I would like to highlight all the AMAZING things that happened to me, the bookworm! And yes! There were. a. lot. of. bad. things. BUT THERE WERE ALSO GOOD THINGS! Right? I mean it can’t have all been bad. I mean, A whisper of Ink was launched, how more awesome do you need your year to get?
I really want to share the positive in this post because 2017 has been a year for ups and downs. But let’s focus on the ups and sharing good vibes and ice cream. Your welcome.
1. I read some wonderful diverse/ #ownvoices books
Now I do think I don’t read diversly ENOUGH but I did read some AMAZING new favourites and they’re beautifully diverse so go read them. I absolutely LOVE these titles and will devour them forever. I’ve narrowed it down to 10 books which was quite difficult but here you go
2. I received my first ARCs!
Now I won’t list all of the ARCs I’ve been receiving lately because heck, THAT WOULD BE A LOT. But my first ARC was Love, Hate and Other Filters. And while the book was a disappointment, receiving was absolutely amazing and it meant the WORLD to me.
3. I launched A Whisper Of Ink and couldn’t be prouder.
My former blog, My Bookish Life, was okay. But I was left feeling rubbish about it for a very long time. I am SO glad that I managed to make the decision to move and I love the design and just everything! I feel so much better going by a pen name and just ahh, it’s been great okay?
4. I met so many unimaginably wonderful people.
Don’t take it lightly when I say I’ve met the best blogger friends. They’ve been with me through a lot of things and just supported me so much. They’ve made me so happy and we’ve had the best jokes and they’ve given me a fabulous 2017. A quick shout out to May @ Forever and Everly, Ju @ Blots of Ink and Words, Jackie @ Too much of a Book Nerd, Lia @ Lost In A story, Marie @ Drizzle and Hurricane books, Cait @ PaperFury, Ioana @ DragonWaffles and Swetlana, Sasha, Farhina; honestly this would go on for ages! Just know that I appreciate every comment I get and know that I LOVE ALL OF YOU OKAY?!
Thanks to these people, I got to be me. I got to come out to you guys about a lot of things, I managed to come to terms with who I am my religion, my race and all of you have made me feel so accepted and comfortable here and you don’t know how much that means to me. Gosh, these are not tears. Are they? MY EYES ARE JUST SWEATING, I SWEAR.
5. I finished my first WIP
To be honest, this was one of my biggest achievements this year and I am BEYOND HAPPY WITH MYSELF. I’m so proud and just…WOW, I am impressed okay? I didn’t know that I was capable of this and finishing a novel shows me that I can do anything If I put my mind to it.
6. Social Media has had its HIGHLIGHTS!
In terms of Goodreads
- Received hate on a review
- whoop whoop
- the same review is at the top of “community reviews”
- received a lot of likes on a status update
- made loads of friends, thank you.
- Friend me
In terms of Twitter
- I talked to so many authors
- I actually made an account
- V.E SCHWAB RETWEETED ME
- damn
- I reached 500 followers
- go me
- it’s not about the numbers ilsa
- moving on
- getting like 10 viral tweets and wow
- Follow me please and thanks
7. Improving my photography
Now, up until a few months ago, I had NEVER ever got a compliment on my photos before but lo and behold PEOPLE MIGHT ACTUALLY LIKE THEM. I just…wow. THANK YOU, GUYS. Here’s a quick look at my progress. The bottom two are map appreciation because you can never love maps too much. Fact. Don’t question me.
8. Reaching 1000 followers
I know, I know. Stats shouldn’t mean everything but YOU CANNOT DENY HOW FLABBERGASTINGLY AWESOME THIS IS? like 1000 people. like sure, half these followers are probably weird old bats living in their basements but still!! This is a huge, huge milestones and I just want to take a moment to thank every single follower. Even if you’re a bot.
9. I completed my 2017 reading challenge like a boss.
Do you hear the round of applause? Do you see the standing ovation? yes, my dear pineapple, YOU DO. Becuase I read 100 books this year. Well, 113 books if you are being a precise penguin, but I digress. ONE HUNDRED BOOKS. for some of you that might be a wild dream and for some of you that one hundred books is an accident but either way, I AM SO HAPPY I managed to reach my goal!
10. I ran out of bookshelf space
THIS WAS A GOOD THING OKAY? But seriously, I’ve seen people crying about their bookshelves and just wished, WISHED, I owned that many books. AND NOW I DO. Muahahhahahahahahhhahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahahha. Okay, I’m done.
So see? 2017 was my year for taking over the world, brownies, and being sappy.
TEN OTHER BITS OF GOOD NEWS THAT WE ARE ALL HAPPY ABOUT TBH.
- VE SCHWAB IS WRITING NEW BOOKS IN THE SHADES OF MAGIC WORLD.
- Ember in the Ashes new covers
- The Hate U Give is going to be a movie.
- Okay, BUT A School District in banned the The Hate U Give AND UGH. Anyways, this article talks about the importance of teens reading about racism.
- Love, Simon is going to be a movie.
- I’M SO PUMPED ALL OF YOU I SWEAR. DIVERSE MOVIES> ASDFGHJKL
- I mean just look at this list of books becoming movies in 2018.
- Also, Leigh Bardugo talked about writing disabilities and YA fantasy and I love it so much.
- Another reason Bardugo is queen is that she is Publishing King of Scars. I MEAN I HAVEN’T READ SHADOW AND BONE BUT STILL!
- Also, there’s this list of Muslim Books/Book bloggers/Authors/Creators and IT’s SO BEAUTIFUL I CRY.
And lots of other wonderful things happened but I am goldfish and penguin as well as many other things. #goals
This is such a lovely post! I mean, I think we all know that 2017 wasn’t a good year (at all), but focusing on the bright side sounds like a good plan. And we did get a lot of amazing books! 😊
The Shades of Magic series belongs to my favourite series ever and I’m so happy I got to read it this year. I also have The Accident Season on my tbr which sounds strange and magical and amazing!
Also, congrats on finishing your NaNo novel, that’s such a huge accomplishment 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
WE DID GET A TONNE OF GOOD BOOKS! And I AM SO HAPPY FOR THAT. And omg Kell and Lila and Alucard and RHY and H O L L A N D OMG HOLLAND. UGH I LOVE THEM ALLLLLLL. The Accident Season is fo fantasically strange and you will ADORE IT. hopefully. Thanks so much, NaNo was awesome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Holland is my fave and I’m gonna love him forever tbh 😍
It’s definitely on my tbr for January, because it really sounds strange in the best way possible 😊
I always want to do NaNo, but when November is near I never have time 😭😭 but maybe 2018 is gonna be my year 💪
LikeLiked by 1 person
KG KJFDGBJFKDG FJG R YES.
LikeLike
AM I SUPPOSED TO UNDERSTAND THIS COMMENT LU?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never 😂😂😂
LikeLike
This was a great idea! I love that you focused on the best parts of the year regardless of what the rest of it was like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I always aim to spread positivity! *hides my dark soul from sight* YEP POSITIVITY!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, good to reflect on these things
LikeLike
THANKK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
LikeLike
This is such a great post, and even though 2017 was the year of the reading slump, I still managed to pick up some favorites like, I’ll Give You the Sun. IGYTS is like one of my favorites ever and it makes me so excited whenever I see people who like it too??
Congrats on all your reading, blogging and arc’s!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
AGH A YEAR ROUND READING SLUMP? I didn’t even know those existed. IGTYS was superb I loved it so muchhhh! THANK YO SO MUCH AMELIE (i love your name btw)
LikeLike
I love how you’re keeping positive even though 2017 has been an awful year. Keep up the good work! I can’t wait to see what you do in the future 😀
LikeLike
While every year has it’s downsides, it’s always good to focus on the positives and end the year of a high note. I love the positivity here and it sounds like you accomplished a lot in 2017 (so YAY!)
LikeLike
Ahh this is such a great and positive post, I LOVE IT so much. And not only because you mentioned me, but maybe a little bit. Also, I swear I’m not crying, I got something in my eyes but YOU ARE MAKING ME EMOTIONAL OKAY ❤ Thank you so, so much or just… being here, seriously you are such an amazing blogging friend and I am SO happy to have met you and PROUD of your accomplishments, like, wow, you're so famous???
Here is to many, many accomplishments and success coming in 2018 !! ❤
LikeLike
Ummmm thank you Marie!! and OF COURSE I MENTIONED YOU! What did you expect!??!?! Your FABULOUS. And ahh her’es a tissue. XD AND AGH NOW I’M THE ONE WHO’S EMOTIONAL WHAT THE HECK. I swear I have heart of steel. *sobs in the corner* you ARE SO NICE!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for being with me on my blogging journey you’re awesome. You’ve motivated me so much with how amazingly kind you are. MARIEEEEE ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw you”re so welcome, thank YOU for being such a bright light in the community, YOU ARE INCREDIBLE.
LikeLiked by 1 person
YAYY ALL THE POSITIVITY!! It was lovely to read this, unfortunate I’ve been dwelling so much on the negatives 2017 has brought me that I’ve practically forgotten the positives which obviously sucks. This post has reminded me to try and remember the highlights, as hard as it might be! It was so uplifting to read the highlights of your year reading, writing and book blogging wise Ilsa!😊❤
LikeLike
AHH HII JASMINE!! AND YES ALL THE POSITIVITY. Not like I’m planning some world domination in the back garden here. XD ahh I’m SO sorry 2017 wasn’t amazing for you! And I’m glad this was somewhat uplifting!!!! My job here is done.
LikeLike
ilsaaaaaa congratulations on finishing to shatter a shadow!! i’m so proud of you ❤
this is such a wholesome and positive post i love it 😀
LikeLike
thank youuu aris!!! that means a lot. and yay for positivity, right? *hides dark evil plans* yeppp
LikeLiked by 1 person
“2017 was the equivalent of a foot stepping on a Lego” I’ve been looking for a phrase to describe 2017 and this fits perfectly XD But it sounds like you had a pretty good year overall! 🙂
2017 has had a lot of ups and downs for me, I’m glad it’s nearly 2018 tbh
LikeLiked by 1 person
ahaha yeah 2017 wasn’t too good, i hope you have a good 2018. thanks for the comment, i appreciate it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aweeee ok now I’m feeling better because I’ve been kinda down these last weeks so THANK YOUUU!!
This year was more like stepping on a lego house with my face but THE AMAZING BLOGGING FRIENDS I’VE MADE (IT YOUUU) ARE DEFINITELY THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR and I am extremely grateful. AND OMG SERIOUSLY YOU’RE MAKING ME SAPPY I’M SO HAPPY YOU’RE HAPPY AND YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE ❤!!
I ALSO LOVE YOUR AMAZINGLY FABULOUS BLOG LOOK HOW MUCH WE’VE GOT IN COMMON!! A Whisper of Ink? Amazing, beautiful, perfect, the best thing that has happened since humans put ice cream on waffles. And all the congrats on 1000 followers *jazz hands*!!! That’s…a small army…hmmMMmmm. And the bots should be glad they have your posts in their reader just sayin’.
And omg I feel like a proud parent over your book seriously. (Is that weird? Can I be the honorary weird aunt??) When you’re a famous best-selling author I can say that I HAVE WATCHED IT ALL UNFOLD ON TWITTER AND I’VE BEEN THERE FROM THE FIRST AESTHETICS!!
AND ILSA SERIOUSLY ICE CREAM IN WINTER SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?!
LikeLike
ah freaaking hell this a long comment thank youuu
so ahem where do i start?
Well this year was like someone attacking me all the lego but you know AND OMG YOUR LIKE ONE OF MY FAVE BLOGS EVER I JUST LOVE YOUR BLOG AND YOU SM. I COULD SCREECH ABOUT FOREVER. *melts* You’re too kind.
And YESSSSss I’m hoping to expan my 1000 follower army soon. Need to add in more bots. In other NEWS, I’m nearly @ 1500 WHICH IS EXCITING.
You may be the weird aunt of my novel. BUT WHAT? FAMOUS BEST-SELLING AUTHOR. I think we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves now.
AND YES ICE CREAM ALL YEAR ROUND WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?
LikeLiked by 1 person
DESPITE ALL THE POOP OF THIS YEAR, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WAS AMAZING FOR YOU AND IM VERY HAPPY FOR THAT
i’d like to mention
1) your photography was always on point
2) girl you killing it with those stats
3) ITS SNOWING ON YOUR BLOG HOW DID YOU DO THAT
anyways, i hope the rest of the year is fantastic for you and next year is even better. ❤
LikeLike
OMG MAY YOU ARE SO FANTASTIC AND AWESOME and…*hugs* are you a hugging person?
1) OMG WHAT?! My photography is STIL slightly horrible
2) OMGTHANK YOUUUU
3)Oh um the SNOW? I went to MY sites –> “settings” and you should see a snow option somehwere
i hope you have a great 2018 too bc you deserve it
LikeLiked by 1 person
you can take ALL the hugs, take THEMMMMM
1) this is a lie and i only speak the truth
2) ❤
3)thaNK YOU SM ily
LikeLiked by 1 person
90 percent of the reason i read this was to yell about love, simon because i was reading the latest issue of TIME and gahhhhhhhh
and then i saw you already talked about that
yaaasssss
LikeLike
i still haven’t read the book what is wrong with me
LikeLike
good for us neither have i. we have big motivation now, see!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was amazing!! I’m so glad this year went good for you! Congrats on 1000 followers, you deserve them so much, you beautiful human being!!!!! 😀 ❤
Also, congrats on your reading challenge, 100 books is a great number, it's like 1000000000 times what I've read lol 😛
Merry Christmas btw! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank youuuuuuu! 1000 followers is still hard to believe to be honest. AND YES 100 books! I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF. And thanks, Merry Christmas to you too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem!!!!!!!!!! 😀 Yas, you should be proud, it’s a great achievement!! Thank you!!! 😀 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on your accomplishments this year!! 🍀🍀
The only (reading) milestone I’ve reached this year is I’m branching out into French fiction! I read 3 French books this semester and even though I only liked 1, I’m still proud of myself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lynn! AND OMG FRENCH FICTION?! THat is SO awesome! I would be proud of that too! And even if you only liked 1, at least you stepped out of your comfort zone, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah! I just wished I liked more of the books I read! Oh well 😢
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just found your blog and this post is a delight! Sounds like you had such a great year! Congrats on finishing your WIP! I wish my NaNo had gone half as well, but there’s always next year. Here’s to more great books in 2018!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you are more sucsessful in next year’s NaNo! But you still probably did awesome anyways! AND YES MORE GOOD BOOKS in 2018 THAT I WILL PROBABLY NEVER READ
LikeLike
LOVED READING THIS!! Lol I haven’t been so active on the blogger community to share these accomplishments with you, but seriously congrats! Your blog will always be first and foremost one of my favorite blogs to read ever! I think I only logged in to WP for your blog and Sasha’s 😉
LikeLike
OMGGGGGGGG SHANIA!!! You awesome ferice wonderful human!! ❤ thanks so much for this comment, it brightened my day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Np! Can’t wait for more posts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! We must focus on the positive stuff from 2017! 😄
Let me think…
I started a blog…
I reread some books…
Um…
I don’t know.
Not much positive. Goodbye, life. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
YAY FOR STARTING A BLOG! And I’m SURE there was some more positive things. Ah well, here’s to 2018, eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
BRO HOW MANY ARCS DID YOU GET AND WHY HAVEN’T YOU TOLD ME ABOUT THEM
fdjslkfjalsd I’m so happy you launched AWOI!!! I mean, MBL was a pretty great blog imo, but I think AWOI took it a step up & is a much improved version of MBL!
AAGGGHHH I’m glad I met you toooooo ❤ ❤ and I'm so glad you've come to terms with your identity. this year I've actually discovered new parts about my identity that I'm currently contemplating with & freaking out over — but I mean, better to discover it than not know about it imo.
I'M SO GLAD YOU FINISHED YOUR FIRST WIP!!! we're twins. and THAT "AFTER" PIC OF THE BOOK MAPS IS SO PRETTY AAAGGGHHHH
oh my god you read 113 books???? I freaking hate you. tho to be fair, I didn't have a GR account until the end of May, which was pretty much halfway through the year sooooooo. AND YES TO THE BOOKSHELF THING. except I ran out of bookshelf space because most of the books that are there are really crappy/cringy YA/MG books. but it's fine!!! whatever!!!
Trump & Ivie were,,,,, yikes
LikeLiked by 1 person
OH ARCS? Welllllllllllllllllllllll MAY I DID TELL YOU ABOUT THEM! Apart from The Wren Hunt and Kids Like Us! I told you about Ace of Shades, To Kill a Kingdom, LH&F, Batman nightwalker!
MBL WAS TRASH I HATED IT OMG
YEp! I’m so glad your discovering new things about yourself – THAT IS GREAT! Whoop!
AND YAY WE BOTH FINISHED OUR TRASHY WIPs!!! And now we just have to publish them XD and YES MAPS ARE SO PRETTY OMG.
114 books now. :)))))))))))) ALSO yes I have a lot of crappy YA/MG books but I’m doing a twitter giveaway to get rid of them 😀
Trump & Ivie don’t even deserve anything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
THE WREN HUNT???? AND OMG YOU’RE GETTING ACE???? AND BINCH WTF YOU NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT TO KILL A KINGDOM I’M SO JEALOUS BUT HAPPY FOR YOU
LikeLiked by 1 person
THE WREN HUNT FROM BLOOBSMBURY YES AND IT’S *GOLD* AND YES I TOLD YOU ABOUT ACE. AND OMFG I@LL SENND YOU ScRESNHOTs of when i told u about To Kill a Kingdom but at that time u were like “Idk what book that is but im happy for you!!!” dont lie
LikeLiked by 1 person
WHAT THE FRICK I DON’T REMEMBER ANY OF THESE I’M SORRY YOU JUST GET TOO MANY FOR ME TO KEEP UP WITH
LikeLiked by 1 person
HAHAHA OKAY WHATEVER.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome post ans congratulations on the awesome accomplishments! 1000 followers is amazing and 106 books is amazing!!
LikeLike