My First Blogiversary! (and an Int'l Giveaway)

Today is my one year blogiversary! Yayyy. On September 8, 2009, I made my first post! In this past year, I've reviewed 76 books. My very first review is here... my review style has changed quite a bit, obviously... and here's my very first author interview, with Rachel Stolzman. My favorite and most meaningful post talked about my journey as a reader.

Now, I won't get too mushy, because I wrote a mushy post to all my bloggy friends a few months ago, but I will say THANK YOU. Thank you all for being my friends, for commenting, for caring about what I have to say, and for all the book love we've shared! From the bottom of my heart, thank you, because this book blogging community has changed my life, in only the best ways possible. I hope to be doing this for many years to come.

During my first year of blogging, I...

• Turned 21
• Got a job at the library
• Won 28 autographed books through a contest that author, Allison Winn Scotch, held. This included one from my beloved Jen Lancaster. Best news EVER (though I'm still waiting for 6 of the books). See my JENOGRAPH (haha Jen autograph, get it...? AHEM that was lame) to the right!
• Fell in love... with GLEE!
  
• Saw Kathy Griffin... hilarious, of course
• Saw Rob Schneider... freaking hysterical
• Became an "aunt" to my brother's two puppies, Sherman and Sadie, who will be one soon!
• Went on a trip to Gettysburg where I was bored and read
  
• Met some awesome authors at school... including Peter Cameron!
• Interviewed and heard from some really cool authors
• Got inducted into Sigma Tau Delta, an international honor society for English majors.
  
• Became a college senior!

*Giveaway Time*

In celebration, I will be holding an international giveaway (as long as the Book Depository ships to you). Here's how it'll work: Below, I'll be listing a bunch of books that are on my wishlist. The winner picks their book from that list, and I'll order them a brand new copy (to say thanks for being a follower), and I'll also be ordering myself a copy of the book they pick too (because it's my blogiversary, and I want to celebrate, dammit!). So, winner... I hope you pick a good one, because we'll both be getting a brand new copy of it! ;)

TO ENTER: please be a follower, or become one. Leave ONE comment that includes whether you're an old or new follower, which book you think you'd like (you can change your mind if you win), and your email address.

If I reach 300 followers, I'll add a second winner! The giveaway will run until September 22nd.

Now... onto the book choices... all from my wishlist. I'll try not to drool as I list them all.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown
This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk
The Giant's House by Elizabeth McCracken
House Rules by Jodi Picoult
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Mr. Peanut by Adam Ross
Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
The Traveling Vampire Show by Richard Laymon
Hey Nostradamus! by Douglas Coupland
The Passage by Justin Cronin
One Day by David Nicholls
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Elna Baker
Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
Such a Pretty Face by Cathy Lamb