Wow. I can't believe my half-year milestone of blogging crept up (and past) me like this! I seem to be forever unprepared for these things. I made my first post here on May 24th, though theoretically it might be better to count the days from when I posted my first review, which would set the six months mark at December 16. I wanted to post this a little in advance, but then end-of-semester-madness and near-disaster happened.
No matter which way you put it, time simply flew for me this past year! Half a year ago I never could have imaged the place I feel I'm at with this blog right now. I never thought I'd be reading ARCs (okay, they're digital so far but so what?!) or that my blog would have around 500 followers! That number seemed astronomical. And though I know not every one of you reads each of my posts, I want to thank you all for sticking around! I'm happy about every pageview and every single comment makes me smile before I even look at it! I feel like I've come to 'know' some of the more regular commenters and their blogs a bit. I know this sounds silly - it's just a few lines after all. But I feel that way anyway.
Not being social and part of the community enough is one thing I regret quite a bit at this point. I'm shy about approaching people, and I don't really know where or how. Are there forums or websites where bloggers 'talk shop', so to speak? Or is it all on Twitter? Another problem is that I'm so busy I often don't have the time to catch up on my twitter feed at all. This was especially bad for the last month or so. I overbooked my university schedule this semester, and along with my two jobs and occasionally meeting friends and reading and writing (not as much as I'd like) it's just all getting a bit much. That's also the reason why there have been more promo/meme posts lately and less reviews - something I want to balance out better in the future! I can't wait for the holidays and I hope I'll do better next semester!
There are still things I want to improve. Like a header, or a blog button. If you have any suggestions about what type of post you'd like to see, feel free to tell me in the comments! I've also been thinking about adding a weekly poetry-meme for a while now. What do you think of that?
Enough of my prattling and rambling. This is a celebration post after all, so let there be presents and a giveaway! Unfortunately, since it's so close to the holidays, I have to watch my money a bit so I can't give away two packages of three books each like last time, but I have selection of both old and new releases for you to choose from. Also, to help get the word out there about some indie authors I really enjoy, there's also a rafflecopter for a kindle eBook of your choice from the selection. So there are TWO rafflecopter forms for you to fill out and TWO chances to win. Both giveaways are INTERNATIONAL but please check the rules for details!
Rules:
- One entry per person / household. I check IP addresses.
- You must be at least 13 years old.
- Giveaway is international provided that The Book Depository ships to you. For the eBook giveaway you have to be able to accept kindle gifts.
- I will email the winner and they'll have 48 hours to respond. After that time has passed, I'll pick someone new.
- You may enter one or both rafflecopter forms.
- I will check all entries before picking a winner. Cheaters will be disqualified.
- Once the book has been shipped, I am no longer responsible for it.
- I will choose whichever edition is cheapest on The Book Depository.
- If a book is from a series and you already have it, you may choose a different installment of the same series.
- I reserve the right to change entry options or end the giveaway early.
Paperback choices:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Indie eBook choices:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Edge of Never
ReplyDeletePerhaps The Raven Boys. Happy half blog bday!
ReplyDeletei would like black city
ReplyDeleteand you are doing well^^ ( i'm shy too)
I would either pick the Raven Boys or Black City. Congrats on your Six Month Blogoversary.
ReplyDeleteLola and the boy next door/the edge of never. Happy Blogoversary.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogoversary! Black City looks awesome :) have another awesome 6 months!
ReplyDeleteSplintered or Touched! Happy blogiversary and thanks for the giveaway ^^
ReplyDeleteI'd choose Splintered! Happy 6 month Blogoversary! :)
ReplyDeleteI'd pick Splintered :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, re: checking IP addresses, I REALLY hope nobody else at my entire university reads your blog, because we all have the same IP address.
It's usually not exactly the same down to the last digit. Besides, I also check the time when people entered when I do that - 3 entries from the same IP under different names within 10mins is a little suspicious ;) But also unlikely when it's different people from a university... so I wouldn't worry :)
DeleteSplintered! I love retold fairy tales!
DeleteI think Splintered! :)
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
I would love to read Black City!
ReplyDeleteLilian @ A Novel Toybox
I'd choose either Black City or Splintered--thanks!! :)
ReplyDeleteSplintered sounds like an amazing book which I've been wanting to read for the past 6 months, there are a lot of good looking books up there! Thank you for the awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love the button for the giveaway :)
Black City or the Raven Boys
ReplyDeleteTHE RAVEN BOYS or SPLINTERED would be my pick. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMaybe FLIGHT.
ReplyDeleteIndigo Awakening. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI would choose The Raven Boys. :]
ReplyDeleteHappy 6 Month Blogoversary!!! I'd choose either Indigo Awakening or Touched. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary, and congrats!!
ReplyDeleteMy choice would be Lola and The Boy Next Door.
Thank you :)
I'd choose Splintered.
ReplyDeleteI'd choose Dearly Departed or Splintered and the Edge of Never.
ReplyDeleteMasque of the Red Death. Thanks.
ReplyDeletemagic5905 at embarqmail dot com
I'd like Black City for paperback and The Edge of Never for the epub.
ReplyDeleteI have a suggestion for an indie ebook, Project ELE by Rebecca Gober & Courtney Nuckels. It's a YA sci-fi dystopian. I loved it. The authors are pretty cool people too.
I'd like Black City :D
ReplyDeleteI'd choose Ten tiny breaths or Black City.
ReplyDeleteI understand how tricky it can be balancing university, a blog, your life and other hobbies. I wish I had a sensible advice, but I've been there until recently and wasn't any smarter. Just don't pressure yourself and enjoy it :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your blogoversary!
I'd choose either The Raven Boys or Black City, both are on my TBR list. Thanks for a giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteI would like Days of Blood and Starlight! Can't believe I don't have this one yet ;P
ReplyDeleteBlack City or The Raven Boys. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteTouched!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting the giveaway :)
I'd like The Raven Boys.
ReplyDeleteThanks
I would love Black City. I've been wanting to read that for ages now
ReplyDeleteTen Tiny Breaths
ReplyDeleteIndie Books - The Edge of Never
Thanks for the giveaway
I`d like either Indigo Awakening or Black City :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for a chance to win.
Happy 6 month blogaversary :)
I`d like Splintered and The Edge of Never
ReplyDeleteI think I'd choose Splintered! I've heard so many great things about it and can't wait to read it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am torn, but probably Splintered! Thank you!
ReplyDeletesplintered :)
ReplyDeleteDark City. :)
ReplyDeleteTouched maybe (:
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
I think I'd choose Splintered :D
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I would probably pick Splintered.
ReplyDeletePaperback: probably Splintered
ReplyDeleteeBook: Slumber
paperback- Black City
ReplyDeleteJolene A
e-book- The Edge of Never
ReplyDeleteJolene A
I would probably pick Dearly Departed or the Raven Boys
ReplyDeleteI think I would like Dearly Departed, thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read Dearly Departed. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love Splintered or Touched
ReplyDeleteI would like to have The Raven boys, please!
ReplyDeletethanks
i'd pick The Raven Boys or The Secret of Ella and Micha :D !
ReplyDeleteI'd probably choose Lola and te Boy Next Door. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI would probably choose Notes from the Blender or Splintered. :)
ReplyDeleteoddball2003 at hotmail dot com
black city or indigo
ReplyDeleteI would choose Splintered!!! Amazing giveaway!!
ReplyDelete