Blogoversary! Reflecting on a Year of Blogging (+ giveaway!)

Wow. I honestly can't believe I'm writing this post. Today Total Teen Fiction turns one year old! It feels like just yesterday I started up this blog. The time has absolutely flown by and so much has happened. I wanted to collect my thoughts and share some of the highs of the past year with all of you. I'm also using this as a chance to hold a giveaway for one of my favourite books so stick around for your chance to win! Enjoy.

Blogging is a lot of work and it can be overwhelming sometimes, but I've found something I love and that I'm passionate about and so all that hard work pays off. The feeling of hitting "publish" on a post you've worked so hard on and reading the comments that appear on it is like nothing else. People talking to you about your blog or saying they read a book you  because you reviewed it and loved it gives you the best feeling ever.

Blogging has also taught me a lot about books (and myself! ) I didn't know. Just some of those things are listed below.

1. I've discovered a wealth of new books I would probably never had read if I hadn't immersed myself in the blogosphere, including lots of new releases and debut authors.

2 .Starting my own blog lead to me discovering other bloggers and chatting with some amazing bloggers.

3 .I've stopped being a re-reader and now seek out new books all the time. I still try and make time for the odd re-read but it's great to get out of my comfort zone and read new things!

4. I've discovered the world of indie and self-published books I didn't know existed! And so many of my favourite books and series from the past year have been independently published. 

5. I love e-books! I started out blogging being a total e-book sceptic, but this year I caved and bought an e-reader. Now I love my Kindle which is jam-packed with e-books

6.  Blogging has also given me a real career ambition. I've always loved books and reading but I never saw it as a career path. I've loved learning more about the publishing industry through blogging and it would be my dream to work in it one day. 

7. It's brought me out of my shell. I'm really shy and so putting my opinions out there online was a huge step for me. It's given me a real confidence boost.

8. It's brought me closer to people I knew who also love books and who I didn't realise loved talking about them as much as me! I have amazing bookish chats with my friends now <3

9. It's made me love reading even more. Yep, I didn't know that was possible either!
 

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has read my reviews, followed my blog, commented on my posts or chatted with me on Twitter. Thank you to the authors who have got in touch with me and offered me the chance to review their books. And just a huge thank you to everyone who's supported me and made me feel like I've achieved something by starting this blog. It feels like a real achievement! You have made the past year unbelievable. I hope you'll stick around for the next year!

To celebrate I'm holding a giveaway for one of my favourite books from over the past year. Enter below to win a paperback copy of Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry!

This giveaway is open to UK RESIDENTS ONLY. Fill out the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and conditions

Open to UK residents only.

You must be 13+ to enter (and have parental permission if you are under 16).
The giveaway is open from 4th - 30th June. The winner will be contacted by email as soon as possible after the giveaway has ended..
The winner has one week to respond and claim their prize once they have been contacted. If they do not respond a new winner will be chosen.

The prize: One winner will receive one paperback copy Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry.
The prize will be sent via Royal Mail once the winner has been successfully contacted. TotalTeenFiction is not responsible for any loss or damage to the prize in the post.

Winners will be chosen randomly using Rafflecopter.

I will disqualify anyone I deem to be cheating or breaking the rules.
If you have any queries about the giveaway, please email totalteenfiction@gmail.com