Some time last week, this blog passed its 500,00 hit milestone.
That’s 1551 posts, 915 reviews and 11, 727 comments!
44% of the books reviewed are by female authors, and there are 128 reviews of books in translation, and 114 reviews of debut Australian fiction. And although this blog is for lovers of literary fiction, there are also 209 reviews of non-fiction, 75% of which is Australian non-fiction.
This year was the third year I’ve hosted Indigenous Literature Week and there are now 35+ reviews of books by indigenous authors on the Indigenous Literature Reading List.
A big shout out to author Karenlee Thompson who has so generously contributed 23 Guest Reviews and without whom there would be no reviews of short story collections on this blog.
Clustr Maps shows that ANZ LitLovers’ readers come from all over the world, led by Australia, the US, the UK, Europe, India and South Africa. In the last six months more than 22,000 hits came from Australia (with Victoria at 7000+ leading the way but the Northern Territory snubbing me with only 41 hits). Clustr Maps tells me that I’ve even had a visitor from Kyrgyzstan. I used to think that hits from non-English speaking countries were all accidental, until I was assured by an expat in Russia that she loved hearing about Aussie books at ANZ LitLovers because it made her feel less homesick.
Enough of this bragging!
A big thank you to fellow bloggers who inspire and encourage me, especially Sue from Whispering Gums, Stu from Winston’s Dad, Tom Cunliffe from A Common Reader, Kim from Reading Matters, Kevin from Canada and John from Musings of a Literary Dilettante.
And a very grateful thanks to the readers who take the time to share their thoughts in comments. There was one this week from a reader called Nichola – her kindness made my day:}
Happy reading everyone!
ANZ LitLovers LitBlog 
Congrats on reaching half a million page views Lisa your blog has been a firm favourite of mine since I’ve been blogging looks like I may hit half a million in a couple of years and five posts behind and 1000 comments behind
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By: winstonsdad on July 16, 2014
at 10:39 pm
Hi Stu.
I’ve been amazed by the number of reviews you’ve posted over the last little while, it seems like there’s a new one almost every day. I don’t know how you do it!
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By: Lisa Hill on July 16, 2014
at 10:42 pm
I go in bursts these days Lisa
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By: winstonsdad on July 16, 2014
at 10:51 pm
You sure do, it’s taking all my willpower not to order everything you’ve reviewed lately.
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By: Lisa Hill on July 16, 2014
at 10:57 pm
That’s some milestone Lisa. Thank you for your wonderful blog. John
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By: musingsofaliterarydilettante on July 16, 2014
at 10:45 pm
*gasp* I forgot to add my thanks to you! I’m going to fix that right now!!
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By: Lisa Hill on July 16, 2014
at 10:54 pm
Well done Lisa … that’s impressive. I think I’m only about 9 months younger than you, blog-wise I mean (!), but have only written 865 posts. You are a whirlwind!
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By: whisperinggums on July 16, 2014
at 11:19 pm
Congratulations, Lisa.
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By: readinpleasure on July 16, 2014
at 11:30 pm
Warm congratulations to you, Lisa. I love reading your reviews.
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By: amandacurtin on July 17, 2014
at 2:14 am
My blog will hit the 500,000 mark sometime next month, so I can appreciate how you feel. Your blog is particularly special to me — I have an affinity for Australian fiction (well, New Zealand as well) and ANZ Litlovers has become my primary source of just what is on offer. So many special thanks.
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By: KevinfromCanada on July 17, 2014
at 2:24 am
Congrats, Lisa! That’s a brilliant achievement. I’m currently on a bit of a blog break… after 10+ years I’m feeling slightly at the end of my tether with it all and need to rethink my approach. Short of pulling the pin on the whole thing, I need to go away and dream it all up again. Watch this space!
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By: kimbofo on July 17, 2014
at 3:18 am
Wow! That’s a fantastic achievement, Lisa, and very well deserved. Congratulations!
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By: jacquiwine on July 17, 2014
at 3:28 am
Congrats Lisa. Bravo for all the good work you’re doing for Australian lit and literature in general.
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By: Emma on July 17, 2014
at 5:40 am
Congratulations and appreciation from a reader who has only recently found you but intends to keep on enjoying these posts. A LOT OF WORK so well done.
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By: Carol S on July 17, 2014
at 6:25 am
Congratulations Lisa. You are a global phenomenon with what, for most people, would be an exhausting output. Australian authors and their readers are indebted to you and I hope you find the energy to continue well into the future. The blogosphere would be a much bleaker place without ANZ Litlovers.
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By: karenlee thompson on July 17, 2014
at 8:02 am
Wonderful, Lisa! Congratulations.
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By: Madame Vauquer on July 17, 2014
at 8:52 am
Congratulations Lisa that is an amazing achievement. As you probably already know, I am an avid follower and can account for a few of your 500,000 hits *smile*. I have had so many good recommendations from your blog, it must take a huge amount of effort and time but we all appreciate it.
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By: sharkell on July 17, 2014
at 9:31 am
Fantastic, well done and keep up the good work!
Meg
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By: Meg on July 17, 2014
at 10:04 am
Congratulations, Lisa. It is a truly remarkable blog and I love it to bits. xx
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By: mccardey on July 17, 2014
at 10:32 am
Congratulations Lisa, and I don’t know how you are so prolific. Just wonderful.
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By: Jenny Ackland on July 17, 2014
at 5:30 pm
Thank you so much, everyone. How lovely it is to scan these comments, and realise afresh just how many friends I have made through blogging. I am a lucky woman indeed to know you all:)
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By: Lisa Hill on July 17, 2014
at 10:58 pm
Congrats Lisa.
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By: mantalini on July 17, 2014
at 10:59 pm
I love your reviews and I’m grateful for the enormous resource your blog has become. Congratulations.
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By: Bryce on July 18, 2014
at 9:37 pm
Thank you!
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By: Lisa Hill on July 18, 2014
at 11:39 pm
I wonder if it records my views of your blog – I read it through Feeddler Pro reader so don’t actually come live to your web page unless I want to comment :)
41 from the Territory is probably pretty good if you look at it in terms of percentage of population – there is only about 220,000 of us in total :)
Anyhow – congratulations on your milestone.
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By: sally906 on August 3, 2014
at 2:48 pm
You know what, Sally, it’s made me realise that I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by an author from NT.. I must try to rectify that.
Any recommendations?
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By: Lisa Hill on August 3, 2014
at 6:55 pm