Wednesday 22 February 2012

Blogoversary week: The Highlights: General


So today I thought I'd focus on the highlights of my blogging life so far. Today's post is gonna be the general highlights, then tomorrow I'm going to write about the specific things that stand out for me. 

1. Actually starting my blog. 
It might sound stupid, but starting my blog in the first place was such an amazing thing for me. I've really enjoyed shaping it and interacting with other bloggers and getting involved in the whole book-blogging thing. It's given me confidence in my ability to actually write something that people want to read, in my ability to keep something like this going and make it a success and even in going for my dream career (to work in publishing).  I seriously can't imagine what I'd do with my time if I stopped blogging!

2. Meeting some awesome people.
I'm not going to list everyone, because that would take up atleast a blog post in itself. But I've met some amazing bloggers this year and they've all inspired me in some way. You can see some of my favourites in both of the sidebars <----> 
But there are a few I want to mention by name. 

First up, Fiktshun. Rachel at Fiktshun is a HUGE inspiration to me. Her blog is the sort of blog my blog dreams of becoming. She's a thoughtful, organised and imaginative blogger. I love all her features and everything is always so carefully written and formatted. She's so passionate, whether it's about a recent release or an old favourite (I think we ALL know how she feels about the Soul Screamers series). She's one of those bloggers that has really found her 'voice'.  

Next up is Liz from Planet Print. We are eerily similar. We acknowledged this the other night when we created our  scale: The complex and highly scientific scale by which we measure the immorality and therefore hotness of male fictional characters. Otherwise known as the Nick-o-meter. We both have the same obsession with amoral characters, the same tastes in TV shows, similar tastes in books and very similar attitudes. Neither of us sleeps, both of us are addicted to junkfood and we're both fairly lazy. There might be 4 years and some miles (I don't know how many exactly) and a North/South divide separating us, but we talk pretty much everyday and I'm very glad I found her! 

Finally we have Brodie at Eleusinian Mysteries. I love Brodie because her personality just jumps off the webpage and hits you in the face.  She's so enthusiastic and excitable and this comes across in all her posts and comments. She also runs amazing events and I can't believe how much planning must go into them!

There are a tonne of other people I could mention, but I think it's safe to say that if you're reading this, you're probably one of them ;) Thanks to all of you for your conversations, your tips, your book recommendations and your totally awesome blog posts. 

3. The books.
I've discovered SO many new authors/books since starting blogging. I'm going to do a post later in the week about how my reading habits have changed, but lets just say I wouldn't have read nearly as many awesome books this past year without blogging. (The Hunger Games, Divergent, Anna and the French Kiss, Delirium, Saving June, the list can go on.) I love how reading everyone's recommendations and reviews, seeing their enthusiasm for certain books really drives me to want to read them too. I love being caught up in the frenzy of love for a particular book--it's all so fun!

So there we have it, my general blogging highlights! Tomorrow's post will be on all the specific things I've loved about blogging and so will probably end up being much, much longer.

Don't forget to enter my blogoversary giveaways!
UK giveaway
International giveaway 

15 comments:

  1. Oh happy blogoversary week! I'm so glad you started blogging too! I love your reviews and your new discussion posts. And please, your blog is already awesome, no need to aspire to be more like mine. Yours is so far beyond! But thank you for the kind words. :)

    I love the new header and the blog button! I've been waiting for that for AGES! (I have had a draft In the Spotlight post on Bloggers Corner for at least 4 months waiting for you to get a button!) :)

    And actually starting the blog is such a huge thing! Not stupid AT ALL. It is a life changer. But I'm so glad you've made it to one, and I expect to see here at two, unless you decide to become a famous author or something. Then I'll just have to start stalking your writing blog.

    A HUGE congratulations.

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    1. Thankyou for the lovely comment Rachel <3 I seriously don't think anyone puts as much time and attention into blogging as you do.

      Haha I know I finally had a redesign!! I love it though...I don't know why I put it off for so long.

      I really hope to be here at two as well.

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  2. I know what you mean about actually first starting up a blog. It's a pretty big thing if you think about it! And you build everything up yourself, it's definitely rewarding :). And I'm very glad I found you too! :D Thanks for patiently listening to all my ranting. And for forcing me to go to bed before sunrise :P. The blogosphere wouldn't be the same without you! (Who else is going to claim Northern water tastes better than Southern?)

    Ah, the books. Can't believe how much more I read now. Books I thought I'd never like have found their way to my favourites shelf!

    Happy blogoversary again, and congrats! :)

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    1. I get you, you start with NOTHING and build it all up...pretty amazing really. Same with me, I never thought I'd read half the stuff I've read this past yeah (like Anna and the French Kiss!)

      P.S Northern water DOES taste better than Southern

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  3. I like your idea of highlighting your first year in blogging.

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    1. Merci Jenny, I'm posting my particular highlights tonight so stop back for that :P

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  4. Congratulations!! The first year is pretty life changing!!

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  5. I loved reading this - great idea for a Blogoversary post. Blogging has had a huge change on my life too... kind of mystifying if I take a moment to truly think about it. How much time I spend blogging, the wonderful people I've met, how much more time I spend reading now, and all the great books that I wouldn't have found if I hadn't been a blogging either.

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    1. It's weird how much it impacts your life, but it REALLY does. Thank you for stopping by Aylee =]

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  6. Oh my god. A Caitliz twin. That's kinda scary. Yet I won't deny.... ridiculously awesome too :D

    Ha, I have always wanted to be able to punch someone in the face from way across the ocean :D. AWWWWWW I LOVE YOU TOO!!! <3 I am so happy I discovered your blog. It kind of amazes me that so many of us are turning one (or two)... it feels like only yesterday I entered this world and discovered you incredible people, yet at the same time, it feels SO much longer than a year, you know?

    Blogging has completely changed my reading habits too! I'm so excited to see your post this week. Happy Blogoversary, Cait!!! I hope we see you around for at least 20 more years :)

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    1. Completely agree with you, I feel like I started this blog a month ago!! Looking forward to hearing how your reading habits have changed, post will be up tomorrow =]

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  7. Yay! What a lovely post! So glad you started blogging - I love your blog!

    You and Liz are SO twins!! I always think this when I see you two chatting on Twitter! :)

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    1. Aw thank you Leanna!! I love your blog so much...and your love of Rafa ;) We are scarily similar me and Liz, it is true :P

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  8. I'm also glad you started blogging. Yours in definitely one of the opinions I trust. I also don't know what I'd do if I hadn't started!

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Thanks to blogger making it easy for us to reply to comments I will now be replying where possible, so if you comment be sure to check back! =]