General Ramblings of a Disorganized Blogger

It’s my blogiversary! Jen Med’s Book Reviews Turns 5

by Jen Lucas

It is something I consider to be wholly unbelievable, but it is 5 years ago to day that I took the plunge and decided to have a stab at starting a book review blog. No idea what I was doing then, no idea what I am doing now, but I like to think I do it with a certain … style. It includes my. now traditional party penguin – he looks as bemused as I feel

It’s been a very different and unexpected 5 years and I have had the privilege of reading some absolutely amazing books and meeting some absolutely amazing people. I never would have dreamed I’d be meeting some of my favourite authors in the flesh (being accused of being a ‘book pimp’ by Stuart Macbride was particularly memorable as well as getting it in writing from James Oswald that I am definitely not a stalker …) or that I’d be attending literary festivals and making friendships that extend around the globe. It’s like having an extended family at times, people to share in the love of books, but also to celebrate the highs and commiserate and offer support during the lows, and all because of books.

The person who inspired me to start a blog is sadly no longer blogging, but I definitely count her as a friend and look forward to catching up again in person at the occasional festival. I’ve learned over the five years that I’m not as allergic to hugging as I thought (but I’m still not doing it for the. foreseeable so back off) and that I will actually read the odd rom-com, not just murder, death and destruction as I used to as a child. I’m not as cynical and jaded as I thought – who knew? I’ve developed an addiction to Betty’s and expanded my list of must read author’s from a sensible five to a number exponentially higher and remains between me and my Bank Manager …

My very first post – Play Dead by Angela Marsons. My most recent post – The Final Twist by Jeffery Deaver. The biggest twist of all – a hobby I did for kicks has given me so much joy and lasted a good four and a half years longer than I expected it to.

Between us, Mandie and I have created in excess of 2000 posts – 2096 with this one. We’ve had far more visitors and followers than I thought possible given the inane drivel and excessively long reviews that I share. Meh – authors seem to like them. I’ve even made a stab. at Instagram. I’m still crap at it, but I have pictures … It’s been fun, and at times it’s been a challenge. I think we’ve all suffered from the dreaded reading block at some stage and that is the hardest thing for a book lover to manage. But it has been rewarding. For every author I’ve made smile and every person I’ve inspired or encouraged to buy or read a book, I know it’s been worth it.

Thank you to those who follow and support the blog – we’re nothing but a whole heap of lost words without you. (and there have been many many words …) To every author and publisher who has written, shared and published the books I have loved – thank you too. This past year especially I think I’d have gone mad without books. It’s been a funny 15 months and reading has made it that bit more bearable.

I should probably have done a giveaway for today but I’m far too disorganised. I will run one soon – promise, but in the meantime have some virtual cake. I didn’t make them so they should be edible … 😉

Photo by Taryn Elliott on Pexels.com

Have a lovely Sunday. Here’s to another year of our nonsensical ramblings.

Jen x

33 thoughts on “It’s my blogiversary! Jen Med’s Book Reviews Turns 5”

  1. Happy blog birthday Jen! I love your blog, your wit and your style. Can’t wait for another five years of you and Mandie!

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    1. Thanks Linda and thanks for all of your support. It’s been a mad few years but made all the better for meeting people like you x

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  2. Ecky Thump Jen & Mandie – 5 whole years? I think I’ve been with you for roughly 4 of them! Doesn’t seem like 5 minutes, and really look forward to the regular postings. A huge THANK YOU. June

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    1. Thank you x It’s amazing all of the things achieved in that time but most importantly loving spreading the book love. I have the attention span of a gnat so this is quite an achievement! 😆

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  3. Congratulations, that’s incredible! Blogging is quite a bit more demanding than most people realize and to do it for five years? Bravo! 🎉

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    1. Thank you. It’s amazing how quickly it has passed to be honest. Over a thousand books read and reviewed without Mandie’s contributions, various guest posts, articles and rambles. It’s been fun but yes, quite demanding.

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      1. Wow, that’s an impressive number of books! And I think it’s fantastic that after five years you’re still enjoying yourself!

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    1. Thank you Mairead. Much appreciated. I can’t believe how quickly the five years has gone and how much we achieved in that time. it’s been quite a journey.

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  8. Happy happy bloggy Birthday 🎂 to you and Mandie! Thanks for the wonderful reviews, always interesting and cut through with the obvious passion you both have for books! Raising a glass and here’s to the next 5 years! 👍xx

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  9. Only five years, Jen? It seems like you’ve been around forever – and I do mean that in a good way… Anyway, congratulations – and I look forward to reading many more reviews.

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    1. Ha ha. Thank you. Sometimes it feels like forever, sometimes five minutes. At least I’ve read a good old pile of excellent books. Hopefully many more to come.

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  15. Happy blog birthday to the only other person I know who keeps bookshops as afloat as I do 😄. (As per usual, your birthday post reminds me that I forgot my blog birthday. Again.) Here is to many more of your really long reviews full of words and I hope you’ll soon be able to attend bookish events again, without the hugging. Cheers! 🥂

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