YA Community Thanksgiving: Love in the community

Whether you're an author, an agent, a publicist, blogger or just (no such thing as JUST) a reader, most of you reading this are part of the book blogging community. It has expanded from only a handful of blogs with just reviews a few years ago, to literally thousands of websites with a wide range of content.

I joined the book blogging community when it was at its peak in early 2009. With dozens of websites opening every day, the chances of this blog being a success, or even read, was slim. But there the bloggers were, giving little comments and generally their support to me. Over this past year, for many reasons I have thought of shutting this blog down many times. And just as many times you guys have made me reconsider.

The majority of the people reading this are book bloggers. Blogging is more than just the content. It's more than the number of comments or followers you have, more than the number of contests you hold and definitely much more than the number of coveted books and swag in your IMM. The glue that's holding us all together is definitely the community and sadly, sometimes we all forget that.



Without the community, none of those things above would be possible. Also, this post. It was tough to think of something that wasn't too preachy, too sappy or too insincerely crazy, but I maaaaaaade it with Adele's help.

Ahh, I wanted to be all SERIOUS and STUFF, but my serious brain is out of battery. *switches to silly-billy-goo-goo brain¹*

I love the blogging community, and I think it's time to tell everyone why:

1) The people. I have met countless amazing people through book blogging. And you're one of them. Like minded people: You rock. Non-like minded people: You make me think. This will help me in debates. Talking to you people all over the world makes me feel connected. It's nice to know that I could just randomly one day go to one of the places you live in and be able to say "I know someone who stays here!" Plus, it gives me major cool points. Also, being able to get along with both young and young-at-heart people. I channelled a lot of that while on attachment (one more week!) and it's helped me A LOT.

2) GENEROSITY! Living in a teeny weeny country that is not near the major books central (aka US and UK) the fact that you are all so vairy generous makes me tear up. No, really. I know most of you are literally paying out of the pockets to pay for the books, swag and shipping fees, so if I haven't thanked you before, THANK YOU.

3) The books. The stories. So many varieties, so little time. The recommendations. Stop giving me recommendations! My list is FAR too long that I can't remember what is on it anymore. :/

4) Twitter. It's the main medium of communication for us, and your tweets always make my day. We're a worldwide fathom of gossipy goodness.

5) Success stories. I love reading about a friend achieving their dream of being an author, agent, etc.

6) Hot guys in literature. Or rather, gushing with you about hot guys on the cover of books. Hot guys coming to life and chatting with us, ey Drew Doyon?

7) Teams. I am #TeamPuck², are you? Or in Glee, #TeamFinn and slightly #TeamJesse, but definitely #TeamCoverSongsCoveredByTheCast

8) COOL WORDS. Awesomesauce. Glitterfetti. Glomps. We are expanding the world's vocabulary when we combine our brains together, dear people.

9) The introduction to cool shows like Doctor Who, Glee, Fringe, The Tudors, Merlin and Legend of the Seeker. Before, I was a non-TV watching geek. Now, I am a non-TV watching Gleek who tunes in on the internet.

10) The chance to improve my writing skills. Which is indirectly proportional to the improvement of my spelling skills. Which are deproving. Which is bad.

11) Readathons. Speed reading at its best for the competitive me. And kaypoh-ing to see what my competitors other people are reading.

12) Memes! So many to take part in, so little days to post.

13) The many many book blogs promoting the many many books. The many many different opinions.

14) Meeting the debut authors, the agents, the publishers. MAN! It's honestly a dream come true for me, being able to meet and talk to this people who come up with such an amazing array of stories, designs, people etc. Before, such people were just part of my imagination. I mean, I knew they existed, but that's all. And to actually get to talk to them and have them reply... and even becoming friends with them? WOW. I am very lucky. Very thankful for this.

And mostly...

15) The positivity that you bring into my life. So here's the absolute truth: I love book blogging. I definitely love the community, but most of all I love the joy that I get. I love being happy! It's like Christmas every day! Or in my case, Hari Raya.


This post is brought to you by tragedy, *glomps!*³ and a speck of Adele's brain. It is also being updated as I think of more reasons. Hey, someone want to count how many times I used the word "community" in this post? Multiply that by infinity, and that's how much I wuvvv you all. :3

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¹ Got the Babysitters Club reference? :D
² I am also on #TeamAshhasgreathair.
³ Hey Julie Kagawa!