Today is Desperate Reader’s one year anniversary, and only slightly coincidentally my 200th post. It’s fair to say that time has flown, but then it has been a reasonably eventful year, or perhaps more accurately it’s been a blessedly uneventful year after two more than interesting ones. I started blogging during a period of effective unemployment, but am now only underpaid which is a definite improvement (I think).
Blogging has turned out to be an unreservedly good thing so far, I’ve read more books, read them with a bit more thought, and met some great people doing this. I started with no idea that there was a community side to it, so that’s been a total bonus. A couple of people have also been very generous with books and a good thank you seems in order – a list would make for dull reading, but on the off chance that anyone who’s sent me a book is reading then consider yourself well and truly appreciated, and whilst I’m about it I should extend that thank you to anyone who’s read this blog, and anyone who’s commented – it’s all been very encouraging and enjoyable for me!
So how have I been celebrating this momentous occasion? There has been cake for one (chocolate brownie with cherries since you ask, very squishy, very chocolaty, any excuse) and I’ve started Michel Faber’s ‘The Crimson Petal and the White’. Actually I picked it up last night around midnight, read till 2am, fell asleep. Woke up at 8am today and the moment I could focus (about 8.20 am) started reading again. I might have gone back to sleep if I hadn’t found a spider in my bed. Quite small, but equally quite large enough to make me behave like it was an angry tarantula (I mean really quite a small spider, but I’m pathetic about these things).
Anyway I got an extra 2 hours reading time in today and slightly surprised my father when he called at 8.30 (en route to Florence the lucky so and so) by being conscious. There are 850 pages of ‘The Crimson Petal and the White’, and I thought that it might be a bit of a chore to read through, but I’m beginning to suspect it might not be half long enough. I’m getting very excited by this book.
I’ve also found myself with a very bookish dilemma courtesy of river cottage handbooks and amazon. Regular readers might have noticed I have a bit of a thing for these handbooks and the next 2, scheduled for the spring, appeared on my recommends list today. ‘Fruit’ (about orchards I gather) which I’m already looking forward to despite not having an orchard (unless a lemon tree in a pot counts, and I really don’t think it does), and ‘Cake’. My love of cake and baking is no secret, as is my love of books but I do wonder if I really need another book about cake, so I’m struggling with this a little – what if when it comes out I don’t need it? What will I do? Can I have an incomplete series? All I’m saying is it’d better be indispensable...
Has it really been a whole year?! Goodness me! Felicitations!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm actually surprised that it's only been a year for you. You write as though you've been doing this for a while. It's a GREAT blog. And I love reading about the cakes you bake.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a year, and I do feel quite celebratory about it, possibly because unlike my actual birthday it's a nice low number and also because it's been a generally really good year not least because of the people I've met and got to know a little through blogging - so thanks guys:)
ReplyDeleteHappy blog birthday, Hayley! It has been a delight to meet you both virtually and in person. Such a delectable way to celebrate the milestone.
ReplyDeleteThe community has been far and wide the added bonus that has come from blogging, a pleasant by-product. Here's to being equally engaged and better-paid!
I can't believe it's been a whole year as well! It's been so lovely to meet you and your blog is always a pleasure to read! Here's to many more years of your lovely posts! :)
ReplyDeleteA year already? It doesn't seem that long. I've enjoyed reading your thoughts, Hayley. Congratulations.
ReplyDeletesherry
Yes of course you need another book about cake! (you knew I'd say that of course). I love reading your blog, it is one of my favourites, due to the focus on baking. And I did enjoy meeting you back in May too. Happy blog birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy One Year Old! I'm so glad that I've tuned in during what will be known as Desperate Reader: The Early Years!
ReplyDeleteHappy blog birthday! It's been wonderful following your blog and I am looking forward to many more blog birthdays :)
ReplyDeleteVerity, I thought you might, and your probably right:)
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the blog birthday wishes, I've felt suitably warm and fuzzy all day on the back of them :)
Happy Birthday Blog from your mother. I have over reacted quite sensationally to the occasion and the memory of your very first birthday cake reduced me to floods of tears verging on mild hysteria when I realised how long ago it actually was! However, in your honour, I have decided to mark the occasion with a huge slice of carrot cake. So, come lunch time I shall be sitting in the corner of the garden centre cafe with a moist eye and a mouth full!! Love You xxx
ReplyDeleteIve only just found your blog and it happens to be your 200th post. I found your blog because I was looking for other reviews of The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman which I am about 40 pages into. I think I was just looking to see if at any point it makes more sense.
ReplyDeleteJessica, I don't think it does, but on the other hand you get used to it and Carter's such an amazing writer even when she's being this experimental that it's still rewarding, though I'm not sure that enjoyable is a word I would use, I still say stick with it!
ReplyDeleteI'm belated with my message, but happy blog anniversary. It's been a pleasure to stumble on your blog and see the books you're reading, and I hope to keep on hearing about them for years to come.
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