Hello, bookish friends, and welcome to the party!! Today Blue Binding is one year old, and I’m celebrating by sharing some of the wonderful books I have read during my first year of blogging and some of my favorite quotes. I CANNOT believe that it has been a year already! I honestly didn’t know if I would make it past a month, but I sure did! I have found something that I love doing, and I have no intention of stopping any time soon.
Also, HUGE HUGE thanks to anyone and everyone who has ever read, liked, or commented on one of my posts, and to all those who have followed me! You are wonderful and amazing and I probably would have quit blogging without you!!
New Favorite Books I Discovered
My “Favorites” list is ALWAYS growing, but particularly so since I started blogging. I have found many new, incredible books, and I even discovered a new genre! I found I really like graphic novels (maybe that’s not a genre…) and I’ve read at least 4 since my life-changing discovery (with many, many more on my TBR). I have also gotten into YA contemporary and romance, which I wasn’t a fan of before. So, here are some of my reading highlights from my first year of blogging!
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon:
Fabulous. Super. Amazing. If you enjoy cute romances, you will definitely love this one! This was one of the first reviews that I wrote for my blog, and I was happy with how it turned out. Feel free to check it out!
The Selection by Kiera Cass:
I didn’t really know what to expect from this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. One of my friends had read it, and I gave it a shot. I’m very glad that I did because it is a lovely series!
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson:
A graphic novel! If you like graphic novels and haven’t read Nimona, stop reading my post and go read it now. Like, it’s so adorable and funny, and I loved it with all my heart!
Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia:
A wonderful contemporary with lovable, relatable, characters. I immediately knew this would become one of my favorites. Eliza is an amazing character, and I could connect with her on many different levels.
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon:
Another sweet romance! Both Dimple and Rishi are adorable, and I liked how they represented their culture well.
Shadow Run by Adrianne Strickland:
Hey, a sci-fi! This was a super fun science, space adventure. It reminded me a lot of Star Wars and Illuminae. And, the next book, Shadow Call, will be released on April 17!
Warcross by Marie Lu:
I was really excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint one bit. The worldbuilding through the gaming aspect is incredible, and I enjoyed all the characters. If you like Lu’s other books, or need a good sci-fi, check this one out!
Geekerella by Ashley Poston:
I finished this one recently, and is a super cute Cinderella retelling. I always love retellings, but there was a unique modern twist to this one. I adored the characters, and it was a quick read!
Wonderful Book Quotes
I LOVE LOVE LOVE quotes. Especially ones from books. I have a whole little notebook that I write quotes in, and I can read it whenever I need a pick-me-up or some inspiration. I did a guest post at Alex’s Lord of the Trekkies back in June (it’s been that long?) and I discussed some of my favorite quotes there. I have many favorite quotes, so here are few more!
“But… books are so much more. Some of them are webs; you can feel your way along their threads, but just barely, into strange and dark corners. Some of them are balloons bobbing up through the sky: totally self-contained, and unreachable, but beautiful to watch. And some of them– the best ones– are doors.” -Lauren Oliver, Pandemonium
Lauren Oliver’s writing is so lovely, and she has some amazing quotes, but this it one of my favorites. It explains the incredible greatness and power of books, and shows that they are capable of taking us to wonderful places.
“Life is a gift. Don’t forget to live it.” -Nicola Yoon, Everything, Everything
I loved this book, and I think this quote has a great message. We shouldn’t get caught up in little things, and we should not be afraid to live our lives to the fullest!
“Break my hear. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway.” -Kiera Cass, The One
Oh, Maxon, gotta love him. This is just so cute I don’t even know what to say about it.
“If a penny can bring luck and a dime can grant a wish, how come my eleven cents hasn’t bought me what I need.” -Kasie West, P.S. I Like You
This book was adorable and super witty, and this totally demonstrates Lily’s personality. It is a good question she poses…
“I don’t see that her being cyborg is relevant.” -Marissa Meyer, Scarlet
I adore The Lunar Chronicles, and Meyer’s writing is lovely. This quote is great because it shows both Kai’s love for Cinder and hints at equality and disregarding differences.
Other Tidbits
I have discovered something I truly love this past year, and I am so grateful to all of the people I have interacted with. There are so many wonderful people in the book blogging community, and I am honored to be a part of it. I have seen many lovely blogs, and I hope to see many more.
Again, thank you to everyone who has visited my blog or liked and commented on a post. You have unknowingly encouraged me to continue, and I am so glad that I did. When I started, I had no idea what I was getting into. Blogging has become a special part of my life, and I hope to continue for as long as I can. 🙂
Blue Binding 
Congrats on your blog anniversary! I’ve only been blogging for just about a week, so not nearly as long as you. I really liked The Sun is also a Star, it was so good!!
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Thanks! 😊 By no means am I an expert, but I hope you enjoy blogging as well!
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I am really liking it so far!
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