Celebrating 6 years of blogging!

~ Book Club Mom

The blogging anniversary is kind of a big deal, but I also celebrate with a little hesitation. “Look at me!” is built into the blogger’s mindset, but strangely, so is the “I hope this is good enough” feeling. How do you balance the two?

For me, the answer is to just keep going. I’ve talked before about my early posts and how I’m embarrassed to read some of them. I’ve deleted a few, but most are still out there. It’s a process, but just when do you hit your groove? I’m not sure because I’m always thinking of how to make it better.

One thing is certain and it’s the only good reason to keep a blog going (the non-profit ones, I mean). It has to be fun. And for me, it is, even with the slumps and occasional dry spells.

Likes and comments are the boosts bloggers need, so keep them coming! But the friendships with other bloggers are what makes blogging truly worthwhile. So thank you for all that!

In the spirit of celebrating six years, here are some of my top posts (based on views):

Top Post – All-Time:

Image: Wikipedia

“House of Flowers” by Truman Capote

Other Top Posts:

“Gryphon” by Charles Baxter

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Author Interview – Jill Weatherholt

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

First Post:

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Are you a blogger? How long have you been blogging? What keeps you going?

Thanks for visiting – come back soon!

63 thoughts on “Celebrating 6 years of blogging!”

  2. Happy 6 years! I can honestly say my blogging experience wouldn’t be the same without you. I’ve hit 4 years now which is how long you’ve put up with me! So thank you. Here’s to the next 6!! X

    1. Thank you, Carol. I think blogging is a lot like opening a restaurant. The first year is the hardest. But there have been a few slumps along the way, too. When I take a break I always feel ready to jump back. Thanks for the visit!

  4. Congratulations, Barbara! 😀 I’ve learnt so much from you during my five years of blogging and read many books you’ve recommended. I agree, the friendships formed in WP are so rewarding and keeps us going! Here’s to the next six years! 🥂😀

    1. Thank you, Annika. I’ve changed a lot over six years and have altered my focus. The friendships, as we all know, are the best part. Happy blogging – I see you have a new post out – I’ll be over today!

    1. Same here, Derrick. I enjoy your blog so much – it’s so well done – you definitely have the knack! Happy blogging and thanks for your support 🙂

  7. Congratulations, Barbara. To do anything consistently for six years is a big achievement, and you have done that and more. You’ve reached a lot of people, and there are a lot of people for you to reach still. And I’m sure you will.

  10. Congratulations, Barbara. That’s fabulous news. I think it must be about six years for me too. I’ll have to check. Here’s to another six years of blogging friendship. 🙂

  13. Congratulations! Do celebrate this major accomplishment. I can tell you’re not a showoff. Besides, milestones serve as markers for our progress. I celebrated my sixth year blogging in February; I’d post the link, but then I would be spamming you. Now we can’t have that! 😀

    What keeps me going is the folks, like you, on the other side of the screen who offer support and encouragement. Again, CONGRATS!

    1. I agree with you, Marian, the support I get from other bloggers is wonderful – I don’t think you can properly describe it to people who are not bloggers. Congratulations to you, also, on six years of blogging. I’ve learned a lot by reading other blogs like yours! Looking forward to reading more posts by you 🙂

  17. Six years is great, Barbara. I have only been blogging for 2 1/2 years. I agree that if you don’t monetize your blog, it must be fun. I started mine after I launched my first book into a black hole as I had no social media at all at the time and I have learned so much as a result. I would never have written a full length horror/supernatural YA novel if it wasn’t for this amazing blogging community.

    1. Yes, I think the only way to truly understand how to blog is to just get in there and do it. There’s no risk so the upside is the fun. You have to like all the technology of social media if you want to really get it rolling, but I think there are many ways to make it work. And yes, the blogging community is so supportive. It has really given me the confidence to experiment with my writing. Thanks for stopping by!

  21. Congrats on six years! That’s an impressive record. And I follow Jill Weatherbolt, so I’m guessing I discovered her through your blog?

    1. Thank you, Ann. I wish I could remember how we all “met” on WordPress. I think I may have met Jill on Twitter first, then we migrated to WP. It’s fun thinking about the connections. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂

  22. Congratulations! I won’t say how long I’ve had my blog because it’s a bit embarrassing how few likes and comments it gets…sigh. But I know what you’re saying about early posts…I think I’ve deleted most of my first couple years’ worth.

    1. Hi Tammie – well it’s a process, isn’t it? I’ve deleted the really bad ones, and every now and then I go back and spruce up some of the older posts. Thanks so much for your support and comments – did I read my Twitter feed correctly – are you in Alaska right now??

  24. Happy Anniversary! I have read many of the books you review and enjoy seeing Book Club Mom show up in my inbox. Your posts are always insightful.

  27. What a great way of celebrating your sixth anniversary (and huge CONGRATS!). I love the idea of sharing your top posts. I’ll come back when “life” slows down a little and look at them all, although I think I’ve followed you long enough that I’ve read them all. I hope so. I love your blog. And I love how you mention that we certainly don’t continue for the money or the prestige. It’s for our love of writing and sharing and meeting so many spectacular people out there in the blogosphere. I’m so happy to call you a friend. xo
    P.S. Since I have you here – have you read The Lost for Words Bookshop? I just finished it and think you’d enjoy it as much as I did.

    1. Hi Pam – you are so sweet – I feel the same way. Now that I’ve been blogging this long, it’s great to know I have good friends out there who understand this part of my life! I haven’t heard of The Lost Words Bookshop – sounds like a book I should read! Thanks for the recommendation and I hope you are having a good week so far 🙂

      1. Teaching lots of creative writing classes, so that’s good. Still sneezing and sniffling with allergies, but an allergist is helping me a bit. Now reading Kate Morton’s The Secret Keeper, a mystery/romance/war/family novel. Keeps me turning the pages, but the main character not as believable as I’d like. How’s that for a review? 🙂

  29. Congratulations Barbara. That’s a good amount of time in the blogging world. You should be proud, not only of still being here but of keeping your posts fresh and interesting. A great service to us readers..:)

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