My husband thinks I need to parlay my blog into a money earning endeavor. I spend a lot of time blogging, shouldn’t it pay off? So I began examining just why I enjoy reading and blogging about books.
1. I am a Crazy Book Lady. I wasn’t always. I used to be a crazy book girl and then a crazy book teenager. I have only attained lady status in the last 20 or so years. I have always loved to read. I majored in English in college so I could read books. My only regret, is that I didn’t major in Library Science (that’s what it was called in the olden days) so I could have spent my working years in the hallowed halls of libraries. I took a hiatus from Crazy Book Lady while my children were young. I only had time for Bible study reading. But all that changed in September 2001. Along with our nation’s fight against terrorism, I began a personal war with Multiple Sclerosis. (And with God’s strength and the precious prayers of my husband, family and friends, I am winning!) My first symptom was a partial and thankfully temporary blindness. I was brought face to face with the possibility that my book reading days might be at an end. Several rounds of IV steroids later, I could see again! I again took up Crazy Book Lady status and have not looked back.
2. You are what you read. I was never a very discriminating reader, at least not by subject. I did not read cheap romances at all! (If I read any, they were expensive). But God had other ideas. After a series of hot and steamy, Scottish time-jumping books, God sat me down and had a talk with me. I soon realized that it did matter what I did in the privacy of my own mind. I try to base my reading choices on God’s directives, and Philippians 4:8 has been a very clear guide when I pick books to read. I even threw away a best-selling novel that I found especially distasteful, even though it regularly makes all the reading group lists (even Christian groups). So I mostly spend my time with classics and contemporary Christian literature. With so little time, you need to be choosy about the many books you pick up.
3. Go tell. Who me? Okay, I am not Billy Graham, but even I know Jesus’ words weren’t meant just for 12 poor, 1st century, Jewish men. I believe that God gifts us with personality, talents, passions and spiritual gifts. So, what better way for a crazy, book-loving woman to tell of His love by telling others about books! Well, at least I think it is a great way! I read everywhere, doctor’s offices, drive-in teller lines, restaurants . . . . And everyone asks what I am reading. It really is a non-threatening way to introduce God to others. And for those who are already believers, I try to suggest (press on them) good books to read to encourage, strengthen and enlighten their faith walk. This blog is an outgrowth of my church’s library. When I became the official Crazy Church Book Lady, I thought a blog was a cool way to get the word out about the great books in the library. Then I found out I could get FREE books for the library if I did online reviews. Wow, get free books to read! My husband and our budget are soooo happy. Then I found out there were actually real people out there that I didn’t actually know reading the blog. This was even better and a little scary. What if I said the wrong thing? Oh yeah, maybe God is in on this too!
So that’s my story. I love God, I love to read, and I love to be a nuisance about getting others to read. It doesn’t pay much, but I hear the rewards are heavenly.
Update:
I am no longer the librarian for a church, but I am still doing my crazy book thing! I loved the time I spent working in this ministry, but God directed me somewhere else. I am now happily nagging others to read in several book discussion groups and of course across the blogosphere. I also have had so many cool book-related experiences (yes they are cool!) like meeting and interviewing authors and judging book competitions. I am looking forward to what else God has in store for me!
Interview with Suspense Sisters: From A Reviewer’s POV
Contact Info:
beckiebythebook@gmail.com
I would love for you to review my sweet, clean romance. I can’t find a way to contact you, so I’m doing this. Email me for a synopsis. geschumann at live dot com
I look forward to hearing from you.
Gloria Schumann
HI I just joined your blog and wanted to enter the book of dreams giveaway but there is no spot to place a post. Also I can’t find an email for you so sorry for posting this here but is you can let me know how to either contact you or where I can enter that would be great! Thanks!
Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com
Go to the giveaway post. Comments are at the very bottom.
Hi,
I am going to join your blog and it will be the first blog I’ve joined although I peek in on dozens of book, quilting, and decor blogs. I started a blog Thoughts from Mill Street last July after I retired as a school librarian and English teacher. (I also majored in English and I DID study library science! I haven’t joined a blog group or hop and am hoping that you will take the time to explain some of that to me.
Welcome! I will stop by your blog in the coming days. Have fun blogging. You may want to join a group such as Book Blogs –http://bookblogs.ning.com/. That should answer some questions for you and get you networked with other bloggers. Click around the blogs I have on my sidebar. You’ll get to know some other wonderful bloggers from that as well.
I found you through the Freedom to Read Event and was excited to see something not romance, or Twilight type books. We are on the same page and I am a Christian also. Keep up the great work.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Beckie,
I absolutely love your site! It has the best information about books.
This blog really rocks!
I would like to submit a guest post for your site and I think that these topics will go really well with the rest of your blog:
1. 4 Tips For Nurturing Your Child’s Interest in Reading
2. How To Write Your Own Book Review
What do you think about these?
For your information, all of our articles are custom written by our writers for your blog, and are absolutely free.
If you are interested, I am happy to get something written up and sent over to you – or if you have another topic you’d like to see covered, please do let me know.
Thanks and I look forward working with you.
Dana
Guest Post U
The University of Great Content
http://www.guestpostu.com
Hello Becky,
As an author, I want to thank you for taking the time to read and review new books on the market. I am certain you are inundated, but would appreciate if you could add my novel to your list. If you are interested, please let me know what format you would like sent.
Best to you,
Cheryl Colwell
Book: The Secrets of the Montebellis
Genre: Contemporary fiction, suspense
Publisher: Inspired Fiction Books
Available on Amazon
Website: http://www.cherylcolwell.com
I cannot find any contact info, one of our authors has new book and we are looking for reviews.
The Santa Claus League by Stephen Miller
Here is a new book for the upcoming holiday season.
Bestselling author of the Captain Justo series, Stephen Miller has done it again with his new book The Santa Claus League. The Santa Claus League was inspired by the legend of his grandfather, Loran Wells Duke. Although he never met his grandfather, Stephen’s life has been shaped by his example, especially at Christmas time. His grandfather loved playing Santa Claus. This book is dedicated to his honor.
If you would like to review the book email us at ve.online.enterprises@gmail.com
Hello, Becky. I recently found your book through Suzanne Woods Fisher as I prepared my interview questions for her blog. I’d love to send you my book, Praying for Your Addicted Loved One: 90 in 90 for consideration. Families all across America feel the vise-like grip of addiction in their homes and feel hopeless and helpless. This 90-day devotional provides hope to their hopelessness and encouragement to their helplessness. My contact is sharroncosby@gmail.com. Thank you for consideration.
I love your blog. As a new blogger I am learning. Did you have a blog designer?
I use the WordPress them Bueno. It has some great options to help customize the blog’s look. It is a free platform. Have fun blogging!
Thank you that is a great help. I have been using blogger but cannot figure out the sidebars. I review for Bethany House and indie authors. I noticed your buttons.
WordPress has great sidebar tools. I don’t know anything about blogger, but I know some people have switched over to wordpress for the simplicity.
I enjoy visiting your blog! Recently I was awarded the “Liebster Award” and charged with passing it along to other bloggers that I appreciate. I have chosen you! You do not have to accept the award, but it could be fun! I’ve included a link below to my page, you can find all the details there. Thank you for being a blessing!
https://joyofreadingweb.wordpress.com/2017/06/21/liebster-award/
Thanks so much! I am truly honored. I will start working on this in a few days. It looks like so much fun. Thanks again!
Your explanation about how you came to read/review only wholesome, uplifting books really inspired me! What you said about it mattering what’s going on in your own mind is very true. I’ve known I need to clean up my reading act for some time, but I’m not as disciplined as you are! My guilty pleasure is murder mysteries/crime fiction/psychological thrillers, which are almost always R-rated. I’m working on reading more uplifting books, so I’m going to add your blog to my list on Bloglovin’ in order to get recommendations for great clean/uplifting reads. I don’t mind Christian books as long as they’re well-written and not too cheesy/preachy. Which books/authors are the best, in your opinion? Where should I start, Crazy Book Lady? I know you’ve got some great advice for me … TIA 🙂
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
For thrillers, consider Steven James. His series starts with The Pawn. There are a lot of books, so you’ve got a good bit of reading ahead of you. After that try Carrie Stuart Parks, Brandilyn Collins, and Jordan Redwood. Happy reading!
I so enjoyed the, “Change a Book Title…” blog! Thanks so much for lightening my day with humor, Becky. Wow, I have always been in awe of you and how you read so quickly and so much. You truly amaze me. This piece on you really touched me with how God is working in your life. I didn’t know any of the health struggles you faced, and I am praying for you and thankful that God didn’t allow you to be blind long! Keep reading, writing, and sharing about Him.
Thanks for commenting, Cynthia! I am doing really well now. I’ve been in remission and off meds for a number of years. Thankful for that! I appreciate your kind words and the prayers. And you know I’ll keep reading!