The Terrible Twos, My Blog is Now a Toddler

Happy Blog Birthday to me!! Oh, my gosh y'all I cannot believe I have been doing this for two years!! It is incredible to me to think about when I first started and had NO IDEA what I was doing...well, I still don't know what I'm doing most of the time but hey, life is a learning curve right? Last year for my blog birthday I was in Europe and didn't do anything...oops. But this year I thought I would try something a little different. Besides talking below about all the way that blogging has changed my life, I really want to thank all you amazing readers as well as try and rejuvenate the blog and get some new buzz and excitement going on here!

First things first. Before I started blogging I thought I was a freak. No, really. I loved reading. I geeked about numerous books. It's how I spend my free time. My friends thought I was a weirdo. "But like...how can you sit for that long and read? I can't sit that long." Well that sucks for you because reading is awesome. I had no idea about this blogging world until I was at a book signing and this girl I was talking to asked if I blogged...uh, you mean write stuff on the internet like a dork? No, I don't blog. She said I should really think about it because it's a great way to connect with authors and other readers. What now? There are other people like me?!? So I started my blog and looooong story short, it has changed my life.

Because of blogging...

I have read books that have changed my life thanks to recommendations 

Connected with authors (who are obviously my rockstars) of my favorite books that I NEVER thought was even possible

And I can say without even a shadow of a doubt that I have met some of my very best friends that I have in my life today.

At the core of what I am grateful for due to blogging are the people I have met. I am...blessed beyond words with the friends I have made. Without blogging, there would be no Betty, Hannah, Cass or Alexa in my life. 2 years ago I did not know these amazing women existed and I thank God every day I have them in my life. (Oh, dear I'm actually getting teary eyed thinking about this). I have not had the best of luck with friends in my real life and I do not know what I did before I met these women but I do not know what I would do without them today. When I was having an emotional breakdown in Europe--Betty is the one I talked to and who was there for me. Actually...any time I'm having a moment Betty is there for me. She is my best friend with no filters, boundaries, or lines of appropriateness. Hannah is the person who is always there to let me vent and offer the most sound and realistic advice. She is always and has been there for me in many moments when I needed a friend and a pick me up. And she and I have some of the deepest conversation about book meanings and themes and, duh, our love of all things Russian. Alexa is somebody I talk to almost every single day. Well I talk to each of these girls every single day but regardless, A is the friend who will randomly text you just to ask you how your day is...and actually care. She is an amazing friend and we not only talk about real life stuff but everyday flailing. If I could screenshot every ridiculous conversation we've had about books and boys we could probably pen a book. No joke. Cass is my cursing spirit animal. She is the first person to tell me I will love a book and most likely has it in the mail already for me. Her videos she sends me basically make my day. Oh, and she has fabulous hair...bitch...She is also the one to drop all pleasantries and tell me exactly how it is. I both appreciate and respect the hell out of this. I have no idea what I would do without these amazing women and I thank God every day I have them in my life. They are the truest friends I have with the exception of my sisters. We all know blogging friends are the best friends. 

Phew. Okay, well now that I'm done being sappy! I have to also tell you more about the amazing people I am so blessed to call my friends.

Jaime and Erin at Fic Fare are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. They love books so hard and I have read so many amazing books thanks to them. They are kind and thoughtful and hilarious! I love that I can text Jaime any dirty thoughts I have while reading...no really, it's a little ridiculous. Jaime hears my venting while reading The Original Sinners and Erin is there to hear my feels in all things historical. 

Rachel, at hello, chelly, also a partner in crime in all things naughty. She has AMAZING taste in books and I know if she 4 or 5 stars a book or tells me to read something, I know I will and I know I'll love it. 

Estelle at Rather Be Reading knows my dirty mind better than I do. The NA and romance recs she gives me are impeccable. I don't know if I should be concerned that she knows this intimate part of me so well but...what are friends for, hey?

Stephanie at No BS Book Reviews is a new friend and I am SO happy I became obsessed with her blog a few months ago! OMG, flailing over all things Love, in English and The Original Sinners is pure perfection.  

Seriously you guys, their blogs are my absolute favorites and if you don't know them yet check them out. They have great tastes in books and they all bring something amazing and unique to the blogging world.

Now, let's talk about a book giveaway! You want some books? Yeah, that's right I know you do.

WELL! I recently created a Facebook page (C'mon, click 'like' you know you wanna!) for the blog which I'm SUPER excited about! I had way too much fun being inspired to think of album title and post pictures in it. I am really looking forward to connecting with people on there and updating it. So to help spread the word about my new Facebook page and my blog birthday in general, I want to do a great giveaway and I need your help! 

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below and tell me how you follow and/or how you spread the Belle of the Literati love. What books am I giving away? Glad you asked! I will be giving one book away for sure and that will be a paperback copy of The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon because it was one of my FAVORITE reads of last year...and this year. The other books I'll be giving away are a few of  my favorite life-changersadn the more people that enter the more books I'll giveaway. Up for potential grabs are...

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Love, in English by Karina Halle

If there are any more books to giveaway in addition to The Bone Season, it will be winners choice what book they want!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway