Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW) 2016 is hosted by Ana, Andi, Heather, and Jenny at The Estella Society. It’s a week dedicated to celebrating the hard work, dedication, and love we put into book blogging, and to nurturing the connections and sense of community we’ve been so lucky to find through it. Each day of the week has a dedicated theme/blogging topic.
I had planned to take today off from BBAW, but two things made me change my mind:
- After reading a bunch of introductory posts from other BBAW participants, I was inspired to take a proper run at that “5 books that define you” question; and
- The Estella Society invited us to award our own Book Blogger Superlatives
As I read through Monday’s posts, I noticed that quite a few BBAW participants mentioned that they’d really been challenged by the prompt to introduce ourselves through books. I was too–so much that I ducked the directive entirely–but having been inspired by my community, I’m back to give it another shot. The books I’ve selected have been formative and defining.
A (Re-)Introduction in Five(ish) Books
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle–L’Engle was my second all-consuming author obsession, following Louisa May Alcott. Wrinkle introduced me to two very important concepts: science and faith do not have to be mutually exclusive–hence, this was my eventual gateway to The Sparrow–and book-smart, bespectacled girls can be heroes.
The Tales of the City series by Armistead Maupin–The first six novels in this long-running series introduced post-college, Catholic-educated, suburban-working-wife-and-mother me to LBGTQ literature and culture. Tales is a time capsule, and for me, it was a vivid, eye-opening, perspective-altering experience. As an adult, I’ve re-read these books more than any others. (Also, cannibals in Grace Cathedral!?)
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood–This may have been my first exposure to dystopian fiction, although I didn’t know to call it that at the time. What makes this novel resonate for me are its political themes–the combating elements of feminism and fundamentalism. This is one of the defining cultural battles of our time, and they make this story more relevant every year.
A History of God/The Battle for God by Karen Armstrong–.I’ve drifted away from my Catholic upbringing over the years, drawing more in the direction of “religious studies” than toward religion itself. Armstrong’s tracing of the development of monotheism fascinated me, and her exploration of the rise of conservative fundamentalism as a reaction to modernity educated me.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy trilogy (just the first three books) by Douglas Adams–Douglas Adams was a huge contributor to the development of a particularly nerdy and humorous worldview and, therefore, a major influence on the way I engage with life, the universe, and everything. These books are partly responsible for introducing me to my husband. And as life philosophies go, it’s hard to go wrong with “Don’t Panic.”
The 3 R’s Blog Presents: BBAW 2016 Book Blogger Superlatives!
Most Trusted Audiobook Recommendations (a three-way tie): Candace (Beth Fish Reads) , Jennifer (Literate Housewife), and Gayle (Everyday I Write the Book)
Most Likely to Reinvent as a Blogger: Bryan (Still Unfinished)
Most Likely to Go Off on a Tangent: Melissa (Melissa Firman)
Biggest Instigators (in a good way!) (tie): Andi & Heather (jointly) and Becca (Lost in Books)
Most Inspiring: Sheila (Book Journey)
Best Source of Validation/Best Commenter: Kathy (BermudaOnion)
Best BEA Roommate: Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)
But really, all of y’all are superlative–book bloggers are the BEST!
Why am I not surprised to see Hitchhiker in your list?? Thanks for including me with two awesome audiobook people! They are great audio pushers! And love the others, especially Bryan’s and Melissa’s. Soooo true.
I had to give credit to my audiobook enablers, and you’re on the top of that list! And credit goes to Jeanne for reminding me that i couldn’t have such a list *without* Hitchhiker!
*beams*
Coming up with just 5 books is so hard! I think the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books would have to go on my list. Thanks for the shout out!
You’re welcome! And yes, it’s VERY hard, which I think is why so many people included at least one series in their lists :-).
When I first read that, “Most Likely To Reinvent as a Blogger,” I didn’t know if I liked the sound of that, but as I sit here thinking about it, I know it’s true…and I’m okay with it (obviously). I think like many of us as we grow older, we are discovering and rediscovering who we are. Lately, I’ve been relearning (again and again and again) some things about myself that I already knew and know. It’s what I, and we, do with those things. Do we go regress or progress? As always, I’m working on progressing, although sometimes it feels like one step forward, two steps back.
I was thinking about your recurring book-blogger identity crises 🙂 But seriously, reinvention is by no means a bad thing, and I’m enjoying watching your journey!
Loved your superlatives! Think you hit the nail on the head with those!
The bloggers weren’t hard to choose, but coming up with the categories was a fun challenge!
Thrilled you took the plunge to choose five books that define you! Wonderful choices!
Thanks! I’m glad I did it too…and glad so many other people did it first, since that helped me get a handle on how to approach it.
Interesting list……. I smiled at your Superlatives list
Thanks so much for the shout-out. Love your list and glad you decided to jump in with your 5 books. Speaking of books ….
🙂
I’ve noticed you do that. But you also speak of many other things, which is why you got that Superlative category :-).
I’ve read the first Tales of the City – the time capsule element is fascinating to me. On a trip to SF years ago, I went on a walk that included the lane that was the inspiration for where the main characters lived. Lovely spot.
Also I really enjoyed Karen Armstrong’s memoir The Spiral Staircase and know she is an author to follow up on.
I liked Armstrong’s memoir as well, but I have really liked her books on theological subjects–she makes them very approachable. And you remind me I’m overdue for a trip to San Francisco!
Yay to you for joining in, and I second all of your superlatives!
Thanks! I’m glad I decided to play, too :-).
I love it all…your superlatives, your book choices, and this statement hit me right in the feels and had me shaking my head: “two very important concepts: science and faith do not have to be mutually exclusive–hence, this was my eventual gateway to The Sparrow–and book-smart, bespectacled girls can be heroes.” I’m totally fascinated by science and faith, and The Sparrow. Ohhhhh, The Sparrow. The favoritest of favorites. <3
My “most important book” designations tend to go to nonfiction, but this one’s an exception. I first read it pre-blogging, and it makes me SO happy that blogging has led me to other people who love it just as much as I do!
I just today learned it was BBAW. Thanks for the nice compliment here. 🙂
Glad you jumped in before it was all over! And you’re welcome.
A Wrinkle in Time could have been on my list. I forgot about it. oops!
I’m not sure I’d have remembered either if I hadn’t known I had a Banned Books Week review of it in my archives :-).