Ever since I figured out Google Reader (and its many addictions), I’ve had a bad case of blog envy.

Back when I was single, living in a tiny studio apartment on California’s central coast, I jumped on the blog bandwagon as a way of test-driving one of my dreams: to become a paid book reviewer.  All those experts who say “follow your bliss and the money will come” clearly underestimated the vast number of people who love books and would like to get paid to read them.  My book blog was different in that I didn’t review everything I read, just books I thought people should read.

Which is how I discovered 1) I’m a book snob and 2) I could get a gig as a book reviewer for the of Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD) or www.ChildrensLiterature.com  -- when I applied I sent the gracious Marilyn Courtot to my site which apparently sealed the deal.  CLCD pays in books, but at the time of my initial thrill, was plenty.  More on this topic another time, because this post is about BLOG ENVY.  Focus, Keri, focus.

Then I got married, became a stepmother, moved to Mississippi (which is a post for another time!), and didn’t have much time to read.  So the book blog declined from sheer neglect. 

And yes, I felt guilty, even though I had about 2 subscribers to the blog.  I was letting myself down, straying from my true (reading) self . . . oh, the guilt.  (Yes, this will probably be a post for another time too.)

So, here it is, 2009, and I have serious blog envy.  So I haven't [posted in 105 days (thank you, GoDaddy, for keeping track!) My blog isn’t cute, with fancy edges and scrapbookish art.  My blog doesn’t have amazing photographs or videos.  My blog hasn’t been blogged in months.  And Google Reader brings the issue to the front burner daily.  I want to be Pioneer Woman without the manure and homeschooling.  Bakerella without the painstaking attention to detail and pinkness.  Cynsations without the frantic pace of keeping track of everyone and everything in the kidlitosphere.   In short, I want a blog that people want to subscribe to, that reflects me and my interests, that also has great photos, engaging design, and makes me look Super Cool.  Which, as those who really know me, has never really been a big deal.  (See photo below!)

Talk about a late bloomer.  But, you’ve got it, that’s a post for another time.

So, what to do?  KeriRecommends is undergoing a transformation.  

KeriRecommends will now be about more than books.  For those of you who are purists, there are approximately 5 million other blogs about books, written by people with a lot more insight, exposure to what is current, and time than I have.  A good starting point for children's books is Elizabeth Bird's blog on the School & Library Journal site -- not only does she write regularly and with wit, she has an extensive list of related blogs that should help those interested.

I’m sure books will appear in the blog.  But, let’s face it, I have opinions about a lot more than books.  KeriRecommends is going to be about what I think makes life better.  I’m all about continuous improvement, figuring out where the path leads, learning new lessons along the way, and becoming literate about life.  Mine specifically.  And since I consider myself relatively normal, I figure some people might find common ground in my musings.

So.  Stay tuned.  I might end up cool, after all.