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 22^nd 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 31^st August 2012. Good luck! J

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