As of yesterday this blog is 6 years old. OH MY STARS. That is a long time. I’ve said this before but I have always been surprised I lasted for more than a year at this as a serial hobby dropper. 24 year old Jamie who started this blog probably would have never imagined that at 30 she would have been able to keep this blog that long and really let it grow alongside her.
Look how cute I was like 3 months into blogging!!! And skinnier, oof!
I didn’t write anything for yesterday because I just didn’t know what to say. What more can I say after 6 blog birthdays? I’ve done flashy giveaways. I did an embarrassing video my first year. I’ve thanked you all profusely and talked about how important this blog has been to me/how it has changed my life. All the things you’ve seen me through. I’ve reflected and given advice to people on this blogging journey.
So what do I say this time? WHAT. DO. I. SAY? HOW. DO. I. CELEBRATE? I mean, 6 years is exciting to me. Worthy of celebrating. But I keep coming up with nothing — which is frustrating for someone who has overflowed with creativity over the past 6 years. And yes, I am proud of that. I feel like I can own that. I know I’m not the best review writer or the most eloquent or funny person on the internet but I’ve always been proud of the creativity I’ve brought to this blog and the way I’ve managed to make this a personal journey rather than a book review site (not that there’s anything wrong with a book review site — it’s just not what makes me tick).
I stand here at year 6 and for the first time I’m not SURE where I see this site going. Things are so different now (and I don’t mean that badly…they just are) and I’m having a hard time feeling where I fit in this community — which is important to me because the community of other bloggers and readers is what kept me here for so long. I reflected on this when I hit 5 years a bit, but, at year 6 it’s easy to feel irrelevant and like you are just going through the motions. To feel like everyone is bored of reading what you are putting out there. To wonder if you are just on auto-pilot these days and if you even have anything new to say anymore. To feel broken creatively. At 6 years you kind of wonder what your end game is with all this. When do you move on to pursue something new? Are you just holding on because it’s what you know and love? At 6 years I’m wondering if I still want to be a book blog anymore or if I want to go a new direction. Have I been singularly focused for too long? Am I still all in? I still love talking about books but these are all things that have crossed my mind
And maybe this is super depressing for a blog anniversary post and I don’t want anyone feeling bad for me that I feel like this! I just feel like it’s important to be honest — because 6 years is an incredible thing but it hasn’t been without it’s ups and downs. I just want to be truthful about how long the road to 6 years is. It’s long enough to go through these highs and lows….several times over. To feel on the verge of quitting but then get a surge of excitement and passion to keep you going. It’s enough time to see the community and publishing go through so many different changes and ebbs and flows. It’s a lot of time to doubt yourself. It’s a lot of time to be proud of yourself. It’s a lot of time to devote to feel like you aren’t being heard anymore, it’s worth all that time when someone has a meaningful interaction with something you wrote.
It’s a long time to do something and I’m pretty freaking proud of myself. But I would never, ever have continued to do this if it wasn’t for the amazing people who read my blog and chat with me, for my fellow bloggers who inspire me and push me and for anyone who has ever been kind to me or said a kind word. It takes a village to raise a blog, folks. It really does. It’s not lost on me.
So I think all I wanna do for my blogoversary is spread some of the kindness and love that has been an integral part of my experience. I think it’s hard as a blogger to press on along this road — no matter if you are at 1 year or 6 years or 10 years. There are always ups and downs but I think the thing that grounds us is the people that we meet along the journey and the meaningful interactions we have along the way.
So let’s get back to the basics. That’s what I want to do at 6 years. And if you want to celebrate 6 years with me, please complete 6 (or more) of these things in my honor. I originally made this for a project that Estelle and I did but I thought it would be fun to bring it back for this. I’m going to complete the list in the next couple of weeks and I hope you will too!
THE GIVEAWAY
To make it even more fun? Email me at jamie at perpetualpageturner dot com telling me which 6 you completed/small details about what you did and you’ll be entered to win a surprise box of books (mix of upcoming arcs & finished copies) from meeee. I guess it’s on the honor system because I’ll never know if you did it or not but don’t be that guy….okay? DON’T BE THE GRINCH. Spread some kindness and maybe win some books. Either ways it’s a win, yeah?? Sorry a million times over but the giveaway is US only because unfortunately I’m trying to save money to buy a house sooo it’s not in the budget for me to ship internationally, my lovely international darlings. I think doing 6 of these things is fairly easy so I’m going to keep this open until July 1st.
So, thank you all for being part of this journey! I don’t know what the next year will bring but WE SHALL SEE. Whatever it is..I hope y’all will stick around with me!
Jennifer @ YA Book Nerd says
Happy bloversary! I hope there are many more blogging years in your future!
Jamie says
thank you!!!
Kimmy says
Happy blog anniversary! I’ve been blogging since 2010, and I definitely didn’t think I’d still be doing it all these years later either! I love your blog, and really appreciate your creativity and honesty! I’ve definitely picked up books because I’ve heard about them from you, either on your blog or Twitter. This blog has always been a place I can find something inspiring or insightful or just plain fun to read.
I’m in Canada and not eligible for the giveaway, but I really love the random acts of kindness idea and plan to do all of the items on your list! Thanks for everything you do for books and the book blogging community!!
Jamie says
YAY FOR US OGs still around!! Thank you so much for all your kind words <333 It makes me so happy to know I'm not shouting into a void here!!
And this is why you are my people because you are still doing the Random Acts of Kindness even if you can't qualify for the giveaway!! <333333
Holly @ Nut Free Nerd says
Aww what a great idea for a giveaway! I’ll have to get going on my 6 things 🙂 And I love how they’re all bookish!
Happy 6 year blogoversary!!
Alice says
HAPPY BLOGVERSARY JAMIE!! What a great way to celebrate! <3
Judy Hudgins says
Congratulations. Sometimes it’s hard to keep going, but in the long run I think it’s worth it.
Stormy @ Book.Blog.Bake. says
Happy blogoversary! I’m so glad I discovered your blog early when I first started book blogging(which has been three and a half years ago! Not nearly as long as you, but it still manages to feel like a long time sometimes, especially I am also a serial hobby hopper). I LOVE your giveaway and the random acts of kindness idea! It’s such a fantastic way to spread positivity, and all the ideas on your list are so doable.
Ashton says
Happy Blogivesary, Jamie!
I hope that you don’t feel irrelevant. Your blog is one of my favourites and I save it for last in my feed so I can enjoy it. Here’s to many more years of reading and happiness!
looloolooweez says
First, happy blog birthday! 6 years is pretty dang impressive. I know you’re trying to figure out your creative direction right now, but FWIW I’ve really enjoyed following your blog and seeing your thoughts on books and other stuff. But you know, people change over time, and blogs are made by people, so it’s only natural for blogs to change over time too. Anyway, I love this random acts of kindness idea. So lovely! I don’t know if I will have time to do enough to qualify for your giveaway, but just trying to do 2 or 3 seems worthwhile regardless!
India says
Happy Blogaversary!
I’ve only been reading for a few months to a year but I love your little space on the internet. Blogging is hard– for you to do it consistently is amazing! Here’s to more years of doing what you love.
xo, India
Sarah @ Fiction in Reality says
Congratulations on 6 years! I love your idea of random acts of kindness. In our day-to-day lives we don’t do enough of those. And I just wanted to say that reading your blog got me out of my own blog-writing slump a while back when I thought no one cared to read what I was writing. After reading several of your posts I decided what mattered more was that I enjoyed writing my reviews, even if no one was reading them. So thank you! I hope you continue to give us more posts (of any kind).
Whitney @ Imaginary Book Club says
Congratulations!! After six years in book blogging, I can only imagine the lessons and experiences you could share with those of us who are just starting out. I have only been at this for less than a year, and I can see how it could be hard to keep up energy and enthusiasm in a changing landscape over the course of six years. I hope that blogging continues to be a passion for you, or, if you discover that it isn’t, you can give yourself the grace and space to step into whatever comes next. Congratulations on six years of awesome work!
brunettegirl27 says
Happy blogversary Jamie!
I’m a newbie in this community and your blog was one of the first blogs I’ve jumped into. I loved your blog: content and graphic — I LOVED IT ALL!
It’s full of love and awesome recs. I still have to read When we collide from Emery, it’s still waiting on my shelf and I can’t wait for it.
Alice says
Happy blogversary Jamie!!! <3
I've always loved your presence in this community, through your blog and on social media. You've been such a kind, welcoming person in the bookish community, and your reviews have always been insightful and well-written. There have been several books I picked up thanks to you. 🙂 This random acts of kindness idea is an absolutely wonderful idea to celebrate! I'm definitely going to be getting around to knocking quite a few things off that list 😉
Kat C says
Happy Blogaversary ! I do think you are one of the top creative book bloggers out there. I love all of the graphics on your blog and I feel like I’d be lost if I didn’t have the End of Year Survey to do every year (:
Nabila says
This is so awesome! Happy Blogiversary! You have an awesome blog!
Nabila // Hot Town Cool Girl
Space Station Mir says
What a great idea! I will try to do some of these, not sure about 6, but at least a couple! Happy Blogiversary!
Sam @ MyBookishThrills says
Happy Blogiversary! 6 years is a REALLY long time, and I’m astounded that you’ve managed to do it for so long, and for the future, I hope you are filled with even more creativity and inspiration, and do what you love most with no sense of pressure! Congratulations!
Angelique S. says
Congrats on 6 years! That’s so awesome!
Lorraine says
Congrats on 6 years!
Ceillie says
I just started following you, but congratulations on 6 years! This is a great way to share the joy that blogging can be with others!
Holly L. says
Happy Blogaversary! I love reading your blog, whether you are talking books, travel, hobbies, or life stuff. I hope you continue your blog and I will keep reading regardless of how it evolves! A great idea to have acts of kindness as your giveaway, we all need a healthy dose of that these days.
Amy S. says
Happy 6th Blogversary! That’s so awesome! I don’t comment a lot but I always enjoy reading your posts. I also remember finding your blog before I started my own, and how through it I found out about the YA book community. And I bet others could say the same. 🙂
Kathleen P says
Loved this post so much. Congrats on the 6 years again! Thank you for being so open and honest about the life of a blogger. I hope I too can make it to six years on day. One day we will get our crap together and be able to meet. lol
Thanks for having this giveaway. I love that it spreads love and kindness to other blogs. 🙂
Ali says
SIX WHOLE YEARS?! That is utterly amazing! Congratulations (:
Rachel Lightwood @ Quite the Novel Idea says
This is so sweet, Jamie! I love how honest your posts always are. It’s something I truly aspire to be more like. I didn’t find this depressing at all. The opposite, in fact. Six years is pretty darn amazing. You should truly be proud of everything you’ve accomplished. It’s all rather fantastic! I love the idea of your “giveaway” – I’m definitely going to be participating. It’s nice to take a step back and appreciate the people that got us where we are today.
Keep up the good work, Jamie.
lissa says
congrats on 6 year. it really is a long time as I think most blogs don’t last long, at least for me.
I’ll be doing some of the random stuff on your list as I think they are things everyone should do even if it’s just one small thing.
have a lovely day.
Emily @ Ink, Inc. says
Happy blogoversary! Six years is a long time, my goodness. I hope you’ve had an amazing time and will continue to do so! <3
Rosy says
Happy Anniversary,
I’ve just finished my 5th Random Act so I’ll be emailing you soon 🙂
Rosy | Sparkles of Light Blog
Rosy says
My toddler pressed send before I was finished my comment, I was going to say my 6th will be leaving a book in public, I think that’s an excellent idea I can’t believe I’ve never thought of it before!
Also, you still look as lovely now as you did when you were 24 🙂
Rosy | Sparkles of Light Blog
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
HAPPY blogoversary. Six years is such an amazing achievement and you are an important part of my blogging community. Your posts always makes me smile and are special.
I can’t participate in the giveaway, but I still wanted to share the random acts of kindness I have done over time.
1. Emailed an author for the first time to tell them about their work. I’m still trying to find the courage to email one of my favorite authors (Marillier)
2. I reach out to new bloggers all the time.
3. Show appreciation for the people who comment on my blog.
4. Being helpful (like, giving people recommendations for books I think they will enjoy)
5. Comment on a blog with little posts, I do this all the time.
6. Comment on a new blog.
7. Share posts on social media.
So I guess I do a lot 😀
Jamie says
That’s because you are one of the best consistently!! <333
kristen says
aww happy anniversary!
i left 2 books behind on my recent holiday with post its, but that was before i read this post so does it count? haha. one of those was rites of passage by joy hensley (or something) which is one of the million books i’ve read at your recommendation – i liked it but was kinda sad about the ending. womp.
i didn’t kn ow you could email authors 😐 i would be way too shy haha.
seriously though, i love your blog and read all of your posts. you’re pretty much the only ‘book blogger’ i read all the time (or at all actually) because i just feel like you really show your personality through your blog really well, and i feel like we are friends (in a non creepy way lol). but really, keep up the fabulous work 🙂
Jamie says
This comment totally made my day!
And I totally think it counts bc you did it recently! Ah Rites of Passage! I really loved that book! I can’t remember the ending at this point…what happened in the ending?? lol (book amnesia is rough).
You could totally tweet them too instead of email! But yeah I’ve emailed authors and I know authors love getting fanmail. Sometimes they don’t respond but sometimes I’ve had really lovely responses back!
And we totally are friends….that’s how I always hope I come across to people who read my blog!!
kristen says
aw shucks thanks Jamie!
well not to be too spoilery in case any one reads this lol but basically they couldn’t be together because he was a higher rank, and then at the end of the book she gets promoted (or whatever it’s called) and they will be the same…. but then he gets promoted too, so no dice. made me sad! but it was still super well written and i really enjoyed it.
oh i do tweet authors all the time! have you read any jill mansell? i guess you could classify her books as ‘chick lit’ but she tweeted me back the other day and i had a slight heart attack.
anyway 🙂 you’re the sweetest for responding 🙂
Lindsey @ Lindsey Reads says
Happy blog anniversary! I’ve been following your blog for a few years now and I loved it so much it actually finally inspired me to start blogging myself. SO I just wanted to say thank you for that! (Also, I love your idea about the random acts of blogging kindness! Will definitely work on those!)
Jamie says
Thank you!! I’m so genuinely humbled that I could inspire you to start a blog!!
Elizabeth says
Happy blogoversary! I want you to know that you aren’t irrelevant. I’ve been reading your blog for forever, and I’ve been toying with the idea of starting a blog for years, and I’m finally doing it…and your page is one I keep coming back to for inspiration on how to do it; how to make it look good and to see how someone successful as a book blogger sets stuff up.
You are wonderful, and I love your blog. It’s really a wonderful place, and it definitely is still relevant.
Jamie says
Aww thank you <333 This means a lot to me! I'm so happy you will be starting a blog! Leave me the link when it's all ready!
Holly J says
I know I’ve already said this BUT CONGRATULATIONS! 6 years doing this is a freaking awesome accomplishment! And I’m so glad you’re still here because I love your blog (and I say this after seeing favorite blogs stop posting after so many years and knowing I’d be utterly sad if you did too). I’ve been completely absent on the comment front lately, but your blog is one of those that I’ve definitely had to keep up with in the meantime. I love your posts, and how honest you are on here, and how you’ve created a warm space for people to share and converse with you. And I can’t wait to see what’s in store for you, whether it’s book blogging or something else (I just hope you’d stick around the community because we’d miss you!). And I also hope you did something spectacular to celebrate this. 😀 Here’s to Year 7, Jamie, wherever that takes you!