Lost in a Good Book

Lost in a Good Book is turning 6! Where does the time go? I feel so in charge of this blog finally. It’s been a long and hard road but I am glad I’ve found a system that works for me. I have stopped trying to make my blog run like others. After reading so many advice posts over the years on how to blog, after trying to mimic other blogs and tying myself into knots over scheduling and features and stressing myself out I have found my own path.

On top of feeling impressed with myself, I’m also feeling reflective and bureaucratic this blogiversary so I’ve taking up the challenge to see how my stats are fairing. I used to look at these religiously but the past few years I have only given them a cursory glance.

I’ve poured through 6 years of statistics to find the best, the most, the detailed numbers surrounding my blog. I’ve looked at the genre breakdown and the star ratings, I’ve looked at my most popular posts and the countries who come to visit. What I would have loved to do is compare the Australian authors to international that I’ve reviewed, but that will need a lot more planning because my tags aren’t nearly as organised in those early years regarding Aussie authors (they aren’t the best now if I’m honest). and there was no way I was sorting through that mess right now. Maybe next year.

It was quite a fascinating trip in all honestly. I was amazed at the numbers and at how many of each genre I had read, not to mention my generosity of stars. It also made me realise just how far I have come in 6 years. As I enter my 7th I am looking at my followers grow all the time and the visitors to my blog increase. I had more people visit my blog in the first 11 days of January this year than I had in the entirety of 2013 which is unfathomable. I can’t help but feel a little proud.

Let’s break it down. I’ve created a handy infograph because who doesn’t love a good infograph?

All of these stats are amazing, and surprising in their own way. For someone who didn’t think she liked fantasy I have reviewed it A LOT. But no doubt I’ve missed some reviews, and certainly if I’ve messed up some genre tagging the numbers may be a smidge off but honestly, they mean so little; community engagement and just having people read and like what I review and ramble about is so wonderful. I remember loving the one person who would read every single post I posted back in 2013. They were often the only stat on my blog. I loved this one person and I loved that they took the time to read the words I’d carefully thought about.

In the past 6 years I have seen so many changes. I have tried and failed many blog features. Let’s salute the forgotten such as Weekly Wrap Up, From the Shelf, Birthday Book Bonanza, not to mention Library Loot! Gosh, can you imagine if I kept that up it would be a daily post about all the things I bring home from work? It would publicise the very real problem I have. But it’s not all forgotten features, I’ve also introduced The Picture Book Corner which I adore, have Bookish Bites to help me write those quick reviews, plus started participating in Long Lost Reviews, who knows what else I will create or even bring back!

Looking back I have also halved my review lengths, which I think we’re all thankful for. I know I can go on a lot now but in the beginning, I used to go on A LOT. My reviewing has improved which I can tell just by reading some older posts. It’s amazing to see how I ran the blog back in the early years. Every year I did things a little bit differently and I have finally found my groove and I am happy to settle into this rhythm and power on.

Today is not all about my blog statistics, it is also a chance to share some of the amazing books I have read this past year. I have chosen my Top Five of 2018 plus a few other amazing books to include in my giveaway this year. As per usual, the giveaway is open internationally.

The Selection

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

A Thousand Perfect Notes by C. G. Drews

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Soulless by Gail Garriger

Loving Lakyn by Charlotte Reagan

To enter: For a chance to win one of the pictured books simply enter here and complete the Rafflecopter form.

 Please note: This giveaway is international on the basis the Book Depository ships to your country. To see if you are eligible you can check their website.

Thank you for helping me celebrate six wonderful years of blogging and if you enter the draw I wish you the best of luck!

Giveaway runs until midnight AEDT on 23rd February 2019