Hee-hee. I thought about putting a "real" title in place of the placeholder title I gave this post, but I liked this one too much. I'd planned to air this post on Friday to tie it into the #FF hashtag, but I couldn't wait. For those who don't know, #FF is a hashtag for Follow Friday, and it's a way for people to promote their favorite people on Twitter.
I don't know how well the hashtag actually works, to be honest, and I'd much rather promote the blogs of the people I follow. I have had the fortune of coming across some spectacular blogs in the last couple years. I mean, really freaking spectacular, and they're all run by funny, kind, opinionated, smart, knowledgeable people.
Below are some of the blogs that I love and strongly suggest you all check out. I say "some" for two reasons. First, I'm only listing young adult books blogs. If you'd like to know what publishing industry, writing, author, or kid lit blogs I follow, drop me an email. Second, I follow a LOT of blogs, and I don't have space to list them all here. (So no hurt feelings, okay? My blogger heart is larger than my posting space.) Third, except for one major rule-bender, I've only listed blogs that I've been following for a certain amount of time, which means some spectacular blogs didn't make this list.
It should be understood that ALL blogs are listed because I love their posts and reviews, but I've tried to list some non-review highlights below some.
- A Reader of Fictions
Highlights: Really awesome giveaways, and the creator is a librarian! (I love librarians.)
- Blue Sky Shelf
Highlights: None yet. It's still pretty new. But I AM related to its creator... (More on that in a future post.)
- Books, Biscuits, and Tea
Highlights: Vicky, the head of BB&T, is also the creator of the Agatha Christie Book Club!
- Clear Eyes, Full Shelves
Highlights: Hilarious List-O-Ramas (the latest was Top 5 Most Annoying Book Cover Trends), and running collections of various types of YA fiction. The collection I've loved the most so far has been the list of male POV YA lit.
- Emily's Reading Room
Highlights: The Blogger Confidential posts, wherea set of bloggers are asked about "the nitty-gritty" of blogging. Really, it's such a cathartic read. We're not alone!
- The Enchanted Inkpot
Highlights: A lot of authors contribute to the Inkpot, but the best part is that it's a site completely devoted to FANTASY!
- Esther's Ever After
Highlights: She focuses a lot on fairy tale retellings, which I adore.
- In Which Ems Reviews Books
Highlights: Everything! Ems was on my Top 10 list of bookish people I'd love to meet, because I adore her and her blog. Okay, specifics. In addition to her reviews and posts, I really like her Special for Sunday meme posts.
- Into the Hall of Books
Highlights: I promised I would highlight something other than reviews, but I can't for this one. Asheley has such a distinct review style. Elizabeth Fama even copied it one time for a guest post, and it was hilarious!
- Making the Grade
Highlights: Gosh, there's ALWAYS something going on at MTG. I love the giveaways, personally. Jenna and her coreviewers are always giving away awesome books.
- The Midnight Garden
Highlights: Can I give a shout-out to blog design? Because I LOVE Ms. Wendy's blog design. Holy guacamole. Also, Ms. Wendy is just one classy lady in general. I want to be her when I grow up.
- Novel Sounds
Highlights: They match songs with their book reviews. Songs! I love it!
- Paperback Fantasies
Highlights: They cater specifically to readers of YA sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian lit. Be still, my heart.
- Pen To Paper
Highlights: PtP is the home of the Wishlist Wednesday meme, which I participate in every other Wednesday. Go check it out!
- Random Musings of a Bibliophile
Highlights: I seriously like Ms. Brandy, the lady who runs this blog. She reviews MG and YA lit, both contemporary and fantasy, AND she's a Queen's Thief fan, AND she homeschools her kids. Also, she does these really cool favorite things lists that I would totally copy if I wasn't already drowning in memes.
- Scattered Pages
Highlights: Dot was also a part of my Top 10 list a week or so ago, so you know I like her. She has really great, insightful posts and reviews, and every once in a while she compiles covers that she adores. They're so pretty.
- Squeaky Books
Highlights: I feel like everyone knows about Squeaky Books. It's been around since 2007, which is a long time in book blog terms, and there's always something going on over there - giveaways, author interviews, you name it.
- Stacked
Highlights: This one isn't strictly YA, but I couldn't leave it off. It's run by librarians and has some of the most amazing, insightful posts about books and different things in the publishing industry. Really, really good stuff.
So that's a sampling of my peeps. I love them all, and, if I have my way, you'll be hearing much more about them at a later date. And maybe I'll be able to add more blogs to my list o' love. :)
What blogs do YOU adore? And do you follow any of the ones I've listed?
Ok. Just for even mentioning Making the Grade in this list, I am personally sending you something fabulous... No really, I mean it and you CAN'T say no. (So either DM me your address on Twitter or email it to imakethegrade at gmail dot com. I have some stuff to mail you now.) <3
ReplyDeleteI do sometimes feel like the Santa Claus of book reviewers. There IS always something going on at Making the Grade, and I plan to keep it that way. ;) I give things away BECAUSE I love books so much - I simply can't help but share the love! :D
So before I ramble on... BIG *HUGS* to you! You know you rock, right??
Jenna! You're fantastic and sweet and I kiss you European-style on your Book Reviewer Santa Claus cheeks.
DeleteDo you see, people? Do you see why I like this woman? You have evidence before your very eyes, so no shuffling your feet any longer. Begone with you. Go follow.
There are two egghead blogs I follow that have thoughtful, critical reviews of YA (Someday My Printz Will Come), and YA plus some middle-grade (Crossreferencing). That last one is written in the form of letters between mother-and-son librarians, Sarah and Mark Flowers. Mark has a fascinating way of reviewing books in the context of the author's oeuvre.
ReplyDeleteOooh, thanks for the recommendations. Of course, now I'm humming tunes from Snow White.
DeleteAwesome list! I knew some of these blogs, but I have plenty more to check out now. (And I discovered your list through the awesome Bookshelves of Doom.)
ReplyDeleteOooh, a link back! I'll have to go thank them. Thanks for the heads up, and have fun browsing. :)
DeleteEeeek, thank you so much for including me in your list :) I'm in great company! I'll have to check out some of these blogs because I don't know all of them. Thanks for the recommendations!
ReplyDeletePsh, like I'd leave a fellow Dame Christie fanatic out in the cold. You're my girl, Vicky!
DeleteAwww...thanks for the love.
ReplyDeleteI read many of the blogs you listed here and will definitely be checking out the ones I'm unfamiliar with.
My favorite blogs to read tend to be the ones run by fellow Sounisians. I love Charlotte's Library (she does MG and YA sci-fi fantasy), Chachic's Book Nook (a range), and By Singing Light (mostly YA, some MG). I also adore Heavy Medal because of how much it has taught me about the Newbery process. Plus it's just fun to do the mock.
Sigh. I'm so awful at keeping track of Sounis people. I'll add these on my list to check out right now. Thanks! (And of COURSE you're included in the lots o' love post. Don't be silly. :))
DeleteThanks so much for this post! I'm always on the lookout for new blogs to follow! :) I'm so glad you mentioned Stacked, I think it's got the most insightful, critical and balanced reviews!! Do you follow YA highway? I love their writing tips and their Field Trip Friday posts :)
ReplyDelete*smacks forehead* YA Highway! I forgot YA Highway! D'oh.
DeleteOh my goodness, that's TWICE now that you've made me all weepyhappy at once! Thank you for including me and in such great company too. I'm honored!
ReplyDeleteI've followed most of these, but I'm definitely going to check out the couple that I'm not familiar with.
Merci beaucoup, mon amie!
It seems I'm developing a superpower. I promise to use my powers for good and not evil. :)
DeleteYou're very welcome, buddy of mine. You certainly deserve the spotlight!
Thanks for the shout-out! This makes me smile...a lot :) I'm definitely going to check the other blogs you mentioned that I haven't read yet!
ReplyDeleteI gotta. You know where I live. ;-)
DeleteAwwww, thank you so much for including me! I'm so honored! :-D *hugs*
ReplyDelete*hugs* Of course!
DeleteYay-I've been cleaning out my google reader (getting read of blogs that are now defunct) and have been looking for new ones to follow so this comes at the perfect time for me!
ReplyDeleteHooray! Gather up bunches and enjoy. :)
DeleteI love Vicky's blog too. Amazing blogger love. What a terrific idea. Thanks so much for sharing. I have to stop by the ones I'm not familiar with :)
ReplyDeletePS new follower. Thanks so much for stopping by my neck of the blogosphere.
DeleteHigh-five fellow Vicky-follower and new follower! What a combo. :)
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