Today marks the First Anniversary of Minnesota Reads. The idea for the site began in a class at The Loft and was born over beers and tator tots at Grumpy’s with some of my favorite writer friends (thank you Danielle, Karlyn, and Kelly for our encouragement).

August 10th marks the anniversary, because that’s when I first announced to the greater Internet that Minnesota Reads existed. Since then the site has been more successful than I ever imagined. When this site began I gave it three to four months, tops. I figured I’d get busy or distracted, disheartened, or I wouldn’t find enough writers.

Boy, I’ve never been so happy to be so wrong. Working on, writing for, and editing Minnesota Reads is nothing but pure joy. I owe most of that to the MN Reads’ reviewers. These writers come here every week to tell you about the books they read, not because I pay them (though I wish that I could) but solely because they love to talk about books. I am humbled by their dedication. It amazes me all the time, every day. We’re all here because we love books, it’s the common thread that binds us, and yet the voices, the books each writer chooses are so different. I love that.

There’s something really pure and joyful in that. They do it because they want to. How awesome is that?

Minnesota Reads has brought so much to my life, that I get a little choked up when I think about it. I got to learn what some of my favorite authors were reading (Charles Baxter, Norah Labiner) discover brand new authors (Nicole Helget, Scott Muskin), and I got an e-mail from one of the Replacements which probably means I can die happy.

Happy Anniversary Minnesota Reads!