2011. My fifth year of blogging, and what is there to show for it? 100 template changes. 80 books read. The 5th Japanese Literature Challenge hosted. And so few comments left on fellow bibliophiles' blogs I'm almost embarrassed.
I don't aspire to be a powerhouse of a blogger, with a page rank of 6 or more and a row of ads in my sidebar which support me in the manner to which I've become accustomed.
I just want to read the books which call out to me and share the most spectacular. I want to indulge in the classics, the international, the unusual and often obscure books. I want to share challenges together; 2012 will bring the Japanese Literature Challenge 6, as well as the first Venice in February challenge. They both promise to reveal exciting works which I can't wait to discuss.
Thanks for bearing with me in 2011, with the way that I bounce from template to genre with the attention span of one of the third graders I teach. I look forward to all that 2012 will hold. I look forward to sharing it with you.
You have a lovely blog (BTW, love the new template!) and know that you are doing this because you love it. Your love for books and reading show and it is appreciated. Merry Christmas and the best to you in the New Year of 2012!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed the walk so far, and will continue along the journey with you.
ReplyDelete(friends don't always need to talk; a comfortable silence, and rare remark can be all the more powerful)
Terri, it's good to know that you approve of the new template (what I hope to be the final one for a very long time). I love it's simplicity.
ReplyDeleteI've ordered the Christmas book you had one one of your posts this week, and I'm eagerly anticipating its arrival.
Raidergirl3, what an astute comment, one with which I completely agree. I much prefer an occasional, meaningful comment from an old friend than something quickly left without much depth.
ReplyDeleteA Merry Christmas to you and yours, and here's to another interesting year in 2012 :) I'm about to complete Year Three of my blog, so it's good to see that people can keep it up longer than that ;)
ReplyDeleteI *love* this particular template look: so crisp and sleek. Have a wonderful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you and yours! I love your blog and the new look. We enjoy so many of the same books that I always love to stop by. Here's to another great year of blogging.
ReplyDeleteTo that night in Bethlehem
ReplyDeleteTo that night in Bethlehem
Forever under the sun
To that night in Bethlehem
That the word safely came
There are red-hot edges on the sky
And the ground in a white covering
Look at baby Jesus without a crib
And the Virgin in delighted love
To that night in Bethlehem
Under the sun
Forever under the sun
(Translation by Norland Wind)
A wondrous seasonal greeting to you & yours.
and here's to the superb #6 & all those books yet read.
Parrish
Looking forward to sharing our love of reading in 2012. I hope you have a lovely Christmas. All the best for the new year.
ReplyDeleteI like the template changes :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, and hope 2012 is a great year for you. Looking forward to Venice in February!
You made me rediscover Japanese Literature and especially Murakami, so I am so glad you will continue with the Japanese Reading Challenge (do count me in) since there are two books of his waiting impatiently for my undivided attention :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for inspiring my reads and for being so supportive! Merry Christmas, with lots of love and peace!
Raidergirl3 states it perfectly. I'm comfortable in your silence; I know you're always there whenever I need you.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to another year of blogging with you. Your template is always so appealing to my senses. I love the simplicity!
Merry, merry Christmas to you and your family, my dear friend.
Merry Christmas, Bellezza! Reading your thoughts on books is such a delight specifically because one never knows what one will find on your site -- but it's sure to be original and hearfelt. Thank you for another year of insights and good humor. I'm especially looking forward to Venice in February!
ReplyDeleteMerry CHRISTmas, my friend!!! Though I don't get to get over here as much as I like or read as much as I'd like, I so enjoy your blog!!! And am thankful for your friendship!
ReplyDeleteI like your new template for its simplicity.
ReplyDeleteThank you for continuing your book challenges.I started reading The Teahouse Fire. The author is not Japanese but the setting of the story is in Japan. It's an old book-written in 2006.
Dear Dolce Belezza, I wish you a very Merry Christmas. I have been following your blog for a long time and I absolutely adobre your last template.Best wishes,Gabi :o)
ReplyDeleteYour blog is always a pleasure to visit. Enjoy your Christmas and New Year's, Bellezza!
ReplyDeleteTony, don't the years add up? All of a sudden you're at year 3 already?! Wow, it seems hard to believe I've 'known' you that long. Thanks for participating so spectacularly in the JLC's; I've bought many a book due to your influence. (One example which comes quickly to mind is the Oxford Book of Japanese Short Stories.)
ReplyDeleteBiblioathas, crisp and sleek are what I'm striving for...a very minimal, simple kind of thing, so I'm glad that's the effect you saw. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMrs. B, the feeling's mutual. We do seem to enjoy the same books! Here's to another year of wonderful discoveries and sharing.
ReplyDeleteParrish, you know how much I love it when you leave me a poem in your comments. I've never thought of Baby Jesus under a white hot sun, but come to think of it, that does seem a most appropriate setting for Bethlehem. Always, poetry gives me pause to think...
ReplyDeleteSo very glad for your wonderful support of the Japanese Literature Challenge in particular, my other blog in general. It's been wonderful to establish a friendship with you this year. Here's to more wonderful bookish adventures!
Linda, I'm so glad you're joining in for the Venice in February. I know you'll have a lot to add with your Italian background/experience. We'll have some lovely book discussions, I'm sure. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSam, it's sweet of you to say you like the template changes. ;) I'm looking forward to Venice in February as well; most of my favorite people have signed up to board the gondola (so to speak). Here's looking forward to 2012!
ReplyDeleteAlly, you've inspired me with the Venice challenge! I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it (I even checked out Hemingway's Across the River... book tonight from the library, about his experience in Venice. Wait, it's not February, yet, is it? :) Thanks for all you add to blogging for me.
ReplyDeleteLes, "I'm comfortable in your silence" is such a gift to me. I'm not quite sure where all my energy's got to lately, I told my mother today that I could barely get Christmas cards out. Anyway, a true friend accepts and understands the silences, as you do for me. Glad the simplicity of this template strikes you, too. I have a feeling I'll be keeping it, but I'm not sure if I can put that in black and white. Blessings in you, Rod, and dear Annie dog in 2012!
ReplyDeleteCol, I'm glad that I keep you guessing as to what you'll find here (one never wants to be wholly predictable!), but I'm even happier that you find it genuine and heartfelt. The blogs which have a wonderful sense of humour are so fun to read, but I never feel I have a sense of the real person behind them. Anyway, I'm looking forward to Venice in February with you, too! Have a blessed, Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSara, you are one of the bloggers who understands so well what it means to be a Christian. I love that we share that. I stopped briefly by your blog to see how the origami stars which you and your daughter folded turned out, but I don't think you posted on them. I hope you were pleased with the result. I love the family photos you post, the way you serve your family, church and friends. You are an inspiration in graciousness. Merry CHRISTmas to you, too.
ReplyDeleteEdgar, it's been such fun to make your aquaintance here in the tale end of 2012. I haven't read, nor heard of, the Japanese book you mention, but I'm always ready to learn about them. However, if it's old in 2006, what am I? ;)
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Gabi, how fun to see that you've been following and I had no idea! Thanks for coming forth and telling me now, and for liking the things I do here. Many blessings on you in the New Year.
ReplyDeleteSuko, may you have many blessins on your Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's, too!
ReplyDeleteI love your new blog style! Happy to share 2011 with you, look forward to reading about your reading adventures in 2012. Merry Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I with you! Your blog (and you) mean a lot to a lot of us, so I'm looking forward to more sharing of books and bloggy friendship in the new year. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAudrey
Bellezza - make all the changes you like or none at all. I love your blog, your book choices and your generous spirit.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and I look forward to wherever the journey takes you in 2012!
Bellezza, I am so glad that you were my Secret Santa years ago. You gave me back the Christmas spirit which was something I didn't have for years. I am so thankful that I know you. Have a great holiday weekend.
ReplyDelete5 years? Wow! I don't know about you, but when I started this I certainly didn't expect it to be a thing I did year after year. I'm so glad I do though because it is such a pleasure.
ReplyDeleteNo need to apologize, you use your blog to be you, which is the best way to do it. It gives us a chance to get to know you better.
And don't feel bad about the commenting, we are all very busy and it is really hard to keep up with everyone's blogs.
Wish you all the best for your next year of blogging.
I love your changes! Blogging has become such a fabulous hobby and I love "meeting" everyone online and sharing our love for books. I recently have made decisions that allow me to enjoy the blog and read/review only the books I want to read. It has returned my experience back to what it originally was, which I am very thankful for.
ReplyDeleteAnd 5 years! Great work!
ReplyDeleteI think after all these years, I know you quite well. And I am fairly certain you will change your template before spring. Just sayin' ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat?! You don't think I'll last from Christmas 'til Easter? (I suspect you're right, but I'm hoping I'll be stable for awhile. ;)
ReplyDelete