blogs that I've linked to. You won't be sorry.

Today's Giveaway (THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED)

Today I'm giving away two ARCs that have been reviewed by book bloggers. They are both books that I am looking forward to reading, but I happened to have an extra copy of each. The first is Stone's Fall by Iain Pears and the second is Blame by Michelle Huneven. To win these two ARCs, all you have to do is leave a comment here telling me (1) your email address and (2) the title and author of one of your favorite thrillers or mysteries. If your comment is missing this information, I can't count your entry. This giveaway is open all week, and I'll pick a winner (via random.org) on Saturday, September 19 soon after I turn on my computer. There is still time to enter my giveaways from Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

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BBAW: Brevity Game and Giveaway

It's midweek already! Today's BBAW meme is this:

We encourage you to be creative with this! Please choose one or two questions to answer or try to answer all the questions in five words or less. Or choose a picture to answer a question! Brevity is the goal of today

Ha! I'm not really know for my brevity, but I'll try. Here are questions asked by the BBAW committee:

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?
⇒ Not usually, sometimes fruit

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
⇒ Use sticky notes, not pencil

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears?
⇒ Bookmarks

Laying the book flat open?
⇒ Never

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?
⇒ Both

Hard copy or audiobooks?
⇒ Either

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?
⇒ Chapter or space break

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

What are you currently reading?
⇒ Between Me and the River

What is the last book you bought?
⇒ Rashi's Daughters: Joheved

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

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?
⇒ Deck, afternoon; couch, evening (winter)

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?
⇒ Either but love series

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
⇒ Currently Willow; subject to change

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

Today's Giveaway (THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED)

I have a giveaway every day this week. The winner of today's giveaway will get three finished books that embrace brevity: The Lake That Stole Children by Douglas Glenn Clark, Wally the Walking Fish by Gary Lamit, and Fairy Hunters, Ink. by Sheila A. Dane. To win these three short children's/middle reader books, all you have to do is leave a comment here telling me (1) your email address and (2) the title and author of one of your favorite children's books. If your comment is missing this information, I can't count your entry. This giveaway is open all week and I'll pick a winner (via random.org) on Saturday, September 19 soon after I turn on my computer. There is still time to enter Monday's and Tuesday's giveaways.

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BBAW: Interview Swap and Giveaway

It's the second day of BBAW! Today we are to publish our interview swaps.

I was lucky enough to be partnered with Shanyn from Chick Loves Lit for the BBAW interviews. Shanyn is one of many of us who got into blogging since the last BBAW.

If you read Shanyn's blog (like I do), then I hope I've asked her some of the questions you would have wanted to ask her. If you are just discovering Shanyn, then take a moment to get to know her.

Beth Fish Reads (BFR): You started your blog as a place to talk about women's literature. What attracts you to the genre? Why women's lit?

Chick Loves Lit (CLL): I'm actually not even sure why I love this genre. I do know that I read books that are light hearted (usually) so that I don't have that deep unsettled feeling in my waking life (when I take a time out to read a Jodi Picoult novel, I think about it all day and it usually makes me slightly upset because of the subject matter). I graduated from college with an advertising/graphic design degree, so I enjoy reading about those types of careers, which are in high concentration in women's/chick literature. I also love watching a love story unfold. Not to mention women's literature is really easy to find in book stores and libraries because of the color schemes the book covers are generally in. So I guess I've described why in a roundabout way, but I still haven't convinced myself that I've completely covered the question, though I'm not sure I can.

BFF: I don't read a lot of chick-lit or women's literature, what would you recommend as a couple of good gateway novels and why?

CLL: As I sit here and try to answer this question, I keep typing suggestions and then rethinking them and picking new ones - the reason for that is that I love many chick lit novels, but usually for different reasons. I love Jennifer Weiner's Good in Bed and the follow-up Certain Girls because I really love the characters and the books aren't predictable. I also love Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series because it IS so light. I guess my biggest recommendation is to not overlook a book because it might be classified as chick lit -- it's a classification that gets a bad rep because people automatically assume it's pink girl power romance -- some of them are, but there really is a lot more to the genre. If you're seriously interested in a good chick lit book, let me know and I will go through what you've read and liked recently and make a recommendation based on that -- this goes for anyone. There are a lot of good books that get buried because they get this classification and I wish it wasn't so.

BFR: I noticed that you read a lot of series. When you find a series you love, do you read it all at once or do you spread the novels out? Why?

CLL: Generally with series I freak and read many in a row in the beginning, and then start to space them out. For example, with Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, I read books 1-7 all in a row, and now am taking my time with the rest. Same goes with Charlaine Harris and her Southern Vampire series -- I read the first 4 very quickly and have decided to space them out. I read the next one when my craving for that particular series makes it hard for me to read another book.

BFR: What is your favorite series that you read this year?

CLL: It has actually surprised me that I have loved the Southern Vampire series so much. I've read Twilight etc., but never really stuck with the vampire theme after that. On one of the forums I read, everyone was raving about Charlaine Harris and I decided to give it a try, not really expecting much, but I've really loved every single one that I've read. It's made me consider other vampire novels, but I'm not sure when I'll decide to read another.

BFR: You are a relatively new blogger. What surprised you most about the experience of blogging?

CLL: I had no idea there were so many bloggers. I follow quite a few with Google Reader, but I keep finding more and more and more. It's literally never ending, and that makes it fun because there are always new ideas that improve the community.

BFR: Quick questions.

CLL:
Hardback or paperback? Paperback

Buy your own copy or borrow from the library? If money were no object, buy -- for now, library

Print or audio? Print (I've never listened to an audio book)

Good characters or good plot? Characters!

Thanks, Shanyn. It's been a lot of fun to get to know you a bit better. As soon as I recover from BBAW, I plan to ask you to choose a book for me in the women's lit genre. Shanyn has make an incredibly generous offer, so I hope some of you take her up on it! Now if only I can con convince her to try an audiobook!

Shanyn asked me some great questions, so I hope you go over to Chick Loves Lit and read my answers.

Today's Giveaway (THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED)

I have a giveaway every day this week. The winner of today's giveaway will get two finished books that I think Shanyn would like: Cutting Loose by Nadine Dajani and Love Is a Four-Letter Word edited by Michael Taeckens. To win these two books, all you have to do is leave a comment here telling me (1) your email address and (2) the title and author of women's lit or chick lit book you've read and liked or wish to read. If your comment is missing this information, I can't count your entry. This giveaway is open all week and I'll pick a winner (via random.org) on Saturday, September 19 soon after I turn on my computer. There is still time to enter yesterday's giveaway, too.

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BBAW: Spotlight Meme and Giveaway

Welcome to BBAW!! Here's today's meme:

The shortlists for the awards were announced on Monday, September 7. The first day of BBAW, Monday September 14, we encourage you to write a post thanking and spotlighting your favorite blogs that didn’t make the shortlists.

Like most of you, I have hundreds of blogs in my blogroll and reader combined. So I can't possibly spotlight every blog that visit on a regular basis. Instead I'm going to introduce you to three blogs that you should put in your reader.

Devourer of Books

♦ Category: Most Concise. "This blog gets its point across clearly and efficiently—it tells you just what you need to know."

♦ My thoughts: I appreciate that Jen gets right to the point, telling us exactly what she likes and doesn't like about a book. I always enjoy the personal touch she adds to her reviews.

♦ Sample Reviews: Belong to Me by Maria de los Santos, Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama

Medieval Bookworm

♦ Category: Best History/Historical Fiction Blog. "This blog features the best reviews and specialized content on books about a time gone by."

♦ My Thoughts: Not only is Meghan a specialist in medieval history (she's minutes away from earning her master's degree) but she is well read and articulate in history in general. She is my go-to person for a well-rounded opinion in this genre.

♦ Sample reviews: King's Fool by Margaret Campbell Barnes, Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran, The Last Witch of Langenburg by Thomas Robisheaux

Farm Lane Books

♦ Category: Best Literary Fiction Blog. "This blog covers primarily literary fiction. The reviews are of a high caliber and get you to think on some of the deeper issues that literary fiction brings up."

♦ My Thoughts: To me, Jackie is the literary fiction queen. I know of no one else who sets out to read so many award-winning and -nominated books. And the good news is that she is not won over by the awards committees; she has her own well-thought-out opinions and isn't afraid to tell us.

♦ Sample Reviews: Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan, Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Stroud, The Invisible Mountain by Carolina De Robertis

Today's Giveaway (THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED)

I have a giveaway every day this week. To enter for this handmade (by me) bobblin lace bookmark all you have to do is leave a comment here telling me (1) your email address and (2) which of the books mentioned in this post you'd like to read and why. If your comment is missing this information, I can't count your entry. This giveaway is open all week and I'll pick a winner (via random.org) on Saturday, September 19 soon after I turn on my computer. To see the bookmark much enlarged, click on the image.

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BBAW: Putting Together My Giveaways!

I'm putting together my giveaways for BBAW! This a week to celebrate books, and I hope I can make your celebration just a little bit happier. Monday through Friday of next week, I will be participating in the daily BBAW meme, and each one of those posts will include a giveaway. I hope you come by and find something you want. All my giveaways will be international, because there are book lovers the world over.

On Tuesday through Friday, each winner will win two books (some are ARCs; some are finished copies). On Monday, I have a special giveaway. You'll have all week to enter any and all giveaways. I'll pick winners when I turn on the computer Saturday morning.

Don't forget that this weekend is a great time to finish up your BBAW posts!

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BBAW: Links to Submitted Posts

Thanks again to everyone for your kind words and thoughts.

Natasha from Maw Books Blog, as well as other bloggers, suggested that short-listed nominees provide the links to the five posts that were submitted to the BBAW judging panel. Many other bloggers thought this was a good idea, so here are mine:


Review: Nothing but Ghosts (YA fiction)
Review: The Lincoln Lawyer (thriller/mystery)
Review: Forest of Hands and Teeth (YA paranormal)
Tales of a Cheerleader (spring 2009 Read-a-Thon)
The Importance of Buying Books (discussion post)

Thanks again to Natasha and others for the suggestion.

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