This is probably the first time that I have acknowledged my blog's anniversary. March 16th, 2015 marks the 9 year mark for me and book blogging. In digital years, that probably makes me a great-grandmother. But at least I am in good company (Andi, I'm looking at you!).
I am not sure what made me want to mark this year vs all the others that came before it. One could say that I am less engaged in the broader blogging community than I have ever been. I know none of the drama, none of the new sites, none of the most popular books. I rarely review new books, and I now get more and more of my books from the library rather than publishers or the bookstore. And, more and more, I struggle to visit other people's blogs and comment and engage in conversation in a timely manner. I am usually at least a week late and a dollar short on all forms of blogger communication.
But I still believe in the power of books and authors to make a difference in people's lives, and I want so desperately to know that I have used my time here to make a positive impact on someone.
So for my blogiversary, I would like to buy three of you a book. It can be any book that I have reviewed in the entirety of my blog experience (well, any that is under $20, please). And preferably it's not just one that everyone has reviewed and is on a best-seller list and very easy to find or buy if you wanted to. Instead, I hope it's one that is a little lesser-known and difficult to find but you really, really want to try it. But hey, I am not going to set rules here. If you really want to read The Martian and I'm the only way you're going to get to it, then please let me know. I have been on the receiving end of wonderful, thoughtful book karma before, and I'm happy to pass it along to others.
So - what book have you seen reviewed here that you would like to have a copy of all for yourself? And why that book particularly?
Let me know in the comments, and I'll pick three people at random by the end of the week (Saturday) and send you either the book or a gift certificate to your store of choice to purchase the book. Hard copy or e-book copy both work for me. Please keep your choice under $20; if the book happens to cost more than that, I'll give you $20 towards your purchase :-)
Thank you for reading books and thank you for reading this blog. Here's to many more wonderful reads ahead for us all.
Happy Blogiversary! I'm so glad you still find time to be around :) A lot of us have blog birthdays in March, it's cool!
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's when livejournal first opened :-)
DeleteIt's my blogiversary today too! 8 years. Congratulations, and glad you're still at it!
ReplyDeleteWhoa, we're bwins! How fun!
DeleteDelusions of Gender. Both because it has a catchy title and because it's been on my list for a while.
ReplyDeleteAnd happy anniversary. I had no idea that you've been around for so long.
Delusions of Gender definitely had a huge impact on my life, so great choice! Even if I am not able to get it for you, I highly, highly recommend you read it soon.
DeleteAnd yes, it's hard to tell the age of a blog on the internet ;-)
Happy Blogiversary! Well, I don't need to tell you what I would want to read, because I know what YOU would want me to read! LOL
ReplyDeleteI do! And with $20, I could probably get you two books.
DeleteHappy Blogiversary! My 9th was in December, but I am very sporadic in marking mine...
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sporadic, too. I always remember us meeting on the Historical Fiction/Fantasy Fiction forums :-)
DeleteCongratulations! That is a huge achievement and I always look forward to reading your thoughts on books, many which are new to me. I think there is a general trend in not engaging as much as we did before, perhaps it's the way the internet is growing (a little too fast for me!) But I'm happy that you are continuing and please know that I'm reading your posts even though I may get to it a little late.
ReplyDeleteI get to everything quite late myself, so I completely understand. I really appreciate you telling me that, though, because it can be hard to write into silence sometimes :-)
DeleteHappy bloggy birthday, wonderful Aarti! I'm so glad you have stuck around, you are one of my all-time favorite bloggers, and one of these days I am going to come bother you in Chicago. :p Can I be super lame and ask that if I win, you send me a book you think I'd like? Cause one of the awesome things about your many years as a blogger has been all the book recommendations I've gotten from you, sooooooo...
ReplyDelete(If that is too much of a nuisance, then, Delusions of Gender. That is a book I super love, constantly want to refer back to, yet do not own.)
Oh, that's such a fun idea! I accept the challenge :-)
DeleteAnd 100%, please come bother me in Chicago! We can traipse!
Happy Blogiversary to you!! Congrats on 9 years of blogging - I love reading your posts :) And thanks for the awesome giveaway. Picking one book is hard, but I would choose NW by Zadie Smith. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nadia, I really enjoy your posts, too. And great choice - NW is definitely one that makes you think. Also a great book to read and compare to Americanah.
DeleteHappy blogiversary!! 9 years is an amazing long time to be blogging and I hope you continue blogging for many more wonderful years to come. I am going to be shameless and do what Jenny did because I would love it if you could surprise me with a book that you strongly recommend. I would more likely read a surprise book than one I asked for, lol. But if that doesn't work, one of Hanif Kureishi's books would be nice, maybe Buddhas of Suburbia.
ReplyDeleteHaha, well, if you are more likely to read a book that I send as a surprise, then deal! I actually don't think I've ever read Hanif Kureishi's books before, but I'm going to look them up.
DeleteSkipping the giveaway because I'm seriously at risk of drowning in unread books, but I wanted to say happy bloggiversary anyway <3 Ditto to everything Jenny said, basically - I'm so glad that you're still here and that we met and get to read books together, and that you introduced me to so many wonderful authors and books over the years. Your voice matters, and here's to many more years *hugs*
ReplyDeleteI already gave you two of my favorite books to read, 1491 and 1493 - I hope you enjoy those when you read them :-)
DeleteHappy blogaversary ..grandma ;)
ReplyDeleteI think I will turn..6?7? It's 7 it seems.
Right *coughs* Fine I thought of the Martian first, everyone just loved it
Well, now you're just saying that because I put it in your head!
DeleteHapp happy!! It seems like the season. I just had my tenth!! I'm so glad you're around and that I found you. I learn so much from you. So, you know, thank you for that. And for the podcasts.
ReplyDeleteHaha, and right back at you! On the books and the podcasts.
DeleteAnd congratulations on 10 years! That's lovely :-) I DO think that you were one of the first blogs I found but now it's all hazy...
Has it really been 9 years? Happy blog anniversary, Aarti. My blog will turn 9 in July. It doesn't seem possible. Like you, I am less engaged in much of the blogosphere anymore. I do catch mention of some of the controversies that come up if I happen to be on Twitter at the right time, but I so rarely get involved. I keep to my own little corner and am happy with that. :-)
ReplyDeleteI think I've known your little corner of blogosphere for many years now, and I'm so glad I found it :-)
DeleteHearty congratulations Aarti, as one of the few thoughtful blogs I love your reviews on the varied books that you draw a spotlight on. I especially liked your reviews on Ramesh Menon's Mahabharata books as well as Chitra B. Divakaruni's Palace Of Illusions.
ReplyDeleteMihir
Happy Blogiversary, Aarti! I'm glad you are around still! I can't believe 4 of you share a blogiversary - this must be an auspicious day to start a book blog! I started in January (2009) and have found lots more in January but none with the exact date. One of my favorite things about your blog is you bring books to my attention that I wouldn't necessarily see elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteHappy 9th! I can't believe so many wonderful blogs that I've read for years are at or nearing the decade mark. Wow! Thanks so much for sharing your book experience with us for 9 years.
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteWow 9 years, many people burn out on blogging much sooner. Thank you for blogging and your stamina!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I'd love to read The Blue Castle!
ReplyDeleteWow, nine years! That's worth noting. I have more books than I can read right now, but I love getting recommendations from you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Aarti! And it doesn't matter at all how your blogging has changed. Nine years is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! Very impressed with 9 years of wonderful blogging xx
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogiversary!
ReplyDeleteHappy blogiversary! My own is tomorrow, but it will only be the seventh year. Nine years is amazing!
ReplyDeleteAs for books you've reviewed, you've actually reviewed at least two that I know are on my want list. Bridge of Birds, which an old boyfriend recommended to me and I've never managed to spot at a bookstore and Cassandra at the Wedding, because NYRB Classics rock and I always her about it as one of the great lesbian books. (I am such an indecisive person.) I probably want Cassandra at the Wedding more.
Happy blogoversary!! That's an amazing achievement!!
ReplyDeleteIf I win I'd probably pick The Cuckoo's Calling, by Robert Galbraith .
Forgot to mention why I wanted the book. All the reviews I've read for this one are great and I'm curious to see how the book is.
DeleteHappy Blogiversary!!
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary!!!
ReplyDeleteIf I win I'd love to pick either The Night Circus or the first book in the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. I've heard amazing things about both books,especially about the gorgeous writing.