It was just under a year ago that I first became aware of Book Blogger Appreciation Week. It sounded intriguing but, because I was unfamiliar with it, I basically just observed. As I did, there were aspects of it I didn’t have the time or inclination to do — and some actually seemed a bit hokey. More important, as things progressed it struck me that the award aspect of it seemed almost a product of a a mutual admiration society among a certain number of blogs. I was not the only one with that impression.
I don’t know if the activities associated will be more attractive to me but, whether in response to such concerns or others, the process for the awards has changed. Now, book blogs must register in particular niche or general categories to participate in the awards process. Other bloggers registered in the same category will then select the longlist. Although this process doesn’t necessarily eliminate cliques from dominating the categories, it has the potential of broadening the number of bloggers providing input while at the same time having it come from those arguably most familiar with the category.
Although others with legitimate criticisms are going to sit out again this year and I’ve spent the first part of this post razzing BBAW, I decided to register in a couple categories to get better insight into the process and the concept. And since I have to register to vote for awards, I figured in for a dime, in for a dollar (or whatever the modern currency equivalent would be). Although I struggle with the idea of self-nomination, I’m taking the organizers’ view that it is simply a matter of identifying a blog as within a particular category. Besides, given I am but a mote in the universe of book blogs, I figure signing up for the following categories is essentially a frolic.
So, tossing my cyberspace hat into the cyberspace ring, I’m registering for:
- Best Eclectic Book Blog:
- Book Review: Wolf Among Wolves
- Book Review: But Beautiful: A Book About Jazz
- Book Review: Armenian Golgotha
- Welcome to the book review slums
- At least I’m an ethical pirate
- Best Written Book Blog:
- Book Review: But Beautiful: A Book About Jazz
- Book Review: The Appointment
- Book Review: Dark Heart of the Night
- I’m addicted and someone’s going to pay
- Welcome to the book review slums
For some reason, doing this on July 4 seems appropriate — you know, something about a snowball’s chance.
Criticism is a misconception: we must read not to understand others but to understand ourselves.
Emile M. Cioran, Anathemas and Admirations
