I read a lot of great book blogs that have contests and giveaways galore. I enjoy reading these blogs because they always help me to see what's up and coming in the world of YA and middle grade lit. But I've been lamenting the last few months over my lack of readership, and have considered hosting a few contests and giveaways to boost my followers. But then I realized that's not what my blog is about. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely appreciate all of the generous bloggers out there who give away ARCs and signed copies of just-released books. But see, the thing is, that will never be me. Not because I like to selfishly hoard books; no, I like to UNSELFISHLY hoard books -- in my classroom. Any book that is in my possession that can be read by kids from 9-14, I'm going to hang on to it for my students. As much as I enjoy sharing my love of reading with book bloggers, I'm not gonna lie, I love sharing with kids more. It's way more satisfying to put that book in the hands of a kid who never liked to read and now does, than to ship it off to some random person in Nebraska who doesn't know me from a hole in the ground.
So even though you won't have the opportunity to win mounds of free stuff, I'm asking you to stay for the conversation and ability to talk about great books (and sometimes not so great). I don't want to buy your readership; I'd like to earn it.
(I'd like to note that I am not in any way shape or form, criticizing bloggers who have contests and giveaways; this was more of a way for new readers to understand where I'm coming from and what I'm about than a criticism of the way other bloggers blog.)
I rarely even buy books, so I don't have much to giveaway! I appreciate those who do giveaways, because there are several that I try for, but I also enjoy blogs who don't and will still read them.
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