Book Perfume

Book Perfume is three years old today! I don’t know about you, but I think this calls for a cupcake.

When I started this blog, I knew that I wanted to call it Book Perfume. I knew that I wanted to talk about the books and authors and characters that I love. I knew that I would gush about literary hunks and I knew that I would probably mention Jamie Fraser far too often. That’s about all that I knew.

I didn’t know that I’d meet so many kindred, book-loving spirits just by putting myself out there. I didn’t know if anyone other than my immediate family would even bother reading my posts. I never expected to make such wonderful friends with readers, bloggers, and authors from all over. I never expected that Riggins would become such a sensation.

Okay. That’s a fib. This dog is destined for great things.

Compared to other blogs and book sites, Book Perfume is still a tween, going through its growing pains and hoping that the cool kids will look this way. Here’s what I know for sure, though: Book people are the best people, and there’s room for all of us at the lunch table. The vibrant community of readers and writers I’ve met through this blog and across social media are the most positive and supportive hive on the internet. I love hearing what you’re all reading and adding book after book to my TBR list. I love chatting with you on Facebook and Twitter about everything from favorite reads to favorite lines from Hamilton. I love seeing your gorgeous bookstagram shots and hitting “like” until my finger goes numb. I love seeing readers shouting out to authors for providing so much joy and authors giving thanks to readers for making their days. I love that I get to be a part of it, and I thank you all a thousand times and more for being your awesome, book-loving, generous selves.

I realize that talking about Sweet Valley High one day and Ernest Hemingway the next might not be conventional, but as my grandmother always said, “I am who I am, honey.” I’m going to keep recommending the books that I love, from new releases to classics to books that fall somewhere in between. I’m going to keep crowning literary hunks of the month and naming Outlander superlatives with each new episode. (It comes back next week!!) My goal is to keep Book Perfume growing and thriving like those kids in the milk ads from the ‘80s, so there will be lots of new features and bookish fun to come.

I hope that if this blog makes you laugh, remember an old favorite novel, or helps you find a new one, you’ll keep reading. Whether you’ve been a Book Perfume reader for three years or are just joining the party, I am so grateful that you’re here. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the likes, shares, comments, and kind notes you’ve sent.  And if you have any lit-loving friends who might enjoy this page, I hope you’ll send them this way. There’s always plenty of tea, and I’ll even share my snacks.

But not my cupcake. That’s long gone.

If you’re not already following Book Perfume on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, please do! There’s even more page-turning fun–and the occasional picture of Riggins–happening over there.