I’ve been thinking for weeks now that my first post was on November 24, 2004. I figured since that fell on Thanksgiving this year, that I’d combine my seven year (!) anniversary with all the things my blog has brought me that I’ve been thankful for over the years.

Turns out that I was wrong about the date, but I was only off by a few days, so I’m still going to go through with my idea here…

Seven reasons why I’m thankful for my blog:

1. My on-line book group, Sequestered Nook: I would have never known about this (not having met anyone on there in real life when I joined up), if I hadn’t complained about my in-person book group on my blog. And then Corinne, bless her, mentioned that she’d started this on-line book group, and would I like to join? Of course! It’s a wonderful place, somewhere where we can discuss books and life and movies. I value our discussions and the small community we’ve built. I’ve actually met several of the members in real life over the years, too, which just makes it that much more special.

2. KidlitCon (well, shoot: the whole KidLitosphere): when I first started blogging, I felt I had to justify my love for YA and MG books. Then, a couple of years into it, I discovered that there’s this whole community of people who have the same love of these books as I do. And they get together to talk about books and blogging. And they’re passionate and fun. And they’ve accepted me as part of their community, even if I’m not a librarian or a teacher and I’m “just” a mom and a reader and a lover of books. I couldn’t ask to be a part of a better community.

3. The Cybils: I’ve valued every moment of my experience being a part of the Cybils. I’ve followed it since the beginning, and love the lists of books that the award generates. But more than that, it’s amazing to be a part of something larger than oneself, something I would have never experienced without my blog.

4. Challenges: I’ve joined many challenges over the years, and even hosted a couple of my own. I am so glad for these, for the ways they stretched and pushed my reading in directions I never would have gone otherwise. And even for the piles and lists of books to be read that have been created as a result.

5. Book recommendations: Before my blog, I would wander the bookstore and the library stacks looking for books that sounded good. Seriously. And a good 6 times out of 10, my initial instincts (“ooh, pretty cover!”) were wrong. SO wrong. After my blog, when I started to create relationships and find people with tastes and opinions I respected, nearly everything I read is good. Sure, I still get a clunker here and there, and sure I still don’t finish books. And sure I sometimes don’t like the “in”book that everyone else loves (The Book Thief anyone?). But for the most part, my reading experiences are so much better for blogging about books.

6. Friendships: I’ve kind of alluded to this already, but I honestly value the people I’ve met over the years. From Andi and Heather and the experience writing for Estella’s Revenge, to Pam and Charlotte and Liz and Abby and Jen, to Becky and Julie (and Julie, even though she doesn’t blog anymore) and Laura and Suey and Amira, and many, many more that I both have and haven’t met in real life: my life is richer for having known you. Thank you for blogging, and for being awesome.

7. My job at Watermark Books: I firmly believe that if I hadn’t been reading and writing all these years, I wouldn’t have the coolest part-time job ever right now.

And all this because my husband suggested that I start a blog. It’s been an amazing seven years!