A Thanksgiving Post

As I begin typing this post a few days before Thanksgiving, it amazes me how many insanely wonderful things have happened to me already in this year.  Yes, I'll admit there were bad times too, but the good definitely outweighs the bad - and this book blog venture of mine has been part of the very good things that have happened to me this year.

I started this blog last April, inspired mostly by Kristi over at The Story Siren and urged on by my passion for reading and sharing my thoughts about the books I love.  I hesitated for a long time because I wasn't sure what I needed to do exactly, but something inside of me longed to take the plunge - so I did it.

The first few months I had no idea what I was doing, but I pressed on, posting reviews and sharing a little bit of my bookish experiences - meeting Libba Bray, Meg Cabot & Maggie Stiefvater (see my post), attending a live event with Rick Riordan & James Patterson (see my post), staying overnight for the Find the Future event hosted by the New York Public Library (see my post).

And then, for a month or two, I disappeared from the blogosphere because of a lot of emotionally traumatizing moments.  I just couldn't find it in my heart to keep up with the blog and deal with everything else going on in my life.

But then, in September, I snapped out of my funk and started blogging about books again.  And this time, I did even more - I interacted with book bloggers, publishers and authors via Twitter, Goodreads and blog hops; I made sure to write better content; I tried out a lot of memes.

And now, come November, I look back at the months that have passed and have nothing but gratitude in my heart.  It's been a wonderful experience so far, becoming a part of this book blogging community, and one that I hope to continue having for a very, very long time.  But today, I just wanted to say thanks.

Thank you to the publishers, publicists and authors who have contacted me to review a novel or allowed me to do so (via NetGalley).  It is truly an honor to be able to work with such amazing people and a blessing to discover many wonderful stories via this route.  I'm happy to be a part of helping get the word out about a book or an author by participating in blog tours and posting my reviews for other people to read.

Thank you in a special way to the authors who write such amazing, inspiring, imaginative, funny, emotional, touching books that I fall in love with.  I love reading all these incredible books and it makes me happy knowing that there are so many more books out there for me to read and love.

Thank you to the book bloggers who inspire me, encourage me and have become some of the most fun people I get to interact with online.  I've made some amazing (virtual) friends because of a shared love of reading and, I must say, that is probably the best bonus of this entire experience.  It's nice to be able to talk to people who care about books, authors and even book characters as much as I do.  It is quite lovely to be a part of this community.  I hope that I'll have a proper blog roll up very soon - it's in the works, don't worry!

Thank you to my loved ones who have always supported (in their own way) my love of books and reading.  It truly puts a smile on my face when I get books as a gift (or a gift card from a bookstore) and I am grateful for the support you lend to my reading habit.  I'd like to especially thank my cousin Carmela (who shares my love of books and got me started on Percy Jackson and The 39 Clues), my boyfriend Macky (who introduced me to the amazing worlds of Tamora Pierce, Garth Nix & Christopher Paolini, to name a few) and my mom (who read to me at a young age and has always encouraged me to keep up the habit).

Thank you to the readers of this blog.  I love seeing your comments on my posts, reading your reactions and finding kindred spirits.  It warms my heart to know that you guys actually care about what I write - and in a way, that inspires me to keep making the blog even better.

And of course, can't forget to thank Him because without Him, nothing is possible.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope you have a wonderful time, stuffing yourselves with good food, enjoying good company and celebrating the gratitude for everything you've been blessed with in this life!