We have been having fun with Top Ten Tuesday, so we decided we will do one every week. This bookish meme was hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and has been going since June 2010! Since January 2018 Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week’s topic is a thankful freebie in honor of American Thanksgiving. I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving but do have a lot to be thankful for! And today I wanted to share all the bookish meetings I’m thankful for. So let’s dive in!

1.Meeting Karin Slaughter

Karin Slaughter might be one of the first authors I ever met and got a personalized signed book from. She has been one of my favorite authors for a very long time so this was super special. I was still walking with crutches when she came to the Netherlands and I walked all through Delft (an old city centre where you can’t use your car) with my brother. He was so kind to bring me and stay with me even though we had to wait in line for quite a while. So grateful for this experience!

2. The Throne of Glass Readalong I participated in

                

This might seem a bit random, but it was because of this readalong I met the girls I now call Bookbabes and of which Candyce is also a part. Without that readalong there wouldn’t have been a The Bookdutchesses blog and that’s so crazy to think about! These girls have been a big part of my life for over 4 years now and I can’t imagine not talking to them. Candyce and I talk even more because of this blog and I’m so grateful for everything we accomplished and all the fun times we’ve had.

3. Meeting Jenny Han

One of the first characters I really related to was Lara Jean by Jenny Han. So I was super grateful to have the opportunity to meet her when she came to the Netherlands. Jenny is so funny and simply a wonderful person. It was a really fun day and I can’t wait to see what Jenny does after the Lara Jean books. Although I wish it was a Lara Jean the University years series haha.

4. Reading in front of my Masters degree classmates

           

Another seemingly random one. But when I was reading a YA book in front of some of my classmates from my masters degree one of the girls started talking to me about books. And we all know there are no faster friendships than those between people who love the same books 😉 She is still one of my closest friends and I attended her wedding this summer. We still bond over books but it has become so much more than just books. It’s crazy to think we met because of a book but I’m super grateful!

5. Meeting V.E. Schwab

We recently met V.E. Schwab and you probably all know that I LOVED it! I was close to tears while listening to Victoria speak. She has such a way with words and I would’ve been happy to sit there for hours and hours. It was also very inspiring and I’m super excited for her next book.

6. YalfestNL

          

I believe there have been 4 YalfestNL editions and I have attended two. It was a great experience and I was so grateful for all the authors they were able to bring to the Netherlands. We don’t get that many authors here so I’m grateful for every single one we do get and I try to go to as many as I can. I’ve discovered some amazing books because I wanted to read books by the authors attending and I’m also ashamed to say I still have some personalized books unread haha. If I’m correct, there won’t be another YalfestNL but Candyce and I hope to attend YALC in 2020!

7. Meeting Kristen Ciccarelli

Candyce and I went to Utrecht to meet Kristen Ciccarelli. We both hadn’t read her book yet when she came to the Netherlands but as I said, we don’t get many authors so we try to go to those we can. Kristen was such a sweet and kind person and it was great meeting her. I also got super excited to read her book, which I really enjoyed. The next two books in her series are out and I should really read them soon haha.

8. Monthly Meeting Bookbabes

I mentioned the Bookbabes above. We met through a Throne of Glass readalong and I shared every moment of my life with them every since! After our initial meeting the group sized down a bit haha. We didn’t seem to click as well with everyone but now we have a wonderful group. I’ve been to a bachelorette, a wedding, went on a holiday with one of the girls, attended multiple concerts, went to a festival, went to book signings, ate a ton of food, celebrated Christmas, and just talked and laughed and cried with them for the last four years. So grateful for this wonderful bunch of weird minions <3

9. Meeting Marissa Meyer

As soon as it was announced that Marissa Meyer would come to the Netherlands I knew I had to get my hands on tickets. I really enjoy all of her books I read so far, and I’ve got a few more to go! This was a super fun meeting and I liked how they organized everything. There was also a professional photographer so everyone got a nice picture.

10. Coming in to contact with all our super sweet readers

And last but certainly not least, I am so so grateful for every single person that ever visited our blog. We keep on growing and have more views and visitors and comments each month. It’s been a little over two years since we started our blog and we still can’t believe we’re doing so well! Everyone is incredibly sweet and we love all the interaction. I truly hope we’ll be able to keep doing this for a long time and that we keep on growing our little corner of the internet <3

These are 10 of the bookish meetings I’m grateful for but of course there are more! And I hope to add more and more every year. It’s great to be reminded of all the things I have, of all the amazing experiences I was privileged to have and I can’t wait to find out what more is in store for me.