Join the fun at BBAW 2010

Today starts BBAW 2010 and guess what?  I'm not ready. SIGH. Being out of town and not at the computer for ten days has me behind and chances are I won't catch up. Then having this event fall the same week as Blogmania and right after Blogfest creates a lot going on in one week.

There are postings to do every day but it looks like that is not going to happen for me again this year. I was going to participate in the interview swap but I haven't had contact with my interview partner.

Anyway...There are lots of fun activities to check out at the main site and plenty of Giveaways for the event. eTreasures is sponsoring some giveaways so check the listings for that too.
I will host at least one BBAW giveaway here at MBS this week too even if I don't do the daily blog topics.

So Happy BBAW 2010 everyone!

Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW) Registration Entry

Plan to be a part of the Third Annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week September 13-17.
The book blogging community is really special.

(from the BBAW website):

What: Book Blogger Appreciation Week is a week long festival celebrating the community of book bloggers and their contribution to preserving a culture of literacy through book reviews and recommendations, reading reflections, and general bookish chat. BBAW also includes an awards component. For more information on the BBAW 2010 Awards and how to participate, please visit the BBAW 2010 Awards Blog. BBAW events include daily blogging topics, blogger interview swaps, special guest posts, and so much more!

Who: If you self-identify as a book blogger, this festival is for you! We have been excited to welcome participants from all over the world for past BBAWs.

When: September 13-17, 2010.

Where: Right here at the Book Blogger Appreciation Week blog. You can participate in the comfort of your own home and the convenience of your own time zone.

Why: Because book blogging is a fun and time intensive hobby that has created communities around books and played a crucial role in the continuing evolution of what books mean in our society.

How Can I Participate?

You can participate by filling out the registration form for BBAW 2010. Subscribe to the blog’s feed and follow us on Twitter to keep up with all of the developments!

Well - it is very awkward but to enter the BBAW this year you have to post your own registration.  I  want to be part of the BBAW event and list so I am going out on a limb and was considering nominating my blog for several niche categories. I started with four posts then looking at the entry form decided they should all go in one post. Now I went to complete the registration and realized you can only enter one niche catagory.
Here we go:

Niche ENTRY:

Best Eclectic Book Blog—This blog doesn’t specialize in any one book genre. It is known for consistently excellent reviews, recommendations, analyses, and other content in a variety of genres.

I have to list five posts, to be judged by the BBAW panel.
**For Niche category awards, 3 posts must be reviews, recommendations, or analyses of a specific title; 2 posts are up to the nominated blogger
It was not easy to decide on the five posts for each entry.

I am using the following 5 reviews for the Eclectic Entry:

1. Historical Romance - To Surrender to a Rogue by Cara Elliott
2. Audio CD - Crime Thriller - True Blue by David Baldacci
3. Fiction - Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson and Richard Dilallo
4. Inspirational  - God Never Blinks by Regina Brett
5. YA/Paranormal - Beyond the Map's Boundary: A Timely Sort of Adventure by Nibi Soto


Feature ENTRY:

Best Written Book Blog—This blog is consistently well-written, clear, and engaging, no matter what the subject. [Note that nominated bloggers for this award are required to submit 3 reviews, recommendations, or analyses of a specific title; 2 are up to the nominated blogger.]

I have to list five posts, to be judged by the BBAW panel.
**For Featured category awards, 2 posts must be reviews, recommendations, or analyses of a specific title; 3 posts are up to the nominated blogger
Not an easy decision but here are my five posts for this category:

I am using the following 5 posts for the Best Written Blog Entry:

1.  Book Meme - It's Monday! What Are You Reading?
2.  Review - God's Promises for Girls by Jack Countryman and Amy Parker
3.  Review - Yesterday's Promise by by Delia Latham
4.  Book Talk - How Important is Realism? Comment Giveaway
5.  Review - The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyers


Feature ENTRY:

Best Author Interviews—This blogger does his or her research and asks the questions no one else does. These interviews are top-notch. Note that this award reflects the quality of the interviews, not the popularity of the person being interviewed.

Note that nominated bloggers for this award are required to submit 4 interviews; 1 post is left to their discretion.

I am using the following 5 posts (4 Interviews, long and short, and 1 Author feature with Questions) for the Best Author Interviews Entry:

1. Questions and Answers with Cara Elliott, Author of To Surrender To a Rogue
2. Author Feature: Cynthia Roberts
3. Questions and Answers with Author Margaret Mallory, Author of Knight of Passion
4. Interview: Chat with Author Carol North - PART ONE - The Writing Process!
5. Interview Chat with Author Dee Julian - Part Four Conclusion: A Few Personal Questions!

Good Luck to all entrants.  I was nominated last year after two months of blogging which was a great honor.

I encourage all book bloggers to register to get on the Book Blogger "master list."

Be sure to vote in August for your favorite sites and follow the events in September for fun interviews and contests.

BBAW- What I like about my Blog!

The Meme today is to say in 50 words or less what I love about my blog. Then in 50 words or less where I want the blog to be next year for BBAW.
[Do you know how hard it is to say anything in 50 words or less!:O]


I like having my own blog so that I can post reviews for books that I get from sources other than my review sites. I love that I can encourage authors and other book bloggers! I like giving away books as a form of passing on the blessings I have.

I would like to be better prepared to participate in the daily memes for BBAW 2010. I hope I will know more bloggers so I can vote on more than just a couple. And wouldn’t it be nice if my blog got a nomination, although I don’t know which category?

BBAW Friday Giveaway!

One $10.00 gift certificates at Amazon.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Today tell me of another blog that I can go visit! :) Include your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, share this giveaway on your blog, my space, facebook or Twitter and tell me where you shared it.

You may include all your entries in one comment. (Three total entries possible.)

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on September 21, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

BBAW Thursday Giveaway!

One $10.00 online gift certificate at The Literacy Site Store.

If you ever scroll down the right hand column of my blog you will find a button for The Hunger Site. If you go there you can click and help provide food to the hungry. Doesn't cost you anything but a minute to click! And while there you can click to help fund Cancer research, Animal Rescue, Child's Health, the Rainforest and Literacy! Six quick clicks to help others!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Today please click on The Hunger Site or one of the other sites and then tell me which one you clicked to help others! Include your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, share this giveaway on your blog, my space, facebook or Twitter and tell me where you shared it.

You may include all your entries in one comment. (Three total entries possible.)

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on September 20, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

BBAW Wednesday Giveaway

One $10.00 gift certificate at Barnes and Noble.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Well - I won't make you look today... just post a comment and name a good book you recommend! Include your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, share this giveaway on your blog, my space, facebook or Twitter and tell me where you shared it.

You may include all your entries in one comment. (Three total entries possible.)

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on September 19, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

BBAW Interview Exchange

I hope you have noticed that we are celebrating Book Blogger Appreciation Week this week! My interview partner was Evelyn at Evelyn N. Alfred blog. It was nice to meet another blogger that I might not have crossed paths with if we both were not participating in the BBAW events. Evelyn sent me the questions below to answer!

1. How long have you been book blogging?

Just at two months!
What motivates you to keep going?

I really enjoy sharing with authors and readers! I like having a place to post the reviews I do for authors and publishers that are not for the sites I review for.

2. How do most of your followers find you?

I think they have found me through the chat groups I participate in!

Do you Twitter?

I am very new to Twitter – I have an account and I may visit once a day to see what others are doing but I don’t make many comments myself.

3. Do you ever review poetry or independently published books?

[I noted that Evelyn likes and writes poetry at her blog!] I have not reviewed poetry yet but I would as I love poetry- I read and wrote lots of poetry when I was young! I have reviewed independently published books or at least one which was self published if that is what you mean!

4. You mentioned being contacted by an author. Are there any authors out there that would make you faint if they contacted you?

HA! Good question!! I don’t faint easily so I probably would only gulp and go speechless! I saw Heather Graham at the RWA bookfair in Orlando this year – I think all I did was look at her across the room!! LOL I would love to have an interview or a good chat with Mary Balogh, Catherine Coulter, Christina Dodd, Julie Garwood, Merline Lovelace or Julia Quinn!! And those are only a couple of the HR authors who I love!

5. Are you as motivated to write reviews for books you don't enjoy?

I’m still motivated to write the review but it is harder to write a review for a book I didn’t enjoy. I have to take more time to be specific about what I liked and what I didn’t like so that the author might know an area that needs improvement…. at least in my humble opinion. I don’t wish to ever discourage an author! But sometimes there are books that just don’t make it for me!

6. Which authors can you always count on to write a good book?

I named some authors in my answer to 4 that I can count on to write a good book. In addition to those “big name” authors I would include these newer authors whose books have consistently been good books: Miss Mae and Rebecca Vickery. Recently I have been reading lots of "new to me" authors with very good books!! I am hoping all their books will be as good as the first ones I have read!

7. What are some of your favorite memes?

It’s Monday What Are Your Reading? (Join this meme at: J. Kaye's Book Blog) and What’s in Your Mailbox (This Meme starts at The Printed Page). I’m planning to start following another meme on the 15th of each month about Gardening!

Thanks for the fun questions Evelyn!

BBAW Tuesday Giveaway!

Two $6.00 gift certificates (two winners) at White Rose Publishing "Where faith is the cornerstone of love".

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Follow the link to the Publisher site and tell me what book you might like to get! Include your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, share this giveaway on your blog, my space, facebook or Twitter and tell me where you shared it.

You may include all your entries in one comment. (Three total entries possible.)

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on September 18, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

BBAW Monday Giveaway!

Two $5.99 gift certificates (two winners) at Desert Breeze Publishing. Lots of wonderful books there!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Follow the link to the Publisher site and tell me what book you would like to get if you win! Include your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, share this giveaway on your blog, my space, facebook or Twitter and tell me where you shared it.

You may include all your entries in one comment. (Three total entries possible.)

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on September 17, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Giveaways for BBAW!!

The BBAW widget is up and we can start to link our giveaways so here are the Giveaways I will be doing starting on Monday:

Two $5.99 gift certificates (two winners) at Desert Breeze Publishing. Lots of wonderful books there!

Two $6.00 gift certificates (two winners) at White Rose Publishing. Lots of sweet inspirational books to choose from there!

One $10.00 online gift certificate at Barnes and Noble.

One $10.00 online gift certificate at The Literacy Site Store.

One $10.00 gift certificates at Amazon.

So that covers five days PLUS a Grand Prize at the end of the week of a $25.00 gift card for Barnes and Noble.

All of the above will be open "worldwide". I don't honestly know if you can use a download on your computer or if you have a reader or how the Borders, Amazon or B&N cards are for overseas.... so that will be up to you to decide!

I will also have some book giveaways posted during the week which will be US or Canada only.

Any contest connected to BBAW will have this little balloon gift graphic!

So come visit and enter the giveaways when they are posted if you are interested!!

AND have a GREAT WEEK visiting and sharing at the book blogs!!

Book Blooger Appreciation Week Meme

To join this meme go HERE

1) What has been one of the highlights of blogging for you? I have enjoyed meeting new book bloggers in the book blogging community AND meeting new and friendly authors!

2) What blogger has helped you out with your blog by answering questions, linking to you, or inspiring you? I have been most inspired by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog.

3) What one question do you have about BBAW that someone who participated last year could answer? Only one question? How bout two:
A. Does the actual week get crazy with activity?
B. Is it better to host the giveaways at your own blog or at the BBAW blog?

Book Bloggers Appreciation Week September 14-18, 2009

If you know me you know I love books and am happy to celebrate books! I am joining an exciting event this month - the Second Annual Book Blogger Appreciation week taking place September 14-18!

This looks like it will be great fun and a great opportunity to meet fellow bloggers and win some great prizes. Speaking of prizes, I will be having four gift certificate drawings during the week as well as several book giveaways!

Last year over 400 blogs came together to celebrate the art of book blogging during the first ever Book Blogger Appreciation Week!
Here's the scoop from the official Book Blogger Appreciation Week Blog:

WHO Anyone who blogs about books is invited to participate. In fact, we want everyone who blogs about books and reading to be a part of this week!
WHAT A week where we come together, celebrate the contribution and hard work of book bloggers in promoting a culture of literacy, connecting readers to books and authors, and recogonizing the best among us with the Second Annual BBAW Awards. There will be special guest posts, daily blogging themes, and giveaways.
WHEN September 14-18, 2009
WHERE Here at the new Book Blogger Appreciation Week Blog! (Please note that this year there are three separate blogs and feeds—one for the main event, one for giveaways, and one for awards.)
WHY Because books matter. In a world full of options, the people talking about books pour hard work, time, energy, and money into creating a community around the written word. I, Amy, the founder of Book Blogger Appreciation Week love this community of bloggers and want to shower my appreciation on you!
WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
Please help us spread the word about Book Blogger Appreciation Week by posting about it on your blog, stumbling this post, twittering about it, and telling everyone you know that it’s time to have a party and celebrate book bloggers!
Please register by filling out the registration form! Registering ensures your inclusion in the BBAW 09 Database of Book Bloggers and enters you into the drawing for the BBAW 09 Grand Prize!
Come back often as there will be many updates! And follow us on Twitter!