State of the Blog: Six Years Later

We're entering the seventh year of this blog, which shocks the utter hell out of me when I really think about it. A blog made out of boredom to stave off COVID-era depression ultimately became something I've put actual time and effort into. So was that time and effort put into a good year of content? And what does the future hold going into this seventh year? Let's find out as we take a moment to talk about 2025-2026's blog content.

When I ended the blog last year I wasn't entirely sure of how this year would go down. I was in a bit of a content slump, was realizing a lot of my avenues for books to blog were drying up and that I didn't really know just how much I'd add this year. And then my prayers were answered by seven girls in Stoneybrook. This was the Baby-Sitters Club year of the blog. Going from a series I neglected massively to managing to pump out over 30 blogs in the span of the year over. This includes the main series, the Super Specials and the Little Sister books, along with recaps after every ten mainline book. Why BSC? Well, I just got into a groove with them and they're very easy content to read and review. And I think there has been interest in me talking about the books as I go through them. I stalled early into 2026 with content, but I do plan to be back. Given we're in the 40th anniversary year there's still lots of content to talk about. 

In terms of blog growth, we ended last year with about 150,000+ views. To say this year was a massive improvement is an understatement. For the majority of 2025 we were doing good with the numbers starting to grow steadily. Then in October, things started to improve with a massive bump of 24,000+ views. Then November happened. Where we went from the 24,000+ views to a massive 54,000+ views. It's never reached that height since, but things have been consistent that, with a lull or two, the blog has seen views of over 10K. This has brought the blog to over 340,000+ views, meaning in one year the blog has gained more views than it did in over five years, which is just incredible. Glad to see people enjoying, or at least reading, my work. Definite motivator to making more blogs in the future.

But, eventually I landed in that contentless slog again. After a high-energy first half, I slowed down big time around February. June was an indicator of things shifting out of that slump as I've since been able to begin covering the final required Ghosts of Fear Street books for the blog. As it stands, I have two books left and the Horrific Hindsight to recap it afterwards. In other works, I covered the recent Goosebumps book releases, along with Stine's horrid new standalone book, covered the most expensive Bone Chillers book without paying a cent, continued forays into Give Yourself Goosebumps and Animorphs, which I do intend to return to soon. This IS the 30th anniversary for that as well. Fear Street's main series is almost complete and I've finished the New Fear Street book series. Seniors will likely be next when I get around to it. And I still have a lot of other plans that I still want to get to, but haven't had the chance to get around to. Hopefully this will be the year to do so, depending on if certain very stupid attacks on free speech don't go through, but given this fucking timeline I haven't much hope. 

Overall, this was a good year, for views, for content, for just getting me out of the funk I was in this time last year. Granted, still in a funk for a lot of outside factors, but escaping those through book blogs really helped this year, so one can hope that can keep going. I think I've improved on my writing this year, tried to expand conclusions as best I can with my thoughts on each particular book. Granted, a lot of them just don't have enough meat for long throughs, but the ones that do I at least managed to break down much better than, say, the first year of the blog. Even with certain content drying up, I still think there's a lot I have left to talk about and to offer in the years to come. So this blog isn't as close to death as sometimes I fear it would be. 

With that said, it's our yearly look at progress.

The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew: Not yet. Every year I consider it and every year I neglect doing it. Will this finally be the year? 

Bailey School Kids: We stalled on this one, but I do plan to get some more in soon.

The Baby-Sitters Club: A break was taken and soon that break will end. More in the works.

Sweet Valley: I think with how well received the BSC blogs have gotten since I went further into the series, it makes me more interested in trying.

Wayside: Still being considered. 

Post-Animorphs Applegate (EverWorld/Remnants): Animorphs will likely NOT be done by 2027, but I still plan to get it done in the future, so these could still be touched upon.

More adult works (King for example): Still in consideration. Might finally get Superstitious done.

Older works (The Oz or Tolkien books for example): Still considering that little side series I was thinking about and might finally get started on that soon. No promises.

Books based on stuff like Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who: Still a big ol' "Maybe?"

The books with the boy wizard: NEVER.

Year five started strong, then slowed down. I think that's just how this blog operates. We haven't had a super energetic 2026 so far, but I do think that's starting to change course. And the summer months usually make me require something to ignore the heat, so that should at least mean more content. And hopefully another strong year for views and interest. So if you're new here or have stuck with me since damn near the beginning, thank you for checking this blog out and I hope you keep enjoying what I have to offer in the future.