Reflections of 2010

2010 has been a funny old year. There have been many highs but also a number of lows. On a personal front it was a huge relief in March to be told that my temporary Assistant Headteacher post was to be made permanent. This helped lift my spirits from the misery that had set in due to me having to pull out of making my debut run in the London Marathon due to shin splints. However, I have deferred so, legs permitting, I hope to be running it in 2011.

On the blog front 2010 was a truly amazing year. I started writing the blog towards the end of October 2009, never really believing that I would have the staying power to continue for more than a couple of months. However, it seems to have gone from strength to strength, thanks to the nice comments and emails I receive about it from readers, fellow bloggers, publishers and authors, and it has now become a big part of my life. There have been so many high points this year that I am sure I will forget some, but in no particular order:

• Being invited to several book launches;
• Meeting authors whose work I have enjoyed immensely at said book launches - in particular Sam Enthoven, Jon Mayhew and Bill Hussey;
• Meeting Liz de Jager and her husband Mark - Liz has been a huge source of encouragement as I have found my blogging feet;
• The Crystal Palace Children's Book Festival - having a meal afterwards and discussing all things bookish and horror with the likes of Sam Enthoven, Sarwat Chadda and Alexander Gordon Smith, as well as Twitter friends Liz and Lara;
• Seeing Darren Shan and Rick Riordan in Windsor and Winchester respectively;
• Being quoted on the back cover of Hattori Hachi: Stalking The Enemy by Jane Prowse.
• And the following quote about The Book Zone from TimeRiders author Alex Scarrow: "[The Book Zone] is quite possibly the best blog for young male readers out there!".

In 2011 I would like to be able to find the time to read a bit more, and also the time to review more of the books that I do read. I also have a couple of ideas of new things I want to bring to The Book Zone, including semi-regular posts about the books I enjoyed as I was a child/teenager and have contributed to making me the reader that I am today. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on The Book Zone in 2011 please do leave a comment and I will see what I can do.

Finally I feel I must express my thanks to everyone who has helped keep The Book Zone running this year: my long-suffering wife; the publishers who have been patient with me and have very generously kept me supplied with books to review; the authors who have always been so generous with their time when answering my interview questions; and very importantly, everyone who has read this blog over the past twelve months and especially the faithful few who follow it regularly or have to put up with my occasional mutterings on Twitter. I hope you all have a fantastic 2011!