The Conservatory by Frances Jones Bannerman
Three years ago today, The Captive Reader blog was born. It is strange to think back to that night; I was so anxious and excited to plunge wholeheartedly into the world of book blogging but I really had no idea where it would lead. I could not dream of friendships I would make, the support I would find, and all the fun I would have belonging to a community of such generous, intelligent, and eager readers.
When I started blogging, I thought it would be a casual thing. I thought my enthusiasm would settle over time, that the giddiness I felt each time someone left a comment or linked to one of my blog posts would fade. It hasn’t. I still wake up every morning excited to check for new comments. I still feel so proud when another blogger or writer says something nice about me on their site. And, most importantly, I still have so much fun writing about books.
I find it so encouraging to know that there are people out there who are interested in what I have to say and who enjoy discussing books as much as I do. Thank you, everyone. It has been a wonderful first three years mostly because of your support.
Happy birthday to you. Yours is one of my favourite blogs.
Thank you, Harriet, and thank you for all the thoughtful comments you’ve left here over the past few years. I appreciate them all.
Happy Birthday. “People don’t write anymore”, someone said to me on Monday. “Go out into the blogging world and see how wrong you are”, I told her.
Very true, Alex! Not to mention how many more people are writing and publishing books than ever before.
Happy Birthday!
Thanks, Julie!
A very happy birthday to you! It is a great blog.
Thanks, Erica! I have so enjoyed your comments this past year, especially on my EvA posts.
Congratulations on your third blog-birthday! And thank you for introducing me to some writers and books I would otherwise not have known about and for sharing your thoughts on them here in your wonderful blog. I really admire bloggers such as yourself who are able to consistently write such interesting, informative posts and still somehow manage to find time to read so many books besides leading a regular life. I don’t often comment, usually because I can’t think of anything meaningful to say, but occasionally I like to say thank you where thanks are due. Best wishes.
What a lovely comment! Thank you very much, Del.
Happy birthday! A lovely painting.
As I’m sure you know, yours is absolutely my favourite blog, and brings me such joy. Here’s to the next three – no, thirty – years of The Captive Reader!
Simon, included among the many reasons why you are my favourite blogger is that you always notice and comment when I include a favourite painting in a post. I love this painting and yet you are one of the only ones who noticed it!
I’ll stick around for thirty years if you promise to do the same!
deal!
Happy Birthday! It’s a wonderful blog, all the very best.
Thanks, Agnieszka!
Happy birthday to the Caprtive Reader, Claire! I have very recently discovered your blog through the fabulous Book Snob, Rachel. I think your blog is amazing and love reading your posts. I’m currently working my way through the archives! I just read your about page and discovered that you are in Vancouver, BC – I spent a wonderful 2 weeks honeymoon in that part of the world – 1 week at Cox Bay on Vancouver Island and then another i Vancouver itself. I long to return, and I particularly loved the thrift stores in Kitsilano. Your interests and the writers you admire relfect my tastes, so I will be following you for as long as you are still excited to be writing. Thanks so much!
Rachel is rather fabulous, isn’t she? I am happy that you found your way here and that you’ve enjoyed what you’ve seen so far. And I’m very happy that you enjoyed your time in my part of the world!
Apologies for typos!
No worries!
Congrats *raises glass of sparkly* I see a lot of book blogversaries in January – new year’s resolutions?
Thanks, Alex!
Nope, not a resolution for me so much as a response to having just discovered book blogs a month or two before and being eager to join a community of like-minded readers.
Happy blog birthday, Claire! To think of the years of lonely readership before discovering such really lovely people…like you! Seeing which books you’ve lugged home from the library never fails to intrigue and I can’t look at an Angela Thirkell book without thinking of you. In fact, it happened yesterday!
Darlene, I am delighted and flattered that you associate me with Angela Thirkell. I have become quite the Thirkell evangelist and I am very happy with that role!
Happy birthday, Claire! I’m not sure which I look forward to more – the libraries, or the loot, or maybe it’s the Angela Ts, or it could be your visits to mine… but I hope our blogs grow old together.
I love my visits to yours too, Audrey! It is so lovely to have someone to discuss Thirkell with, as well as all the other wonderful authors where our reading overlaps.
Claire- I first heard of your blog because of your Angela Thirkell postings. I have been stunned by your ability to get through so many books in a week(!), and your ability to analyze them so beautifully. Your blog is just fantastic. Keep it up! I can’t wait to hear about what will come next in your life. Good luck with the next chapter in your story.
Thank you very much, Susan. This next year should be an eventful one but you can be sure I’ll keep the blog updated with the changes as they come!
Happy blogiversary!
Thanks, Eva!
Congratulations, Claire! What an accomplishment! Yours is one of only three blogs I have delivered to my in-box. I love every post. Thanks for all the time you put into writing and connecting others so enthusiastically with your reading. You’ve introduced me to so many terrific books.
Thank you, Lee-Anne!
Happy anniversary. Here’s to the next three…
Thanks, Alex!
How eagerly I look forward to your Library Lust postings (you will never know how much they inspire me to straighten up my own literary lair), as well as all the new books you lug home, your Library Loot, your reads and reviews, and on and on I could go. Instead, I’ll just wish you a Happy Anniversary with a plea to never stop as I sip a cup of tea and read a bit of The Laskett.
I am glad to help inspire some library tidying, Penny! And I am so looking forward to hearing your thoughts on The Laskett!!!
Happy Blog Birthday!! Here’s to another great year!
Thanks, Katrina!
I’m new to the blogging world. Your blog was one of the first blogs I discovered. It continues to delight and inspire me. Thank you and Happy Anniversary.
Thank you, Debra, and welcoming to the blogging world!
Congratulations! It is encouraging to hear you are still excited about reading and books and writing about them. I so look forward to Library Lust and your feature of Library Loot has added lots more titles to my TBR list. You run a very generous site, my dear. Thanks for your inspiration and hard work.
Thank you, Belle. I honestly cannot imagine ever getting tired of talking about books, especially when there are so many excited, intelligent bloggers out there to discuss them with!
Congratulations! I think 3 years is a great blogging milestone! I love reading your reviews and adding new books to my TBR pile. Cheers!
Thanks, Heather!
Woo hoo! Happy three years! May there be many more!
Thank you, Stefanie!
Happy Third! You have introduced me to some wonderful books and authors to which I have to say THANKS SO MUCH. Example: Georgette Heyer’s Unknown Ajax and Sylvester (Wicked Uncle), which I’m reading right now. Your blog is a daily read for me. Please continue.
My beloved Sylvester! I hope you’re enjoying it. I have the audiobook (read by Richard Armitage *sigh*) on my iPod right now and listen to it whenever I’m out on a walk or running errands. Quite perfect.
Happy blog-birthday!! I am so glad I found you–yours is the first blog I read in the morning, and sometimes when I come downstairs in the morning I check the computer to see if your post is up yet (thank goodness you post on most days!) when I should really be starting the morning rush of making breakfasts, lunches and getting my kids up and to school. You’ve introduced me to some great books and I look forward to more!
Thank you, Erika. I love to hear that my blog has become a part of your morning routine. I feel both honoured and a little bit guilty for distracting you at that busy time of the day!
Many thanks from a newish and very happy reader. I so look forward to the notice in my InBox of your new blog every day.
Thanks, Sarah, and, as you’re new, welcome!
Happy blog-birthday! I echo all of the sentiments already expressed. Your posts are hugely enjoyable and I eagerly open each Captive Reader update which appears in my inbox – I know it will give me a few minutes (or longer!) of pleasure. What an exciting little world this book blogging thing has become.
Due entirely to the dedicated readers who share their impressions by thoughtful writing, such as yourself. Cheers!
Thank you, Barb!
Happy Blog Birthday! Here is to another good year! I really enjoy following your blog and all of the work you put into it.
Thanks, Kay!
happy blogiversary! and to many more!
Thank you!
Happy Blog Birthday, Claire………may there be many more!
Thanks, Cat! I hope there will be many, many more years – I have no plans of stopping any time soon!
Happy Birthday! Your blog was one of the first that I let my dds read when they expressed an interest in book blogs (and thus, you are now a family favorite
). Looking forward to all that lies ahead.
Happy Birthday indeed! I’m one of Susan in TX’s dds, and I’ve enjoyed your blog for several months now. Thank you!
Thank you! Susan often mentions her dds but it is lovely to hear from one of you directly for the first time.
Thank you so much, Susan. It is very special for me to know that down in Texas there is a delightful family of readers enjoying these posts!
Happy birthday
Thanks!
Happy blogging anniversary. As others have acknowledged, thanks for the effort that you put in so that we can sit back and enjoy it all.
Thank you, David!
Happy birthday and thank you for you presence!
Thanks, Lilac!
And what a marvellous three years it has been. You are magnificent, Claire, and I always look forward to reading your posts. I am so excited to think that I will meet you so soon! I love how you highlight so many books I would never normally read – but then become intrigued by – and I have been secretly stashing those library pictures of yours for months as inspiration for when I finally get a place of my own! So pleased you’re still going strong – can’t wait to see what year 4 of blogging will bring! x
Thank you, Rachel. I have been stashing the library photos too but I am afraid my favourites are all a little too grand for the kind of budget I’ll have any time soon! Still, it is so fun to dream. AND I CANNOT WAIT TO MEET YOU THIS SUMMER!!!
Congratulations and thank you! I’ve been following and enjoying your blog for several months but I’m not much of a commenter (although I resolved to comment more in 2013). So happy anniversary from one of your many readers.
Thank you, Jennifer! I hope I’ll hear more from you this year (as I blogger greedy for comments I of course applaud your resolution) but if not it is still lovely to know that you’re reading.
Happy Birthday and Congratulations! I enjoy your blog so much; it raises my spirits and lowers my bank balance.
Thank you! Sorry about the bank balance
Congrats on three years! Here’s to many more.
Thank you, Linda!
Happy Third Birthday to your lovely blog, Claire! You never cease to amaze me with the speed at which you devour books and the efficiency in writing up reviews so consistently. Love the Library Loot posts and it’s always a delight to peek at what books you brought home from the library. Looking forward to many more happy reading years with The Captive Reader!
Thank you, Michelle! The efficiency is less efficient that it may appear but, even if it takes six months, reviews do get written!
Happy Blogiversary! I really enjoy your posts – all the best for another excellent year of reading.
Thanks, Vicki!
Happy Birthday – keep reading and writing!
Thank you, Christine!
I know that feeling of starting something and not being sure where it will end up. You actually ended up with a great blog so take a moment to reflect in all the positive vibes you’re getting from your loyal followers.
Thank you. I am very proud of the blog and glad you (and all these other lovely readers) enjoy it!
Congrats on your “blogiversary”! I hope you keep on reading and writing for many years to come. I know I don’t comment much but I really do enjoy reading your posts. And I love that picture you chose to feature with this one!
Thanks, Jeane. And I’m glad you like the painting!
Happy Blog Birthday! Thank you for such wonderful reviews. I just started my first Angela Thirkell thanks to you. It’s fabulous!
Thank you, Amy. I’m thrilled to hear you’re enjoying your first Thirkell!
Happy happy birthday, and many happy returns of the day.
Thanks, Jenny!
Happy birthday!! Keep up the good work!!!
Thank you!
Happy anniversary a bit late! (after a very frustrating week of not being able to comment on blogs – like overhearing a conversation you’re dying to join.) As others have said, I always look forward to your marvelous and inspiring posts, and enjoy where our reading overlaps, especially with Angela Thirkell – and I’m so glad (but not surprised) that you are converting new readers.
It is never too late for good wishes! Thank you, Lisa.
Belated Anniversary wishes Claire! I’ve come to discover so many more authors since I started following your blog.
Thank you, Ash!