Really Random Tuesday #6: BBAW and a Giveaway Winner

Welcome again to Really Random Tuesday!

Really Random Tuesday is a way to post odds and ends--announcements, musings, quotes--any blogging and book-related things you can think of. If you're inspired by this idea, feel free to copy the button and use it on your own blog. Please leave a link in the comments if you’re participating. Last week, Naida from the bookworm made my Tuesday! And Veens from Giving Reading a Chance beat me to the punch again this week!

Often I announce the winners of my book giveaways in this meme. Today, congratulations go to Margie for winning Free to a Good Home by Eve Marie Mont. Margie, I'll send the book out to you as soon as I get your address. I haven't read it yet, but it sounds like a book we'll both enjoy. If you didn't win this time, why not enter one of the other numerous book giveaways I have posted on the right side of my blog? Some of them are international.

Last year, during Book Blogger Appreciation Week I hosted a giveaway, and interviewed a then new-to-me book blogger, Amanda from The Zen Leaf. In return, she interviewed me, and we have gotten to know each other better since then. Although our reading interests are different in many respects, Amanda's blog continues to be interesting to me because it's honest and thoughtful. During BBAW 2009, I "met" a lot of book bloggers, and for the first time felt part of a large and supportive community. Book bloggers are the nicest people!

This year, I did not register for BBAW. I started to, but as I didn't wish to nominate myself for any awards, I stopped registering mid-stream. I thought I'd return and try to register, without nominating my blog for anything, but when I did return, it was too late. Registration was closed. So officially I am not registered this year. But I think BBAW is a wonderful idea, and will participate in some of the activities. Did you register for BBAW? What does BBAW mean to you?

Book Blogger Hop and a Giveaway

It's Friday! Ready or not, it's time for another Book Blogger Hop, August 27 - August 30, hosted by Jennifer from Crazy-for-Books. This weekly BOOK PARTY is an opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, support each other, and discover new book blogs. Most importantly, it's lots of fun!

This week's question from Books are a Girl's Best Friend is a good one: Do you use a rating system for your reviews and if so, what is it and why?


I do not use a rating system for several reasons. The main reason is because ratings seem too subjective. I know that ratings can help others decide about books, and I do rate books for my reviews on Amazon, because it's a requirement for submitting them, but I don't rate books on my blog because it seems like that would be a too subjective and arbitrary practice. Instead, I discuss books in my reviews, and ask readers to make up their own minds.

Just a few days ago, I learned that I won Free to a Good Home by Eve Marie Mont on Anna's blog, Diary of an Eccentric. Anna reviewed the book, which she calls "a great end-of-summer read", and also presents a guest post by the author, so stop by Diary of an Eccentric when you have a few moments to spare. Since Penguin sent me two copies of this newly released novel, I am giving the extra copy away!

• To enter the giveaway for this book, simply leave a comment.
• For another chance at winning, become a follower of this blog, or let me know that you're already a follower, or that you subscribe in Google Reader.
• For an additional chance, post about this contest on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

Enter by 5 PM PDT on Monday, September 13 (U.S./Canada only). One winner will be selected randomly and announced on Tuesday, September 14. Good luck, and thanks for reading!