Maw Books

Maw Books – book reviews, book recommendations, book lists, author interviews and more!

Today’s writing prompt for Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW) is:  Today we invite you to share with us a book or genre you tried due to the influence of another blogger.  What made you cave in to try something new and what was the experience like?

I realize that how I approached this post  is probably not exactly what they were thinking of.  But when I was looking at all the books that I’ve read since September 2009 (since last BBAW) and started to pull out all the books that I read based on blogger recommendations, I realized that it was a task that was much harder than I thought.

Many of the books I now read are a direct result of the blogging experience.  I never read young adult or middle grade fiction before blogging.  But I read a ton of that now!  Hello?  If that’s not influence than I don’t know what is.  That alone is one of the best things to come out of my blogging experience thus far.  To realize that it’s okay for an adult to read children’s books and love them!

I also read a lot of books that were from authors whom I’ve been introduced to simply from blogging for the past couple of years.  If I wasn’t blogging, I also wouldn’t be paying attention to my local authors. I can tell you that before blogging, I simply didn’t have them on my radar. A lot of the books that I read I picked up at Book Expo America or from review pitches.  A direct result from blogging. And a lot of the wonderful picture books I’ve read this year came into my home when I was a panelist last year for the Cybils awards.

Short of the story:  blogging is largely influential in my reading.  And this isn’t a bad thing.  I’m reading more, I’m reading books I like, and I’m reading books I never would have read before.  And I love that.  I’m paying more attention to what is out there rather than stumbling over my book selections.  I’m still reading books off of my bookshelf, for book clubs, or from browsing my library.  I’d like to think that I’ve become fairly well-rounded in my reading.

I’m happy with my choices.  I’m unhappy that I can’t read everything!

What I’ve done is listed all the books that I’ve read since last September, so this represents twelve months of reading.  I’ve explained why I read the book and where the book came from.  And yes – this took me much longer to do than I anticipated!

Fiction

• Sea Escape by Lynne Griffin – Accepted a TLC Blog tour offer after author expressed wish to have me on tour.
  
• That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo – Love Russo! Empire Falls is a favorite. Picked up ARC at BEA 2009 and attended reading at The Kings English.
  
• The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris – Picked up ARC at BEA 2009.  Had set aside and ignored but after several blogger recommendations decided to pick it up.
  
• The Threadbare Heart by Jennie Nash – Love Jennie Nash! After reviewing two of Nash’s previous novels, she sent me ARC of newest book.
  
• Get Lucky by Katherine Center - Adore Katherine! I’ve reviewed two of her previous novels and even had her Skype into my IRL book club.  She sent me ARC of her new release.
  
• The Birth House by Ami McKay – Found this one at a thrift store and the cover and premise sold me on it!
  
• Little Bee by Chris Cleave – I had been seeing this one from bloggers for some time before I picked it up. The cover alone intrigued me.  Purchased and attended Cleave’s reading at The Kings English.
  
• Gabriel’s Story by David Anthony Durham – A blogger reviewed this one (I can’t find which one!) and I put it on hold at the library immediately and promptly read within moments of bringing it into the house.
  
• The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck – My IRL neighborhood’s book club selection for Christmas. Checked out from the library.
  
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett - Read this one solely on the basis of blogger recommendations. Had read it from the library but having been on vacation when Stockett was at The Kings English, local author Leann Whiffen bought and sent me a copy. So nice!
  
• Standing Still by Kelly Simmons – Review copy sent from author or publisher.
  
• The Next Thing On My List by Jill Smolinksi – IRL neighborhood book club selection.  Checked out from the library but then neighbor gave me her copy.
  
• Haunting Bombay by Shilpa Agarwal – TLC Blog Tour.  Review copy sent from publisher.
  
• Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas – Authors on the Web Blog Tour, I’d been wanting to read Dallas forever!
  
• A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi - Received copy from the author after meeting at BEA 2009.
• Recovering Charles by Jason Wright - Review copy from a local publisher.
• Every Last Cuckoo by Kate Maloy – Skype book club selection, checked out from library.
• Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea – Received copy at BEA 2009, met author, and also a Skype book club selection.
• Torn by God by Zoe Murdock – Knowing my interest in polygamy book, accepted review copy from author pitch.  Also attended a reading at The King’s English.
• Searching for Eternity by Elizabeth Musser – IRL book club selection, checked out from library.
• Silver Shoes by Paul Miles Schneider – Review copy from author pitch.
• My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult – From my own bookshelf. Wanted to read this one before giving up on Picoult for good.
• The Last Will of Moriah Leahy by Therese Walsh – Review copy
• I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells – Awesome local author! After husband purchased book, I picked it up. Have met Dan a couple of times.
• Room by Emma Donoghue – Review copy picked up from BEA 2010.
• Unformed Landscape by Peter Stamm – Review copy picked up from BEA 2010.
• Love Begins in Winter by Simon Van Booy – Review copy picked up from BEA 2009.
• How Dolly Parton Saved My Life by Charlotte Connors - Skype book club selection, checked out from library.
• In the Woods by Tana French – Picked up at a thrift store after hearing a lot of bloggers talk about Tana French.
• The Postmistress by Sarah Blake - Skype book club selection. Copy sent to me from Dawn.
• The Things they Carried by Tim O’Brien – Soley on blogger recommendations!  Checked out from library.
• The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais – Review copy as a result of BEA 2010.
• The Beijing of Possibilities by Jonathan Tel – Review copy from BEA 2009.
• The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan – Book on Utah’s Reader Choice Award list. Accepted review pitch from author.

Young Adult Fiction

• The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott – Review copy sent from author.
• The Heart is Not a Size by Beth Kephart – Loved Beth’s other book. Author blog tour.
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman – Review copy picked up from BEA 2009.
• After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson – Love Woodson!  Checked out from library.
• Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale, Illustrated by Nathan Hale – Local author & sequel to Rapunzel’s revenge which I reviewed. Purchased from The Kings English during the Hale’s launch party.
• Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin – Blogger recommendation. Checked out from library.
• Everything is Fine by Ann Dee Ellis – Local author. Can’t remember if I bought this one or checked our from the library.
• Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman – Blogger recommendation.  Checked out from library.
• Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines – Review copy picked up from BEA 2009.
• Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr – Fabulous local author!  Read from a review copy but purchased from The Kings English during Sara’s launch party.
• Hush by Jacqueline Woodson – Reading all of Woodson’s back list.  Checked out from library.
• Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick – I’d previously reviewed all of McCormick’s book so picked up a review copy from BEA 2009.
• I Hadn’t Mean to Tell You This by Jacqueline Woodson – Reading all of Woodson’s backlist. Checked out from the library.
• Uglies by Scott Westerfield – Blogger recommendation.  Purchased from secondhand store.
• Pretties by Scott Westerfield - Blogger recommendation.  Purchased from secondhand store.
• Specials by Scott Westerfield – Blogger recommendation.  Checked out from the library.
• The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis - Off my bookshelf, read for my Newbery challenge.
• Liar by Justine Larbalestier – A Skype book club selection. Review copy picked up from BEA 2009.
• The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer – Review copy sent from the author.
• Love, Lies, and Texas Dips by Susan McBride – Reviewed the first book in this series. Review copy sent from the author.
• Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott – Review copy sent from the author.
• Keesha’s House by Helen Frost - Off of my bookshelf.
• The Dark Divine by Bree Despain - Local author!  Review copy given from the author.
• The Maze Runner by James Dashner – Local author! Review copy given from the author.
• Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman – Accepted review pitch from the publisher.
• Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles – Blogger recommendation! Checked out from the library.
• Nothing but Ghosts by Beth Kephart – Purchased after blogger recommendations and Amy’s book drive.
• A Loser’s Guide to Life and Love by A.E Cannon – Local author! Read for my Children’s Literature Book Club in which Ann graciously attended.  Checked out from the library.
• Slob by Ellen Potter – Can not remember where I first heard about this one. Likely a blog. Checked out from the library.
• The Surrender Tree, Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle – Won a Newbery Honor this past year and naturally I wanted to read it.  Checked out from the library.
• Mare’s War by Tanita S. Davis – Blogger recommendation! Checked out from the library.
• Artichoke’s Heart by Suzanne Supplee - My IRL  book club selection.  Checked out from the library.
• Keep Sweet by Michelle Dominguez Green - Blogger recommendation!  I can’t resist a polygamy book. Checked out from the library.
• The Ring by Bobbie Pyron – Local author! Review copy sent from the author.
• Split by Swati Avasthi – Purchased this one at Books of Wonder in NYC during an author event.  Premise looked great.
• Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards - Also purchased this one at Books of Wonder in NYC during an author event. Historical fiction and free verse?  Say no more.
• Matched by Ally Condie – Local author! Review copy picked up from BEA 2010.
• Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins – Love Mitali’s blog and Twitter feed. Review copy picked up from BEA 2010.
• Beautiful by Amy Reed – Read as part of Nerds Heart YA.  Checked out from the library.
• The Blonde of the Joke by Bennett Madison - Read as part of Nerds Heart YA.  Purchased online.
• Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck – Love Richard Peck! Review copy picked up from BEA 2010.
• Yummy by G. Neri – Previously reviewed a G. Neri book. Review copy picked up from Lee and Low office visit in NYC.
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins -  Blogger recommendations! Purchased.
• The Scorch Trials by James Dashner - Local author! Borrowed ARC from Emily of Emily’s Reading Room.
• Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams - Local author! Checked out from library but definitely buying.
• Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart – Enjoyed Beth’s other books and picked up review copy from BEA 2010.
• Scars by Cheryl Rainfield - Blogger recommendation! Checked out from library.
• Grace by Elizabeth Scott - Review copy sent from author.

Middle Readers Fiction

• A Fine White Dust by Cynthia Rylant – Reading my way through the Newbery’s.  From my bookshelf.
• The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars- Reading my way through the Newbery’s.  From my bookshelf.
• The Door in the Wall by Marquerite de Angeli – Reading my way through the Newbery’s.  From my bookshelf.
• Hashbrown Winters and the Mashimoto Madness by Frank L. Cole – Local author! Review copy sent from the author.
• Dork Diaries: Tales for a Not-So-Popular Party Girl by Rachel Renee Russell – Reviewed the first book in the series. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Bifocal by Deborah Ellis & Eric Walters – Having loved Ellis in the past, I requested a review copy from the publisher.
• Long Shot (Comeback Kids) by Mike Lupica – Accepted review pitch.
• Dessert First by Hallie Durand – Accepted review pitch.
• Charlotte’s Rose by A.E. Cannon – Local author! Also a children’s literature book club selection & Ann visited meeting. Out of print I believe. Purchased secondhand.
• All Alone by Claire Huchet Bishop – Reading my way through the Newbery’s.  From my bookshelf.
• Dovey Coe by Frances O’Roark Dowell – Loved her previous book. From my bookshelf.
• Witness by Karen Hesse – Reading my way through the Newbery’s.  From my bookshelf.
• Year of No Rain by Alice Mead – I believe I just found this one at the secondhand store and snatched it up based on the premise.
• Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis – Blogger recommendation  ! Checked out from library.
• 42 Miles by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer – Blogger recommendation and on Utah’s Beehive Book Award list. Checked out from library.
• When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr – Blogger recommendation!  Checked out from library.
• Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry – Blogger recommendation! Checked out from library.
• The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon – Blogger recommendation!  Checked out from library.
• Leaving Gee’s Bend by Irene Latham – Unsolicited review copy sent from publisher.
• Escape Under the Forever Sky by Eve Yohalem- Blogger recommendation! Checked out from library.
• All the Broken Pieces by Ann Burg – Blogger recommendation!  Checked out from library.
• Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires – Blogger recommendation!  Checked out from library.
• Secrets of a Christmas Box by Steven Hornby – Accepted review pitch. Review copy sent from publisher..
• A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck – Hello? Richard Peck here. No reasons needed.  Checked out from library.
• Thanksgiving at the Inn by Tim Whitney – Accepted review pitch. Review copy sent from publisher.
• When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead – Blogger recommendation (it then went on to win Newbery)! Checked out from library.
• The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo – I’ve read & reviewed everything of DiCamillo’s. Review copy picked up from BEA 2010.
• Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf – Blogger recommendation! Checked out from library.
• Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman (Skeleton Creek Series) – Reviewed first book in the series. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin – Picked up at library based on the cover alone.
• Chess Rumble by G. Neri, Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson – Children’s literature book club selection. Checked out from library.
• Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry- Reading my way through the Newbery’s.  From my bookshelf.
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl – Read for the fun of it. From my bookshelf.
• The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson – Reading my way through the Newbery’s.  From my bookshelf.
• Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume – Wanted to revist my childhood. From my bookshelf.
• Operation Yes by Sara Holmes - Blogger recommendation! Checked out from library.
• The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies and Other Warped and Creepy Tales by David Lubar – Read as a prereader for the Beehive Book Awards.  Checked out from the library.
• Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford – Blogger recommendation.  Checked out from library.
• Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in It by Sundee Tucker Frazier – Read as a prereader for the Beehive Book Awards.  Checked out from the library.
• My Teacher is an Alien by Bruce Coville - Read for children’s literature book club. Checked out from Library.
• The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin – Read for children’s literature book club. Checked out from Library.
• The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg – Read for children’s literature book club. Checked out from Library.
• My Brother the Dog by Kim Williams-Justesen – Local author! Purchased at a book signing.
• The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli – Reading my way through the Newbery’s.  From my bookshelf.
• When Zachary Beaver Comes to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt – From my bookshelf.
• The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars – Reading my way through the Newbery’s.  From my bookshelf.
• In Grandpa’s House by Philip Sendak - From my bookshelf.
• Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000 by Frank Wright – Reviewed the first book in the series. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Romana Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Clearly – Reading my way through the Newbery’s.  From my bookshelf.
• A Fine White Dust by Cynthia Rylant- Reading my way through the Newbery’s.  From my bookshelf.
• Clementine, Friend of the Week by Sara Pennypacker - I LOVE Clementine!! Review copy picked up from BEA 2010.
• Trackers by Patrick Carmen – Reviewed two of Carme’s other books. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Boom by Mark Haddon – Review copy picked up at BEA 2010
• Cracker, The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata - Read for the Vietnam War reading challenge. From my bookshelf.
• Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo – Review copy picked up at BEA 2010.
• Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson - I LOVE Laurie!! Review copy picked up at BEA 2010.
• The Healing Spell by Kimberly Griffiths Little - A fellow alumni from my alma mater and an LDS author, accepted review pitch. Review copy sent from author.
• The Kneebone Boy by Ellen Potter - Loved Slob.  Had to read this one! Review copy sent from the author.
• Grease Town by Ann Towell - Random browsing at the library brought this one home.
• Wringer by Jerry Spinelli - Also a Newbery but an old classmate of mine RAVED about this book which I did happen to own. From my bookshelf.

Picture Books

• Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? by Audrey Vernick, Illustrated by Daniel Jennewein – Illustrator is fellow blogger Lenore’s husband. Saw a copy at BEA 2010 and it was adorable. Review copy sent from illustrator.
• Scaredy Squirrel at Night by Melanie Watt – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Firefighter Ted by Andrea Beaty and Pascal Lemaitr - A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• In the Garden by Peggy Collins – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban and Illustrated by Henry Cole – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Ninety-Three in My Family by Erica S. Perl, Illustrated by Mike Lester – I previously reviewed Chicken Butt! Review copy sent from publisher.
• Dogs on the Bed by Elizabeth Bluemle, Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf – Review copy sent from publisher.
• Little Skink’s Tail by Janet Halfmann, Illustrated by Laurie Allen Klein – Review copy sent from author.
• Finding Lincoln by Ann Malaspina, Illustrated by Colin Bootman -A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Langston Hughes, Illustrated by E.B. Lewis – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• My People by Langston Hughes, Photographs by Charles R. Smith Jr. – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Ron’s Big Mission by Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden, Illustrated by Don Tate – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Who Was Born this Special Day? by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Leonid Gore – Checked out from library.
• I’ve Seen Santa! by David Bedford, Illustrated by Tim Warnes – Checked out from library.
• I Love Christmas by Anna Walker -A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• My Name is Sangoel by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed, Illlustrated by Catherine Stock – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie - Review copy sent from publisher.
• Saying Grace: A Prayer of Thanksgiving by Virginia Krull, Illustrated by Timothy Ladwig – Review copy sent from publisher.
• Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué Rico! Americas’ Sproutings, Haiku by Pat Mora, Pictures by Rafael López – Review copy sent from publisher.
• Gracias Thanks by Pat Mora, Illustrated by John Parra – Review copy sent from publisher.
• A Birthday for Bear by Bonny Becker, Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton – Checked out from library.
• Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• The Book That Eats People by John Perry, Illustrated by Mark Fearing – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Always My Brother by Jean Reagan and Illustrated by Phyllis Pollema-Cahill (with a giveaway)
• The Curious Garden by Peter Brown – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, Illustrated by Marla Frazee – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Jeremy Draws a Monster by Peter McCarty – A Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Goodnight Goon, A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex – Halloween week. Checked out from library.
• Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems – Halloween week. Checked out from library.
• Where’s My Mummy by Carolyn Crimi, Illustrated by John Manders – Halloween week. Checked out from library.
• A Very Hairy Scary Story by Rick Walton and Illustrated by David Clark Local author! Checked out from library.
• Dear Vampa by Ross Collins – Halloween week. Checked out from library.
• Benny the Baffled Behemoth by Melissa Leembruggen, Illustrated by Trish McKinney – Previously reviewed Melisssa’s book. Review copy sent from author.
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak - From my bookshelf.

Nonfiction

• The Mistress’s Daughter by A.M. Homes – From my bookshelf.
• A Child’s Journey Out of Autism: One Family’s Story of Living in Hope and Finding a Cure by Leeann Whiffen – Local author! Review copy sent from author.
• Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant by Daniel Tammet – From my bookshelf.
• The Year My Son and I Were Born: A Story of Down Syndrome, Motherhood, and Self-Discovery by Kathryn Lynard Soper – Local author! Checked out from the library.
• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer – Blogger recommendation! Checked out from library.
• Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose – Blogger recommendation! Checked out from library.
• Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change by Michelle Cook – Blogger recommendation! Checked out from library.
• The Blue Cotton Gown, A Midwife’s Memoir by Patricia Harman – Accepted review pitch. Review copy sent from  publisher.
• Picking Cotton, Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton with Erin Torneo – Accepted review pitch. Review copy sent from publicist.
• War Child, A Child Soldier’s Story by Emmanuel Jal – I don’t remember how I discovered this one. Checked out from  library.
• They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys From Sudan by Benson Deng, Alephonsion Deng, Benjamin Ajak with Judy A. Bernstein – Discovered in a booklist about Lost Boys of Sudan. Checked out from library.
• I Am a Star, Child of the Holocaust by Inge Auerbacher – Checked out from library.
• Step Back from the Baggage Claim: Change the World, Start at the Airport by Jason Barger – Accepted review pitch from author after BEA 2009.
• An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers by Natasha Wing, Illustrated by Julia Breckenreid – Accepted review pitch from author. Review copy sent from author.
• Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story by Paula Yoo, Illustrated by Dom Lee – Review copy sent from publisher.
• We Are the Ship, The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson – Blogger recommendation!  And it’s Kadir Nelson!! Purchased at LA Times Festival of Books.
• Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change by Michelle Cook – Blogger recommendation! Checked out from library.
• The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin and Rosana Faria – Children’s literature book club selection. Checked out from library.
• Travels with Tarra and Just for Elephants by Carol Buckley – Blog tour. Review copy sent from publisher.
• Shattered Silence: An Untold Story of a Serial Killer’s Daughter by Melissa G. Moore - I don’t remember how I found out about this one. A blogger?  Checked out from the library.
• My Bridges of Hope: Searching for Life and Love After Auschwitz by by Livia Bitton-Jackson – Blogger recommendation! Checked out from library.
• A Place to Hide: True Stories of Holocaust Rescues by Jayne Pettit (juvenile) – From my bookshelf.
• Tone Deaf in Bangkok and Other Places by Janet Brown - Picked up review copy from BEA 2009.
• Cult Insanity: A Memoir of Polygamy, Prophets, and Blood Atonement by Irene Spencer – Requested this book from publisher after reading Spencer’s first memoir.
• Surviving the Angel of Death: The Story of a Mengele Twin in Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor – Blogger recommendation! Checked out from library.
• Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth and Everyday Magic by Martha Beck - No clue where I heard about this one. Checked out from library.
• Church of Lies by Flora Jessop – Library browsing find.
• It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff by Peter Walsh – Love this book. Helped with my spring cleaning. From my bookshelf.
• A Family of Readers: The Book Lover’s Guide to Children’s and Young Adult Literature Edited by Roger Sutton and Martha Parravano – Picked up review copy from BEA 2010.

Crazy!!  This was a really good exercise for me to do. I’ve always known, but this helped remind me that I have dozens and dozens of adult fiction books on my bookshelf which I would love to read.  They aren’t sitting there just to collect dust!  Also, I’ve cut back significantly on the books which are specifically for a tour. Not being tied down to a posting date has been awesome this year.  But then again, from the number of books which I’ve read but not reviewed yet, it seems that posting dates are a big motivator for me. But then again, I’m not getting paid to do any of this. So I guess I’ll take the no stress over the motivation.  I seem to have recovered my blogging mojo so reviews are getting written!

I’d love to be able to review a lot of the picture books that I check out from the library or are my boys favorites but keeping up with all the wonderful gems from the Cybils or review copies I’m sent already has me behind.

Before blogging I likely read 3 to 4 books a month.  And I didn’t talk to ANYBODY about them.  I wasn’t even in a book club or anything (now I’m in three!).  Reading was a very solitary experience.  Blogging has made reading social.  The opportunity to discuss books and to share ideas has been priceless.

I’m reminded today how much I love this.

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!