Book Blogger Appreciation Week, Day 1 and a GIVEAWAY!

BBAW 2009 has officially started - YEAH! Today's post are spotlights of some of my favorite blogs and, of course, a giveaway!

Abby (the) Librarian was one of the very first blogs I found back when I was a newbie blogger. Not only did I feel kinship because she happens to be a librarian, but I also really enjoy reading about books she's found and days in the life of a children's librarian. It's nice for me to read stuff from other librarians, especially since I'm kind of isolated in my tiny college library. If you haven't yet, go check out her blog!

Also, Tina at Fantastic Book Review was nominated in several categories, but specifically, I think her giveaways are, well, fantastic! She seems to always be having three or four going on at once. Here site is also brimming with gorgeous covers, so I love to visit just to see what she has up! If you haven't visited, go there quickly! (And definitely enter her contests!)

One of my other favorites is a local (to me) blogger, Suey at It's All About Books. Suey is one of those who makes those of us new and shy feel very welcome! And also, pretty much, everyone else feel welcome and appreciated. She also recently played a huge part in convincing me to join Twitter. (Which I did. I haven't been too active yet, though. Still wetting my feet.) I love her reviews, which are given a letter grade as opposed to stars. Also, I really like how she includes links to other people's reviews - something I'd like to do, but am too lazy to get around to it.

Now, on to the giveaway! I have one gently used paperback copy of The View from Saturday by E.L. Kongisburg, which I reviewed yesterday. I really love this book - so much that I bought it twice without thinking! Fortunately for you, I now have a copy to share; unfortunately, I can only ship in the US.

If you would like to win this book, please leave a comment telling me about a book blog you love to read (I'm not fishing for compliments, but trying to find more blogs to read).

Leave me an email address if it isn't readily available on your profile! Enter by midnight on Friday, September 18. I will (try) to choose a winner on Saturday, but I am moving that day, so it might be Sunday or Monday before I get it posted.

Book Review: The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg

The View from Saturdayis the unique and funny story of four sixth graders, chosen by their teacher to be the Academic bowl team. The story deftly weaves together the paths of each of these kids and how they cross, with the current success of the bowl team. So, how did Mrs. Olinsky know just which students to choose for the team? You'll have to read it to find out.

Things I Liked:
I just adored the characters in this book! They are quirky and funny and just plain real. Konigsburg has a way of writing stories that literally bring them to life! The mystery elements kept me searching for clues and waiting anxiously to know just how this dynamic team was brought together. This is children's literature at its best.

Things I Didn't Like:
Sometimes there seemed to be too many characters and stories going on. I didn't really have a hard time keeping up, but maybe younger kids would.

Read-alikes:
Definitely try From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweileralso by Konigsburg
It reminded me of The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt and The Schwa was Here by Neal Shusterman

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: *****

Forget Browsing, Let's Talk Holds

I decided after last week's library overload, that I would not allow myself to go back until I had several books read.

Then, my holds came up. Seriously, all of them (well, ok I have around 30 holds, so not all of them). But, I really wanted to read all of these ones, so I got them anyway. I didn't allow myself to browse though :)

Dreamhunterby Elizabeth Knox
The Demon's Lexiconby Sarah Rees Brennan
If I Stayby Gayle Forman
If You're Reading This, It's Too Lateby Pseudonymous Bosch (which came in before the first book in the series - darn!)
A Kiss in Timeby Alex Flinn
The Magician's Elephantby Kate DiCamillo
Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xiaby Cindy Pon

And as a random note about my libraries: I frequent two public libraries (so lucky to be close to both) and I find they have different practices about renewals. One library lets you renew at least once, even if it is on hold. The other doesn't let you renew if there are holds. I find that this sometimes leads to putting the first library's books at the perpetual bottom of my stack, since they have the latest due date. I can't decide which practice I like better - obviously, I like having three extra weeks for books, but I also like to have my holds come in more frequently. Good thing I have two libraries!

*EDIT*
I forgot to include the books I got for review! They look delicious!

The Smart One and the Pretty Oneby Claire LaZebnik
Legacyby Cayla Kluver