Since I missed Monday (due to a TLC tour commitment), I’m going to tackle that as well as today’s topic.

First off, I need to give props to another Kansas book blogger: Philip Nel’s a professor up at Kansas State University, directing the program in Children’s Literature up there. He also blogs at Nine Kinds of Pie. It’s a fascinating blogger.

Another blog I’ve found over the past year that I really enjoy reading is Books in the Spotlight; it’s more kidlit — mostly YA-oriented — books, but she’s thoughtful and reads books that I’d never think of picking up.

As for today’s question… I’m often pushed by other bloggers; it’s one of the reasons I like challenges. I wouldn’t have picked up mystery books without Iliana at Bookgirl’s Nightstand or horror (most notably Stephen King and Bram Stoker) without Carl’s RIP challenge (which I didn’t do on purpose this year, since I’m feeling way behind, but I really really really wanted to). Or reading more POC books or GLBT books. But if I had to pick something — one thing — in the past year, that a blogger has pushed me to read, it’d be books by Sarah Dessen.

I had heard of both of these before the past year, but had dismissed them out of hand: too girly, too chick-lit (and this is from someone who doesn’t mind chick lit now and again). But, I think it was Em at Em’s Bookshelf who pushed me to read my first Sarah Dessen. And… I loved it. I loved the way she writes characters, how the books are not fluffy at all but aren’t depressing either. They are a perfect balance between realistic and swoony. And now I can’t get enough of her.

How about you? What have you been pushed to try?