Book Blogger Appreciation Week, Day 5

Today is the last official day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week, and many a raffle prize has been ruffled, and many a Blogger of Distinction Award distincted. To see how the voting went, and perhaps get some new ideas of where to look for reviews, industry buzz, and like-minded readers, take a look at a preliminary list created by Anna at

OCD, Vampires, and Amusing Rants, Oh My!
http://community.livejournal.com/genrereviews/61183.html


Also, there are still many prize draws crossing many genre borders open at BBAW mastermind Amy's blog till Sunday, take a look:

My Friend Amy's Blog

http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/

Book Blogger Appreciation Week, Day 4

Today, two more bookblogs of note:

The Novel Challenge

Tagline: The Place to Find Your Next Challenge

This is a great place for readers searching for an online reading community. Many is the reader who doesn't know anyone in their real life circles who shares reading tastes. Courtesy of the internet, and this blog founder - voila, problem solved.

http://novelchallenges.blogspot.com/



And here, a blog with a most creative review style - haiku:

Fyrefly's Book Blog

Tagline: Sparking Your Literary Interest

http://fyreflybooks.wordpress.com/2008/09/12/review-haiku-and-giftcard-giveaway/

Creative and fun!

Bookblogger Appreciation Week, Day 3

Today's feature: blogs that encourage the Gentle Reader to broaden horizons.



First,



The Book Mine Set



Run by John who is based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (in other words: Arctic, for those who may not be aware), this blog is currently hosting the second annual Canadian Book Challenge. It runs for a year and involves participants committing to read 13 Canadian books (i.e. by or about Canadians/set in Canada), one from each province and territory. John has a handy list broken down by geography for readers who are still seeking something for their 'Saskatchewan' slot, say, or want to round out their 'Newfoundland' one. So far Apprentice Writer has ticks for:



Alberta - (to be filled!)

British Columbia - Wayson Choy, "The Jade Peony"

Manitoba - Carol Shields, "The Stone Diaries"

New Brunswick- (to be filled!)

Newfoundland/Labrador - (to be filled!)

Northwest Territories-(to be filled!)

Nova Scotia - Anne Marie MacDonald, "Fall on Your Knees"

Nunavat-(to be filled!)

Ontario - Margaret Atwood, "The Robber Bride"

Prince Edward Island- Lucy Maud Montgomery, "Anne of Green Gables"

Quebec - Yann Martel, "Life of Pi"

Saskatchewan -(tobe filled!)

Yukon -(to be filled!)



All titles read so far highly recommended.



http://bookmineset.blogspot.com/2008/05/2nd-canadian-book-challenge-eh.htm







Next, a blog with similar concept but broader application:

Book Around the World

Bonnie describes the goal: "The world has many countries. Let's "book around the world" and find at least one excellent book for each country in the world. The book should help us learn something ABOUT that country and not just be one written by somebody who lives there."

The sidebar lists a host of countries which link to reviews on books for that country.

Apprentice Writer thinks this is a brilliant way to promote the concepts of global village and world citizenship. So far, her personal literary world collection includes the all continents but Antarctica. But even that is sort ofcovered by making an appearance on her WIP, "Cupid and a Suitcase". Time to collect more individual countries!

http://bookaroundtheworld.blogspot.com/

Book Blogger Appreciation Week, Day 2

Today, a few blogs that caught Apprentice Writer's fancy due to most excellent names:





The Tome Traveller

Tagline: Globetrotting with My Nose in a Book



http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/



Apprentice Writer likes the clever play on words, and broad range of genres reviewed.





Fashionista Piranha

Tagline: Because a Good Book is the Perfect Accessory



http://fashion-piranha.livejournal.com/



As is to be expected, many books reviewed deal with fashion (has Apprentice Writer mentioned that she adores 'Project Runway'?), but not solely restricted to the world of apparell. And who can resist a blog with 'Piranha' in its name?

A Platypus with a Book Walks Into a Bar...

Tagline: A Literary Journey

http://inkhornplatypus.livejournal.com/

A Platypus! This masterstroke of imagination clearly needs no explaining as to how it managed to charm Apprentice Writer.

The Toasted Scimitar

Tagline: Like in a Fantasy Pub, you get lots of Information and Opinions here. No Tavern Brawls, Unfortunately.

http://toasted-scimitar.blogspot.com/

An informative fantasy genre review site, with a sense of humor (judging by the site contributors' bios). Always a plus in Apprentice Writer's view.

Gentle Readers, any other sites with excellent names you 'd care to share?

Book Blogger Appreciation Week

Ladies and Gentemen, welcome to the first day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week!

In the words of Amy, BBAW's mastermind:

"The gloom and doom news tries to tell us that reading is dead, we say look at our addiction. We transform reading books from solitary activities to shared conversations through our blogs. We carve out extra time to share book club tips, interview authors, and learn about the technical aspects of blogging. Our blogs are like a part-time job and the only payment is the pleasure we get when someone takes us up on a recommendation. This week, you will hear from the other side...the people our blogs help promote. And you'll get the chance to enjoy the reality that what we are doing is making a difference. You will have the chance to win books and prizes, the opportunity to speak out and the chance to make a difference in the lives of others. And we'll celebrate the blogs chosen by the book blogging community as the best in their categories. It's going to be so great!"

Find more info, plus a ginormous list of bookblogging participants and a mega-list of raffle prizes here:

http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/2008/09/welcome-to-book-blogger-appreciation.html

Apprentice Writer applauds Amy's appreciation- and community-building initiative. In recognition of the massive co-ordination and thought putting together this week took, Apprentice Writer will not have fun exploring many new-to-her sites, but feature some for the Gentle Reader's pleasure every day this week.

Please get in the spirit and mention others you feel may be undiscovered treasures!

The Historical Romance Heroine - A Definitive List

Anna Bowling of Unusual Historicals has penned a tongue-in-cheek list of historical romance heroine characteristics. Very funny.

Go, enjoy:

http://unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com/2008/09/women-historical-romance-heroine.html

Batman a la Jane Austen

Too good not to share -

Cara King, of the Risky Regencies site, has penned (keyboarded?) one of the funniest pieces Apprentice Writer has read in a long time, containing the doubtless soon-to-be-immortal phrase "...unbending suit of petroleum derivatives."

Go, enjoy:

http://riskyregencies.blogspot.com/2008/09/jane-austens-batman.html