I was going to be very efficient this Christmas holiday and finish my library books. I ended up indulging in a massive Chalet School reread instead. Bliss!
I’m a latecomer to the Chalet stories, only starting to collect them last January. They’re not well-known on this side of the Atlantic, but between Alibris and lovely friends who’ve sent me copies from the UK and the Bahamas, I’ve managed to amass just enough to fuel a steady obsession. I think a break from the Tiernsee is in order, however, as I spent far too long last night drafting my own Chalet book, one in which murder played a very large part.
I started this blog about 18 months ago, when I’d been laid off and found myself going a bit bonkers. Today I received an email from WordPress, showing a brief statistical breakdown for the year and where most of my readers come from (Simon and Rachel’s blogs mostly, so thanks you two). One of the things that really stuck out was how infrequently I actually posted in 2010. I read a lot, and I follow a fair number of book blogs, but don’t seem to pay much attention to my own. I’m averaging roughly one post for every 10-15 books I read. It made me pause and think about why I have this blog. I’m still not sure exactly what I’m doing here (in blogland, I mean…although the larger Here is also a bit fuzzy at times), but I like this spot and plan to muddle along for a bit longer. The content may change a bit – I tend not to post about books I read for my own research, and since I’m fundamentally lazy, I’ve even considered merging my knitting blog with this one so I only have one log-in.
I may not be around quite as much the next few weeks, though, as I got the best Christmas present ever and start my new job tomorrow. I’ll be working at a library, however, so I won’t be hurting for new blog material. I may even be let in on the secret of “librarian review”, that black hole where all the new fiction disappears.
Anyway, thank you for visiting my blog this past year. It’s been lovely, and I’m wishing all of you a very happy 2011.
Congratulations on the new job!
I’ve never tried the Chalet School books but I’ve always wanted to (particularly since I was told not to read them as child). Maybe in 2011!
Clare – I hope you get a chance to. They’re ridiculously addictive and wonderfully daft.
Happy New Year & best of luck with the new job.
Lyn – A very belated but grateful thank you!
Fantastic news about the job! I’m so pleased for you! I’m also glad I’ve been sending plenty of traffic your way!
Here’s to a wonderful new year! I am so glad you started blogging, as it’s such a TREAT when you post! Always interesting, always lovely, always a pleasure!
Rachel – Thank you, for your congratulations and for your lovely comment. It made me happy when I first read it and it’s still making me smile.
OOooh, a job in a library! Wonderful! I want to hear more about that (being a librarian myself). Like Rachel I think it is such a treat when you post – I love reading your blogs. I am a BIG chalet girl fan too – if you fancy letting me know which ones you have, I’m happy to look out for some of the others, although maybe not the rarer ones as they are so pricey. In fact, I have a spare copy of The CS and Richenda which I was saving for a good home???? EMAIL ME!
Verity – Thank you for your lovely comment. Like I said to Rachel, it didn’t just make me happy when I first read it, but is making me smile now.
I’m sorry I’ve been so long in replying, especially considering your lovely offer…I’m just now at the point of relaxing back into normalcy. I will definitely be emailing you!!
How is the library job going? I still have that CS book with your name on it at home
Good luck for your new job. I am a visitor through Verity’s blog. And fairly new at blogging but not at reading and craft things as well. I was going to have separate blogs for each, but decided that I knew the reading/book aspect of the blog would be much busier than the craft aspect so I just post on my blog regardless. There are not that many craft posts, mainly because there is not enough hours in the day to do everything.
I have never read the chalet girl books either. I must be missing something.
Jo – Thank you for your comment. I’m sorry I’ve been so long in replying, but it was lovely to receive, and I’m looking forward to getting to know your blog in the coming weeks!
Happy New Year! I used to work in a library and I loved it. I think we all wonder how we got to be blogging sometimes, but the book blogging community is so supportive and friendly it just seems natural!
Nicola – Thank you! And I think you’re on to something…it’s such a lovely and friendly community that, even though I’m possibly the most sporadic book blogger out there, I’m not quite ready to leave.
Oh, I love the Chalet School books! So nice to see your lovely pile. Good luck with your new job. I have only recently discovered your blog, but I do hope you keep blogging!
skirmishofwit – Thank you! It’s lovely to see so many Chalet School fans out there. I’m surrounded by books all day at my new job, so I’m in reading heaven…now I just need to train myself to blog as I read!