Why I read and what I live for

This week's question, hosted by Crazy for Books, is about why I read book blogs.  Is it the reviews, articles, giveaways, or something else entirely? 

Well, as an unapologetic and inveterate reader, I mostly read book blogs to see what other people think about books I've already read and to confirm my suspicions on books I've not read yet.  Despite a large online presence in the blogosphere, there just aren't that many people I know in "real life" who make reading a priority in their lives (my coworkers, my family, and a couple of friends being exceptions).  I work at a bookstore, so I'm fairly on top of what's being published now and in the next quarter, what's hot, and what's getting good reviews in the NYTBR and other places.  I'm lucky enough to be spoiled for choice by all of my wonderful sales reps so that almost any book that comes in an Advanced Readers Copy I'm able to read well ahead of publication.  I search for more book talk online because there's not enough in my real life. 

So I crave book talk.  But as a person who's relatively new to book blogging, I also read other book blogs because I want people to read mine, too.  Seems only fair.  So I'm trying to read as many new-to-me blogs as I can each week, following them when it seems like their reading interests dovetail enough with my own to be constructive to both parties.  Hoping that they'll follow me in turn for the same reasons.