Cleopatra Loves Books is Five!

Five whole years ago (yesterday) Cleopatra Loves Books was born. Initially set up in a vacuum as I had no idea about the community of book bloggers, it was a place to record my thoughts on the books I had read. Who’d have thought it would become such an important part of my life.

I’ve typed so much, and hopefully used far more words than the average five year old knows, 2,200, although I confess to frequently scratching my head to find a new way to say I really did enjoy this book! My old laptop’s keys had been pounded so fiercely, its files were full of book covers and reviews that by the start of 2018 you could only see half of the letters and it was time to upgrade to a newer lighter model.

One thing is certain I’m sure I wouldn’t have devoted so much time and energy to this hobby without the interaction with those of you who visit me. Whether you come to tell me you liked my review, that meme was interesting or sometimes if you disagree with my thoughts on a particular book I smile. For the first time in my longish life I have been free to discuss books with like-minded people i.e. the ones who don’t think I’m strange for reading every day or the fact that I’d often prefer to curl up with imaginary people than socialise, although I do this too from time to time!

The birthday tradition at Cleopatra Loves Books is to share some facts and figures with you so hang onto your hats…

This post will be the 1,627 published post on Cleopatra Loves Blogs – no wonder those keys had faded away!

The top reviews in respect of views on my blog of all time are:

Come A Little Closer by Rachel Abbott – Reviewed 25 February 2018
The Book of You y Claire Kendal – Reviewed 6 February 2014
The Girl in the Woods by Camilla Läckberg – Reviewed 19 February 2018
He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly – Reviewed 10 February 2018
Sleep Tight by Rachel Abbott – Reviewed 2 March 2014

It seems to me that books read and reviewed in February/March are the ones that catch the reader’s eye!

The top five reviews in the last year are:

Come A Little Closer by Rachel Abbott – Reviewed 25 February 2018
The Girl in the Woods by Camilla Läckberg – Reviewed 19 February 2018
Blackmail, Sex and Lies by Kathryn McMaster – Reviewed 13 January 2018
The Missing Girl by Jenny Quintana – Reviewed 18 December 2017
The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths – reviewed 5 February 2018

Of course I don’t just write reviews I join in memes and this year I have joined The Classics Club so in theory I will be blogging until at least January 2023 when my 5 year challenge completes!

My favourite memes are those where I look back over time and select books that I have read, or want and my yearly delight in attempting the Reading Bingo shows no sign of abating.

At the 6 month stage I join in Jo’s Six in Six where I divide the first half of the years book into categories and the I Spy Book Challenge had me hunting through my bookshelves to complete each item on the list.

I can waste hours on these challenges but the one maxim I have learnt to follow is that reading comes first, without the wonderful books, there would be no blog so writers, please keep them coming!

So all that remains is for me to say a HUGE thank you to you all – I couldn’t do it without the encouragement and so I invite you to help yourself to a virtual drink of your choosing, and of course a slice of cake!