With Thanksgiving this week in the US, it’s time to reflect on things you’re thankful for.

And totally ignore the racism, colonization, and systematized slaughtering of an entire peoples just so you can take their land. But that’s not very festive, now is it? Possibly more in line with how you feel by the time you’ve spent a couple hours around your family, but still! Negativity and cynicism aside for now.

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is a thankful freebie, and y’all, there is SO MUCH I’m thankful about this year surrounding all the bookish things that I want to just take a moment to call some of them out.

I will 100% guarantee that I will miss things in this post, because my brain is the size of a pea and made of very porous material that allows things to just casually fall right out of it. Not the most efficient makeup, but hey, it wasn’t my idea. So if something/someone isn’t on this list … it doesn’t mean I’m any less thankful for it/them.

✦ My Blog Readers ✦

Y’all had to know I was going to start off with you, right? Yes, you, slightly geeky person who is sitting in front of their screen reading this, even though the world has told you how horrible screens are (but screw them, because screens bring you words and words are beautiful and so are you).

I’m not lying when I say I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. Well, okay, I would still probably be here, but I’d be talking to myself, and while that’s not entirely unusual for me, it’s definitely not as much fun. I know my blog isn’t the biggest out there (far from it, ha!), but I appreciate every single person I have the chance to interact with here. You make it all worth it.

✦ Other Bloggers ✦

I have met absolutely the best people in this crazy journey that is blogging. And best of all: they put up with me! Why, I’ll never know, but they do. I’ve learned so much from them, and also my TBR has suffered from them, and if that’s not friendship, I don’t know what is. I’m going to shout out some people here. This is not an exhaustive list. And if I forgot you … I’m sorry. Remember my pea brain? Still applies. It hasn’t magically grown in the past few minutes since I typed that.

✿ Susan @ Novel Lives
✿ Leelynn @ Sometimes Leelynn Reads
✿ Dini @ DiniPandaLove
✿ Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight
✿ Nicole @ BookWyrmKnits
✿ Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy
✿ Briana & Krysta @ Pages Unbound
✿ Keri @ Are You My Book?
✿ Annemieke @ A Dance With Books

✦ Magnetic Bookmarks ✦

Maybe this is such a silly thing to be thankful for, but you have no idea how many paper bookmarks are wandering out there, lost and forsaken, because they had the misfortune of falling into my hands. I am nothing if not a professional at losing bookmarks. But with magnetic bookmarks? No more! They conveniently go on the fridge when I’m not using them, and they’re hecka cute, to boot.

✦ Working in a Library ✦

This is pretty much my dream job. Seriously. I’ve always wanted to do something with books. Or dinosaurs. Books or dinosaurs. Or books and dinosaurs, assuming the dinos know not to eat the books. So when I started working at the local library, it was basically a dream come true. Even if they don’t have dinosaurs roaming the aisles, the losers.

✦ Bookish Memes ✦

I have had so much freaking fun participating in memes this year. Much more than I ever thought I would have. I also love how many new bloggers I’ve had a chance to meet and interact with through them! I’ve narrowed it down now to just a few staple that I try to do every week, but I realize how much work goes into them and so appreciate the people who run them, so I’m just going to give them a shout-out here.

✿ Top Ten Tuesday (Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl)
✿ WWW Wednesday (Sam @ Taking on a World of Words)
✿ Book Beginnings (Gilion @ Rose City Reader)
✿ Friday 56 (Freda @ Freda’s Voice)

Another special shout-out to all the book tag creators, of which there are far too many to count, but I’ve had a ton of fun participating in blogger tags and book tags this year.

✦ ARCs ✦

I mean, I guess this goes without saying, but it should be said. I’ve had the opportunity to read so many books this year at no charge, simply in exchange for an honest review. How awesome is that? Two years ago, I didn’t even know this was a thing, and now, I know how lucky I am. I’m always super surprised when I’m approved for an ARC on NetGalley or Edelweiss+ or sent an ARC.

✦ Authors ✦

Without whom, of course, I wouldn’t be able to read all these great stories! Thanks for sharing your characters with us and inviting us into your worlds. Or, in some cases, shoving us in and locking the door behind us, while laughing like a maniac. I’m sure it’s because your world is delightful and fun … right? RIGHT?!

I’ve started following some awesome authors on Twitter, and I highly recommend it. I’ve definitely loved the way my feed looks every day. Also, getting some hints and teasers about their next book? Evil, but also genius and also please don’t stop.

✦ Author Twitter ✦

Here’s something I don’t talk about much on my blog: I’m a writer! I mean, I’ve mentioned it in passing, but as I’m stuck in this slog known as “querying,” I don’t have a whole lot to say about it. It’s a process. A really, really long, unending one. This year, though? I have met so many wonderful people, including other authors, agents, and just random bookish people along the way. I’ve felt much more love and support this year than any other, and I never want to leave this community.

✦ Goodreads ✦

Goodreads deserves aaaaall the love this year, because what would I do without it? Probably curl up in a corner and cry and bemoan existence. There’s just no way I’d be able to remember all the books I’ve read and/or want to read. If Goodreads didn’t exist, I’d just wander around yelling, “HAVE I READ THIS YET?” at random people, so … thanks, Goodreads.

✦ My Critique Partners ✦

NONE OF WHOM WILL SEE THIS POST. Probably. Mostly. I mean, they spend so much time suffering through my writing, why would they suffer through my blog, too? They’re only human. But they spent the entire year listening to me rant about writing, have nervous breakdowns and mental breakdowns, and devolve into nonsensical existential crises. They deserve all the love.

These people are harsh, but in the best possible way. I know they’ve got my back and help to make my work so much better. Even if it hurts. Sometimes, it’s gotta burn before you improve.

Chat With Me

What are some things you’re thankful for this year?