BBAW Day 4: Readers

Book bloggers blog because we love reading. Has book blogging changed the way you read? Have you discovered books you never would have apart from book blogging? How has book blogging affected your book acquisition habits? Have you made new connections with other readers because of book blogging?

My very first post, and my blog title, Wandering in the Stacks, describe how I usually pick a book. This can be hit or miss. I love when I find a hidden gem, some book I’ve never heard of that turns out to be one of my favorites. I also like getting recommendations from friends. It helps when I know my friends have tastes similar to mine. Blogging has just expanded my circle of recommenders (is that really a word? Spell check isn’t yelling at me).

Blogs are great, because I can search someone’s reviews for books I’ve read, and see how our tastes compare. Then I can see what else they’re reading, and what they think of it. I’ve found this is a great was to find new titles or authors.

Another way that bloggers influence my reading is by reminding me of certain titles I’ve been wanting to read. Sometimes it’s as simple as helping me pick my next book from the TBR pile. For example, my neighbor had lent me a copy of Assata, by Assata Shakur. One of my twitter friends was tweeting up a storm about radical 60s politics, and recommended this book. She gushed so much about it that I promised to pick it up asap. I did, and I loved it. I’ve yet to write my review, but it’s coming, promise!

BBAW Interview

I’m participating in this year’s Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW). As a new blogger, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I figured I’d dive right in and sign up for the BBAW Interview Swap. I was paired up with the great Annabel over at Gaskella. After reading her answers, I think you'll agree that I was fortunate to be partnered up with her!

What would (or does!) your perfect reading spot look like?
Although I do a lot of my reading in bed, both before going to sleep and after waking up, my perfect reading spot would be sunny afternoon on a comfy sofa where I can tuck my feet up and read without interruptions and too many distractions. The radio might be on a talk channel in the background though, and a big mug of tea by my side is a must.

The Sisters Brothers

What type of cover is likely to make you pick up a book?

I’m always drawn to good graphic design – my favourite in recent times is The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt. It’s bright, stands out, and has layers of meaning in it.  I also love the new Penguin Modern Classics – understated with a great font. I dislike ‘fluffy’ soft focus covers and headless women.

If you had the chance to give a book to the political representative of your choice, with a guarantee that they’d read it, what book would it be, and why?

That’s a really tough question!  It’d have to be something dystopian – to illustrate what could happen if it all goes wrong. Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban is set in the future in an England that has reverted to the iron age after ‘the big one’ – Can I have lots of copies to give to leaders of nuclear powers, or those who still want to be. [You can have as many copies as you'd like! - MJ]

If your life was going to be used as the inspiration for a work of fiction, who would you want the author to be, and why?

It would have to be Nick Hornby.  I tend to strongly identify with his characters, especially Annie in Juliet, naked, but also my geeky side with Rob in Hi Fidelity too. He is sympathetic to his characters but doesn’t let them get away with things, and he turns fairly ordinary lives into extraordinary novels.

As you move forward, what is one blogging goal that you have?

I’d like to read more on a whim and less to order, and I hope that’ll be reflected in better and more insightful writing on my blog. I’ve always read voraciously, but not studied English since school, but I’ve found that since starting my blog, writing reviews has really helped to improve my critical thinking and writing.
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Now I want to read Nick Hornby! Also, I had tried to get a copy of The Sisters Brothers (it’s been longlisted for this year’s Man Booker prize) but my library didn’t have it. I’ll have to keep an eye out of it, because that cover is great, and it looks like a fun story.

I hope you enjoyed learning about Annabel. Make sure to check out her blog, where I answered her questions!

BBAW: The Book Blogging Community

Today’s BBAW theme is Community. The idea is to highlight a couple of bloggers that have made book blogging a unique and meaningful experience. I decided to take a cue from the BBAW description and talk about the first bloggers who commented on my blog and encouraged me to keep at it.

My first ever comment came from Amy over at I Ponder the Page (what a great blog name!). Amy describes herself as a Christian stay at home mom, Sunday School teacher, wife to a great husband, and of course – a reader. I love that’s she’s always so positive, and willing to read books outside of her usual comfort zone. For example, she identified ten genres of books that she doesn’t normally read, and reading one book from each genre. I am sometimes very stuck in my reading habits, so I applaud her for doing this. The biggest way I get out of my comfort zone is by reading whatever my book club picks. I will read almost anything, but I won’t necessarily pick it up on my own.

My second comment was courtesy of the awesome Eva over at A Striped Armchair. Eva is a real inspiration for my blogging. She’s always managing to read great sounding books, and write terrific reviews. I love how she often includes companion reads when she reviews a book, so you can have even more choices. I wish I were as organized about what I’ve read. Of course, one of my main reasons for starting to blog was so that I can keep better track of what I’ve read, and what I thought of it. Eva also vlogs, which is way too scary for me!

I encourage everyone to check out these great bloggers, or go give a little love to some of your favorites. And leave any suggestions for me to check out in the comments – as you can see, I love my commenters!

Be sure to come back tomorrow, when I will be posting and interview with another book blogger :-)