Book Blogger Appreciation Week.

Today has been such a quiet day. It started a little too early for my liking - Big C had an appointment and I wanted to go with him so I could have a little play with my camera, so we left the house a little bleary eyed in the bright morning light. Mornings at this time of year are perfect, and I wanted to enjoy today and appreciate September; as I've admitted, I'm a little too focused on October, and one shouldn't wish one's life away. September is a beautiful month (perhaps the best month) because this is when it all begins to change: the light softens, the weather is a little more erratic, mists at dawn and dusk, and the leaves begin to dry and crumple, and the golds, oranges, and the reds begin. The moors were spectacular today, dark and rich with rain, like velveteen - rich, bronze and tawny under the sun, and deepest, darkest brown under the clouds. I took ninety pictures today, but that was far too much for my internet connection to handle, so some are here, the others on Flickr.

I've been pretty reflective today, and I wanted, for at least a part of the day, to slow the pace a little with reading. I'm not bored or frustrated, nothing negative in the slightest, I just wanted to be out, explore a little, not miss out on September. Little breaks are a good thing, because I know tonight when I go to bed and finish reading The Scarlet Letter I'll appreciate it all the more.

I was also thinking about blogging: I had a few of my favourite bloggers say some very lovely things about me and my blog for Book Blogger Appreciation Week. You know how much I love blogging, how much I love telling you these various things, because I've said so over and over again in too many posts to link to! When people comment, link, and on top of that write that they appreciate my blog, it really is very exciting and I'm so happy, so thank you! I am truly in awe as well - when I've read something, I've read it again and thought, "That me?!"

And I wasn't planning on writing about the bloggers who I appreciate because I was worried I would leave someone out, and that it isn't possible to write something for everyone, and that would make me feel bad. But last night, I was reading Joon Ann's review of Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and we were talking in the comments about the moors up here (I never get bored of talking about the moors!), which led me to thinking about chatting with Rowena Monde (someone I've only just started following) a few days ago about Women in Love (and budgies!), and it seemed very wrong not to take the risk and stay quiet because I enjoy interacting with everyone! So, I will single out a few of the bloggers, because there are blogs and bloggers out there who are, in my mind, very important and even though I do worry that I'll leave someone out, I would still love to pay tribute.

Firstly, Jillian. Jillian has to be first because she is the one who inspired me. She writes beautifully, and honestly, and I see her personality shine through and I know she is true to herself. She's very thoughtful, very clear, and very approachable, too. As I got to know her through her blog and a couple of emails, I see how friendly she. It's so easy to reach out to her, and she's so kind and would never mock anyone. This is, of course, important, but it was particularly important to me when I started out and was always worried about sounding stupid.

Next, Allie. Allie writes not only about books, but what is happening in her life, how she feels, she goals, and ambitions. She writes confidently and masters all she takes on. She is a passionate reader and she nurtures it: if she needs to step back, she will, letting nothing ruin her reading experience. I wish I was more like that, because sometimes I battle a little too hard when I don't need to. I wish I had have read her blog when she started, but I have been known to visit it and look at the older posts. Her progress is so clear, and so wonderful.

Cassandra. Cassandra is an absolute force, and she boils! She wants to read everything, and if it is possible to read all the classics, by God she'll do it. Her enthusiasm is beautiful, infectious, and I love seeing her posts pop up in my Reader. I love, too, how she gets grumpy sometimes when she can't read the entire Western Canon. I feel like that sometimes, as well!

Amanda is straight up, no nonsense, fearless, and so funny. I think we're always told the classics are good, and if we don't see that, if we don't enjoy them, then we have failed. Not Amanda. Whether she knows it or not she encourages her readers to interact with a book, hate it if it is hateful, and know it, but she doesn't dismiss a book - she goes through everything she GIF by GIF! A very valuable classics blogger.

Alastair Chadwin. He doesn't always blog about books, and, a disclaimer: Sandy is my real life best friend. But, he is also a blogger, and I appreciate him, not just for his friendship, but also for the three, four, five hour long phone conversations (seriously) about as many books as we can fit in. I call them grasshopper conversations. I told him last time I spoke to him he wasn't funny at all, just that funny things kept happening to him and he simply relayed them (his adventures truly are curious!), but actually, he is funny. Very dry. I've learnt a lot from him, especially in all matters literary.

Katherine. Katherine has such a beautiful blog, and such tenderness for the classics. With her 2012 Classics Challenge, she encourages others to explore various themes in the classics they're reading. She's imaginative, bright, and gentle, but all the while she urges people to think from another angle. A stunning read, with beautiful pictures as well.

Charlotte: another beautiful writer, and one with great affection and enthusiasm for the classics, and she's introduced me to titles I'd never heard of before. A pleasure to read, whatever she's blogging about, and I often jot down the titles to explore them at a later date.

These are a few of the bloggers I would like to single out, but please don't feel that I don't appreciate those who I haven't mentioned. I appreciate anyone who contributes positively to the classic book blogging world, and whoever takes time to share their experiences and encourage others. I appreciate all those who comment - mel u, missy, fleurfisher, martina, Lindsey Sparks, Lori, Terri B, Bex, Diana, Caro, amanda, Camilla P, Jean, and all the other wonderful writers, Lit Hitchhiker,  Chinoiseries, Fanda, Adam, Patty, and so many more because, above all else, you are the ones I write to, the ones who regularly interact with me on my blog and on Twitter, the ones I check in on when I can, you, naturally, are the ones I have in mind when I'm writing. I love the blogging community so much for it's interaction, and I follow hundreds of bloggers, and if I wasn't interacting with any body, I doubt I'd be doing this. So thank you, everyone, for blogging!