My Blogiversary (Year One)

A year ago today I was convinced by a friend to start a blog all about my passion for reading. I was hesitant because I was not super confident in figuring out how to use the website. However, thanks to her help I was able to create my blog. And although I am still learning how to use the website still today, it's been a lot of fun.

In honor of my anniversary on Blogger I wanted to write a post of the things I've learned about myself as a reader, my favorite posts I've written, and also to shout out the bloggers who inspire me.

Here's to another great blogging year. Thanks for reading and sticking around.

Reflections 

I think it's hard to start either a blogging site or a BookTube channel and not want to constantly keep an eye on the numbers. Who's reading/watching? How many? Why is it less than last time? What did I do so well to get more people on this blog I took a short amount of time creating than the one I put so much work into? It sometimes gets overwhelming. It's something I'm working on. I don't even think for me, it's about the numbers exactly. But instead, I want more people reading because I want more people commenting. I honestly want a discussion, it's one of the reasons anyone makes any sort of reading (or movies, tv show, or video game) social media accounts to begin with. We want to find people who we can nerd out with when it comes to our favorite books, characters, authors. Of course, I was being unrealistic. It's a two way street, if I want people on my page I need to start taking time out of my weeks to comment on the blogs I follow but also to keep finding other bloggers. This is definitely one of my resolutions for the new year. So I have learned that I need to be more active in the community, but I have also learned that I need to stop dwelling on numbers and focus on the reason why I wanted to start this blog in the first place.

I've also learned that I really love writing book reviews and that my writing has improved so much between my first review and my current ones. Throughout the year I had issues trying to find a balance between spoiler reviews and non-spoiler reviews. I also realized I really love doing those listicle type posts. Like the Top Ten Tuesday type posts. I am a list person, I always have been, so this shouldn't come as much surprise. But I really enjoy making them.

I am really grateful for my friend for pushing me to make this blog. I tend to have low confidence in my ability to succeed which makes me not want to try anything at all. It's something I've been working on, but the negative voice is still in the back of my mind telling me Why try? You won't be good at it, you'll quit, and then you'll feel guilt basically for anything new I decide to try. So the fact that I am still working on this a year later and loving it makes me really proud.

Posts I Am Proud Of  

I am honestly proud of all of the posts I publish. I won't publish a blog if  I don't love it because I feel like that defeats the purpose of creating. However, these are a few blog posts I am really proud of. I'm proud of my book reviews all the same, because I am honest in each of them and I try to be as fair as possible. So I assume I won't have any book reviews in this list.

The first book tag I ever created, The Gryffindor Book Tag for Gryffindor Pride Day! I really loved making book tags and I hope to make more in 2018.

20 Lessons From Harry Potter is a post I am proud of because I really put my heart into it and let myself be vulnerable. The series has and always will mean a lot to me, so being able to take the time to really put into words why it means so much to me and what I have learned from each of the books and characters felt really good.

Fictional Dream Jobs was probably one of the blogs I had the most fun writing.  It's probably my favorite Top Five Wednesday prompt we've done! I am super proud of my answers.

Heather & Matt Engagement Photos w/ Quotes is a post I am proud about for a few reasons. One being that I have picked an amazing photographer (Erica Robyn Photography) to take these pictures and I am proud of how they came out. I am happy with the quotes I chose for the photos  I decided to show, but I am also really proud of the fact that despite how hot it was that day and how critical I am about myself sometimes, I feel happy when I look at them. We look happy, and that's all I wanted.

[Bookish Discussion] Quitting Goodreads? is the post that is currently my most viewed blog, but also the one that I was the most worried to publish. I knew once I pressed publish, I had everyone who read the post holding me accountable to my word about quitting Goodreads for good. It is a bit scary, because GR has been such a big part of my reading experience for the last seven years. But I am proud that I made the jump and I am proud I stuck up for what I think is right.

Friends 

Now,  onto my favorite bloggers who have either inspired me, welcomed me, or both. I am a bit on the shy side when it comes to talking to most people. I typically do not like starting the conversation, because I am worried I'll be a bother, they're busy, or they'll realize I'm annoying. So to any of the bloggers I am shouting out today, I'm sorry I've been quiet, but I appreciate you. I am hoping to repay your kindness by commenting more on your posts, but I hope you know I'm reading and loving your content.

First, Erica Robyn Reads. She's a IRL friend, the one who not only pushed me to make the blog but is patient with me when I message her panicked about not knowing how to use any of the features on Blogger. She has an amazing blog and it's been really cool to see her blog grow as well.

Erika Watkins a.k.a. Literary Apothecary is an absolute sweetheart who is so uplifting. Like if you're feeling down, and you need someone to cheer you up, Erika is the lady to go to. Her blog is so jam packed with so many things that I feel like there's something for everyone.

Amy from A Magical World of Words is so supportive. Her reviews are always so well though out and she's a fair reviewer, which I love and appreciate. I also love the style and look of her blog. Amy has been commenting and supporting my blogs so often and I hope I can repay the favor this year.

Evelina form AvalinahsBooks who is great at welcoming you into the community! She's so warm and professional and I was really appreciative to her when she was so welcoming when I was really new in the community. Her blog is another one that has a little bit of everything for everyone.

Shanah from Bionic Book Worm has one of the most visually pleasing blogs ever. I love her layout so much because of how easy it is to navigate around it. Because of my shyness, I have not talked with Shanah as much as maybe I'd like, but I have been reading her blog posts regularly. I just need to push myself to comment more often. I think her blog posts are always so much fun to read and  I love her content.

Darque Dreamer Reads has one of the most magical blogs ever. It's sparkly and beautiful and I love it. And I love her content! She's someone who reads books I don't know anything about which is always great because sometimes it's hard to find new books when everyone is talking about the same books. She's also so dang sweet and I cannot recommend her enough.

Katiria from Kati's Bookaholic Rambling Reviews is so sweet and is another blogger that shows me so much support by commenting on my content. I am hoping to repay the favor by being more active on her blog, which is so much fun!

And of course thank you to all the readers who click my blogs, read them, and comment. I love being able to recognize names and feel like I have my own little community. It's been a lot of fun to be able to put my thoughts out about books and book topics and I cannot wait to keep growing as a person and reader. 

There are always more to add to this list. I think we are lucky that the book blogging community is so close and welcoming. Very rarely do I find a book blogger who is mean or rude. I think that says a lot about the community and us as readers. I am hoping to find even more friends in the next year.

Thanks for reading!