Yes another year has flown by, well it feels that way but the last year in many ways, had a lot of ups and downs. I had a lot time of work this time last year, and this eventually led to a full redeployment at work which I have say is the best thing that could have happened I love my new position, the team I work with the job we do it is just as thou I have fallen into the place I should have been. Then Amanda and I brought our first house a stressful event for someone like me that has struggled these last couple of years. But actually, after it all it wasn’t so bad so I missed blogging for a while as Ifor the last 12 months plus I had been toying with the idea of switching in part or fully to vlogging, I had been caught by some vlogs and brought a camera and stuff to try and start one. But after one post I decided it just isn’t me, and actually, I love writing about books, and in the time I have blogged, I have written more on my little reviews. I am to be the everyman of world lit I love that role I am the oddball, the man with bad grammar, and yes, in part, this is connected to my dyspraxia I have a brain that works so much faster than my fingers ever will, and as my work now involves a lot more typing, I am just about to get some software to help me with my work and if it helps I will more than lightly get it for the blog. I loved doing the shadow jury and often feel out of my depth when people talk, but I take this as just the way I view the world i just hate things being over-complicated, and that’s just me. I slowly get back to the way I used to blog many years ago with just that sheer love of books and discovery and just wanting to pass on that to people. Hence Czech Lit month I love events and planning for them, so look out for more from here. As I had a feeling over the last few years which I don’t want to call imposter syndrome; I hate that term. I had just felt out of place a lot, and a lot of that is from my own thought processes and why should I be comparing myself to any f***er I don’t know. why, as I am unique !!. The blog is going strong after 14 years. I have 1270 reviews and 2190 posts over the last 14 years. This equates to 90 plus books a year in review and a post every 3 days as well. The blog has covered more than 100 countries, a lot more than most people. I intend to slowly add over time till I get a book from every country in the world. The next year I hope to post my reviews a little more regularly, and now I am feeling settled and positive a lot more than I have last for the last few years. I hope to get back out and get to London again and reconnect with some people in the translated world and just put winstonsdad back out there again. Thanks for sticking with me for the last year or two. Let’s carry on reading around the world one book at a time!
You *are* unique, Stu, and I’m glad you are embracing it! Plough your own farrow and look what happens! You build a loyal following and introduce to a world of amazing literature that no one else is really introducing us to. So thank you! And I’m glad you didn’t go down the vlogging route because I don’t watch vlogs and then I would have missed out on all your recommendations.
BTW, interested in the software you might get at work. I’m trying to build inclusivity into a publications process at work (I’m a publications manager for a philanthropy) so that everyone, particularly those with low vision, dyslexia, ADHD, etc can read our work easily. There’s lots of research / good things happening in the world about this.
Thanks kim
I will feedback when I get it on my work laptop and let you know
I second everything that Kim says!
Thanks Lisa
Congratulations, Stu! Over the years you have built an impressive archive of reviews of books from around the world. Best wishes for many more years of reading and blogging!
Thanks Joe and hope you hang around too
Well done Stu! I third everything that Kim says. Vlogs aren’t for me either.
I had a phase of be in Go to them lots last year but is fading hence change of heart
What you’ve built here is unique and a real resource for those of us who also love literature from all corners of the world. I’m so glad you’re sticking with blogging rather than going the video route since I’m another one who doesn’t like watching vlogs.
Congratulations on what you’ve accomplished so far and the good changes in your life over the past year. May it all continue!
Yes I just felt blogging is more my think than vlogs
Congratulations Stu! Love what you do here, and also how much you spread the word for translated lit. Keep on doing you!
Thanks I intend hang around
Congratulations Stu! You always introduce me to new and interesting writers so long may you continue!
Well done! And I don’t like vlogs at all – I don’t take in information I hear, I have to see it written down!
Belated congratulations – a great achievement!