New Features at Crochet Nirvana

Sharing my love of Books

Long before I learned how to crochet, I learned how to read, and I haven't stopped either since!  To me books have so much to offer.  They entertain, they teach, they keep me company, they make me think, they allow me to escape, and help me find my way. They are how I earn a living and how I spend my free time.  Books surround me (literally and figuratively).  I can't imagine going through the day without spending at least a part of it reading.

Not long after I started Crochet Nirvana I discovered Ginny's Yarn Along.  A place to where I could share my latest book and my latest project with others.  It had always been my intention to incorporate books into my blog.  So in addition to telling you what I was reading I started writing reviews to tell you what I thought about the book when I was done.  I was skeptical at first.  I didn't know if anyone was really interested.  Most of the craft blogs that I read don't wonder onto other subjects. I reminded myself that this is my space and I can do what I want here - even if no one else is doing it.  So I ventured on.

Occasionally in the comments, a few of you would mention that you'd like to try a book I reviewed.  Or you'd tell me about book that you thought I should try.  And then one of my coworkers suggested that we should publish my reviews on the library's web page.  She said that she enjoyed reading them, and thought our patrons would too.  It was a great boost to my confidence. Our web-mistress approached our director and we got the green light. 

I knew that it would be a lot of work.  I needed a name and a logo, and then I needed a format for making the reviews easily accessible.  After a lot of trial and error I ended up with the a new page (Book Reviews) and a new blog (Robin Reads & Writes).  The page is where at a glance you can see the covers of all the books. Click on the cover to go to the review. The new blog is where I'm publishing the reviews.  They both live here at Crochet Nirvana.  So while I'll still be sharing my latest book each week here and at Ginny's, I'll be publishing the reviews on Robin Reads & Writes.  Already I can feel them expanding and evolving.  I'm including things like audio snippets, what other reviewers think, and author interviews.   I have plans for a guest reviewer and I'm toying with the idea of starting a virtual book club.  There are so many possibilities! I can't wait to see how things grow from here.

The other new feature (page) is Booked for Lunch. I created this page as a supplement for the folks who are in the library's monthly book group.  With a link from the library's website, I provide information about what we're reading each month.  I'm also looking into doing a on-line forum as a companion to the regular meeting.  We'll see if the group has any interest in continuing the discussion past the one hour we're given each month. 

I hope that those of you who like hearing about my latest read will pop-over to RR&W.  I'll be sure to include links here and let you know when there's something new.  With my new connection to the library it's the perfect time to launch these new features.  I'm excited to be able to stretch my reviewing wings while staying true to my original vision of sharing my crochet adventures with you.

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love