First and foremost, I have been introduced to a wide variety of authors new to me, both old and new. I don't know if I would have ever discovered these books on my own . . . maybe eventually I would have . . . but I truly attribute these new loves to my experiences in the book blogging community. Which authors am I talking about? I will limit it to two . . . Jasper Fforde and Diana Wynne Jones . . . both thanks to We Be Reading! I can't wait to read more from these authors!!
I have also began greatly expanding my reading of graphic novels. I really love the recommendations from FICTION STATE OF MIND, particularly Fables by Bill Willingham. Though I cannot completely give her all the credit because West Virginia Red Reads urged me quite a bit on this series as well! Needless to say, my graphic novel list has truly expanded and I am loving every one that I have read!
I have always loved children's literature, particularly picture books, but I have come to discover new loves thanks to Jen Robinson's Book Page, There's a Book, and really just about everyone involved in Share a Story, Shape a Future. And, while speaking about kidlit, The Book Chook has inspired me in so many ways beyond the book and in literacy in general, I do not even have words for her to show my appreciation!
Overall, I have grown in my reading habits. I have grown as a person. And, I look forward to reading blogs every day to discover new finds along the way for both myself and to share with my children. I cannot even imagine what the next few years will bring to my reading repertoire and I'm so very excited to find out!
Kristen got me to try Jasper Fforde too. It is amazing how book blogging can diversify the types of books and authors you read, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI've hugely expanded the list of authors I've read, thanks to other bloggers - especially to Kristen for persuading me to read Neil Gaiman and you, Tif, for the bookclub choice which made me finally read a Diana Wynne Jones book. Challenges, too - every year I sign up for two or three challenges (most of them are my own ones, though, in time I'll sign up for more official blogging ones) and these really do focus my reading, and I would never have done any of them if not for blogging.
ReplyDeleteJenners ... It is! I thought I was an eclectic reader before, but I have definitely become more so since blogging!
ReplyDeleteTracy ... Ha! That DWJ book came from Kristen!! That girl has quite the influence, doesn't she?!? :) I have only recently discovered Gaiman too because of blogging. What books have you read by him?
Neil Gaiman - the first book of his I read was Good Omens (a big thankyou to Kristen - I won it in her blogiversary giveaway) but that was jointly-written with Terry Pratchett. I've read the mindblowing American Gods by him since then - very powerful, clever, violent, poignant, sexually-explicit and blackly humorous - a book you either love or hate. I now have a copy of Neverwhere on my TBR shelf. And I thought the movie of Stardust was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteTracy ... I have only ever read The Graveyard Book, but I definitely need to check out the others you have listed! I've heard wonderful things about those ones!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to have influenced you all, Jenners, Tif and Tracy! Those are some fabulous authors and I'm glad to have been able to share them. I guess that's the short answer of "why I blog". And it's obvious that it's productive to have giveaways too when they are for sharing your favorite authors!
ReplyDeleteKristen M. ... You are truly appreciated around here! :)
ReplyDelete