The Biblio Blogazine

Shortly after reading a wonderful review of The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, I attended our local library sale. Lo and behold, sitting on the shelf, was Sebold’s novel. It was providence. I’m sure of it.

I don’t think I have to mention to any of you that the majority of my TBR shelf is made up of books recommended to me by bloggers. In this community, it’s a given.

However, I wonder how many of us realize that some of our readers have not claimed their own little section of Blogger, WordPress, LiveJournal, etc. There are those like Loki Serrano and his Pet who use sites such as 43Things – and quite well too.

Besides sharing with you the review that prompted me to buy the book, and the fact it is part of the Banned Books Challenge currently going on, I also wanted to introduce you to readers (and sometime reviewers) who don’t have a blog per se, but still carry within their heart a love of reading and use whatever tools they can to share that affection.

It’s not the package the gift is wrapped in, its the love in which it is given that counts. Here is one that inspired me. I hope it does the same for you. 

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One of the things I am proud of, and always will be, is the community of bloggers of which I am a member.

This community is made up of the most diverse individuals who I would have never met otherwise. Included in this group are readers, writers, critics, moms, dads – nearly every type of person: those of many races, beliefs, and opinions.

Among these are those I value the most: educators.

It is not an easy job, and sometimes not appreciated as much as they deserve.

Not long ago, I wrote an essay/commentary titled “A Canon Under Fire“. It was inspired by a situation that caused me to evaluate my own opinion on high school English curricula. Shortly thereafter, a discussion began on Twitter during which an English teacher, who is also a book blogger, brought up some excellent points and insights.

She followed up by leaving the following comment on that post. I reproduce it here, in its entirety (and with permission), as I wanted my readers to see an educator’s perspective.

Thank you Becky for your time and willingness to share. I applaud the work you do and the effort you make  to help your students in every way you know possibly how.  

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