Long, long ago, on an internet both similar and different from the web we browse today, Smart Bitches was born. The site launched on 31 January 2005 with a review for Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn and for The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann, and here we are, THIRTEEN YEARS LATER, with still many books on our TBRs, many thoughts about the genre, and many things to talk about.
Thank you for being here, for keeping the site going, and for being part of the Smart Bitches community. We wouldn’t be here without you.
This anniversary is bittersweet for me, too, what with the recent closure of so many websites I loved and valued. The web changes constantly in large and small ways.
And yet, Smart Bitches continues to grow. Our audience is growing month-to-month, and year-to-year, as more readers find us and hang out to read reviews, leave comments, ask questions, and help us solve HaBO after HaBO. The number of email messages I receive from readers looking for recommendations for one more romance has increased, too, as have the number that say, “I didn’t know this kind of site existed and I am SO HAPPY to find you!”
Welcome, and welcome back. It’s time to celebrate 13 years!
This year, I’m also doing a little something extra. Thirteen is also the year at which many young Jewish people have their bat mitzvahs, so this year, I’m throwing a bat mitzvah for the site. On Saturday, 3 February, I’ll be posting a dvar torah, also known as a “drash,” about that week’s torah portion, Yitro. So the site will be having a digital bat mitzvah, and I hope you’ll stop by to read and celebrate a little more.
But today we also celebrate! And I love doing giveaways with themes built around the traditional anniversary gifts, and the suggestion for the 13th anniversary?
Lace!
Oh, there’s a lot we can do with that. I found some fun and pretty and even some silly lace-adorned items to give away, and I hope you like them!
I think this tote and the one below it are so cute.
This teal blue cotton tote has a lace panel sewn on the front, and can hold everything, including your wallet, e-reader, water bottle, and phone. And…whatever else you need. Snacks? Emergency kitten? Vitamin C? Whatever you need, it’ll fit! The bag is 14″ by 14″, and very lightweight — only 7 oz.
I love socks like these! On the bottom, it says, If You Can Read This… Bring Me a Glass of Wine! One winner will receive a pair of nifty socks, which are lightweight and soft cotton blend, trimmed with lace.
I really dig this bracelet – which is actually two bracelets, one a thick band of lace and the other gathered with a buckle charm. The artist is in Latvia, so shipping may take a little bit longer, but I think this bracelet duo is adorably nifty.
And finally, one last sentimental prize. When Smart Bitches began, I was living in a house that had been owned by someone who did lace tatting – a very old form of lace weaving. Pretty much every time we’ve moved into a space or moved out of one, we’ve found something left behind by the prior owners, and we’ve probably left something behind, too.
In my office where I worked on the site in the very early days, the prior owner had hung a tatted lace heart in the window that looked over the yard. I like to look out the window when I write, and I stared at or through that lace heart while pondering. We left that tatted lace heart for the next owner of that home, but when I saw this one while looking for ideas, I immediately thought of it.
So, to celebrate when the site began, and (forgive me) the heart of what we do here, I want to send one winner a tatted lace heart of their own to hang in a window.
Ok, now that you’re all rolling your eyes at my schmoopyness, let’s do some giving away of things!
To enter, just leave a comment and tell us why you hang out here with us. Reviews? Humor? Cover snark? HaBOs? Sales?
Standard disclaimers apply: We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to international residents where permitted by applicable law. We will pick one winner by random integer for each of the items listed above. Must be over 18 and ready to lacily, lazily read and do other things. Pants are always optional. Do not fear the 13th anniversary, for it is also the baker’s dozen, and that’s one extra delicious item for you to enjoy. Speaking of, we recommend pastries as often as humanly possible. Comments will close Tuesday February 6, 2018 around noon ET, and winners will be announced shortly thereafter.
Whatever it is that keeps you coming back to Smart Bitches, thank you. It’s an honor to hang out with all of you from each part of the globe each day, and I’m so glad you’re here.
Thank you for being part of Smart Bitches. Happy anniversary to us!
ETA! We have winners! Congrats to Jenny P, Malena, Michelle, TheoLibrarian, and JaneDrew!
Thank you to everyone for leaving such lovely comments, for celebrating with us, and for being part of a truly wonderful internet community. Every anniversary is special and this one meant a lot to me. Thank you.
So many reasons to be grateful that I found this site.
When I found this site it was like I found my people. The humour, the snark, the books – oh the books. My reading soul thanks you for all of the many reviews and recommendations and new (to me) authors. My book budget – maybe not so much. I love the community that exists here. If SBTB ever has it’s own convention – I will be there! (Prepared to jump a plane from Oz for it.)
Forgot to say…
Happy 13th Anniversary!
Thank you Sarah for all your efforts and perseverance so that the Smart Bitches is here to celebrate 13 years.
Thank you to all your team and the wonderful posts that they all share and the efforts gone to on our behalf (watching The Bachelor, F Grade books, etc).
It is all a delight and makes Smart Bitches a wonderful place.
Well, I’m reading less romance than I used to because the genre as a whole isn’t matching my reading tastes very well right now (I still love romance but the books I want to read don’t seem to be getting written). Nevertheless, I always enjoy visiting this site because there is so much here that is smart and funny. I like reading the reviews even if I rarely buy, but most of all I love the comments sections and the chance to feel part of a community. I don’t know anyone in my real life who reads romance so I really enjoy finding out about other people’s reading experiences.
Also, living Down Under I often get the chance to comment first!
I love the humor and the intelligence of this site. I first discovered this site during the Cassia Edwards plagiarization scandal, and holy crap that was ten years ago. Still I stayed for the hilarity and the smarts. Thanks for being a great resource for new books.
I don’t comment much, but I hang here a lot. I mostly do so for the book recommendations because I need to have my kindle full at all times. This site is awesome. Happy birthday!
I don’t comment a lot, but there are so many things that I love about this site! But I think my favorite currently is cover snark, which I will save to read when the week really brings me down. I also want to shout out the post that made me loyal for life–an A review of The Summer of You by Kate Noble, which is now one of my favorite books of all time. Thanks Smart Bitches!!!
I’ve been here since 2008 for the reviews, the humour and the snark. Almost every day my husband gets an earful about what the Smart Bitches are up to. Nowadays I am increasingly grateful for a community that can share diverse opinions without personal attacks – something very rare in the toxic and negative mindset that seems to pervade most social media today. Thank you Sarah for keeping this a safe space where we can agree to disagree in civil manner!
Books with happy endings. That’s the most important thing. The humour helps too.
I discovered Courtney Milan’s books thanks to your site. But most of all, I like the Cover Snark and rants reviews.
Happy 13th anniversary!
Initially, I came for the reviews, but I’ve grown to really appreciate the thoughtful and respectful discourse in the comments. I love this site and all the Smart Bitches. Thank you for all you do.
Hey! Happy 13th Anniversary! 😀
I first found the site in 2008 or 2009 while trying to figure out where to start reading romance (Lord of Scoundrels, Knight in Shining Armor, and Bet Me, naturally). I stayed for the snark, the F+ reviews, the humor, and overall warm and supportive (and comfortable, unlike bras) community of smart, feminist women (and the occasional dude) who love the same books I do and take no crap from people who look down on romance.
I have sometimes moved on from other sites, but not this one. I love the honesty and the book recs. In fact, I am currently on a Jill Sorenson backlist glom from a “what are you reading” post last week. Visually the site is appealing, fresh, and interesting. But overall it’s the discussions. I feel I get a balanced view of the books I may purchase, and since I consider more carefully now, this is so so valuable. Thank you for 13 years, let’s keep going strong!
Sales and reviews for sure. I started with some truly terrible romance novels in my teens, and was just about to give up when I was reccomended this site. For me, romances are grown up versions of the fairy tales I loved as a kid (and still do love, honestly), complete with archetypal characters and happily ever afters. I am always finding new and intriguing books to read, things to think about, and tips on authors and movies. Thank you for all you do.
I started tuning to the site for the Book Sales, stuck around for the HABO, got sucked into Watcha Reading? and now pretty much read everything and listen to the podcast. So happy anniversary and to many more.
I don’t remember how I found your site, or exactly when, although I think it was probably around 2010. I do remember being like WHUT HOW HAS IT TAKEN ME SO LONG TO FIND THIS. Or, as you might have said then, OMGWTFBBQ. Stayed for the across the board funny.
I started coming here for the reviews (I’m a librarian), but I keep coming back because you bitches are awesome!
Mazel tov on the sites Bat Mitzvah. Yitro was my oldest son’s Bar Mitzvah parsha 15 years ago so I am familiar with it, and am looking forward to your drasha.
I love the reviews, and the feeling of community you have created. None of my friends in Melbourne read romance so the site provides an opportunity to connect with those who do around the world.
Happy anniversary! I read everything on the site and enjoy all of it-thank you so much. Reading your site daily is part of my escape from reality and frequently adds to my TBR stack.
I’ve been here—off and on—since almost the beginning; remember when Sarah’s second child was born; the Cassie Edwards scandal; when BEYOND HEAVING BOSOMS was published; and innumerable thoughtful, nuanced discussions of so many books, themes, trends, ideas, likes, and dislikes. I love the caring nature of the community that gathers here and the civil way we can disagree with each other without being complete jerks (there’s a concept a few high-profile people could benefit from learning!). I’m a lot older than what I’m sure is the median age here, but I have faith in the future when I know it will be populated by the multitude of smart women and visit the site.
I found this site 4 or 5 years ago when I came upon a review Sarah did for a Tessa Dare Spindle Cove book and I was intrigued enough to order the book and found I loved it. And through this site and the lovely people here, I came to realise that while romance is not super plentiful in my day to day life, it was okay to find it in books – actually you helped me realise it was okay to WANT it in books – and you also helped me look at tropes and what’s generally accepted in fiction regarding gender roles with a more critical eye. And it goes without saying that I’m now more knowledgeable about authors I might not otherwise have found by myself.
So thank you to Sarah and all the Bitchery! Here’s to many more years of Smart Bitches!!
By the multitude of smart women who comment on and visit the site.
/Aaarrrggghhh! Edit is your friend.
Happy birthday Smart Bitches! I think the thing I love most about the site is the community, the comments and discussions that really defy all prejudice against “trashy books”.
My favourite features remain the cover snark and the (F-)book reviews, and I have a love-hate-relationship with all the books on sales and rec leagues and other recommendations. Upside: no more book slumps!
Thank you and keep going!
I come here for the reviews and the humor and the cover snark and the HaBOs (that I never know) and the sales!
First I want to say thank you to Sarah and the smart bitches for this website! It is a safe place to go to discuss the books and other things we love with such a welcoming community. I visit the site for recommendations, reviews (especially the Elyse recaps of the bachelor- which are hilarious), and the books on sale. Thanks for all your hard work!
I’ve been a daily reader since about 2010. I started out looking for a way into the previously forbidden realm of trashy books, then got hooked by the great writing, the humor, and the unabashed fun of a group of women talking together without inhibitions. There have been deployments where your site was the only pink thing I saw for six months, and it was like a breath of fresh air air and sanity in the midst of a testosterone funk. Also, my TBR list recently maxed out the number of characters my phone’s memo app can remember! Thank you for thirteen wonderful years!
I am here for book reviews! Voracious reader so always need more…also, I can tat if you want lessons! Coming to Boston this weekend!My mom was required to learn before she took microbiology at Agnes Scott!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy 13th Anniversary!!
I don’t even remember how I first heard about Smart Bitches, but finding a website devoted to the books I love was amazing! I love the reviews, and have discovered several new authors thanks to hearing about them here. But I also enjoy the snark–the cover snark never fails to make me laugh, which I’ve especially needed over the past year. So thanks to all of your hard work over the years, and here’s to many more!!
Happy birthday to such a lovely group of young ladies! From one of the old moms, I appreciate how y’all have provided such a fabulous platform for all types of romance, “ripping the bodice” from the idea we must feel guilty about reading all these wonderful books. I will always cringe just a tad over the “f**k” word in your podcasts (yeah, yeah, what can I say, old southern Mom. I also read GD as gosh darn!) my birthday wishes is that you are blessed with a multitude of snarky covers and be able to cuss as poetically as Samuel Jackson! Mazel Tov!
Happy anniversary!
I don’t remember when I first started coming here, but I’ve found so many new authors and books to love thanks to the reviews and comments. I truly appreciate the humor, support, and recommendations of everyone in the community.
Happy anniversary!! Thank you for giving us this forum!
I can’t remember when I started visiting the site. It’s been so long! Initially it was once in a while. At some point that turned into daily. I love the snark. I’m here for Elyse’s bachelor posts, the podcast! (So much love for the podcast), recommendations, reviews, sales posts, and sometimes a habo will peak my interest and I’m amazed at people in the community who can pinpoint the book. Sometimes with so little to go by!
I met the bitches at RT last year and that was the highlight of my con! Thanks for all you do!
I’ve followed this site for years for the reviews, the commentaries, and the cover snark. It’s fun and interesting over here.
I used to be embarrassed at my voracious romance reading habit until I found you guys during your early years, and it was a revelation – my reading tastes are normal and not something to be ashamed about. I felt validated and accepted. It means a lot and I’m still a faithful blog reader to this day. Thank you guys!
I love the sales, ADORE the cover snark, and buy books that I never would have normally tried/found after reading excellent reviews.
I found the site through a Barnes and Noble. I was going up the escalator and there was an endcap display of Beyond Heaving Bosoms and, really, how can one not pick up a book with that title to find out what it’s about? I read it, I loved it, and I needed to read the site that went along with it.
As to why I keep coming back, I like a lot of the regular features, but I think it’s more the people. Both the contributors and the people in the comments.
I’ve been here years, though I don’t remember how many. I stay for humour, sales, real talk and friendliness, such a rare combination online at times. The gift guides are good too.
The sense of community – book and movie reviews, shared humor through cover snark and Bachelor recaps, recommendations and HABOs, and for providing a voice and venue for feminist and inclusive books and reviews. Thanks to your reviews and recommendations, I’ve been increasingly diversifying my reading list and I’ve found so many new authors I love! It’s also been a joy to see how the site has continued to evolve over the past 13 years while retaining that feeling of community that drew me in in the first place.
I’m excited on Tuesdays and sad on Fridays, which tells me that my favorite site features are the HaBOs and the sale posts, but I’m a daily visitor for the opinions: snarky, witty, sincere, outraged, challenging, sometimes shaming, almost always respectful.
I’m delighted when a title in a sales post or the monthly Whatcha Readin’ gets an equal number of loved it/hated it comments and people take the time to explain why. And I love the tropey Rec League topics.
Happy anniversary! I’m here firstly for the humour, and then secondly for reviews/book recommendations. My TBR list gets longer with every month’s Whatcha Reading!
I also love the thought you put in to making the giveaway prizes special and thematic.
I’ve been visiting (though rarely commenting) for 8 or 9 years. I love the reviews, cover-snark, and recs. But I almost always check out the HABOs, in hopes it’s one I recognize! …The few times I have known, someone (or several someones) have already commented, but maaaaaybe one day I’ll be the one who knows! 😉
Happy 13th Anniversary SBTB!