How has it been 8 years already? - It's Blogiversary time! #RespectRomFic

8 years ago today I nervously pressed post on my first post on this blog, utterly petrified that if anyone did read it, that I would get scores of negative comments, people disagreeing with my thoughts or angry that I was recommending a book that they went on to not enjoy. 

I was convinced I'd try blogging for a few weeks and then slowly crawl back under my rock. 

I think the fact that I'm typing this today, might just suggest that it turns out Book Blogging really does agree with me, and I can't believe it has been 8 years already! That is totally and utterly nuts. 

And hopefully you will be glad to hear that I show no signs of intent of stopping anytime soon. On the back of my blog I've built my blog tour organising business Rachel's Random Resources, which I absolutely love, and being involved in the world of books daily is just wonderful. 

Ever since I was a child I loved reading, and my poor mum would end up at weekends driving me to three local libraries so I could raid the children's section and then the Mills & Boon section (when I was a bit older), in order to take out the maximum I was allowed at each, each time. And I would just sit and devour the books, as was always a quick reader. 

I think it was the early love of a Mills and Boon that has lead me to be primarily a romantic fiction reader nowadays, and of course a big friend to the RNA (Romantic Novelists Association.).  For me romantic fiction is all about escapism.  Taking me away from the realities of life, just for a few hours at a time, and losing myself in something that is almost certainly going to leave me smiling, even if the journey to get there might be filled with emotion.  

I love the way books can transport me to other countries, or leave me feeling incredibly hungry depending on what is inside them. Through books I have been able to try on a plethora of book boyfriends for size, without any of the issues which come from having to deal with them in real life, and if they are annoying me, I just just hit the off button on my kindle or close the book for a bit! 

So it dismays me that over the past 8 years, and especially since being part of the book community, that romantic fiction is often looked down on, left out of bestseller lists of the year, or big newspapers recommending the next big book lists - as though romantic fiction is somehow less worthy. 

But at the same time, it gives me great pride to see how people are starting to fight back against this, and I urge you to check out the #RespectRomFic tag on twitter where a growing number of people are determined for this genre to get the respect it deserves.  And since you read my blog, I can't help but think you may also be a fan of the genre, and thus may want to see it get more respect in the wider world. 

And it's this #RespectRomFic movement that makes me pleased that I kept going with my blog despite my initial (unfounded) fears, and to be able to keep bringing you reviews of truly enjoyable and excellent books over the past 8 years, and fingers crossed many more to come. 

Finally I'd just like to thank you, for supporting me over the past 8 years, and even if you are a silent reader of the blog never interacting, just for being part of the book community too.  It means the world to me, and to the wonderful authors that you all support too. 

So THANK YOU everyone who has been part of my journey with book blogging over the last 8 years, from the authors writing the books, to the publishers that very kindly approve me for them on Netgalley, to the other bloggers who are wonderful (and a key part of my blog tour organising too). 

And I hope to see you all at a real life book event in the future!