BBAW - A book I found

The book I found was The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. You can click on the title to read my review. It's a perfect example of the book blogging community impacting me. I can't remember which blog specifically mentioned it. I do remember that I just kept seeing the title over and over again on the reading lists for my very first challenge - Fall Into Reading hosted by Katrina over at Callapidder Days. (BTW - That challenge is about to start again if you are interested!) prior to reading those lists, it was not on my radar at all. I used to be a classroom teacher and knew what was up and coming in children's literature but when you're out, you're out, and I am O-U-T of the loop. When I read it and loved it, I had to go back to my online community to talk about it because no one around here had read it yet. So I recommended it to all of my Youngest's friends and then, felt very "in the know" describing this great new book to his teachers! All thanks to book bloggers!

BBAW - The TBR pile

I have enjoyed taking a peek at other folks TBR piles; I'm surprised the earth can still rotate when I see how many books we've all got piled up!

Mine are organized quite simply into two shelves...

The Hardbacks!

and The Paperbacks!

That looks really manageable doesn't it? But, wait a minute...look a little closer...



There's another row of paperbacks behind that first one!
And, what's this? Another row of hardbacks too?


Oh no, not just one row! A third row of hardbacks as well. Ahh, that's more in line with the other folks - see, I'm completely normal.

BBAW - Reading Meme

Do you snack while you read? Nope.
Do you tend to mark your books as you read? No again.
Fiction, Non-fiction, or both? Both but definitely more fiction.
Hard copy or audiobooks? Both.
Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you
able to put a book down at any point? Stop anytime.
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away? No, but sometimes I mark it with a post-it in the hopes of participating in bermudaonion's Wondrous Words Wednesady. In typical procrastinator fashion...I have accomplished this goal one time!
What are you currently reading? The Queen's Lady by Barbara Kyle
What is the last book you bought? Just ordered The Brothers Boswell by Philip Baruth for the Facebook Historical Fiction Book Club - haven't received it yet.
Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can
you read more than one at a time? More than one.
Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read? Anytime, anywhere.
Do you prefer series books or stand alone books? Stand alone.

BBAW - Miss Congeniality

Our BBAW posts today are to highlight a blog that we love that didn't get shortlisted - kind of the "Miss Congeniality" post. This was an easy pick for me...the literate housewife. The literate housewife is Jennifer, mother, wife, worker, and bibliophile. She's a busy gal but she maintains a wonderful blog complete with the cutest design and logo! Check out her button.

Jennifer consistently provides great reviews. She's been hosting all sorts of great giveaways and has an especially good series of giveaways planned this week. (That's actually a quite punny description but you won't know why until you click!)

This summer Jennifer hosted the Dog Days of Summer, a whole week of dog-themed fun.

In her spare time (ha,ha)...Jennifer leads the Facebook Historical Fiction book club. She has made some great picks: Loving Frank, Soul Catcher, and The Last Queen were some of my personal favorites. The club has grown steadily under her leadership; I think every time I click over to the group page it is another member stronger.

I think what really sums up Jennifer was the grace she used to express her moment of sadness at not being shortlisted but her continued total support of the celebration that is BBAW - great style!

BBAW meme

I'm running a little late on this ....!

1) What has been one of the highlights of blogging for you?Reading challenges! I started blogging just to have a place to express myself; I envisioned spreading my innermost secrets out like a deck of cards and reviewing my life with a critical eye. But then I found a reading challenge and it took my blog a very different direction. I occasionally post about "life" but the books really keep me busy!
2) What blogger has helped you out with your blog by answering questions, linking to you, or inspiring you?I'd have a three way tie here with bermudaonion, Beth Fish Reads, and the Literate Housewife. I am probably a speck on their scope but they have been important to me.
3) What one question do you have about BBAW that someone who participated last year could answer?I'm still at the point where I don't even know what questions to ask!