“How did we get here?” I found myself asking as I sat down and prepared to write this post. Time is a funny thing. Paradoxically, at times it feels as though I only began blogging yesterday, while at others it feels as though I’ve been doing this my entire life. Sure, I know that one year is likely no big deal to most. “Come back when you’ve been blogging for four or five!”, I can hear you shout. But for me, it is a big deal. I’m very much an ‘all or nothing’ type of person. When I’m interested in something, I throw every ounce of passion, dedication, and effort I can into it. Unfortunately, this also means that I can become ‘burned out’ quite quickly. While it’s not something I’m particularly proud of, I’ve been known to quit things. Hobbies. New Year’s resolutions. The list goes on and on. So, for me? Seeing Pop! Goes The Reader reach this milestone feels like a monumental achievement.
The fact that in a mere twelve months of activity, Pop! Goes The Reader has garnered over 1,200 followers across various platforms, has received close to 2,300 comments, and has been viewed over 32,000 times is nothing short of mind boggling. Ultimately, I know that these numbers don’t matter. I know that these numbers are relative. I know that to some (most?) these numbers likely aren’t all that impressive. The truth is, no matter what these figures do (or don’t) mean, I couldn’t be prouder or happier about Pop! Goes The Reader’s journey thus far. Whether I reach one person, one hundred, or one thousand, I have found something that I love to do and that provides me with a measure of fulfilment I wouldn’t have dreamt possible only a year earlier. Best of all, I get to talk about books all day! What could possibly be better than that?
Thank you to the publishers and industry professionals who have been gracious enough to entrust me with advance reader copies of some of the year’s most exciting titles and who have allowed me an infinite number of opportunities to celebrate the written word in all its glory. It has been a privilege to work with you. Thank you to the authors who have shared their wonderful, astounding, creative, life changing stories with the world and who have been patient enough to listen as I gushed endlessly about their work. Thank you to my readers, who have taken the time to comment and show their support in an innumerable number of ways. As wonderful as blogging is, it can often feel a little like shouting into the void. You have made this experience a lot less lonely and have made all the hard work well worth it. Most of all, thank you to my newfound friends, who are not merely ‘internet friends’, but people I have come to love, rely on and can’t imagine my life without. You know who you are. Thank you for your endless supply of patience, understanding, support, and kindness. Although it might not be perfect, I firmly believe that the book blogging community is the best and most welcoming in the world.
To celebrate this special milestone and show my appreciation for all the kindness and support I’ve been shown over the last twelve months, I’ve decided to hold a little giveaway. Because I gave away a bundle of my favourite contemporary novels back in April in honour of my 26th birthday, I wanted to do a little something different this time. With that in mind, how does a Kindle Paperwhite sound? 😉
This giveaway will run for one week from June 16th, 2014 – June 23rd, 2014. It is open to residents of the United States and Canada and the Kindle will ship directly from Amazon to you. You can enter as many (or as few) times as you like. So, what are you waiting for? Go enter!
Thank you again for making Pop! Goes The Reader even a small part of your day. There are no words to adequately express what this experience has meant to me. Now all I can do is hope that there will be many more such celebrations to come. Most importantly of all, however, keep reading! You never know into what world your next book might transport you!
35 Responses
Woohoo! Happy Blogoversary to you! I’ve loved getting to chat with you over the last while and I hope to continue to do so for a long time to come. CHEERS!
Jenni recently posted…Jenni’s Stacking the Shelves [June 14]
I always comment before entering, so here I am commenting about what I’m supposed to comment about. My proudest accomplishment… Hmm I’d have to say that right now it’s reaching my goal of getting my daughter riding her two-wheel bike. I said that this weekend I was going to work with her and help her ditch the training wheels and we succeeded! It was so frustrating (I’m so not cut out to be a teacher “just pedal! Why are you not pedalling?!?” Argh!) but we persevered and I’m quite proud of both of us!
Jenni recently posted…Jenni’s Stacking the Shelves [June 14]
Cheers on a terrific milestone! Hope you’re celebrating in style. 🙂
Cindy recently posted…New Zealand, Day 4: Franz Josef Glacier, Lake Matheson, Lake Wanaka
Happy Birthday to Pop goes the reader! I just recently found you more than a few months ago, and I can truly say that it’s been a blast reading your posts. I’m so happy that you’ve made it this far, and that you’re still at it. Cheers to more opportunities to come in the future! 🙂
Maria recently posted…Cover Reveal: The Young Elites by Marie Lu
Jen, holy crap!! Has it really been a year already?? I’ve loved reading all of your posts, and THOSE GRAPHICS. I think your blog has been so successful, and I’m astounded by your accomplishments this year! I’m so happy that you joined the blogosphere a year ago, here’s to many more years to come!!
Happy Blogoversary! I have only found your blog a couple of days ago, but I really love it and plan on following it for a long time to come! 🙂
Anne @ booksbakingandblogging recently posted…Nectarine Blueberry Lemon Sponge
I’m not entering the giveaway, because I’m international and I already have a great e-reader, but that is very generous! 🙂 And one year already, time flies doesn’t it? Congratulations and on to many more years 😀
Mel@thedailyprophecy recently posted…Review 266. J.A White – The thickety.
Happy Blogiversary Jen! It’s such a great accomplishment!
I’m going to keep things light today. My proudest accomplishment currently, getting title 2048 in that stupid iPad game. 🙂
Andi recently posted…Recently Purchased
Happy Blogoversary!!! Congratulations and thank you for the giveaway!
My proudest accomplishment – that’s tough, but it’s probably raising my son by myself, he’s 8 and a handful, but he makes me smile every single day!
Congrats again!
xo
jaime @ Fic Fare
jaime recently posted…Cover Reveal: First World Problems by Leigh Ann Kopans
Congratulations on am AMAZING year!! So wonderful that you get to celebrate all of your accomplishments! I’m still trying to figure out what my proudest accomplishment is…lol!
Happy Birthday to Pop! Goes the Reader 🙂 May another wonderful year come!
Right now, I think my greatest accomplishment is getting my AA degree and having walked in graduation. It was a proud moment not just for me, but my family- I am the very first one to ever get a degree higher than high school. Hopefully, I can “top” this one next May when I get my BA 🙂
Kayla Elizabeth recently posted…Jane Eyre June – Weekly Wrap Up – Week Two
I’m pretty proud of getting my masters. Mostly cause I think “it’s not a big deal.” But really, it is.
I’m also really proud of you and our little friendship.
Frasier recently posted…My Last Kiss by Bethany Neal
I feel like I should say my proudest accomplishment is three degrees but the things I’m actually most proud of are not as popular… I’m really proud of my ability to budget, that I’ve been able to travel and my blog. 😛
Congrats on your 1yr. blog birthday!!
Meghann M recently posted…[Review] #scandal by Sarah Ockler
Jen, congrats on one year of blogging! It IS a milestone worth celebrating! You have put a lot of effort and love into this blog and it shows in every post you hit publish on. It’s hard to believe you’ve only been doing this a year because I feel like I’ve known you and Pop Goes the Reader for a lot longer. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and passion for books. It’s something that is oh so important to me and I really admire it in the friends I make. You’re an extraordinary person, Jen, with a heart so big! Thank you for sharing that with me, as well xxoo.
Ginger @ GReads! recently posted…Just One Night by Gayle Forman
Congrats on one year of blogging, Jen! I’m so happy for you! You’ve achieved a lot and all your dedication & passion are so evident in each and every post.
alice-jane recently posted…Well This is Uncomfortable
My proudest accomplishment? I guess graduating high school haha.
Wow! 1 year?!? What a fabulous accomplishment Jen! <3 Your blog is one of my favorites to visit – your reviews are always so informative and detailed, and you're always so sweet! Thanks for making the blogging community such a great place! 😀
Zoe N. recently posted…Dangerous Girls
Congrats on your 1 yr. anniversary. Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun. My greatest accomplishment is my children. I was a teen mom and when I see all three of my children and my new grandbaby, I am one proud mother hen. My youngest has just finished his first year of pharmacy school and when I look back, I know it was hard but it was worth it.
Congrats on your one year anniversary. I think my proudest accomplishment was planning an event to raise money to build wells in less fortunate countries.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Congrats on your first year! I can’t believe it! You have the blogging chops of someone who’s been around a LOT longer.
Awesome giveaway! I won’t enter because I have one already but SUPER COOL, YO.
Lisa is Busy Nerding recently posted…It’s true. You are.
YAYYYYYYY. Congrats on your blog turning one years old. It feels strange because it feels like you’ve been around the blogosphere for longer. The time passes by so fast, doesn’t it?
I wish you many more years of blogoversary awesomeness! 😀
I would say my proudest accomplishment would be graduating college and being the first one in my family! 😀 Thank you for the giveaway. That is incredibly sweet of you.
Cee recently posted…HOLY, MOTHER COVER! | The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
Congrats on your blogoversary. Honestly my proudest accomplishment to this day is graduating college. Yes it’s been 11 years since that day but I was really proud and still am.
Angie @Angela’s Anxious Life recently posted…Summer Library Challenge
Happy 1 year blogging anniversary, Jen! I believe that one year is certainly quite an accomplishment and you should be proud. You’ve produced wonderful content, and continued to be such a lovely person to chat with (especially on Twitter). I look forward to seeing more form you in the year(s) to come! <3
Alexa S. recently posted…Dorothy Must Die – Danielle Paige (Review)
Congrats on surviving a year of blogging!
whoops, forgot to answer your questions… At this moment it would be Dinky Cow and finishing the first draft of my novel.
Wooohoooo! Congrats on one year, Jen! 😀
Congratulations, Jen! It’s always so much fun and so exciting when a blogoversary comes. 🙂 And the first one is always the most exciting!
My proudest accomplishment… that’s a hard question! I feel like I’ve accomplished so many things, both large and small over the course of my life. 🙂 Today is actually the 1-year anniversary of the one that means the most to me, but it’s rather personal and I’d rather not share. Thanks so much for the giveaway! I’ve been really wanting a new Kindle. 🙂
Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl recently posted…Boomerang by Noelle August | Book Review
Congratulations on turning one!! You have a great blog and I wish you all the best. 🙂
Alysia recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday: A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray (#7)
Jen I am so ezcited for you! I always love reading your blog!
I am most proud of earning my first master’s degree and starting my second while working full time and raising a family. Plus reading and blogging! Yeah, I kind of missing my sleep.
Jess @ Such A Novel Idea recently posted…After Dark with Loren–Days of Future Past Comic and Movie Review
I wasn’t already following you on Bloglovin’? What? I guess I read all of your posts through your tweets! I’m glad I have corrected this problem 🙂
What an absolutely amazing giveaway. I am nearing my one year anniversary as a coblogger at Paper Riot, and it’s just an amazing feeling. I love seeing how far I’ve come over the year (my first reviews weren’t all that great!). I consider the friends I’ve made through blogging to be my proudest accomplishment, to answer your question. I wouldn’t trade this year for anything.
Happy One Year to You— Here’s wishing you many more! 🙂
Congratulations! My proudest accomplishment is raising two well-rounded, ready-to-contribute-to- society kids. One will graduate with his bachelor’s degree this spring, the other will graduate from high school. Couldn’t be prouder.
Jen, this is so, so exciting! It is so hard to stick with something, and I think the first year of blogging can be the hardest because the temptation to give up is sometimes overwhelming. (I imagine later years will get easier? Maybe?) You have done so much with your blog in such a short time. As a new blogger myself I’m kind of jealous of how easy you make it all look! At the same time though, it’s clear that you’ve put in incredible amounts of time, effort, and passion into this project. You totally deserve congratulations and celebration. I could not be happier for you! You are one of my favourite bloggers, and this intense love and dedication you have to reading and your blog is why. Thanks for sharing yourself and your thoughts here on this space, Jen!
Kaitlyn @ Bookish Comforts recently posted…{Review} If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Oops… I forgot to answer your question from the giveaway widget! My proudest accomplishment so far is probably graduating from university with a B.A. in English Literature and Honours, as well as studying abroad in France for a year. Both were incredibly hard AND incredibly rewarding, and they are two life experiences I feel so blessed to have. The challenges they presented have made me a zillion times a better person.
P.S. I also love that you’re Canadian. We gotta stick together, right? 😉
Kaitlyn @ Bookish Comforts recently posted…{Review} If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Congratulations on your blogoversary. My proudest accomplishment is graduation from university with a double major in Math and Natural Science (biology).
Zoe @ Coffee Cups and Books recently posted…Feature and Follow Friday 1
Happy Blogoversary! 🙂