You’d think a normal person would react to the news that her novel had sold by getting – I don’t know – excited or something. Maybe dancing around the house in Supergirl underwear, or cracking open the bottle of champagne that’s been impatiently waiting to be trotted out for a special occasion.

But no one has ever accused me of being normal.

When I learned my debut novel had sold, I got scared. Really scared.  You see, I’m a former newspaper reporter, and I investigate things obsessively. And very quickly, I learned that books face a steep uphill battle. People don’t read as much these days, I heard over and over again. Tens of thousands of books are published every year, but you only hear about a fraction of them.

I pictured my poor little book – all those words I’d agonized over, bound neatly together with a pretty cover– bravely setting out on a wooden raft into a vast ocean, never to be seen or heard from again. The problem was, I’d loved writing my novel (at least during the times when I wasn’t yanking out my hair or banging my forehead against the keyboard). I wanted to write more books. But what if nobody bought my first one? What if nobody heard about it? My career would end, and so would my childhood dream of becoming a successful author.

Then one day, an email found its way into my in-box. It was from a book blogger. She wanted me to write a guest post about my favorite bookstore. She wanted to tell people about my upcoming book.

“Seriously?” I thought. But … there wasn’t really anything in it for her.  She just loved books so much, she devoted a lot of time and energy and talent to writing about them. In the process, she got people to discover books they might not have otherwise read. She got folks excited about reading.

Then I got a few emails from other book bloggers, all pinging into my inbox like happy confetti. They wanted to know about my upcoming novel. And they all invited me to check out their websites and blogs, and to learn about the books they were discussing. At first I was a little shy, but they were so welcoming: Come join the party, they seemed to cry out, handing me a glass of red wine and exclaiming over my new dress and shoes.

It was like coming out of a snowstorm, into the warmth of a roaring fire.

Since then, I’ve witnessed bloggers prop up countless authors and books, generating buzz and giving writers much-needed encouragement. I’ve read reviews that made me pick up a novel I would’ve otherwise passed by. I’ve laughed aloud at many zippy blogs, and found others lingering in my mind for days as I thought about the issues they raised. Even the less-than-positive reviews I’ve read have been almost universally respectful and thoughtful.

As I’ve learned how much book bloggers are doing for the publishing industry because of nothing but a sheer love of reading and their generous hearts, my respect and gratitude has grown. The grumpy, nasal voices I once heard – people don’t read as much these days – are being drowned out by the enthusiasm and joy of the book blogs that explode onto my computer every time I surf onto the Internet.

I’m not scared anymore. How can I be, when I’ve got so many fabulous book bloggers by my side on this journey?

Thanks for inviting me to the party, everyone.  I’m thrilled to be here.

Sarah has generously offered the following giveaway!  To enter, just leave a comment and tell us about your favorite place to read!

A box of goodies to warm the book lover’s soul—and feet!
Curl up with all the accessories you need for a delicious night of reading: gourmet herbal tea, incredibly cozy socks, and some decadent chocolates. This box of goodies will also include a pretty bookmark and a signed galley of Sarah Pekkanen’s upcoming debut novel, The Opposite of Me, which has already sold in six countries and five languages.

My favorite place to read is lying on my couch. Actually lying on my parents’ couch is better—it’s more comfortable.

My favorite place to read?  On the couch with a fire going.  In bed at night.  In my recliner snuggled with a blanket.  On the beach.  Depending on the time of year and time of day, it definitely varies.

First off - Congrats on your writing accomplishments!!! I

And now for where my favorite place to read is.  Hmmm. That would have to be on my comfy bed. I have about 8 pillows that I push up against the headboard and lean on and then I burrow deep into my blankets and just dive into my reading. I love to be warm and snug when I read. Bliss!

Generally speaking, I like to be warmer than the rest of the family; especially if I’m doing something relaxing like reading a good book.  One year for mother’s day they gave me a chaise lounge that sits on the back porch, and during the air conditioning season the weather is usually just perfect out there; shaded, warm but not too hot and the chair is nice and comfy!

My favorite place to read is anytime and anywhere I have a few minutes of quite.  If the book is a good story half the time I’m lost in the story, which is exactly where I want to be : D

Book bloggers are some of the most welcoming people I’ve met.

My favorite place to read. Well, I was at my brother’s a month or two ago, I woke up about an an hour and a half before anyone else. No kids were around, it wasn’t my house, so no chores. I went out on the warm back patio, had some coffee and a cigarette and read until everyone else was up and ready. It was wonderful.

Oh my gosh!  I really want to win this one.  My favorite place to read is on the front porch with my dog curled up in my lap.  When it’s cold outside, I like to read in front of our fake fire (gas logs).

My favorite place to read is just about wherever I am. Usually, at home on the couch with a cat in my lap, but yesterday I found myself sitting in my van in my driveway with my book out, just after arriving home from the gym, and I probably read three or four chapters before I realized the sun was out and my van was becoming a sauna.

What an awesome post Sarah!  I am so glad you have had such a great experience with bloggers.  I know as a blogger myself it also makes my day when an author stops by to leave a comment on a review I wrote for their book.

My favorite place to read is curled up on the sofa in our living room.

I love reading on my couch, but what I really want is one of those giant chairs that are almost as big as a loveseat. I’m the perfect size to cuddle right into one of those. When I live in a place not the size of a small box, I’m getting one of those!

My favorite place to read is in my comfy chair. It is this chair I have had since I was a kid and I have spent most of my life reading on it. I have managed to find all of the comfy corners and fluffy spots and it is just perfect. Everyone else who has tried to read in that chair has said that it is the most uncomfortable chair in the world. The chair and I have bonded. That chair is even more comfortable with a cup of Christmas Tea and dried cranberries.

Grace

Yes!  Book bloggers are the most welcoming crowd I’ve met.  It’s hard to believe that reading is dying when there are so many of us who are totally passionate about it.

My favorite place to read is on the sofa, which is just long enough for me to comfortably lie down, with a blanket and some tea.  I like to be warm.

My favorite place to read is on my couch, with my favorite blanket, when it’s raining outside. There’s something about the rain outside, being warm inside and reading a book that just does it for me.

Sarah I was so glad to see your post today.  I have enjoyed talking to you via email. I enjoy reading your blog posts at The Deb Ball.  I always get ticked by what you have to say.

I love to read in a cozy chair after everyone else in the house has gone to bed.  I have a blanket my mom made the make it pure heaven!  In fact, I have been looking for months for the perfect chaise.  Once I have it I am thinking I will have PERFECTION!

I have been saying I want your book for quite a while now so please enter me in this contest.

Thanks!
Alison

My favorite place to read is in a bed in a hotel room, with lots of snacks and a bottle of wine - and my family safely at home!

What a lovely post! Thank you for such nice words -not all authors feel the way you do about us book reviewers!

I love to read anywhere - if I can get in 10 minutes of reading I don’t care where it is! My favorite seems to be curled up on the coach with my dogs cuddled up next to me and the Hubby watching TV.

Congrats on your book, Sarah!  I’m glad you’ve had such good experiences with book bloggers.

My favourite place to read is in a freshly made bed.  There’s something so inviting about fresh-from-the-dryer sheets, a newly plumped pillow and a mattress that’s just been flipped.

Curled up on the couch under a warm blanket.

My favorite place to read is in my bed.  The thought of crawling into my bed (all neatly made) gets me through the day.

I love curling up on my big couch. I settle in a corner, place a big pillow under my knees, toss a throw blanket over me and settle in. If I’m lucky, one of my cats settles on my lap for a nap.

I love to curl up in bed with my baby sleeping next to me and a good book.  No nicer place to read than that.  And I’m super excited for your book, Sarah!

I prefer sitting outside on my deck, the birds and bugs and wind through the trees my symphony.

My favorite place to read is in my recliner, by the windows. Natural light (a lamp to supplement if needed), comfort, and quiet.

My favorite place to read is on the love seat in the family room. My reading corner has a table to the side that holds book markers, post-it-tabs, a beverage, and a pile of books. In this corner, behind the table is my reading lamp. To the side is a down throw, just in case I get cold. If I need a pillow, there are always several available. If I need to pet a dog, there is usually one curled up next to me, napping.

My favorite place to read write now is actually anywhere, anytime! I try to catch a couple of pages whenever i get the chance- at the bus stop, in class, during comercials! I constantly keep a book with me so i can read any moment i get the chance!