Buffy's in 2024

I posted the first Instagram post on Buffy’s on 21st April, since then we have amassed over 5,000 subscribers on here, I have organised and hosted a total of 11 events; 8 book clubs, one reading event, one book swap and one pub quiz. We have shared our opinions, good and bad, on 9 different books, and left (on the day of me writing this) 2848 messages on our Substack threads. No number of ‘thank yous’ can convey how grateful I am for every single one of you. 

I have been sharing various things online for over 10 years now, it’s incredible how quickly something can go from an ideation in my mind, to being out there in the world. Buffy’s was the longest I have taken to announce something, and the most scared I have been to launch something new. Truth be told, I am not that confident in about talking about books. I listen to other’s discuss what they love in a novel and am confronted by how amateur my own description feels in comparison. But, what I do have, is an incredible amount of support from you. And realising that I did not have to be the only one formulating an opinion about a book, is the moment that Buffy’s became what it is. The space for you all to share what you think and feel, what you like and don’t like, what you want this community to become. I have learnt so much in the last 8 months, the way I read is transforming, the focus of my day to day work is shifting... my life is quite literally changing.

Together, we have built something quite remarkable, and I hope this is only just the beginning. For 2025, I am brimming with ideas. I hope to be able to take Buffy’s to different countries, offer reading retreats, more pub quizzes, more collaborations with brands that you are involved in, all the while keeping the monthly book clubs as the beating heart of Buffy’s. I want to be able to share more online, create more content, start more threads, create a space for book lovers to talk about all things related to reading. In short, to make this a space for readers to connect with one another, all around the world.

Thank you to every single one of you in this community. Truth be told, I am really only a very small part in making this space what it is, the vast majority of that is down to all of you and how much time you dedicate to your love for reading and for sharing that love with others. I think my favourite thing about Buffy’s is watching every one interact with one another, each of us simultaneously expanding and honing in on our reading tastes as we pass on recommendations. In an online world ruled by algorithms, there is something increasingly sacred about personal recommendations.

So once again, thank you, from the very bottom of my heart. I hope I can keep showing my thanks by making Buffy’s a corner of the internet that you can keep returning to to feel connected and amongst like minded people. Anything you want to see happen on this platform, please always send a message to let me know - it’s been ever evolving thanks to your feedback!

Lizzy

xx