One of my favorite things to do upon entering another’s home is to peruse the shelves. To run an eager eye over the titles and spines deemed worthy by the occupants to proclaim their unique passions and interests to the world. I fully believe that the books one chooses to read and display speak more eloquently than words of one’s identity. Of what moves and motivates them; of what makes them more alive. Of where their treasure is, if you will. Books are such living companions that the placing of one upon a shelf–or on a table, or leaning in a deep windowsill or even propping up a candlestick–is in many ways an invitation to that volume to take up its abode with you. It is for that reason that it is as interesting for me to stare at the bookshelves of old friends as it is of new acquaintances. A person’s bookshelf is a window into their personhood. And it can be a magic casement, “opening on the foam of perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn”.
-Lanier Ivester, on ylcf.org
Here at YLCF, we’re separated by the latitudes and longitudes. Rarely can we literally enter each other’s homes to peruse each other’s bookshelves at leisure, but we do get the privilege of sharing our mutual love of books together each March.
Not only do we learn about new literature and old classics, but we learn about our friends who read them. And what better way to get to know someone than by hearing them talk about the books they love?
March at ylcf.org is the perfect time for finding new books — and reading those you’ve always meant to. We spend the whole month talking about books in general and reviewing titles in specific, via blog carnival link-ups and more…
2012
March of Books
All month long, you can post book reviews to your own blog (the more the merrier!). Then, at the end of the month, share the links to each of your book reviews in the Reviews Link-Up. But in between, look for lots of book giveaways and more fun link-ups coming to YLCF throughout all of March.
March 12 - Photo: My Favorite Place to Read
Do you prefer to read curled up on the sofa or in an old rocking chair? Maybe you love to read in the bus on the way to work or on your lunch break between classes. Wherever you like to read, we want to see a picture of it — and if you can get yourself in the picture, too, that would be extra fun! Be ready to link up on March 12 with a blog post featuring a picture of your favorite place to read.
March 19 - Children’s Books Link-Up
You don’t have to be under age 10 to enjoy children’s books! This year, we’re featuring a separate link-up on March 19 just for reviews of and details about your favorite children’s books.
March 26 - March of Books Reviews Link-Up
We’ll wrap it all up by sharing the links to all the other books we’ve been reviewing on our blogs this month. (Duplication is fine — we’d love to see your reviews of the books we review at YLCF this month, and reviews of the ones your friends are reading and reviewing, too!)
Looking for ideas about what to read and review for this March of Books? Join YLCF readers on Goodreads and Shelfari!
Tweeting your posts? Use the #MarchOfBooks hash tag!
Planning on joining us? Want to spread the word? Grab the code in the sidebar at right to put the March of Books button on your blog! (Many thanks to Trina Holden for the button photo and Abigail Westbrook for her talent in putting together this year’s button!)
2011 March of Books
Some “reading perspective” (and fun!) from the March of Books 2011:
- Can’t judge a book by its…review?
- you read what you are
- What’s a girl to read?
- The Reading Balance
- Why Sequels Aren’t Equals
- dusting bookshelves
- Reading Kinship
Click here to read all the 2011 March of Books Posts.
2010 March of Books
- Your March of Books – links to readers’ book reviews
- Our Bookshelves – photo gallery of the YLCF Team’s bookshelves
- Your Bookshelves – links to photos of readers’ bookshelves
- “Living with Books” – a post on decorating with books
- 2010 March of Books Posts – book reviews and more
Ideas for next year’s March of Books? Please send them our way! We’d love to hear your suggestions for themed link-ups, as well as book titles you think are worth reviewing and giving away on ylcf.org. Authors and Publishers: contact us if you’re interested in having your book reviewed by the YLCF Team or if you’d like to make it available for a giveaway.
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