As you read this I’m floating somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on a really big ship.  It may or may not have wi-fi.  Which seemed like the perfect excuse to post links to the blogs of some of the bloggers I met at BEA and the BBC (Book Blogger Convention).

The Generalists

• The Zen Leaf, run by Amanda,  specializes in classic & contemporary literature, YA (Young Adult), and GLBT  (Gay Lesbian Bisexual & Transgendered) issues in literature.  Her reviews of the classics are great… and if you’re at a loss for something to read she has a HUGE review archive.
• Everyday I Write the Book is a literary fiction review blog with a little bit more.  “More” in this case being guest posts, author interviews, book clubs, some poetry, twitter (am I the only one afraid of twitter?)… so maybe it’s a lot more.   I met Gayle at BBC, and want to say here that she’s the nicest person!  Plus she gave me a copy of The Bucolic Plague to read (which is coming out this month, along with a new t.v. series on Planet Green.  Stay tuned to this space for my review in a few days).
• Caribousmom – Wendy & Kip win the award for “Friendliest Couple at BEA & BBC 2010”.  Having read Wendy’s blog for the past two years I was so excited to meet her at the BBC reception.  The book portion of Caribousmom features tons of reviews, book giveaways. And she is hosting a year-long reading marathon/challenge where you can sponsor participants and all money goes to finding a cure for childhood cancer.
• Sophisticated Dorkiness is another blog I’ve been following for a long time.  She recently started a new series – Narrative Nonfiction 5 – which gives quick reviews/recommendations for 5 nonfiction books that “use techniques of fiction — plot, characters, dialogue, symbolism — to tell a good, true, story. Genres that might fall into this category include creative nonfiction, literary journalism, memoirs, personal essays, and more” (her words).
• I met Levi Asher at the Harper Collins reception for book bloggers – and had hoped to see him again at the Book Bloggers Convention that Friday.  He’s been blogging since 1994, and I would have loved to hear his thoughts on the panels.  But, sadly, he was not in attendance.  Which means I now need to lurk at his blog, Literary Kicks, in order to have my blogging history questions answered.  (Such as:  who invented the meme, and to your knowledge were they suitably punished?)  Oh the humanity.

Sci-Fi/Fantasy

• All I can say is thank goodness Nick @ Lions and Men came to BEA with his girlfriend Heather (see The Maiden’s Court below)…   because  the sci-fi/fantasy authors were few and far between.  Which was a shame, because he writes great reviews.   I am now recommending his blog to all my genre-specific friends.  Just don’t expect fanboy ramblings at Lions and Men.  Nick’s reviews are critical and (in my opinion) dead on.  So if this falls into a category of writing you’re interested in definitely stop by.  The link leads to his post “They Want to Eat Your Brains Out: A Brief Study of the Zombie in Popular Media“.  Seriously, what’s not to like?

Historical Fiction

• Once upon a time the words “historical romance” were applied to authors like  the Bronte sisters and Dumas.  A romance meant adventure, intrigue, dark secrets and revenge.  Nowadays, it brings to mind images of women with overflowing bodices draped over the arms of men with flowing hair.  Fortunately “bodice rippers”aren’t included in the books Heather reviews over at The Maiden’s Court.  Neither does she specifically review romances.  (I was happy to see that mixed in with the ubiquitous Tudors were titles such as Water for Elephants and The Revolutionary Paul Revere). Her focus is on history, whether it’s told through fiction or non-fiction.  She even throws in some film reviews – when they’re relevant.  And you’ll find more of the same at her friend Allie’s blog Hist-Fic Chick.  Visiting these two sites reminded me of how much I enjoy historical fiction – and made me wonder why I haven’t read much of it lately.  Fortunately, they have a bunch of recommendations.  One nice feature at Hist-Fic Chick – you can search reviews/titles by period and place – just in case you have a specific era or destination you’re in the mood for!

Out-of-Print Books

• Redeeming Qualities was one of the most interesting blogs I was introduced to at BBC.  Melody reviews out-of-print books, many of which are available for free through Project Gutenberg.  Her reviews are really interesting and she’s very funny.  If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path, you’ll find it here.  (The blog link leads straight to her review of The Melting of Molly by Maria Thompson Daviess, a book  I have to read because it seems so sweet and silly at the same time).

That should keep everyone busy for the rest of the week.  Bon voyage!