Sixteen years ago, the site began.
Smart Bitches launched on 31 January 2005 with a review for Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn and for The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann. We’re still here, discussing romance and everything around it, sixteen years later.
In many states, the site is eligible for a driver’s license. (We won’t discuss how my older child, born the same year as the site, may also be eligible for the same. Shhhh. SHHHH.)
This year, as always: Thank you. Thank you for being part of Smart Bitches.
Our community is still growing, still talking about everything, and still hilarious, welcoming, and warm and wonderful. None of that would be possible without you.
So thank you for hanging out with us each day, for sending us so many great covers for snarking, for telling me bad jokes, for telling us about books you loved, and for being part of our community.
As usual, I took a peek at the traditional and modern anniversary gifts for the 16th year, and what did I find? Wax and silver holloware!
At first glance, I thought the page said “silver halloween,” to which I thought, GAME ON.
No, holloware is something else entirely. But wax?
Oh, YEAH. I knew just what I wanted to do.
We all need a little light in the darkness, right?
There’s nothing like cozy smells and twinkling lights on a dark evening, right?
So to celebrate sixteen years of Smart Bitches, I’m giving away…yup, sixteen candles. The reviewing crew and I put our heads together to find some lovely bookish candles and beautiful scents and colors.
Ready? It’s candle prettiness time! I’m giving one of each of the following candles away!
Want to win a candle? I hope so! I’ve got so many links over here ready to shop!
Just comment below and share one of your favorite Smart Bitches memories.
A book you discovered here?
A cover snark that made you snort laugh?
A HaBO you solved?
The high incidences of random silliness?
Tell us one of your favorite Smart Bitches moments and you’re entered to win.
Standard disclaimers apply: We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to international residents where permitted by applicable law. If a specific candle is sold out when the giveaway ends, another from this set will be substituted. Must be over 18 and ready to spread light as far as possible. Reading while enjoying the warmth and light also recommended. Comments will close at noon ET on Saturday 6 February 2020 and winners will be announced shortly afterward.
Thank you for being part of Smart Bitches, and thank you for celebrating with us. Happy Anniversary!!
Update: Comments are closed and winners will be emailed shortly. Thank you all for your kind words, comments, and nostalgia!
Two and a half years ago (which was already SO late to the party!) I read my first Beverly Jenkins book because of SB reviews. I’ve read too many varied, individual books to count because of SB reviews over the years, but I am distinctly grateful for the introduction to Jenkins. I also want to note that they were not all even romances! Jane Doe comes to mind, even though I waited to read the full review because I didn’t want to spoil myself.
I came to Smart Bitches in 2011 after hearing about Sarah’s book on NPR (https://www.npr.org/2011/10/03/141007142/romance-novels-hairless-chests-and-everything-i-know-about-love), and I’m so happy I did! Hmm, now I’m thinking maybe I should do something to celebrate my personal 10-year anniversary in October. 🙂
My favorite Smart Bitches memories are all wrapped up in the podcasts when the Bitches get together and snark and share recs and just generally have a good time. It’s like you’re letting me have a great time right along with you! (The recent crossover episode with Heaving Bosoms in which you talked about Toxic Desire had me in stitches. I haven’t laughed so hard in a really long time.) Congrats on making it to your Sweet 16, SBTB!
I love discovering new authors. I found so many new books. And tried new genres because of smart bitches !! Also,I rediscovered Ray Balogh through you guys 🙂
I discovered the Forbidden Hearts series by Alisha Rai. So good.
The day after the election in 2016. I woke up and for a minute didn’t know what to do to find comfort. So I headed here to Smart Bitches and found the comfort I needed to at least get myself out of bed that day. I’ll be forever grateful to this community for being the safe place we all need when things get tough.
Thank you for introducing me to the works of Connie Willis!
Happy Anniversary! I can’t remember when I started coming here to read and enjoy both the writers and the commenters, but I have enjoyed every moment I’ve spent on this site (even with the trash fire that was RWA I was eager to see what happened NOW and to stand with my fellow romance readers). I love being au courant with the Bachelor/ette thanks to Elyse, and I’ve been able to squee over so many authors on the podcast. But the best is the community that is found here. Being able to connect with fellow romance readers, find new authors, get reminders of books, is a blessing.
I always look for & read SBTB first thing. Cover snark is a hoot & the bachelor/bachelorette reviews a better read than actually watching those shows (which I don’t). Keep on keeping on SBTB!!!
I love it all. I love the Daily Deals, which have introduced me to so many authors and books I’d have otherwise overlooked. I love the bimonthly new books posts—and comb my library to find the ones that appeal most to me. I love the demonstrations, day after day, of a community coming together around something we all love and enjoy, and I love that we give space
to individual tastes and preferences. I rarely comment but visit everyday, often multiple times. Here’s to 16+ more years!
I get so much enjoyment from your site it’s the first thing I look for every day!
Happy Anniversary!
I can’t even begin to remember all the books I’ve been introduced to through this site. Back in 2008, when I was rediscovering romance as a genre (having read it guiltily a lot in my teens, in paperbacks usually picked at flee markets and garage sales, translated into Norwegian) and learning that I should embrace the genre rather than be ashamed of it, this site was one of the ones that made me proud to be a romance reader. I’m pretty sure my love of Courtney Milan, Lucy Parker, Helen Hoang and a number of other authors can be directly traced to this site. Thank you for existing and continuing to show how awesome and worth-while romance and romance readers are.
ELISE WATCHES THE BACHELOR SO I DON’T HAV TO IS THE BEST THING EVER! I’ve never watched an episode but I can converse with my franchise addicted daughter in law like a pro. My morning revolves around a cup of coffee and my daily email. Thanks to you all! Happy Birthday/Anniversary!
SBTB was one of my first exposures to the online community of romance readers and I treasure it for that. I was actually able to attend an IRL meetup in D.C. in 2012(?). That is probably my favorite memory. And every year, I look forward to the holiday gift guides. So many neat things to admire. Thanks and happy anniversary!!!
I Love Cover Snark soooo much, HaBO, hide your wallet, rec league, and mmore, but my favorite lately is the Bachelor/Bachelorette recaps, because they make me snort-laugh or even cry-laugh!
My favorite SBTB memory was the recording of the podcast during RT18 in Reno.
so much fun!
I am going to try to summarize into a list of firsts/memorable:
– First review read: Pregnesia
– First review I sent to everyone: The Playboy Sheik’s Virgin Stable Girl
– First plagiarism scandal: Judith Griggs
– Worst photoshop in a cover: Tara Joy. Just Tara Joy.
– First book bought because of site: Mr. Impossible, Loretta Chase.
– First series completed thanks to deals: Beyond, Kit Rocha.
– First pre-order: “Network Effect”, Martha Wells.
Because of Smart Bitches, I read PREGNESIA, the best worst book ever.
Happy Anniversary!
I love the site, I have found so many new authors! Thank you!
Discovered the website and podcast through Sarah’s book Beyond Heaving Bosoms. Which then led me to discover the Ripped Bodice, the RWA disaster, Tessa Dare, and the Nagoski’s Burnout. Not to mention all the laughs with Cover Snark and the beauty of Cover Awe. Favorite memory–learning about how to complete the stress response cycle, which really influenced my life and coping skills. Thanks so much, Bitches!
I love the sales and cover snark, but my best memory is the F review that starts out: “This book was hard to review, harder than any erection you’ve ever encountered in fiction or in real life.” Classic!
Happy anniversary! I this site and the daily emails! My favourite feature is definitely the reviews and I think one of my favourite memories is the dinosaur romance cover snarks.
A friend and colleague pointed me to Smart Bitches in early 2008, when I had just started to read romance. I’ve been a daily reader ever since, and I can’t even count the number of books I’ve read because of your reviews. My favorite thing about the site isn’t a memory, but the ongoing sense of community you provide.
So much goodness over the years! I think the standout was having been a long time fan of the newsletter (i have gotten so many awesome free and 99 cent sale books!), then podcast, then hearing your site mentioned on Younger like — omg, Smart Bitches was name dropped on Younger! That was pretty cool!
Happy Anniversary to the Bitchery!
Most of my special memories of the site are related to the books I discovered through the reviews and comments on the site. There are so many authors and series I would never have come across if not for the Bitchery. Those moments are too many to count. But I think one of the special moments that’s different and stands out from the others was when I got to squee about my then-new love of kdrama on the site. The opportunity was so unexpected and special, and it really helped push me into an entirely new medium/genre for romance. Truly a turning point in my taste.
Thank you for all these years of amazing content and support!
Happy 16th! I really count on SBTB for detailed and in-depth reviews. Even if I disagree with the reviewer, the reviews are still always well-argued and raise good points. I have definitely picked up or dnf’d many books based off of reviews here. Most recently, I picked up (and loved) The Year of the Witching off the strength of Ellen’s A- review. And I dnf’d The Boyfriend Project, because I wasn’t rooting for the couple to get together, and Maya’s review kind of confirmed all the misgivings I harbored. I disagreed with Ellen re: The Bridge Kingdom, but I could definitely understand where her objections were coming from.
My strongest, happiest memory, is of the first time I discovered the Smart Bitches. It was 2009, and I finally had my first big girl job where I could actually AFFORD books! I think I spent a full week of work days, between each phone call, going page by page through the A, B and C reviews in search of new authors and new books. I can’t believe that SBTB is 16, and that I’ve been following for a full 12 of those years!
Its so hard to pick a single moment, but if I had to pick just one, it would be a podcast. Listening to Emily Nagaski talk with Sarah about her book, Come as you are, was pretty life changing for me. Thank you for the many many moments!
Happy Sweet Sixteen SBTB. Wishing you many many more. Discovered you a few years ago and love everything you fabulous ladies do. I’ve discovered soooo many books and authors thanks to you. Love cover snark, the bachelor/bachelorette, your amazing reviews, hide your wallet (so true, I have to ration myself), Habo, Wednesday links … I could go on. My TBR stresses me out sometimes, so many books and not enough time, but I wouldn’t have it any other w ay. The best part is finding this wonderful community of book lovers and romance readers, and feeling like part of a wonderful family.
There is so much to love! I look forward to my daily email, and you have led me to so many authors and books. (Most recently The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George— really enjoyed it!).I also love TKingfisher and Talia Hibbert thanks to you…and I love Cover Snark. How did I manage without the Bitchery? Yay, sweet 16!
Happy 16th birthday STBT! I love coming here every day! I cannot recount the number of books I have discovered here. Books, I absolutely wouldn’t have know about otherwise. My recent favorites include: from reader comments Linseman series, from reviews: Paladin’s Grace, Enola Holmes series (the tv version which led me to reading the book), the Kat Hollaway mysteries. I have more in my tbr pile to dive into. I love this corner of the internet! Long may it continue to thrive!
Happy 16th Anniversary!!! I cannot believe we’ve been together so long. I didn’t discover you immediately but it was within a year or so of your starting (I was looking for jpegs of Fabio covers and your site came up in a search). Then I went back and read all of the previous posts so I feel like I have been around since the beginning. I love so much about the site that I check it out every evening. I cannot pick just one thing but I wanted to extend congratulations to you. And, Sarah, you’re just as delightful in person (we met at RT Orlando Book Fair with Heaving Bosoms cookies that were also delightful). Anyway, I don’t need any candles (but the names are really pretty great). Congratulations again and, as others have said, here’s to another 16 years!
Wow, I can’t believe it’s been 16 years! (And that is slightly older than our baby, who is getting ready to get his driver’s permit–HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!)
So many fave SB moments! I have laughed myself silly over so many of your wonderful posts and reviews, have felt kinship with many fellow commenters, including *gasp* LA NORA!
I’ve found so many wonderful reads via recommendations not just for myself, but for DH (Rook and Stiletto, I’m looking at you), and DD. Sh*t Actually is on my counter, right now, in fact.
Many thanks to you and everyone, SB Sarah and gang! Here’s to many more years to come!
Definitely the “flute of love” moment will never not amuse me.
NO. NO. DO NOT PLAY YOUR FLUTE OF LOVE.
I love the cover snarks and witty reviews, but I always look forward to April Foolery. I especially remember the 80’s flashback and SBTB wearables.
I’ve been reading your site for about 11 of those years, and can’t even begin to name the number of books I’ve discovered as the result of your site. You are the #1 influence on my reading habits, and I’m so grateful for you and all the work you do. Happy birthday!
PREGNESIA.
But also just so much more. I have found so many great romances through this site (as well as non-romances!) and things like Cover Snark, Cover Awe, and the weekly links post just brighten my day so much. And I continue to appreciate the thoughtful reviews that bring up potential triggers and issues with a book, but also make a distinction between things that the reviewer doesn’t personally like but that others might enjoy with no judgement.
Here’s to another sixteen years! Just wait until this site can legally drink!
I have followed SBTB since the beginning and I referred it to so many who have good naturedly mocked me for my reading choices over the years . At least 90% of my book purchases have been a result of this blog. BUT …I am most grateful for the memorable drunken recaps of the Bachelor/Bachelorette!!! Elyse…I can’t imagine now watching the show without the anticipation of your hilarious review! And thanks to your husband for his occasional insights! Simply the best!
This is not so much a specific moment, but I have so much to thank SBTB for. I became a romance reader just about four years ago after discovering SBTB. Your reviews are so good that I read them even for books I wasn’t that interested in, because how you explained the better and worse elements of each book was so compelling, and your reviews of the books I did read were so spot on that I started reading anything you guys gave an A to.
After a few dozen romance novels, I felt like I had a sense of what I liked and didn’t like. Now a solid quarter of what I read is romance, and I’m an evangelist for the genre (and genre books in general). So I have a lot to thank you for.
Also I once had a cover in cover snark, and sharing that laugh was a joy.
Thank you for everything!
Oh wow, has it been that long? Time has certainly flown by. I think I landed here sometime around 2006/2007. I remember being so thrilled to have solved a HABO once (although now I cannot recall for the life of me what the book was, lol) and getting one of those fancy titles that we used to receive. And who could forget the saga of the Cassie Edwards plagiarism scandal.
Thanks to the bitchery for keeping it real and for taking romance seriously…but also with the right amount of levity. 🙂
One of my fave SBTB moments was the review of Fifty Shades of Grey. That review made me gave me some good laughs!