Happy Third Blogaversary to Me!

Photo via Tnooz

Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday that I was writing about my second blogaversary and here we are, celebrating the third anniversary of Books Etc.

A lot has happened over the past year. Some great things, some totally awful things, some things that fall somewhere in between. The biggest thing was that I left my job at a non-profit to do an internship at Random House of Canada from January to April. It was a surreal experience and I'm really glad I did it. (In case you missed it, here's my recap post.) Then, because you can't just do one internship and expect a job, I interned at the fabulous bookish nonprofit, Project Bookmark Canada. I had an awesome time working with Executive Director Miranda Hill. (Recaps here and here.) Then, because you can't do two internships and expect a job, I settled into the life of unemployment. Sigh. I've been looking all over the place since the end of June and have yet to come up with a job. I've had six interviews, which is good, I suppose, but nothing lately. Because I'm a blogger, I wrote a post about it that will detail more about what I'm looking for and how the search has been. Of course, because of this unemployment, I don't have any goodies to give away. Once again I'll say...next year!

I think I've grown a lot as a blogger over the past year. I've been writing more bookish posts that aren't necessarily reviews and not worrying (too much) about when I post or how often I do so. I've also got a good schedule going now. I was all over the place before but now I've had to really organize myself because I have so many more review requests coming in. One thing I'm still working on is not letting NetGalley books expire. I have been pretty good about requesting but when I go to search for titles and request one, I end up requesting a bunch and they all show up at once! As much as unemployment completely sucks it has led me to be on top of my blogging. Once I read a book (and I have a lot of free time), I can get to the review right away. Silver lining, right?

I've been able to read a lot of really great books this year and I've attended SO many book events (and there are a ton more that I could have gone to but didn't because it's just too expensive to go into Toronto all the time). Not only have I attended lots of bookish events, I've also helped plan one, too! Last night was BookBuzz Toronto and I loved working on this event. I'm writing this the day before the event so I have no idea how it'll go. Stay tuned for a recap post! Another great thing about this year is that I've met lots of industry people and I'm getting more comfortable talking with them (as I realized at the blogger meet up). I'm still (slowly) working on what I want to do with my life but until then, and until I get a paying job, this blog is what's keeping me going.

I think this post now calls for a bunch of photos! Here are some of my favourite bookish moments from the past year:

1. Random House of Canada's Blogger Love event.
2. A conversation and reading with Kate Atkinson at Harbourfront.
3. Word on the Street. I finally made it!
4. Meeting Rainbow Rowell.
5. Random House of Canada blogger lunch with L. Marie Adeline.
6. Conversation with Jo Baker and viewing of Pride & Prejudice at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
7. Third Annual Ontario Blog Squad Meet-Up

1. I got to see the Random House of Canada imprint sign and offices every day for 12 weeks!

2. A lot of those days were spent mailing books to professional reviewers.

3. On my last day at RHC they let me loose in the book room and I got to take all the books I wanted. I restrained myself. 

4. With Project Bookmark Canada I went to visit Amy at Penguin. Loved seeing the office! And Amy giving me a few books wasn't bad either.

5. Sending out winnings from the Page Turner campaign.

6. I did a lot of reading for Project Bookmark. Amazing.

7. This is me at the Bookmark in Port Colborne, near where I live. Fun!

1. I won a huge City of Bones prize package from Simon and Schuster Canada. Woah!

2. I also won a lot of goodies from the Retreat by Random House The Midwife of Venice online chat.

3. All my lovely things I got after last week's blogger meet up.

1. I was SO excited to get a new bookshelf. A sign you're a true book nerd, me thinks.

2. I spent a lot of time reading outside in my backyard this summer. Glorious.

3. I had given a copy of S.E.C.R.E.T. to my boyfriend's mom and she passed it around to her friends. They loved it and sent me a card and Boston Pizza gift card in thanks.

4. My grandma and I went on a road trip in September and we each brought two books. I say my love of book is genetic!

It's been a fabulous year, friends. I'm hoping for another fantastic year of blogging. Thank you, as always, for reading. :)