Today is the anniversary of my blog, which is seven years old today. That's a long time to be posting every day (more or less - there have been stretches when I didn't post much.) Its purpose at first was to alert my friends to books I thought they might like. But over the years it has become a place for me to express myself, to talk about what I think of various books. The process of writing comments helps me to think more clearly about what I've been reading.
A couple of years ago there was an ongoing public conversation about the worth of blogs.The "professionals" who review books for newspapers and magazines were a bit put out at all these "amateurs" horning in on their territory. But blogs serve a different purpose than the New York Times Book Review or Bookmarks magazine. A more personal purpose.
If you are like me you have a few favorite blogs that you go to for amusement and news about the life of the blogger as well as book recommendations. There are some blogs that serve a sort of negative purpose. I don't like the sort of books the blogger likes so her reviews give me a clue not to bother with those books. There is one blogger, Thomas at MyPorch, whose taste is almost exactly parallel to mine and I find a lot of new (really old, but new to me) titles there. Book blogs have deeply enhanced my reading.
Seven years!
Since I discovered the world of book blogs about 4 years ago they have greatly enhanced my reading so I appreciate them very much. (For instance, I think it was your blog that introduced me to the world of Gregor Demarkian!) Happy seventh birthday to you and many more!
Posted by: Pam | Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 02:16 PM
Isn't Gregor a delight - along with all the people who live in his neighborhood and go to the Catholic Armenian Church!
I get my best book recommendations from blogs.
Posted by: Mary Ronan Drew | Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 03:44 PM
I agree, Mary -- book blogs are my main source of reading recommendations. You, Cornflower, Thomas at My Porch, Dani at Work in Progress and Simon at Stuck in a Book are my go-to places when I'm searching for that elusive just-right book to match my mood. Congratulations on your 7th anniversary. (Apparently it's the "wool" anniversary, so perhaps a cozy new sweater is in order!)
Posted by: Karen | Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 05:49 PM
The wool anniversary? If I'd known that I could have knit a sweater for one of my books!
Posted by: Mary Ronan Drew | Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 06:58 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Barbara | Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 11:40 PM
Happy Anniversary! Here's to the next seven years.
Posted by: Christine Harding | Friday, January 18, 2013 at 01:10 AM
Barbara and Christine, Thanks. I'm looking forward to blogging for a long time yet.
Posted by: Mary Ronan Drew | Friday, January 18, 2013 at 06:18 AM