UPDATE: Extending my blogoversary giveaway for a week!

Hey everyone! This is a quick update to let you know that I have decided to extend my blogoversary giveaway until next Sunday (26/6) so if you haven't yet entered, this is your chance to do so. It's international if you live in a country that the Book Depository deliver to and there are 10 fabulous books that the winner can choose from. 

To find out more and to see the books the winner can choose from, visit the giveaway post HERE! Thank you to everyone who has already entered and to those who have helped by spreading the word- I really appreciate it  =)

1 Year Blogoversary Celebration: Books I wouldn't have read without book blogging

Over the past year I've read some amazing books and my TBR list has grown out of control and I know that I probably wouldn't ever have read/ discovered some of these books I've loved (or not loved) if it wasn't for book blogging. And I want to celebrate these books! Here's a list of then:

Vampire Academy and Frostbite by Richelle Mead

I always said to myself that I would never read a vampire book before I started blogging despite never even trying one. I had a preconceived idea that I would hate all paranormal books before I'd even given them a chance. This changed when I was recommended the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead by Jess Hearts Books and saw how many other bloggers enjoyed them too. When I was asked if I would like to review Vampire Academy by the publisher for the release of Last Sacrifice, I took the chance gladly and was surprised to find that I actually liked it. I've now read the second book too and plan to read the rest of the series too.

Other paranormal books I quite liked are and would never have read before are:

The Need Pixies series by Carrie Jones

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

Waterfall by Lisa T Bergen

I haven't reviewed Waterfall yet but I read it last month and oh did I LOVE it! It was as if everything I love in a book had been rolled into the perfect package. I'm so excited about reading the sequel Cascade, which was just released. The reason I might not have discovered it without blogging is that its published in the US and I wouldn't have found it in the library or my local bookshop. It was Small Review's fantastic review of it that real persuaded me to read it so thank you Small :D

Other US books I might not have discovered are:

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

The Queen's Daughter by Susan Coventry

Prisoners Of The Palace by Michaela Mcoll

Bumped by Megan Mcafferty

I didn't use to read dystopian books but when I saw all the praise and good reviews for Bumped around the blogosphere it sparked my interest and I got an e-galley off NetGalley. Whilst in the end, Bumped wasn't the book for me I'm still glad that I read it.

This goes the same for Delirium by Lauren Oliver and Matched by Allie Condie

Contemporary books

I had read very few contemporary books before blogging and I think this was because I found in my early reading experiences that the historical books for children were more interesting to read because they had more description and more believable characters than contemporaries like Jaquelin Wilson's books I tried (not that I'm bashing Wilson at all- she's fantastic at getting some children into reading!) . However I've found several that I've really liked through review books and recommendations and my idea of contemporaries has been changed:

Drawing With Light and Breathing Underwater by Julia Green

When I was sent these I enjoyed reading them more than I thought I would and I've recommended them to several people at my school. My favourite thing about them was the beautiful descriptions because I'd never encountered them in a contemporary book before.

Flawless by Lara Chapman

I liked this one for it's strong and likable characters each with their own flaws-a recommended read!

What books have you read that you probably wouldn't have without the book blogosphere?

1 Year Blogoversary Celebration: Blogging firsts and other facts

As part of my blogoversary celebration, this post is a little reflection on my first year as a book blogger  in stats and my blogging firsts. I've said it before in my other blogoversary posts but thank you to everyone who has made my 'blogging firsts' happen!

Blogging Firsts 

1. My first ever comment was from Bookalicious Ramblings (thank you)
2. My first ever follower was Bookalicious Ramblings (thank you)
3. My first review was I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison
4. The first giveaway I held was for reaching 150 followers
5. My first author interview was with Sophie Mckenzie
6. My first guest post was from Jess from Jess Heart's Books on the Vampire Academy series
7. The first book I won from a blog was Nine Days A Queen by Carolyn Meyer from Kelsey Sutton- A YA writer
8. The first Coverlicious post I wrote was on different Pride and Prejudice covers

Stats and other randsom facts

1. I've written 275 posts

1. I don't know quite how many reviews I've written because I keep forgetting to tag them (yes, I plan to do this from now on....)
2. I've done 5 author interviews, which have all been lots of fun! Thank you to all the authors :)
3. I've had 2 guest posts on the blog, which I really enjoyed reading
4. I gained 331 followers in my first year- you're all awesome!
5. I've held 4 giveaways and am now holding my fifth (yay!)
6. I've participated in In My Mailbox 19 times
7. I've participated in Waiting On Wednesday 14 times
8. I've written 17 Coverlicious posts
9. I've had several blog backgrounds but I've stuck with the header I use now right from the beginning
10. The first challenge I participated in was the Jane Austen 2010 Challenge
11. I'm hosting the Georgette Heyer Challenge 2011 and so far I've loved the Heyer books I've read

Remember to check out the international blogoversary giveaway I'm holding HERE- Thank you to everyone who has entered already!

                              

It's My 1st Blogoversary!

Guess what day it is today? It's Book's Are A Girl's Best Friend's first blogoversary and I truly can't believe I've been blogging for a whole year! The phrase time flies when you're having a good time comes to mind....

It's been exactly a year since I wrote my first proper blog post (although I didn't start blogging properly until about 2 months after) on the 29th May 2010 after discovering a few book blogs but unaware of the community out there. I started blogging because I wanted to have an outlet to share my love of books as I didn't have any reader friends and I'm so glad that I did.

I never expected my blog to develop the way it has or even thought that anyone would actually read my ramblings let alone 'follow' me. Despite times not always going smoothly, right from the start the book blogging community has been so helpful and supportive and I never stop being amazed at your kindness. I've had an incredible year chatting with other people who love reading just as much as me, growing my TBR list at an astounding speed, trying new genres, taking part in events/memes and most importantly having TONs of fun talking about books! You can here more about my favourite blogging experiences later in the week.

This blog wouldn't be what it is today without YOU so I just want to take this opportunity to say a massive

to everyone who has ever visited the blog, followed it, left a comment, entered a giveaway or helped and supported it in any way. You're amazing and I wish I could explain how much I appreciate everything- here's a virtual bunch of flowers! I won't name people but a particular thanks goes to my special blogging buddies :D

Here are some other posts I've got planned to celebrate my blogoversary

• A giveaway (nothing awesomely big but a thank you for everyone)
• Blogging Firsts and Facts
• Why I Love Book Blogging- my favourite things
• Books I might not have read without blogging

I would have liked to have done something extra special but school has been hectic recently. I hope you enjoy what I've got planned  :)

Here's to another brilliant year of book blogging!

P.S I'm still having a commenting problem so I won't be able to reply to anyone until it gets fixed- sorry.