Ten Years of Hippo History: Looking Back at Where It All Began

 

 

 

 

Recently, while rummaging through the Hippo Archives in search of old posts, forgotten adventures and evidence of past questionable decision-making, I found myself back at the very beginning.

On 10 May 2015, I published my first blog post.

At the time, I was simply a Hampshire bookworm who loved reading and wanted to write more reviews. I'd been taking part in Goodreads challenges for several years, happily rating books but rarely writing anything more than a few brief thoughts. I knew a couple of authors, understood how valuable reviews could be, and decided it was time to give something back.

Remarkably, ten years later, that strategy still seems to be working.

 

Looking back, my plans for The Hippo were surprisingly straightforward.

I wanted readers to discover authors.

I wanted authors to find readers.

I wanted books to be celebrated.

The highly sophisticated Diagram of Destiny™ looked something like this:

 

Reader  ✨✨✨\

             \

             

             /

Author  ✨✨✨/

 

Looking back now, what strikes me isn't how much has changed over the past ten years.

It's how much has stayed exactly the same.

My very first post included these words:

"I'm lucky enough to know a couple of authors and I know how important a review is as well as a rating and so I've decided it's time to return the favour to all the great writers out there..."

Without realising it, I'd already identified what would become the heart of The Haphazardous Hippo.

Yes, books have always been the reason I started blogging.

People are the reason I kept going.

What began as a simple idea eventually grew into something I could never have imagined. Over the years I've reviewed hundreds of books, discovered countless new favourites, connected with readers from all over the world and had the pleasure of getting to know many wonderful authors.

 Somewhere along the way, I also managed to host not one but two virtual book festivals, coordinate guest posts, organise author features and embark on more than a few unexpectedly ambitious projects.

Apparently, one year into blogging I decided that organising a multi-author virtual festival was perfectly reasonable. Looking back, I'm still not entirely sure what I was thinking. 🤣

 

 

Yet whenever I revisit those old posts, projects and adventures, I keep coming back to the same realisation.

 The books may have changed.

 The authors may have changed.

The blog itself has certainly evolved.

But the mission hasn't.

Ten years later, I still want readers to discover new authors.

I still want authors to find new readers.

I still want books to be celebrated.

And that's probably why The Haphazardous Hippo still feels so much like home.

As I write this, it feels as though the blog is entering a new chapter. New features are launching, authors are getting involved, old friends are reappearing and brand-new connections are being made. Watching it all unfold has reminded me exactly why I started this blog in the first place.

Not to chase statistics.

Not to collect followers.

Not to build a platform.

Simply because I love books and wanted to share that enthusiasm with other people.

What began with one nervous blog post from a self-confessed Hampshire bookworm has grown into ten years of reviews, friendships, opportunities, discoveries, laughter and more than a little chaos.

And honestly?

I wouldn't change a thing.

 

 

Over the past few days I've spent a lot of time wandering through the Hippo Archives. I've rediscovered forgotten adventures, revisited old features, smiled at long-forgotten conversations and reconnected with memories I'd almost forgotten were there.

In doing so, I've been reminded that while books may have brought us together, it's the people I've met along the way who have made this journey so special.

The books may have changed.

Ten years may somehow have disappeared in the blink of an eye.

But the heart of The Haphazardous Hippo remains exactly the same: celebrating books, championing authors and sharing the joy of reading with fellow book lovers.

Thank you to every author, reader, publisher, blogger and friend who has stopped by over the years. Whether you've been here since the beginning or you've only just stumbled across the Hippo enclosure, I'm incredibly grateful you've chosen to spend part of your reading journey with me.

Thank you for helping to make the last ten years so special.

 

 Here's to many more stories, friendships, bookish adventures and, of course, a little bit of haphazardous chaos along the way. 🦛💜📚✨