Blogging from A to Z!

Back in 2011, on a different blog, I took the A to Z Challenge. I blogged every day in April, except Sundays. Each day was based on a letter, but the theme or subject matter is up to the participant. It helped me get out of my comfort zone, it pushed me to write, and it helped me gain so many followers. Which meant I also found tons of new blogs to follow. Bottom line, it was a great thing.

I think I signed up the next year, or the year after, or the year after that. One of those years. But I didn't complete the challenge. I might have ONLY signed up, and never even gotten started.

It might be crazy, but I'm taking the challenge again this year. Threefold. I am blogging here, on my green blog (Not Easy Going Green), and on my photography blog, Allison and Her Camera.

I am really nervous about this, because I am so out of the blogging loop. Look at this blog... watch the tumbleweeds blow by. Ridiculous. I used to write all the time, scheduling posts in advance, writing every day... but that trickled off and I have no clue why, but honestly? I miss it. I miss writing and sharing and creating an online community.

I've started outlining a few posts to make sure I have enough to say about each letter of the alphabet. I'll be writing about favorite books, authors, illustrators, characters, and more. It's going to be a lot of work, but here I am, Blogging from A to Z to see what I can create. Follow along, and join up if you're interested!

El Deafo Review on Memphis Reads

I contributed a short review of El Deafo to Memphis Reads,

the library's book review blog. Please check it out here!

Best Adult Nonfiction Read in 2016

I’m pretty hit-or-miss when it comes to reading nonfiction. It’s not what I gravitate towards, but if I’m interested in something, I’ll read about it. I especially love memoirs, anything by Bill Bryson (hilarious!), and anything that reads like fiction (Jon Ronson is really growing on me). I only read 15 nonfiction books this year, so it wasn’t too hard to whittle the list down to 5.

Pictures from my Instagram, except for The Glass Castle, which I apparently didn't photograph.

Also, eBooks are dominating this list, which doesn't make for good photos.

In order from most recently published to oldest:

Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham (2016). Disclaimer: I love, Love, LOVE Lauren Graham! I love her on Gilmore Girls and I love her on Parenthood and I’ve loved her little cameos on Newsradio, Seinfeld, Third Rock from the Sun, yada yada yada. So I started this book expecting to love it. Actually, I was waiting on pins and needles to get a chance to read it, because my library only got a digital copy and I was #9 on the holds list. Waiting for a book you’re dying to read is NOT easy! I was laughing out loud within the first few pages. It was a great book, and makes me want to be friends with Lauren Graham even more than I already did. Highly recommended if you like the actress, or memoirs, or laughing.

The Road to Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson (2015). Bill Bryson is always a treat, but he’s gotten better with age. Now he detests stupid people more than he used to, and it comes across in his writing. His informative prose is very well-written, but the glimpses into his thought process are more hilarious than ever. I’ve spoken to a few people who didn’t think this book was as great as his others, but I thought his asides were really funny. I also enjoyed the history of England and descriptions of certain locations, but this might be because I visited England a few years ago, loved every second, and think of it often, so this book was a great chance for me to revisit.

I Work at a Public Library by Gina Sheridan (2014). I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone, but I love Love LOVE this blog and the book. So funny. I read it in a single sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I think librarians and civilians will love this book equally because it’s so easy to imagine each scenario happening.

The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson (2011). I love Jon Ronson because he’s witty and somewhat snarky but writes very well, and his nonfiction really pulls you in. This book was incredibly interesting, and referenced a fair amount of Them, which is the next book I will read by him (about conspiracy theories - yay!). I’ve previously read So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed, which was just as fascinating as it sounds. His subject matter is always incredibly interesting.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (2005). This book has been on my TBR forever, and recommended to me by countless people. I am so glad I finally got to it. The stories are so interesting, and I love Walls’ writing style. Definitely going to read more from her. Highly recommend this one.

New YALSAblog Member Manager!

I'm excited to announce one of my new roles:

CHICAGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has selected Allison Renner, a Teen Services Librarian at the Cordova (Tennessee) Branch Library as its new member manager for the YALSAblog.

“The YALSAblog played a huge part in my life as I earned my Master of Library Science,” said Renner. “I was in an online program, and reading and writing for YALSAblog helped me feel connected to other librarians. As I started my new position as a Teen Services Librarian, I found so much inspiration on the blog, and support from the entire YALSA community. I am eager to bring my hands-on experience as a student and librarian to the position, as well as my interest in promoting diversity and inclusion.”

Renner will serve a one-year term as member manager starting December 1^st.

See the whole press release here.

If I Was Your Girl Review on Memphis Reads

I contributed a short review of If I Was Your Girl to Memphis Reads,

the library's book review blog. Please check it out here!

I've also reviewed this book on Goodreads, and talked about it on a podcast.