A Letter To: The Book Blogging Community
A Letter To is a feature where I write a letter to something. This thing may be a person, or a character, a book, or an author. In essence, A Letter To is a way to convey my emotions for whatever/whomever the letter is written to. I would like to thank the lovely Cee for inspiring this feature.
Today’s letter is to:
The Book Blogging Community
Note: One day, I was really emotional and Cee asked me to write a love letter to the book blogging community, and thus the following (edited) letter was written.
Dearest Book Blogging Community,
I am writing this letter because I have been feeling very emotional towards the blogging community as of late. Do not worry your pretty head, it is not a negative kind of emotional. Rather, an emotional response of the happier type.
I simply cannot express how happy this community has made me. I have met so many wonderfully talented people, who are not only connoisseurs of this particular form of art, but who are incredibly kind and accepting, as well.
Sometimes I open one of my favourite blogs, and I am simply awed by the level of amazing that surrounds me. Original features, and ideas, and writings. It is all so incredible, and I can’t help but thank the stars that aligned for me that gave me the push to enter this community. They were blessed.
Whilst I have met many people, some of them I have grown to respect and know on a deeper level. I admit, some of those bloggers that I respect, I also fear somewhat. I fear them because they are so great. Their blogs are beautiful, their ideas are fantastic, their grasp on the English language is superb. I sometimes have to wait a while before trying to interact with them because I am afraid that they have high standards (which it turns out they never do because they’re simply wonderful people).
I respect these bloggers because of the things they have achieved. And I look up to them with awe and inspiration. Inspiration because to see how wonderful they have made their blogs inspires me to do the same to mine. Sure, I may never be a big name in the blogging community, but that’s not why I do what I do. When I went into blogging, I was not sure what I wanted to achieve – if anything at all. I simply wanted to share my love of books with people. But blogging has turned into so much more than that.
I have met amazing people, as I mentioned before. And I am proud to call some of these people my close friends. And I have met writing partners, and friends who support my writing endeavours with an enthusiasm that brings so much joy to my heart. I never expected to be surrounded by these types of people, or for my life to change in such a way.
I am emotional because sometimes my faith in humanity is low. I lament the things we do; the atrocities we commit. But then, I am also reminded of how wonderful and creative people can be. Like the book blogging community. These people who share their ideas with the world, and are kind to people who have no faces and are just words on a screen. And that’s why I am emotional. Because I have met so many great people, and these people have been there for me – either in a personal sense, or just providing me with their posts to read and engage in – in times when I have felt more alone than ever before. And I want to reach out to them all, and thank them for being these wonderful people that they are. I want to give back to them what they have given to me. In any way I can.
I’ve never really looked up to anyone much in my life, and I find myself doing so with regards to blogging. And it’s a nice feeling. It’s nice to have creative and kind people around me – even if it is the internet.
The internet, and blogging have brought me so much happiness, and I suppose that’s why I was feeling so very emotional about it all. I want to tell everyone how amazing they are, because sometimes there is no one to do that for them.
I want everyone to know how grateful I am, and how seriously awesome they are.
So if no one has said this to you in a while: you are amazing. I hope you know this.
All my love,
This is gorgeous. Seriously. I would print this out and hang it on my wall because it’s so relevant to me.
When I started blogging, i had no idea that other people would want to read my blog or talk to me as friends. It’s amazing how far all of us have come in our blogs and what we’ve done. I think it’s so inspiring because no one does it on their own, really and that’s what counts.
Ah, thank you, Nova! That means so much to me <3
You got it so right - book blogging is never an individual experience, because the best part is the interaction. And it makes it so special.
Awww Chiara this is so sweet! I think the exact same thoughts! (And to be honest I think you’re a really popular blog and more well known than you think you are). But yeah, even though bad things happen some time, we still support each other throughout it all. And yes, I’ve made so many new friends since joining the community and it’s only been a year, which really says a lot :D
Making friends through book blogging has seriously been the best part of this experience! it’s wonderful ^.^
And EEP thank you for your words, Valerie!
I agree with your beautiful words – so many bloggers now are achieving things through their blog that most people wouldn’t expect. It’s because of their hard work and steely determination, and I think that should be celebrated.
Beth x
It’s definitely something to be celebrated and appreciated! The book blogging community is amazing :)
*wipes eyes* WELL THEN. I feel quite emotional after this. It is all so so true….book blogging is amazing and there are so many absolutely superb bloggers out there…afjdklafsd I don’t ever want to be jealous OR copy OR get flustered. I just want to enjoy blogging for the fabulousness it is. *nods* Love this post a lot, Chiara!!
YAY! :D
Blogging is so super fabulous – I know what you mean.
Thank you, Cait! <3
This is so sweeeeeeeeeeet. ❤ You give me hope, Chiara. It’s such a nice post. And so beautifully written. You’re awesome.
Eep, thank you so much, Marianne <3 <3 <3
Such a beautiful letter! You are amazing!
Thank you very much!
This is such a beautiful post, thank you so much for sharing. It’s sometimes to difficult to explain how wonderful the book blogging community is but you’ve done it almost perfectly x
Thank you so much! And it’s no problem ^.^ I’m glad you could relate, Lizzy!
This is such nice letter. I think you’re also one of these wonderful people you have just spoken of. I’m also grateful how amazing this community is. Such a blessing to be part of it. :D
Awh, Mitchii! *hug* <3
And it is a huge blessing to be a part of something so wonderful. I'm incredibly glad I started book blogging!
What a beautiful post, Chiara. I am loving the positive outpour of positivity around the blogging community lately, in response to all the drama. I love how personal and lovely this is, and I feel the same way. The blogosphere was a daunting place back when I started blogging, but everyone’s been so kind and welcoming, and I’ve met some really wonderful people here.
Thank you!
It does seem a bit daunting at the beginning, but then when you make those connections, it shrinks to a close-knit community :)
You have taken the words straight from my mouth. But also you’ve shown me just how much we should appreciate this community – it’s lovely. Everyone is amazing, you’re right, and to think we’re all loving and adoring books in our own free time and for ourselves as well as others – that we’re so immersed in this whole process, it’s awe-inspiring.
It’s very inspiring! I cannot help but love this community, and its sincere love of the written word! :D
*slow clap* Seriously, Chiara. This is such a wonderfully beautiful post. I can relate to everything you said, and in the end, I feel truly blessed to be a part of this community. And as for the amazing bloggers, I believe you’re one of them too!
Have a nice day. ^_^
Thank you so much, Naban! I’m glad you liked it ^.^
Bloody hell woman, now you’ve made me emotional too. That was so heartfelt and lovely and I share your sentiments exactly poppet. I’ve only been blogging for two years and I still find some blog intimidating, just because they’re so BIG. Big personalities with big ideas, it a sight to behold. But like you, I found that the bloggers behind the blog are usually so lovely and are a great support to the blogging community. It was Dre at Sporadic Reads and Jeann who really showed me how incredible our community is, through love and support for the little guys (which was me at the time). YOU are one of those who make blogging worth it. Absolutely lovely idea Chiara, so incredibly beautiful <3
Yay! Emotions :D
So many people have had a hand in my journey as a book blogger, and I couldn’t even begin to thank them all. Every little step they have helped me through has meant to much.
Thank you, lovely! <3 <3
What a beautiful letter Chiara! The book blogging community is an amazing one and when we support each other and spread the word about the books we love – that’s when the magic happens. Yay for spreading positivity, it’s nice to have a reminder of why we do what we do :)
Thank you!
And yes, the magic of sharing our love for books is so beautiful :D
Happy Valentines Day Chiara! I’m glad I was able to wish you that yesterday! This is such a beautiful, thoughtful letter, I can really see all of your feelings spill out. I love the community, it is wonderful for meeting and having so many creative people that can really touch us from the way they write! Beautiful piece <3
Thank you, Jeann <3
I'm so glad to have joined this community - it has given me so much!
❤ What a gorgeous letter and I agree, I never thought that the community would influence me so much – but I’ve made a lot of good friends and I’m happy to have them in my life.
It’s wonderful, isn’t it? I think making wonderful friends has definitely been the best thing to come from book blogging!
awww <3 Yes yes and yes! I too feel sometimes intimidated by other bloggers because of how awesome they are! But I know they are nice people, it's just me haha. I'm glad that I discovered this community too! I wouldn't love books the way I do now if it weren't for the book blogging community.
I’m very introverted in real life, so I suspect that this is the way it manifests online, haha!
I feel like book blogging has given so many people such wonderful things <3
Aww, this is such a sweet letter to write to the blogging community – i agree with you as well :)
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it, Benish :)
This was such a gorgeous letter, Chiara. And I can thank the book blogging community a MILLION TIMES for bringing you into my life. You are my writing partner, my OTP partner, my fic partner, my rant partner, and most of all: my twin. We have talked EVERY SINGLE DAY for months and I never want that to change. You have been there through thick and thin and all sorts of other things, and I know that no matter what you’ll be there. <3
It's crazy to think that once upon a time you weren't in my life, but I don't like to think about that time because it sucks. THIS time is so much better, and I'm insanely glad I decided to start blogging about books and that I stumbled across your blog.
Thank you for being so lovely, dear, and thank you for loving the whole community despite some of its issues. <3 You are amazing and we love you.
I’ve already said that this comment totally DID NOT make me cry AT ALL, but seriously. ONE MILLION HUGS FOR YOU.
I don’t ever want to not chat every day, either! It’s so fantastic and amazing and constant and just. I love it.
And yes, this time is so much better than the time before it, because now I have my twin and how could the world be any better than that, right? <3
I LOVE YOU, TOO. SO MUCH.
*hugs* You’re not the only one! I spend so many days in class just depressed, and having as much faith in humanity as I would have faith on Voldemort being able to turn into a unicorn. But then I go online, and I become so happy. The Internet is my happy place, and I’m so glad to have met people like you! :D
The internet is definitely my happy place, too! It makes everything better. And I’m glad to have met you, as well, Shannelle! <3
Chiara this is amazing! And honestly you expressed my, as well as I’m sure several others, feelings towards this amazing community beautifully, I hope you know you’re awesome too *hugs*
Thank you, lovely! I’m glad you liked it *hug*
Wow,Chiara,this post is beautiful!It’s amazing how helpful,wonderful,friendly and talented the book blogging community is!I am only a newbie,but in the two months I’ve been blogging I’ve seen and admired the beauty of this community.
I love how all the bloggers help and stand up to each other and inspire one another.I am so grateful and proud to be part of this community!
You are amazing too,girl!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked it, Mishma :)
The community is really love,y and I’m glad you’ve noticed that in only a few months :D