Good morning, fellow saloners! Did you all hear that collective sigh of relief echo across the blogosphere yesterday? Book Blogger Appreciation Week officially ended Friday night. I think we were all relieved Saturday morning when there were no more posts to write or new blogs to visit. It's been quite a week, for sure.I learned that:
-it's a good idea to have at least a rough draft of the week's posts done ahead of time
-it's impossible to visit everyone writing BBAW posts
-it's even more impossible to leave comments on all the blogs you do visit
-not much reading happens during BBAW
What I did last week (in addition to BBAW):
-posted a review of French Milk by Lucy Knisley
-started reading The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (a very popular choice just now!)
-continued listening to Little Bee by Chris Cleave.
This week I plan to:
- get back into the Short Story Monday routine
-post my review of Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple
-finish Little Bee
-continue reading The Woman in White
-read a couple of short stories (possibly from The Dubliners)
And now for the awards:
Kay from Chapter Chit Chat, one of my newest blogging friends, gave me this Spread the Love Award.
"What makes you feel an affinity to another blogger when visiting their blog? Their unique or fun design? Their blog content? Their personality? How about all three?"
I'm so happy to have discovered Kay's blog and look forward to following her reading adventures. This award goes to:
Darlene at Roses Over a Cottage Door
Stacy at Book Psmith
Melissa at The Betty and Boo Chronicles
The Zombie Chicken Award"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken-- excellence, grace, and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all."
This award came my way from DS at third-storey window. I love third-story window for the wonderful writing, but there is so much more! If you haven't been there, do stop by and take a look. I'll send this Zombie Chicken Award on to:
Claire at Paperback Reader
Tony at Tony's Reading List
Matt at A Guy's Moleskine Notebook
Verity at The B Files
Simon at Savidge Reads
The Your Blog is Fabulous Award stands for: Integrity. Commitment to Excellence. Stubbornly Optimistic!
This award came from my friend Ivy at Willing To See Less, another blog I love to visit regularly. And it goes to these new-to-me bloggers:
Rachel at Book Snob
Stephanie at ReviewsbyLola's Blog
Madeleine - a brand new blogger at Wordbird
And finally, The Heartfelt Award"Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when your relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family and friends? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy? That is what the Heartfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside."
This award came back at the beginning of the month from Laura at Laura's Reviews. Check out her blog for great reviews of books, audiobooks and even movies. She's a fellow Jane Austen fan and is having a great time with the Everything Austen Challenge!
The Heartfelt Award goes to:
Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea
Carrie at Books and Movies
Kim at Page After Page
Karen at BookBath
This turned out to be quite a bit longer than I thought, but thank you, again, to the four bloggers that gave me these lovely awards. And thank you, too, to the bloggers receiving the awards...you've all added so much to my reading and my life!
Now I'm going to settle in with another cup of coffee and read The Woman in White. What are you reading today?
Morning JoAnn, Thank you so much for the award! You've really lifted my spirits, R has been working evenings and was away all day yesterday leaving me to amuse my hairy son (Deacon). I'm exhausted and feeling inadequate as Miss Hargreaves is not quite finished and my RIP IV short story hasn't even been started yet! I've book Deacon in to be neutered (I really have!). You raise me up JoAnn, now I'm off to read my short story.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, it was great to turn on my computer this morning and see this awatd from you; thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteI liked what you said about BBAW. I felt bad that no matter how hard I tried, I know I missed many great posts, and great blogs this week. It was tough to follow all the action of the week.
Have a great week.
Why, thank you so very much, JoAnn! I'm so flattered that you thought of me for this award. Thank you ... your blog is one of my favorites, too (as you know :)
ReplyDeleteCompletely understand about the post-BBAW feelings. It was so much fun - in an exhausting, exhilarating way. (Oh, and as if I didn't have enough new blogs to check out from BBAW? This post has given me even MORE!! Yay! :))))
Thank you again, my friend.
I love the summar post of what you learned this BBAW -- I agree with every point!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all the much-deserved awards. Of course, I now have some new blogs that I need to check out!
Whew! was how I put it. But what fun, and a great way to branch out a bit. But now, as you settle in with your coffee and Wilkie Collins, I will plunk down with my tea and Let the Great World Spin. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn - Congratulations on all those awards! BBAW was a wild ride, I'm trying to spend some time each day visiting new-to-me blogs and leaving comments. Have a good week
ReplyDeleteMy first award ever! Thank you so much JoAnn. I am truly honored that you thought of me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, JoAnn! I've been feeling like a bit of a headless chicken recently so a zombie chicken is appropriate!
ReplyDeleteI completely missed BBAW. Instead, I could not stop reading four wonderful books.
ReplyDeleteI still hope to discover new bloggers.
Thanks so much, JoAnn! I agree, I'm a bit relieved that BBAW is over. It was a ton of fun, but I couldn't maintain that quantity of computer time very often!
ReplyDeleteOh! Thank you so much! I've been so busy these past three days, and haven't been on much--and tada! The minute I'm showing my blog to someone, I see I've gotten an award! It's actually quite surprising, as I've only been on for about twenty days! Thanks so much, JoAnn, and, someday when I begin handing out awards, you'll be sure to get one (and not simply because you gave me one--because you're blog is fabulous)! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on those fantastic awards!! BBAW made it really hard to keep up with everyone's blog...I gave up LOL!!!! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all the awards! You certainly deserve them :) I've been terrible about keeping up with my commenting and I can't even blame BBAW. I learned that as much as I enjoy checking out new-to-me blogs I need to try and keep up with my favorites. (like yours) :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the award - what a lovely surprise!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much JoAnn! You are so kind! I have fairly recently discovered your blog too and think it's fabulous...I always look forward to your new posts.
ReplyDeleteBBAW has been great for me too, I've discovered many a new blog and my readership has increased, which is always nice!
Thank you very much for the award! You have made my morning! Your post is great as it has introduced me to some new bloggers which is always welcome. Your blog is outstanding too - I love that image of the lake - oh, to be reading beside it right now...
ReplyDeleteDarlene - You're welcome, Darlene. Hope you had a wonderful Sunday. Looks like Deacon is in for a big surprise ;-)
ReplyDeleteDiane - BBAW was just a little overwhelming for me, I'm afraid. I have the same feeling of missing many great blogs and posts...just have to do what I can, I guess. Glad the award made you smile!
Melissa- You're very welcome...but sorry to give you more blogs to visit!
Molly - Next year I will definitely pay attention to the post topics ahead of time...and put a little more thought into my answers.
Frances - 'Whew' sums it up nicely! Hope you enjoyed your Sunday.
Gavin - Thanks. I think I'll still be visiting new blogs this week, too.
ReviewsbyLola - You're welcome. I'm so glad I discovered your blog!
Paperback Reader - I see no resemblance whatsoever between you and that zombie chicken
;-)
debnance - It looks like you had a great week anyway! You can always go back and read the BBAW stuff later.
ReplyDeleteCarrie K. - My computer is still warm from all the time it was on last week - lol!
Madeleine - You're welcome! It's hard to be a new blogger, and even more difficult during BBAW...you're off to a great start!
Staci - By the end of the week, I had pretty much given up, too.
Icedream - I agree! I keep up with my favorites before visiting new ones.
Verity - You're very welcome!
Rachel - You're welcome. I'm so glad I discovered your blog!
Bloomsbury Bell - Your blog is my newest discovery. I'll be visiting often!
I was surprised at how little I got done during BBAW. And I learned all the same lessons you did!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all your cool awards.
Congratulations on all these wonderful awards. They are well-deserved indeed. Thank you for the Spread the Love award...so sweet and I appreciate it. There are quite a few blogs here I am not familiar with and look forward to checking out. I also am looking forward to the Whipple review.
ReplyDeleteBeth F - Maybe they the 'truths universally acknowledged' of BBAW...but we didn't know since we weren't around last year??
ReplyDeleteBook Psmith - You're very welcome...your blog is one of my favorites! I really need to finish up that Whipple review.
Thanks so much for the award, JoAnn! You know it means so much to me every time you give my blog a special annotation! I feel the same way about your blog, which has been one of the primary resources of my reading ideas. I had been away on a business trip last week and you can imagine all that I have to catch up on the BBAW posts! Lots of books I'm sure! :)
ReplyDeleteMatt - You'll drive yourself crazy if you try to catch up with all the BBAW posts! I was around last week and still couldn't keep up! I saw that you posted your review for The Woman in White, but I'll wait until I'm finished to read it. We're glad to have you back!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your awards!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about BBAW!
Marie - Thanks. Next year I'll have a better idea of what to expect and can plan a little more time.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your awards! BBAW was a blast, wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteHazra - Thanks! BBAW was great, but good thing it only happens once a year ;-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all your awards, and I'm so glad you like The Woman In White so much. I swear, hearing you say that makes me want to pick it up again; I read it so long ago, but it was great!
ReplyDeleteBellezza - Thanks! I'm loving The Woman in White...just wish I could sit and read it all weekend!
ReplyDeleteHave you read The Moonstone? I absolutely loved that one, too.