Monday, January 04, 2010

The Year in the Review - The People and the Future



This is an aww shucks’ post. But I can’t not let the end of the year go – even though it’s already went.

For years I felt alone on an island of romance book-it is, but with the dawning of the internet, I found people. Yes, there were others out there like me; readers who bought purses based on the number of books it would hold rather than brand name, readers who bought more books than they could read and seemed unable to just stop doing this. There were others out there I discovered who read the end of a book before they got there – just to make sure there was an HEA, even though they were reading ROMANCE where it’s a given.

It was wonderful meeting these people online – but even better was meeting them in person. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet even more readers and authors in 2009. The first exciting meeting was when we had a Canadian Bloggers meet this past summer. It was held at Cindy’s and included Nath, Lea and Mary G (who doesn’t have a blog but does a lot of dropping in and visiting. Right from the first moment, there was that bond that all us romance readers share and in no time at all, it was like we had known each other for ages. It was wonderful fun and I hope we do it again this year. There is nothing quite like hitting a UBS with fellow romance readers and sharing buried treasures with them.

And then came the RWA convention in July. There are no words to describe the feeling of being surrounded with hundreds of like minded people. And best of all was meeting them and having a chance to catch up with bloggers/friends I’d met before. This was my third RWA Convention and the third time I shared a room with Wendy. Although this was only the third time we’ve spent time together, she is branded in my memory and I hope with all my heart that it isn’t the last time. This was the second year in a row that I shared a room for at least one night with Rosie and again, she is in my heart. When I met LisaBea again, it was like no time at all had passed and yep – heart too. There were other familiar faces there too that it was just

da’bomb to talk with again – Katiebabs, Amy, Jane, Angie and Candy and Sarah. All I have to do is close my eyes and I see these dear people as if they were standing right in front of me.

And then there were the new bloggers I met!! Barbara was a roomie this year and for those

who haven’t met her in person, she is as sweet and nice as can be. She’s on a (I hope) hiatus at the moment, but I’m looking forward to meeting up with her again when RWA heads to her stomping ground. And Aztec Lady was an honorary roomie and popped in. It was such fun to meet her in person after getting to ‘know’ her online. Her enthusiasm was infectious and the time spent getting to know her was such a special part of the conference as it was with Barbara.

Another blogger who gets a special shout out to is AnimieJune. I LOVE her reviews so when I noticed that she was planning on heading to Washington, I emailed to see if she was interested in meeting up. We did, a number of times, and thank goodness she is an organized person. Getting to know her better was such a delight.

The trouble with doing something like this and suffering from short term memory loss is the fear that I might miss someone. If I did, it’s only that the brain doesn’t always work at 100% capacity anymore and I will remember – probably right after I post this!

****ETA****

See - I knew this would happen! Although I didn't get to spend much time with them in Washington, I did get a chance to meet a couple of other bloggers!! Katie of Katidom and Mandi of Smexy Books. I really wish I had had longer to get to know them :-(

The Future – the people

And 2010 promises to be another grand year. I’m not sure if I’ve come out ‘officially’ yet, but I’ve two trips planned this year – at least – and maybe hopefully more. I’m headed to Columbus in April for the RT convention. I thought about going and then not going – but when I heard some bloggers were headed that way, and having enough vacation time left over from 2009 and the go ahead to carry it over, I decided, with encouragement from Ryan who said why not do what you really want to do, I figured why not?? I’m registered now and have a couple of roommates. It’s more of a party time than I’m used to – but hopefully I can pace myself.

I’m also planning on going once again to RWA, this time in Nashville. As well as seeing friends, it’s a great way to visit cities I never would have thought of visiting. I’m not sure who else will be going. I’m crossing my fingers that Wendy will be, thus making it four years in a row we can be roomies. She does look good in her little black dress!

And hopefully we will have some sort of Canadian Blogger get together. I’m always so happy/green with envy on hearing about the SOCal meets

I don’t make resolutions as I never keep them. But I do have ‘hopes’. They are simple this year


Read More!! Buy Less!!


I’m going to try and keep it equal this year – I hope to allow myself a new book for every book I read. Since I’ve already read 2 this year, I can buy 2. Although the real plan is to read more and make a dent in the TBR pile. It’s really starting to scare me – and that’s saying a lot!

Also, I want to read more of the neglected genres. I have a number of Medievals to read and a number of Westerns. I wasn’t really pleased with the low numbers of either – ‘specially medieval since I read a grand total of 0 medievals and I love that genre. I also want to read more books set in other times such as the time of Elizabeth I.

SciFi/futuristics. I have several in the TBR pile that I really need to get to; specifically Linnea Sinclair!! And werewolves books. Although I'm not a big vampire romance fan, I do have quite a few werewolf romance books (that just sounds silly doesn't it) I want to get around to reading.

I also need to get to work on the ‘library’ downstairs!! I have empty shelves there just crying to be filled. And I’ve been travelling with a new half book case in my car for months – just waiting for me to bring it and assemble it.

And I got to turn my calendar at work today. Not that it’s an exciting thing for most people at work – but when one has a specially designed calendar and this…is January’s picture, it’s nice to check the month out – frequently!

19 comments:

CindyS said...

I love these posts! I'm hoping we can do another Canadian get together also - have to wait and see how busy Nath and Ames!

My hope is to read lots more this year. Since I'm turning over new leaves left right and center I figure I can add a fun item to my daily to-do list!

And what a wonderful calendar you have!!

cindyS

Leslie said...

While I haven't been to RT or RWA I love to hear about them and see all the pictures of the wonderful bloggers. Someday a convention will be close by me & then I can go. :)

"Read More!! Buy Less!!" should be my mantra this year. LOL I have so many series on my tbr pile along with single titles that I'm running out of places to store the books. :D

Blodeuedd said...

Wow I want a calendar like that ;)
Seems you have met a lot this year

Kristie (J) said...

Blodeuedd: heh, heh, heh. It's one of a kind. And I have one word - VistaPrint!

Leslie: I HAVE to do this! I'm drowning in unread books!! Now if I can follow through - that's a different story!!

Cindy: Well - I can hardly wait, but I'll be seeing Nath in April! And we still have Lea and Mary - that makes at least 4 of us and maybe more. I know there is a blogger in the Kitchener area.

Kara said...

Sounds like you have met and got to know a great bunch of people. How fantastic that you can call them friends!!

I am hoping to go to Columbus this year...since I live in Cincinnati - LOL. If not...then I am going to make it to Lori Foster's gathering here in West Chester - not as big - but still a lot of readers and authors!!

Great post.

azteclady said...

Kristie!!!! *tacklehug*

Oh woman, you got me all teary eyed (again)! It was truly wonderful to meet you in person, after so long reading your blog.

For the few people out there who don't know, Kristie is an amazingly wonderful person, and one of the most generous souls ever born.





Here is hoping to see you in Nashville *crossing fingers and recounting pennies* and perhaps also in Columbus *crossing toes and lighting candles*

nath said...

It was great seeing you in 2009 and I'm so happy we're going to room together in 2010!!! LOL, I'm going to start emailing you and Jill soon to make plans... and we should start tempting Ames :P

This year, I'm giving my parents priority on my vacation time. I might have family coming over in the summer and I haven't gone on vacation with them for a while... However, what about a late Canadian blogger meet? Perhaps September or October? We have tons of time to plan it out though :)

Read More and Buy Less! I think someone should make a button out of it :) I think it's everyone's mantra :) and LOL, your rule this time makes much more sense... 1read:1bought ratio is much better than 5read:1bought you imposed on yourself earlier this year :P I think that this year, I'm going to start keeping track of how many books I buy... :P

AnimeJune said...

It was so wonderful getting to meet you last year. I really hope I can come to Nashville so we can see each other again!

Wendy said...

I'll be in Nashville. My Man is practically pushing me out the door already :)

My goal for this year is be more consistent with my reading. It was either feast or famine last year. I was going on reading tears, or I was slogging through books. I want to find a rhythm.

Oh, and actually read some books out of the Giant TBR Mountain From Hell. I've signed up for Keishon's challenge hoping it will get my butt in gear.

(pssst - and you forgot LustyReader. She was in D.C. too)

Lynn Spencer said...

I'm definitely planning to go to Nashville this year. Hope I get to meet you in person!

KT Grant said...

Very excited for 2010! Still undecided for Nashville because I may go to a wedding in Hawaii that week. If only I could be 2 places at once. LOL

Katie Mack said...

I really, really want to go to Nashville, but chances are not looking good due to mandatory work stuff. Sigh.

Read More, Buy Less -- I'm totally down with that! That definitely needs to be my mantra this year.

Mary G said...

Hi Kristie
It would be great to have another Canadian get together. If we go to Ancaster author Juliana wants us to let her know so she can meet us.
I know I'm not a blogger but I've done a buddy review with Nath & I'll be doing a couple of guest posts. I'll give you details later. Kristie I still owe you reviews for the Pamela Clare historicals. I told Pamela that as soon as I'm in a historical mood hers will be the first I read.In other news, Im getting my passport soon & if money allows I may see you at some reader thing in the US one day. BTW - a fellow Leo who loves books. I can't ask for more LOL.

orannia said...

I hope you have a wonderful time at the RT and RWA conferences this year! And YAH for being able to meet all your online friends :)

Oh, and if you would like any medieval book recommendations, please let me know as I have a couple I adore! *grin*

Kwana said...

Very nice post. Makes me look forward to the year ahead and I love that calender of yours.

JennJ said...

Wonderful post Kristie it's always nice when you find kindred spirits isn't it. I wish you a year full of great new reads and many new friends as well! :) BIG HUGS

Kristie (J) said...

Kara: I don't know if you've experienced it or not - but there's nothing like meeting fellow blogger in person for that instant connection! And the selfish part of me hopes that RT is the one you make it too :)

AL: I'm with you in spirit in counting your pennies - and crossing toes and lighting candles. Seeing the convention through your eyes (and Barbara and AnimeJune's truly was one of the highlights and I am so looking forward to seeing you again!!)

Nath: I'll have to see about the later thing. I'm planning on visiting my sis in the states and hopefully this year I'll get that cottage time I missed last year. But a weekend shouldn't be to hard

AnimeJune: *g* I'm counting on you being there ;-)

Wendy: So - wanna be roomies again? I think we are good ones *g*. And I hear you about the rhythm thing. I was pretty inconsistent last year too :-(

Lynn: Yea!!! We will HAVE to plan to meet in person. It really is quite the experience!!

Katiebabs: Yowzers!!!!! What a dilemma!!! Hawaii or Nashville. Nashville or Hawaii. Wow - I'd be going crazy trying to decide!!!

Katie: Starting a new job can really put the damper on summer vacation planning can't it? But one never knows what might happen. I didn't think there would be any way I'd make Columbus - yet I am *happy grin*

Mary: Definitely let me know about your sojurn into blogging!! And I hope you are in the mood for historicals soon 'cause Ride the Fire is one of the best ones going!!

Orannia: I've read lots of medievals - love the genre too!!! But for some reason, I didn't read any in 2009 - a fact that WILL be rectified in 2010. I have quite a few in the TBR pile - a pile I'm determined to get seriously into.

Kwana: Heh, heh, heh - I love it too. And the good thing about having it at work is you wouldn't believe the number of times a day I have to check my calendar for something ;-)

JennJ: It's absolutely incredible to find kindred spirits - and just an incredible benefit of starting the blog lo' these many years ago!! It really changed the direction of my life!!

ag said...

Wow, sounds like you had loads of fun. And that's the most wonderful part ... meeting virtual friends face-to-face. And what a great calendar!

For the record, I'll always remember how you always gently led and guided newbie book bloggers to romanceland online. You're like a big sis, and blogging would have been less fun without reading posts like yours, and other fellow readers'.

Here's wishing you and all the ladies a great 2010.

Sayuri said...

Kirstie, I am totally snaking your buy less read more idea! I need to make inroads into the TBr pile and have no cash at the mo so this is perfect!

*hugs*