Since we are now into 2008, I’ve been noticing a lot of bloggers are reviewing their best of/worst of reads for 2007. I did myself. I’ve read on a few message boards that some readers didn’t find 2007 an especially good year for reading. I think this is probably a core group of readers who say the same thing every year. But I have to disagree. I find every year a great year for reading. I’m always finding new books that touch my heart, that make me glad I’m a romance reader. Every year I find new or new to me authors that I get excited about and add to my list to buy their next release. And this year has been no exception.

But this isn’t what this post is about

While my reading was down this past year, my love of all things romance reading related went off the charts.

First off, I’ve come out of the closet in my reading tastes. I’ve told my coworkers about my love of romance in a way I never have before. And while it’s been a bit scary; I haven’t wanted to have to face the eye roll thing, it’s also been liberating. I haven’t had any eye rolls, in fact I’ve found a fellow romance addict. She doesn’t have the same kind of online presence that I do, but she is a dedicated romance reader and when I had her over to see my ‘library’ she went into seventh heaven over it. Other coworkers have also said they like romance too although not to the same extent.

Another highlight of this past year was getting the opportunity to meet fellow romance lovers/bloggers. A few of us Canadians had a ‘meet-up’ in Toronto and it was wonderful meeting them in person. A couple were younger than my sons even but age proved to be no barrier as we went visiting books stores and shared books we had loved. There was an instant bond among us and it was wonderful.

And then there was the RWA in Dallas. For me, it was the trip of a lifetime. I rhapsodized on it on my blog so I won’t go into detail here – we do have a word limit *g* and if I was to do that I would be well over it. But enough to say that it was a special moment in time, getting a chance to meet so many authors whose books I’ve loved. Surprisingly enough I discovered they are normal *g*. You see for me, many romance authors are like rock stars or famous athletes. Given a chance to meet Jon Bovi for example would be exciting, but meeting Elizabeth Hoyt reduced me to babbling incoherently. And there was also the thrill of meeting my fellow bloggers/roommates in person too. After getting to know them through blogging and emails, it was a thrill beyond belief to meet them in person.

After that came the Great North and South Crusade. While this isn’t a romance novel, the heart of it is a very good romance and so far it’s appealed to all the romance readers who have watched it.

I’ve made new friends this year – Kate and Sula, my fellow coconspirators in The Crusade and many more besides. I’ve found new reader blogs and that always makes me happy.

So to those who say this was a bad year reading wise, I say you’re wrong. And the unexpected benefits are the greatest.

To all the authors whose books I’ve read and enjoyed I say thank you. To the authors I met in person, I will remember you always, to the bloggers I’ve met in person, oh I hope we get to meet again and to the readers/bloggers I’ve communicated with online, I’ve loved it all.

A huge Thank You to you all. You’ve proved that the romance community is alive and well and fun and full of people I want to be a part of.