BBAW: Spotlight

The first day of BBAW, Monday September 14th, we encourage you to write a post thanking and spotlighting your favorite blogs that didn’t make the shortlists.

Claire @ Kiss a Cloud - A fellow member of the 2666 reading circle. As implied by her blog's title, Claire has a rather light, airy style of writing that is a pleasure to read. She can take the most dense, difficult text and make it feel accessible. Here are her posts on Marcel Proust, whom I've always wanted to read, ever since a history professor of mine said that he changed her life.

Emily @ Evening All Afternoon - Another member of the 2666 reading circle, Emily has an intelligent and well-written blog with a nice minimalist design. She frequently leaves excellent, thought-provoking comments and writes about books in such a way I never would have thought of. Here is my favorite post she's done.

Julie T. and Pia P. @ Book Travellers Inc. - It's books AND it's travel! Oh, how I envy these two. In addition to blogging about literature, they also write extensively about all the places they've been all over the world. Now I love cafés, so here and here are posts they've done featuring cafés in France. What I would give to be able to read in places like that!

Larry @ OF Blog of the Fallen - Another aficionado of translated fiction who is also very fond of sci-fi/fantasy/horror, Larry has given my blog a great deal of exposure and encouraged my interest in international literature. Larry is a brilliant guy whose blog has a very scholarly air tempered by his rather laid-back manner. Here is a recent satirical post he did that demonstrates both sides of his writing personality: polished yet conversational and unafraid of controversy. And, for the benefit of my 2666 friends, here is his take on Roberto Bolaño's Nazi Literature in the Americas.

Mo @ Unmainstream Mom Reads - Mo is a blogger of eclectic tastes, reading everything from urban fantasy to horror to post-apocalyptic to YA to chick lit to historical fiction. Her reviews are usually short and straight-to-the-point: if she likes or dislikes a book, she will let you know. It is from Mo that I received my very first award: the Sisterhood Award, which "acknowledges the kindness and spirit of blogging." Now I thought I was the only one who let down by Richard Matheson's I Am Legend, but Mo agrees. I knew I wasn't crazy.

Nancy @ When in Doubt, Read! - The first person to add my blog to their blogroll! Nancy actually has several blogs so her posts here are infrequent, but always very thorough. Like me, she is on the conservative side, but her take on political books is always honest and balanced - just the thing you need with that genre! Here she reviews Ann Coulter, and here Barack Obama.

Special K @ Bookish - A general review blogger, Special K is also very generous. After hearing that I was looking for good YA books for my sister, she mailed me her copy of Ysabeau Wilce's Flora Segunda. And she MURDERED Breaking Dawn.

A big congratulations to Frances @ Nonsuch Book and Richard @ Caravana de recuerdos for their nominations in the "Best Writing" category! I couldn't vote for that one!