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!Â
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? Â
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.
Happy anniversary! I discovered the podcast after our family took in a dog last year that is walked at least twice a day. I love hearing about books and authors that are new to me.
I come for the laughs, book reviews and sale posts. 🙂
I found your site right when I needed it…I love that here, people treat romance as a serious genre. It’s varied, full of hits and misses, and deserves its own space.
I hang out here for all of the above, but especially love cover snark
Cover Snark is my favorite, followed closely by HABO. Good to know so many people love the genre!
I really love the reviews that help me find the books I’ll like.
I come for the excellent book reviews and amazing links. My friends think I’m the coolest person on the internet because I share what y’all post so often.
SBTB, to me, is like the Wardrobe, ala Chronicles of Narnia. I stumbled upon it one day, completely by accident, and opened the door. In it I found something wondrous and vast, with all my hopes, dreams, and desires laid out before me to explore and absorb. A secret place, only it’s not! There are all sorts of creatures who reside here, and I am one of them, and I am happy for as long as I can be here. And when I’m not, I think of it and ask others to join me there!
Thank you for creating a safe place to be creative and share our passions!
Happy Anniversary!
This is the first place I ever found where it was okay to both be smart and not be ashamed of reading romance. I don’t really read much romance anymore, but the stuff I do I found here.
I found you years ago through numerous mentions on the AAR boards (geez, haven’t been there since forever, do they still exist?) I couldn’t resist the snark. And I couldn’t resist feeling like I’d found people I genuinely enjoyed. Still do. Thank you.
Happy anniversary & to many more! Love the recs, F-reviews and cover snark. And of course the community. The lace heart reminds me of a wreath that my great aunt (a nun) would make from the palms after palm sunday. They were so delicate that they were difficult to save/preserve.
This website has lead me to many things, some good (the First Impressions podcast talking about Jane Austen), some bad (JustNoMIL on reddit) and some ugly (The Bachelor – how can I truly appreciate Elyse’s commentary if I hadn’t seen the show). It has lead me to many good books and new authors. It has given me many laughs (Cover Snark) and has convinced me to buy a Kindle so I could buy books that weren’t available in Australia in paper form.
So Happy 13th Birthday and Mazel Tov!
The podcasts keep me coming back, Sarah, because I love hearing directly from authors and learning more about what’s new in the industry. These are the best, so keep up the excellent work! Happy anniversary!
It was the humor and reviews that hooked me but I enjoy all the other features. Not sure when I started following but Candy was still here 🙂
Rarely comment but always lurk. Keep up the great work.
I love the reviews, comeraderie, and the podcasts!
13 is my favorite number. 🙂 I’ve been wandering the halls of the Bitchery’s pink palace for easily over a decade, and still drop in for the book reviews and discussions on the genre and the industry.
The Rita Review Challenge is great too.
And I’ll always swing by for the cover-snark. Always.
Mazel Tov on 13 years!
Happy Anniversary! What a fun celebration. Thank you for a chance to win. I love to hang out here because of the fantastic reviews, fun humor, and great sales. Here’s to many more years of your fabulosity to come!!
I’ve learned so much about inclusivity in writing and reading as well as just generally awesome recommendations and great humor! Love you guys!!
Happy anniversary and happy mitzvah year! I come for the podcasts and stay for the snark and the great recs, not to mention the fantastic reader community. Mazal tov!
The snark forever lol happy anniversary and here’s to many more
Happy Anniversary! Since 2008, yours has always been among a handfull of websites I check semi-daily. I feel like I have found my tribe. I love the humour, I love the reviews, I love the community. You have helped me pay attention to issues I used to not think about, you have helped me in times of need when fighting my depression, you have made me cry and laugh and snort coffee out of my nose. You have brought wonderful books into my life. I thank you for all of that and I hope you will be here for as long as possible.
Happy anniversary! I came for the snark and stayed for the reviews, the knitting, and the community. I love seeing women really talking about things, you know?
I’ve read so many wonderful books and found so many favorite authors from this site. Thank you ladies! Happy Anniversary SBTB!
Congrats on reaching 13 years!!! I’ve been following for the past ten years or so and it is sad to think back at how many wonderful book blogs were around back then that are no longer out there. It is hard to keep going, to keep the momentum. But thank you for pushing through the reading blocks and continuing to post! I have found many great new reads through this blog.
Book cheers for another 13 years!