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It’s my three year blogoversary! Well, on the 9th, which is not the exact day I’m posting this, but close enough!
I’m too broke and stressed out to run a giveaway, but each year, to celebrate my blogoversary, I like to do some sort of post about my experiences blogging so far. The first year, I talked about 5 ways I’ve changed as a blogger after one year of blogging. The second year, I talked about my blogging history. This year, I’m talking about some of my book blogging firsts! And I thought I’d throw the word ‘tag’ on the end of it in case anyone wants to talk about their firsts too. I searched for other tags like this but didn’t find any, so hopefully I’m not accidentally copying anyone. Anyone is welcome to tag themselves, just credit me and link back to this post, please! And feel free to add more firsts if you want!
So, without further ado, let’s talk about some firsts!
1st Blog Name/Design
I think my blog just started off with my name? Like, it didn’t have a blog name. It was just my name. I think that was because I still hadn’t decided what I wanted it to be, but I didn’t want to hold off starting the blog for that one reason. The original design used red and pink as the colors, and it wasn’t that different, except that the images on the homepage were wide rectangles instead of squares. But I had to make a whole separate graphic for that (instead of just letting the site crop the main graphic), so that got old pretty fast.
1st Blog Post
My first post (on this blog) was for Incubus by Amanda Meuwissen. Yep, I just jumped right into reviews, no intro post or anything! But the author was really sweet and commented, and it was really exciting to get a comment on my very first post. If you check out the post, please keep in mind how cringe-worthy all older reviews are 😛
1st Book Review
I think technically I had a couple very brief reviews on Amazon before I started this blog, but as I said above, my first on the blog was for Incubus by Amanda Meuwissen.
1st Meme Participated In
My first meme was Top Ten Tuesday, and it was Top Ten Authors I’ve Read the Most Books From. Clearly I didn’t understand the concept of participation yet though since the post has no comments, which means I must not have visited any other blogs. Oops!
1st Discussion Post
My first discussion was What Do You Listen to While Reading, Writing, and Blogging? I remember being so nervous that it would be a flop and not get any comments, and what’s a discussion post with no discussion? But it turned out well 🙂
1st Author Interview
I feel like author interviews are not always the most popular posts unless it’s for a super famous author, but I enjoy doing them. My first was with Connor Drexler after reading his book Mad God Walking.
1st Book Blog I Followed
I honestly don’t know. I don’t think I even followed or regularly read any book blogs before I started my own. I kinda just saw they were a thing and was like, “Oh that sounds cool and like a good way to keep track of my reviews!” The beginnings of my book blogging days are like this weird haze. I’m not even sure how I learned about memes or figured out there was a whole community or anything. Somehow I guess I did though!
1st Follower
I’m not sure of this one ei ther, but I feel like Amber @ Du Livre was one of the first people, if not the first, to start regularly visiting and commenting on my blog when it was still a tiny little baby blog. But every blog has to start somewhere, and those first supporters are the best because they’re the ones who make you feel like you’re not just screaming into the void when you still feel like you are. So thank you, Amber!
1st Digital Review Copy
My first review copy ever was an eARC of House of Pawns by Keary Taylor. I had read/loved/reviewed the books in her Eden Trilogy, so I ended up joining her review team.
My first review copy from NetGalley (because I feel like talking about more books) was Soul Breaker by Clara Coulson. I was so nervous! Both that I’d get denied and that I wouldn’t like the book and would have to write a negative review for one of my first review copies. I loved it though, and it’s still one of my favorite series.
1st Physical Review Copy
My first physical review copy was from an author, and it was Swallow You Whole by Jasper Black. I only accept physical copies from authors if I really think I’m going to like the book since I know I’ll feel even worse having to write a negative review if I dislike it, but luckily I ended up liking this one.
1st book I read because of other bloggers
I think the first book I read because of the book blogging community was The Maze Runner. I was totally out of the loop with popular books when I started my blog, so I took a month to read a bunch of popular series, just to see what the hype was about and to feel a little less out of the loop. The Maze Runner was what I started with. Surprisingly, it ended up being my favorite of all the series I read that month.
Congratulations on your bloggiversary!
Thanks!
Congrats!! Wow three eyars- that’s awesome. *toots horn, throws confetti* Aren’t old blog posts fun? 🙂 I just want to quietly delete them sometimes lol.
It’s fun to look back and see how we’ve changed since the “early days.” I’ve noticed that while a lot of my older stuff is cringe worthy, every so often I see something I did that I kinda like and I’m like, why did I stop doing that? 🙂
Thanks! *does a little dance to the horn tooting while confetti falls all over me*
Sometimes I look at old posts and cringe, but other times I read them, and they’re better than what I write now??? I feel like I had a more carefree review style, but I can’t figure out how to get back to that!
You know, I’ve had the same thought, but have never said that because people are always like “our old posts suck” lol. Heck I’ve said it, and a lot of them do! But… you’re right, sometimes I go back and LIKE an old review,, and yes the same- I’m like why don’t I write like THAT anymore? *nods head vigorously*
Exactly, some suck, others are actually really good, for me at least! It’s ok to like our own stuff XD
Aw, what a trip down a memory lane! I also just jumped right away into a review post when I started in Ye Olde January 2018–I’m terrible with intros. 😛 And I can’t bear to look at the stuff that I wrote like…three months ago, so I empathize with the cringing .:D HAPPY ANNIVERSARY *throws all the confetti*
I feel like I’ve seen you mention before that your blog isn’t even a year old, and I feel like I was just as shocked last time too?! Like, how is it that your blog is so amazing?! Mine floundered around awkwardly for a while and is still just kind of ok??? Lol. Thank you!!! *dances around in the confetti*
Wow, congrats on your three years!! It sounds amazing and very motivating as I just started a blog. Love seeing all these memories. Happy, happy bloggiversary!
Thanks! It always amazes me when people say they’ve blogging for 6 years, 7 years, 10 years even, so I know the feeling!
Pretty cool that the author commented on your very first review.
I remember being crazy excited the first time I was approved on NetGalley. I felt like I had arrived. LOL
Yeah, she’s super nice! Seriously, I was so anxious about that first NG request lol.
When my co-bloggers started WLABB, their first post was a review too. So, you are not alone. What a fun little walk down memory lane.
They were all about the reviews, like me XD
I don’t usually do tags, but I would like to do this one if I had more time! For now, I went and commented under your two other blogoversary posts. It was fun to read about your past endeavours LOL.
Happy blogo! Here’s to many more returns! And don’t worry about giveaways and stuff – I’m in your same position, but I think until we are friendly and welcoming and spreading positivity around the net, people will be happy to be around us no matter what (well…I hope so LOL).
Well, you’re welcome to do it whenever, if you want!
Thank you! Tbh, I see all these other bloggers getting so many followers by having giveaways, and I feel like I can’t compete without doing them, but *shrugs* Oh well. Just gonna keep doing my thing and hope people like my content!
When you have giveaways, people do follow, but usually don’t stick around/really interact/read posts…so, it’s just a number after a while. At least we get all those things! 😉
This is true. But, if I’m being honest, it gets me down that so many publishers still only care about those numbers.
Happy Blogiversary! Mine is next month, so I might steal your tag for it. Some of these questions are hard, though. I don’t remember stuff that happened yesterday, so thinking back to 5 years ago will be challenging.
Thank you! You should totally do the tag XD Don’t worry, I had to go back and check for most of the answers lol.
Congratulations on your blogoversary!
It’s lovely to look back on those early posts. I vaguely remember beginning a poetry blog but deleted it all pretty swiftly. Blogger thinks I’ve been blogging since 2008 but I can only show posts since 2013 🙂
Thanks! Yeah, I’ve had a myriad of failed blogs, including a poetry one very briefly, but thankfully my book blog has stuck 🙂 But wow, even 2013 is a long time!
This is awesome!! Happy anniversary!
Thanks!
Happy three-year Blogiversary! Such a great accomplishment! 😀
We all get our start somehow, no matter how cringey it might be! 😉
Thank you! And yep, we all gotta start somewhere!
I don’t remember many of my first and I’m bummed that most (if not everyone) I started out with has quit blogging over the years.
Thankfully I’ve found so many new people to help make up for it!
Happy blogoversary Kristen!
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
Oh, psh, I didn’t remember any of them either. I had to go look them up, haha. But aww, that is a bummer :-/ Even in the few years I’ve been blogging, I’ve seen a lot of bloggers I liked disappear from the blogosphere. But thankfully there are still other people around to keep making it fun! Thanks!
Happy blogoversary! What a fun look back at your early blogging.
Thank you!
Such a fun post. It’s always fun to look back and see how far you’ve come. Happy Blogoversary!
Thanks!!!
What a fun look back. Since I missed a lot of your early stuff, it was great to get a recap. Happy Blog Anniversary!
Thanks!
Congrats on three years blogging! I wish I could remember a lot of these answers, but it’s been almost 11 years now, so yeah…I mean, I could go back and find the first book review, etc. so I might have to check that out someday. I know I didn’t start with JUST books though so the first post is probably something music related. haha
-lauren
Thanks! I had to go back and look up the answers lol. That would be cool to see how your blog evolved over time though!
Happy blogiversary! That sounds like a lot of fun firsts! I was the same in the beginning, not taking time to visit other blogs and comment though I’m glad I’ve since found the community
Thanks! I think a lot of us were a bit lost and lonely in the beginning lol.
This is a super interesting Tag, I almost don’t want to look back because I’ve come such a long way since I started. It’s great you just jumped into reviews from the beginning.
Tori @ In Tori Lex
Thanks 🙂 Ah, but it’s fun to look back and see how far you’ve come!
I don’t know if I would ever be able to do this tag because like you said, my first blogging months were like a haze and I don’t even quite remember what I did xD But I am glad you started blogging and you really dived right into the review game hehe 😀
I had to go back and find the answer to almost every single one of these questions lol. Isn’t it weird though? How it’s just a haze like that? I legit don’t remember how I got started interacting with the community and stuff. Thank you 🙂 And yep, I was all about those reviews!
Congrats on your blogoversary!
I’ve been blogging since April 2011. There were a few years towards the end of college and my first job that I stopped blogging as much. I’m slowly getting back into things, though not to the same degree of intensity. I can’t read three books in a day anymore 😂
My first blog post was a quick hi, then I jumped straight into reviews. I don’t remember my first review copy, but I remember winning a copy of Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon in a giveaway early on.
Thanks! Oh wow, that’s a long time! I feel a lot of bloggers do that—start with tons of posting but eventually taper off and find a less intense schedule. I used to post more often too.
A quick hi post is good! Giveaways are so exciting to win XD
Happy blogiversary!
I love this tag idea – I might have a go when x+1 turns 4 this autumn 🙂
Thanks! You should definitely do the tag!
Oh! Happy blogiversary! That’s awesome. It was my second last month but I totally forgot about it. Oops.
My blog has just been ‘Book Reviews by Di’ since day one. I was tempted to find a new name and change it to something more creative but.. yeah.
I also jumped straight into reviews! I just wanted some content. And I also had a few brief reviews on GR before I started blogging. Seeing bloggers on GR actually pushed me to start my own blog.
I’m glad you started reading some series because of other bloggers! 🙂 And that they work out sometimes. I get sidetracked a lot because of other bloggers. Ha ha.
Congrats and thanks for all the awesome info!
Thanks! Happy blogoversary to you too then!
Mine wasn’t even “Book Reviews by Kristen” or anything though. It was just “Kristen Burns” lol. There’s nothing wrong with yours!
I think when I started I was pretty much just planning on posting reviews, so that’s what I did lol. I literally didn’t even use GR or understand what it was for until I started blogging.
It does work out sometimes!
Thanks 🙂
Ahh congrats on your 3rd blogoversary !!
Technically my first posts were the reviews I dragged over from tumblr, ahah, but I did done an intro post in the same day as thoses.
I also like that little “tag” thing ! Maybe I shall steal it from you, ahah
Thanks! Reviews and an intro sounds like a smart way of doing things!
You should definitely do the tag if you want to!
Happy belated blogoversary, Kristen! I can’t believe you got a comment on your first post, even if it was from the author! I don’t think I got any comments (in all fairness, I didn’t engage with any other blogs/bloggers at all LOL) for like…6 months. #babybloggerfail
I’m not sure who my first follower was but I think it might’ve been Mogsy from Bibliosanctum or Tammy from Books, Bones, Buffy. One of those crew, anyway. Great tag, Kristen! I might have to do this one myself. 🙂
Thanks! Right? I was spoiled, haha. I think I caught onto the interacting thing within a few weeks or so, but it still took me a while to really get the hang of it.
Early followers are the best! Thanks, can’t wait to see your answers if you do!
So awesome about The Maze Runner! I recall really enjoying the first two books, but I never got around to reading The Death Cure because I was spoiled. D:
That sucks that it got spoiled for you :-/
oh wow jumping right into reviews so doesn’t sound like you! 🙂 I still get super nervous with NetGalley WTH??? LOL I’m amazed you can remember which one was the first book you read because of the community!
Lol now that you say that, it kind of doesn’t sound like me. But I guess I started the blog with the intention of just posting reviews? I don’t even know. Oh, psh, I didn’t remember anything. I had to go back and look things up lol.
HOW do I not have you on my list of blogger birthdays and blogoversaries? Can I add you? (At least your blogoversary — though I’d love to add your birthday too, if you want to tell me either here or via my birthday/blogoversary form). I seriously find it weirdly disturbing when I find out that a blogger I know well isn’t on my list and I missed their celebration days. 😉
Anyway, happy blogoversary!!! I was happy to see that I commented on your very first discussion post. I’ve always loved your discussions!
I’d rather not add my birthday, but sure, you can add my blogoversary!
Thank you! And thanks for commenting on my first discussion XD
No problem! I know that a lot of people don’t want to publicize personal data like birthdays. I’ve got your blogoversary added, though. 🙂
Great 😀
Congrats on 3 years!!!!! I’m super-impressed by how good you are at this blogging stuff, and how you seem to know wtf you’re doing (more than me anyway!) XD
Aww, thanks! I don’t think I’m that impressive though. I see other people who’ve been blogging for like three months and write amazing posts/reviews and have a bunch of followers, and I’m like, how??? I was so awkward. I’m still awkward lol.
Congrats on reaching your 3rd bloggiversary! That’s super amazing. We think we’re in our third year too, but not sure if it counts since we’re on such a long hiatus. It must’ve been heaps of fun just running through all those memories 🙂 Again, happy anniversary!!
~ Luna & Saturn @ Pendragons
Thank you!! I have no idea how to count years when hiatuses are involved. I guess just count it however you want! It is fun to look back 🙂
I usually forget to do something with my blogoversay, but I think a post like this one is a fun way to celebrate. It’s interesting to read about these book blogging firsts. That’s interesting you started your blog with just your name at first.
My blog started out as Lola’s Reviews, as I was a co-blogger before this I wanted to make sure to pick a good name for my blog from the start and I am still happy with my decision. Eve tough it’s a bit simple, I do think it gits my blog. I do remember I did an introduction post at first and I joined the Sunday Post right after I started my own blog. First interview and discussion post I can’t remember, but I could probably look that up.
I wasn’t good at the whole community thing at first either and I rarely commented back, I am sure I lost a lot of my early followers because of that as I hadn’t quite figured out how to be part of the community. I think the Hunger Games was one of the first books I read because of other bloggers recommendation, although I mostly was on Goodreads back then and picked it up because everyone on Goodreads kept recommending it. I think I only got one physical review copy ever, Eden by Janelle Stalder.
Yeah I never do anything big, but a little post to mark the anniversary is fun!
Lola’s Reviews is great! It’s personalized, easy to remember, and let’s people know what your blog is about 🙂 I had to look up most of my answers lol. That’s awesome you joined the Sunday Post right away though. That’s the only thing I join up with anymore.
I guess most of us don’t realize at first how important commenting is.
Oh crap, now that you said that, I just realized I might’ve been wrong in my post lol. Looking at my shelf on GR, I read Hunger Games before Maze Runner, and it was after I started blogging, but I’m not sure if I really read it because of other bloggers or if it was because I had watched the movie and was confused and thought maybe reading the books would help me understand better. *shrugs*
That’s awesome you got on physical copy at least! I know it’s a lot harder for international bloggers though.
Congrats on three years blogging! Happy dance for sure 🎉 I loved the first of you did. I recently upgrade my blog and went over some old posts. Some good, and some I’m glad to have progressed from. All parts a sum total of me. ♥️
Thanks! Agreed, some old posts are kind of embarrassing, but some are good! But they’re all part of us as bloggers 🙂
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oh You are SO organized! I would never be able to do this tag because I never saved any of this info!!! Happy three year blogoversary! Mine will be this year too! I didn’t know we have both started in 2016! 🙂 xoxo
Thank you 😛
hahahahhahahahhahahahahahahahahahah SOOOOO I had first commented “ARE YOU SURE IT IS ONLY THREE YEARS??? BECAUSE I THINK IT IS FOUR!” LOL! but I then I thought… hummmm I’m sure Kristen knows better than me! So I deleted it! Then I went back to your home page to comment on your next post… and… I don’t see this post anymore on the feed! LOL! I KNEW IT! This was LAST YEAR’s post LOL! I got to this post with Nicole’s link on her Sunday post LOL
Now I see I had already commented last year when you posted it 🙂 BUT of course I forgot to congratulate you LOL So I am happy I did congratulated you now, even if it was a year later. And… Happy FOURTH blogoversay! LOL
SMH!
Hahaha I was wondering how you got to this post. But you know me so well since you knew it was four years! Thank you 🙂
This is a really fun way to celebrate your blogoversary! It’s nice to go back and think about all those firsts!
Thanks!
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This is a good idea for celebrating your blogoversary! I think at some point, I may participate in your tag and answer these myself! 🙂
Thanks! You should totally do it!
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This is such a fun tag! It’s fun to look back at the things we did as baby bloggers (and laugh). I especially loved the awareness that you now have to know that you must not have understood the participation aspect of TTT when you first started. Hehehe!
It is funny to think back on all the things I did and didn’t do as I fumbled my way into blogging lol.
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