Monday, March 18, 2013

Blogger Love + Birthday GIVEAWAY! (INT, ends 4/21)

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Today I turn 26.

Depending on the second, I'm incredibly happy or depressingly sad about it. Which I kind of figure to work into a happy medium of accepting being this old/young and being at the point in my life that I am. It's not quite where I thought I'd be (actually, it's not at all) but I have to admit...I'm actually pretty happy. Maybe there are aspects of my life I'm still trying to change, but overall? I have the love and friendship of so many more people than I ever though I would deserve, and that's all that matters.

I want to spread that love through the book blogosphere too.

Lately it seems there's been a lot of negativity in this little corner of the web, and that makes me sad since my book blog is the source of so much happiness. I mean, it's about books and YA lit and swoony boys and gripping stories! You can't tell me that's not a recipe for happiness. So I want to bring a little positivity, and I hope this will do.

First, please read this post from Jamie, and this post from Jen. They are both brilliant.

Next, I want to list just a few of the book blogs and bloggers whom I adore to no end. For varying reasons: some I know personally and get along with so well, others I admire their honesty in writing and blogging, some I find their reviews to be thoughtful and thorough...some even fall under all of that. Some none of it. Just know that this following list, in no particular order, are some of the blogs that keep me going day in and day out.

Oh! Paper Pages | The Flyleaf Review | The Perpetual Page Turner | Rather Be Reading | Hobbitsies
Anna Reads | Alexa Loves Books | Kate's Tales of Books and Bands | The Fake Steph | GReads
FabbityFab Book Reviews | Music, Books, and Tea | The Broke and the Bookish | Yearning To Read
Makeshift Bookmark | My Not So Real Life | Good Books and Good Wine | That Artsy Reader Girl
Readaraptor | ARCycling | YA Highway | YA Book Exchange
The Prize
Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza
Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

There will be TWO (2) winners!
One (1) US winner will get BOTH the above books! Both are hardcover, both are signed. (LTSF will be when I see her on the 27th!)
One (1) INTERNATIONAL winner will get to choose either Mila 2.0 or Let the Sky Fall! As long as The Book Depository ships to you, then you are eligible to enter this!

Why Mila 2.0 and LTSF? Because this post is about love and I loved both these stories; and I also happen to love the authors as well. Debra and Shannon are two of the sweetest, most awesome authors I've ever met and I jump for joy every time I get to see and/or hang out with them. They never fail to greet me with a smile and hug, and I want nothing more than to support them any way I can.

HOW TO ENTER
This isn't going to be your typical giveaway. Rather than make you do things like following my blog, tweeting, goodreads, etc., I want the focus to be on the LOVE and BRILLIANCE of this book blogging community.
In the comments, tell me a book blog/blogger you absolutely love and WHY. That's it!
Please don't just write "because they're awesome" - true as I'm sure that is, I want to know, for real, why you love this person/person's site. Don't be creepy of course, but tell me why exactly they stand out to you. Maybe you love their writing, or their review style, or their layout...maybe they posted the cutest puppy picture ever and you want it - it could be anything! Make sure you leave the link to their blog too, because I want to know!

(Don't forget to leave if you're US or International, and a way to contact you, too!)

It is my hope that this post will be filled with amazing words and uplifting thoughts. Periodically throughout this giveaway, I'll tweet or message the bloggers you guys mention too, because I think they should know someone out there loves them and what they're doing.

Sound easy? Sound happy and filled with love? Good! Get to commenting!

Extra Entries
Tweeting and/or Following my blog. While I'd appreciate multiple tweets to get more linkbacks to here, only one will actually count. I can't let non-tweeters inflate their chances! Make sure to let me know what option you've done in the comments, too!
[+1] Tweet about this. Make up your own if you want (make sure you link to this post AND tag me though! @italylove19), or you can use this: Celebrate @italylove19's bday! Tell her a book blog you love & win MILA 2.0 and/or LET THE SKY FALL (INT, ends 4/21) http://goo.gl/OoErI
[+1] Follow my blog. Via any way: GFC, Linky, RSS, email, etc - just make sure you tell me how and what name!

All my usual giveaway policies apply, please read them before commenting.
Ages 13 and up only.
May the odds be ever in your favor!

UPDATE 4/22: GIVEAWAY CLOSED. THANKS FOR ENTERING!
WINNER ANNOUNCED SOON.

78 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 19, 2013 at 9:00 AM

    I love Michelle Madow's blog! Its great! She has a great personality that comes out in her writing and she keeps people informed on her new writing projects and things like that. Thank you for this great giveaway and the chance to win!

    [email protected]

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  • Jenna D.March 19, 2013 at 9:19 AM

    (US entrant) I LOVE the blog, Writer of Wrongs (http://gillianeberry.blogspot.com/). I look forward to receiving her emails every single day because, whether it be a book review or some sort of advice, the content is beneficial, informative and always, ALWAYS (without fail) makes me laugh.

    Sometimes all we need is a good laugh, right?

    +1 Tweet: https://twitter.com/MTGReviews/status/314047951683067904
    +1 Follower: GFC, Jenna DeTrapani

    Good luck to all who enter!

    imakethegrade at gmail dot com

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  • OrchidMarch 19, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    One of my favorite blogs is Squeaky Books. I really enjoy Enna's blog because she's nice, always has interesting posts, and she has a lovely layout.

    GFC follower: Orchid Forsythia
    hauntingorchid(at)aol(dot)com
    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/HauntedOrchid/status/314049761412014080

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    1. OrchidMarch 19, 2013 at 9:26 AM

      Forgot something...US entry =)

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  • Carl ScottMarch 19, 2013 at 9:31 AM

    Both great books, thanks for the giveaway and Happy 26th!!

    I'm a big fan of Kat and Steph at Cuddlebuggery. They're both very funny and never pull any punches. Sometimes they curse, which isn't for everybody but I'm OK with it. They also follow the publishing news pretty carefully and put their own funny, irreverent spin on it. Check 'em out.

    I tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/314050764140077056

    I also follow your blog faithfully by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

    Thanks again!

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  • DesireeMarch 19, 2013 at 9:57 AM

    Awesome giveaway books that I have been dying to read!

    I'm a big fan of my book blogger friend's blog. Liana at Book Addict is hilarious. Her blog is really pretty, but my favorite things about it are her reviews. She does quotes and commentary and she completely cracks me up! Check out her blog!

    I follow your blog by email: lexyher(at)yahoo(dot)com

    I tweeted about the giveaway: https://mobile.twitter.com/Lexyher123/status/314056599784288256

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  • eclairreMarch 19, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    I adore bookhound! She does the best reviews and giveaways! eclairre(AT)ymail(DOT)com

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  • HollieMarch 19, 2013 at 10:35 AM

    Happy Birthday Ashley!! :D

    Faye over at A Daydreamer's Thoughts writes one of my favourite blogs. I love her review style, each paragraph has a sub-title, and when they're put together, they form a sentence about the book, which I think it genius.

    I tweeted here and I follow you via GFC (Hollie Skerry). And I'm an international entrant. :)

    Finally, thank you so much for linking to my blog! I absolutely adore yours, I have done ever since I began following it early last year. Now I'm going to stop rambling before I begin sounding like a massive suck-up. (I'm not, this blog just rocks. :D)

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  • Alexa S.March 19, 2013 at 11:08 AM

    Thank you for including me on your list! I'm so honored to be there along with many of the bloggers that I absolutely adore. I'm going to try to list a different blogger for this comment...

    Honestly, one of the MANY book bloggers I currently adore is Rachel from Hello Chelly (www.hellochelly.com). She just started blogging about books fairly recently, but I've always found her thoughts to be spot on, brief, but well-written. I love that she injects bits of her personal life onto her blog too!

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  • Christina Kit.March 19, 2013 at 11:54 AM

    Congrats and Happy Birthday!!!

    My favorite blog is BookTwirps.com O'Dell is an amazing blogger - his reviews are personal and informative, he tells us what he likes and why and his rating system really shows what parts of the novel get what grade.

    He's also an amazing guy - always replies to comments, has a great sense of humor and he's wonderful at blog design!! He's also a YA author with one published book and I'm sure many more on the way:))

    INT

    1 entry Blog follower by email ccfioriole at gmail dot com and by Linky Christina Kit. and by GFC Christina Kit. and by Twitter @christinafiorio

    1 entry Tweet https://twitter.com/christinafiorio/status/314087171738963968

    ccfioriole at gmail dot com

    Thank you:))

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  • CindyMarch 19, 2013 at 2:53 PM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY :D This is an awesome giveaway, and thanks, but I don't want to be entered. And honestly, I don't think I could name just one blog I love. There are too many! Great post and enjoy your day Ashley :)

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  • TayteHMarch 19, 2013 at 9:03 PM

    Happy Birthday! :D
    I love the Story Siren. I like how honest her reviews are and her featured books that are coming out. :D Her blog is one that I use to keep up with the lastest news on new books. :D

    [email protected]

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  • Kayeleen HamblinMarch 19, 2013 at 11:27 PM

    Happy birthday!

    My list of book bloggers is pretty long, but a few stand out. I love Kathy at I am a reader, not a Writer. She features lots of indie books and small press books. The books she reviews are always clean reads that i would share with anyone. And the blog hops she hosts are tons of fun.

    I also love Lena Sledge's blog (http://www.lenasledgeblog.com) I've followed her for years. She was one of the first review blogs I came across and she's always done a great job. She's also great for sharing personal stuff that I really connect to.

    +1 for following the blog here on GFC as Kayeleen Hamblin.
    +1 for tweeting here: https://twitter.com/kayeleenhamblin/status/314261618022293504

    kayejazz (at) gmail(dot)com

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  • r110jaffMarch 20, 2013 at 1:06 PM

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  • Daniel MMarch 21, 2013 at 4:30 PM

    iamareader, always lots there, hard to keep up with that site! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  • Grace YoungMarch 25, 2013 at 1:49 PM

    One of my favorite blogs is ARCycling! I just love the IDEA of it. It gives small blogs like mine a chance to read and review ARCs. I've only done it once but I think it's really cool. Plus, it gives bloggers with too many ARCs a way to clear out some space on their shelves. Happy birthday!

    US. 77caterpillar[at]gmail[dot]com

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  • Grace YoungMarch 25, 2013 at 1:49 PM

    And I follow via GFC: Goo goo.

    US. 77caterpillar[at]gmail[dot]com

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  • JanaMarch 28, 2013 at 8:44 PM

    Oh my. My heart soared when I noticed you included me in your list of beloved blogs! You are unbelievably sweet. Thank you. :) I love your blog as well! And happy birthday! I turn 26 in June, and I'm going back and forth between being happy and sad, too. I'll be closer to 30 than 20. That scares me... haha.

    Anyway, I love Alexa and Alexa Loves Books! I know you included her, so you totally know why I love her blog. She is everything I wished I was as a blogger. She is consistent, has great content, posts thorough reviews, ans is awesome at visiting blogs and commenting. She's awesome!

    Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to win! I'm a US reader, and I follow you via GFC/bloglovin'. :)

    - Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl

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  • fakestephMarch 30, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    Happy birthday!!! I'm 26 and I know EXACTLY what you mean. I really thought my twenties would be so much different! I love your blog and you and how much you love other bloggers and this community!

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  • a reader who readsMarch 30, 2013 at 6:29 PM

    I really like Jamie's blog http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/
    Her reviews are usually spot on and she has some really unique ideas! It's not just giveaways and memes!


    I tweeted: https://twitter.com/haveitcani/status/318171941976555520
    I follow GFC: mckaykelly
    I'm from the US :)
    And my email is kpoo18 at gmIl dot com

    Wahoo

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  • Chenise JonesMarch 30, 2013 at 8:32 PM

    I really love Cuddlebuggery because Kat and Steph don't hold anything back and it makes their posts so fun and interesting to read!

    International (Canada)
    chenisejones(at)hotmail(dot)com

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