Happy First Blogiversary to Arctic Books! (+ giveaway)

So it’s today. I’ve officially been part of the book community for ONE year. I’m honestly so grateful and scared and shocked that I’ve done this for a whole year; the whole 365 days of it. Anyway, I’m super thrilled to be able to share this with all of you.

I can’t thank you all enough. I’ve never really had a blog or some sort of outlet on which I’ve posted regularly. I did have a few blogs a few years ago, but I never lasted this long on any of them. Nonetheless, I’m so glad that I decided to stick around in this area of the internet.

To be part of this book community, despite its occasional spurt of drama, is honestly a wonderful feeling. All of you have given me something to cherish, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

What I’ve Done

This list sorta sounds like my birthday post, but it’s different. Sorta. I swear.

• I started Arctic Books on August 3, 2015. I definitely didn’t really start blogging until November or so, but still.
• I joined a couple of street teams, including Elise Kova‘s, Michelle Madow‘s, and Nori’s Sunday Street Team.
• I participated in quite a few blog tours, including those hosted by Hannah @ Irish Banana.
• I started receiving physical ARCs. (I’m still in awe.)
• I started a bookstagram and I’m hoping to grow it even more!
• I think I’ve been known for my reviews! Someone told me once that they always read my blog for reviews and it seriously made me cry.
• I’ve made so many bookish buddies and I couldn’t be more grateful for all of you. ❤

Here are my stats, just so I can compare them to my stats next year and see how (if?) I’ve grown.

• 244 posts with 2,765 comments, 20,043 total views,
• 404 Wordpress followers, 26 email followers
• 162 Bloglovin’ followers
• 1,038 Twitter followers
• 1,680 Instagram followers
• 1,250 Tumblr followers

Goals for Next Year

• I’d love to host a Twitter chat, maybe with someone else (hit me up if you’re interested?!?)
• I might want to get a co-blogger; with senior year coming up, I’m probably not going to have much time to blog. If you’re interested in co-blogging, let me know! I’m seriously thinking about this.

Stats-wise, I’d love to reach these milestones:

• 40,000 total views
• 600 WordPress followers, 50 email followers
• 350 Bloglovin’ followers
• 2,000 Twitter followers
• 10k Instagram followers
• 2,000 Tumblr followers

Whew! With that finished, let’s get on to the Q&A and giveaway! Thank you all so much for sending in questions! You make my heart ache. In a good way though.

How has your own real life been affected by blogging? 😏📚 https://t.co/TeMJNgmeH6

— Jill (@booknerd_jill) June 20, 2016

Well, I’ve definitely spent more time on the interwebs, and I’ve read more! Before I started blogging, I only read around three books a month-ish, but now I definitely read more.

@arcticbookss
1. What's your favorite book and author 🙂
2. How did you start blogging/where did the idea come from
3. Best blogger friend

— Brianna + Angelina (@otakutwins1) June 21, 2016

1. Probably SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi. (And the rest of the series too!)
2. On my personal Twitter account, I had been following publishers like Penguin, Epic Reads, etc., so one day, I decided to creep around the replies on one of those tweets, and I happened to visit a book blogger’s Twitter. I kept on creeping around on the blogger’s blog, and it gave me inspiration to create a blog myself!
3. I consider Nisha @ A Running Commentary and Kaitlin @ Next Page Please! to be very kind souls.

@arcticbookss what is your favorite/best blogging experience so far? 😁

— alexandra (@twirlingpages) June 21, 2016

Ooh, this is a hard one because so many amazing things have happened! But I would have to say when someone (I can’t remember who, I woe) put my blog on their list of 100 favorite book blogs and it literally made my whole year.

@arcticbookss if you could recommend a reader 3 books, what would they be?

— Vibin With Books (@vibinwithbooks) June 21, 2016

1. SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi
2. WE ARE THE ANTS by Shaun David Hutchinson
3. ENCLAVE by Ann Aguirre

All of these books really affected me and really made me think.

@arcticbookss What's one piece of advice you would give to other bloggers, especially newbies?

— Isabella (@thebookpandas) June 21, 2016

Make sure you have fun with blogging! It’s really easy to get lost in stats and jealousy and all that, but if you have fun and you have passion, then getting more stats and followers will come naturally, I think.

@arcticbookss what's you're favorite pie? If you don't like pie, replace it with a dessert of choice.

— Alexa (@ahnyoo_) June 21, 2016

I moderately enjoy pie, especially apple! If not pie, I very much so love rice pudding. Or any kind pudding.

@arcticbookss what's your least favorite genre to read? If you could pick a color to represent you, what color would you pick? (1/2)

— Jesalin ❃ (@JBelkBooks) June 28, 2016

I think my least favorite genre to read is a tie between paranormal and horror. It just doesn’t do it for me (oops). For a color….. a light/pastel purple, maybe?

@arcticbookss what's your favourite aspect of your blog? why do you continue to blog? (as i descended, what's a girl gotta do?)

— denise ✨ (@TheBibliolater) June 28, 2016

I like writing book haul posts. And I do like doing graphic design, so I guess I like those aspects of my blog!

I mean, I love blogging and I’m totally getting the hang of it now! I’ve always wanted to have a blog, and now I finally do. I never thought that my blog would center around books but I’m glad it does because what else would I blog about?

@arcticbookss if you could have two authors co-write a book, who would they be?

— Vibin With Books (@vibinwithbooks) June 28, 2016

Hm…. probably Tahereh Mafi and Marie Lu? I love both of their works and they’re both so creative and lovely, and bonus: they’re friends in real life which I think is awesome! They should totally do it.

 

Lastly, I’d love to get some feedback from you! I’ve been talking (typing?) a lot, but I’d love for you to talk to me and tell me things.

Lately, I’ve seen so many fantastic upcoming releases, which I’m super pumped for (and I hope you are too!), so I’m giving away one preorder/order of one of the books above!

Terms and Conditions:

• You must be 18 or older or have your parent’s consent to release a mailing address.
• You may only use one account to enter.
• If the winner doesn’t respond in 48 hours, i will choose another winner.
• I am not responsible for anything lost in the mail.
• This giveaway is not affiliated with Book Despository / Amazon.
• This giveaway will run from August 3, 2016 at 12AM EST to September 3, 2016 at 12 AM EST.
• Read my full policy here. Good luck!!!!!

blog graphic illustration by freepik

As a final thank you and daily reminder, please know that if you ever need to talk about anything, my DMs are open and I always check my email. Don’t hesitate to ask or pop in if you ever need anything that I can help you with! ❤

That was a long post! What book would you get? When is your blogoversary (if you blog)? I’d love to hear your thoughts!