Okay, as many of you know, this week is Book Blogger Appreciation Week.  Because of APOOO’s participation, I have met a few new book bloggers and a NY Times best-selling author to boot.  So I am thrilled, excited and cheezing and grinning because I was able to be apart of MyFriendAmy’s vision.  Amy did a wonderful job of bringing book bloggers and authors together.  Thru my participation, I met new book bloggers, subscribed to more blogs than I care to tell you the number of, left tons of blog comments, read interviews, reviews, participated in polls, learned about new memes and joined them, participated in book contests (hmmm I didn’t win any books though…bummer…lol) and avoided all tags…oh so, I thought.  LOL.

Okay, let me get to this before I decide to back out…hehe.  Here’s the idea:  Write about 5 specific ways blogging has affected you, either positively or negatively.

I’m going to focus on the positive…

1. NETWORKING–I have discussed book onlines for over ten years now via YahooGroups and APOOO’s Web site.  But, I only started really reading blogs about two years ago.  And I could not actually blog on my site until it was revamped in June.  Since then…I have discovered a whole new world of bloggers out there.  First there were the techy bloggers and I met tons of them. But, after awhile, I needed to explore and find others who loved books as much as I did.  I believe one of the techy sites had an online contest and as a result met MyFriend Amy. 
2. CONNECTING–Because of following/subscribing to my MyFriendAmy;s blog, I learned about Book Bloggers Appreciation Week…had no idea what it entailed but decided to offer my assistance anyway.  I’M SO GLAD THAT I DID because as a result I was introduced to over 400 other book bloggers!  Who would have thunk it…that there were so many of us out here!  Okay, I have not visited all of them but within the next 40 days I will…because I plan to visit 10 new blogs each day.  So, if I have not stopped by and visited your site and left a comment yet…don’t worry I will.
3. READING–Even tho’ I am not necessarily reading novels, I am reading more.  I cannot believe how many book blogs I now subsribe to.  LOL…hmmm I guess that could be a negative also.  But, given that I am not much of a TV watcher, I much prefer to spend my leisure time reading rather than watching mindless shows. Also, because I am reading more book blogs, I am determined to read at least one book a week so that I can share my finds with others via APOOO blogs.
4. WRITING–Because I am blogging more, I am writing more.  Still trying to figure out what direction I want to take the APOOO blog…I am all about finding that unique hook…but, in the meantime, because I am writing more…my writing is getting stronger. Okay, I will never be a Pulitizer-Prize winning writer…but that has never been my goal.  I just want to write well enough so that when folks read my blog…it is evident that it is a Yasmin original.  I will have my own style and it will shine.
5. PROMOTING LITERACY–APOOO’s mission statement includes promoting literacy within the African American community.  For me that also means embracing books of other cultures and sharing OUR VOICES, OUR STORIES with others.  I read many well-written books with universal, timeless themes by African-American authors and I believe these stories need to be touted to others who might be interested in hearing…OUR VOICES, OUR STORIES.  OKAY, I know you only asked for five but I’m on a roll …so here’s two more…lol.
6. INTERACTIVE–One of the great things about blogging is that I can not only share book reviews, author interviews, but I can also share book trailers for viewing, and visitors can also listen to podcasts from their favorite authors and book bloggers. 
7. JUST DO IT–There are so many more things that I can do to get visitors involved with a blog that I couldn’t do with my prior Web site. And, it is great to have my blog and Web site in one place.  Actually my Web site is built on a blog platform so I know longer have to wait for my Web designer to make updates.  I can do ALL of them myself and only turn to her when I run into a roadblock.

Okay, now I get to show a little love to others by tagging them…rubbing hands…who am I going to call on?  I pick the following fivw bloggers:

MariReads–We like some of the same books, her blog intrigues me and I want to get to know her better.  http://marireads.blogspot.com/

PeekingBetweenthePages–She just wrote a wonderful review for Run that made me move it up on my to-read list to finish reading so that I can discuss it next week with BookClubGirl’s group.  http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/

HeatherJ–I like that she leaves comments on her blogs and because of her enthusaist review today, I found out about a new book today, that would not normally be on my radar–House and Home by Kathleen McCleary.  Heather J’s review was so enthusiast that it was infectious.  Hopefully she has not been tagged and will consider participating.  http://age30books.blogspot.com/

BookClubGirl–The name says it all.  Since I am a book club founder and love all things book clubish, I could not tag and not ‘hit’ a fellow book clubber.  Also, she gives away great gifts and I am hoping to score some points for future contests.   On a serious note, I will be joining her club next week to discuss Run by Ann Patchett.  http://www.bookclubgirl.com/book_club_girl/

DeeStewart–Dee is a blogger/publicist that I met prior to Book Bloggers Appreciation Week…we tend to travel in the same circles…and are Twitter buddies.  I told her I was going to tag her…and so I am.  LOL.  http://christianfiction.blogspot.com/

Thanks A Novel Menagerie for including APOOO in the fun…it is yet another way for me to meet new people and get to know them better!

Even though your name might not be listed above, you can still join us and participate. Share with APOOO how blogging has changed your life.  If you decide to participate and blog, please leave a comment below with your blog post so that I can stop by and read it.

Related Posts

• BBAW: And the Winner Is…
• Book Blogger Appreciation Week: I Love These Book Bloggers
• Book Blogger Appreciation Week: Join APOOO the Week of September 15th – 19th, 2008
• IT’S OFFICIAL–The BBAW Giveaway List
• House and Home by Kathleen McCleary