Tell Me Something Tuesday was hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings, but she has (temporarily?) stopped blogging. So a group of us that had been doing posts (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Karen from For What It’s Worth, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About and me) decided to get together, come up with some more topics and keep the meme going.Michelle made us a logo and we’re off and running. For more details, check out this post where I reintroduced the meme.
I can be sporadic, but when I do join in I will always share next week’s topic at the end of the post. So, today is about…
Gratitude. What books/authors/narrators/bloggers are you most thankful for this year?
I have so much to be thankful for this year… so prepare for a longer post (and this is just the books/authors/narrators/bloggers!!). I think the difficulty of the past two years just makes the things that I have to be thankful for all the more prominent. I want to thank my fellow TMST bloggers for keeping this meme going this past year. It’s been a pleasure getting to know them better and I really enjoy these posts – writing and reading them. A particular shout out to Jen who brought us all together and keeps everything organized.
In the world of books, geez that’s a hard one. I’ve read something in the ballpark of 125 books this year (an all time high for me) and I’m grateful to the authors and narrators of each and every one of those books (even the 1 and 2 stars) because they have been my escape from the challenges of the day-to-day. Some standouts have been:
- The Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh and narrated by Angela Dawe – since I’ve been reading it as part of Anne’s 2021 Readalong and it’s been a part of my life every 3-4 weeks this year.
- Ruth Ware’s books, narrated by Imogen Church — I read In a Dark, Dark Wood and One by One this year
- Victoria (V.E.) Schwab. I discovered her in 2021 and she wrote my absolute FAVORITE book of the year, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue as well as The Archived
I have enjoyed lots of other books this year and you’ll see them in my 2021 favorite reads, but these books and authors stand out.
And then bloggers – beyond the TMST gang. Now this is where I get weepy. Y’all the COYER Community is just everything. I have enjoyed our book clubs and readalong chats, not to mention the daily FB posts and my numerous buddy reads (I’ve buddy read at least 28 books this year, probably more that I forgot to track, all part of COYER). As with any group there are some that are just more active and that I’ve gotten closer to, so I have to give a shout out of gratitude to – in no particular order BTW and not necessarily ALL COYER:
- Sophia – thank you for being a spot of joy and a fun buddy reading partner.
- Lark – thank you for being such a stellar COYER member and especially book club. It’s always a treat to have you!
- Kai – thank you for always bringing that voice of social responsibility, noting diversity and and lack thereof. I feel like I can always count on you to make me aware. And then you bring the fun with our Psy-changeling chats 😉
- Mary Kirkland – I just have to give you tremendous thanks. You always visit the blog and I appreciate all your comments, even though I’m absolutely horrible at replying to comments
- Anne – My Psy-Changeling buddy reading friend, thank you for just being a good friend and keeping me on track with the series all year! Counting on it again next year lol 😉
- Lillian – thank you for supporting me and Michelle with COYER, and agreeing to become a full-fledged co-host next year. I cherish our group chat and all your help with medical/toddler questions!
- Stephanie – like Lillian, I thank you for supporting me and Michelle with COYER and agreeing to become a full-fledged co-host next year. Your support and cheerleading in our group chat is a highlight of my day everyday!
- Michelle – do you even count on a blogger list? (I say that, because I don’t think of you as a blogger friend anymore, you’re just my friend). I can’t believe how incredibly I lucked out that you were the blogger I choose to reach out to about starting COYER all those years ago. I not only got a co-host and future co-blogger, but a best friend. I love that I can call you when I’m having a meltdown and not only do you walk me off the cliff and get me laughing, but you seem to have been anticipating the call, you know me that well. Love you!!!
The one danger of a post like this is that you will inevitably miss someone. And if you were missed, I am so sorry. If you’ve EVER visited the blog and left a comment, please know that it meant the world to me. And if you’re a part of our COYER Community, you have helped make something so special to a lot of people, so thank you!
“I’m grateful to the authors and narrators of each and every one of those books (even the 1 and 2 stars) because they have been my escape from the challenges of the day-to-day.”
I loved your “even the 1 and 2 stars”! So generous.
I’m glad to be part of the TMST gang! I don’t post often, but I enjoy all the contributions every one of you puts forth.
Thank you. I’m with you 100% here. The COYER community is fabulous. I have loved buddy reading with you. I’m looking forward to next year too!
Oh my goodness, thanks for the shoutout. I know you have a lot going on in your life because of the Sunday posts and probably don’t have a lot of time to comment on blogs all the time. But I like reading your posts so I keep coming back. I’m glad I found your blog. 🙂
Oh yes, I am grateful that you and the other gals kept the TMST going. It is a highlight to stop in on Tuesdays and read your thoughts on it. And, yes, this is for me, like you, a great year in COYER participating and reading with buddies and fellow challengers to keep me encouraged. 🙂 I’ve had a great time with the readalong and grateful for Nalini and Angela for bringing PsyChangeling to life.
Have a great Thanksgiving, Berls!
I really enjoyed The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue too. Such a great story!