BBAW: Books You SHOULD Read.

It is day 4 of BBAW and today's topic is "Pimp that book," an opportunity for us to highlight some books that you should be reading.

Because I can't narrow it down to just one title, I'm going in a couple different directions. Hopefully, there is something here for everyone!

Young Adult: Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Ben Alire Saenz

I first read this title back in college for my Young Adult Literature class. It was one of the few "newer" titles on the book list, and was hand's down, my favorite title we read in that class. Sammy, the main character, is growing up in a dilapidated barrio. With his friends at his side, he tackles the hard things in life: poverty, loss, death, and freedom. It is gritty, raw, and aggressive. My classmates and I loved the book so much that we chose it the following year as the basis for a collaborative unit in our senior methods class.

I haven't come across anyone in the blogging world who has read the novel, let alone heard of it (please tell me if you've read it!), so I want to push it out there. It is a fabulous, fabulous novel.

A Re-released Classic: The Cone-Gatherers by Robin Jenkins

I was lucky enough to have received this novel as a review copy from the publisher, and until then, I had never even heard of it. This Scottish novel, now re-released, has been one of the best books I've read this year. The language is exquisite. Jenkins chooses each word carefully to build the suspense in this story to the climax.

While it has been compared to Of Mice and Men, I actually preferred this one over Steinbeck (is that blasphemous? Probably). I just loved every page of this...the slow development of the two brothers, the heartache of all the characters, the anger and hatred....everything. You all need to read this.

From a Favorite Author: The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton

While I am usually raving about The House of Mirth or Ethan Frome, there is another Wharton title that also claims my heart. This title was one of the first I read by Wharton after my second attempt at Ethan Frome (where I fell completely in love). This one takes a little snarkier tone than some of the others, and I absolutely loved it. Undine Spragg, our "heroine," is consumed with rising to the top-finding a man with money and having the best of everything. Her attempts to claw up the society ladder is insightful and entertaining.

While I wouldn't consider this title as refined as some of Wharton's other novels, it is still an excellent representation of her work.

History:  1776 by David McCullough

I don't think I mention often enough how much I love history. After all, I do have a B.A. in it! I'm also teaching U.S. History right now, which is what has really spurred me to add this book here. I know that this book was everywhere when it was first released, but really, this is a great look at one of the most important years in our nation's history. And what I love about McCullough is his ability to make history read like a story. I never once felt like I was reading a history book, which, admittedly, can be a bit dry. Instead, I was right in the action with Washington, and I found myself rooting for those America rebels.

I high suggest this one if you are wary of history books. You won't regret it.

There you have it-4 books I want to "pimp out" today. :) Let me know if you've read any of these, or if you have books you think I should read! I always need more titles!

BBAW: Day One. Where I Appreciate You All. :)

I'm really excited that BBAW is here again this year. I think it is a great event that brings bloggers together and allows us to reflect on an incredibly important aspect of book blogging: the community.

Today, we are asked to reflect a little on the people that matter to us-those readers who have inspired and pushed us, and those blogs that we return to over and over again.

Before I share some of my most favorite bloggers, I want to say something to all of you-Without your comments, insight, feedback, joy, and positivity, I am not sure I would be here, happy and whole. The last...four years of my life have been difficult as I have battled unemployment, a lack of passion, and so much more...but since blogging here at A Literary Odyssey, my passions have reignited. I owe my success and happiness to all of you. And I know my students are benefiting from all of those conversations we have had. So THANK YOU.

I decided to try and approach this list by numbers. I am sure that I left someone off, and for that, I apologize. But I truly appreciate ALL of you. 

One Kindred Spirit: A person who I respect and admire, and who seems to have so much in common with myself.
Jillian from A Room of One's Own
I met Jillian a couple of years ago when we were both diving into book lists and reading to improve our knowledge of classic literature. Over the last couple of years, we've both altered our opinions and stances, our book lists, and the way we approach what we do on our blogs. She challenges me to continue pushing myself to greater things. When I see her passion shine through in a post, it encourages me to keep going. There have been many times where a kind note from her has helped me get over a slump, and her insight and joy for literature is infectious. I love looking back to where we started and where we are today.

Two People I Want to Emulate: The two people I want to be like when I grow up.
Adam from Roof Beam Reader
Since I first stumbled across Adam's blog, I have been a bit in awe. He is so very much like the person I want to be! With a Master's in American lit, and currently pursuing a Phd, Adam is the intellectual I want to be. His posts are always thoughtful, deep, and intelligent. Every time I read one of his posts, I learn something new. He is also one of the kindest people I know. When I was looking for short stories by American writers last spring, he pointed me in the direction of many! I hope, that one day, I can be as inspiring and as intelligent as he is!

O from Delaisse
I believe O and I began reading each other last summer/fall. From the beginning, I felt like O was on to things that I wasn't. Through her dedicated personal projects (reading all of Virginia Woolf's work, to completing the Bible, to pushing through Shakespeare's complete works), she is always pursuing something. Going to her blog makes me want to try harder, read more, dive in deeper, and become a better writer. Her posts are always deep and meandering and leave me wanting to say something profound (I never do). I can honestly say that I push myself to higher heights because of what she does.

Three Supportive Partners: Three people who have been wonderfully supportive recently (and who I get to "work" with!)
Melissa from Avid Reader's Musings
Melissa's blog is one that I have been following almost since I began blogging. We have a lot of things in common, including our love of books. In the last year or so, I have found a great friend in Melissa, with her supportive tweets and comments. I know that if I ever need a little pick-me-up, Melissa is there and all over it. :) She makes me smile and continues to make me add books to my TBR. There are many, MANY classics that have jumped higher in my pile because of her rave reviews. And now that I get to work with her as a co-moderator for The Classics Club? Makes it even better!

Sarah from Sarah Reads Too Much
Sarah is actually a newer-to-me blogger. I stumbled across her awesome "Back to the Classics" Challenge last fall and signed up immediately. In the time since, I have found Sarah's posts to be some of my favorites. They are always interesting and diverse. As a bonus, working with Sarah for The Classics Club has been amazing. Twice I have had to ask for help to get posts written, and she was right there to step in and volunteer. She is a wonderful person, and I look forward to getting to know her better!

Heather from Between the Covers
Heather is a blogger I have been reading for some time, as I have always found her posts to be well-written. I also love conversing with Heather over twitter, and she is always there to cheer me on, or respond with something funny. :) Like Sarah and Melissa, I am fortunate enough to get to work with Heather for The Classics Club. In our conversations, she is always willing to jump in and help us propel the Club forward. Her insight and help is invaluable, and I cannot wait to get to know her more!

Four Diverse Ladies: Four awesome women who inspire and motivate me to be a better me!
Amanda from Pound by Pound
Amanda has long been a true blogger friend. She has stood by me and been a support in some pretty rough instances, and our e-mail conversations have always left me feeling like I am not alone. While Amanda doesn't review many books any more, I still find her blog to be inspiring and hopeful. Her weight-loss journey helps me get my own butt in gear, and I know that if I need to rant, she'll be there to listen.

Christina from Reading Thru the Night
Christina is another blogger that I "discovered" early on in my blogging career. From the beginning, I felt we had something in common. Her posts about her own students, and teaching in general, have helped keep me motivated. And, I have to give her props for being so passionate about what she does and who she does it for. In many ways, she is one of my teaching heroes, and not just because of her awesome classroom set-up. 

Andi from Estella's Revenge
Andi is someone that always shocks me, in a good way. :) She is always upbeat and pushing forward. She wrote that fabulous post about reading "what she wants, when she wants" that has become an inspiration for me in the last few months. She also has a super-awesome job, runs an e-zine, and has the cutest kiddo. I love how much she does, and how she pursues her goals with such drive and intensity.

Trish from Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity
If there really was a superwoman, I think it would be Trish. She is always coming up with these awesome projects to push different aspects of her life-from Operation Crockpot, to the Pin It and Do it Challenge, to Eating it Real, to touching on tough topics to do with parenting, I am always in complete AWE with how much she tackles!

Five New Friends: Great bloggers that I am just discovering...and who you need to read!
Jenna from Lost Generation Reader
Jenna's blog has quickly become one of my favorites in recent months. Her posts range from contemporary to those dusty old classics I love, so of course, there is lots for me to love there. And her awesome Harry Potter Readalong? Yeah, I've been busting through those bad boys like it's my job in the last week or two! I can't wait to get to know Jenna more!

Claudia and Alexis from Lit Hitchhiker
These girls are just plain AWESOME. Both of them dove right into The Classics Club with an insanely awesome, detailed post about the books members have chosen. Since then, I have been continually impressed with the beauty and depth of their posts. I can't wait to get to know both of them through their continued involvement in The Classics Club.

Chinoiseries from Always Cooking Up Something
This is a blog that I only discovered due to typing in all those member names on The Classics Club Member List. I was immediately intrigued and have become HOOKED. It also helps that we are both reading Harry Potter for Jenna's readalong. I foresee lots of great conversations and posts in our future!

Fanda from Fanda ClassicLit
I was super lucky about a month ago because I got to interview Fanda to be The Classics Club first ever Classics Clubber of the Month. Her blog is truly inspirational. She writes in two languages to inspire others to try the classics and is always pushing herself.

Cassandra from Literary Stars
Technically I have been reading Cassandra's blog for a few months, but it is quickly becoming a favorite. She is so driven to know more about everything....I just love that kind of enthusiasm towards classic literature! Her posts are always thoughtful and positive. I always leave with a smile on my face.

Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2010.

After a bit of debating, I decided to enter myself into the BBAW awards. I figured, "why not?" I can only suffer embarrassment and humiliation, right?

Actually, no. I am really excited to read through posts that highlight the best of the book blogging world. I know that the way I view my own reading and free time has changed since starting my blog and challenge back on September 1, 2009. So this seems to be a perfect way of sharing my challenge and what I have accomplished with others in the book blogging community. I just want to say that I feel slightly uncomfortable entering myself, so please don't assume that I am trying to toot my own horn.

Anyway, there are two categories for nominations, niches and features. I am submitting my blog for one in each. Let's start with the niche category.

Best Literary Fiction Book Blog
Reviews:
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
Other:
On Personal Reading Experiences (The Dollmaker by Harriette Arnow)
On Racism and History (Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell)

I am also entering in the featured category.

Best New Book Blog
Reviews:
The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Other:
The Beginnings of "A Literary Odyssey."
Thursday Treat: A Man Without a Country
Cranford Read-Along