Inspiring blogs and bloggers, or the VIB Award

Even after three years, I sometimes feel like I'm still figuring this whole blogging thing out, and I wonder from time to time if I'm doing it right.  From the beginning, I have been inspired by and learned from many wonderful blogs and bloggers.  So it was a pleasant shock to learn I'd been nominated as a "Very Inspiring Blogger" myself.




My nomination comes from Barb of Leaves and Pages, who most recently inspired me to start collecting the books of Sara Jeannette Duncan.  Thank you very much!

Here are the rules for this award:

• Thank and link to the person who nominated you.
• List the rules and display the award.
• Share seven facts about yourself.
• Nominate 15 other amazing blogs and comment on their posts to let them know they have been nominated
• Optional: display the award logo on your blog and follow the blogger who nominated you

Seven facts about myself:  Actually, I hate talking about myself or being the center of attention - but here goes.

• I was born in Oregon, and I've since lived in Michigan (twice), Georgia, Washington State, England (very briefly), Massachusetts, and now Texas.
• I am left-handed, which runs in my family.
• I am an archivist, which I think is one of the coolest professions on the planet.
• I am addicted to tea, particularly Tippy Yunan and Ti Kuan Yin.
• I named my blog after the number of TBR books on my stacks that day. If I started it today, it would be TBR 293.
• I am a complete U.S. Civil War geek, and Abraham Lincoln is my hero of heroes (not exactly a surprise to anyone who visits this blog).
• No one in my family reads my blog. Not that that bothers me or anything.

Barb in her own award posting beat me to several of my inspirations, including not just herself, but Jane of Fleur in her World, Claire of The Captive Reader, vicki of bibliolathas, and Jenny of Reading the End.  There are many more though who inspire me, both in terms of what I want this blog to be, and also with that so-familiar feeling of "I need to read that book!"  [Usually followed by a spendy visit to ABE Books or Barnes & Noble.]

I am sure that these wonderful people have been nominated before (probably multiple times at that):

Jenny and Teresa of Shelf Love, one of the first blogs that I came across and started reading regularly.  They truly inspired the beginning of this blog, and they continue to inspire me with the diversity and excellence of their reading.

Karen of Books and Chocolate, whose TBR stacks include big Wodehouse and Trollope sections, just like mine.

Audrey of books as food, who has inspired me to add Edith Wharton to my TBR stacks, among many other books.

Anbolyn of Gundrun's Tights,who re-introduced me to Mary Stewart, among other authors.  I have my stack ready for this fall's Mary Stewart Reading Week.

James of James Reads Books (and previously Ready When You Are, C.B.), who inspires and challenges me to read mindfully, especially through the TBR dares he hosts - meanwhile adding books to those TBR stacks.

JoAnn of Lakeside Musing, who has introduced me books as diverse as The Makioka Sisters and 97 Orchard.

Thomas at My Porch, who re-introduced me to Barbara Pym, and whose eclectic reading inspires me.  I've also borrowed his idea of short reviews (aka the Bits and Bobs).

Katrina of Pining for the West, whose posts on vintage crime have added to my TBR stacks (most recently, Patricia Wentworth's Miss Silver books).

Jane of Reading, Writing, Working, Playing, who shares my fascination with the Civil War, and my love of Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott's books.

Helen of She Reads Novels, who reads an awesome array of historical fiction and classic novels, and who introduced me to The Count of Monte Cristo, for which I can't think her enough.

Simon of Stuck in a Book, who is an inspiration to all of us. His "My Life in Books" series has spotlighted many great blogs - I was honored to be included. And he's made me a "Great British Bake Off" addict!

Cat of Tell Me a Story, who is back posting regularly (yay!)

Alex of Thinking in Fragments, whose posts on reading itself are as interesting and thought-provoking as her varied reviews.

Pam of Travellin' Penguin, who loves sharing books, both on her blog and as The Book Phantom.

Audra of Unabridged Chick, a newer blogger to me, who also reviews a wide range of historical fiction, with many author interviews and posts.


Thank you all for inspiring me, for your blogs, and especially for commenting on my posts.  The conversations that we have about books here and on your sites is why I do this.  And my thanks again to Barb for nominating me for this award.