Today is my Blogversary!

I’m quite surprised by this for several reasons, but the main one is that I’ve stuck at it for a year! I’ve started several blogs in the past, but never one with such a tight focus, so I’m pleased that I didn’t just give up. I did worry that because I wasn’t reviewing the latest books or the newest releases that I wouldn’t find an audience, but I’ve been delighted to discover that’s not the case.

I’m also surprised that I stuck to my vow not to buy any new books. This is a big one for me given the amount I was buying! Yes, I’ve received books as gifts but I really didn’t buy one book for myself since I started blogging. I’ll try to stick to it in the coming year, but the longer it goes on the more chance I have of slipping off the wagon….

So, where am I with the dreaded TBR? When I started my blog I worked out that it would take me 20.72 years to read all the 746 based on the fact that I had only read 32 books in the previous year. I’ve done a little better this year reading 52 (one a week!) so if I keep up the momentum it looks like I’ll be all done by mid 2028….. 🙂

The main thing I’ve had this year is lots of fun. I never realised how friendly and supportive others book bloggers are and I’ve come to know a great bunch of people.  I love reading others’ thoughts on books, even if I can’t buy them myself – it’s like a weird kind of vicarious book thrill!

I’ve also had fun taking part in Reading Challenges – RIP IX, The Wharton Review, Non Fiction November and the aptly named March Madness. I even managed to set up a few for myself, namely Reading Roulette and 20 Books of Summer. It has been interesting to read books that I don’t think I would ever have bothered getting round to, authors like Shirley Jackson and Edith Wharton who were just languishing on my shelves before but are now are firm favourites.

Other highlights of the year have been winning my gorgeous Scribbelicious necklace courtesy of a giveaway by Naomi at The Writes of Women and of course, being nominated for an Irish Blog Award.

I’m really looking forward to 2015. I would love to get in to the 500’s by the end of next year, but over 90 books is a bit of a stretch what with the kids and the job and the myriad of other things that life throws! What I do know is I’ll be reading The Age Of Innocence by Edith Wharton in February along with the lovely Jacqui at JacquiWine’s Journal (will you join us?)  and I’ll try and complete 20 Books of Summer once again from June to September.

But I’m most excited to be hosting Reading Ireland Month in March along with Niall at The Fluff is Raging

To celebrate Irish literature and culture we’ll be reviewing books, music, movies, theatre and television from Ireland, there will be giveaways and the chance for you to link up your reviews of books by Irish writers. I do hope some of you will take part. I’ll be posting more details about it next month, so keep an eye out for how to sign up!

A big thank you to everyone who has viewed, read, liked, commented, tweeted, retweeted, reposted and generally supported me along the way this last year. It might sound corny but I wouldn’t be here without you all!

Uncategorized blogversary Edith Wharton first birthday march madness reading challenge reading ireland reading roulette RIP IX shirley jackson TBR