Sunday, December 11, 2011

Blogoversary and a Giveaway

This week marks the 2nd anniversary of my blog. I waded tentatively into the world of blogging in December of 2009 and held my breath as I hit publish on my first post. As the post winged it's way out into the ether, I wondered if anyone would read it. I checked the post compulsively to see if anyone had commented. Two years later, I am gratified by the wonderful readers of my blog and appreciate everyone's comments on my posts; my posting this year has been marked more by its inconsistency than anything else but still my readers have stuck with me - thank you!  

A Few Highlights  
Boof at Book Whisperer is also celebrating her blog's 2nd anniversary this week - I really like her blogoversary post and decided to use the same format here. The credit is all hers!

My first review was for The Anglofiles: A Field Guide to the British

By far, my most visited post and how most random people seem to find my blog is 10 Great Places to Read in NYC , a post I wrote for Jill at Fizzy Thoughts's NYC Challenge. I have no idea if those that find the post stick around to read anything but, hey, at least they get here. I had an extra thrill in February this year when the New Yorker blog, Bookbench, linked to the post. I never anticipated that this post would generate so much interest.

The book review post that gets the most hits is Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai - this is a favorite book of mine so I like to see it getting so many views. Although many of them show up via google searches that include search terms such as "plot summary of Inheritance of Loss" or "main characters in Inheritance of Loss" which leads me to believe someone may to using the review for a book report. Hope they get an "A"!

This year, I hosted my first challenge - The Immigrant Stories Challenge. It was great to see so many readers sharing my passion for immigrant stories and the diversity in books read for the challenge really opened my mind to how the immigrant story can be told. I am hosting again in 2012 - the sign-up page will be up soon. I hope you will consider joining!
 
Giveaway
 To thank my readers, I am giving away one copy of any of the books I have reviewed since starting the blog. Just leave a comment below with the name of the book you would like and a way to contact you - I will choose a winner next Wednesday 12/21.

Thank you all again and good luck!

27 comments:

  1. Congrats on the 2-year-anniversary! Big accomplishment and lots of reviews!

    Would love to read Jennifer Haigh's "Faith."

    You can contact me via gmail at jennbakernyc.

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  2. Happy Blogiversary! Thank you for the giveaway!
    The Kitchen Daughter is my pick.

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  3. Congrats on reaching 2 years. Hope we can look forward to many more.

    My selection would be Shaffer, Mary Ann and Annie Barrows: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    I Follow via GFC - buddyt

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  4. Colleen, congrats on two years! I've enjoyed reading your blog so much!

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  5. Congratulations on 2 wonderful years.

    My choice would be Brooklyn by Colim Toibin
    jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net

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  6. Happy Blogoversary!!! You're one of my favorites!


    And what a neat giveaway idea. I would go with The Orphan Sister. jennala(at)cfl(dot)rr(dot)com

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  7. Congrats on your Blogoversary!!! Next time I'm in NYC I will be sure to reference your 10 best places to read in NYC post!! Love it!!

    If I win, I'd love to get a copy of Ellis Island by Kate Kerrigan. It's been on my to-read list for some time now. :)

    You can contact me at kmaxa AT gmail DOT com

    Thanks!!

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  8. Happy Blogoversary!

    I would love to read "40 Love" by Madeline Wickham if I won. It's one of the few books of hers that I have yet to read.

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  9. Sorry, forgot my e-mail. It is jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com!

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  10. Congratulations on two years of blogging, Colleen!

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  11. Congrats for the 2 year!
    I would love to read: A Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda.

    ilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  12. Happy blogiversary!!

    I'd love to read Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella.

    diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com

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  13. Happy Blogoversary! I'd love to win Magnolia Wednesdays :)

    jesse.nicole.paul (at) gmail (dot) com

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  14. Colleen, Happy Anniversary. You do such a good job, and you're an important part of the national blogversation about books and writing.

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  15. Happy blogiversary!! I loved that Great Places to Read in NYC post, so I'm glad it's getting lots of love from others.

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  16. Congratulations on your two years blogging :)
    I could relate to your comment about the trepidation you felt as you hit publish post for the first time!

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  17. Happy 2 year blogoversary! I hope you have many more happy years :)

    Thank you for this wonderful giveaway to celebrate! I would love to read The Orphan Sister, please. I've been eyeing this book for months now. Thank you for the opportunity :)

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

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  18. Happy Blogoversary to my convention buddy and fellow Colleen! Your blog was one of the first ones I followed about a year and a half ago, and I have always enjoyed your fresh take on books, so thanks for sharing with us all. I'd love to read The Lost Summer of Louisa Mae Alcott :) -- thanks for the lovely giveaway!

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  19. Congrats on 2 successful years of blogging!! I've been a long time follower and fan of Books in the City :)

    Thanks for the fantastic giveaway and I would love to read This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper!

    katherine(dot)kpp(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. Happy Blogoversary! Best wishes and many more. I would love to read Lost Girls. Many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. Many thanks for this wonderful giveaway. I would enjoy reading Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show. Congratulations on your Blogoversary! elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  22. Congrats on the blog anniversary!!
    My pick is I'll Know It When I See It

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  23. Congrats on your two years! It's been a pleasure following your blog and hanging out with you in person. Here's to many more happy blogging years! =D

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  24. Hey Girleen,
    Great to find you. Keep up the good work.
    Best,
    Iris
    PS. Irish novelist Niall Williams doesn't appear on your lists... hmmm? Start with Four Letters of Love.

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  25. happy anniversry The kitchen daughter would love to read it.

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