B is for Books, My Favorite Thing

Lately I've been reading on the Kindle. Sometimes I'll get into the story and think about it when I'm not reading. That's like a real book. Sometimes the Kindle book bores me and I never finish, again like a real book. I tend to get bored much easier with e-books than I do with print books.

I miss browsing the bookstore. Browsing the Kindle store doesn't feel the same. Borders, my favorite sort-of local bookstore, was a favorite destination. There's just something about holding a print book in my hand, I love it! I love the smell, the feel, the anticipation!

I miss the loss of bookstores in my area. But I'm glad there are still options for buying print books online. Besides my personal favorite (Celerytree.com of course!) there are many other places to find great deals on print books. Amazon is awesome of course, because you can find practically any book that's ever been published, often at a cut rate price. Shopping Amazon for used print books is a trip!

I'm not of the school who believes that print books are dead or dying. And given the choice, I'll choose the print book over the ebook reading experience any day.

This B is for Books, preferably in print!

By KarenG Coming Down the Mountain: A Writer's Blog

A is for...All-Aboard

A is for….All Aboard

The day has finally arrived and everyone’s ticket has been punched, but it's not too late to jump on.  You can sign up here until Monday night.  Together we have already swelled to 1526 strong and once this train gets moving there will be no slowing it down.  How awesome is that?!  But there is still room for you!

Our fearless leader Arlee, along with his co-hosts, have slaved for months making sure every T is crossed and I dotted, ensuring each participant is as prepared as they can be for the next 26 days. I don’t know about you, but I’m psyched!  Since I’m not doing a theme and for the most part I’m winging this (some post are already scheduled), I totally expect to be a frazzled mess on May 1^st.

But I’ll be a mess with a satisfied smile on my face.  :)

Who's taking this trip with us?  All-aboard! 

DL

Last Round-up: Are You Ready to Meet the #atozchallenge?

Badge artwork by Ada Zdanowicz

Can you believe it?  The A to Z Challenge of 2012 starts tomorrow!

        Are you set to go?   Do you have your Official A to Z Badge (pictured above) in a prominent place on your blog page to identify you as a participant?    Do you have some of the other A to Z Bling (see "Banners and Badges" tab at top of this page under the header) decorating your page to make it more exciting?

         Do you have any of your posts done yet?  If not that's okay.  It will make for a bigger challenge and don't worry, there are plenty others who will be flying through this thing by the seat of their pants.  The main thing is to have a good time with it.  Show off some creative skills and network with over a thousand other bloggers.  By the end of April you should have added a lot of new followers, made a few new friends, and added some pretty impressive bragging rights to your blogging resume.

         In fact, today why not visit a few of these bloggers we've listed below.  These are some of the fine folks who we found in the past week saying something about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge on their blogs:

We always manage to get some education in the April Challenge.  Charles the Reader will be giving us a lesson in the French language on his blog The Written Word.

Fantasy writer Angeline Trevena will be blogging about "world building" for her April topic.

Another blogger who has announced her theme is Eliza Wynn at Ellie's Couch.  Here's a clue:  It has to do with music.

Why should you want to blog from A to Z in April?  Amy tells why at her blog Amy's Beads.   Sounds like she's going to put some effort into this.

If you're a new blogger the A to Z Challenge is a great way to dive right in to the world of blogging.  That's exactly what's happening at Raising the Curtain.   She can use some support so why don't you hop on over and greet her.

He's back!  Matt Conlon will be joining us again this year with more brew reviews.  Visit Matt at BrewNewb.

At The Write Game C. Lee McKenzie featured Rachel Morgan's winning video entry and offered the sign up list.  That's a lot of list for one blog post!

We've got some decent blog representation from guinea pigs in the Challenge.  Check out George's Guinea Pig World to see what I mean.

Donna M. McDine says to Write What Inspires You.  She's going to be inspired by the alphabet in April as she also joins us in the Challenge.

Speak Coffee To Me is another blog in the Challenge.  Eileen's going to be speaking the alphabet to us in the form of her favorite fantasy and science fiction books.

Shanjeniah offers her topics for the month of April in a nicely organized calendar.

Mimi at Watercolors By Mimi Torchia Boothby included Rachel Morgan's recent winning A to Z video in a recent post.  Mimi calls herself "eccentric".   I'll let you'll readers decide for yourself.

Beth at Beth's Blog and Project 52 Returns! has some big things coming up for April including the A to Z Challenge.  And she's got a theme planned.    We wish her well.

Some bloggers have found the A to Z Challenge to be a time of self-discovery.  This has been the case with Gracie at The Story of a Girl... and in the process she has also decided on her theme for April.

Jaye Robin Brown has announced an interesting sounding A to Z theme.  Check it out at Hanging On To Wonder.

There's a detailed post at Journaling Woman with another part on Wednesday about her plans for the April Challenge and it sounds pretty good.

For the music fans, Mina Lobo at Some Dark Romantic has a theme in store that sounds pretty interesting.

Stuart Nager at Tale Spinning will be returning for a second year with more of his imaginative excursions in creative writing.

Taking a humorous look at bloggers, Michael Offut interviews a "tortured artist" about the A to Z Challenge.

If you're a fan of the 80s then Theresa's Tales of Tribulations and Typing Teen Texts will be the place for you as Theresa Milstein revisits the music of that decade.

Dwelling on deeper topics is Angela Felsted who is proposing some topics that might generate some controversy.  A bit of thinking is something we all need to try now and then.

Fans of Paranormal Romance will have a treat from Christine Rains--Writer as she presents an exclusive new work that will only be available during the A to Z Challenge.

There will be 26 days of fantasy flash fiction offered on the blog of Cherie Reich.   She also added another reminder on her Thursday post.

Jemima Pett tells about how preparing for the A to Z posts has helped her clarify and further develop certain aspects of her current book.  She also announces a special gift she's offering during April.

After much internal debate, Geoff at Geoff's Blogs has decided to try the Challenge once again and hope that he doesn't encounter computer problems like he did last year.   This time around this theme will be about the continent where he lives--Africa.

It sounds like SafireBlade will have some exotic offerings for April as she explores other worlds populated by unique beings.   She'll be looking for our feedback about what she'll be writing.

Sommer Leigh got an A to Z Challenge topic thread going in Nathan Bransford's forum section. There are some interesting exchanges here and I want to thank Sommer for think about this.

Sounds like fun coming our way from Jessica Salyer at Just Following a Dream.  She's going to meet the Challenge with a challenge, but she's going to need your help.

Denise at L'Aussie Writer has a fascinating concept planned for April.  She's put some work into this.  Stop by her blog and read about it.

K.T. Hanna needed a bit of coercion but she did the right thing--or is it the write thing?   Check out K.T.s announcement at The Scribble Muse.

There are some giveaways that will be happening on some of your blogs during April.  One will be from Jessica Bell at The Alliterative Allomorph.  Jessica will be writing about her musical influences during the A to Z Challenge and will be drawing from her comments every two days for some very cool prizes.  Watch her blog for details.  For some clues visit Jessica's Website.

Joining the A to Z  for the 3rd year is Bish Denham who now thinks of  the April Challenge as another sign of Spring.   For more lovely signs of Spring visit her blog at Random Thoughts.

Author Alden explains his theme as he gears up for the A to Z Challenge.

A newer blog is Suddenly Seeking.  Maybe some of you can go over and give Kate a follow and bit of encouragement to get her revved up for April.

K.D. Storm tells an amazing story on her blog A Coffee Drive and Adventure Bound Life.  Talk about making April a Challenge!

Jeremy at Geeky Tendencies ran through the last minute check list that appeared on this blog on Thursday.  Is Jeremy's blog ready for the April Challenge?  Check!  Are you ready?

Pamela at The Death Writer has a pretty ominous blogging topic but she's cheery about it and she's ready to go.   I mean go as in start the Challenge not...oh, never mind.

John Holton is going NATO on his blog in April.  If you're curious check out his post at The Sound of One Hand Typing.

Unfortunately, during the frenzy of preparations we've missed some of your past posts even when  you told us about them.  Thank you Beth at By Word of Beth for the lovely words you wrote for us back in February.

There's nothing creepy about Katie Mills succumbing to the April Challenge.  You can read her story at Creepy Query Girl.

During April it will be more movies, more fun at Spirit Called.

One of the entrants of the A to Z Video Contest, Marta Szemik, provides her personal assessment of what the Challenge will amount to--she's got it right.

The Writing Nut gives a retrospective of her posts from last year and looks forward to the pre-May mayhem and the madness of March.  It's all gonna be fun.

Yadin Bromberg gave us still another special post about the A to Z Challenge with a review of April efficiency.  Listen to this young blogger--he sounds like an old hand already and he's just getting started.

Five great reasons to do the A to Z Challenge are presented by Katietesta at A Common Sea.

Erin at  Utah Children's Writers gives a persuasive pitch for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.

Janis at Freelance Transcriptionist Road (how's that for a blog title) explains some of the special things she has in store for April.

Some others who have announced their intent to join in on the April fun are Ruby Bows, Seaside Simplicity, Jay Noel, The Adventures of Nagzilla, Choice City Native, Sabrina Garie,

          Whew!  What a week!  If you can, try to visit today's featured bloggers and get a head start on the Challenge.

         Starting tomorrow make sure you visit at least a few new blogs and leave comments wherever you go.  Let the blogs you visit at least know you stopped by.  When you find ones that you like, follow those blogs and let them know you've done so.  And you can follow them all if you're so inclined.  Make the best of this big blogging networking party.