Thankfully Reading - Mini Challenge #3

Jen over at Devourer of Books has today's mini-challenge for Thankfully Reading weekend. She asked us, "What reading community are you thankful for, and why?" That's another great question with multiple answers for me. Of course I'm thankful for the book blogging community. I wouldn't have had one iota of an idea what the heck I was doing without support from people like Lesa at Lesa's Book Critiques or Trish from Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? Jenn at Jenn's Bookshelves has become a regular sounding board for me, too. "Hey Jenn, what do you think of this idea?" or "Has this ever happened to you? What should I do?" I'm thankful to all of the bloggers who have taken me into the community and not simply laughed at how absurd I can be at times bumbling my way through my crazy ideas. Now I have one iota of an idea but not much more, so their patience is greatly appreciated.

I'm ever so thankful to the folks who stop by and read the posts, who leave comments or send me e-mails. You all talk books and audiobooks with me and (as far as I know) never roll your eyes because I go on and on and on. I'm thankful for you each and every day!

And truly, my heart swells to list the Mystery Community as the community I'm thankful for. The readers, the writers, the publicists, the publishers, everyone. And at the top of the pyramid of folks are the Crimespree Family. And when I say "family" I'm not exaggerating. These are the folks who never think I'm silly when I get excited about something book-related. They don't think it's weird that I update my Facebook status with reading information daily. They don't think it's weird that I don't have TV and would rather read. To them, it's perfectly natural that I have a book with me everywhere I go. They love me for me, encourage me and support me, just the way a biological family would. These are the people who are thankful to me when in reality, they're the ones who have given me my greatest gift: a place at their table. I see our Bouchercon Convention as a big Thanksgiving celebration. There are no turkeys, but there is a lot of love, commraderie and tons of hugs! I'm thankful the mystery community exists and is what it is; I'm thankful I can be a small part of it.

Hope you had a great holiday weekend and fit in some reading as well. I'm now working on Steve Hockensmith's e-book Christmas short story collection, NAUGHTY. It's wonderfully funny! I'll share about it soon. Happy Reading!!