Sunday, December 28, 2014

Happy 2nd Blogoversary To Me! + Giveaway (INT)

GUYS. I'VE BEEN BLOGGING FOR TWO YEARS. *flails*

OHMERGAWD
Two years ago today I made the decision to make a book blog, without a plan nor a goal--just a few scribblings on my notebook and a blog title that I had pulled out of the blue.

It was my first year of high school. I noticed all the students around me had talents and motivations and hobbies, while the only hobby I had was reading (not that there's anything wrong with that). I wanted to do something that would set me apart from my peers, something that would make me unique. After stalking a few blogs, (that I had discovered on Goodreads) I set about creating a blog during my Winter break, knowing little to nothing on reviewing and on blogging in general.


My first year of blogging was nothing compared to this year; while in my first year I was a bit shy and clueless, over time I became more confident in my reviewing abilities and in forging relationships with other bloggers.

This year, I wasn't afraid of publishers, and took the plunge into requesting ARCs. I'm not saying I was entirely successful on the first try, maybe not on the second or third, but eventually, I did get accepted for the books I requested, and I even got on the mailing list of Bloomsbury. Thank you to the pubs for these reviewing opportunities!

The past year, I've also been on a diversity panel for KidLitCon 2014 in Sacramento, California. It was amazing to meet fellow kidlit bloggers in real life, and especially rewarding to present on a panel with the wonderful ladies: Hannah from mclicious, Faythe from YALSA, and Kelly from STACKED. And everyone else who I had the pleasure of talking to and meeting: thanks for making the con such a great experience!

Andandand, this year I submitted to be a Cybils judge and got accepted! It's basically a book award run by bloggers that "recognizes the children’s and young adult authors and illustrators whose books combine the highest literary merit and popular appeal" (from their page). I also did a guest post for YALSA for Teen Read Week. :)

For everyone who I've ever talked to/fangirled with/has left a comment on my blog: I want to THANK YOU so much for motivating me to keep blogging and to keep reading critically. And a shout-out to my GR buddies these past two years who got me through my reading slumps and through the ups and downs of life. More recently I  got addicted became more active on Twitter, and to all my blogging friends on there: you guys are the best.


Last but not least, thanks to my old co-blogger, Tierra (who now goes by Lara, and blogs at The Paperback Palace) who made blogging infinitely more fun, because hey, two is always better than one.

Blogging has been such an amazing experience and has taught me so many valuable lessons. I hope I don't stop or tire of it anytime in the coming years--it really has shaped my life for the better.

CORNY SENTENCE FTW. ^.^

And now a giveaway to express my thanks. It's international, as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.
Rules:
  • You must be at least 13 years old to enter.
  • The book you choose must be under $15, and before entering make sure TBD ships to your country. 
  • No cheating, please, I'm planning on going through every entry to make sure you did what you entered. If not, I'll eliminate all your entries. (Sorry if  I sound harsh. >.>)

17 comments:

  1. Congrats on your blogoversary and thanks for the giveaway!

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  2. Congrats, Summer! Two years blogging is an amazing achievement -- it's great that you're able to stick so long :P Btw, your post just reminded me that yesterday was actually my two years blogoversary as well. Yay to us haha! I often read your reviews at GR and I think they're all very detailed, well-written and hilarious. Here's for more blogging years to come!

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  3. Congrats to you, lady! It was such a treat to meet you this year, and it was an even bigger treat to present with you at Kid Lit Con. Keep up the awesome work you're doing here.

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  4. It seems so many of us are celebrating our 2 year blogaversaries this week (mine is on new years days) and we all started at the same time. Two years is incredible, especially with you balancing school and so many events throughout the year. 2014 really was year of the Summer <3

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  5. Yayyy!! Congrats on two years, Summer! So exciting and thanks for the mention (you introduced me to the blogging world and taught me so much, thanks!). To me, two years seems like such a long time to be blogging, but it's awesome! Can't wait to see what you have in store for this year :)

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  6. YAY blogoversary! Many more years to come, I know. <3

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  7. Happy blogoversary!

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  8. Congrats Summer!!!! It's great that you've kept blogging for so long! I just celebrated my first blogaversary. Thanks for the giveaway! 😁

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  9. Happy 2 year Blogoversary Summer!!! *flails* What an achievement! I think we started around the same time? I'm so bad I honestly need to check my start date lol.
    Your blog really has come far especially this past year! I didn't even know about so,e of those accomplishments! I'm so proud of you! You know I've been a lover and follower of your blog since day 1 and I can honestly say you're one of the ones I always have to check on...maybe that's because you're in my sidebar lol :P you're there fora reason!
    So glad that you got on a mailing list, that is BIG. I recently started getting more arcs in the mail...as opposed to like one or two i got if I requested. I'm glad you were persistent, that's important.
    Wow this is long but I just wanted to say congrats, you're awesome, I'm proud of you, keep going, and I know how much hard work goes into each year...(day month etc) so bravo!
    Lots of love!
    -Diamond Dee @ Dee's Reads

    PS- on the rafflecopter I put my IG name wrong I think, it's DiamondNaz but I put enter before it loaded so in case it's wrong oops :)

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  10. Congrats on your two years of blogging! May you have lots of books and blogging love this 2015 :)


    Review: Love and Other Theories@TRD

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  11. Amazing that you started in freshmen year of high school :O
    Congrats on going so far!

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  12. Congratulations on your blogoversary! I think it's so cool how you got to be a blogger.

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  13. SUMMER! I don't nearly comment on your blog enough, but you are one of my favorite bloggers out there. Your reviews are always so well-explained and critical, and I love the way you manage to sneak so many amazing puns in them. ;) Whenever I visit your blog I know I'm going to have a good laugh!

    Thank you for being such an awesome blogger & friend! ♥ Congrats on 2 years!

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  14. I know this won't be the biggest comment here, but I want to thank you SO MUCH for this giveaway. I don't have words to express how happy I am but believe me, I AM SO HAPPY because I will have one chance to win, If I don't, then I'll get more chances in life, just like the others. THANKS!

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  15. Congrats! I started following you because I follow Kelly Jensen, and she kept mentioning how awesome you are. I'm always impressed by your words - you are so much more insightful and eloquent than I was at your age, maybe even than I am now! Please keep it up!

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  16. Congrats to you! Keep up the great work :)

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