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Literate Housewife Seal of Approval
Welcome to Book Blogger Appreciation Week! What better way to begin than by highlighting blogs you didn’t see on the BBAW Awards shortlists? Although there are incredible blogs that were shortlisted for the BBAW Awards, many of the blogs I read on a daily basis aren’t on that list. This provided me with a great opportunity to celebrate my favorite daily reads. The BBAW Awards loss, is Literate Housewife’s gain.
The day that the BBAW shorlists were announced, the girls and I watched The Wizard of Oz. One scene in particular caught my attention. The one where the Wizard is bestowing upon the Scarcrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion their heart’s desire. Pretty much, they all already had what they wanted, they just didn’t realize it. The Wizard says to the Scarcrow:
Back where I come from we have universities, seats of great learning – where men go to become great thinkers. And when they come out, they think deep thoughts — and with no more brains than you have…. But! They have one thing you haven’t got! A diploma!
Taking nothing away from the honor of being shortlisted for a BBAW award, what do those shortlisted blogs have that many other of my favorite blogs do not have? They have BBAW bragging rights and a cute button for their blogs. I could rectify that, at least on a smaller scale.
We’ve all grown up seeing the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. Since I’ve had my blog redesigned, I’ve been toying around with the idea of creating a Literate Housewife seal of approval. Last weekend, after my Wizard of Oz induced revelation, I contacted my designer (Karen at Simply Amusing Designs – she’s wonderful!) to see if she had the time to create my seal of approval button. Even with such short notice she did and I was thrilled.
Having the button created was easy. Determining which blogs to award it to was not. I created a spreadsheet of all the blogs I have in my Google Reader. I started by crossing off those who had been shortlisted for a BBAW Award in any category. After that, things got more difficult. In the end, I decided to highlight 6 book blogs I’ve consistently been reading every day.
It is my pleasure to announce the names of the Official 2009 – 2010 Literate Housewife Approved book blogs:*
Devourer of Books
I have been hooked on Jen’s blog from the first time I visited it. She certainly does devour books and posts several book reviews each week. She loves historical fiction like I do, but she reads a wide variety of books. More than any other blogger, she has introduced me to the book blogging world at large. Without her I firmly believe that I wouldn’t still be here. This was a big year for her. She welcomed her firstborn son. Still, it’s as if she hadn’t gone through a major life change. Her blog is as consistent and professional as ever.
Here are a few of my recent favorite posts from Jen:
http://www.devourerofbooks.com/2009/09/mistress-of-the-vatican-book-review/
http://www.devourerofbooks.com/2009/09/please-allow-me-to-geek-out-yet-again/
http://www.devourerofbooks.com/2009/09/the-white-queen-book-review/
http://www.devourerofbooks.com/2009/09/catching-fire-book-review/
Fyrefly’s Book Blog
Fyrefly’s blog is the first blog that stood out to me both for its content and for its beauty. I look at her header and it puts me in the mood for a relaxing read. Of all the book blogs I follow regulary, Fyrefly’s reading is the most varied and the most different from mine. I like her take on reading and I think you will, too. She also co-hosts the 4Rs Challenge with me. It was her brainchild and I’m really just a sidekick. She’s the one holding it all together.
Here are a few of my recent favorite posts from Fyrefly:
http://fyreflybooks.wordpress.com/2009/09/13/sunday-salon-age-appropriate/
http://fyreflybooks.wordpress.com/2009/09/09/garth-stein-the-art-of-racing-in-the-rain/
http://fyreflybooks.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/lauren-groff-the-monsters-of-templeton/
http://fyreflybooks.wordpress.com/2009/08/24/melissa-marr-wicked-lovely/
Medieval Bookworm
Meghan is my go-to historian. Her reviews are always insightful and I can trust her opinions on history. She is getting married this fall in England and I’m so excited for her. If she’s still in England when I get a chance to travel there, I would love to go sightseeing with her. She’s as intelligent as her reviews and reading her blog is a treat. The fact that she even takes my opinions about historical fiction into consideration is an immense honor.
Here are a few of my recent favorite posts from Meghan:
http://chikune.com/blog/?p=1533
http://chikune.com/blog/?p=1426
http://chikune.com/blog/?p=1424
http://chikune.com/blog/?p=1239
The Book Lady’s Blog
The Book Lady’s Blog is just wonderful. It is new this year and I first “met” Rebecca when she emailed me after finding my blog and seeing that I live in Virginia. She later started a blog of her own. I have really enjoyed it – both before the forced name change and after. On top of great reviews, she is one funny lady. Her series of posts about things that happen in her bookstore crack me up. There’s always something interesting happening on her blog.
Here are a few of my recent favorite posts from Rebecca:
http://thebookladysblog.com/2009/09/12/my-first-time-with-judy-blumes-forever/
http://thebookladysblog.com/2009/09/01/big-release-day-catching-fire-by-suzanne-collins/
http://thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/
http://thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/17/the-one-in-which-we-collectively-gush-about-her-fearful-symmetry/
Book Chatter and Other Stuff
Ti is a book blogger I met mostly through Facebook. What I love about her blog is her blend of books and family life. She has a beautiful family and I love to read about them as much as her book reviews. .
Here are a few of my recent favorite posts from Ti:
http://bookchatterandotherstuff.blogspot.com/2009/09/review-blog-tour-day-falls-stood-still.html
http://bookchatterandotherstuff.blogspot.com/2009/09/review-danish-girl.html
http://bookchatterandotherstuff.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-angels-game.html
http://bookchatterandotherstuff.blogspot.com/2009/06/sunday-salon-my-time-with-munchkins.html
Passages to the Past
If there is one blogger out there who does the most damage to my wallet and my TBR pile, it’s Amy. I first found Amy’s blog through LibraryThing and it has been a favorite destination for me ever since. Not only does she write wonderful reviews, she regularly highlights upcoming historical fiction releases. I just love it!
Here are a few of my recent favorite posts from Amy:
http://passagestothepast.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-book-on-katherine-parr.html
http://passagestothepast.blogspot.com/2009/09/alexia-sinclairs-regal-twelve.html
http://passagestothepast.blogspot.com/2009/08/coming-to-bookstore-near-you.html
http://passagestothepast.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-hugh-bess-by-susan-higginbotham.html
They now have a place of honor on my right sidebar and will be the only blogs displayed there until the BBAW next year. I sent the an email to each of LHA book bloggers last night with the button. It is theirs to do with as they choose. I hope that they like it as much as I do. I encourage you to visit these blogs and add them to your feed reader if you don’t already. You’re certain to find something interesting, enlightening, or hilarious. I do have one word of warning: these blogs are certain to increase the size of your TBR pile exponentially.
There are so many wonderful book blogs out there. My complete blogroll isn’t gone forever. I love you all too much for that. I’ve moved my blog roll to my new Address Book tab. I’ve also decided that I will be announcing 5 new LHA book blogs during each BBAW. So, if I didn’t highlight your blog this year, there will be other opportunities – unless you’re shortlisted for a BBAW Award. 
* This official title fulfills the bragging rights criteria. What? You don’t think that’s much to brag about? Cut me some slack here, okay? LOL!
September 14, 2009 | Filed Under Book Blogger Appreciation Week
Comments
24 Responses to “Literate Housewife Seal of Approval”
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softdrink
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 12:11 am1Reply to this comment.That button is adorable…and you chose some very worthy blogs to award it to. Great job!
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Alyce
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 1:18 am2Reply to this comment.I love the way you did this! I have to agree with your picks – they are all awesome!
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Melody
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 2:06 am3Reply to this comment.Thanks for the great post! And I love that button! Am off to read the blogs you highlighted!
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Sandy
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 5:42 am4Reply to this comment.You are a class act, you know that? I LOVE that button (I have button envy now) and even though some of these blogs are new to me, I’ve heard alot about them and intend to check them out a little closer. This is so much fun! I’m going to be on the darned computer all day!
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Meghan
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 6:19 am5Reply to this comment.I love my button! You have the best ideas. I am so proud to put it on my blog (it’s already there). I’m so flattered that you chose me, Jennifer, and even though I can’t do nearly this great a write-up, you know I love your blog too!
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Melissa @ Melissa's Bookshelf
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 7:28 am6Reply to this comment.What a great idea, and I love your seal of approval! You picked some fabulous blogs, congrats to all those deserving bloggers
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Rebecca Reid
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 7:53 am7Reply to this comment.Oh what a cute button to create for your winners!!
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Lezlie
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 8:22 am8Reply to this comment.Love the badge!! And all your recipients are definitely worthy choices!
Lezlie
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Fyrefly
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 9:11 am9Reply to this comment.Thank you so much, what an honor! I love the button (although the punny part of my brain keeps wanting the little black cat to be a little black seal… of approval! Ha!)
Although now I feel a little bad because I’ve been slacking off 4Rs stuff… I guess that’s what I get when we schedule the first round to end at the same time the semester starts. I’ll send you an e-mail about that later today.
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Beth Kephart
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 9:14 am10Reply to this comment.I can see why so many are also celebrating you today!
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Stephanie
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 9:23 am11Reply to this comment.All five of the blogs you featured are well deserving of The Literate Housewife seal of approval. I actually spotlighted Devourer of Books, as well as you personally, in my blog today because both of you have been inspirational to me and had I not fallen in love with both your blogs, I probably wouldn’t have started my own blog.
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S. Krishna
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 9:41 am12Reply to this comment.Wonderful – your list is great and spotlights many blogs I love as well!
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Ti
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 11:27 am13Reply to this comment.You are so incredibly sweet. Words cannot describe how I feel right now. I love the button. It is now proudly displayed on my blog. Thanks so much.
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Kathy
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 11:44 am14Reply to this comment.I LOVE your seal of approval!! It is a fantastic idea. I love all of the blogs you highlighted too!
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Jen - Devourer of Books
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 12:23 pm15Reply to this comment.I completely agree with your list (and would even if I wasn’t on it), all of those blogs are ones that I LOVE. I’m super thrilled to be in such great company and will DEFINITELY be putting the button my blog.
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Literate Housewife
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 12:29 pm16Reply to this comment.Just wanted to leave a quick message to thank everyone for their kind words – most especially about the LHA bloggers. They are outstanding.
I will let Karen know that you all think the button is cute. She did such a fabulous job on them.
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Jen - Devourer of Books
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 2:23 pm17Reply to this comment.I have a couple of things to add:
First, I’m so happy to see you on so many people’s short lists today! You totally deserve it. In addition to having an awesome blog, you are endlessly kind and encouraging. Second, I didn’t spotlight you today because I focused on blogs I thought should have been on the historical fiction genre shortlist, but I still stand by what I wrote last year for BBAW: An Ode To My Favorite Book Blogger. -
Florinda
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 2:55 pm18Reply to this comment.Several of the blogs you mentioned also made my own personal shortlist, so I have to applaud your choices
! The button is just terrific, too. -
Andi
Posted: Sep 14th, 2009 at 4:04 pm19Reply to this comment.LOL! I loooove this! Great idea, and I can’t wait to see who else is approved!
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Shawntele
Posted: Sep 15th, 2009 at 9:27 am20Reply to this comment.I am always looking for new blogs to follow, thank you for the recommendations.
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Literary Feline
Posted: Sep 15th, 2009 at 10:50 pm21Reply to this comment.I love your seal, Jennifer! It’s perfect–it goes well with the blogs you have highlighted today. I enjoy each of them very much.
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Veens
Posted: Sep 16th, 2009 at 6:30 am22Reply to this comment.Ohh! That’s a prestigious badge to have
And I love Devourer of Books, Passages to the Past They deserve it -
Kristen
Posted: Sep 16th, 2009 at 10:16 pm23Reply to this comment.Cool idea!
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Amy @ Passages to the Past
Posted: Sep 17th, 2009 at 7:04 pm24Reply to this comment.You are just so creative! I am so thankful to have been among the chosen – and to be among such great company! Thank you Jennifer! You were my first supporter and will always have a special place in my heart!
Congrats to all of my fellow bloggers!
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