Confessions from the Blog Desk: 8 years of blogging and 8 Facts
Confessions from the Blog Desk: 8 years of blogging and 8 Facts!
Eight years ago, I hit “publish” on my very first post. I didn’t know what I was doing (let’s be real, I still wing it half the time), but I knew one thing: I loved books. And talking about them. Frequently. Passionately. Sometimes with tea stains on my books and keyboard.
Since then, Books Teacup and Reviews has grown from a tiny corner of the internet to a cozy, chaotic library of reviews, rants, recommendations— often written with a cup of ginger tea in one hand and a to-do list I’m definitely ignoring in the other.
So today, I thought I’d share a few Confessions from the Blog Desk with 8 facts about the how messy, tea-fueled, book-loving person I’m behind the blog.
1. Mornings are my magic hours (but only after tea)
My brain is basically a sluggish Wi-Fi connection until I’ve had my morning tea. I don’t even attempt to write blog posts at night — unless I want to end up with an incoherent rant. Mornings are best, and conveniently, that’s when the kid is at school, the husband is buried in his newspaper, and I can quietly plot my next bookish rave.
2. Tea isn’t just tea. It’s a ritual.
Specifically, Indian ginger tea — made by me and only me. Other people making tea? That’s a no from me. I’ve got exact measurements, precise timing, and an almost spiritual connection with my Tpan (tea-pan). Without it, the day feels cursed and the reviews come out… weird.
3. Strike while the book hangover is hot
I can’t — won’t — start another book until I’ve at least drafted a rough review of the last one. I need to vent or dissect before moving on. Otherwise, the thoughts start blending, and suddenly I’m describing a rom-com heroine fighting space zombies with a sword named Mr. Darcy!
4. Drafting from the dashboard
Weirdest place I’ve written a review? — in the car. We were on a road trip, and I got hooked on a novella series. I finished one, immediately needed to start the next, but my reviewer brain wouldn’t let me rest. So there I was, typing furiously in phone’s notion app, engine humming, snacks within reach, living my best bookworm-on-the-go life.
5. Inspiration strikes from everywhere (yes, even your blog)
I shamelessly take inspiration from other bloggers and bookstagrammers. A discussion post? A clever blog feature? An interesting review format? If it sparks an idea, I’m running with it. Call it borrowing, call it creative cross-pollination — I call it community magic.
6. ARC deadlines? What are those?
Look, I intend to read ARCs by their publication date. I really do. But the truth is, I’m a mood reader through and through. If I’m not in the mood, that poor ARC might sit in my Kindle so long it graduates college. Sorry, NetGalley. It’s not you, it’s my reading whims.
7. I’m not a planner — I’m a pouncer
Some bloggers outline, draft, revise, and schedule posts with NASA-level precision. Me? If an idea smacks me in the face, I sit down and write the post right then and there. No drafts, no research rabbit holes, no procrastination. If I don’t write it immediately, it’s gone. Poof. Vanished into blackhole.
8. Blogging still brings me joy — 8 years later
Despite the reading slumps, the guilt over unread ARCs, the occasional heartbreak over stats, and those “why am I still doing this?” days, I still genuinely love blogging. The writing, the connections, the thrill of shouting into the bookish void and having family yelling in the background— that’s the magic. That’s why I’m still here, eight years later. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thanks for sticking around all these years — whether you’ve been here from post one or you just stumbled in, you’re always welcome here. 💖
💬 Your turn!
Got any weird blogging facts of your own?
Are you a “review immediately” person or a “procrastinate and hope for divine inspiration” type?
What fuels your blogging — coffee, tea, chaos?
Just in case you missed,,,
- The Lady Sparks a Flame (The Damsels of Discovery #2) by Elizabeth Everett – touching and joyful historical romance
- The Love Remedy (The Damsels of Discovery #1) by Elizabeth Everett
- Confessions from the Blog Desk: 8 years of blogging and 8 Facts
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Books Teacup and Reviews
Hi, I'm Yesha, an Indian book blogger. Avid and eclectic reader who loves to read with a cup of tea. Not born reader but I don't think I’m going to stop reading books in this life. “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
21 Comments
Rebecca
I love this! It’s always fun to get a peek “behind the scenes” 🙂
“Community magic” is real! I definitely get ideas, even if it’s something that I see and then tweak to better fit my style.
I have a general idea of things I want to post about, and have a half dozen draft posts in various stages at any given time, but I’ve not been able to get to the NASA-level precision scheduling aspect …
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you! I also loved knowing about your process of blogging. 😀
Carla
Congratulations on 8 years of blogging, Yesha. With a young child at home, I admire your dedication. I can relate to many of these, but I am not good at getting my reviews done in a timely manner. I am doing much better this year though.
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you, Carla! This blog gave me something to hold on to and it also helped getting over a bad period of my life so I’m staying around as long as I can.
Carla
😀👏👏
Sumedha
Love this post! Congratulations on your blogversary!
I should write book reviews immediately because the details start to fade in my mind too but I also find that some time and distance helps me see the content of the book better and articulate my thoughts better, so I procrastinate a bit before writing. If I procrastinate too much, it never happens though 😂
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you! 😃 Some books require a time as there is always so much to say and all thoughts feel jumbled so for that I give it half a day or I take notes and draft post later when my brain is working better.
confessionsofayareader
Congratulations on 8 years!
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you! 😃
Cathy
Great post, Yesha. I enjoyed reading. I’m a mixture of ‘planner’ and ‘pouncer’ depending on the mood at the time.
Books Teacup and Reviews
Mix of both is can be helpful. Thank you, Cathy!
Briana | Pages Unbound
Congratulations on 8 years!
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you, Briana! 😃
jan @ inkspun tales
Congratulations on 8 years of blogging, that’s incredible! 🎊
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you 🧡
kathyscottage
Love it! Go you! We have so much in common. Happy 8 years!
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you! That’s great 😃
Teri Polen
I admire you for writing a review before starting the next book, Yesha. Generally I do better, but lately I’ve let a week and sometimes more go by before I start the review and have trouble remembering all the important points I wanted to discuss. Happy Blogiversary!
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you, Teri! That’s one habit I’ve maintained since the beginning of the month so it helped in the best way.
nickimags @ Secret Library Book Blog
Congratulations Yesha and Happy 8th Blogiversary! I loved reading this and can definitely see myself in your confessions! 😀
Books Teacup and Reviews
thanks, Nicki! So happy you could relate to these points 😃