Two years. I have made it through 2 years of blogging on my own. It has been awesome and new and trying and a lot of work. I have learned things about people and the publishing world that I never thought I would. I posted 280 posts. Some were hits, so were misses. Basically it was a year of trial and error and it was a year of growth.
Highlights of 2014:
- The ABCs – In 2014 I made a conscious effort to change up the style of my weekly ABC posts. Instead of doing them all on my own I took inspiration from Brittany of The Book Addict’s Guide and her weekly Book and Beverage posts and opened it up to you all. Since switching it in July of 2014 I have 53 people sign up and hope to keep it going. I love seeing every week what my new guest poster has selected. And I love that readers, blogger,
publicists and authors have all taken part in the fun. - Tales of a Moderator – I did something in 2014 that I thought I would never do. I sat in front of a room of people and got to ask Sarah J. Maas and A.C. Gaughen questions about their books. I mean me? I’m this awkward, shy, quiet girl and I was able to do that. That was truly an amazing experience. Could I have been better at it? Sure. But I did it and I’m honored that I was even asked to do it by the amazing folks at Bloomsbury.
- Book Nerds Unite – This was a fun little brain child of mine. Myself and 19 other bloggers came together and hosted an epic giveaway. It was fun and made my blog grow a lot and taught me a lot. I definitely plan to do more of these in the future.
- Parallel Time Loop – I’m a massive fan of parallel life books and time travel books which I find very interchangeable. After reading Loop by Karen Akins I was hit with an idea. I got a handful of bloggers together and had them guest post on my blog for 2 weeks. We each had our own book in the genre
and were able to talk about whatever we wanted in conjunction with the book. I personally got to interview Lauren Miller, one of my fave people, and that was a fantastic thing. I hope to do more of these in 2015. One may even be in the works right now. Stay tuned! - Isla is Coming: A Happily Ever After Readalong – Guys, you know my love of all things Anna and the French Kiss. When Isla finally came out last year I was lucky to be able to take part in a group of bloggers that were promoting the book in our own special way. Not only that but we also were able to find people will to donate to the cause with giveaway prizes at their own expense. It was truly a remarkable experience.
- First Time BETA reader – I have heard about BETA readers for a long time. It was just something that was always there. But then I was asked to be one for the WONDERFUL Miranda Kenneally and her awesome book Breathe, Annie, Breathe. The book was so amazing and completely blew me away. For always Breathe, Annie, Breathe will hold a special place in my heart. REVIEW
BEA(1 & 2) – I did it. After a few years of wanting to go and always having an excuse not to, I finally got my act together and went to my first BEA in May of 2014. It was awesome. It was overwhelming and fun and a learning experience and something I plan to do again in 2015…hopefully. I got to meet some amazing authors and bloggers and go to some publishing events and pick up some books that ended up being some of my favorites. I made some new friends and connections that I hope last a long long time. Truly a highlight of 2014.
The Books:
I read a lot of great books in 2014. Some that will come out in 2015, some that came out a few years back, some that came out in 2014. Out of all the books I did read I gave 5 stars to about 30 of them (some were more 4.5 or 4.75 stars but Goodreads refuses to do half stars). Out of those 30 I have some that are definite faves.
2014 Favorite Books
Throne of Glass/Crown of Midnight/Heir of Fire: My first fantasy addiction. I had dabbled slightly with Graceling the year before, but Throne of Glass really opened up by eyes to how good fantasy can be and got me hooked on anything that Sarah J. Maas writes.
Frio of the Exiles/Quintana of Charyn: I almost gave up on this series after not loving Finnikin of the Rock. But I stuck it out and gave it a chance. Easily two of my favorite reads of 2014.
Isla and the Happily Ever After: Swoon. I mean it is a full book of swoon. I’m so sad the “series” is over, but it couldn’t have ended on a better note.
Open Road Summer: One of my first unexpected ARCs and one of the few books I wanted to hug when I was done. Matt Finch is EVERYTHING and Reagan and Dee’s friendship is the kind of friendship that should be in every book.
Kiss of Deception: I love the concept of this one. It was clever and I loved the way that it unfolded and how the story was told. Can’t wait for book 2. (Review to come when I can actually put my feelings in words.)
Loop: I am slightly obsessed with this book. I think you may have noticed that I tell everyone they need to read it as I loved it that much. So um, READ IT.
Free to Fall: I loved Lauren Miller’s first book Parallel to pieces, but I loved Free to Fall maybe even a tiny bit more. It was amazing and made me want Lauren to write even more books.
Since You’ve Been Gone: Morgan Matson’s previous book, Second Chance Summer, hit me right in the feels. It was an emotional read of sickness and dying and moving on and second chances. But Since You’ve Been Gone seemed to get me even more. SYBG is the story of growing up and finding a place for yourself in the world without a crutch of an outspoken friend. Basically amazing!
Breathe, Annie, Breathe: See my highlights from 2014.
2015 Favorite Books
I’ll Meet You There: I won a copy of this book this past summer and I couldn’t wait to read it. It crushed my soul and put it back together in the best kind of way. Look for my review and tour stop in early February
A Court of Thorns and Roses: This book is on Anna and the French Kiss level for me. It was so super amazing and a book I could re
read over and over again. It was beautifully written (duh, it is by Sarah!) and unfolded perfectly. I just loved it. Look for my review closer to release date.
Reborn: I was extremely lucky to get to read this early, like July 2014 early, and I loved it. The whole Altered series is extremely underrated and something more people should read. This was the last one in the series, at least for now, and maybe my favorite.
The Start of Me and You: Emery Lord did it again. I can’t say much more than that. She knows how to write cute boys and great friendships and is something all should read. Review will be posted closer to release date.
The Orphan Queen: This book! OH THIS BOOK. I still can’t get over the end. I need the next book like NOW. Review to come closer.
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All in all 2014 was a fabulous year for me as a blogger. I got to do things I never thought I would do and had new opportunities. Because of you guys my blog grew a lot and I thank you. And as a thank you I am giving one reader a chance to win a book of their choice that is already released (no more than $20.00 USD) and a 2015 preorder book (no more than $20.00 USD). This giveaway is open internationally but only if the book is available at The Book Depository and that they will ship to your country if in US books need to be available through Amazon. Contest will go from 1/12/15-1/16/15 at 11:59pm EST. You must be 16 to enter. Just click on the picture below to enter.
Thanks for the love this year and I can’t wait to see what 2015 brings for me and Andi’s ABCs!
Congrats on two wonderful years! So proud of you and even prouder to get to call you a friend.
My 2014 highlight for blogging was BEA and meeting Gayle Forman. Hands down. Personal was buying a house!
My 2014 highlight of the year was probably seeing Ed Sheeran live in Mansfield, MA! He’s AMAZING live!
Also meeting the Swon Brothers at my local Fair was pretty awesome 🙂
And discovering the ToG series!!
Congratulations on 2 years. 🙂
congratulations on two years of blogging!! my highlight of 2014 was probably meeting a.s. king and gayle forman at the texas teen book fest. it was my second year to go, and it’s a pretty awesome festival.
Congrats! Your blog is awesome!!
My highlight was going to an author signing!!!!
thank you so very much 🙂
I think one of my 2014 highlights was meeting Sarah J Maas and Leigh Bardugo at a book signing and Sarah saying she loved my hair colour 🙂
2014 was a VERY tough year for me, but the highlights of the year were one of my best friend’s wedding where I prepared the candy bar with mini cupcakes, and my trip to the US in October to NYC & Chicago where I got to attend my first book events!! I met Kendare Blake and the Fierce Reads tour with Nikki Kelly, Jessica Brody, Gennifer Albin, Marissa Meyer and Leila Sales!! I also got to meet Sharon Biggs Waller in Chicago! And met fellow bloggers & book lovers Amber from Book Bratz and Sarah (that no longer has her blog up).
Congrats on 2 years. The highlight of my year was probably changing schools. I was miserable at my old one (and failing),the school I’m at now is so much better for me (and my grades).
Hmmm….. I am not sure, I would say reading 40 books in a year was a big thing for me!
Congratulations on your 2 year blogiversary! I knew you’d be a great success when you started this endeavor and you have done awesome! Here’s to many more years!
And, my highlight of 2014 was getting to meet two of my favorite authors, Carly Phillips and Catherine Gayle. 🙂
HAPPY BLOGGING ANNIVERSARY!
I must be honest and say that 2014 was a rough year for me. I honestly have very little highlights of things I did because I kind of left everything I loved and am still piecing things together. I did, however, get to feed and pet a giraffe (which is a little strange for WI) and I got to make a few day trips to Lake Michigan (ahhhhh those sandy beaches are amazing….I wish I could just live in summer). Other than that, no personal highlights.
Reading wise…it was fantastic. I started the Throne of Glass series and only wish I had started that sooner. Though, maybe it’s a good thing. I’d just have to wait a lot but instead I jumped in right as the 3rd book was about to come out. I also read a ton of Rainbow Rowell (fantastic!) and Marie Lu (seriously…she is so amazing). I read so many other good things, but to list them all would take awhile.
Here’s to another awesome year of blogging for you and a fantastic 2015 for us all!
Congrats on 2 years!! My highlights for 2014 was my nephew Landon being born in August. Meeting Jennifer Armentrout, and going to RAGT and meeting some great authors Carly Phillips and Lori Foster.
2014 was a really hard year for me that I can’t even think of a highlight. But if I think blog wise, I did collaborate with Kayla and we did stuff together with our blogs and that was something I enjoyed. Which is probably why we are now doing Contemporary Conversations Together. 🙂
I’m so proud of your 2 years of blogging. I hope you enjoyed your year. My 2014 highlight was definitely attending my first book signing.
I don’t have a highlight of 2014 book wise. But my first live concert AND going to a music festival was fun. It also led me to finding out what I wanted to do and 2015s highlight so far is starting my own blog
My daughter pretty much potty trained herself in a few days. Also, I think it’s hilarious that that is my highlight of last year, but not much else happened.
Congrats on two years! Love the new layout! 2014 highlights include meeting Catherine Gayle, Carly Phillips, and attending my first Keith Urban concert!
Congrats on two years as a YA blogger. As someone who has been at it for awhile, I know how much work and dedication it takes. 🙂
Highlight in 2014 was seeing one of the brands I represent on national television. For blogging, it was doing an in-person interview with Lauren Oliver. 🙂
Congrats on your two years!
I think my highlight in 2014 was coming back to blogging. I hadn’t realized how big a part of me it was and it just feels right carving out the time in my life to do it.
First, HAPPY 2 YEARS! I just wanted to say that to you again. hehe Your blog is coming along great! And it looks like 2014 was a great year for you in all things bookish!
The highlight of 2014 for me was making more bookish friends on Twitter and also having Morgan and Tamara join the blog. 🙂
Congrats on 2 years! My 2014 highlight was being able to meet four of my favorite authors (Kevin Hearne, Maggie Stiefvater, Patrick Rothfuss, and Susan Dennard) this year!
The highlight of 2014 for me was probably when I was sent my first ARC that wasn’t from a giveaway. Scholastic sent me All Fall Down, and I was so proud of myself when I got it in the mail. Another bookish highlight is probably that I am now Internet friends with Romina Russell. I love her book, and I’m so glad that I won and ARC through Goodreads because I think that’s what really put my blog on the map.
Congrats on two years!
Happy blog birthday! I love the new layout as well. Congrats! 2014 was a big year for me but a highlight was probably having dinner with Rachel Hartman and the first librarian I ever worked with–at the Plaza!
Happy Blogoversary and thanks for the giveaway! Discovering new favorite book series is the highlight of my 2014. 🙂
I’m so grateful that your blog has been around for the past two years, because you were one of the first people I considered a “blog friend” when I started up. I’ll never forget chatting with you about different things and feeling really happy to be accepted into the community! And I’m happy to say I took part in three of the big events that happened on your blog this year (Isla Is Coming, Parallel Time Loop, and Book Nerds Unite!)
Thanks again for all you’ve done for ME in my beginning days. xo
Congrats on 2 years!!! I’d say interviewing Diane Chamberlain kind of shellshocked me for a week or two! My ultimate was my sister getting me a signed and personalised US edition of Maybe Someday for Christmas, it makes me happy just looking at it!
Happy (Belated) Blogversary! The new blog look is a good one!
Happy Blogiversary!!! One of the highlights of my year was my job over Christmas break! I was able to work at my local bookshop and it was a dream. 🙂 Thank you!
Congratulations on 2 years. That’s always incredible to hear. I sadly don’t recall any highlight last year for me. How sad it that? I hope this year is a lot better. Thank you so much. Good Luck on your future years of blogging.
Happy 2 years! Congratulations!
2014 wasn’t a really eventful year for me or my family, but we definitely had some highlights: we bought a much needed new (to us!) car, my newest niece was born, and I read some truly wonderful books!
2014 wasn’t much of a year for me (so much schoolwork, omg), but the best thing I enjoyed was Daniel Radcliffe’s film, What If, finally being released (it was so cute!), and reading Cress by Marissa Meyer. Thank you so much for this giveaway, and happy 2015!
Congrats on your 2 year blogiversary!!! That is so awesome!!
The highlight of 2014 for me was joining this awesome bookish community when I became a book blogger. I had been so welcoming and awesome and I’ve made so many friends!
I would have to say the highlight for me was Talon by Julie Kagawa and Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. I loved it! Happy 2 year blogoversary and thank you for this amazing chance! 🙂
I went to my first author event this year and coincidentally, it was for the author of the first ARC that I read and loved. Adi Alsaid. Super fun. Happy 2 years!
My highlight of the year is actually non bookish related. I got a great job and my Law Degree (in that order) so it was pretty much amazing, and I’m very thankful for the end of a long process and everything I accomplished. ahppy Blogoversary, and I hope there are many more to come!
Loop and Free to Fall are the only two books on your “best of” list that I haven’t yet read. (I’m not counting Reborn because it’s part of a series I haven’t read!) I think it’s so cool that we share so many favorite books, particularly for 2014-2015 <3
Also, what great achievements for your blog! So glad you could moderate the panel and attend BEA and do all these other awesome things. If you're doing another group giveaway, I'm definitely in 😉