Mission

Bibliophiliac is the space where one passionate, voracious reader reflects on books and the reading life. You will find reviews, analysis, links, and reflections on poetry and prose both in and out of the mainstream.

A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us. Franz Kafka

Saturday, September 18, 2010

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!

18 comments:

Amanda said...

One of these days I think I'll probably get involved in the Hop. I've seen more and more of it out there and it's starting to make sense to me in a way it didn't before. I like it!

Bev Hankins said...

Stopping by on the Hop. Happy Weekend!

http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2010/09/friday-hop.html

Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chick said...

I love these blogs, too!! And get those papers out of your car! :)

Lily said...

I haven't done the blog in a few weeks, but I will join again today :) What grade do you teach?

I've been reading your blog for a while now, and always enjoy stopping by.
~Lily
www.neverfadingwood.blogspot.com

Kelly said...

Hope you are feeling better now! I've always wondered how my teachers felt when they were observed in class! I don't think I could stand up there knowing someone was watching and critiquing me!

Anonymous said...

I enjoy your blog and read it every day. Keep up the good work and have FUN grading those papers in your trunk, hope it's a big trunk.

If you're in my neighborhood hop on over and visit.

http://asthepageturns-page.blogspot.com

As the Crowe Flies and Reads said...

Loved your musings--look forward to reading more!

Jenny said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Amanda (Zen Leaf) is one of my favorites too!

Christopher said...

Lisa, you are a peach!

What a lovely thing to say about my blog and me! I am genuinely touched. It is, without a doubt, the nicest compliment that anyone has paid me since I began blogging!

I feel the same way about your blog, and many of those that I follow. While I am intrigued with the use of some of the memes that I encounter on many of our blogs, I find that simply stopping by and having a look see, and leaving a meaningful comment is perhaps the most effective. Well, at least for me.

Have a wonderful weekend, Lisa!

Cheers! Chris

BookQuoter said...

Hi there. Thanks for your kind words. I am off the hop this weekend visiting family in Chicago, but am so glad you stopped by. Thanks to the blogfest which I joined for fun...gained the followers ... but now comes the hard part of keeping them. Oh well, I will stick to my goal and just read away.

Mel u said...

I just somehow missed following your blog but am now new follower-you post on a lot of very interesting topics

Mel u said...

I just somehow missed following your blog but am now new follower-you post on a lot of very interesting topics

Amanda said...

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for the shout out and the BBAW mention.

I've been really busy this weekend working on my other website (about Outback Australia), so I haven't really been doing much blogging.

So I was stoked (Australian for 'overjoyed') when I saw your shout out.

Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

Lisa, thanks for stopping by to say "hi". Love your blog recommendations - several are new to me, so I'll have to check them out.
Have a great weekend!

Jen (@ Jens Book Closet) said...

Hi, just hopping in from the hop. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Most people think I'm nuts for reading in the closet, but it's kind of become my sanctuary. My apartment is small with too many people and I love the closed in space with no one else. Like a little bit of peace and quiet. It helps me think. I love your blog and I love how you write up what you think. I was reading the beginning of this post and it was nice to read about how you ended up this week. It's nice to know that life is a bit crazy for everyone. I suppose humanity in others is refreshing. I'll be following to see what you post next.

Jen
In the Closet With a Bibliophile

Anonymous said...

I used to teach high school English and hated grading as well. More recently, I have taught undergraduate writing courses, and I still have grading.

Anonymous said...

These are great blogs you've mentioned in this post. Many I'm familiar with, but a couple are new. Thank you!

Loni said...

I've visited The Zen Leaf, but not the others. I'll have to check them out. Thanks for stopping by my blog this week.