Blogger Love + Birthday GIVEAWAY! (INT, ends 4/21)

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Today I turn 26.

Depending on the second, I'm incredibly happy or depressingly sad about it. Which I kind of figure to work into a happy medium of accepting being this old/young and being at the point in my life that I am. It's not quite where I thought I'd be (actually, it's not at all) but I have to admit...I'm actually pretty happy. Maybe there are aspects of my life I'm still trying to change, but overall? I have the love and friendship of so many more people than I ever though I would deserve, and that's all that matters.

I want to spread that love through the book blogosphere too.

Lately it seems there's been a lot of negativity in this little corner of the web, and that makes me sad since my book blog is the source of so much happiness. I mean, it's about books and YA lit and swoony boys and gripping stories! You can't tell me that's not a recipe for happiness. So I want to bring a little positivity, and I hope this will do.

First, please read this post from Jamie, and this post from Jen. They are both brilliant.

Next, I want to list just a few of the book blogs and bloggers whom I adore to no end. For varying reasons: some I know personally and get along with so well, others I admire their honesty in writing and blogging, some I find their reviews to be thoughtful and thorough...some even fall under all of that. Some none of it. Just know that this following list, in no particular order, are some of the blogs that keep me going day in and day out.

Oh! Paper Pages | The Flyleaf Review | The Perpetual Page Turner | Rather Be Reading | Hobbitsies

Anna Reads | Alexa Loves Books | Kate's Tales of Books and Bands | The Fake Steph | GReads

FabbityFab Book Reviews | Music, Books, and Tea | The Broke and the Bookish | Yearning To Read

Makeshift Bookmark | My Not So Real Life | Good Books and Good Wine | That Artsy Reader Girl

Readaraptor | ARCycling | YA Highway | YA Book Exchange

The Prize

Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

There will be TWO (2) winners!

One (1) US winner will get BOTH the above books! Both are hardcover, both are signed. (LTSF will be when I see her on the 27th!)

One (1) INTERNATIONAL winner will get to choose either Mila 2.0 or Let the Sky Fall! As long as The Book Depository ships to you, then you are eligible to enter this!

Why Mila 2.0 and LTSF? Because this post is about love and I loved both these stories; and I also happen to love the authors as well. Debra and Shannon are two of the sweetest, most awesome authors I've ever met and I jump for joy every time I get to see and/or hang out with them. They never fail to greet me with a smile and hug, and I want nothing more than to support them any way I can.

HOW TO ENTER

This isn't going to be your typical giveaway. Rather than make you do things like following my blog, tweeting, goodreads, etc., I want the focus to be on the LOVE and BRILLIANCE of this book blogging community.

In the comments, tell me a book blog/blogger you absolutely love and WHY. That's it!

Please don't just write "because they're awesome" - true as I'm sure that is, I want to know, for real, why you love this person/person's site. Don't be creepy of course, but tell me why exactly they stand out to you. Maybe you love their writing, or their review style, or their layout...maybe they posted the cutest puppy picture ever and you want it - it could be anything! Make sure you leave the link to their blog too, because I want to know!

(Don't forget to leave if you're US or International, and a way to contact you, too!)

It is my hope that this post will be filled with amazing words and uplifting thoughts. Periodically throughout this giveaway, I'll tweet or message the bloggers you guys mention too, because I think they should know someone out there loves them and what they're doing.

Sound easy? Sound happy and filled with love? Good! Get to commenting!

Extra Entries

Tweeting and/or Following my blog. While I'd appreciate multiple tweets to get more linkbacks to here, only one will actually count. I can't let non-tweeters inflate their chances! Make sure to let me know what option you've done in the comments, too!

[+1] Tweet about this. Make up your own if you want (make sure you link to this post AND tag me though! @italylove19), or you can use this: Celebrate @italylove19's bday! Tell her a book blog you love & win MILA 2.0 and/or LET THE SKY FALL (INT, ends 4/21) http://goo.gl/OoErI

[+1] Follow my blog. Via any way: GFC, Linky, RSS, email, etc - just make sure you tell me how and what name!

All my usual giveaway policies apply, please read them before commenting.

Ages 13 and up only.

May the odds be ever in your favor!

UPDATE 4/22: GIVEAWAY CLOSED. THANKS FOR ENTERING!
WINNER ANNOUNCED SOON.