Liebster Award

Oh yikes! Renee over at Thoughtful Corners was kind enough to nominate me for a Liebster Award. Of course, the nerd in me had to go look up the award – what were the origins? What the heck does “Liebster” mean?

I found this blog where the research was done for me. Apparently the award was started by a German blogger sometimes before 2010. It was a way to bring attention to newer blogs. “Liebster” is German for dearest.

So thanks, Renee. I’m honored you thought of my blog when selecting five blogs to award. After blogging for a little over a year and a half, I’m starting to figure some of it out.

Rules for participating in this blog award are as follows:


1. Link back to the blog that nominated me.


2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers.


3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator.


4. Share 11 random facts about yourself.


5. Create 11 questions for your nominees.


6. Contact your nominees by commenting on their blog or sending them an email to communicate the nomination.

My answers to the questions Renee asked me…

1. What is one person on Twitter you think everyone should be following?


Oh geez, this is an impossible question. I will go with Donalyn Miller – she was one of the first people I followed. @donalynbooks

2. What kind of books are your favorite?


Middle grade – any genre as long as it isn’t scary. J

3. What is your favorite food or meal to eat?


Either Mexican or pizza, depending on the day.

4. What is one thing you wish you could do over again?


I’m pretty ok with everything in my life. I don’t really believe in regrets or mistakes. Everything I’ve experienced has led me to where I am, which is pretty awesome.

5. What’s your best quality?


I’m pretty positive and tend to believe the best in others.

6. What would you like your legacy to be?


That’s tough. I want to be remembered as a person who loved life and all of the people in it. I want the people I care about – family, friends, students – to know how much I believe in them and cared about them. And obviously, I want to help teachers find their passion and help kids find their way to a good book.

7. If you were a plant/tree, what kind would you be and why?


A hosta. I’m pretty low maintenance and tend be someone you can rely on to return.

8. List 3 things you have to have within reach at all times.


A drink (water, diet coke), iPhone, and a book.

9. Favorite childhood book and why.


Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. First book I remember rereading.

10. Quote to live by.


Action expresses priorities. - Gandhi

11. Title of a novel you wish you could write.

Behind the Brick

Eleven Random Facts about Me

1.      I don’t drink coffee unless it is a mocha.

2.    I tend to be shy, unless surrounded by people who know me well.

3.    I love being at home.

4.   I’ve moved seven times in my life.

5.    I’ve lived in my current house since 2001.

6.    I house-sat for the people who owned it before us when I was in college.

7.    I’m afraid of heights, but have gone bungee jumping.

8.    I would love to be an author, but am afraid of failing.

9.    I prefer texting to being on the phone.

10. I used to dream of opening a coffee shop and bookstore.

11.    My husband says my “uniform” is jeans, a t-shirts, and flip-flops.

Eleven questions for my nominees:

1.      Favorite item you own?

2.    If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

3.    Describe what your ideal day would be.

4.   I asked this one on my blog recently – you can invite four people for dinner, but they have to be authors or illustrators. Who would you invite?

5.    What would you serve for the dinner described in question four?

6.    Dogs are…

7.    What book would you consider to be the most important book you’ve read and why?

8.    Why did you pick your chosen career?

9.    What made you start blogging?

10. I’m curious – do you call it soda or pop? (or something else entirely?)

11.    Books are…

I’m thrilled to nominate the following blogs for the Liebster award. Next to their name is the link to their blog. (FYI – I just picked five blogs I love. I have no clue how many followers they have.) J

Margie Myers-Culver Librarian’s Quest

Colby Sharp Sharpreads

John Schu Watch Connect Read

Niki Ohs Barnes Daydream Reader

Tony Keefer Atychiphobia 2.0