Monday, September 14, 2009

so many wonderful blogs

Yes, it's finally here! Book Blogger Appreciation Week. And today, we've been asked to highlight some of our favorite blogs that didn't make the shortlists for the awards. This is a good time to make a confession. I don't feel like a book blogger myself. Yes, I love, love, love books...reading them, talking about them, reading what other people have to say about them. But a.) I don't write wonderful, intelligent book reviews...I babble, and b.) I don't even limit my babbling to books, as anyone who reads my blog can attest. I'm just one of those little bloggers who blogs for purely personal reasons...to have fun, to "hang out" with friends, to create a little record of my time on earth. In other words, I am not one of those awesome book bloggers whose blog is filled with beautifully-written, insightful reviews and author interviews and book news, etc. I do admire those bloggers...I can't even imagine the time and dedication involved...but it's not who I am.

But why do I mention any of this at all? Well, because part of being this little blogger that I am, also involves the fact that I just don't read that many blogs. A fact that kills me. Honest. I know that there are probably hundreds of blogs that I could easily get addicted to if I let myself. There are just so many freakin' cool people in this book blogging world!!! But I've had to be tough on myself...I've had to make myself keep my blogging world on the small side. Simply because I'm in the midst of one of those tremendously busy periods of my life. We all go through them, so I'm sure you understand. And I can honestly say that I feel truckloads of guilt for not reading more of the wonderful blogs out there and for not commenting on every single post of the blogs I do read. But every time I try to expand my world too much, I find myself stressed, and fighting to hold onto my sanity, and starting to lose the joy that blogging gives me.

Sheesh...see, this is what I mean about babbling!!! Could I not simply have said, "There's too many freakin' awesome book blogs out there for me to keep up with, but here's a few that didn't make the shortlists that I positively adore." ?!! Yeah, I think that would have worked. And you know what, even with the small number of blogs I read, I can't possibly mention all the ones I adore. So I'm just going to choose 9 (because 4 and 9 are my favorite numbers, but 4 isn't enough) totally randomly from my google reader. And it truly makes me sad to leave anyone out, because honest and true, if I read your blog it means I love it.

DesLily of Here, There, and Everywhere...Wow, what an interesting life she's lived! She tells the greatest stories, writes fun book reviews that leave me immediately with a feel of whether it's a book I'd enjoy or not, and takes wonderful photos that always make me smile. Did I mention that she's just a sweetheart of a person to boot?!!

 Melody of Mel's Reading Corner...Oh my goodness, I wish I could put into words the kind of person she is. The best I can do is to say that she's a ray of sunshine. There is something about Melody that just exudes warmth and happiness. Yeah, even in her book review posts!

Vivienne of Serendipity...Another sweetheart. Hey, I think we've got a theme going here! :D  So much I love about Vivienne...her sense of humor, her lovely local expressions, her personal way of writing that just makes you feel like you're sitting down with her chatting. And I love reading her reviews, and hearing about her family, and drooling over her scrapbook pages, and...

Stephanie of Stephanie's Confessions of a Book-a-holic...Oh what can I say...Stephanie is just so mega-cool. I adore her! We love the same kind of books, but even more importantly, we feel the same way about the world. She's so crazy busy living life and doesn't generally get to post every day, but every time she does post, it's just a pure treat!

Susan of You Can Never Have Too Many Books...Susan is so down-to-earth and friendly, and her blog is so homey and welcoming! We, too, have much the same taste in books, so I always look forward to what she has to say about her latest reads.

Care of Care's Online Book Club...Oh my, Care is such a doll! Seriously. She's adorable and funny and reads such a cool variety of books. And while math may not really be my thing, I so love her math geekiness! Adorable, I tell you. Adorable!

Megan of Leafing Through Life...No one makes me laugh like Megan does!!! I kid you not. And she's just as sweet and friendly and approachable as a person can be. And she reads these books that I always think initially are "too sophisticated" for me, but her reviews are so awesome that she ends up making me want to read them after all!

Staci at Life in the Thumb...Is it really dorky of me to say that I want to grow up and be just like her? (I'm ignoring that fact that I'm older than she is, of course.) Okay, I'm not sure how to put into words why I love her so much. Yes, she's incredibly sweet. Yes, she's obviously very smart. Yes, she's down-to-earth. Yes, she reads an incredible amount of books (and she scrapbooks!) But there's something else...some intangible that I can't explain. Maybe it's self-confidence or poise. I don't know, but I find her utterly charming!

Kailana of My Written World...Well, there is the fact that she is definitely one of my reading idols...seriously, the amount of books she reads is astonishing! But it's way more than that. I love the way Kelly talks about books...she's got a real personal style that really appeals to me. And it's not just when she talks about books either. She's just such an open, friendly person, and I love her to pieces.

Lots more bloggy love to be found here.

18 comments:

serendipity_viv said...

What a fabulous write up - thank you. You are lovely too. I love to visit your blog and see what you are up to, as well as getting to read about your family too. I feel like I already know them. I shall look through your other blogs too and see who I can add.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

I was coming by to tell YOU about some of my favorites: http://trishsbooks.blogspot.com/2009/09/bbaw-adoration.html Come enjoy the BBAW love. :)

By the way--miss you too. Just having a tough time getting on the computer lately. :( It's driving me insane, but I'm just having to admit defeat when it comes to blogging lately.

Ana S. said...

Debi, I hope you realize that the fact that you don't blog exclusively about books doesn't make us love you any less - quite the opposite!

Also, can I steal your list? :P Seriously, I could have written every word myself!

Literary Feline said...

You are definitely right--we can all relate to those extra busy times. I admire your restraint, Debi. You can only do what you can do and there's nothing wrong with that. :-) You've listed some great blogs there. Some I'm familiar with and others I'm not. Looks like I have some visiting to do.

Louise said...

What a great post! Wonderful.

Megan said...

I read sophisticated books? Hmmm...maybe I just make them sound that way with all my needless (or is that delicious?) verbosity! ;-)

I'm so glad to be on your list! It looks like I'm in great company. And, you, of course, will always be on my list! =D

DesLily said...

oh boy.. thank you so much Debi.. I'd rather read that than make any short list... *humble*

Amanda said...

Book blogger or not, Debi, you are wonderful! And you've added several new blogs to my reader despite my intent not to keeping adding whenever possible...

Susan said...

Oh my gosh, I've been mentioned on two blogs today! I'm trying really hard not to cry, because it's been so stressful lately that I haven't been able to get to everyone's blog, and being mentioned as someone worth reading by you does my spirit a world of good! thank you so much, Debi. And you must know how much we love you, Debi. I've missed coming here. I was very surprised to find you weren't nominated (in BBAW). I'll have to correct that next year! Though, as Pat says, the real list is in our hearts. *sniff* I'm not crying because I'm moved, no, that's just some dirt in my eyes....

Melody said...

Debi, you've one of the best blogger friends I know, and I wish we've the chance to meet in person! I love reading your blog, and I always look forward to your ramblings because they always brought a smile to my face!

Thanks for being such a wonderful friend to me! :)

Care said...

Ah! wow. Thank you. I think the whole wide entire wonderful world of YOU. (wow. what a great list, I'm honored. humbled.)

Amy said...

This post made me giggle as your posts so often do. :) you are so hard on yourself! I admire that you've kept the blogging world small...I wish I could do that sometimes!!

I love what you said about each of these lovely bloggers!

Kailana said...

Thanks for the love! You are one of my favourite blogs, too!

Stephanie said...

Oh, Debi! First of all, many thanks for the wonderful things you had to say about me. You know I feel the same way. In fact, I think I've stated it many times on my blog (and even today, I did just that!)

Second of all, you do not babble about books. I look forward to reading your opinions, because I know if you like something, I'm pretty sure I will too!! Besides, I LIKE hearing about your family. And other stuff. It what keeps me coming back!! I just wish I had more time to visit!

Staci said...

Can I copy what chris did? copy..paste...delete staci part?? I'm seriously very overwhelmed with emotion as to how you described me. Debi, I so would love to meet you. I can see from the photos you posted of your meeting with Chris that you are an awesome, loving, open, super-fun person!!!!! We must meet up and scrap for an entire weekend somewhere!!!! That would be so much fun...I'm sure we wouldn't get many pages done but we would have a blast!!! Love ya lady!! :)

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