Discussing and Remembering Dewey

[Maw Books]

It is a sad week within the book blogging community. Dewey from Hidden Side of a Leaf passed away this past week. To say that she leaves behind a huge void is a understatement. Not only was she a prolific reader, reviewer and blogger but she was also the founder and organizer of Weekly Geeks, the Bookworms Carnival, and the 24 Hour Read-a-Thon. And I'm sure I'm unaware of many others. We have all been influenced by her amazing energy, creative juices and bringing the community together. She was a wonderful friend. Florinda at The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness perhaps summed everything up best on this well thought out post. She already has a list of bloggers willing to help.

There has been a lot of discussion on many blogs and twitter about how to cope with that loss.

Some of that discussion has included:

1 - How to best express our condolences to Dewey's family. Many of us have her address in which to send cards/packages. It's been mentioned to donate money/books to her local library, donate money to have her family plant a tree in her name, gather all the online tributes to make sure that Dewey's family doesn't miss them all, send flowers, etc.

2. - How to best carry on the amazing community building events that Dewey started. Many have already expressed interest in taking up some of these projects, includes challenges, Weekly Geeks, the 24 Hour Read-a-thon (this has gotten so big, it probably should have a dedicated blog), secret santa (with Nymeth), and the Bookworms Carnival. Dewey already had a lot of help on many of these projects so I'm sure many feel more prepared than others to step up to the plate.

3 - Raych from Books I Done Read has asked for a RIP button to place on our blogs.

4 - Keeping Dewey's husband in the loop. He mentioned that he would like to either see Dewey's blog continue or just let it rest. Either way, I think he should be in the know how.

So what now? Let's figure it out! Ideas, like to help, etc? I thought that we should get a discussion going in just one place, so it's not spread out among everybody. This certainly doesn't make me the "moderator" here. I just want to be able to talk amongst ourselves. What have I missed?

And if you're reading this discussion that get the word out and direct traffic over here. I'll set up another discussion to list links of our remembrance posts.

[Literate Housewife]

How about donating a tree with a memorial plaque to Dewey's local library? Lisa and I merged our ideas and I think that really sounds fabulous!

[Alyce]

I like the idea of having a memorial at her local library.

[Florinda]

I think a library memorial is appropriate too. Dewey frequently mentioned using her local library.

[Vasilly]

I like all the ideas: a tree and memorial plaque to her local library, the R.I.P. button, Weekly Geeks and Readathon getting their own sites. I think we should leave Dewey's site as it is. I'm always willing to help where I can. How about donating to Dewey's local library or to a charity in Dewey's honor?

[Maw Books]

Before approaching Dewey's husband about this possibility somebody should call the library system to see if it's even possible. I believe THIS is the library system that she frequented.

any volunteers for somebody to actually make the call and ask questions?

[Heather]

Like all of you, I was very saddened to hear of Dewey's passing last week. I had only recently met her online, but I knew I had found another kindred spirit in this amazing little community that we are growing. I stand amazed by the legacy this one woman will leave behind and know she will never be forgotten by any of us.

Unfortunately, I am too tied up with my own blog and with helping run Estella's Revenge, not to mention real life, to help with the organizing of Dewey's amazing projects. However, I am very willing to help out on the side-lines with any graphic or designing work any of you may need. Buttons, headers, anything, I'm more than happy to help. Just contact me here at Book Blog Ning or at my email address:

[e-mail]

Heather
A High and Hidden Place

[Shauna]

Like others, I would be glad to participate in any way. I wasn't a part of Weekly Geeks, but would be glad to help with the read-a-thon. I like the idea of donating to her local library, but like Amy said, we should find out if her family has a preference.

[Jessica @ The Bluestocking Society]

I think a contribution to Dewey's local library would be just the thing. How do we get money together? I haven't done it before, but maybe a PayPal account?

As for the continuity of Dewey's amazing events, I've done some thing and designing and rearranging and would feel comfortable taking over the Bookworms Carnival. However, I don't want to be presumptuous. It might also lend itself to its own blog - as long as there were some particular assignments to keep it running smoothly. (I had a few forced hours on my hands and created some beta pages. These could stay on my blog or be transferred easily to a new blog. http://thebluestockings.com/bookworms-carnival/ ) Any thoughts?

[Maw Books]

I say if everybody else is comfortable with it, you should run with it. I would love to add in extra edition where it's a carnival of favorite Dewey posts, Dewey inspired posts, or favorite posts with great comments by Dewey (I for one remember a great discussion I had with Dewey going back and forth on a certain book review of mine). The Bookworms Carnival was my favorite event that Dewey did and I'd be more than available to help.

[Maw Books]

I read on somebody's blog that Jackie at http://www.literaryescapism.com/ was interested in continuing the carnival as well. Perhaps you two should talk.

[Rebecca Reid]

I think the Bookworms Carnival would be great one it's own blog too. There are so many people interested and it would be great to have a hub to reference for reminders and links to the most current one. After all, if we're doing it twice a month, that's a lot for just one person! I am again amazed by how much Dewey did!

[Florinda]

Jessica and I had exchanged e-mails about continuing the Bookworms Carnival yesterday, but I think that may be an event that doesn't need as many people dedicated to keeping it going - although as Rebecca notes, with it going to twice a month, it's more to keep up with.