My Blogaversary Giveaway and Year in Review


There's nothing like a awkward womansing dance party to kick off the new year.

Last year I was plodding along with a very small readership, a comment here or there on my content and I read more books that really should have been possible. This year, thanks to you lovely readers who have yet to deem me as insane, Diva Booknerd has grown well beyond any of my expectations. New blogging friends, old favourites, ones that have pissed me off for greener pastures and more review copies than I could poke a stick at. So I'm wrapping up my year by numbers, lists and other boring facts that most of you will skim over. Oh, and I'm celebrating two years of blogging with a giveaway.

Getting Bookish With It


Of my 103,000 views, 45685 were Australians. See, we can read.
My most viewed post of 2014 was my international giveaway reaching over 3000 hits. Further proof that you're all greedy bastards.
Over 2800 comments. Majority of those were from this girl about Morpheus.
I've written 246 posts, including this one.
I've read 189 books. Not including those I couldn't finish. 20 of those were so shithouse that they deserved the one star rating.
We started the Aussie Young Adult Bloggers group. We have over 160 members and most of them are nice.
I was able to raise my Netgalley ratio now to 84.7%
I started using Google Hangouts. Fun and hilarity ensued.
I joined Pintrest. I'm still not sure I'm doing it right.
Also have a Tumblr account where I also have no idea what I'm doing. No surprises there.
I became more active on Twitter. Often using it to interrupt random conversations.
I started coblogging at Sporadic Reads.
And contributing to The Journal at Bookfari.
I was quoted on the back cover of Chasing The Valley Skyfire. and Brew. And inside The Broken Sun, amongst four or five others.

Sucking Up


I'd like to firstly thank everyone who's read, commented and plugged me. 
To the Aussie publishers for sending me books.
To new friends, especially Kristy, Gina, JessBecks and Kynndra who all make me laugh on a daily basis.
To old friends who stuck by me, who threw books at me and entertained me. There's too many of you to name, but those of the Aussie Young Adult Bloggers, Sporadic Bloggers and Filipino Bloggers alike.
To my friends in the Book Bloggers hangout. Thank you for all being online so early in the mornings, even if I'm distracted and it takes five hours to review one book.

When I Wasn't Reading...


I was watching The Walking Dead.
Raging over the cancellation of Revolution.
Started watching The 100. Great show. Crap book.
Annoying Harper Collins Australia on Twitter with ridiculous questions.
Buying books.
Trying to control my dog's flatulence.
Trying to out read Jeann and Bec in the Aussie Group Challenge.
Weeding my garden. Which is about as fun as having your eyebrows torched off.

Stuff I Was Into


Daryl Dixon. 
Warner.
Tea. I drank lots and lots of tea.
Bruno Mars. Clearly the love child of Prince and James Brown.
Inappropriately trying to work the word Hooters into casual conversations.
Frappes. That's not nearly as pretentious as it sounds.

What's On For 2015?


Much of the same. Reviews and Dear Diva will be back.
I'll only be returning comments on posts on my front page.
I'm determined to learn to play the ukulele.
I'm considering stalking Kathleen Hale, to see how she likes it.
I'll be uploading bookish quotes to my Tumblr.
I'm going to finish all those series finales. Except City of Heavenly Fire. I tried and it was just horrible.
Have an awesome giveaway coming up next month.

What's In It For You?


Well if you've made it this far, you should be rewarded. But seeing the end of the year coincides with my two year blogaversary, I've decided to give you greedy bastards another chance at winning something. Go forth and enter. It's open internationally.

Giveaway



77 comments

  1. Happy New Year and blogaversary!

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  2. Congrats on two years of blogging! I only discovered your blog this year but I've definitely enjoyed reading it, and I can't wait to see what you bring this year. ^_^ Oh man, I am exactly the same with Tumblr. I literally have NO IDEA what I'm doing. And I'm one of those people who just clicks random buttons to see what happens. Hah. Not always a great idea, I'm telling you.

    Happy New Year Day, and thanks for the giveaway! :)

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    1. This year, we'll have to learn how to use it together Kara. Two heads are surely better than one.

      Thanks poppet and happy new year.

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  3. Happy blogaversary! But just two years? Wowza. It seems you've achieved a lot of things in such a limited time, so kudos to you! And thanks for hosting a fantastic giveaway. :D

    P.S. I don't think I've ever weeded a garden..or anything before, but I always assumed it as a really fun job. It seems I was wrong (ft. broken heart and dreams).

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    1. My first year was pretty non eventful really, it's only since I decided to become a part of the book blogging community that it seems to have exploded.

      Gardening is lovely and relaxing. Pulling out weeds is like having teeth pulled. Nasty, nasty stuff.

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  4. HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY KELLY :D Hurray for 2 years! I've always loved your blog and I enjoy reading your posts! :) I want to watch The 100, and I'm currently reading the book actually, which makes me very doubtful because ugh mixed reviews everywhere :( Anyway, I hope you have a great year!! It's officially New Year here <3 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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    1. Happy new year to you too Jillian and thanks for popping by poppet.

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  5. Happy Blogoversary- I think you deserve the day off. Happy New Year too- hope 2015 is fantastic. :)

    -Lauren

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  6. NO YOU MUST RETURN MY COMMENT. Just kidding.

    KELLY HAPPY 2ND BLOGOVERSARY! (and also happy new year) I'm really glad to see that the blog has grown so much in the last year. I WILL ALWAYS BE HERE AND STICK BY YOU FOREVER which means you need to keep on blogging forever. This also means that if I need a place to stay in Australia I am coming to you first (just kidding).

    LOOK AT ALL THOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS! Wow that NG ratio is very impressive. Same with the blog posts too. Hahahah I had no idea you had a pinterest! Or a tumblr. I'm going to go follow both of them right now muhaha. I've been on tumblr for 4 years and I still don't know what I'm doing so it's ok. Though it is a major procrastination tool. Be warned.

    So, HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR KELLY. You should give everyone a ukulele concert after you learn some songs :)

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    1. I totally will poppet. Make sure you have the earplugs at the ready, I might sing too.

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  7. OH MY GOSH!!! I'm glad I'm not the only one upset about Revolution!!!! Tumblr had a great book community and really pretty pictures. One of my Goals is to take more pictures. I hope you have an awesome and happy new year!!! Congrats on Two Years!

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    1. I know right! Why the hell did they cancel it. There's so many more crappier shows on and that one was really good. In Australia, the network kept shuffling the day around when it was showing, so I'm sure a lot of watchers dropped off. I heard that the producer is planning to make a few extra episodes to give fans a finale.

      Fingers crossed.

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  8. WHAT? DO I REALLY MENTION MORPHEUS IN EVERY COMMENT? Okay...don't answer that. I do. And I'm glad to see you've relinquished any claims on him and just stuck with Warner. Good, Diva, good good. Wise life decision. Morpheus is mine.
    And what do you mean skim over anything in this post?! IT WAS ALL SO HILARIOUS I SNORTED QUITE LOUDLY A FEW TIMES.
    Greedy little bastards, yes we are.
    Hey but if someone tweets something then they're just ASKING to be interrupted. Don't worry...I've answered questions that weren't even asked to me. Heh. AWKWARD. *runs to hide*
    Good luck with the ukulele. And the stalking. I will be interested in updates on that.
    HUZZAH FOR KELLY'S AWESOMENESS!

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    1. It's going well so far. I've paid for a background check. Renting a car next.

      And oh no. Not giving up the Moth in all his Mothy goodness. You can have him on loan. I'll need him back soon. Because you know, I'm greedy like that.

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  9. Happy Blogoversary Kelly! I'm so glad that I discovered Diva Booknerd in 2014 and can't wait to read more of your posts this year :) Best wishes, hope you are just as successful with your blog in 2015 x

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    1. Thanks Eugenia. I have a feeling 2015 will blow our socks clean off.

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  10. YOU DON"T KNOW HOW HARD I HAD TO READ TO BEAT YOU AND JEANN WITH THOSE LAST CHALLENGES. Seriously, it must have been some sort of miracle. I was so behind and finished first. It'll be interesting to see how the points look now!

    Happy new year and happy blogoversary! Here's hoping for a good year and lots of good books.. Can't wait to beat you in the reading challenges next year too :P

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    1. Bring it poppet.

      Although, I don't think I'm finishing the latest one, unless some sort of fantastic book with an X in the title magically falls from the sky. None of them interest me enough to read them.

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  11. HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY KELLY BEAR! I'm so glad to have met you this year, you never cease to put a smile on my face with all your funny tweets and posts <3 Here's to a brilliant new year filled with books and bookish stuff!

    P.S. YOU'RE A WALKING DEAD FAN?!?!? OMGOMGOMG!!!! <3 <3 DISCUSS WITH ME

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    1. Aww, thanks Joy. Here's to an incredibly 2015 to share with brilliant friends such as yourself. And I totally am. The wait until the second half of season five is killing me!

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  12. KELLY! You are one of my favorite bloggers, and I always smile when I get a post notification from you. Your reviews and tweets embrace your sarcastic and hilarious personality absolutely perfectly, and I don't think I can think of a time when I haven't come away from one of your posts without laughing or having a smirk plastered on my face. Keep up the good work poppet! ;) ♥

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    1. Zoe, you're one of the loveliest bloggers I've ever come across and I always look forward you YOUR reviews my friend. Thanks for being incredible, our community needs more Zoe's in our midst.

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  13. HAPPY BLOGVERSARY, KELLY!!! You have achieved so much this year xD You're tweets are the most hilarious--even though you might not think so--I mean seriously, you should win an award for that or something. Have fun learning the ukulele! I learned a bit of it in school in Year 6, but I've forgotten everything about it now LOL but it was a lot of fun to mess around with.

    HERE'S TO MORE AWESOME YEARS TO COME!

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  14. YOU ARE AMAZING, HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY KELLLLY! <3 Look at your amazing year! I mean, weeding the garden? You're kind of my inspiration. No one walks out to the garden anymore because we've just let it go crazy and it's beyond help right now, tbh. And your NG ratio is amazing. I need to follow in your footsteps for 2015 cause mine is quite horrendous haha And I second your sentiments when it comes to The 100. HORRIBLE BOOK, SEQUEL IS EQUALLY AS BURN WORTHY IMO. I'm just going to stick with the show.

    AND um, I think the person I need to thank is YOU for keeping ME sane. I don't know how I would have done it without you, Kelly. Keep rocking. I need your humour and your awesome self to help me make it through 2015 <3


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  15. Woot woot! Congratulations on this amazing milestone, Kelly! You're such a fun person to be around, and kind-hearted to boot!, that I had no doubt whatsoever you'd achieve all of these... you deserve all of the successes and even more (which I also no doubt believe you can obtain sooner than later ;D). I'm glad you're a part of the Book Blogger Hangout... trust me, it wouldn't be the same without you around. You're the life of the party, girl!!! I love you so much and I hope you never change!!!

    Faye at The Social Potato

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  16. Happy Blogiversary! You certainly made twitter more entertaining for me in 2014 and look forward to 2015 tweets, especially when the footy season starts again.

    Keep up the stalking and dropping Hooters into any and every conversation

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  17. Congratulations, Kelly! I, myself, have quickly become a fan of your posts. You are brilliant, hilarious, and you don't pull any punches. Your reviews are covet-worthy! I'm thankful to have found your blog this year (last year, now).

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  18. Happy blogoversary Kelly, I love your wicked sense of humour and always inappropriate jokes, you really do make me laugh and now you're making everyone laugh in their blog too! You've come a long way since the start of the year and it's awesome seeing that journey for you. We have the best chats including the ones in Aus YA Bloggers Group! stay awesome xoxo

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  19. What an amazing year you had. Happy Blogaversary! I'm very glad to have found the Aussie YA bloggers group this year.

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  20. Thanks for the giveaway and happy Blogaversary!

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  21. Happy Blogoversary Kelly! You have such a wonderful blog, no wonder it has grown so much! Congratulations on turning two! Here's to many more great years to come. I look forward to all your 2015 blog posts and making those comment stats grow. And thank you so much for the giveaway :)

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  22. I'm PROUD to admit that I am one of those crazies that started following your blog in 2014. Happy Blogoversary!!

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  23. Happy Blogoversary and New Year!

    Aw Kelly that really made me smile that I got a mention, I'm so glad you managed to somehow stumble upon my blog in the vast wide web <3 I really loved reading all your blog stats and it made me laugh that your most viewed post was a giveaway, oh how us readers can't turn down the opportunity to win a book *cough* totally didn't enter the giveaway *cough* I'm hoping to do a giveaway this year! Though I'm not sure my following is big enough yet, hopefully when my blog turns one year old it will :D

    I also got a pintrest this year! I just kind of stalked and followed you on there as well as tumblr, but I'm sure you don't mind ;)

    I also love bruno mars, he's everybodys famous hawaiian according to MTV, though my mum said hers is dog the bounty hunter *dear me*. I am obsessed with uptown funk right now, I can't not dance and feel happy when I hear that song!

    I hope you had a good christmas and new year! I hope we get to chat loads this year and get to know each other better, for instance i need to know about your tv/film loves and hates!

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  24. I have to say you are one of the first books I followed regularly and I have never regretted the decision; please never stop posting.

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  25. Happy Blogoversary, Kelly! Here's to a fabulous year of books, ukelele playing and more tea drinking, because that's always a given!

    So, uh, how does one join Google hangouts and be let into your cool group thingy? So I'm not standing out in the cold, staring in the through the window, all sad looking and lonely and stalk-y. Are you accepting new members? I can pay in hugs and cruelty free chatting. Will this? OH, PLEASE LET ME IN.

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  26. Bahahaha, the more I read your posts, the more I want to meet you in real life, Kelly! (So that you can insert the word "Hooters" into our conversations.) <3 HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY! You are such a fabulous woman and you make all of us in the bloggers hangout laugh out loud with every single thing you say.

    I've been a horrible, lazy-ass blog follower recently, but I want to let you know that I WILL STALK YOU MORE IN 2015. Expect more of my weird comments as this blog gets older. ;)

    Stay awesome! *hugs*

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  27. Happy new year and blogoversary Kelly! Wishing the best for everything Diva Booknerd this year and into the future. I can't wait to see everything. It's been absolutely wonderful knowing you! Diva Booknerd is definitely one of my favourite blogs ever. I promise I'm not just saying that. You're so incredibly sweet and deserve the absolute best! ♥

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  28. I tried to comment earlier, but it didn't work, so I am trying again.

    And since you aren't replying, I will just give you a brief rundown on what I said:

    Reading and blogging stats = awesome.

    Hooters comments are being restricted to Twitter and BNR - lift your game!

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway - yes we are greedy.

    And Happy Blogoversary - I am sure that was in there somewhere

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  29. Happy New Year, and congratulation on your blogoversary! Aren't you snarky with your stats? I also got a Tumblr this year, and I have so much more followers on it than I do with all my stats for blogging combined, so it's a great number to add. Hehe. I never got the hang of Pinterest, though.

    But anyway, I hope 2015 is even more awesome for you! :D

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  30. Congrats on blogging for two years! I'm going to be two years old in June haha. I, too, was obsessed with Daryl Dixon and Warner.

    Your goals are hilarious, and the one about stalking KH is priceless. I definitely want to finish some series, too!

    Happy new year!

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  31. A tad late on this but congrats Kelly! Happy blogoversary! It's been a great year for you! I know I haven't been around much on the blogosphere or even at Hangouts but I want you to know that I'm so happy to just be able to converse with you because I love your humour and sarcasm! You reviews are fabulous and no wonder you've been quoted in all those books!

    PS. I cannot wait for new episodes of The 100. THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING MEEE ARRRGGGHHH.

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  32. WOW! well over 800 followers in just a couple years? Amazing!! Maybe you actually are insane . . . . . I gotta see this. *quickly hits the follow button*

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  33. YOU CAN HAVE THE MOTH. I WILL TAKE JEB INSTEAD. Although saying that, Jeb from Splintered. NOT Jeb from Unhinged. Jeb from Unhinged is totally unimpressive. ENJOY YOUR MOTHY MOTH.

    HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY (I NEVER KNOW HOW TO SPELL THAT DAMN WORD)!!!!!!!!! *smushes cake into your hair* I think you're amazing and I love your blog to bits. I could go on about how you're such an inspiration to me and how Diva Book Nerd is one of my favourite blogs BUT YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT. XD Just thought I'd tell you again. x)

    LUVE OOO!!! <3333333333333

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  34. Happy Blogoversary Kelly! 2 years is awesome and I have loved stalking and admiring your blog (the design really is beautiful). ANOTHER WALKING DEAD AND DARYL FAN, HELL YEAH! Daryl and Carol for the win, also Michone is my god.

    Your blog always inspires me to reach a better standard and although I suck at leaving comments, I love coming to visit it. Our blogoversaries are so close, mine was yesterday! Go us. Here's to many more years of blogging fun x

    PS. Just put up your blog button, surprised it wasn't already up.

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  35. Happy New Year and Blogoversary Kelly :D Here's to more years of awesomeness!! *throws confetti*

    Oh, I LOVE Bruno Mars too!! I really can't stop listening to the Uptown Funk! Thanks for the giveaway <3

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  36. Happy second blogoversary, Kelly! Two years is an AMAZING achievement - and look at all the things you have accomplished. They are incredible (one might say like you).

    It was awesome "meeting" you this year, and watching your blog grow! Your design is so extremely pretty, I love it :D

    Daryl Dixon and Warner are incredible. You have good taste, Kelly!

    I cannot wait to see where Diva Booknerd goes next :)

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  37. Happy Blogversary Kelly! So exciting, you have an amazing blog and your Tumblr looks great as well. Love the fact you're currently reading Percy Jackson as well, it's a great series!

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  38. Happy New Year & Congratulations! I always look forward to your posts. Thank-you for hanging in and for this generous chance!!

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  39. Happy Blogversary Kells!! Hope 2015 will be a good year for books, blogging, and Diva Booknerd :) And talking of Pinterest, I really need to make an acc ^^ That site is way too addictive, but I need to stop bogging my iPad with a clogged reading list *sniff*
    –B

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  40. Congratumalations Kelly! Well done on your two years, and here's to many more *ching!* I really should investigate this hangouts thing, its sitting there on my phone and I have no idea what it even does :P

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  41. Congratulations to all your successes! (: Thanks to Cait I discovered your blog hihi ^-^

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  42. Happy Blogoversary! You've accomplished a lot in two years, and this blog is really awesome! This it <3 Congrats! ;D

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  43. Happy New Year and Happy Blogoversary!!! :D

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  44. Happy Blogoversary! This post was so funny! Pintrest is a time suck, very evil site. I keep meaning to be on Tumblr more, but no time. Google Hangouts is so much better than Skype! Weeding the garden stinks, I usually give up halfway through the summer. I have a ukulele! No clue how to play it though. Good luck and have a happy new year!

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  45. Well, happy Blogoversary! I found this post via one of Cait's tweets and instantly scuttled over. (Perhaps I am some distant relative of Smaug. We're both INTJ.) In any case, congratulations on a successful and bookish year!

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  46. Whoop! Happy Blogoversary!!!
    I know love for Daryl Dickson. If he dies I WILL riot. I'll probably be crying too but shhhh
    I started to watch Revolution when it was on TV! But I couldn't keep up with the episodes and the main chick kinda started to get on my nerves.
    OMG MY LOVE FOR THE 100 & TWD IS INFINITE! Bellamy & Daryl!
    Thank you for keeping me sane last year! I don't know what I would have done without you :) xxx

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  47. First thing first, Happy Blogaversary & thanks for doing this amazing giveaway! Yes, I'm a little greedy bastard that will like to win some books. ;)
    Still, I'm a beginner myself at this book blogging thing and I'm so blown away by all the effort (either financially, mentally, physically or spiritually) you put into your blog because you're so passionate about books and getting to know others like it. I know it's hard to run a blog, but I just can't imagine having to celebrate my blogaversary haha! xD
    Regardless, I'm just really happy to say that I'm also from VIC and it seems like most of the book bloggers are from USA, so the Aussie YA Bloggers & Readers you and others created just makes me want to do a backflip in the air!
    P.S. I also love watching the Walking Dead! My favourite character is Daryl too! ♥.♥ I tried once having Daryl as my desktop wallpaper, but the thing is I have very strict asian parents and if they find out I've done this - they would question me! >.< I nearly got caught haha! xD Just to fulfill my wish, I shall buy a poster of him and when I moved out of the house at the end of this year (towards uni) I shall put it up on my wall! :D

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  48. I wish you all the best in future. :-) Thanks for this great posts and interesting giveaway.

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  49. Congrats on your blogaversary!!

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  50. Happy New Year congrats on blog

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  51. Happy blog anniversary, I hope this will be a great year for you! And good for you, give that ukulele a chance!

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  52. I so agree with the fact that The 100 books are crap. I expected SO MUCH. .-----.
    Long life to the tv series, sister.
    valeria.12345 [at] hotmail.it

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  53. Happy Happy Happy Happy Anniversary! :)) God Bless you always. :DD

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  54. Congratulations from a new follower here. Glad I discovered your blog, your post brings a smile to my face. Thank you for bringing some cheer to a shitful day.

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  55. Congrats and thanks for this chance!

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  56. Happy New Year and blogaversary!

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  57. Happy blogaversary! :-D thanks for this lovely giveaway ♥

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  58. Happy Blogversary! I'm happy to have come across your blog! And thank you for this amazing chance! :)

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  59. Happy, happy, happy blogoversary and wishing you many more amazing to come! :)
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  60. Thanks for the amazing giveaway! :)

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  61. Happy blogoversary and hoping you have many more to come!

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  62. Belated Happy Blogaversary!!! (Not sure if I spelt that right) Love the fact that you gave a shoutout to Filipino bloggers. ;D And yes, BRUNO MARS IS LOVE! <3 Thank you, by the way, for this amazing giveaway!

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