In Which We Say Goodbye to One of Our Own
The book blogging community has lost one of its finest. Dewey from Hidden Side of a Leaf passed away this past week. To say that she leaves behind a huge void is a understatement. Not only was she a prolific reader, reviewer and blogger but she was also the founder and organizer of Weekly Geeks, the Bookworms Carnival, and the 24 Hour Read-a-Thon. We have all been influenced by her amazing energy, creative juices and bringing the community together. She just sent me an email last week that I haven’t responded to yet. To say I’m in shock is also an understatement. I had no idea. What will we do without her? My thoughts and prayers are with Dewey, her friends, and family. There are no words for this loss. May her family be of comfort knowing that she was loved among her own.
Her blog name comes from this quote by Toni Morrison:
“Birth, life, and death — each took place on the hidden side of a leaf.”
It’s seemed appropriate today.
Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Category: Bookish Musings & Miscellany
Tags: bookworms carnival, Weekly Geeks
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I just posted about this too, she truly will be missed, and we knew but a little of her!
on December 1st, 2008 at 9:46 amDewey had made occasional reference to some health problems on her blog, but never in any detail – this is a real shock.
She was a terrific community-builder among book bloggers, and we’ll miss her presence among us!
on December 1st, 2008 at 10:06 amI am really in shock about this. I just posted about her as well. We’ll all need to step up to continue what she started.
on December 1st, 2008 at 10:10 amVery shocked and sad here as well…
on December 1st, 2008 at 10:14 amI’m also in shock. I had no idea.
on December 1st, 2008 at 10:32 amI didn’t know that’s how she got her blog name and the quote really made me tear up.
on December 1st, 2008 at 10:37 amI, too, am among those who are saddened to hear of Dewey’s passing. I haven’t been part of the blogging scene for long, but The Hidden Side of a Leaf was among one of the first blogs I started reading. We have lost a friend today. She will be missed.
on December 1st, 2008 at 10:43 amI was shocked to learn of her passing as well. I will miss her terribly. She encouraged me to keep blogging and joining in the community when I felt inadequate.
This is a significant loss, and I hope to help carry on her legacy.
on December 1st, 2008 at 10:51 amThis is such a new experience. Feeling the loss of someone I did not really even know. I loved reading Dewey’s blog and was always in awe of the volume of work she did there. Her loss will be felt by so many people. Participating in the 24 Read-A-Thon was one of the highlights of my reading year.
on December 1st, 2008 at 10:54 amI’ve never met her or exchanged emails with her, but I was a long-time reader of her blog. I am very sad to hear of her passing, and my heart goes out to her family. May she rest in peace.
on December 1st, 2008 at 11:36 amLike everyone else, I was in shock when I read her husband’s note on her blog. She will definitely be missed.
on December 1st, 2008 at 12:07 pmI’m absolutely shocked and immensely saddened that Dewey’s no longer with us. I met her because of BBAW, and from the first look at her blog, I knew she was an incredibly special person. I’m glad that she is no longer in pain, but my heart is heavy today.
on December 1st, 2008 at 12:15 pmTo say I am shocked is an understatement. We had just exchanged emails a few weeks ago. I am sad, that a great person is no longer with us on the physical plane, but if she’s no longer in pain, then it provides a measure of comfort. Her family and friends are in my devotions. Thanks for all you did for us Dewey. I know you will be with us in spirit from the big blog in the sky.
on December 1st, 2008 at 12:20 pmHer blog was one that I read RIGHT AWAY when it popped up on my bloglines as having new content. She always had something interesting and insightful to say. She will be missed.
on December 1st, 2008 at 12:35 pmI’m so glad you shared that quote–I didn’t know where her blog name came from.
I’m in a state of shock as I’m sure we all are. I just can’t grasp a world without Dewey in it.
on December 1st, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Well said.
on December 1st, 2008 at 1:53 pmThanks for sharing that quote about her blog title.
It’s going to just feel wrong around here without Dewey.
on December 1st, 2008 at 2:20 pmYou said it perfectly, Natasha. What will we do without her?
on December 1st, 2008 at 3:11 pmI am so sorry to hear of her passing. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.
on December 1st, 2008 at 7:51 pmI am reading all these amazing blog posts to Dewey tonight with tears streaming down my cheeks. She was very special to this community. Thank you for sharing the quote about her blog name – it *is* very appropriate.
on December 1st, 2008 at 9:25 pmI’ve been touched by your thoughts. I only hope that many of us will step forward so that many of her community building events will continue. And it will take many of us. How she did it by herself is beyond belief. I would love to see the next read-a-thon be in her memory.
on December 1st, 2008 at 9:51 pmNatasha, I’ve been thinking about that as well – I would like to see her events continue; just not sure the best way to go about it.
on December 1st, 2008 at 10:03 pmI was thinking that the Weekly Geeks should in the next week or so write posts highlighting Dewey–maybe their favorite posts from her site, maybe their favorite memories, something to do as a tribute.
on December 2nd, 2008 at 10:07 amI was so stunned to hear the news. I’m glad you shared that quote, too. It gives me a bit more to know, when I knew so very little about her.
on December 2nd, 2008 at 10:14 amBecky – That is a great idea! How would we spread the word? Who posts about it?
on December 2nd, 2008 at 10:23 amThat’s what I can’t figure out..I don’t know who to contact to suggest this…and how to spread the word blog by blog. I suppose I could maybe send an email on A Novel Challenge yahoo group to spread the word there…but I’m sure there are weekly geeks who aren’t subscribed to that list. And maybe twitter it as well. If every blogger could do what s/he can to spread the word then maybe it will spread on its own.
on December 2nd, 2008 at 1:08 pmI just emailed A Novel Challenge yahoo group. We’ll see if anyone is interested. I’ll be posting it on my site too. You can post it on yours to help spread the word that is if you don’t mind.–you don’t have to use my wording or anything–just phrase it however you want. Add your own thoughts and sentiments…whatever. I thought I might comment on those blogging posts that make mention of Dewey’s passing to spread the word as well.
Anyway, this is what I wrote:
I was thinking that it might be nice for those bloggers who are Weekly Geeks to pay tribute to Dewey in the next week or so. To take the time to post to their blogs a “Weekly Geek” post about Dewey–maybe share their favorite posts from her site, maybe share a memory or two about participating in weekly geeks, the bookworms carnival, the 24 Hour Readathon, or one of Dewey’s challenges, maybe just share a favorite memory of Dewey in general, what they’ll miss most, how they’ll remember her, etc. I’m going to try to post mine this Saturday–but bloggers anywhere and everywhere are encouraged to post whenever they want.
on December 2nd, 2008 at 1:17 pmHere’s a few ideas:
I have a PO Box address for Dewey where we can all send condolence cards. I’m sure somebody must have a physical address in which to send a package.
I’m sure many of us would love to see the read-a-thon, weekly geeks, bookworms carnivals, challenges continue. I’ve already heard several express that they would like to take one of them on. I would love to determine how we should send our sympathies, and who would like to take on some responsibilities. Dewey’s husband should also be kept in the loop.
We can discuss this maybe two ways:
1 – set up a chat room where we can all get on at the same time and discuss who would like to “take charge” of some of the things that Dewey did.
2 – set up a conference call (I can do this) and we can talk live to each other.
Spread the word through groups, email, twitter, social networks.
Hmm . . . what do you guys think?
on December 2nd, 2008 at 2:57 pmYes, I would love to be involved! I really would lean toward the read-a-thon tough…it is an amazing event!! I would love to put it on, or help put it on! keep me updated.
on December 2nd, 2008 at 3:13 pmCount me in too, either option is fine with me (chat room or conference call, I have a US phone number). I’m with Bethany, I’d love to help with the read-a-thon. I don’t think I can host it since I never even got to participate, but it’s something I could help with definitely and I’ve seen enough posts about it to know how it works.
Keep me posted anyway!
on December 2nd, 2008 at 3:23 pmI know Florinda is keeping a list of people interested in helping. I could probably do a conf call or chat but would have to be evenings.
I even thought the Read-a-thon could have a blog exclusively devoted to it.
on December 2nd, 2008 at 3:27 pmI thought the same thing during the last read-a-thon, it needs it’s own blog. Makes sense. I’ll see what Florinda is cooking up.
on December 2nd, 2008 at 3:34 pmAmy’s right – I’ve started a list of people who are interested in continuing Dewey’s projects, which came out of this post:
http://www.3rsblog.com/2008/12/book-bloggers-say-goodbye-to-dewey.html
I’m posting a follow-up to that later this afternoon.
I’m interested in working with the Bookworms Carnival myself, and another book blogger and I have already been talking about that.
Natasha – if you want a copy of that list, let me know. I could try to be available for a conference call or chat, but it would depend on when it happens.
on December 2nd, 2008 at 3:37 pmHow about we start a discussion over at Book Blogs Ning? That way all discussions are in one spot? Spread the word to direct traffic over there?
Florinda – I’d love a copy of the list. Out of all the projects, the bookworm carnival was the one I’d love to help with.
on December 2nd, 2008 at 3:41 pmI’d love to be included in the list of bloggers wanting to help.
on December 2nd, 2008 at 3:45 pmCount me in too to help in any way. My special love was Weekly Geeks… though I know I can’t come up with the creative ideas Dewey did.
on December 2nd, 2008 at 4:04 pmThanks for starting that discussion group on Ning, Natasha.
Please e-mail me (so I have your contact info) and I’ll send you the names I have so far!
on December 2nd, 2008 at 4:45 pmFYI for all – this discussion has been moved over to the Book Blogs Ning:
http://bookblogs.ning.com/forum/topics/discussing-and-remembering
on December 2nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm