Thanks For 2 Wonderful Years!

It's hard to believe, but today marks the 2 year anniversary of the day Starting the Next Chapter went live. Since then, a grand total of 246 reviews have been posted, as well as 17 interviews, 11 guest posts, and 26 blog tour stops.  I've read 242 books, gone to countless author events, gained 3 co-bloggers, made some truly great friends, and welcomed more books than I really want to think about at the moment (the number would probably frighten me).  Even though it has been a hard 5 months for me, many of you have stayed with me, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Whatever happens in the months to come, I hope to continue providing you, my dear readers, with honest reviews, fun blog tour stops, and lots of entertaining content.  This is for you, dear readers!

The Epic Giving Thanks Scavenger Hunt - The Author I Am Most Thankful For

When the incomparable Megan from Book Brats came up with the idea for a scavenger hunt based upon the books and authors that we are most thankful for, I was very excited to participate.  I knew just who I wanted to write about and I simply couldn't pass up an opportunity to spread the word about a truly wonderful book.

Last year when I started my blogging career here at Starting the Next Chapter, I read some really great books.  However, one particular book stands out even now due to the impact it had upon me as I read it.  Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys kept me up all night reading and, even though I went through much tissue while doing so, I felt in awe upon finishing.  Little did I know that I would meet the woman behind the book mere months after reading it.

I first met Ruta at the Nashville stop of the Ash2Nash tour in August 2011.  Upon striking up a conversation, it was revealed that we didn't live too far from each other.  We had a lovely conversation and I walked away from it even more impressed than I already had been.

Ash2Nash in Nashville, August 2011

Being a Nashville area blogger, I would meet Ruta again at numerous other events and, eventually, strike up an on-going email correspondence with her.  Then, I was approached by a blogger whom I now count amongst my dearest friends, Hannah.  She, too, had been impacted by Between Shades of Gray and wanted to do something special to get the word out.  It started with a blog tour in celebration of the paperback release this past April.  From there, my friendship with Hannah grew and before we knew it, plans for a fan site were in the works.  I am now one of the admins for RutaFans along with Hannah and am happy to be so.  The more people that know about this book, the better.

The RutaFans Lunch, July 2012

Ruta has come to mean so much to both Hannah and myself for an entirely different reason.  When she asked both Hannah and I if we were writers and found out that we are, she made it a point to encourage us to go for it and to not stop.  She also made sure that we attended the latest SCBWI Midsouth conference, something that I am now very grateful  to her for making happen.  I am so full of gratitude for everything she contributes to the writing world.

To Ruta, I must say thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You have been an inspiration, a great influence, and a valued confidant.  My writing and my life is all the better from having met you.  Here's to the continued success of Between Shades of Gray, as well as success for your next work, Out of the Easy.  You already know how much I loved it and I look forward to sharing it with everyone.

In honor of Ruta and the book that started it all, I will be giving away a paperback copy of Between Shades of Gray.  All you have to do is collect the scavenger hunt words from this and all other participating blogs for a chance to win.  Good luck, and to the future winner of Between Shades of Gray, I truly hope you enjoy!

Get In On the Scavenger Hunt!

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Continue With the Hunt!

Nov 12 - Book Brats
Nov 13 – Making The Grade
Nov 14 – Writing My Own Fairytale
Nov 15 – Book Addicts Guide
Nov 16 – Bumbles and Fairy-Tales
Nov 17 – Beauty and the Bookshelf AND JC Emery
Nov 18 – Dizneeee’s World of Books 
Nov 19 – Book Babes AND Gypsy Book Reviews
Nov 20 – Starting the Next Chapter
Nov 21 – I Love Books Club
Nov 22 – WRAP UP!
Nov 25 – Contest Ends, Twitter Party

Giving Thanks to Wonderful Bloggers

As I look back on the past year, one of the things that strikes me most is the sheer number of wonderful people I've gotten to know through this crazy thing called book blogging.  This is my way of saying, "Thanks!" and calling attention to their awesomeness.  If you haven't been by their blogs before, you simply must.  They're too great to pass by.

 

DJL @ Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes - DJL is by far one of my biggest cheerleaders and my daily Twitter convo go-to.  We have yet to run out of things to talk about and she's always there with an encouraging word when I feel overwhelmed with my blog.  Not only that, but she is an awesome book reviewer.  How she manages everything on top of being a full-time librarian, I'll never know.  I can't thank her enough for everything.  To my wolfy friend, here's to you!

 

Lindsay @ The Violet Hour - Lindsay is just a fun girl to know.  We read many of the same books and have many conversations about them afterward.  In fact, we just started reading Everneath together, which promises to be a lot of fun.  Lindsay is another awesome cheerleader to have in your corner.  The "Review Mojo" that gets passed back and forth has been a fun way of supporting each other when we get stuck during review writing.  Thanks for the laughs, L!

Christy @ The Reader Bee - Let's hear it for one of my home state blogger pals!  Though we don't live in the same parts of our state, it's awesome knowing that there are so many awesome TN bloggers out there.  Christy has also been a blast to talk to on Twitter.  She writes great reviews, which I almost always find myself agreeing wholeheartedly with.  I'm very grateful for the guest post she did for me during the Bump in the Night Brawl and would love to work with her again in the future.

Kyla @ Kyla Novelista - Let's hear it for our resident Zombabe!  I got to know Kyla even more when we worked together on the Bump in the Night Brawl.  She most definitely delivered with an awesomely funny post on zombies that I still get a kick out of re-reading.  Her tweets often bring a smile to my face, which is definitely appreciated when my days as toddler wrangler get me down.  Thanks for everything, Kyla!

 

Louise @ Between the Covers - Having met Louise "officially" when I needed someone to take over the vampire topic for the Bump in the Night Brawl, I can definitely say that I am glad to know her.  She's funny, she's snarky, and she definitely knows how to make you laugh.  You definitely owe it to yourself to stop by her blog and read her reviews, along with those of her cohorts.

Gigi @ Bona Fide Reflections - Gigi is a more recent acquaintance, but she has been a blast to get to know.  She is there when you need a good conversation or if you're concerned you've had an issue with infringement of your blog (as I found out a few months ago).  Not only did she keep me from flipping out, she continued to hang out just to talk, both of which I'm grateful for.  By the way, Gi, I've got your cupcake recipe!  Just tell me where you want it sent.  :-D

Jessi @ Reading in the Corner - Jessi has been one of my readers since early in the game.  She has done awesome things with her blog this year and is also starting up her own reading challenge for 2012!  Jessi has given some great advice and encouragement via Twitter, as well as some great comments over the past 10 months.  Thanks for everything, Jessi.  :-)

Lori @ Pure Imagination - Lori is another awesome TN book blogger who, though I've never met in person, I am very grateful toward.  Look around at my design.  She is who I have to thank for it and I couldn't be happier with the result.  As if that wasn't enough, she writes great reviews and has an awesome blog.  Thank you so much for my design, Lori.  I still love it as much as the day it was installed!

Shannon @ Stalking the Bookshelves - It has been great getting to know Shannon this year.  She is semi-local to me and has been at almost all of the bookish events I have attended this year.  Along with her sister, she runs an awesome blog with great reviews and a cover reveal series that I often find great new books to look out for.  Thanks for the get-togethers, Shannon!  Hope to see you again at another signing.
:-)

Nikki @ Books Most Wanted - Last (but definitely DEFINITELY not least), is Nikki, my real-life friend and book buddy.  Having known Nikki since the tender age of 6, we've gone through a lot over the years.  She's always there to give me a kick in the pants when I need it and when I need someone to listen to my worries.  We've had many excursions to the local cupcake cafe, the book store, and signings this year, all of which have been so much fun.  Even if we're just hanging out at her office (where I bring her coffee from time to time), I always feel so relaxed knowing that this is one person who has known me longer than anyone (aside from my parents and grandmother), thus knows my quirks and short-comings (yet she still hangs out with me.  LOL)  I don't know how much longer we'll get to live in the same town, but I'm definitely glad that she's right down the highway, for now.  Thanks for everything, sis.  I definitely owe you a lot for everything.