With A Little Help From My Friends

When I started blogging in 2007, it never occurred to me that I would a. keep at it for so long, and b. develop great friendships with people I’ve never met.  My now semi-defunct life blog helped me find a group of friends who have stayed true even when I moved on to the greener pastures of Book, Line, and Sinker.

My post office box has witnessed the generosity of my blogging friends.  Not only do my blog buddies support me with comments and emails, but they also bake, make, and buy things for me.  Just the other day I swung by my post box on a whim, hoping to receive a book I’m dying to review.  I did have a package, but not the one I was anticipating.  Instead, the envelope bore the return label of my dear blogging buddy Dishy.

Dishy read about my recent rediscovery of Sweet Valley High and wanted to help feed my addiction with these two installments and a homemade CD of 80s music to help me relive the glory days of parachute pants.

So, thanks to my blogging friends for the comments, support, goodies, and love!  It’s been an unexpected but welcome treat to see that blogging really does create communities and friendships.

I know that my story isn’t unique.  How has blogging impacted you on a personal level?  Have you been on the receiving (or giving) end of kindness or generosity?  Have you made friends with bloggers–maybe met them for lunch or dinner?  Tell me all about it.

I try to wade through my Bloglines feed reader a few times a week and am usually overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new posts and reviews by book bloggers–I follow 130 book blogs.  In my blogging travels, I jot down titles and authors of books that bloggers rave about and add them to my hold list at my library.  The only problem is, that in my flurry of reading and commenting, I invariably forget where I read about certain books. 

Sometimes I see the same book on multiple sites or sometimes a less-than-stellar review prompts me to pick the book.  Whatever the reason, I had a several books waiting for me at the library when I popped in on Saturday.  If you reviewed or mentioned any of the following books on your blog recently, I’d like to thank you.  Apparently your review or commentary spoke to me.  Here are the books on deck for this week:

Fun Home marks my first foray into the genre of graphic novels; it sure took me long enough, didn’t it?!  The Lace Reader and The Adoration of Jenna Fox are fiction, while The Confections of a Closet Master Bakeris a memoir.  I’m looking forward to each of the books and want to thank all the book bloggers for broadening my horizons and passing along some new reads. 
If you’re on the prowl for a great book, visit my Recommended Reading tab at the top of the page.  Book bloggers from all over submitted their favorite books for a reading challenge that I’m (still!) chipping away at!  Maybe you’ll be inspired to add a few titles to your holiday wish list.
© N.A.M., 2009-2010. Theft and/or duplication of my ramblings, reviews, or photos without permission is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to me. Poachers will be shot. Thank you.