Earlier today, DataDiva forwarded me a link that nearly knocked me over. I’m still a little dumbstruck by it, and went around and around about linking to it here because, well, you should see how much I turn red at a compliment. It’s kind of scary. I look like I’m about to explode.
The ever-awesome Linda Holmes of NPR.org’s Monkey See blog named me as one of her Top Ten Favorite Pop-Culture Humans of 2009. With Neil Patrick Harris. And Jane Lynch. And Craig Ferguson. Sweet Holy Donuts, I’m next to Drew Barrymore. That alone makes me shiver with glee and agognessment:
8. SB Sarah. One of the founders, and seemingly the current primary blogger, at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, Sarah Wendell is fearless and opinionated and puts her chin out every day to do one of the toughest jobs a lady can assign herself, which is to challenge people’s preconceptions and prejudices about culture. In Sarah’s case, she writes thoughtfully and hilariously about romance novels, dumping on the worst cliches and celebrating the writers who find ways to make a difficult genre interesting.
She’s also become very knowledgeable about e-books (which are perfect for romance readers), and wrote wisely and well about the new FTC guidelines for bloggers. Nothing warms my heart like a stereotype-buster, and nobody busts the stereotype that women who read romances are dumb, unthinking, or anti-feminist quite like Sarah.
I think my face has caught fire. Thank you, Linda!
Compliments like this one need to be shared because I absolutely think that a major reason why I or the site receive attention and credit for changing even one mind about romances and the women who read and write them is because of you, who visit and read and talk and comment and lurk and hang out here with me. I’m still flabbergasted, but I had to share with you. So, thank you for being here with me. Long live romance.
That is absolutely awesome! I was reading through the article earlier and was nodding, “Yes, NPH is awesome” and “Wow, what a great clip of Craig Ferguson” and then there was your name! Congratulations!
Well deserved too. You’ve shown that strong smart women read romance & we’re proud of it!!.
Well done, Sarah! You’re sure in damned good company.
You rock! And always have. I’m glad to see that you, SBTB, and Candy are finally getting the recognition you so richly deserve! (I LOVE that you beat out Drew Barrymore! w00t!)
Ha! Spam word: remember4 You betcha! We’ll remember you forever! (Which wouldn’t take so second word is: thus57 – Yes, thus, there are 57 reasons to follow SBTB!
So glad to see this! I can see how you are honored, but it’s so awesome to see you and SBTB recognized. Congratulations!
Very much well deserved!!
Yep, well deserved. And thanks for being a great face and voice for romance readers.
OK, I’m totally geeking over the fact that you’re on there with Matthew Weiner and Jim Parsons, as they are from two of my favorite TV shows ever.
And, that Bobby McFerrin video blew me away.
Spam Word: suddenly34 – I wish.
Hey… You work damn hard. Recognition is much deserved.
Keep kicking ass!
Very cool!!
Congrats, Sarah! You do a great job and totally deserve some recognition. Everytime I come across a romance fan (they are hard to spot in person), I let them know about your awesome website. Keep crankin’ it out girlfriend.
Rockin’ and well-deserved. Congrats!!!
Wow. Just wow. A well deserved accolade, Sarah. It’s nice when others know what we’ve known all along. Congratulations!
Talk about Happy New Year! Congratulations SB Sarah!
::throws confetti in the air::
HURRAH!!! That’s pretty freaking awesome.
ooooh…. hullo thar, Jim Parsons… yummy Sheldon yum yum…
Congratulations! It’s truly well deserved!
Totally deserved and it just goes to show that Linda Holmes has impeccable taste!
WooHoo! Congratulations! Couldn’t happen to a nicer lady.
I think the best part—of all the really good parts Ms. Holmes had to say about you—was at the top of the article:
Amen, sister!
Darn right.
You and Candy are two of my favorite people to read every day. Seriously, I know I can look here for something to make me smile.
I can only think of three other people that I can say that about.
One’s currently a med student in Prague. One of the most intelligent people I’ve ever had the pleasure of talking to. Also, one of the funniest guys I know.
One’s an author/artist whose blog I’ve been following for years. In fact, I found this website through her linking it after a friend of hers (who writes romance novels) told her to check it out.
Third one’s a friend who I’d gladly jump on a grenade for.
Rock on, Bitches. Let’s reco’nize!
http://uploader.ws/upload/200804/Respek_Knuckles.jpg
Congratulations Sarah! You totally deserve your place on that list.
Congratulations.
I also liked that article of yours that Linda Holmes linked to (read it before, but it was definitely worth rereading!) that basically said, “Tastes vary!”
There is a more interesting way to say that in Norwegian: In translation it goes more or less like this: “Taste is like your behind – split up the middle!”
Your reach and influence are huge, Sarah, so stop blushing at your success and enjoy the deserved recognition. Well done!
Congratulations. I’m pretty sure I originally found you guys after Linda mentioned your blog a year or two ago—might have been right around the time she was segueing out of Television Without Pity (Miss Alli) and into her NPR gig, but my memory is crap, so don’t hold me to any details. Anyway, I’ve been a loyal lurker ever since.
W00t! Congrats! You totally belong on that list!
Congratulations! Not surprised at all. Pop Culture Human, you!
Not surprised at all, Sarah. Smart women gravitate toward other smart, honest, brave women. Thanks for having the courage and the skill to express opinions that are shared by your readers. We salute you and Candy for your stand defending and educating people that romance is a legitimate, strong, and positive genre. Thanks also for calling out the worst in romance and striving to make the genre even stronger.
There isn’t much to be said that hasn’t already been said. I really admire you (Sarah) and Candy, and I thank you for doing what you do so well. This site is awesome and just so you know, I’m giving you an internet fist-bump. 😉
The SBs definitely need to get together with the other folks on the NPR list and have a party. What an amazing, talented group! You are indeed in good company.
Shame Ursula Vernon isn’t on there. She is a pop culture contributor, I think.
http://www.redwombatstudio.com/blog/wpg2?g2_itemId=423
She painted the pear.
The pear has now showed up at protests and in Marvel comics.
Yeah!
PS – Thanks for the education you’ve given me this year. I’ve learned so much about e-books, blogging rules and of course romance! This site is my go to place for so many things. Glad others recognize your contributions.
Sarah,
Just chiming in to echo the congrats of all the others. The honor is well deserved. Now, let’s break out the chocolate martinis and celebrate!
Faye
Excellent! But nope, I’m not in the least surprised. Not in the least.
I linked to this blog from that list. What a great discovery. I can already tell I’m going to enjoy my time here.
Congratulations! This site is one of my favorites and I love the discussions. Keep up the good work and you deserve all the accolades you get.
HAH.
Find the Cover Snark.
Just…not while you’re drinking something.
My friend’s boss now hates me, and she’s never met me. My friend checked a link I e-mailed and sprayed Coca-Cola over a computer screen.
As a lurker myself, I just wanted to say congrats and well-deserved! Because of this website, I have started to read and enjoy romance novels whereas before I avoided them like the plague. Your lists and reccommendations have changed my habits and your commentary and attitude have changed my mind.
Thank you!
Congratulations Sarah! Taking on the nay-sayers one snark at a time. Can’t be long until you get to party with the rest of the list (if you and Candy got on Craig Ferguson’s show, I might die with joy!)
Congrats! Quite well deserved.
(And I believe you were mentioned on the Monkey See blog once before…)