Blog Milestone
2013 Blog & Personal Resolutions
I was away for about a month due to being busy at work. I can honestly say that I missed sharing information, receiving feedback, and reading all your great posts. I was also away because when I thought about writing a book review it sometimes made me tired before I even started. So I thought I’d mix it a bit and try to write differently. I’m attempting to make my resolutions realistic.
Blog Resolutions:
- Maintain quotes and photo challenges.
- Write at least one children’s book a week. I’m also going to introduce wordless picture book reviews.
- Write about one general adult book review every two weeks. These book reviews are going to include three descriptive words and a brief summary (about 5 sentences). I’ll be honest, I’m much more likely to read a short review than a long novel review. Hopefully, the descriptive words and shortness will make it more fun.
- Visit at least 2 blogs a week and provide comments to maintain community involvement.
Personal Resolutions:
- Continue attending bookclubs.
- Attend at least one social event every two weeks.
- Read 25 books and journal each. (Any book suggestions?)
- Maintain an organized and clean environment.
- Walk the dog daily for 20 minutes.
- Become more proactive with full time teaching job search.
- Maintain a personal journal with either writing or photos.
I hope 2013 brings you joy and your resolutions last through at least January!
2012 Review Fireworks
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 50,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 12 Film Festivals
Happy 1st Blog Anniversary!!
WOW, I cannot believe that I have been blogging for one year now! It’s amazing to see how my blog has grown and changed. Hopefully, I’ve created something that others enjoy and gain information. My followers and readers increased, but the numbers don’t matter. I enjoy reading your comments and thoughts. If you have any suggestions please let me know. I now want to celebrate where my blog is now after one year.
Total Views: 39,162
Total Followers: 143
Total Posts: 345
Top Commenters: thiskidreviewsbooks orples Northern Narratives Michelle Isenhoff dadirri7 Most Viewed Posts: Bookworm Pictures Do I Want to be a Bookworm Thankful Thoughts: Laughter Books for Every Mood and Time Sour Patch Kid vs Gummi BearThe encouragement and comments from my readers makes me strive for quality posts. I would like to say a huge THANK YOU for taking the time to read my blog!
2011 Fireworks from WordPress
This was my first year blogging and I was pleased with my ‘fireworks’ for 2011. I’m always amazed at the wonderful work WordPress does to make blogging easy and fun.
The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 9,400 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
However, I think the count may be off a bit.
Top Posts:
Books for every mood and time Do I want to be a bookworm? Bookworm Pictures & Info Sour Patch Kid vs. Gummi Bear Thankful Thoughts: Laughter It’s funny, because I want other posts to now get attention. There must be many gummi bear lovers who secretly want to be a bookworm and laugh along the way. Top Commenters: Dayle Fraschilla pix & kardz Gracie Sam Northern Narratives jakesprinter However, every comment and ‘like’ is always appreciated. I try to respond to all my comments.
2012 Reading & Blog Goals (and my 200th post!)
In 2011, I challenged myself to write a blog post every day. I didn’t start my blog until July, but I somehow still managed to post daily. Sometimes it was a struggle to plan ahead and schedule posts for each day, so I decided to change that for this year. I’m no longer going to attempt a blog post every day. Instead, 2012 is going to focus upon quality vs. quantity. I want to enjoy writing book reviews and not feel rushed. My goal is to write quality posts about four times a week. I wonder if I can get 100 blog subscribers by the end of 2012? Of course, it doesn’t matter how many readers I have. I’m also starting 2012 as my 200th post!! I can hardly believe it.
When I read it’s almost a personal race to see how many books I can read. However, you shouldn’t race and force yourself to read a book quickly. A book should be savored and slowly tasted. I’m not looking for average or good books to read, instead I’m hoping to find great books. Books shouldn’t be read just to check off a list. I think this quotation by Mortimer J. Adler describes how books should be enjoyed: “In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.” In 2012, I plan to not look how long I’ve been reading a book and just enjoy my time reading. I’m always searching for my next book. What are your book suggestions?
Potential Books for 2012:
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy East of Eden by John Steinbeck One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez The Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot In Cold Blood by Truman Capote The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan Chomp by Carl Hiaasen The Chronicles of Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick The BFG by Roald Dahl Read Again: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling Little Women by Louisa May Alcott A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper LeeWhat are your books for 2012?

My 100th Post!
This is my 100th post and I wanted to highlight and thank those who have read my blog. It took some time, but I found my niche and blog focus. Thank-you for all your views, comments, and recommendations.
Blog hits: 3,316
Subscribers: 34
Comments: 211
Top Five Posts: Do I want to be a bookworm? Books for every mood and time Sour Patch Kid vs. Gummi Bear Weekly Photo Challenge: Textured September 11th book: September Roses Personal Favorite Posts: Book Smorgasbord A Book is Somebody’s Friend All Abroad the Hogwarts Express Books Take You Anywhere Book Review: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind