Making my Day

Today is officially the beginning of Book Blogger Appreciation Week where we can take the opportunity to celebrate our book blogging efforts, recognise each other, and discover new blogs and bloggers. In the spirit of mutual admiration, today's blog post is in honour of those great bloggers who were not shortlisted for any of the BBAW awards this year (and one who very deservedly was). Only a handful of my favourite blogs made it to the shortlists, which means that so many went without me saying congratulations for being a great book blogger and thank you for enriching my book blogging experience.

I hate to play favourites but I want to acknowledge some of my favourite blogs. These blogs and their writers make my day brighter and I am always excited to see a new blog post by each of them. These are the bloggers whose bookish opinions I trust and the ones who have prompted me to purchase and read so many books. I was always an eclectic and proficient reader but these bloggers have inspired me to read more and many.

Stuck in a Book: Simon has such an interesting blog where I am bound to find something new to read or read about. I love his "50 Books You Must Read But May Not Have Heard About" list and his recently added Weekend Miscellany, which brings together fabulous bookish and blog links. From before I began blogging, I read his blog and was aware of Simon's passion for Miss Hargreaves by Frank Baker; I now own a copy and look forward to reading it...

Kiss a Cloud: my namesake's blog is simply beautiful. Claire combines lovely, evocative photographs with an eclectic mix of reviews and they are always a joy to read. We share favourite writers and, at my corruption, a love for matching author sets of books. I love Claire's posts about cover art as I relate with her passion for loving a book by its cover.

Verity: I enjoy both Verity's blogs for different reasons. The B Files combines two of my favourite things: books and cakes and Verity's Virago Venture, albeit niche, is an exciting project that has contributed to my own Virago Modern Classics addiction. Verity is a loyal commenter on my blog and a fellow bibliophile; we have become friends during the time we have blogged and she, as well as her blogs, are a daily feature in my life. We also co-host Persephone Reading Week together and I couldn't ask for a better co-host.

Farmlanebooks: Jackie is a prolific blogger and I admire her blogging drive and determination. Books are her life, literally her means of life, and I get that completely. Her taste is wide and varied and I know that I am going to find an interest post daily and something entirely different from the day before. Jackie is continually challenging herself to read more prize-winners and nominees and it is through her enthusiasm that I have been more conscious to do likewise.

Roses Over a Cottage Door: Darlene's blog, and Darlene herself, is simply lovely. We read similar books but I admire her discipline when it comes to only reading books that she passionately wants to read as life is too short to read everything. Very funny and sweet, Darlene also has a sweet tooth and regales us with baking too!

Lakeside Musing: when I happened across JoAnn's blog, I knew I loved it from the first post I read as her enthusiasm is infectious. JoAnn loves books -okay, we all do, that's why we blog- but JoAnn's writing evokes it exceptionally well. Her posts are always illuminating and many a time I have instantly sat down to read something she has recommended.

Savidge Reads: I thought I was addicted to books and book buying until I met (figuratively and literally - I attend his book group) Simon. He came to reading late and is definitely making up for it! His posts are always varied, interesting, and enthusiastic.

Things Mean a Lot: Seeing the header of Nymeth's blog, I instantly bookmarked her site, before even reading her posts. We both love Children's literature, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, Sarah Waters, Margaret Atwood, and through Ana I have discovered wonderful writers and books that I wouldn't have elsewhere. If I didn't know that I loved her writing, passion, and good taste then this post alone would have told me in huge, neon, letters; anyone who can write so effusively about Angela Carter and see what I see in the same way, is a kindred spirit.

Speaking of kindred spirits, my favourite new blog is Book Snob. Rachel may write for the discerning reader but she also is one and her posts always make me smile and nod my head in agreement. Going out to buy a dress for a wedding and coming back with an armful of books instead, is proof that she is one of us: a book lover.

If you don't know these blogs then please visit, read, and enjoy.

For all of the wonderful blogs that I didn't acknowledge, I'm sorry. I appreciate your love of books, your love for my blog, and if I comment then you know that I love yours too.