Pages

01 December 2017

Happy birthday, Mary Had a Little Book Blog!



Holy crap, you guys. When I moved to Dallas back in 2012 and started this site, I never didn't think that it would still be around five years later but I also never did think that it would still be around. I guess I just wasn't thinking forward enough. 

The past five years have been full of change, both good and bad. I've moved around some (a lot. Sorry for the rotating addresses, friends & pubs!), got two new jobs including working at my library (for which I am eternally grateful), attended some bomb-ass book events, and even moderated a few. I blurbed my first-ever book, was in the acknowledgements of a handful of books, and my book collection at least doubled its size. I met some of the best people in the world online and IRL. I joined a bookish fantasy football chat that I didn't realize then would become so ingrained in my daily life that I honestly don't know what I'd do without those friends or how I existed before I talked to them every day. In addition to the blog here and Twitter, I added Instagram to the mix and became addicted to bookish candles.

More than all that easily defined stuff, I changed a lot personally. The world at large has changed so much in five years, and the book community has changed to reflect that, both through positive growth and intense struggle. And I have personally changed as my community has. It has not been an easy five years, but I think I can say I'm a better, wiser, more aware person than I was in 2012, and for that I'm grateful.

So what's next? Well, I'm still not super forward-thinking, but... I guess I keep going. For me, it's very important that blogging always feel like it's fun and enjoyable. It takes up a lot of my time so if I ever feel like it's a chore instead of a hobby, an escape, that's not okay with me. Which is why I might take unannounced breaks, but I have no plans to call it quits permanently. Blogging here at Mary Little Had a Book Blog brings me a lot of joy. Not only do I get to share my love of books with all you lovely readers, but I get to express myself through writing, which is something I take pleasure in, even if I'm not so into fictional writing (lol. I've tried. It did not go well). As long as there are books to be read and discussed and as long as the reading and discussing are enjoyable, I'm going to be here, talking up the books I like and making recommendations.

Thank you all so much for reading my little book blog. It has meant the world over the past five years to know that someone's listening. Here's to many more years together! *hugs*

Giveaways!
To celebrate my blogiversary right, I'm hosting a couple giveaways, one for the US & one for international peeps. Scroll to the one that's right for you. I'll also be doing a few others throughout the month so stay tuned for more free books!

US Giveaway
One winner will receive a box of books and a custom 8 oz candle from Flickering Tales. The box will include Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (signed), The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli (signed), Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser (signed), Dear Martin by Nic Stone, Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills, and [edited to add] The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo (signed). The candle will be designed by the winner with help from Rachael of Flickering Tales. You'll get to pick your own scent combo and the label!

Open to US only. Entrants must be 13+ with parents' permission. Giveaway is open until 12 AM CST January 1. Please enter via Rafflecopter below; winner will be chosen at random, and odds are determined by number of entries. I reserve the right to disqualify any entries that are not in accordance with my giveaway policies as stated in the Review & Site Policies tab at the top of the page. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

INT Giveaway
One winner will receive as many books as $30 (USD) will get you on Book Depository, winner's choice. So you can pick an expensive book or several cheaper ones. Up to you! Open to wherever Book Depository ships for free EXCEPT the US! Entrants must be 13+ with parents' permission. Giveaway is open until 12 AM CST January 1. Please enter via Rafflecopter below; winner will be chosen at random, and odds are determined by number of entries. I reserve the right to disqualify any entries that are not in accordance with my giveaway policies as stated in the Review & Site Policies tab at the top of the page. Good luck!

Edited to add: US peeps, please don't enter this giveaway. I know it sounds tempting, but this is one of the few INT giveaways I've been able to hold. Please let those folks have their chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Seriously, thanks for reading everyone. I hope you have a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year. And again: stay tuned for more giveaways! I have a bunch planned!

55 comments:

  1. I know it is releasing the end of December but I really liked the uniqueness of Love Letters of Abelard and Lily.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've heard that one is good. Thanks for the rec!

      Delete
  2. One book you need to read before 2017 ends is Greetings from Witness Protection! by Jake Burt. It's a middle grade book that was so much fun to read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not much of a middle grade reader anymore, but that blurb does sound awesome so I'll give it a try. Thanks for the rec!

      Delete
  3. Definitely Warcross, which was my favorite read of the year! But other great ones: Nyxia, This Mortal Coil, Scythe if you haven't read it yet because Thunderhead comes out in January! <3 Thanks for this awesome giveaway! And I agree with bookbunny that Love letters is great as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adore Warcross!!! Nyxia is sitting on my shelf, and I've heard Mortal Coil is awesome. Thanks for the recs, Christina! :*

      Delete
  4. You need to read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine before the end of the year. I was surprised how great this novel was.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't heard of this one. I'll check it out!

      Delete
  5. Congratulations on 5 years! That is quite an accomplishment. My most recent favorite read was Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills. Loved it so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohmygosh YES! I read Foolish Hearts last week and LOVED it! I'll be posting as part of the blog tour next week, and my review will come probably a bit later in the month. Emma's books are must reads for me, and I'm dying inside that her next won't release until 2019.

      Delete
  6. I feel like you've read all the books I could suggest, maybe a graphic novel? Rat Queens or Locke & Key.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't read a ton of graphic novels, but I've been meaning to look into more. Thanks for the recs!

      Delete
  7. Definitely read The Hate U Give if you haven't already.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *hides face* I haven't! I keep meaning to read it, but it's been pushed back for about a year.

      Delete
  8. Congratulations! 5 years is huge. One of my 5 star reads this year is The Law of Tall Girls by Joanne Macgregor. It's a YA contemporary and is very richly layered.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I myself am a Tall Girl so that sounds great! Thanks for the rec!

      Delete
  9. Happy 5 year blogiversary! That was so awesome!! Keep it up! If you haven't read Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor, you definitely should. It was such a magnificent book! Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I ADORE Laini's books, and I have no idea why I haven't read Strange yet except maybe because I'm not sure when Muse will release, and I can't imagine waiting in between books again.

      Delete
  10. I really enjoyed reading Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me series!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like Shatter Me too (except Ignite Me made me rage-y, but that's a story for another time). I'm really looking forward to Restore Me!

      Delete
  11. Whoops! I accindently entered the US giveaway despite being in the UK. Please ignore my entries for that one <3
    As for a book rec - STRANGE THE DREAMER! My fave books of the year <3
    Megan S.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No worries. Thanks for letting me know! And I love Laini's books! I've been meaning to read Strange for months!

      Delete
  12. Happiest 5 year blogiversary Mary!

    I recommend Even the Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett. I love the setting and the whole story was mesmerizing :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Eileen!! I haven't seen a ton of people talking about Even the Darkest Stars so thanks for recommending something quiet! I'll definitely check it out!

      Delete
  13. Happiest 5 year blogiversary Mary!

    "What is one book I need to read before 2017 ends?"
    I think you should read The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

    ReplyDelete
  14. "What is one book I need to read before 2017 ends?" Oh, there are so many! I don't really read "self-published" books much--but in the past year I've found several that are great: "Coinman" by Pawan Mishra, "Monkey Business" by Landon Crutcher, "HOLY CRAP! THE WORLD IS ENDING!" by Anna-Marie Abell.

    I've discovered super-scary graphic novels by Junji Ito. If you dare, read "Uzumaki," a story in which the characters "spiral into terror"! His other books are also great. (Some of it is a bit gross.)

    Or read the kids' sci-fi graphic novels in the "Amulet" series--so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  15. All the bright places is one of my favourite so i recomment you to read it before year ends

    ReplyDelete
  16. Definitely Strange the Dreamer!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. yay for 5 years! I really liked The Breakdown by B.A. Paris.
    Dianna

    ReplyDelete
  18. Happy Blogiversary. I'd really love to read Turtles All the Way Down just before the year ends.

    ReplyDelete
  19. The Language of Thorns is o e book I want to read but haven't yet.

    ReplyDelete
  20. You should read black moon by Romina Russell

    ReplyDelete
  21. I know it's already been recommended but I'll second the recommendation for The Hate U Give!

    ReplyDelete
  22. If you haven't read it yet, please, pick up The Hate U Give. You're not gonna regret it ;) Congratulations on 5 years, Mary!! I wish you many, many more <3 <3 <3

    ReplyDelete
  23. You should definitely read Turtles all the Way Down by John Green :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congrats on 5 years! You should read Tower of Dawn. I'm currently reading it and I'm loving it so far.

    ReplyDelete
  25. We're so close to the end of this year, I'm gonna go for a short but sweet rec for you :) Murder on the Orient Express, by Agatha Christie. It's just perfect!

    HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY, AND HERE'S TO MANY MORE, MARY!

    ReplyDelete
  26. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher!
    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29396.Furies_of_Calderon?ac=1&from_search=true

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congrats on 5 years! I took an unexpected hiatus during 2017 from my blog. I plan on going back to it in 2018. I am trying to finish All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I'm not even halfway done though. One book I would recommend that I read this year is Marina by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Great read for autumn. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Ooh not sure what rec I could give that you'd be able to finish by tomorrow! My fave read of 2017 though was VE Schwab's A Conjuring of Light, though that's the third in a trilogy!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Happy Blogoversary! Have you read the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh? I devoured the series this summer. Thanks for the giveaway!
    Ann S

    ReplyDelete
  31. Intake Ultra Pure 360 Keto Friendly
    Ultra Pure 360 Keto The physiologist way to reinforcement your Ultra Pure 360 Keto journey is with a quick that is composed commonly of fat, with center activator and occasional carbohydrate consumption. For incomparable consequences, goal for a ratio of 60% fats, 30% activator, and eight% carbohydrates.


    READ MORE >>>>> https://www.completefoods.co/diy/recipes/ultra-pure-360-keto-reviews-price-side-effects-buy

    http://ultrapure360keto.mystrikingly.com/

    ReplyDelete


  32. Wenn Sie die Expertenmöglichkeit Slimymed Premium Review haben, haben Sie bereits verstanden, dass BHB ein Slimymed Premium Substrat sein könnte, das zahlreiche Enzyme im menschlichen Rahmen aktiviert und sie am weiteren Fett ausführen lässt. Diese Enzyme sind Proteine, die das Mahlzeitenmolekül in Richtung der Verdauungstechnik teilen. Mit BHB beschleunigt der Ansatz der Verdauung und des Abbaus das Wachstumstempo und hilft dem Körper, das u zu verstehen. S. EIN . Symptom. Das Erreichen des Symptoms basiert in erster Linie in der Realität auf dem Somatotyp und folglich auf den Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln, die Sie einnehmen. Für einige Menschen wäre es extrem gut, zwischen vier und fünf Tagen aufzusteigen, und für einige würde es zehn Tage dauern. Darüber hinaus hilft es dem Körper, in einer unbestimmten Zeit in der Zukunft des Tages einen energetischen Rahmen zu schaffen, der die Elektrizität fördert.

    Read More>>> https://www.completefoods.co/diy/recipes/slimymed-premium-ditpillen-bewertungen-vor-dem-kauf-muss-nebenwirkungen-gelesen-werden

    https://sites.google.com/site/slimymedpremium/

    ReplyDelete

  33. Calcium Novum Health Keto

    If you're aiming to build up a throw sturdier body, you’re aiming to need strong, wholesome bones to retaining it on. The steel detail will assist you to supply the goods.

    Metal

    Magnesium is a surely important problem for maintaining a healthy device and assists in nerve feature. It conjointly plays a undertaking in keeping a traditional, healthy rhythm.

    Read More>>> https://www.completefoods.co/diy/recipes/novum-health-keto-keto-pills-benefits-side-effects-price

    http://novumhealthketo.mystrikingly.com/

    ReplyDelete

  34. In any dinners supplement, that has effects on the casing or that now test up on the digestion of the individual or Ascension Keto woman need to be made with domestic grown or domestic grown concentrates. That will no longer the slightest bit offer damage, to the frame or assist in the engaged explanation. Ascension Keto supplement components are 100% or ordinary separated from the herb or plant-based totally honestly really absolutely in truth virtually honestly absolutely without a doubt in truth in fact roots that you see legitimate right right proper right here.
    Read More>>> https://www.completefoods.co/diy/recipes/does-ascension-keto-workread-reviews-before-buy

    https://sites.google.com/site/ascensionketonew/

    ReplyDelete
  35. Primal Grow Pro The fallen leaves are more regularly than no longer completed in hormonal operator opportunity medicinal capsules considering that their natural product is executed as a cell reinforcement, hypoglycemic, calming definitely in desire to microbial expert.

    Cimicifuga: This is a UK plant now not all that outstanding in the UK, except as of now genuinely understood in the UK, used by women to facilitate the caution symptoms of menopause. Contains an huge diploma of hormone, being contraindicated for children beneath 18, searching earlier to, lactating in truth as person with cardiovascular issues.
    Read More>>>http://primalgrowpropill.mystrikingly.com/

    https://www.completefoods.co/diy/recipes/what-is-primal-grow-pro-read-benefits

    ReplyDelete
  36. How need to you take the supplement?
    Please ensure to test the schooling guide with the complement bottle that continues you under brilliant results. Keto Fab The capsules are effective with immoderate interest extracts that want to be fed on instances every day with masses of water and nutritious factors. Allow yourself to live an prolonged way from any addiction to fat and junk food that forestalls the development of fats. The extremely good prevent save you prevent give up give up surrender cease end result is continuously visible on the same time as you regularly take carrying and exercising physical to soften greater energy from the frame.
    Read More>>> https://www.completefoods.co/diy/recipes/keto-fab-read-benefits-side-effects-before-buy

    https://sites.google.com/site/ketofab2020/

    ReplyDelete

  37. How Does Keto Lyte Help in Weight Loss?
    You can also have heard ketosis which a completely specific diploma wherein the frame burns fats for energy. This diploma comes high-quality in the presence of beneficial ketones. These ketones aren't sufficiently to be had inside the frame, however this product includes BHB ketones that bring about the inexperienced burning of the fat molecule. In this manner, a frame loses weight without going to Keto Lyte any problem. These dietary dietary supplements are to put off carbs and rely upon fat. All this takes location with none trouble results.

    Read More>>> https://www.completefoods.co/diy/recipes/keto-lyte-an-effective-natural-remedy-to-lose-weight-fast

    https://www.completefoods.co/diy/recipes/keto-lyte-the-best-way-to-undergo-rapid-weight-loss

    ReplyDelete
  38. Lemon:-It is strong in removing wastes and pollution from the frame. It offers stamina and masses of electricity to the frame.
    Green Coffee Bean:-The extract of VidaGenex Keto Burn inexperienced coffee beans will growth metabolism. It improves your digestive device. Due to green digestive device, and metabolism you could reduce weight away via the usage of natural materials.
    Advantages of Now VidaGenex Keto Burn Diet Formula
    VidaGenex Keto Burn reduces your urge for food and control your eating conduct.
    It is strong in controlling the formation of fats in the frame and due to this controls the burden advantage.

    Read More>>> https://www.completefoods.co/diy/recipes/vidagenex-keto-burn-update-2020-11-things-you-need-to-know

    https://sites.google.com/site/vidagenexketoburnweb/

    ReplyDelete
  39. Vitrexotin Has Any Of Side Effects:
    Vitrexotin has no stuffing’s or delivered subjects in it. It encompass that this addition is loose from negative Vitrexotin components that make the sexual and bodily sitting advanced and sound. It definitely right may be utilized by men, who're over 18 years because it were.
    When each problem get input the body, and after that, it'll offer you the right and higher adjustments in the body.
    It is having the excessive high-quality and deductively attempted depend, which paintings to provide the maximum top notch Muscle Building exceptional, electricity, sexual strength, and strength within the life bodily, sensibly, and truly.

    Read More>>> https://www.completefoods.co/diy/recipes/vitrexotin-get-powerful-and-firmer-erections-for-impressing-the-partners

    https://sites.google.com/site/vitrexotinweb/

    ReplyDelete
  40. All the equal, is that this event supplement your gold stylish preference? Generally yet again can also furthermore need to the vital man overhaul pill art work as an possibility higher to Biogenix RX build up you consequences? We’ll empower you to keep in mind that in the end of this assessment! What’s significantly more, in case you pick at some hassle detail that the Biogenix RX Man Formula isn’t exemplary nicely sufficient, you could click any shape of image or seize in this net page to look precisely how the real execution tablet considers.
    Read More>>> https://www.completefoods.co/diy/recipes/biogenix-rx-male-enhancement-supplement-details-2019

    http://biogenixrxmale.over-blog.com/biogenix-rx

    ReplyDelete
  41. Fat want to be reduced as rapid as you're aware about it due to the fact it may purpose many issues and health Keto Boost Plus troubles in life. Exercise is essential, and so is important to take a herbal complement that might growth the weight reduction consequences away. The extremely good element that you may want to do is to go surfing and search for Keto Boost Plus. This is a weight reduction pill this is encouraged and endorsed via manner of manner of way of way of hundreds of hundreds of its customers everywhere inside the worldwide.
    The now weight reduction treatment can offer you with consequences like you may probable have in no way loved earlier than. Within 1st week of its use, you could see few pounds out of place out of your body. Its speedy motion weight reduction device has made this pill primary inside the marketplace. It is a need to to strive the Keto Boost Plus complement for each ladies and men as it offers tremendous health homes. Read greater…

    ReplyDelete

  42. Most customers fancy Max 30 Keto due to its now give up save you surrender prevent prevent save you surrender Max 30 Keto prevent surrender result. This may be due to They Do not want to look earlier to an Extended time to analyze their efforts bypass over again to existence. So, You’re the usage of Keto Drive in case your motive is to get rid of weight interior a very manner that is Every quite easy and clean.
    How Does Max 30 Keto Work?
    Max 30 Keto Supplement capabilities on a mechanism which specializes in casting off carbs, fats, and energy for your tool and allows the body hold artwork. The supplement includes a bio molecule referred to as Beta-Hydroxybutyrate or BHB which permits the body enzymes to digest that fats and acquire the immoderate fats via excretion.
    Read More>> https://mndepted.instructure.com/eportfolios/334/Home/Max_30_Keto_Safe__Effective_Weight_Loss_Formula

    https://www.completefoods.co/diy/recipes/max-30-keto-take-your-diet-to-the-max

    https://sites.google.com/site/max30ketonew/

    https://dards19923.wixsite.com/max-30-keto

    https://form.jotform.com/yajiwdards/max-30-keto

    ReplyDelete