As many of you know, it's Book Blogger Appreciation Week, and I've decided to put up a few more features this year to recognize the amazing blogs out there and participate in this crazy thing we call book blogging. While the awards are awesome, honestly, this week is about interaction and involvement, so I think today's prompt is awesome: Community. Today you're encouraged to name a few blogs that inspire you, motivate you, teach you something new, or challenge you to be a better reader and person. So, without further ado, I'd love to tell you just a little bit about some of my favourite people and blogs out there.

Jenny from Supernatural Snark - If you've yet to visit her blog, I highly recommend it because she's not only an incredible reviewer but an amazing person. Jenny features a fabulous eclectic book blog with thoughtful, articulate reviews and a true viewpoint. She's kind, she's outgoing and she's always willing to mentor. I had the great pleasure of getting to spend three days with her at BEA this past May, and I can't wait to meet up with her and "the moms" for next year!

Alison from Alison Can Read - Alison's blog became a go-to blog for me almost a year ago. I found that she expressed her thoughts well in her reviews, and while she was definitely honest in her opinions, she was always, always tactful. Plus, she consistently introduces me to new books and manga, which (I swear) one day I'll try!

Missie from The Unread Reader - Missie is awesome, first and foremost, because her name is Missie, and I go by that a lot, as well. Honestly though, her blog is incredible. I stumbled across it one day, and I was blown away by not only the professionalism of her blog but the care and effort she took to write balanced reviews. Whenever I need an honest take on a book, I know I can turn to Missie.

Nic from Irresistible Reads - This lovely lady sang the praises of contemporary fiction in review after review, and I denied the fact that she was right until I was blue in the face. Then I read one of the books she highly, highly recommended, and I had to admit defeat. While our literary interests don't always intersect, I know I can trust Nic's opinions when it comes to an unfamiliar genre for me, and she's totally one of the nicest Aussies, too!

Other bloggers I just have to mention time and time again are:

Ginger from GReads!

Anna from Anna Reads 

Lea from YA Book Queen

Alissa from The Grammarian's Reviews

Lauren from 365 Days of Reading

Jan from Eating YA Books

Jamie from The Perpetual Page Turner

Hafsah from Icey Books
Tara from Fiction Folio

Once upon a time, I hated contemporary books, guys. You know this. I professed my hatred in many a post, and I firmly declared that I was certain no book could ever change my mind. Enter Raw Blue. That singular book opened my eyes to the beauty of a genre that had always escaped me, and the lovely Kirsty Eagar gave us a book that is honest, heartfelt and beautiful in the most tragic and truthful sense of the word.

The lovely Nic from Irresistible Reads (champion of Aussie authors) and Linds from Bibliophile Brouhaha (her personal quest is to have Raw Blue published in the US) are hosting a one-of-a-kind, week-long event featuring reviews, guest posts, giveaways and more to bring Kirsty Eagar's incredible works to light. Here's what you should know:

Kirsty Eagar Appreciation Week: August 29th - September 4th

Where: Irresistible Reads and Bibliophile Brouhaha

Also Features On: Supernatural Snark, The Unread Reader, Inkcrush and right here at I Swim for Oceans

Look Out For: Guest posts from Kirsty (and info on her new book!), reviews and GIVEAWAYS!

Please help us spread the word, and please feel free to join in the fun! Below are some buttons you're more than welcome to take and use - let's share the love for an awesome author!

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory rule (you can't get out of it!) - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the Friday Fix, send me an email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here is Missie from The Unread Reader!

The Most Random Questions in the World...

1. If someone owns a piece of land, do they own it down to the center of the Earth?

With the amount of property tax I pay, I should hope so. But considering the size of the center of the Earth, I would venture to guess that if I did own any part of it, it would only be about a square inch. Hmmmm... how should I decorate it? *ponders*

2. Can a hearse that's carrying a body drive in the carpool lane?

Duh! Of course. Though they still have to pay the toll.

3. Who coined the phrase "coined the phrase"?

Is "coined the phrase" really a phrase? Methinks not, therefore I deem that no one gets credit for it.

Oops, My bad. I just got off the phone with Barney Stinson, and he informed me that he coined the phrase "coined the phrase", along with, "Really?" "True Story," "I am awesome," "It's gonna be Legend...wait for it...dary!" and any other phrase you think is awesome. He wanted me to be sure to tell you he gets all the credit.

4. Does a lightning rod on top of a church show a lack of faith?

On the contrary, I believe it shows an abundance of faith. I mean, whoever is brave enough to put a freaking lightning rod on top of their church (or mobile home) probably has it on good faith that nothing bad will happen to them during a storm or any other natural disaster.

5. Does anyone ever really vanish with a trace?

Sadly, yes.



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Thank you so much for dropping by, Missie! You should definitely all check out her blog because it's so much fun, and the site looks amazing! Love it! On another note, friends...who saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 last night at midnight?!?!?! I want to compare notes...can't wait for Part 2! (Now we just need another book, eh?)

P.S. This post...and this day...is brought to you by massive amounts of Red Bull.

P.P.S. If you would like to be featured on the Friday Fix, send me an email on my contact page, and I'll get you set up with five awesome(ish?) questions.