Now We Are Six…

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!

36 thoughts on “Now We Are Six…

  1. Col says:

    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!

  2. kaggsysbookishramblings says:

    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!! 🙂

  3. queenofthepark says:

    Happiest birthday! Happy for you to choose for me too if I were lucky! Lucky to have your bog and Shiny too

  4. debbierodgers @Exurbanis says:

    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. 🙂

  5. litlove says:

    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! 🙂

  6. naturalbeautycabinet says:

    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!]

  7. Dark Puss says:

    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 🙂

    • Annabel (gaskella) says:

      Thanks Jane. Luckily I only work mornings plus 2 afternoons, so I have that extra bit of Shiny/blog time!

  8. Jenny @ Reading the End says:

    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!

  9. drharrietd says:

    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.

  10. Pete says:

    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. 🙂

  11. BookerTalk says:

    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….

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