Wednesday 15 August 2012

Happy Bloggoversary to Me!


Two years ago today I decided to give blogging a second go and Mel’s Random Reviews as you know it now was born! (We are politely ignoring my first disastrous attempt at blogging for a couple of weeks in 2009…) In this time I’ve been lucky enough to read and review some fabulous books, interview some great authors and have somehow increased the number of books I own exponentially (Seriously, it’s an addiction that is difficult to stop!). I started blogging as a way of distracting me from real life (I was buying my first flat and it was incredibly stressful) and because I loved reading. I’ve always been lucky to find people in normal life who read as much as me (You know who you are!), but having discovered the diverse world of book blogging I wanted to be a part of it. Since then blogging has become a part of my life – thinking about my reviews, reading other blogs, and has helped me through some difficult times. My Mum was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer last year and that’s been difficult to deal with (and still is). But blogging gives me a great escape that lets me meet people from all other the world, explore new worlds and discover some fantastic stories.

I know this is said a lot, but I want to add my personal thanks to many bloggers out there who have made me feel so welcome – and who’s encouragement and comments have continually added to my overwhelming TBR Pile!

Blodueudd from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
Melissa from Books and Things
Melissa from My World…in Words and Pages
Lesley from My Keeper Shelf
Melanie from Between Dreams and Reality
Karina from Nocturnal Book Reviews
Sally from Always Lost in Stories
Sam from Tiny Library
Jules from The Great, The Good and The Bad

There are probably a hundred others I should thanks as well – I’m not forgetting on purpose, but my mind has shut down!

One person I can’t forget is my guest reviewer Sarah – cinema buddy extraordinaire! Thanks for all your help when I was struggling to get up todate and you stepped in with a review. Thanks sweetie! J

And thanks as well to Netgalley, the publishers and authors who have accepted my review requests over the last two years. For a small corner of the book review world you’ve been invaluable!

For those of you who are interested my first review was Jaye Wells – Red Headed Stepchild
and it seems appropriate that this series ended recently with Blue-Blooded Vamp


Even more amazing was at the start of August when the number of GFC Followers increased to over 1000!! I’m amazed that anyone even bothers to read my ramblings and astounded by those of you who regularly (or irregularly!) comment! Each and every comment is read and appreciated. So thank you all so much – big Mel-hugs to one and all!

Over the next month (leading up to my birthday on 22nd September) I’m hoping to talk about my favourite genres and why I read them…I may even include some giveaways of my favourites… J

But to celebrate the two year blogiversary I’m kicking it off with an easy giveaway – one person can win a book of their choice! There is a catch - you do have to ask me a question – it can be anything from what’s my favourite book to where would you like to go on holiday most? You interview me! I’ll pull all the questions together and answer them in September.

No need to be a follower or jump through any other hoops – just fill in the form below. This is open internationally and ends on 31st August 2012. Good luck! J
<<<GIVEAWAY CLOSED>>>

22 comments:

  1. Congratulations, dear Mel - I wish you only great books and another thousand of followers very soon! Your blog rocks!

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  2. 2 years!! Congratulations Mel and here's to many more!! :)
    PS. I know how you feel about blogging as a way of distracting your thoughts, I'm in the same boat.
    Happy blogoversary and can't wait to see your answers! xx

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  3. Aww- thank you so much for the mention! You are one of my absolute favourite bloggers, and your follower number is well deserved. You work so hard on your fantastic blog and you are one of the nicest bloggers I follow. Thanks for all your lovely comments on my blog, and congratulations on the two year milestone!

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  4. Congrats on the blogoversary! :)

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  5. Congratulations Mel! Our blogs are almost the same age, it's been great to see them grow together. Even though we don't read the same style of books usually, I like reading your reviews and sampling some books out of my comfort zone every now and again. Here's to many more years! :)

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  6. 2 years, awww, you are just a baby. I am twice your age then ;) Lol. Now I feel old.

    Anyway, YAY. happy Blogaversary!!!!!!!!! It was so fun meeting you..where ever we met. But I am glad we did

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  7. Happy blogoversary Mel, I always like to check out your new books and reviews and I'm sorry if I've added to your TBR pile but you've added loads to mine!

    I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum that must be really heartbreaking but I'm glad blogging has given you a bit of a distraction when you've most needed it.

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  8. AWWW, sending huge hugs and a thousand kisses your way (you know, in continental style?) I love your blog and I love talking to you, Mel! Happy blogoversary, sweetheart! I'm also very sorry to hear about your mom illness, you're both brave girls and I'm sending well wishes both your ways *love*

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  9. ((HUGE HUGS))

    I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. I've been using reading as my "getaway" lately so I do understand at least that part. Sending you lots of love.

    Happy Blogoversary! The blogosphere is so much better with you around.

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  10. Happy 2 year blogoversary Mel! Thanks for the great giveaway! :)

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  12. Happy Blogoversary! And thanks for the giveaway :)

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  13. Happy Bloggoversary darling! thank you so much for the mention it's really nice. I'm so glad for having discovered your blog because I love it. We have pretty the same taste and it's always wonderful to read your reviews!

    I'm really sorry for your mum, I can understand it's difficult. Good luck with everything.

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  14. oups I haven't noted my email for your little giveaway (I think I'm really tired lol instead it's the blog address)... here it is: ellana_(at)hotmail(dot)fr

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  15. Mel not entering as heaven knows my shelves are overflowing but just wanted to say Congratulations and here is to many more blogoversaries to come!

    Btw totally understand how blogging has helped with real life stress, and may I say many sympathies to you and your family having such a cloud hanging over your Mom with no positive outcome, because in 2009 my blogging kept me sane when depression over losing my father nearly pushed me to my limits. After the 2011 fire it also kept me from going off the deep end, now if tomorrow had to say goodbye to all my online contacts it would be like cutting off a limb.

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  16. Happy Blogoversary dear!! It's been great blogging and chatting with you all this time. It is amazing how you can make such good friends on here. :) Thank you, and always a pleasure to chat with you. Sorry about your mum.

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  17. Congratulations and Happy Blogoversary! Always a pleasure to read your blog.

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  18. Congratulations, Mel! I always enjoy your reviews and your 'what shall I reads'.

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  19. Any time sweetpea, you know that. Happy Anniversary! xxx

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