My birthday!

I just thought I'd let you all know that today is my sixteenth birthday! :)

I started my blog last June and I never expected it to escalate to what it is now. Blogging has become a huge part of my life and has changed me in ways I can't even explain. I've met a lot of amazing people. I've had conversations with authors! I've discovered new, fabulous books. And most importantly, I've shared my love of books with hundreds of people! At my age, being a bookworm is looked upon as strange and it was always easy for me to feel like my love of books was a flaw. It was something I kept inside of me, even when I felt like I was going to burst from bookly love. But book blogging has showed me I'm not strange at all--I'm extremely special! As are all the other bloggers and booklovers I've connected with since becoming part of the community.

I haven't held many giveaways on my blog (there's no way I can afford them) and I've reached over 250 followers. That's such a marvelous feeling because it makes me realize that some people like and even care about what I have to say. It makes me feel like I'm doing as much as I can to support my favorite books and authors. Every time I get a comment, I feel accomplished.

Since I began blogging, I've attended four different high schools and experienced a lot of tough times, but blogging and books was something I could turn to. Times were never to tough to fall in love with words and gush about them. When I was feeling down, blogging and bloggers and books and writers could cheer me up without even realizing they were doing it.

Book blogging has opened up so many opportunities for me, unlocked so many feelings, and showed me so many personal values. All I wish for on my birthday is that bloggers and booklovers alike keep being awesome. Keep taking over the internet. Keep showing everyone that we are special and great for so many reasons. Keep showing the world that books are so much more than words on paper. I wish for authors to continue writing what's in their hearts, and that they keep making their way into ours. I wish that writers will continue to discover their story and bring fresh and original work to the plate.

And most of all, my birthday wish is for every single person in this world to realize that there is a book out there for them. And for them to find it. And for them to realize that there are more books out there for them.

So, thanks everyone. You've probably helped me in ways you could never even realize. Please just keep doing whatever you're doing, because I assure you, it's wonderful.