Thursday, June 18, 2015

Ivy Book Bindings Turns 3!

I can't believe it but it's that time of year again: blogoversary time! 
I started this blog when I was in high school and I'm about to enter my sophomore year of college now, so the full impact of these three years is really hitting me all at once. But, I think this past year of blogging has been, perhaps, one of my "worst" years. Not in terms of content--because I feel as if I've now become comfortable in my skin, both who I am as a person and who I am as a reader--and I also truly believe that the values I look for in novels have become clearer and clearer in the types of books I choose to read and review and the manner in which I do so. I've also become less "anal" about blogging, choosing to post when I can and also choosing to review select books I truly feel passionately about. I've also had so many incredible experiences this past year, even blogging-related like meeting my all-time favorite author, Kristin Cashore, who is fittingly the first (and so far only) author I've managed to meet. Yet, compared to my first two years of blogging, I haven't been as present in the blogosphere--I actually manage to be surprised by a new book release--and, furthermore, I don't feel as if I'm as close to a lot of my blogging buddies as I once was. In large part, that has to do with me. And that's fine. I'm a college student and it's a good thing that my priorities are face-to-face relationships and my education but it also makes me look back on the days I'd send long e-mails about novels to friends or receive packages in the mail from across the sea. If I'll ever have the time to return to that level of dedication I don't know--although I do hope to do so--and while this past year has been a bit of a transition year for me, what with--you know--college, I'm hoping my fourth year of blogging will be one in which I am better able to balance blogging, bookish friendships, and life. For me, the problem has never been about making the time to read--because that's a passion that will never change--but rather about making the time to blog.

Anyhow, now that that long sentimental rant is over and done with, let's get to the exciting part: the giveaway! I haven't had a chance to do a giveaway on the blog for a loooong time so if you win this one, you can pick any book you want and I'll either order it and have it shipped to you or pre-order it for you if it hasn't already released.

I may not have explicitly taken the time to detail out all the thank-yous I owe to people in this past year but I cannot thank you all enough. For all the readers who stop to write me comments, for all the bloggers who have kept in touch and continue to leave me the nicest of notes, for all the newcomers who have discovered my blog and enjoyed its content, and especially for those of you who I never interact with but who subscribe and read and like my posts: thank you. If it wasn't for such an amazing readership, I wouldn't have the level of motivation I do to continue to post. I truly adore this community and am so grateful, not only to have been welcomed with open arms, but to have been a part of it for three years! So thank you--each and every one of you. You cannot know how much this has meant--and will continue to mean.

18 comments:

  1. I already said Congratulations on your Facebook page, but Congrats once again!! I'm so happy that we were able to discover each other's blogs in 2012 (I think) and we've still been able to be friends :). I'm so proud of you Keertana and I'm so glad that we're friends! You truly are an amazing blogger and person! I hope you know that!! I hope you're enjoying the Summer!!

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  2. Thanks for the amazing giveaway and happy blog birthday :D I always love it when people post about their blog birthdays. I can't believe you've been at it for 3 years only. You're so pro it seems like you've been doing it for forever :P

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  3. Congrats on your 3 years and Happy blogoversary. It's always such a pleasure to read you

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  4. Happy third blogoversary, dear Keekee! I remember you telling me about how you wanted to start a blog, and here you are. You're not posting as much anymore, but it's still quality content, and I'm happy to hear you're doing so well in college. I'm really proud of you! (And I can't believe we've known each other for at least three years already?!)

    xoxo <3

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  5. I'm always in awe of bloggers who work full time or go to school and still manage to find time to blog. I work full time, but it's from home, so I have a bit more flexibility and now my work and the blog are linked so it's a little different. No way could I have blogged and taken classes at the same time Keertana, so huge kudos to you! Happy, Happy Blogoversary!

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  6. AHH Keertana, happy 3 years with Ivy Book Bindings!! Your blogs is without a doubt, one of my favorites, EVEN when you're busy and post few and far between. You're doing a wonderful job, and keep up the amazing work!! Try to stay sane while in school. ;)

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  7. Oh, by the way -- from a very unbiased point of view, I think you should continue to make time for your essay-long e-mails ;)

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  8. Yay :D Congrats on three years of blogging. <3 That is amazing. Hope you'll continue for a long time yet :) Have followed you for some years now, hih. <3 You are awesome. And eek, thank you so much for this perfect giveaway :)

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  9. Happy blogoversary, Keertana! Thank you for finding time to blog despite your busy real life. Your posts are always such an inspiration for me. I love you writing style and I hope one day I’ll read a book written by you.

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  10. Awww, happy blogoversary!!! That's so exciting. I could have sworn you've been blogging for longer than three years though!
    I guess now would be the time to say that your reviews inspire me SO much. They are so well written and thoughtful. I always look forward to your thoughts. :)

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  11. Congratulations! That is amazing. I'm very honored that you decided to share what you do with us. I always love finding about new books I've never heard of before and I do that by reading blogs like yours. So Thank you so much.

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  12. Congrats on three years blogging! I hope you can find more time to blog this next year, but I totally know what it's like to get bombarded by school and work. It's not always easy. :)

    -Lauren

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  13. Congraties on 3! I don't think I would have blogged at all while in college so I say you are doing great! I love your reviews and I love that you feel more comfortable in your skin. Always important. Here is to 3 more! *cheers!*

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  14. Congratulations on three years, Keertana! I've enjoyed all you posts and your reviews have motivated me to pick up the most amazing books! :)

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  15. AHH! Happy blogoversery Keertana! You are one of my favorite bloggers, and I can't praise you and your reviews enough. You have such an articulate and eloquent style of reviewing - your reviews are always so well thought-out and critical in the best possible way. I wish I was half as good of a reviewer as you are! ♥ Thank you for not only being such an amazing internet friend, but for inspiring me to become a better blogger myself. Here's to three years!

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  16. Hi Keertana! I'm a bit late but HAPPY THREE YEAR BLOGOVERSARY! It sounds like you've been doing a fantastic job even though you've had to focus on education and life outside of blogging (which is completely understandable). This milestone is a really great achievement and you should be proud of it! I'm looking forward to reading all your posts again and here's to finding that perfect balance!

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  17. Keertana, while I know our blogging relationship has been on and off at times, I am so glad to see you thriving and really evaluating your blog and your relationship with it. College is the time to have those tough moments of introspection, and it seems like you are asking yourself all the right questions: how much you want to blog, what you want to make of these years, and more. It is so inspiring to see your growth since the beginning of this blog, to view your consistent dedication to writing as well as your growing sense of self. I hope Wellesley has been everything you want and more, and I hope it is challenging you and encouraging you and making you even stronger than you were before. Sending you warm thoughts!

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