Roof Beam Reader
Adam Burgess
BBAW Day 1: Appreciation! (#BBAW)
Once again, I am participating in Book Blogger Appreciation Week this year. According to BBAW’s “About” page, “Book Blogger Appreciation was started by Amy Riley of My Friend Amy in an effort to recognize the hard work and contribution of book bloggers to the promotion and preservation of a literate culture actively engaged in discussing books, authors, and a lifestyle of reading.”
Today’s Topic is: Appreciation!
As BBAW states, “there are no awards this year, but it can still be hard to navigate the huge universe of book blogging. Share with your readers some of the blogs you enjoy reading daily and why.”
Last year, Roof Beam Reader was privileged enough to have been nominated and then short-listed for “Best Literary Fiction” blog. It was a humbling and gratifying experience, but I am excited to focus entirely on the larger community, this year!
You can visit the BBAW Site to find links for other blogs participating in BBAW.
There are honestly dozens upon dozens of book bloggers out there who I would love to recognize individually but for the sake of time and space (and all of our sanity), I have decided to choose 5 book bloggers with whom I communicate regularly and/or whose blogs I visit consistently.
Allie of A Literary Odyssey: Allie was one of the first book bloggers I “followed,” when I left my little independent self-hosted bubble and joined the connectivity-happy world of Blogger. Her blog and her journey through the Classics are special and unique, which makes her posts a joy to keep up with. I have collaborated with Allie on a few projects, and we are currently two of the co-moderators for The Classics Club.
Jillian of A Room of One’s Own: Jillian is the founder and another co-moderator of The Classics Club. What I love about Jill is that she considers herself more of an “explorer” than a blogger or reviewer. She is also a very smart cookie! She and I often disagree on books or topics, but what is so great about our disagreements is that they are always classy and well-argued, largely because Jill doesn’t let anyone get away with stating an opinion and walking away. She wants to know why people see things a certain way, which means I get practice thinking deeply and critically about my opinions whenever she & I have a discussion.
Judith of Leeswammes’ Blog: Leeswammes and I tend to have similar but different tastes in books; or, if not tastes , then experiences. While we have read a lot of the same books, Leeswammes tends to read more contemporary literary fiction, whereas a majority of my time is spent with the Classics. This is great, though, because a lot of the contemporary works I have added to my wish list have been ones I read about on her blog! She also hosts the Literary Giveaway Hop, which I participate in twice every year. It’s great to find other bloggers dedicated to literature and literary fiction, in a world largely dominated by YA/Paranormal reading.
Bev of My Reader’s Block: What I enjoy most about Bev’s blog is its depth and range. While it is primarily about books, she includes other things from time-to-time, which allows her readers a glimpse at who she is, not just what she thinks. This adds a nice layer of personality to the blog. What I enjoy most about BEV is her engagement! She actively participates in all sorts of events – she responds to comments and she visits other blogs to comment on others’ posts regularly, too. She seems to have a real spirit of community and community is what I most love about the book blogging world.
Laura of Owl Tell You About It: Laura hosts a self-identified “eclectic book blog,” wherein one might find reviews of classics, thoughts on contemporary or YA fiction, personal posts, giveaways, and much more. Laura is one of my newer favorites and what I love about her is her passion and enthusiasm, and of course her willingness to try new things (with regard to reading). This is something I try to do, too, so I respect her for it! How could you not love a blogger who currently has This Side of Paradise, The Catcher in the Rye, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and The Marbury Lens on her reading docket all at the same time?! Not to mention some David Levithan (a personal favorite) and short stories/novellas as well as longer fiction. Hers is an exciting blog that I am grateful to have discovered!
So, who are YOUR favorite bloggers? Do you read any of the blogs above?
Roof Beam Reader 
Aw, thanks, Adam! You made me blush. 🙂 I enjoy disagreeing with you!
I’m going to check out the blogs here I don’t recognize. 🙂
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This is really fun reading…I’m learning about book bloggers that I haven’t known about and look forward to the pleasure of visiting. 🙂
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Thanks for mentioning me, Adam! I’ll check out some of the other blogs you mention. I don’t seem to know them all. Happy BBAW!
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gr8 post adam . i lov finding new blogs
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I love all the love Allie & Jillian are getting! And I also agree with your other choices – GREAT bloggers! Thanks for the heads up on your domain change – I updated ALL of my links to you 🙂
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Oh, thank you! So embarrassing to start off a busy, community-eventful week with such a snafu! Lol
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Thanks so much, Adam! This is especially humbling because I have felt incredibly unplugged from my usual blogging ways this year. I’ve not managed to keep up with commenting on the reviews attached to my very own challenges (Vintage Mystery & Mount TBR) and I just don’t seem to visit my fellow bloggers as much. Now, I’m going to have to slap myself into shape and live up to your kind words. You’re one of the best, Adam!
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We have a number of favorites in common. Looks like Bev is going to be getting a lot of BBAW love this year–I wrote about her, too! Awesome!
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That’s great! It means a person who deserves positive attention will get some, AND it means you and I both have great taste! 😛
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I think all of those blogs are new to me. I’ll have to check them out. And your October reading event looks fantastic.
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Great! I hope you find someone/something you like (I’m sure you will)!
And, thank you! I’m looking forward to it and, based on the response so far, it’s shaping up to be a great event!
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All these blogs are new to me, too, I think. I will definitely check them out! I appreciate your blog and reviews and comments, and should have mentioned you in my post, but I haven’t been doing well at all on the TBR Pile Challenge, with only two reviews under my belt, so I think my guilty subconscious mind blocked you out!
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Lol! No reason to feel guilty about that – 2 read is still progress! I doubt I’ll finish mine (though I’ve finished 8 or 9, so I do feel good about that). Good luck with all other endeavors this year!
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Hi Adam, thanks for stopping by to comment. Your list is all new to me bloggers but I will be checking them out. Happy BBAw to you
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Awww, thank you Adam. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you and pushing some of my favorite books on you over the last couple years. 🙂
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I feel so squealy squirrely happy today! I am having so much darn fun exploring all of these blogs. Yay for BBAW! It’s my first time participating because I’m such a newbie 🙂
Thanks for sharing your list. I know some, but not all, of the blogs that you mentioned. Off to explore!
The Relentless Reader
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I love reading Allie and Jillian’s blogs too. I don’t read a ton of classics, but they both write so well about them that I wish I read more.
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Great choices! I love how the classics/back catalog loving community is growing and really giving life back to these older books. But, as we all know, there’s room for the new books too — which is why we’re all here and friends! Have a fantastic week, Adam!
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I FINALLY found some time to do a little commenting. Thank you so much for including me in your list. I am truly honored.
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Lovely list!
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