It’s my four year blogoversary!
I can’t believe that FOUR years have already gone by since I decided to start a blog dedicated to books and book-related things! I still remember way back in the day when I decided to start a book blog. I don’t even remember why I decided to blog since I didn’t know anyone who did but I felt like I needed an outlet that was more than just Goodreads reviews. My main goal was to review books to help people find some really good reads out there and four years later, that’s still my number one priority! From reviews to recommendation posts to random bookish fun, I always love sharing thoughts and recommending my favorite reads (and a little bit of everything else bookish in between)!
I think the most interesting thing to reflect on is how much book blogging has truly impacted my life inside and outside of the book world. I’ve found some incredibly amazing books and series that have brought new perspectives on things, shocked me with their creativity, or were just plain fun to read. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to attend book events like BEA and ALA and to attend book events throughout Chicagoland and meet so many amazing authors. I’m forever thankful for publishers, authors, friends, and blog readers alike for their constant support and opportunities to allow me to grow through my blog and be a part of things I didn’t even know would be dreams of mine when I first started my own little corner of the internet.
The biggest impact this blog has made on my life is in my real life friendships. I never thought I would meet friends over the internet (it’s what your parents always warn you about!) but these people who started out as strangers and liked the same books I did turned into life-long friends and incredibly important parts of my life. I’m sure you see the posts and events that I co-host with my friends but our friendship extends so much further beyond blog posts and Twitter chats and I’m forever grateful that I have found these people who enrich my life so much further beyond just books. They have been a shoulder to cry on, bridesmaids in my wedding, travel companions, people I cross the country for, and advice gurus. I had no idea I would find soul friends as well as so many other close friends through this community and that’s been the best surprise of all!
No matter how well we know each other or whether our relationship is personal or professional, I want each reader of this post to know that I couldn’t have had such success with this blog without you! I truly value each and every reader, every comment, every Tweet and Instagram like, and everything in between. I’ve come to love this blog so fiercely. Even after four years, I’m still absolutely head over heels with it and the reason for this passion is because of this amazing community that I’m so thankful to be a part of. Thank YOU for making this blog such an important part of my life. I’m always so grateful for the constant support. I know that blogging, reading, commenting, chatting, and keeping up with my little web page takes up valuable time and I’m so thankful that you consider me and my opinions to be worth it. I’m hoping for many more years to come and I’m looking forward to so much more with all of these friends, old and new!
I also never expected books and blogging to lead me into a career path (well, I don’t know if it’ll ever turn into a career but you know… goals!) when I got the inspiration to start Novelly Yours (my candle shop). I wanted to make candles, just as something fun to do, and ended up relating them to books, opening and Etsy shop, and turning it into something I could share with friends and fellow book-lovers! It really wasn’t about making money or finding something to turn a profit — I was just having so much fun with what I was making and wanted to share it with other book people!! I’ve been so blown away by its success and I cannot thank everyone enough for the support throughout the opening and development of this shop! I’m still so in love with what I do and I cannot wait to keep coming up with new candle ideas!
GIVEAWAY
I’ve been hanging on to a few 2016 ARCs for my blogoversary giveaway! The winner of this giveaway will receive ALL of the 2016 ARCs in the stack pictured below. This giveaway is for US residents only (or if you are int’l and have someone in the US I can ship it to). Winner must be 13 years of age or older to win. Enter the Rafflecopter form below to enter!
STARS ABOVE is on sale February 2nd, 2016 so make sure you pre-order this epic collection! Find it listed at any of the following retailers (and more):
Grisha Trilogy is one of my all-time favorites and I think it would be awesome to be a Grisha! (Honestly. My friends and I have had discussions on which Grisha power we’d have so I’ve already put careful consideration into this. I’m a Squaller. I’m not quite sure why but that felt right. My husband would obviously be a Fabrikator (a Durast to be more specific) since that is his job in real life, just not with magic.) The life isn’t too scary either and let’s be honest… I’m no Alina. I’d probably try to stay away from the whole warring part. Good thing I’m not a Sun Summoner who’s attracted the attention of The Darkling! 
