June 28, 2013

OMG! It's my ONE YEAR BLOGOVERSARY!



You guys! You guys! I'm so excited! 
One year ago:

My sister:
"Hey Jen. Maybe you should find a place to talk about books with people that actually care about books?"(Translation: No one on Facebook gives a damn about what you were reading this weekend!)

Me:
"Hey sis, I'll look into that."
(Translation: Why don't my friends care about what I was reading this weekend?!?)

So, I started this blog. I needed a place to talk about books and I made my own space. I didn't know if anyone would read my words or care about what I had to say.

Since then I have had THE MOST FUN! I've met the BEST bookish people. I've participated in the BEST bookish events.


Thank you so much to YOU guys. Thanks to the people who read this blog. Thanks to the people who chat with me on Facebook and Twitter. I knew my bookish people were out there. I'm so glad I've found you.

Now, to the fun stuff!

Redbery Books is a lovely independent bookstore in my neck of the woods. They have generously offered to sponsor a giveaway to celebrate one year of The Relentless Reader!


Up for grabs is a signed copy of Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks and a $20 gift card to Redbery Books! How awesome is that? Enter!

       a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for hanging out with me this past year. I hope you'll stick around!
Posted by at

151 comments:

  1. Too Fond6/28/13, 6:44 AM

    Yay! Congrats!! And can I just say that I love that last animated gif--I think that pretty much sums up my life. ;)

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  2. Ellie6/28/13, 6:53 AM

    Congratulations! You must be feeling pretty awesome right now. Here's to another year of book chat :)

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 7:12 AM

      Thank you Ellie, I am! I'm going to be strutting around today. Woot!

      Delete
  3. Megan6/28/13, 6:57 AM

    Congrats on your bloggerversary!

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  4. Melinda6/28/13, 7:09 AM

    Congratulations!! You've achieved so much in a year :)

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    Replies
    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 7:12 AM

      Aww, thanks Melinda!! It's been a great year!

      Delete
  5. Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)6/28/13, 7:09 AM

    Congrats, this is so awesome! I'm really glad to have found your blog this year :)

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  6. Kristin6/28/13, 7:26 AM

    Congrats on your 1 year blogoversary...it goes so fast, doesn't it?

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    Replies
    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 7:40 AM

      Thanks! I can't believe how fast this year zipped on by!

      Delete
  7. Rayna6/28/13, 7:38 AM

    Congrats, Jennifer! The book blog world is so awesome -- I know I was thrilled to finally find My People.

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 7:42 AM

      Thank you Rayna! This community is fantastic, thank goodness you are all out there!

      Delete
  8. Unknown6/28/13, 8:06 AM

    Congrats!! Translation- we like to hear what you're reading :-)

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  9. Unknown6/28/13, 8:08 AM

    My favorite book in 2013 has been The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 8:19 AM

      A great book that I didn't expect to like. My review will be published soon :)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6/28/13, 11:20 AM

      Oooooh! I've read other Kearsley- I'm adding this to my list now!

      Delete
  10. Holly Mueller6/28/13, 8:24 AM

    Congratulations on your one year!! I enjoy your blog! My favorite book in 2013 was (adult) And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini and (children's) Every Day After by Laura Golden. :-) I LOVED Caleb's Crossing and would love to have a signed copy. I love everything by Geraldine Brooks!

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 9:08 AM

      Thanks Holly! I just won a copy of And the Mountains Echoed and I cannot wait to read it!

      Delete
  11. Anonymous6/28/13, 8:31 AM

    I'm so glad you started your blog! Otherwise, how would I have found you? And our not "meeting?" That would have been tragic. Happy Blogoversary to the CERTIFIED AWESOME Jen!!!!!

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    1. Anonymous6/28/13, 8:32 AM

      I didn't follow your instructions. Fave book of 2013? Tell the Wolves I'm Home. I want to play book vigilante and force it upon unsuspecting commuters...

      Delete
    2. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 9:08 AM

      Thank you so much Katie! I feel certified awesome today, that's no lie. I put Wolves on my wishlist :)

      Delete
  12. Shannon @ River City Reading6/28/13, 8:38 AM

    So excited for you! My favorite book so far has been The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, but I'm in the middle of Philipp Meyer's The Son right now and it's coming up close!

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 9:10 AM

      Thanks Shannon :) I loooved The Interestings too. I keep hearing lovely things about The Son as well. I'm going to have to get to that one!

      Delete
  13. Historical Fiction Notebook6/28/13, 8:41 AM

    Thanks for an awesome giveaway! I'm so happy to have found you through Armchair BEA. My favorite book of the year so far is "Life after Life" by Kate Atkinson.

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 9:10 AM

      You're welcome :D I'm glad we found one another too! Life after Life...oooh, I liked that one a lot!

      Delete
  14. Anonymous6/28/13, 9:05 AM

    Congratulations! (Love the Zoidberg picture!)

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 9:11 AM

      Thank you, thank you! :) I thought that was a funny one too!

      Delete
  15. DoingDewey6/28/13, 9:32 AM

    Congratulations! That's awesome!

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  16. Marie6/28/13, 9:39 AM

    Congratulations, Jennifer! I follow loads of book blogs, but yours is definitely a favorite :)

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    1. Marie6/28/13, 9:44 AM

      My favorite book so far this year is a tie between The Golem and the Jinni, and Into the Wilderness. I saw some reviews claiming that Into the Wilderness was just Outlander fan-fiction, but I didn't perceive it that way at all. I actually enjoyed Into the Wilderness much more than Outlander!

      Delete
    2. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 10:11 AM

      Thanks so much Marie :) I haven't read The Golem and the Jinni but I've sure heard a lot about it. Maybe I'll be able to make time for it one day ;)

      Delete
  17. Andi6/28/13, 9:45 AM

    YAYAYAYAYAY! To one of my fave bloggers. A super fantastic one-year 'versary!

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  18. Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf6/28/13, 9:50 AM

    Happy blogoversary!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf6/28/13, 9:55 AM

      Oh and I'm thinking Life After Life was my favorite this year!

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    2. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 10:12 AM

      Thanks Monika :) I loved that book too!

      Delete
  19. westmetromommy6/28/13, 10:03 AM

    Happy Blogiversary!

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  20. Heather6/28/13, 10:09 AM

    Happy Blogging Anniversary!

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  21. Ashley @ The Bibliophile's Corner6/28/13, 10:11 AM

    Congrats, my dear! I'm so glad you started this blog. :D I love knowing what you're reading. :D

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  22. Sarah6/28/13, 10:41 AM

    Happy Blog Birthday!!!!

    LOL to that conversation between you and your sis. Too funny, but how true too.

    I'm sending good vibes and imaginary cupcakes and confetti your way! :)

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 11:09 AM

      That is almost word for word what happened, lol. And yes, very true! No one cared. (How dare they?)

      Thanks so much Sarah!

      Delete
  23. Unknown6/28/13, 10:57 AM

    I said it on Twitter and I'll say it again—WHOO yay! Congrats, Jen. I'm so glad I found a fellow Sconnie book blogger! :)

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  24. Tanya @ Moms Small Victories6/28/13, 11:15 AM

    Congrats! So glad you joined the blogosphere and we have someone fantastic to talk good books with! Thanks for the chance to win. My favorite book(s) this year? Sarah's Key and Little Women.

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 11:32 AM

      Thanks so much Tanya :) It's been so much fun. Those are both great books, awesome picks!

      Delete
  25. Greg6/28/13, 11:21 AM

    Happy blogoversary! Congrats...

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  26. traveler6/28/13, 11:25 AM

    My favorite book this year is The Plum Tree. Congratulations and much more happy blogging. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 11:33 AM

      Thanks :D I'm going to look that book up. It sounds familiar but I can't place it.

      Delete
  27. Michelle6/28/13, 11:33 AM

    And one year ago, the book blogging world became a better place. CONGRATULATIONS on your blogoversary!

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  28. Amy6/28/13, 11:37 AM

    Congratulations on your blogoversary! I loved both Cascade and Tiger in Red Weather. I love Geraldine Brooks by the way. I have read Caleb's Crossing (it was great) and would love to have a signed copy!

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 8:55 PM

      Thanks Amy! I really like Brooks as well. I really liked The Year of Wonders :)

      Delete
  29. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)6/28/13, 11:58 AM

    Congratulations! Finding out there was a community of people who actually liked to talk about books was a revelation to me too!

    I have several favorites this year: Looking for Me, Written in Red, and The Apple Orchard to name a few.

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  30. Anonymous6/28/13, 12:03 PM

    Congratulations on 1 year of blogging! What an achievement!! My favorite book would have to be 11/22/63 or Looking for Me.

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 8:56 PM

      Thanks :D You're the 2nd person to mention Looking for Me. I need to get to that!

      Delete
  31. Greg Zimmerman6/28/13, 12:32 PM

    Congratulations! Keep up the great work!

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  32. Amused6/28/13, 12:51 PM

    Happy Blogoversary!!

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  33. Anonymous6/28/13, 12:54 PM

    Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary of blogging!! I'm glad you listened to your sister and started a blog, too :) I've enjoyed reading your posts and love that readers now have a place to meet other bibliophiles, too :D

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 8:58 PM

      She's pretty brilliant, for a little sister ;) Thanks so much!!

      Delete
  34. Anonymous6/28/13, 12:56 PM

    Happy 1st anniversary! I can't believe your blog has only been up for a year... you have such a following!

    The best book I've read this year is "Fragile" by Lisa Unger. I reviewed it on my blog, but it just truly is a great read. Mystery, family saga, character building... it's at the top of the list so far!

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 9:01 PM

      Thanks so much :) I've sure met some fantastic folks! I lure them here with cupcakes, mauahahaha!

      I'm going to look that book up, thanks!

      Delete
  35. Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity6/28/13, 1:24 PM

    I'm still amazed that you've only been doing this a year. You seem like such a pro and by pro I mean natural. Congrats!!! So so so glad to know you. :)

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 9:03 PM

      Thank you from the bottom of my heart Trish. Your esteem means the world to me :) XOXOXOX!

      Delete
  36. Anonymous6/28/13, 1:25 PM

    Hooray and congrats! I don't doubt there are many more fun years to come.

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  37. Anonymous6/28/13, 1:42 PM

    Happy blogoversary!

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  38. Brooke6/28/13, 2:17 PM

    Congrats! You've had quite a successful year it seems! Love your blog and glad you're a member of this amazing community. Looking forward to reading for many more years.

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 9:04 PM

      It's been a great year :D Thanks so much Brooke!! This community knocks my socks off :)

      Delete
  39. Jen G.6/28/13, 2:22 PM

    I can relate - although I still thoroughly harass my FB community with numerous book related postings. Congrats on one year! It's been a blast following your blog!

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    1. Jen G.6/28/13, 2:59 PM

      Oh and best book so far "Z: A Story of Zelda Fitzgerald."

      Delete
    2. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 9:08 PM

      Ha ha, good for you! Keep it up :) You know I have my own blog page on FB. Now the only people I harass are the ones that WANT TO BE, lol.

      Thanks so much Jennine :)

      I keep hearing great things about Z, hope to get to it one of these days!

      Delete
  40. Anonymous6/28/13, 2:31 PM

    Congrats on the blogoversary!

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  41. Lindsey6/28/13, 2:46 PM

    Congratulations on a fantastic year!

    My favorite books so far....maybe Life After Life? Or the Chaos Walking series perhaps. Can I say a whole series??

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 9:09 PM

      Thank you Lindsey! Yours was one of the very first blogs I followed. Do you feel special? lol

      You can say whatever book/books you want :D I'll have to look into that series. Life After Life was incredible.

      Delete
  42. Rebecca @ Love at First Book6/28/13, 4:04 PM

    Congratulations!!!! Soooooooo exciting and I love that you're doing it with a giveaway! You should also treat yourself to a glass of wine, maybe some cake?

    You know what's sooooo fun? Me, you, and Allison have blog birthdays all within a few weeks of each other!!!! Mine's July 8!


    My favorite book this year. . . oy. . . Maybe The Song of Achilles? Did I read that this year? Or was that 2012? I don't even remember. . .

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/28/13, 9:17 PM

      Thank you dear Rebecca! Wine and cake sounds great. Excuse me while I pour myself a glass...

      Ah better :) I knew for sure that your celebration was coming up but I wasn't sure about Allison's big day. Very cool!

      I loved Achilles too, I think I read it last year though? ;)

      Delete
  43. fredamans6/28/13, 4:52 PM

    Happy blogoversary!!

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  44. Athira6/28/13, 5:08 PM

    Congratulations! The first blogaversary is always the best. Enjoy it! :)

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  45. bermudaonion6/28/13, 9:14 PM

    Happy blogiversary! Here's to many more years!

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  46. Laura at Library of Clean Reads6/28/13, 9:52 PM

    Happy Blogiversary! I remember the thrill of my first year blogging. Glad I discovered your blog. You're a fun gal!

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  47. Allison @ The Book Wheel6/28/13, 11:23 PM

    Congratulations! I think I've been following you almost from the beginning and I've enjoyed watching you grow! Cheers to your success and to all the awesomeness I know is sure to come!

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/29/13, 7:59 AM

      Thank you, thank you! It's been a great year :) I know you have an anniversary coming up too! Yay!

      Delete
  48. Mary Preston6/29/13, 7:02 AM

    Congratulations!!

    My favorite so far has been CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell.

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  49. Chrystal6/29/13, 7:58 AM

    Happy Blogoversary!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Flamingos and Butterflies6/29/13, 8:56 AM

    Happy Blogoversary! My first Blogoversary is coming up soon, too!

    Tina

    Flamingos and Butterflies

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/29/13, 9:01 AM

      Thanks Tina! Yay for both of us! Thanks for visiting :)

      Delete
  51. Anonymous6/29/13, 9:19 AM

    Congrats! Mine is coming up in August so I am starting to feel the same excitement you're experiencing! YAY!

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/29/13, 9:31 AM

      Thanks! It will be more than one year for you right? I'll definitely celebrate with you! :D

      Delete
  52. Lydia from Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen6/29/13, 9:28 AM

    Congratulations on your anniversary :) I love your logo and colors. I'm also a voracious reader, mostly sci-fi and fantasy. Also cookbooks, I read a lot of cookbooks, lol. Enjoy the #SITSSharefest! Lydia from www.lydiasflexitariankitchen.com

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/29/13, 9:32 AM

      Thanks so much Lydia! I don't read many cookbooks but I should probably start, lol. I need all the help I can get!

      Delete
  53. Meredith6/29/13, 9:37 AM

    Jennifer, so glad to have met you! You are an awesome commenter, and your enthusiasm is contagious. Happy blog-o-versary!

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/29/13, 9:39 AM

      Thanks so, so much! I do get a little enthusiastic about things that I love ;) Woot woot!!

      Delete
  54. Anonymous6/29/13, 9:43 AM

    Congratulations, Jennifer. I love reading your blog and I'm surprised it's only one year old. Here's to many more years of blogging.

    Favorite book this year is the one I gave away in the Literary Giveaway Blog Hop: The First Book of Calamity Leek by Paula Lichtarowicz.

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/29/13, 10:11 AM

      Thanks so much Judith! That means a lot coming from you :D

      Delete
  55. Anonymous6/29/13, 10:12 AM

    Congratulations! I love your blog.

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  56. Brian Joseph6/29/13, 10:15 AM

    Happy anniversary Jennifer! Your blog is such a superb part of the book blogging universe!

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/29/13, 10:16 AM

      Thank you Brian! You were one of the first bloggers to ever reach out to me. I haven't forgotten that :)

      Delete
  57. The Bookworm6/29/13, 10:43 AM

    Happy Blogversary Jennifer!! I love your blog and your fantastic personality shines right through your posts :)

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  58. Books 6/29/13, 8:25 PM

    Congrats! I love your blog! I don't post much but I do love it! :P Happy Blogoversary! Many more to come!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Michelle Stockard Miller6/29/13, 8:37 PM

    I have read so many good books this year...old and new. My favorite book that was released this year was Murder as a Fine Art by David Morrell. An excellent historical mystery/thriller set in Victorian times.

    Happy one year, Jennifer! Book blogging has been such a rewarding experience for me. I'm so glad that you discovered it too. =O)

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/29/13, 9:56 PM

      Murder as a Fine Art sounds super familiar, I'm going to have to look it up :)

      Thanks so much Michelle :) It's been one of the best things I've ever done!

      Delete
  60. Unknown6/29/13, 9:15 PM

    Congratulations! Happy Birthday Relentless Reader!!! I have loved so many books this year that I just can't pick a favorite. Once again congrats! I look forward to my 1 year blog birthday, 11 more months to go. :)

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/29/13, 9:57 PM

      Thanks Ginny! I hope you have half as much fun during your first year that I did! Welcome to the FABULOUS world of book blogging :)

      Delete
  61. Vasilly6/29/13, 10:11 PM

    You've only been around for a year?! That's crazy! It feels like you've been around FOREVER! I am so happy your sister suggested you find a place to talk about books. You are one of my favorite bloggers. I hope you stay around for many years to come! :-) Happy blogiversary!

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/30/13, 7:59 AM

      Thank you so much!! :D You put a big 'ol smile on my face!

      Delete
  62. Anonymous6/30/13, 5:28 AM

    Congratulations Jen!
    When this post came up in my feed I was looking at the title with bewilderment. I expected you to have been blogging much longer than that, you seem to have accomplished so much on your blog!
    It is great that you've found your place to talk to like minded people about books... I think many of us followers are thankful to your sister :-P

    My Book Bubble

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/30/13, 8:00 AM

      It feels like I just started yesterday. But then, on the other hand, it feels like I've been doing this forever ;) Thanks a million Jade!!

      Delete
  63. Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard6/30/13, 10:47 AM

    Congratulations, Jennifer! You're doing awesome! (I know, I know, terrible grammar...) I'm really impressed by how much you've done in just a year. Well done!

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    Replies
    1. The Relentless Reader6/30/13, 10:58 AM

      Thanks so much Lark, it's been a GREAT year :)

      Delete
  64. Anonymous6/30/13, 3:59 PM

    Okay - I did all the things I promised to do in my entry. Congratulations! I don't know what we bookish people would do without you. You are such a joy to share books with. Belle

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    1. The Relentless Reader6/30/13, 6:42 PM

      Hi Belle! Thanks :) I'm looking forward to your hiatus being over, I miss ya!!

      Delete
  65. Jessica6/30/13, 4:17 PM

    CONGRATS JEN! So happy for you and I love the last gif! Hahaha

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  66. Anonymous7/1/13, 8:24 AM

    Congratulations on one year! Here's to many many more!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Blogger107/1/13, 9:04 AM

    HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!!! I am continually amazed at the size of your readership after only 1 year. You go, girl!!!

    Hmmm fave book of the year so far...really hard to choose! I'd say ONE of my faves is Michael Pollan's Cooked, but I have a hard time giving it a definitive #1 spot since I've read so many other good ones as well. :)

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    1. The Relentless Reader7/1/13, 10:40 AM

      Thank you Kelly! This has been such a GREAT year! I feel so embraced by this community :)

      It's impossible to pick a favorite of the year. I don't think I could do it. How jerky of me to ask my readers to, ha ha!

      Delete
  68. Lori7/1/13, 10:47 AM

    I am late to the party! I had technical difficulties when I made my attempt on your blogoversary. That being said, Happy Happy Blogoversary!! I'm so pleased I happened on to your site. It's one of my favorites and I am a "regular" here. The comment from your sister cracked me up. I can relate!! Love your Facebook posts also.

    Here's to another year!!

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    1. The Relentless Reader7/1/13, 2:29 PM

      Thank you so much Lori! You've made my day :D

      Delete
  69. Anonymous7/1/13, 11:34 AM

    Happy blogoversary! Glad you found your people. It is sad about Facebook, but at least you can talk as much as you want here, more than you ever could on Facebook, and we'll always listen :)

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    1. The Relentless Reader7/1/13, 2:30 PM

      Thanks Charlie! And hey, now that my blog has a dedicated FB page I can blab about books there all that I want. (And I do!)

      Delete
  70. Bryan G. Robinson7/1/13, 1:47 PM

    141 comments? Well, you must be doing something right. I don't know what, but you're doing it. ;) Well, I do...and I'm just jealous, of course. :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. The Relentless Reader7/1/13, 2:31 PM

      Keep in mind that half of those comments are mine! ;) Thanks Bryan, you're a darling!

      Delete
  71. Lisa7/1/13, 10:27 PM

    Happy blogoversary! I love your conversation with your sister!

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  72. Literary Feline7/2/13, 2:11 PM

    Congratulations on your 1st year blog anniversary! How exciting! I love reading your posts. They always make me smile. :-) Here's to many more wonderful years of blogging!

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    1. The Relentless Reader7/2/13, 2:15 PM

      Thank you very much :) That's so nice of you to say!

      Delete
  73. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz7/3/13, 8:13 AM

    Happy blog-o-versary! :-)

    ReplyDelete




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