10. Blogger Events: I am fortunate enough to live close to Miami, where a lot of authors stop for tours. (I am pretty sure it's because of the nice weather.) I have really enjoyed getting to know my fellow YA book bloggers in the area (the #MIACrew), and of course meeting the authors, hearing their stories, and getting goodies for the blog have been awesome, too.
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| The #MIACrew and Lauren Kate |
9. Monthly Read Alongs: I really encourage you to participate in our monthly read alongs. There is nothing better than reading a book, getting to an "OMG!!!" moment, and immediately having someone to freak out about it with. Many, many a DM have passed between me and Mary or me and Jacque where I'm like, "OMG!!!" and they are like, "I KNOW!! Keep reading!" (because they usually end up reading everything before me.)
8. OMG, I did it! I tried them all!: One of my very first posts contained a list of books I wanted to read at the time. For awhile I was going back and updating it when I got through them. I haven't done that in awhile, but guess what?! You will be happy to know that I have tried ALL BUT ONE of them. (Beautiful Creatures...my plan is to read it before the movie comes out next year anyway. Now I have to have to!) Some I loved (Infernal Devices) and some I didn't (Maze Runner), but I am proud of myself for getting around to trying them all.
7. Interacting with authors: At my very first author event, the Carrie Ryan launch party for The Dark and Hollow Places, the #MIACrew was talking about how authors are our rock stars -- and it's SO true! So, by far, one of the best things about blogging is when they take the time to tweet or email you back. And even better is getting to meet them at the RT Book Lovers Convention or the aforementioned author events. This review of one of my favorite books and an email to author Veronica Roth got me this personalized email response:
Dear Flo,
Thank you so much for sharing this link and for the thoughtful review!
I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the book.
I'm working on Book 2 now, so there is more Tris to come!
Best,
Veronica
Veronica
I pretty much died from the awesomeness.
6. Exposure to new and different books: So remember when we had the Monthly Mystery Read and the Book to Movie reviews? It got to be too much to try to read three books a month, but I will always be glad we did it because it got me to read The Lincoln Lawyer and The Brass Verdict, two excellent crime dramas that I most likely would never have picked up on my own. On that note...
5. On the Road by Jack Kerouac: The mention of this book will forever put a smile on my face. The Book Nerds know why. ;-)
4. Pride: It will never cease being cool to me that I just get to read and write, two things I love, about books, which I love and people want to read it! That is the coolest thing ever! So are YOU, reading this list right now...YOU are one of the bestest things about book blogging.
3. Our opinions matter: This kind of goes along with the last one, but the fact that authors and publishers seek us out to read and review their books means that our voice matters.
2. Because I can skip #2 and y'all won't judge me.
1. Mary, Jacque and Teri: How blessed am I that get to share this amazing experience with three of the best friends possible?! How I managed to find these girls who love so many of the same things I love to read, listen to, do, and how we all came together to share this experience ... may make me cry. I am sooooo happy and thankful to have them in my life. I love them, I love blogging, and I hope you enjoy stopping by our blog! Here's to more great years!
LOL- your right..the mention of On The Road totally made me laugh!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad someone could fit On the Road into their book nerd story. I tried, but it didn't work. I love the top 10 :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE THE ON THE ROAD COMMENT!!!! You are so awesome!!!!!!!! LOVE YOU!!
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