Book Blogger Hop April 22-25

The (Crazy for Books) Book Blogger Hop:  April 22-25
Jennifer at Crazy for Books seems to have pretty much invented the Book Blogger Hop.Every week it seems the list of participating book bloggers grows longer--and an eclectic list it is. Surely there are one or two book blogs for you.

This week's question is "If you find a book that you love, do you hunt down other books by the same author?" Heck to the yes! Why do you think there is a book hoarding problem in my house (like the use of the passive voice there?)? Yes, when I first discovered the stories of Alice Munro, I sought out every volume published by her like it was my job. I'm a little miffed at Elizabeth Strout for only having published three books: I'm waiting.....If reading a wonderful book is a little like falling in love, then knowing there are more books out there by the same author is like knowing you will meet again. I'm not sure how much farther I want to take that metaphor, but I'm hoping Robin Black is working on some stories, that David Rhodes has another novel in the works, that all my favorite living authors will be well and keep writing.

Book Blogger Hop December 17-20

Welcome Book Blog Hoppers!  This weekly event is sponsored by Jennifer at Crazy for Books.  Hop on over and read about the Blog Hop, then sign up on the linky.

This week's question is:  What do you consider to be most important in a story:  the plot or the characters?

Characters are more important to me.  I prefer character-driven fiction to plot-driven fiction--although a good novel will have an interesting plot as well.  Engaging, well-written characters are what attract me most.  What do you think--plot, or character?

Book Blogger Hop October 29-November 1

Welcome Book Blog Hoppers!  I hope you are in costume!  I hope I will have some vigor in my hop this weekend.  October seems to have been a curiously enervating month for many.  Even Crazy Jennifer over at Crazy for Books is taking a mini-break, although she's still kind enough to sponsor the hop.This week's question is:  What bookish thing would you have, no matter the cost?  The bookish thing I would love to have is a home library with floor to ceiling bookshelves, cushy chairs and a couch, a reading table, lovely window seats, and plush carpets.  Somewhere I have a file of photographs of lovely libraries I covet. This library is entirely real to me, and I can easily summon up a detailed picture in my mind. 

If you have stopped by on the hop, I hope you'll take a moment to read a few of my recent reviews:  I reviewed Hummingbirds by Joshua Gaylord this week, and yesterday I posted a review of Isaac Babel's short stories for my regular feature, The Story on Thursdays.  Leave me a comment and I will return the visit.  Have a great weekend, hoppers!

Book Blogger Hop October 15-18

October Exhaustion.  The classroom has sprouted paperwork piles like manila-colored fungi.  Grades for the first quarter loom over my weekend.  And yet I hop...

Thanks to Jennifer at Crazy for Books I can have a virtual social life, visiting other book bloggers over the weekend (in between sipping coffee, reading, and grading papers).

This weekend's question is:  do you always finish every book?  Heck, no.  I don't have time for bad books--they actually make me mad!  I want to read a book I can love, or at least like very much.  Therefore, I have little patience for mediocrity.  I always begin reading with the highest hopes and a kind and forgiving spirit.  But I will give up on a book that fails to deliver.  This is especially true if the book is poorly written.

If you are hopping by on the book blogger hop leave me a comment and I will return your visit.  Perhaps you are a more gentle reader?  I would rather reread a great book (such as a classic) than tolerate a bad book.  I will read for pure entertainment on occasion, so I'm not being elitist--I just like a well-written book that doesn't insult my intelligence or my sensibility.

Book Blogger Hop September 10-13

Welcome to Bibliophiliac!  The Book Blogger Hop is sponsored by Crazy Jennifer at Crazy for Books.

This week bloggers are providing a link to their favorite reviews.  Here are two of my favorite posts in the last few months:

Middlemarch, My Love, a tribute to my favorite classic novel.


Review of Rock Island Line, a novel by David Rhodes. You must read this book.  Check out my review to find out why.

If you are stopping by on the Book Blogger Hop, leave a comment and I will return the visit.  And if you just stumbled by, leave a comment anyway!