How it all started: My very first posts were reviews of The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells and Broken Soup by Jenny Valentine. Two reviews in one day. Wow, I was ambitious. I quickly learned that I couldn't keep up with that pace and now I post between 3 to 4 reviews a month (with some months with no reviews at all). For me, book blogging has been more than just reviewing, but sharing books that I love whether that was "spotlighting" them or hosting giveaways. And I love hosting giveaways!
Connecting with others: Over
the past 2 years, I've been to several book launches and signings and
had the chance to connect with authors whose books I've loved and meet
some awesome bloggers face-to-face. Blogging has allowed me to make some
new in-real-life friends like Heather from Buried in Books.
We spent a day at her local Barnes and Noble and I just might have
convinced her that you are NEVER TOO OLD to spend the afternoon in the
Teen Books section.
I've discovered some new music thanks to Ginger at GReads!
and found out that there is more to listened to that Maroon 5. Her love
for music and the band SafetySuit is contagious. I went to one of their
concerts back in April and I can honestly say that it was one of the
best times I ever had at a concert. I had so much fun that I plan to see
them again during their upcoming headlining tour. I don't think I would
have found out about them if it was for blogging, twitter, and of
course, Ginger!
Blogging accomplishments: I started a feature called Love My Indie where readers, bloggers, and authors share their favorite independent bookstores. When I first started my blog, it was important to me that I help promote independent bookstores. So I put a call out to bloggers with this post, and it took off from there. Love My Indie received more attention than I ever imagined when it was featured on Shelf Awareness. This was HUGE! From hosting bloggers and authors, I discovered some new blogs, new authors, and of course some new bookstores. I even took a road trip with some friends to one of the bookstores, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, NC. Lauren Oliver was signing there, so that MAY have had something to do with it too.
Stats:
Blog Posts: 443
Books Read (since blogging): 186
Reviews: 48
Followers: 1503
So now what?! Well, it's time to celebrate!! I'm giveaway $25.00 worth of books to one winner. As always, following is not required. Extra entries can be earned.
Earn extra entries
Read and Comment on a Review (Review List) +2
Read and Comment on a Love My Indie post (LMI list) +2
Follow me on Twitter @ActinUpwb
Open to U.S. and International (wherever Books Depository ships)
Must be at least 16 years old to enter
One winner will be selected using random.org
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congratulations on 2 years!! That's a long time blogging, I'm just nearing my first too. :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, I might need you with me one more time before I can face that chick in Barnes and Noble that looked down her nose at us and said, "Oh, that's in the TEEN section." I'm quite sure we could have sold more books in that hour than she did all day! Especially with that attitude. This is why I don't actually go to the bookstore and rely on bloggers to recommend books and buy from the evil Amazon. Because I'm chased off by the people that think like her! But it was so much fun to talk books with you there and show you around!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are still around for your two year anniversary! I missed mine and think I'll do something around September which is my birthday. I love the way you run your blog and it doesn't run you! And you like Safetysuit? I'll give them a try.
Happy Two Year Blogoversary!!
Heather
Happy blogoversary!! I went through both of your first reviews and I'm relieved!! I myself have just started a blog and always worry that my reviews are short! Seeing yours, I have realized that everyone starts out that way. Hope someday I will be as good a blogger as you are!
ReplyDeleteKeep rocking!
Happy blogoversary! Time flies when you're having fun :) I always love reading your blog and wish you many more years to come!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on this awesome milestone and thank you for bringing joy to all of us who follow. May the coming year give you joy and smiles with oodles of good books :)
ReplyDelete