Yesterday was my ten year anniversary as a book blogger. I published my first post on 19 January 2010.
So much has changed in my life over the last ten years. My career at Borders Books & Music ended due to the company’s bankruptcy, I earned my massage therapy certification and license to practice in Illinois which I did for 4 years, my wife and I moved to Connecticut to be closer to the ocean and NYC, loved ones have left, new ones have joined the family, and I started a literary podcast with a great new friend, to name just a few of the highlights.
Through it all, one thing has stayed the same: I’ve kept reading and I’m still here blogging about books. I’m certainly a more consistent reader than I am blogger. I’m a daily reader and have been for as long as I can remember. I get crabby if I don’t read. One day without reading is rough for me. Two days without reading is rough for everyone around me.
Although I don’t blog daily, I am a daily writer. I write in my journal most mornings or in the evening if my morning got derailed. I also have some writing projects in the works but don’t tend to write or talk about them. You can bet I will when they’re further along and/or finished. I’m of the philosophy that you don’t talk about writing projects in development because that can suck the energy out of them.
Thank you
I couldn’t let a big anniversary like this go by without saying something about it and especially without thanking you, reader of this blog. Thank you for the years of support, encouragement, engagement, and great book recommendations! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: book people are the best. I’ve made so many great friends through books, both IRL and online.
Giveaway
To celebrate this milestone, I’m giving away a free book (or two) of your choice, up to $25 as long as its available through bookdepository.com. They have free international shipping, so this giveaway is open to readers world wide.
To enter to win simply state that you’d like to be entered to win in the comments below and if there’s a book you’ve had your eye on, mention it if you feel comfortable doing so.
I’ll use random.org to pick a winner on Monday, January 27th, at 9 am ET. Good luck and thanks again!
1/27 Update: The Winner Is…
I used random.org to pick the winner and that lucky person is Emma of Words and Peace! Thanks to everyone for your kind words and for entering to win.
Happy Blogiversary, Chris! Cheers to you and this decade of distinction. I’m so glad that our love of books (and food) brought us together. 🙂
John! My dear first Connecticut friend. My life here would not be the same without you. (I mean that as a compliment, by the way.)
“One day without reading is rough for me. Two days without reading is rough for everyone around me.” – LOL! I, too, can’t spend a day without reading, even it it’s only 10 min before bed (otherwise I can’t sleep!). Reading, for me at least, has become as important as eating!
Happy 10th blogiversary, Chris! I know how tough it is sometimes to keep blogging, when life demands keep increasing. So, 10 years is very special, congrats!
Thank you for the opportunity to win some books! I would like to win Barnaby Rudge (the only Dickens I don’t own) and Willa Cather’s One of Ours (she is in my “Author Challenge”, and I only have 3 of her earlier novels).
Thanks, Fanda! One of Ours is one of my favorite Cather novels. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it. I haven’t heard of Barnaby Rudge! I’ve only read one or two Dickens and would like to try a few more.
Congrats on 10 years! Would love to be entered to win! I’ve had my eye on getting all the UK cover editions of The Mortal Instruments series.
Thanks, Melissa! I haven’t read that series yet but it has caught my eye at the bookstore. This would be a perfect giveway for you to win. I love checking out how covers change from country to country.
Congratulations on 10 years! I am so glad we have become friends in real life, bonding over our love of reading. No matter how tired I am, I have to read before falling asleep at night. So many titles I am looking forward to reading, despite the piles in my house!
I am, too, Kate and glad we live close enough to see each other fairly regularly!
Congratulations on 10 years, Chris. I always look forward to both your postings and, of course, the podcast. I wish you at least 10 more years.
Thanks, Linda! Your reading and listening means a lot to me. Looking forward to seeing you at Booktopia!
Congratulations on 10 years of blogging – a great achievement. And thanks for the chance to win a book. My choice would be American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins.
Thank you! American Dirt is on my list, too. I’ve heard it’s a tough read so I might wait until the spring or summer to read it.
Congratulations on your blogiversary! Having only ‘found’ you in the last year I feel I have a lot of catching up to do. I know exactly what you mean about needing to read every day too.
Thanks, Anne! I’m so glad we’ve connected!
A very happy blogiversary! to you, Chris. Here’s to many more years of writing and podcasting. 🎈📚😃
Thank you, Paula! And thanks for helping to spread the word.
Congratulations on 10 year. Diane Chamberlain has a new book out that I would like to read.
Thank you! I haven’t read anything by Diane Chamberlain yet. Just looked at her website and see that she has written 26 books — wow!
Happy blogiversary! That’s a Milestone for sure. I enjoy your blog posts and especially your podcast with Emily! Nice of you to do a giveaway – we benefit from your achievement ;o) If I lived closer, I’d stalk you – haha.
Thanks for reading and listening, Dawn! If you lived closer you’d have to join us for biblioadventures. 🙂
Congratulations! Many more blogs and enjoyment. Thanks for this lovely giveaway. Reading provides me with enjoyment and pleasure and has for many years.
Thanks, Anne. I can’t imagine life without books.
Hooray, congratulations on your blog and navigating your changes in life, there were some big challenges in there. Thank you for the international giveaway — even though I should not buy more books I cannot resist. I am not sure what I would get, but something I want to have in paper and that is not easy to find here in English. I have my eye on Oliver Sacks’s books that I have not read yet.
Thanks, Lory! I haven’t read anything by Oliver Sacks. I just looked through his oeuvre and I had no idea he wrote so many books.
Congrats! Hard to believe 10 years has passed. I’ll be joining you in July 😀 I’m totally with you on the don’t talk about writing projects or it’ll suck the wind out of them.
[No need to enter me in the contest if you can figure a way out to exclude me that’s not too complicated. Let someone win it who needs it :), just wanted to say congrats!]
I know it’s such a cliche, but time really does fly. It seems to go faster with each passing year. If we keep at it we’ll be at 20 years before we know it. Thanks for the congrats.
How did I miss your blogiversary!! Congratulations! And thanks for all your posts, reviews and library visits. Always fascinating.
I didn’t realize, or I had forgotten that we started the same year. Mine is coming up in September.
I wouldn’t mind being entered in the giveaway, I have my eyes on many books as usual, so I’ll give you a title if I win 😉 Thanks for the chance
Congratulations, Emma! You won the giveaway! Please send me an email with your title(s) whenever you’re ready (C.L.Wolak@gmail.com). No hurry.
Thanks so much!! I sent you my titles through twitter PM
Happy 10 year Blogiversary. I found your page while scouring Twitter! I’ve been looking at Artisan Sourdough Made Simple by Emilie Raffa. Bread baking is a new hobby of mine and the reviews on her book are excellent for a beginner like myself!
Thanks, Jeffrey! I’m sorry you didn’t win this giveaway, but your new hobby is delicious! Happy reading and baking to you.