IT'S MY FIFTH BLOGOVERSARY!!! (GIVEAWAY)


IT'S MY BLOGOVERSARY. MY 5TH BLOGOVERSARY. HALF A DECADE. *runs around screaming* I guess I'm officially considered an old blogger?? A wise (hahahaha, funny) blogger?? A blogger who is no longer awkward and discombobulated (hahaha, funny, again)?? I can't believe it's been so long, how has time gone so fast?


I don't really know what to say, all I want to say is thank you. Thank you to all the wonderful, incredible people who have flailed about books with me, who have fangirled with me, cried with me, laughed with me and been there for me. Before I started my blog I was quite a lonely thirteen-year-old girl, I had friends but none of them wanted to speak about books with me. Books were my life then and they are my life now and to not be able to talk about my latest additions, my new favourite books, books that frustrated me...it was lonely and disheartening. I was proud of my nerdiness and my love of all things bookish but it was so lonely. Even though I'm sure my classmates didn't purposely try to make me feel this way, I felt a bit excluded and as if my voice was quieted because all I wanted to talk about was what no one else wanted to talk about.

Then I started Blog of a Bookaholic.

At first, I had no idea what to do. I'd never read a single book blog in my life, I didn't even know about the bookish community, I didn't know about arcs, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT YA STOOD FOR. OR WHAT MEMES WERE. I know, my ignorance astounds me too. But soon I found Goodreads, I found other book blogs, I found memes to participate in and through all this I discovered people like myself, people who made me feel less alone. I could tweet a picture of my book haul that I was CRAZY EXCITED about and people would actually respond with an equal level of excitement, I would ask people what they were currently reading and get a response and talk for hours with them about it. I had found my people and I can't thank the blogging community enough – for helping me feel like I had found a place in the world. So thank you from the bottom of my heart, to all the incredible people I've spoken to over the last five years. I LOVE YOU GUYS.


I've had so many incredible opportunities thanks to blogging and I feel like I've grown so much. I know little Kyra would be super proud of me right now. For starters, I get to speak to authors! LIKE ACTUAL AUTHORS. My favourite authors whose books I've loved with all my heart. It's been five years but I don't think I'll ever get over the exhilaration of an author actually acknowledging my existence. (Fun fact: when Derek Landy retweeted me I was so happy I started crying. This was two years ago) Also, when I meet authors some of them know my blog? HOLD ME WHILE I FAINT.

Secondly, arcs! Every. Single. Time. A book-shaped package thuds on my door mat I do a happy dance. To think I get sent books ahead of publication and people value my opinion? IS THIS EVEN REAL LIFE? I am so incredibly thankful to everyone who has ever sent me a review copy – YOU GUYS MAKE MY DAY. 



Thirdly, all the incredible books I've discovered. If I hadn't started my blog, I wouldn't have discovered half of the books I've read – I'm pretty sure about that. When I started my blog I was only reading middle-grade books but by starting my blog and being exposed to all the amazing YA books, I discovered so many incredible books!!! SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR THAT. Fourthly, I've become more confident in my writing and I'm pretty sure my writing has improved too (thank goodness for that! My early blog posts? I cringe. So hard.) I'm no longer as shy to share my thoughts and speak my mind and due to the fantastic blogs and books I've read, my writing has improved too! HUZZAH. 

Fifthly, I discovered another wonderful hobby – photography. I'm pretty sure if I hadn't started blogging I wouldn't have gotten as into photography as I am. I adore taking pictures and it's a wonderfully creative outlet so, thanks, blogging! Sixthly, I got blurbed once! WHICH WAS AWESOME. But they got my blog name wrong. Cry for me. 


I'm not as obsessed with statistics as I used to be but it's always nice seeing how far I've come once in a while! So, without further adieu, my statistics:

Bloglovin: 482 
GFC: 549 
Instagram: 1,179
Twitter: 1,180
Goodreads: 171
Books I've read (since starting my blog): 453 books
Amount of posts posted: 730 
Most visited post of all time: http://blogofabookaholic.blogspot.com/2013/05/top-ten-tuesday-4-top-ten-favorite-book.html I don't know how legit this is but, apparently, this post got 50K views? Don't worry, that number looks suspicious to me too.
Page views: 419, 121
Top three countries that visit my blog (I love looking at this! SO INTERESTING.)
1. United States
2. Russia
3. France
I wasn't expecting that! I had no idea I had readers in Russia and France. THANK YOU. <3 


I also thought I'd share some of my favourite books that I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have discovered without my blog!

Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss, #2)Life After TheftDaughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)Skulduggery Pleasant (Skulduggery Pleasant, #1)House of MagicDare You To (Pushing the Limits, #2)White Cat (Curse Workers, #1)Half Bad (Half-Life Trilogy, #1)Bad MagicThe Moonlight DreamersThe Museum of HeartbreakBone GapThe Serpent King

TO LIST A FEW. My life would be incomplete without these preciouses. To think I might never have known about them if I hadn't started blogging...MY HEART - IT BLEEDS.



I wish I could give every single one of you a book but sadly, I can't. HOWEVER, one lucky winner will win a £10 book of their choice from The Book Depository (provided they ship to your country!).


RULES:
  1. You must be over 13 to enter or have your parents' permission.
  2. Be able to provide a legit shipping address
  3. The winner has 48 hours to reply, otherwise, another winner will be chosen!
  4. The giveaway will run from today, March 22nd, up until May 13th 2017!
  5. That's all! May the odds be ever in your favour! (It's always a good time for a Hunger Games reference, right?)

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