Book Blogger Appreciation Week: Celebrating The Blogging Community *Contest*

Today kicks off Book Blogger Appreciation Week where we celebrate the blogging community. Today’s post is all about community, where bloggers are encouraged to highlight bloggers who have made book blogging a unique experience for them.

I would not be the blogger I am today if not for the supportive blogging community that I follow and those bloggers I interact with not only on their blogs, but on Twitter and on other social medias. Book bloggers are much like their own little island where everyone seems to know one another. We spread good news, have great discussions and even when a flame war erupts, we embrace one another and those who are unique and vocal.

Since I can’t mention every single blog I follow, let me point out the few who should be commemorated for a job well done and always brings me joy when I visit their blog. I recommend you seek them out and add them to your updates or Google Reader…

All Things Urban Fantasy run by Abigail is my go to for a wide variety of book reviews and a collection of book covers for future releases that I’ll add to my future to be read book pile. This is one of the most professional book blogs I know of and is perfect for any reader looking for new books.

Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell has the strangest blog title I know of. Run by Blodeudd, which is another strange, but interesting name, Blodeudd brings a nice spin to her reviews. Most of the time they’re filled with cute euphemisms. Blodeudd’s favorite word is, ‘cos’. When she uses ‘cos’ in her review as in, I enjoyed this book cos… I laugh myself silly because it’s so adorable, plus Blodeudd is very honest in her opinions, even rating book covers. When I think of Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, I get the warm fuzzies because it’s so adorable.

Pam at Bookalicious tells it like it is with her reviews, commentary on the publishing world and her disdain, yet enjoyment of specific YA books and even movies. She’s a real pip who doesn’t have a filter while putting her heart and soul into her blog. She’s one blogger I admire very much.

Dark Faerie Tales is another must read, go to blog that keeps me updated on a majority of books releases, mainly from the YA and Paranormal genres. Angela is so on point with all her information and I had the honor to meet the woman behind the blog at BEA this year. Angela is all types of awesome and I wish I had as much skill as she does with her blog.

Dreaming in Books is run by John, a teenager who acts more mature than most people I know on-line and in real life. He has one of the best YA centric blogs around and is open to reading all types of books, even romance. He and I have some great discussions on Twitter and I always look to his blog for the best in YA books that I can search for to read.

Geeky Blogger’s Book Blog run by Felicia has a nice array of reviews, mainly for romance. She grades by wine glasses. I also have met Felicia a few times and she’s a real firecracker who’s very opinionated and reviews for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Heidenkind’s Hideaway run by Heidenkind is chock full of goodies. She’s also very honest with her reviews and also talks about art and movies. She’s a Hitchcock fan, like myself. I feel a little bit smarter after I visit Heidenkind’s Hideaway.

Not Another Romance Blog run by Rita holds a very special place in my heart. Rita had emailed me back when she first wanted to start her blog, asking for advice, which I was so happy about to give. Seeing her blog grow by leaps and bounds makes me a wee bit emotional. Rita loves historical romance and is a big Lisa Kleypas fan like myself. Rita is also very generous, allowing authors to come on her blog and promote themselves.

Penelope’s Romance Reviews run by Penny slays me with the funny. Penny is also an author who straddles the fence as a blogger, much like me. She gives honest reviews, talks about quirky things and life and has an appreciation for hot, hairy men. Hurrah beardy love! She’s a beautiful person all around and I admire strength and perseverance after a few struggles she’s gone through in her life.

Read React Review run by Jessica is another blog I go to that makes me feel smarter after I visit. Jessica is a college professor who adores romance and takes the time to look deep inside the stories and the characters to find things never noted before. Many times it’s like a light bulb goes off for me after I read one of her posts. Jessica is also very down to Earth with a lovely sense of humor.

Smexy Books run by Mandi. Appreciation for the man titty, bearded men, and fellow J.R. Ward crack addict, everything Twilight series and wine connoisseur, who has become quite possibly the number one site for everything romance, even surpassing those other romance centric sites that have been admired for years. Mandi had me at hello. She completes me.

The Sparkle Project run by Ceilidh. A brave lass who’s not afraid to talk about her disdain for the YA genre, as well as promoting those best books in that field. She pushes for excellence from writers and authors and will call people to the floor if need be.

Also a few other blogs that are must reads:

Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks
Writings of a Wicked Book Lover
Well Read
Tigris Eden
The Story Siren
The Fiction Vixen (Fellow Ward Crack lover ahoy!)
Literary Escapism
The Books Smugglers (My most favorite blog in the history of ever)
Lurve Ala Mode
Swept Away Again
The Bibliophilic Book Blog
That’s What I’m Talking About
Smash Attack Reads!
Rex Robot Reviews
Pearl’s World of Romance
Lush Book Reviews
Livre De Amour
Leontine’s Book Realm
Get Yer Bodies Ripped
Escape Between the Pages
CSI: Librarian
Brief Encounters (the only blog that I know of that reviews short M/M stories)
Beyond Her Book
Blogging by Liza
Angieville
Adventures in Katidom
Hangin’ With Bells
Galley Smith
Karin’s Book Nook
Kay’s Blog
Lilium’s Realm
Lovin’ Me Some Romance
My House of Books
SOS Aloha
The Bookaholic Cat
Scooper Speaks
Smokinhot Books (on hiatus for the moment)

These are only a few blogs I’m addicted to that have given me hours of reading enjoyment. You all make the blogging world a very special and an accepting place, and I thank you very much for your hard work and dedication.

In honor of Book Blogger Appreciation week, I’m giving away a $25 Amazon gift certificate. In order for your chance to win, leave a comment here by Saturday 9/17 telling me what are some of your favorite book blogs to visit. They can be the ones I mentioned here or totally new ones. I’m always searching for new blogs to visit so go crazy with your recommendations.

Let’s celebrate book bloggers and all the wonderful things they do where they don’t ask for anything in return.