Blog-oversary: 17 years

Today the blog turns 17.

Where does the time go?

The anniversary for 17 years is furniture. 

                     So maybe it's time to clean up my bookcases and give you a tour of them. 

Before

After

YA Books

Before

After

Fantasy/Sci-fi Books

Before

After

Close-up:

Romance shelf: regency and modern

Cozy mysteries

Jane Austen

Mostly Louisa May Alcott

Meg Cabot

Middle Grade

Close Up:

Fantasy books

It was nice to go through these books. I donated several books to my library.

I like how organized they all are; I'm happy I did this project.

It was also really nice to go through the books. Several of them are signed and seeing them brought me down memory lane. I have been so fortunate to meet so many amazing authors. There are a few books where my blurbs have been used, or I'm in the acknowledgements. 

I can't wait to see what the future holds book-wise and blog-wise! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Brags

 This week's topic is Bookish Brags. I'm not good about bragging...

As Paul Rudd says here, stop it, you're making me blush!

But:

I am ahead on my Goodreads goal this year - the last two years, I didn't make my reading goal.

And I forgot my blog anniversary, but I've been blogging for a while...

It's been a wild ride! 

Blog-o-versary

 

Today's a special day.

Thanks for sticking around all these years! 

It's been 84 years....

Just kidding, I haven't been writing that long...

 

Happy 14 years of hanging out with me and chatting about books.

I've enjoyed our time together.

Hope you have too! 

Blog-o-versary

 So in typical fashion, I missed my blogging anniversary - which was earlier this month. I just wasn't on my radar this year. 

(You can read tomorrow's post to discover why.)

I just want to say Thank You for being here and reading this blog for so many years. 

I really do appreciate you!

YA Book Nerd Turns 11

Thanks for reading and supporting the blog for all these years!

Blooper Photos

This month - my blog turned 10. Can you believe that?

 I celebrated by giving the pups some doggie ice cream and taking their pictures. Here are some funny photos out of that.

Ice cream!

We have to pose?

I hate wearing hats.

I must take it off!

Oh, ice cream!

YUMMY!!

Blogoversary: 10 years

Wow, I can't believe I've been blogging for ten years at YA Book Nerd. Where does the time go? I wanted to thank everyone who's been with me on this journey. From fellow booknerds to librarian colleagues - thank you! To authors, publishers, and publicists - thank you! I've loved being a part of the book conversation.

The pups enjoying some dog ice cream in celebration! 

And things have certainly changed on the blog over the past ten years. My reviews have gotten longer. And while they're more personal than my reviews for professional journals (Voya and SLJ), I think they work at showcasing why I enjoyed reading the book.

Recently, I went back and looked at the past ten years. My blog posts varied from book reviews (first mostly YA books, then cozies, then middle grade, then romance, and picture books). At first I was afraid to branch out because I called my blog YA Book Nerd for a reason. But now I'm comfortable sharing my views/opinions on the books I read.

I've also hosted blog tours, author interviews, book spotlights, author news. I've talked about my work in the library with display videos, program ideas, book trailers. I've talked about movies I've enjoyed and movies I want to see. I've shared reviews from other sites: Voya, SLJ, Teens Read Too, Fresh Fiction, and the YALSA blog. I've shared my love for pop culture. I've written personal posts on politics, my life, and share pictures of my pups.

I used to share things on the blog that I now share on Twitter instead. It took a while for me to find my blogging feet. I used to play around with the template a bunch - and it took me ages to find a blog counter that worked. Finally I asked Icey Designs to create me a blog template. I loved it. And I've been using it ever since. Sure, lots of the pictures no longer work. Some of the posts are cringeworthy - but it's me.

Here's a look back:

First Post: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Last Post: Christmas by Accident

Most Popular Post: Summer Reading Ideas: Life Size Games

My Biggest Blogging Year: 2013 with 450 posts (I try to post at least 5 times a week and sometimes on the weekend.)

Search Term People Use Most to Find My Blog: Christmas

A few blog posts that represent the blog pretty well:

2008: Forever Princess (My love for Meg Cabot is strong!)

2009: Facebook Flair (remember that?), Meeting Rick Riordan, The Season book review, Fake Book Cover (my second biggest post)

2010: A Meg Cabot Moment

2011: Book Ideas for Christmas (I do this now every year, it's one of my favorite posts but it also takes a LOT of time)

2012: Eating Disorder Awareness Display and Special Thank You

2013: Dear Mr. Potter, If You Like Pins (some of these more popular pins made it to Buzzfeed!)

2014: 10 Years and Book Covers and Prom Dresses 

2015: Fall TV

2016: National Princess Week

2017: Nasty Women's Books and New Addition

2018: National Library Week

I hope you enjoyed this look back over the years. And thank you again for being part of the journey!

Blooper Photos

Yesterday was my 9 year blogoversary. I celebrated with the pups reading. 

Here are the pictures that did not make the cut.

Enjoy!

Don't let her in my bed!

You don't want me here?

Not really, but whatever.

I guess we're finally ready.

Wait. 

Little One: What's that?

Oh, is it time to play?

Blogoversary: Nine Years

Today marks my blog-o-versary. 

Nine years ago today I jumped into the blogging world and never looked back. 

Here are my two pups reading a Marmaduke book to celebrate.

Don't they share well?  Come back tomorrow for the blooper reel.

Why Marmaduke?

First off, because he's a dog. I wanted the pups to be reading something of interest.

Second because when I was younger, my grandfather made me a scrapbook of Marmaduke comics. It was one of the last presents he gave me before he died. So it's sentimental. 

As is this blog. 

I've enjoyed writing it (been frustrated at times). I've met so many wonderful authors and read fantastic books. 

Thank you for reading and being a part of this journey!

I'm looking forward to another year!

Blooper Photos: The Puppy

Over the weekend, I had a photoshoot for yesterday blogoversary post. Usually the puppy is pretty good about taking photos. But I think this one had too many props for him. It look much longer to get the shot I wanted. Here are a few that didn't make the cut:

I'm not looking at you - nope, not going to do it.

Mid yawn: man this is tiring. You woke me up for this?

I think I'll just lie here.

Not interested, but something's going on in the kitchen

Stink eye. I'm not pleased

Sad face puppy. Why do I have to be in the photo?

Hope you enjoyed these!

8 years on the blog!

8 years ago, I began this blog after blogging at Myspace (yes really) for a few years. So to celebrate, I'm sharing 8 Thoughts on blogging and books and a cute puppy picture (tomorrow I'll have some funny blooper pictures)

1. I will never have enough time to read ALL the books
2. Which means I don't have time (or desire) to finish books I don't enjoy
3. Which means I don't usually have negative views, sometimes there is a negative point or in the review, but I write positive reviews.
4. Which doesn't provide for tons of discussion in comments, but that's not why I started blogging.
5. I started blogging to share my thoughts about what I've been reading and to talk about books. And I think I've done that.
6. Every now and then, I wonder if I'm reaching people and if I should stop blogging
7. But I'm blogging for myself, I'm still reading so I'm still sharing
8. Therefore blogging is super personal but sometimes feels like a chore, so I take a weekend off every now and then to regroup. I'm rarely ahead in blogging, most of the time writing up the blog post for the day before work. But every now and I get ahead and it's lovely. But it doesn't last.

I hope you enjoy reading the blog as much as I enjoying writing it. Thanks for reading!

Happy 7 Years

YA BOOK NERD turns 7 today! I've been blogging here for 7 years. It's hard to believe - where does all the time go? I've had so many amazing things happen because of my blog and met so many amazing authors, bloggers, and librarians. I just want to say, Thank You. Thank you for reading my blog and being a part of my bookish world. I appreciate each and every one of you! 

Happy 5 Years Together

YA BOOK NERD turns 5 today! I've been blogging her for 5 years. It's hard to believe - where does all the time go? I've had so many amazing things happen because of my blog and met so many amazing authors, bloggers, and librarians. I just want to say, Thank You. Thanks for reading my blog and being a part of my bookish world. I appreciate each and every one of you! 

4 Years and Counting

My 4 year blog-oversary passed last week. It's been four year of chatting about books, talking with authors, and talking with people who read similar books. I've loved every moment of it. Thanks for being along for the ride.

Have a cupcake with me!