Book Blogger Hop September 17-20

Good Morning book lovers and gentle readers!

Bibliophiliac had quite a week at work:  progess grades were due (the earthly version of purgatory, it seems as though some kind of grades are always due).  Then I was out for two days (the moment of realization came Monday afternoon--hey, I'm sick!  That's why I feel so awful!).  Then Thursday we had Open House and were at school until 9 PM.  Friday a team from our district visited our school and I had a surprise observation.  Fortunately it was not a scene from Dangerous Minds (although I have had those classes and those days).  Being observed is half nervewracking and half fun.  As a teacher I am always giving a performance anyway (I stage three shows a day), but when someone comes into the room to observe me I become more conscious of that on-stage feeling, until I (surprisingly) kind of forget that person is there (sitting in the corner writing down everthing I say and do!).  I do go home and play the movie in my mind of everything I said and did over and over again.  The more times I watch the movie, the more "mistakes" I see myself making.

Having brought home the obligatory overflowing basket of papers to grade (they are still in the trunk of my car) I plan on having a staying-around-the house kind of weekend.  And this weekend I really am going to hop and read--I want to see what's been happening out in the intersphere while I've been caught up in my daily life.

Today's blog hop question is inspired by the BBAW--we are supposed to honor our favorite bloggers.  Love/hate this one.  Singling bloggers out is hard for me, because by choosing one or two I am leaving out so many others.  I read many blogs on my Google Reader, and follow/subscribe to more blogs than you can imagine (unless you are Melissa of the Betty and Boo Chronicles, who subscribes to an astounding number of blogs.  Go Melissa!)

I love to read book blogs that have a distinctive voice, a perspective or point-of-view that is a little bit different, are a little quirky/eccentric, or are simply very well-written.  Check out my blog roll for a list of my very favorites (that reminds me, I need to update my blog roll!).  There is a sense of sincerity or genuineness in some blogs--I can sense the real person behind the blog.  Those are the blogs I read on a daily basis.  Amanda at Desert Book Chick is so unfailingly herself, that even if I disagree with her opinion occasionally, I love to read her blog.  She says what she really thinks, often stirring Intense Debate!  Book Quoter at A Thousand Books with Quotes has created her own interesting niche in the book blogger world, and her kindhearted personality shines through.  Greg at New Dork Review of Books was one of the first book bloggers that I started a conversation with--can you believe I was afraid to leave comments?  When The Reading Ape appeared on the scene I was struck with admiration for his humorous yet erudite style.  Wish I could do that!  I am a devout reader of Amanda at The Zen Leaf.  She is another truthful and open writer, who says in her posts what I was thinking all along!  Christopher at Pro Se is a fairly new book blogger, but I think he's one of the smartest bloggers out there.  He writes about the classics (love that) and is one of the most gracious and generous commenters I've seen.  The guy just has a good heart!  Another newish book blogger I just love is Judith of Reader in the Wilderness.  Love that woman for blogging about Phyllis Whitney and Bill McKibben and all kinds of unpredictable but entertaining topics.  Love run-on sentences and fragments too, apparently!

Okay, just a few more then I'll quit.  Seriously, visit every blog on my blog roll!  Kate at Kate's Library has brought us the Friday Five, one of my favorite blog features.  Plus, she's got a fizzy, enthusiastic voice that makes me think she must be a fabulous teacher.  I'll bet she's doing great at her new job as a high school orchestra director.  And I have to give a shout-out to my girl Priya from The Plum Bean Project.  And Grad at Curious Reader (fantastic writer).

Jennifer at Crazy for Books deserves a lifetime achievement award for hosting the Book Blogger Hop.

If you are stopping by on the hop, please leave a comment so I can return the visit!