I must say, I've been feeling a little inadequate lately. Let me tell you why. As hard as I try to find more reading time, it just doesn't seem to happen. There's always something (or someone) to muck up my plans. It's very frustrating! I do have a lot of personal stuff going on that takes my attention, but we all have that, right? Anyway, I had a real blow to my bookish ego last Monday. I'm a regular participant in Musing Mondays, hosted by Rebecca at Just One More Page. The musing for last week was about mid year statistics and how your 2009 reading is going. Well, I tallied up the books I've read and I felt pretty good about it. My number was 20. OK, that's not a staggering number, but hey, I'll live with it.
THEN, I started reading other responses to the musing. OH MY GAWD! I am in complete awe of my fellow book lover buddies! You guys ROCK! The numbers I saw were beyond impressive. I'm talking - 114 books read so far this year!?! . . . and several were in the 50-ish range and beyond. Wow! While I was so impressed with y'alls numbers, I quickly wished I'd skipped that week's musing. But it was too late to go back and hit the 'Delete' button!!
So, I've been a reading fool this week. However, I only read one book at a time and the book I'm reading this week is a bit of a chunkster, (470 pages - anything over 400 is a chunkster to me!) so I still haven't finished it! And that hasn't helped my feelings of inadequacy at all. But I decided to put it out of my mind and try not to think about it. Easier said than done.
THEN, something happened to make me say, 'Hey, I don't care about that anymore'. I was the recipient of two blog awards, both signifying friendships made through my blog. I was so touched. The first was from Laura at Laura's Book & Movie Reviews. It was the Proximidade Award. The second was from Missy from Missy's Book Nook and it is The Bookworm's Award for BookFriends. Both of these awards represent friendships made through blogging and that is very special to me. And here's why. . .
In the last couple years, my eye disease has progressed and has taken some of the freedom to come and go as I please with it. My world had gotten kind of small - then I found the blogosphere! That changed my life! I have met some of the most awesome and kind people all over the world and I am so proud to call them 'friends'. That's why these awards mean so much to me. If you haven't visited Laura or Missy's blogs, please stop by and say hello to them.
I will be passing both of these awards on to other bloggers in the coming days. But right now I have to go get ready to attend a surprise birthday party for my cousin. Probably won't get much reading done today, but . . . at least I have my friends!
That's why the book blogosphere rocks: new friends all over the place! :) I'm glad you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your awards Lisa! And don't despair...I'm right along with you at about 20 books myself...but if that's all I can manage I'm not going to fret about it.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of bloggers that read so many more books than me, because I feel that I am reading at a pretty good pace :) Your blog is wonderful, so keep doing what you're doing!
ReplyDeleteBlogging and reading aren't competitions, so whatever you read is great! Do what works for you. Congratulations on your awards.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your awards, Lisa! I have become resolved to the fact that I will never measure up to those incredible numbers. What's important is to enjoy the books I do read, and read the at a pace I feel comfortable with. Your blog is great - keep up the good work! Have fun at the party.
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteYou moved me with your words in regards to your eye disease and how your world has gotten smaller but now thanks to blogging it has no bounds!! I feel blessed to have met you and become your friend. I really enjoy touching base with you either on our blogs, email, or facebook!! Remember to read for your enjoyment no matter what!!!
Eva, Jo-Jo, Stacy, Kathy, JoAnn and Staci:
ReplyDeleteYou guys touched my heart with your warm words. Thank you all so much. I'm so blessed to have found such a wonderful group of people who share my love of reading. You guys are amazing and I feel lucky to be a part of this blogging community! XOXOXOXOX
Friends certainly are a good thing! I, too, am very glad that you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteWell done on your award. There is nothing like getting one to make you feel valued and to give a good ego boost!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful the great friendships you can form through the blogging world. I am grateful I took the plunge earlier this year as I got to meet so many wonderful people.
Awww Lisa, you're a sweetheart. Don't worry about reading a ton of books. YOu know it's not really about how many you read. When you write a review of what you've read it's well thought out and just great. I love coming to your blog to see what you're up to and I for one am very glad to have met you through the bloggy world this past year. Congrats on your awards-you deserve them!
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