Yes, I know it’s Friday, and if you go back one post, you’ll find the first giveaway of 2023. But, when I came upon the date on Facebook, I couldn’t ignore it. I started my blog 18 years ago today. Quite a long time for a blog, and, it’s not always easy, but there’s nothing I’d rather do than talk books with all of you.
Thank you for being here with me, no matter when you found Lesa’s Book Critiques.
Congratulations on the anniversary. That’s a long time but I’m glad you’re still doing it.
Thank you, Sandy! I’m glad I’m still writing it, too.
How wonderful. Congratulations…and thank you…I really enjoy your blog.
Thank you, Linda!
Congratulations! I look forward to your email every evening. Thank you Lesa!
Thank you so much, Robert!
Congrats on your anniversary! Thank you so much!!!
Thank you, Carolee!
Eighteen Years! And here’s to the next eighteen, Lesa! Nobody does it better!
🎂 🍾 ❤😘
Xxoo
Oh, Kaye! That’s a note from the person whose Meanderings and Muses just sparkles. Thank you!
Wow. That’s an amazing accomplishment. Congratulations! I’ve gotten so many titles from your blog for my reading pile. And I love your Thursdays with Lesa. Here’s to many more years.
Thank you, Sharon! Thank you for joining us on Thursdays and talking books. I hope we continue to share book chats for years.
My congratulations too Lesa! I feel as though I have made so many good friends through this blog. One thing I especially appreciate about it is that you always reply to as many posts as you can. Sometimes I read other blogs (usually UK ones) and the blogger doesn’t acknowledge anyone’s comments. I feel the element of conversation is so important and really makes everyone feel part of this community.
So thank you!
Thank you, Rosemary. I always feel as if those blogs or sites where the blogger doesn’t reply means they only want a platform. As you said, I want to have a conversation about books! If someone doesn’t like a book that I loved, or vice versa, that’s okay! I like to read other people’s comments about their books. And, if we talk a little about weather and TV or movies or Broadway shows, it’s all a part of life. I value sharing all of that. Thank you for being such an important part of it.
Congratulations on 18 years!
Thank you, Mary Ann!
Happy 18th years, Lesa! I think I’ve been reading your blog for all of or almost all of those years! Let’s have 18 more!
Kay, I think you have, too. Thank you for that! I hope we can do 18 more!
Congratulations, Lesa. I hope writing the blog continues to be fun and not a chore.
Thank you, Cindy. It has been fun this long. Like you, I hope it continues to be fun.
Congrat Lesa on 18 yrs blogging. I eagerly await your emails and love your posts. A fellow library staff member in North Carolina, Kat
Thank you, Katherine! Libraries are the best places for finding new books and authors!
Congratulations – 18 years is a long time for such a wonderful blog. I have been reading it for about 10 years and discovered it via Kevin Tipple’s blog. So a tip of the hat to both of you. And thank you for highlighting so many authors and their books.
Definitely a tip of the hat to Kevin Tipple! Thank you, Jeannette. Kevin has been a supporter for years, linking to my blog and sharing it all over the place. I really appreciate his work. I’m glad he sent you here! Thank you!
Thank you both.
Wow. Eighteen years is a long time and I am glad you have stuck with it. I don’t know how long I have been visiting your blog on a regular basis but I am glad you are here. Thursdays are always a special day for me.
Thank you, Tracy. Thursdays are a special day for me as well. I love to chat with everyone about books.
Congratulations on 18 years. It is definitely one of the first places I check every morning (except when we are on the road, like now, when it takes me longer).
Thank you, Jeff! And, I have a full schedule of reviews coming up for the next few days. Safe travels. You’ll be there soon.
Happy 18 years! I always look for an email from you. Cheers!
Thank you, Bonnie!
Congratulations Lesa on quite an achievement! Sticking with anything for 18 years is commendable. It gets easier when you love what you’re doing tho, and we know you love to chat books and lend an ear sometimes. Thank you for giving us all a place to gather and share our thoughts and occasionally a review. I’m very grateful on many levels, and I appreciate your hard work.
Sandie, It comes easy in that it certainly doesn’t seem like I’ve been doing this for 18 years. Yes, as you know, there are times it isn’t always easy. But, I do love to talk books with people. Thank you for sharing reviews here! I appreciate it.
Just as I appreciate the opportunity. Thank you!
Congratulations Lesa on 18 years of providing valuable information to your book loving community. I enjoy all of your posts especially Thursday’s “What are You Reading”. I don’t post regularly but I do look forward to reading it each week. I have set up a shelf on Goodreads labeled Lesa/reader recommendations. There are 178 books on that shelf!
What I truly appreciate about your blog is that you genuinely care for your readers. You always show kindness in your responses and keep us up-to–date when you will not be posting . It is a truly kind and thoughtful community.
Thank you Lesa for all your hard work. And here’s to another 18 years or more!
Kathleen, You made me cry when you said it’s “a truly kind and thoughtful community.” Thank you. And, I love the label of your Goodread shelf. Now, that made me laugh.
I’m so glad you all enjoy Thursday’s posts. Thank you!
Congratulations, Lesa! Your blog is one of the first things I check in the mornings. I thank you so much for all of the wonderful reading suggestions. Most especially, thank you for this caring community of friends you have created. I enjoy reading everyone’s posts. I very much appreciate all that you do for book lovers.
Thank you so much, Jennifer. I’m happy to see that so many of you see it as a community of book lovers. Thank you.
Congratulations on 18 years! Love your blog. I’ve found lots of great books and authors by reading your blog.
That’s exactly what I hoped for when I started the blog, Dianne! Thank you!
Big time congrats on 18 years of being a beacon of reading light in a harsh world. This is pretty freaking awesome!!!
Thank you, Kevin. Can you tell I like to talk about books with other people?
Lesa, congratulations on your accomplishment. At 18, your blog is ready to graduate from high school 😁. Love your thoughtful reviews and the great community. Reading your blog and Jungle Red are pleasures I count on. Thanks for all you do to brighten our days!
Oh, Jungle Red, Eileen! They’re a model as to how to keep things fresh. I enjoy that blog, just don’t get over to it as much as I would like. Thank you for putting me on the same page as them!
Almost missed this chance to heap my congratulations on your anniversary! I’ve gotten many a good idea and so enjoy your tact and honesty. Heartfelt thanks.
Thank you so much, MM!
Congratulations! Outlook decided to reject all my newsletter subscriptions, so apologies. I just reupped with a different address. 🙂
Congratulations, Lesa. So glad you enjoy talking about books! I enjoy reading your posts!
Love talking about books, Carol! Thank you!
Congratulations on the anniversary!
Thank you, Violet!