As much as I’d like to tell you this post is about A.A.Milne’s charming book of poetry for children – it isn’t! It’s about something much closer to my heart, for it was six years ago today that I dipped my toe into the book-blogging world. It’s gone so quickly! (On other days I might question has it only been six years, mind.)
There are treats at the bottom of this post, but first I’d like to tell you about my blogging year so far…
I can’t deny that finding out at the beginning of July that my blog was inexplicably top of the literature blog rankings at e-buzzing in June was a huge thrill, and finding it still there a month later made me snort with laughter – I had truly expected it to be for strictly one month only. (It was only two though – down in August – Ed). High rankings are nice, but I will be happier not to be up there, especially now some bloggers who’ve had a break recently like Kim are back. Stats are definitely not what’s at the heart of book-blogging, so I won’t mention them again; it should be about sharing thoughts about reading with you lot of course.
Thank you for visiting, commenting, sharing – everything basically.
The other more important blogging milestone I’ve achieved this year is of course to have set up Shiny New Books with my friends Victoria, Harriet and Simon. The four of us have become even firmer friends through this enterprise, and we’re delighted to have been able to involve so many of you too to review for us. (And we’re still recruiting… do drop us a line info@shinynewbooks.co.uk )
This has also meant that I’ve become a more disciplined reader, but with Shiny’s ethos based upon book recommendations, I’ve read some really good books to feature there. Then I’ve been reading for this blog too, so am reading more than ever before which is rather brilliant. Of course my year-end stats will be skewed even further towards new publications than they usually are, but that doesn’t matter one iota because I am loving it!
* * * NOW FOR A BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY * * *
I always like to share my blog-birthday and have found some gorgeous bookish things to give away this year …
Galley Beggar Press are based in Norwich in the UK – they are a tiny independent publisher and were responsible for discovering prize-winning debut author Eimear McBride. They have also produced three lovely sets of postcards. Each set contains 6 dress-up doll postcards of authors:
The Romantics has John Keats, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, Mary Wollstonecraft, Percy Bysshe Shelley and Mary Shelley.
* * * * *
The Lost Generation comprises Hemingway, Anais Nin, F Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Fitzgerald, Henry Miller and Gertrude Stein.
The Beats contains Carolyn Cassady, Jack Kerouac, Joan Vollmer, Luanne Henderson, Neal Cassady and William Burroughs in the set.
Just say which set you’d prefer in a comment and I’ll pick three names from the hat in about a week’s time. Open worldwide.
* * * AND FINALLY * * *
I made a little film of some books…
Such fun!
In response to Now We Are Six, I’d say We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves! Happy birthday to one of my favourite blogs. As ever I enjoyed the post and loved the film – genius! There are so many things to say about your blog but one of them is you even post frequently late at night or very early morning – so I often read them walking the dog before work – and as I can’t walk and read at same time ( we men don’t do multi-tasking) then the walk lasts even longer – so even the dog loves your blog!
Thanks Col and Col’s dog! I usually schedule my posts to go up at 5am so they’re up by the time I wake up (which is often early), so glad to catch you before work. 🙂
Congratulations on the anniversary – and also on all of the work that has gone into Shiny New Books.
Thank you Tom, we’re all very proud of Shiny.
Can I decide later? I am dithering between the Romantics and the Beats! Congratulations on the anniversary.
Of course you can! 🙂
Congrats Annabel – your blog is always interesting so keep up the great work! As for the giveaway – I can’t decide either between Beats or Lost Generation. If I should be lucky enough to come out of the hat, please choose for me!! 🙂
Thanks Karen. Much appreciated.
Happy Birthday. The Bears will have a party on your behalf. (Any excuse for cake!)
Yay! 🙂
Happiest birthday! Happy for you to choose for me too if I were lucky! Lucky to have your bog and Shiny too
Think I was trying to write BLOG !! Ouch
😀
Happy Blog Birthday!!
The Romantics would be fun thank you, but I do love them all.
What a great post! Congratulations on everything: the 6 years, the e-buzzing ranking, the successful launch of Shiny New Books (and the strengthening of friendships), and the charming video. Thanks also for the chance to win the postcards; it’s hard to make a decision but I think I would choose The Romantics. 🙂
Thanks Debbie. The whole Shiny thing has been rather wonderful.
Happy Blog Birthday! I loved the film!
It too a lot of effort to get that tiny little film off my camera and onto here! All good fun.
Happy 6th Annabel! Keep up the great work – I so enjoy reading your posts! And the Romantics for me please!
Thank you Sakura. 🙂
Happy Happy Blog Birthday! That is such a cool film – congratulate Juliet on her firm hand for me. Of COURSE you were top of the e-buzzing lists, you are such a wonderful writer. And thank you thank you for saying yes all those months ago. It’s been completely brilliant doing Shiny with you, and long may we continue to have so much fun without actually breaking any laws! 🙂
You’re too kind Victoria. It’s been lovely getting to know you too.
Happy blog birthday, Annabel! I’ve been a (silent) reader for a while now. Love your writing (and that little video). It’s got me thinking about how long a chain I could make out of my books…. [Romantics for me!]
I’m glad to make your acquaintance. 🙂
Congratulations on providing an excellent weblog to entertain and educate us, and on SNB too. I’d like “The Beasts” of course. Oh, poor puss has bad eyesight, well then “The Beats” it will have to be instead 🙂
Thanks Peter. 🙂
How you keep up with this and Shiny New Books I don’t know, but it’s been wonderful – congratulations!
Thanks Jane. Luckily I only work mornings plus 2 afternoons, so I have that extra bit of Shiny/blog time!
Happy happy blogging birthday!! You’re a wonderful blogger, and Shiny New Books has been such a treat to read (and, eek, write for — I need to buckle down and get my post sorted out for y’all).
These postcards are amazing. I’d love to be entered for the Romantics!
Thanks Jenny, you’re a wonderful blogger yourself too.
Happy blog birthday and great film! It has been so much fun working with you — long may we go on. Am I allowed into the draw? I love the pcs.
Of course you’re allowed Harriet! Thank you.
Happy Blog Birthday! Great way to celebrate six years of blogging. And you get extra creativity points for that short film. I would like to be entered for the Lost Generation please. 🙂
Thanks Pete. I was looking for a picture of ‘6’ to put in the post, then had the inspiration. Great fun!
The video is perfect! Congratulations on 6 years – I love dropping in and I have found so many wonderful suggestions here that have enriched my reading immensely.
Is there a party to celebrate? Love that giveaway and the fact you are letting us join in your celebration. Now the only question is whether I prefer the beats to the romantics. Oh decisions, decisions….