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I can’t believe I'm actually writing this! I'm excited and thrilled and oh-so-happy! I'm still in shock that I've been blogging for a year, the time has just gone by so quickly. But then, time flies when you’re having fun, right? And yes, I've had so much fun!!! When I first started, I had no idea just how BIG the book blogging community is and the warmth with which they welcomed me was amazing. So, for my second Blogoversary Celebrations post, I've decided to write about my blogging journey and the highlights.
I can’t believe I'm actually writing this! I'm excited and thrilled and oh-so-happy! I'm still in shock that I've been blogging for a year, the time has just gone by so quickly. But then, time flies when you’re having fun, right? And yes, I've had so much fun!!! When I first started, I had no idea just how BIG the book blogging community is and the warmth with which they welcomed me was amazing. So, for my second Blogoversary Celebrations post, I've decided to write about my blogging journey and the highlights.
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| Chicklish |
I first discovered book blogs in 2010 and loved the concept
of running a blog focused book reviews. A
mixture of procrastination and laziness stopped me from setting one up straight
away and it wasn’t until a year later, in October, when I asked to join the
Chicklish reviewing team. Luisa Plaja
agreed to take me on board – I am forever grateful to her! – and she sent me my
first physical ARC (Sister, Missing by Sophie McKenzie). It was so exciting and after a few months,
with Luisa’s encouragement and support, I took
the plunge and started A Reading Daydreamer on the 4th of January (a year ago yesterday!).
I was a little shy to begin with but I visited the bloggers
I’d already found during my year of blog-stalking admiring
and left comments on their posts and they were wonderfully supportive and lovely.
As I wrote more reviews, joined in with some memes,
discovered more new blogs, I felt myself finally fit in and find my rhythm and voice. Looking back and seeing my review style develop has been really interesting and I think I've really grown since then - my reviews are definitely better than the first several ones!
The best thing about blogging is meeting new friends and getting to chat with them about books and other general things in life. You can’t blog alone without going completely insane and the community is what I love most. The close-knitness is fabulous and I never thought blogging would let me form a whole group of awesome buddies!
Following on the topic of blog buddies... TWITTER! Ohmigosh... I love you Twitter! When I first started out, I didn't really like it and only used it for advertising my reviews but then I started really using it and I've never looked back. It gives you a fantastic way to reach out to fellow bloggers and I've had the pleasure of chatting to lots of bloggy friends! If we've never talked and you don't mind my craziness, please feel free to start a conversation with me, I don't bite and I'd love to meet you!!!
The best thing about blogging is meeting new friends and getting to chat with them about books and other general things in life. You can’t blog alone without going completely insane and the community is what I love most. The close-knitness is fabulous and I never thought blogging would let me form a whole group of awesome buddies!
Following on the topic of blog buddies... TWITTER! Ohmigosh... I love you Twitter! When I first started out, I didn't really like it and only used it for advertising my reviews but then I started really using it and I've never looked back. It gives you a fantastic way to reach out to fellow bloggers and I've had the pleasure of chatting to lots of bloggy friends! If we've never talked and you don't mind my craziness, please feel free to start a conversation with me, I don't bite and I'd love to meet you!!!
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| My first blog design! |
In June, I received my first review book direct from a
publisher! I still remember that warm,
fuzzy feeling I got when the book dropped through my letterbox. I’ll admit… I still do a happy dance whenever
I get sent a book for review ^.^ It’s terribly exciting… and I love the sense of responsibility it gives you!
And this is a big one and definitely one of my best highlights of
the year: in August, this little blog became a co-written blog (Co-authored blog? Co-blogged blog?)! Yes, this is when Jen
jumped on board and became my fabulous co-blogger. I'm so thrilled to
have made such a wonderful, reliable friend who is so supportive and encouraging
in every way. I can't wait for your blogoversary on ARD, Jen!
In September, my parents bought me a Kindle. Before blogging and even when I first started, I turned my nose up on e-readers. Why would you want one of those when you could have a fresh paperback? I just didn't want one... why did society insist on substituting everything we know and love with technology? It wasn't until summer that I seriously began thinking of getting one. Everyone was shouting their praises and when Jen joined, her devotion to her Kindle gave me that push to ask for one for my birthday.
And now I absolutely adore it!!! Without blogging, I would never have discovered the delight of owning this object so that's why it's also a highlight and an important fragment of my journey! I soon realised e-readers aren't out to replace physical books, they are a completely different experience and one which should be appreciated on its own. And with e-books, comes NETGALLEY. Bam, a whole new door opened. My first approval was for Saving June by Hannah Harrington. I'm not even joking, Netgalley is a book blogger's sweet shop O.O I have been really good though and restrained myself from going on crazy requesting sprees *grows a beard, shrinks a few inches, becomes a wise Asian master, rasps in a low voice: 'Today I share with you a nugget of my wisdom: Self-control is key.'* (I'm not crazy... maybe just a little :P)
And now, January 2013. Oh wait - *loses the beard, grows a few inches and returns to teenage Asian girl form* I'm here and telling you about my blogging experiences a day after my One Year Blogoversary. It has been a journey of ups and downs (mostly ups) but I got here! Thank you for joining me and making my year so special and I hope this year will be just as wonderful and crazy as the last for both you and me!
Happy reading,
Beverley xxx
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| My baby Kindle xo |
And now I absolutely adore it!!! Without blogging, I would never have discovered the delight of owning this object so that's why it's also a highlight and an important fragment of my journey! I soon realised e-readers aren't out to replace physical books, they are a completely different experience and one which should be appreciated on its own. And with e-books, comes NETGALLEY. Bam, a whole new door opened. My first approval was for Saving June by Hannah Harrington. I'm not even joking, Netgalley is a book blogger's sweet shop O.O I have been really good though and restrained myself from going on crazy requesting sprees *grows a beard, shrinks a few inches, becomes a wise Asian master, rasps in a low voice: 'Today I share with you a nugget of my wisdom: Self-control is key.'* (I'm not crazy... maybe just a little :P)
And now, January 2013. Oh wait - *loses the beard, grows a few inches and returns to teenage Asian girl form* I'm here and telling you about my blogging experiences a day after my One Year Blogoversary. It has been a journey of ups and downs (mostly ups) but I got here! Thank you for joining me and making my year so special and I hope this year will be just as wonderful and crazy as the last for both you and me!
Happy reading,
Beverley xxx
Posts
I love how your blog looks, too. It's really pretty and simple. No makeover needs. Congratulations! :)
ReplyDelete^^ you did really well and i understand the feeling when you get a book ^^
ReplyDeleteHey Beverley - not spoken in a while!! It's been sad not emailing each other :( Hope all your exams and school is going OK! I am so chuffed to see you reach your blogoversary!! You totally deserve everything good coming your way and can't wait to see you reach your 2nd.
ReplyDeleteTAKE CARE :D
~Jean
Huge congratulations, Beverley, and thank you! Your blog is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteA big big congratulations to you, Beverly~ I'm happy that your blogging journey has been meaningful and enjoyable to you. Despite me having my new blog for a little more than a week, I can say it's been so much fun. Stressful with all the scheduling posts and whatnot but really fun. As your journey continues, I hope you encounter more treasured memories as well as blogging friends! Again, congratulations. Keep at it!
ReplyDelete@ A Discombobulated Balladry
I love this post! So full of enthusiasm which is great. Totally remember the feeling of getting your first review book through the post.
ReplyDeleteCait x
"Netgalley is a book blogger's sweet shop"
ReplyDeleteThat is so true! I think I went crazy on Netgalley after getting my Kindle. But lately I've been trying to focus on the physical books I have stacked on my dresser. If I don't read them soon, the pile will fall on me soon =).
Lilian @ A Novel Toybox
Congrats on one year! It's a great accomplishment. Here's to many more happy years!
ReplyDeleteOh wow thanks for sharing your incredible blogging year with us Beverley, I'm glad you had such an amazing year. Here's to many more awesome years for you and Jen to come :)
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this post, Bev! I actually also started out co-blogging on a blog, and was part of a team of teen bloggers. But I was encouraged to jump into the blogging world on my own, and in 2012, I decided to do it, after much consideration. And I LOVE it! Blogging is seriously one of the best things that's happened to me. I adore Twitter as much as you do, Bev, and at first I thought it was just for promotion as well. But I've made so many new friends that I'll cherish forever. And I found out about the self-control thing on NetGalley the hard way. =P Now I have to stay away from that site!! ;) I'm also glad that you jumped aboard the Kindle bandwagon. I love my Kindle, even though I still mainly read physical books.
ReplyDeleteFantastic post Bev! <3 I'm looking forward to reading more of your Blogoversary celebrations. =)
This post gives me such hope! I JUST started a YA book blog with my friend (www.thequietconcert.blogspot.com) and am really excited but a bit overwhelmed! I'm a bit shy too and don't really know how to get my footing in the blog community (i'll try twitter!) and this post just made me feel a lot better. Your blog has been an inspiration and I hope that someday I can accomplish all you have! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI was very hesitant about e-readers, but when I got mine *angel voices sing* a whole new world opened up. Nothing can beat the good old paperbacks, but it's a great addition to my reading habits :D
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
I totally get it about eredears. "Not for me, I love my physical books." Few months later, "I'd kill for a Kindle!"
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for your blogoversary, and enjoy your second year just as much!
What a lovely post!!! I am so glad that you decided to start A Reading Daydreamer, Beverley! :D Your blog is amazing and I love to visit it. Congratulations on all your achievements, I hope 2013 is just as good for you!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about the warm feeling and the happiness of receiving a book for review. I still squeal when a package comes through the door - BEST FEELING EVER! XD I was also like that with a Kindle too... "Physical books are better, e-books take away the pleasure of reading." But, like you said, it is a whole different experience. I love being able to carry 100 books around with me :D
Happy Blogoversary again, here is to many more years *throws confetti* xx <3
What a great year, Bev! Congratulations! I really love visiting your blog and reading the reviews by you and Jen :D
ReplyDeleteAnd you reminded me to check when our 1 year blogiverary is and it's Jan 9 - yay!
Don't worry, I like to do a happy dance when a review book comes through! I especially love it when it's a surprise package and you just can't wait to see what book it is! I also completely agree with you about Netgalley. That really is a sweet shop for us book bloggers! I LOVE that site! ^.^
ReplyDeleteCongrats again, Bev! :D
Happy Blogoversary, Beverley! I only just discovered your blog, but I love it. As for the design, it's absolutely gorgeous and don't change it! It's very soothing. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I did a happy dance too when I got approved for my first arc! :D I guess all we book bloggers are the same! :)
I only got my first review book today! I was so excited when I saw it. I practically tore open the box! :D
Lovely post, Bev! I feel like I got to know you a little more through it! :)
Amaaaaaazing post, Bev!!!!!!!!! My one-year is coming up really soon and I totally relate with what you're saying in this post; I remember the day I got my first ARC approved like it was yesterday! :') And I LOVE meeting new bloggers through twitter too, which you probably know though, since I kinda stalk and love you. :P These two blogoversary posts are perfect for celebrating your wonderful blog, without which I'd be totally depressed. <3 HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY ONCE AGAIN, CHICKIE!! And I'm sure if Mimi was here she'd also be extremely proud of you. :')
ReplyDeleteAmazing post! It's really nice to see that you've come such a long way in one year as it is truly inspiring! I thought the same thing about Kindles until I actually tried one. I still much prefer reading physical books but it's still a book that I get to read so there isn't much difference.
ReplyDeleteSuch an exciting first year for you! It's crazy how fast you fit into this community and how welcoming everyone is, I love it. I used to turn my nose up at ereaders too, now I wish I had gotten one sooner.
ReplyDeleteYay, congratulations! =D
ReplyDeleteThe blog is looking beautiful, definitely no need to change that =)
And I wish I had your self-control when it comes to Netgalley...
LOL I was exactly the same as you about Kindles!! I still love physical books, but I honestly buy and read so many books that it's just not realistic for me to keep buying physical copies. I'm running out of space!!
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary!!! It sounds like you had an amazing year and I hope your second one is just as good!! :D
CONGRATS on 1 year Beverley! You're doing a great job and I can't wait to see what you and Jen come up with 2013!
ReplyDeleteAgain, congrats! It was a pleasure to read about your journey. I resisted an eReader for a long time too and still read a lot of printed books, but would not trade my Kindle for anything.
ReplyDeleteWay to go on 1 year! Mine is Jan 25, 2013! New follower here!
ReplyDelete