Friday, October 4, 2013

One Year Blogoversary Giveaway!

October marks the starting point of this blog. Blue Sky Bookshelf has been running for one year, people.


This all started because of two reasons: 
  1. I had the common problem of most book lovers, which was that no one I knew loved books as much as I did. If they did, which probably happened a maximum of once, they didn't have the same taste in books as I do.
  2. My sister had started a blog earlier that year and every time we were together, she kept pressuring me to blog. She claimed that there were so many people like us, it would be a great way to develop thoughts, and really, what was the harm? If I didn't like it, I could always stop. 
Well, I caved. It was probably one of the best decisions I ever made too since I have experienced more than I ever dreamed that sounds so corny, but it's so true. I won't list stats because I think it's incredible that I even made it this far. A year ago, I had zero people to interact with, zero followers, zero reviews, and zero everything. I reread the same books over and over, not trusting my sister's suggestions (ever since she picked out The King's Shadow for a school reading assignment for me *shudders at the past torture*) and as silly as it sounds, not trusting myself to branch out. But then blogging forced me to pick books my eyes usually only skimmed over. Who knew there were so many books and authors out there?!

I also can't even begin to list all the amazing people I have met in the past year. I don't have the greatest memory and I know I would kick myself later for forgetting a key person. Just know that I appreciate all the squeal-fests, ranting sessions, fist pumps, hugs, support, comments, and everything else that you all have done for/with me through the grand internet. All of you have shaped my reading habits as well as likes and dislikes, contributing to showing me a whole new world. *breaks out into song*

Along with other bloggers and readers, I have met the most amazing authors. From interviewing several of them (Robin LaFevers, Marissa Meyer, and Stacey Kade) to meeting them in person (Leigh Bardugo, Ally Carter, and Jessica Brody) to having lovely chats and connecting with them (Natalie Richards, Stacey Kade, and bff Jessica Brody) to many other encounters with many other authors; I realized that they really are amazingly nice and down-to-earth. The fangirl inside of me has danced in the computer chair too many times to count when an author replied via Twitter or commented on here. Would I have ever been able to connect with them without this blog? Nope, not for me anyways. 

So after all that rambling mush, to celebrate this humongous moment in my blogger life, I'm doing TWO giveaways! However, this will only be for followers since this is commemorating the start of the blog and all the lovely people who have read it. 

Prize 1: a book of your choice from The Book Depository up to $15 and this is INTERNATIONAL as well! Don't worry about shipping factors because I have Amazon Prime.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize 2: one of these ARCs (or paperbacks) that I have received this past year, but only for people in the US. Shown below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

OR one of these: 
http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/13687883?shelf=up-for-grabs

~*~
Each one must follow three rules: 
  • Must be a follower (duh).
  • Must respond to the email notification in 48 hours or less.
  • Must not cheat (double duh). 
Enter, share, and hopefully win. I'll just be over here, resuming my little dance party. 

33 comments:

  1. WOO! Happy blogoversary Sunny!
    It's amazing all of the things you can do when you start blogging! And I love that authors are so friendly and interact with you :)
    Your blog has been one of my favourite since I came across it last year and I hope you'll have a great year next year too! :D
    I think I'd probably pick The Chaos of Stars if I won :)
    Congratulations again! And thanks for the giveaway Sunny!

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  2. Congrats! I'd pick The Archived, thanks. :D

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  3. Congratulations Sunny! Your blog is one of my favourites and one I definitely need to visit more. Reaching one year is really awesome and best wishes for the year to come. Thanks for the giveaway, I wouldn't be able to choose!

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  4. Ahhh, congrats! One year is such an exciting milestone. As for the book, I'd probably choose Camp Boyfriend or Six Months Later.

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  5. Yayyy!! Congratulations!! How exciting. :) What I love most about your blog is you're always doing happy dances!! :D It seems like you don't rant and complain like so many others do. Great job creating such a happy, fun blog! :)

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  6. Happy blogoversary!!! *Dances along with dance party gifs* You're one of my favorite bloggers and I always love seeing your reviews! Before I followed you on Bloglovin, I wouldn't get post notices that fast so I added your blog to My Favorites so I could check it for new posts every day. :) One of my favorite things about this blog is your in-depth reviews and all your awesome gifs that go so perfectly with what you're talking about.

    Alice @ Alice in Readerland

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  7. Yay Sunny! Congrats on your one year blogoversary! So happy to have "met" you this year, and love seeing your enthusiasm shine through your book reviews. Keep having fun with your blog!

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  8. Happy blogoversary!!!!! Love your blog! And congratulations! May you have many more blogoversaries!

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  9. Happy birthday to your blog! It's amazing how quickly one year of blogging passes and how much you learn during that span of time. I am so glad you started because having known you for almost a year now (what?) I cannot imagine the blogging community without you. Keep on writing a brilliant blog, talking to awesome authors, and connecting with the community, and I hope to see you for many more blogging anniversaries.

    What do I like about your site? Besides everything? Well, I love all te visuals. I've said this before, but I am completely in awe of your GIF skills, and I always like seeing the snapshots from your real life that you occasionally include in your monthly wrap up or more personal posts.

    Enjoy the rest of your proud blog mom day and savor the time before the terrible twos set in! (Because we all view our blogs as our children, right?)

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  10. Happy blogoversary, Sunny! For some reason, I've been thinking that your blog was older than a year! Congrats. :) Here's to several more!

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  11. Happy Blogoversary to you!
    I just foud your blog and I love it! I plan to visit often!

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  12. Congratulations! :)
    Some things I really like about your blog are your amazing reviews and the gifs you put!
    If I won I'd like to win Insurgent, Allegiant or Maze Runner, I'm not sure yet

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  13. Yay for being a year old! I always enjoy your posts and the fun personality you bring to them. :)

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  14. Congrats! I've been blogging for nearly one year myself, but only got a tenth of your followers so far. Not that I worked very hard at it, while obviously you did :). Well done!

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    1. P.S.: as for what you could do in order to improve your blog...well, nothing, really :). You're a fun, lively person and it shows.

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  15. Happy 1 Year Blogoversary!! I hope the coming year(s) are even better for you! I think I would pick Time Between Us or Six Months Later. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  16. Congrats on the one year blogging, Sunny! You've done an excellent job with your posts and I always find them entertaining. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  17. Happy blogoversary!! Your blog is great- love it! If i do win I'd go for Not a Drop to Drink (for the INT giveaway) .

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  18. Happy blogoversary, Sunny! I love visiting your blog and the hilarious use of GIF's in some of your posts. Thanks so much for the great giveaway :)

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  19. Congrats girl! I would like to win Insurgent by Veronica Roth :)
    (Ileana A.-rafflecopter)

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  20. Happy blogoversary! :)
    Book from my wish list :)

    Thanks for the great opportunity :)

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  21. Happy blogoversary!
    I'd love to win Divergent or Allegiant by Veronica Roth. From the book list, How My Summer Went Up In Flames and Six Months Later sound amazing!
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway :)

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  22. Happy blogoversary!!
    I would love to win Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake. Thank you for the international giveaway :)

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  23. Out of the books listed, I want the Archived. Out of any book.. gee. O.O There are so many I could choose.

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  24. Happy Blogoversary!!! The year really does go quick, huh? Here's to another great year!

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  25. i love how animated your blog is (literally!). I'm a huge fan of gifs so I love how you incorporate them. I'd be glad to take Six Months Later off your hands :3.

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  26. Congratulations!!! I like to have Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund if ever I win.

    -Dannielle

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  27. Congrats!!! I would pick Teardrop or Endless Knight! Thanks for the chance to win :)

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  28. I love the amazing reviews and ur blog is awesome

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  29. I love your energy that you put off on here!!! And I adore the gif images.. lmao

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