Book Blogger Appreciation Week, Day 1--the blogs that mean a lot to me

Book Blogger Appreciation Week is here! It's a chance to celebrate what we do, and those who do it with us.

For BBAW Day One, we're asked: "What book blogs mean something to you? Who are your most trusted sources for recommendations, your greatest help, the blogger you turn to for a laugh or to vent? Whose writing do you admire or who introduced you to a whole new genre you didn’t know about?"

There are many, many, blogs I enjoy very much (and if you are in the sidebar, or in my google reader, you are one of them), but here are four that are special to me for various reasons.

You know how there are some bloggers whose taste in books marches hand in hand with ones own? I realized this past year that if Aquafortis, who blogs at Finding Wonderland, loves a book, I will too. To Aquafortis: Thanks especially for Seeing Red.

I had a blast being on the Cybils last year with Laini Taylor, who blogs at Grow Wings, and I have become an avid follower of her blog--in a fan girl way I love her books, and I think it's so cool to be friends with an author, and in a real life way I love the pictures she gives of her incredibly colorful (literally) life. Lord knows I don't want to make banners of felt birds, or paint walls Tangerine, but it's very nice to know that someone is! Also, her taste in books is very similar to my own.

Another author I've "met" through blogging is Tanita Davis, one of the most faithful commentors here (thanks Tanita!). I remember the first year or so I was blogging, seeing her commenting at many blogs I followed, and wondering if she would ever like my blog too. (I was, and still am, a rather shy blogger--I have to forcibly remind myself that my comments are just as valid as anyone else's, so my first year especially I barely said a word on other blogs). So it was a pleasure when she began to visit me regularly, and I have truly enjoyed reading (and bravely commenting) on her blog in return. Tanita is one of only two bloggers that I have ever emailed with to continue conversations that started on line...(not counting my Cybils colleagues).*

The second being Jen Robinson. I bet Jen's name comes up a lot today, and with good reason--her generosity and enthusiasm make the kidlitosphere a better place. (Well actually, I edit this to add, I bet her name doesn't come up that much, because we are supposed to be recognizing people that didn't make the BBAW awards shortlists, which Jen did. Oh well.)

*Although maybe I should say three, because Jenny Davidson and I once had an email conversation about buying a communal theremin. And if there are other conversations that have vanished into the mists of my mind, that I'm not mentioning, I'm very sorry.