January 02, 2013

See Ya Later, 2012

It's scary how fast time flies. A year ago, Jim, Saigon and I were living in a little cramped town-house outside of Edmonton when I decided to start this blog. While I claim to write a book blog, I cannot deny that I often will write about whatever I feel like. Which, I've been told by my mom, is when one should write. If you come here for bookish talk, but it's a Sunday and all you get is adorable photos of Saigon, I cannot apologize. My goal when I started this blog was never to get uber-popular or categorize myself into one specific niche. First and foremost, I wanted a place to talk about books. But for me, talking about books is so much more fun when you get to know the people talking about said books. So, therefore I assume you want to know more about me and my life, and why I read the books I do and why I feel the way I feel about certain books. And I hope that by being myself and letting you learn more about me, you'll feel comfortable enough to chime in with your own thoughts at the end of a post. There is no right or wrong answer to what you thought about a book. For me, one of the greatest things about reading is sharing all the feelings with someone else who has also read the same book. So to the handful of you who read this blog and engage in conversation with me, I thank you for that.

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When I started Eat Books, it coincided with me signing up for the 50 Book Pledge. In all my years of reading, I had never thought of actually keeping track of the books I had read, let alone the number of books I read in a year. But I love lists and stats so this was a no-brainer.  50 books in one year? Easy. That's only a book a week with a 2-week grace period. Ha! I'm embarrassed to report that I only read 39 books this year. Not that I have any regrets though. I read some amazing books, met some amazing bloggers along the way, and experienced some firsts in a lot of things. I read listened to my first audiobook (even if it was a fail), I hosted my first author Q&A with a giveaway, I was contacted and sent a book for review from a local author via Twitter, and I completed my first readalong. Not too shabby.

Of the 39 books I read, here are the super exciting stats:

Number of pages read: 12,657

Percentage of female authors read: 72%

Percentage of Canadian authors read: 10%

Shortest book read: Ethel & Ernest at 103 pages

Longest book read: The Thorn Birds at 692 pages


In my personal life, 2012 was a good year. Jim and I bought a house in Edmonton and I finally got my very own "library". We had three amazing vacations this year: Vegas, Nova Scotia and Florida. We celebrated our first wedding anniversary in November. Saigon had his one year anniversary post-stroke and hasn't looked back since. I fulfilled my need to work amongst books, before returning to my nursing career.I met an amazing group of bloggers and friends through The Edmonton Book Bloggers. I am excited and looking forward to what 2013 has to offer!

November 13, 2011


So see ya later, 2012. It's been a blast, but it's time to move on.

I'd love to hear: what were your memorable moments of 2012? 




24 comments:

  1. Yay! It sounds like you've a great year! Congrats on the blog and the anniversaries and the health of your pup and loved ones. :)
    I agree that it's nice when bloggers add a little of a personal touch to posts so that you build a better relationship, but understand those that don't want to. It makes the experience much more enjoyable, for me, anyway, and is something I do with my blog as well! Don't fret about the reading numbers! I only finished 37 and pledged 50. This year I'm moving that down to 40 because I already know it's going to be a busy one.
    Here's to moving forward and enjoying the year and all its joys!

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    1. Thanks, Beth! I feel very fortunate to have had a great year, that's for sure :)
      It does make me feel a bit better that I'm not the only one for didn't reach 50 books, haha! ;) 40 is a good number now that you mention it, maybe I should rethink my 50...
      And yay for personal posts! I always enjoy yours. :)

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  2. SUCH a great post, made even better by the fact that Leonardo DiCaprio is included ;-) What a great year you've had! And no doubt that 2013 will be filled with some equally amazing things too =) xoxo

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    1. Thanks so much, Melissa! I already know how exciting your year is going to be! Hey, who knows, maybe 2013 will be there year of a babe announcement for us ;)

      And isn't Leo just amazing? ;) I had the BIGGEST crush on him when he did Romeo and Juliet, haha.

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  3. That Leo pic.... Dying.... damn that movie for being delayed!

    And, ahem, can we get a wedding pic? I bet you were a beautiful bride!

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    1. Aww *blushing*. Ok, post updated with pic, because making you wait until our next anniversary seemed cruel. :)

      And *sigh*, why does Leo have to be so gorgeous, WHY!?

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    2. Aw, just lovely!

      I guess Leo is in Django Unchained too, but I'd much rather see him at Gatsby...

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  4. So happy to be able to keep up with you through your blogging. Amazing that you are reading the Thornbirds, it was such a good read.
    Keep it going!

    Happy New Year Brie to you and Jim and Saigon of course! looking forward to reading more.

    xoxo
    Aunt Maureen (aka Max)

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    1. Aw, it means a lot to me that you read my blog. Thanks for commenting and letting me know :) Happy New Year to you and Barry too! When's the big day?!

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    2. Thanks Brie, we still haven't come up with a date. I thought early Spring but it may end up being in June.
      All the Best in 2013!

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  5. Brie, This is Marlen. I chose anonymous because I have never commented on a blog. I can't believe it's been over one year since the wedding. I enjoy your blog. Just wanted to tell you of a recent read that I thourougly enjoyed. The Little Shadows by Marina Endicott.

    Here's what Amazon says about it:

    Here is the eagerly anticipated new novel from a brilliant writer whose last book, Good to a Fault, was shortlisted for the prestigious Giller Prize and won the Commonwealth Prize for Canada and the Caribbean.

    The Little Shadows revolves around three sisters in the world of vaudeville before and during the First World War. We follow the lives of all three in turn: Aurora, the eldest and most beautiful, who is sixteen when the book opens; thoughtful Clover, a year younger; and the youngest sister, joyous headstrong sprite Bella, who is thirteen. The girls, overseen by their fond but barely coping Mama, are forced to make their living as a singing act after the untimely death of their father. They begin with little besides youth and hope, but Marina Endicott’s genius is to show how the three girls slowly and steadily evolve into true artists even as they navigate their way to adulthood among a cast of extraordinary characters – some of them charming charlatans, some of them unpredictable eccentrics, and some of them just ordinary-seeming humans with magical gifts.

    Using her gorgeous prose and extraordinary insight, Endicott lures us onto the brightly lit stage and then into the little shadows that lurk behind the curtain, and reveals how the art of vaudeville -- in all its variety, madness, melodrama, hilarity and sorrow -- echoes the art of life itself.

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    1. Hi Marlen! That's ok - if it makes you feel better, my mom can't figure it out either and texts me her replies! When you are commenting, you can pick Name/URL and put in your name - you do not need a URL, just your name is fine :)

      I do know of this book - I remember seeing it all the time when I was working at the bookstore, but I never gave it much thought. I am definitely intrigued by the summary. Maybe I should pick it for my book club pick?

      I can't believe it's been over a year either! I wish we could do the trip all over again!

      Thanks so much for commenting :)

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  6. I can't wait for that movie to come out. It was on my most anticipated books of 2012 list, so maybe 2013...That man's looks don't fade.

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    1. They do not! I think he actually gets better with age.

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  7. Congratulations on such a great year! Meeting the Edmonton Book Bloggers would probably be one of the most memorable events... along with the Smart Chicks tour! :)

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    1. Thanks, Leanne :)
      Yes, I forgot to mention the Smart Chicks Tour! That was definitely a bookish highlight! As will be our Christmas dinner party for 2013 ;p

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  8. Great post, Brie -- as always! It sounds like you had an awesome year! And I'm so glad that you continue to run your blog how you want it run. That's how it should be. :)

    I'm happy to have met you this year! Here's to a great 2013 to you, Jim, and Saigon!

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    1. Thanks Kristilyn! It was a great year, and I'm definitely thankful for that :) As for the blog - I'm coming to accept that I can never be as organized as you, no matter how much I wish I was! ;) Haha.

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  9. Who would ever want you to apologize for pictures of Saigon??? They are the best!

    Good job with your reading this year (even if you didn't make it to 50 books but WHATEVER) and good luck with reading & blogging in 2013

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    1. I'm just waiting for the day that someone says: "this is a "book" blog, stop posting about your dog", haha. I know, I'm silly ;p

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  10. Happy blogging birthday! Good job keeping track of your stats and such. Here's to more bookish goodness in 2013!

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    1. Thanks, Kayleigh! I'm excited for this year and all the bookish things to come (like finally reading HP!!).

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  11. Sounds like someone had a lovely 2012! Hopefully that keeps up for you in 2013. I like your blog. It has character. Now I never write personal posts about myself, unless I'm frantically apologizing for never being on or having some super awesome news-- yours is a nice refresher from all the books. Keep at it! Meeting the EBB was one of the best things of 2012 for me, because now I have someone to share my book crushes with. But I have a feeling 2013 will be even better!

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    1. Aw thanks Rola :) You're the best. Here's to amazing 2013 for all of us!

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