Along with my first year of blogging also came a lot of other bookish firsts. I went to my first ever book signing, got my first ever ARC straight from the publisher, and wrote my first ever book review.
1. First Young Adult book read
I can’t believe I still remember this, but the first Young Adult book I’ve read ever is Crank by Ellen Hopkins. I was in eighth grade and one of my old best friends was going on and on about how awesome Crank was. I was nosy and decided to get my hands on a copy to check it out. Even now, I can say this, Crank is awesome.
2. First Adult contemporary read
I picked up this one totally at random because the author’s name sounded so familiar (probably because she’s a famous author?): Too Good To Be True by Kristan Higgins. I enjoyed the book, but not overly that much.
3. First historical romance read
At first, I was iffy about historical romances. I thought historical romances mostly focuses on sex and that’s it. After doing a lot of research, I decided to start with The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt. I’m glad I did try it because The Raven Prince really got me into historical romances. It was that good.
4. First book blog I’ve ever discovered
The first book blog I’ve ever discovered was The Reader Bee. I don’t know how I stumbled upon it – I accidentally bumped onto this blog by accident. I still visit it sometimes.
5. First book review I’ve ever wrote
The first book review I’ve ever wrote was Wake by Amanda Hocking. I just shudder looking at it. I personally think that my old reviews isn’t as good as the reviews I write now, but doesn’t almost everybody think that?
6. First 5-star rating I ever gave to a book
Is it any surprise that the first 5-star rating I ever gave to any book is to Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins? That book has everything: a cute romance that you can root for, true friendship, and some drama added to the mix. I still need to buy a paperback copy of Anna and the French Kiss with the new cover redesign.
7. First book signing I’ve ever attended
Sadly, I didn’t take any pictures of this event, but in January 2013, there was a book event at Books of Wonder featuring Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows (at least that I remember).
8. First ARC from publisher
I think (I’m not completely sure) that the first ARC I received straight from the publisher was These Broken Stars. I was literally squealing when I received it in the mail. I can’t wait to start it and see if it’s as good as people said it was. :D
9. First giveaway
The first giveaway I ever made/hosted was my Most Anticipated 2013 Book Giveaway where anyone can win any book they want as long as it’s published in 2013. I may do this kind of giveaway again for January 2014. ;D
What are some of your bookish firsts that you remember?
Now time for the giveaway: Win a SIGNED copy of Just One Day by Gayle Forman! Just One Day is the perfect book for this giveaway, especially since it also celebrates a day of firsts. ;D
To make things even better, you can also win a SIGNED copy of Just One Year by Gayle Forman. (Gayle Forman is coming to NYC this month! Yay! :D)
Interested? Then enter below!
Terms & Conditions:
- This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY.
- The giveaway will run until November 5, 2013.
- You must be 18 years or older, or have parents’ permission to enter.
- All your entries will be disqualified if you pickup entries for something you haven’t done. (I had to do this for so many of my last giveaways, please don’t make me do this again.)
- If you only use ONE account to do all these tasks and enter under different names, they will still only constitute as ONE entry.
- If the winner does not respond to my e-mail within 48 hours, I will have to choose another winner.
- I am not responsible for any items lost in the mail.
I will never forget the first book I won in a giveaway. It was Renegade by J.A. Souders. I was so happy, I can’t stop smiling for days! :)
Ha ha, I can understand why. Renegade has a unique premise, plus the cover is absolutely gorgeous. ;D<3
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Just One Day – Gayle Forman
I would say my first YA book was the hunger games and I ended up reading the series twice! :’)
Let me guess, you started reading The Hunger Games at the climax of the hype? :P
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Just One Day – Gayle Forman
HUSH2 by becca fitzpatrick..love it so much ^^
thx u..
I sadly can’t say the same thing about that one. I found it too identical to Hush, Hush. ):
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Just One Day – Gayle Forman
Wow serious congratulations on your blogoversary! To be honest when I first start reading your blog I thought you had been blogging for much much longer! You honestly have one of the prettiest blogs I’ve ever seen! I hope that by the time I’m blogging one year I’ll have as much accomplished as you. Great firsts!
Jennifer recently posted…Movie Mondays: The Return of TV
Thank you Jennifer! :D<3
Ha ha, does it really look like it? I don't really have an image of how a two-year old blog, three-year old blog, etc. should look like so... -shrugs-
Thanks! (:
I'll love to know some of your firsts!
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Just One Day – Gayle Forman
Yay for the firsts! I love that Crank was your first YA read. It wasn’t mine, but I do love that book and think it’s a great introduction. I always try to encourage people to read Ellen Hopkins books because even though many people read YA, they seem hesitant towards it since it’s poetry. But read it everyone! Read it!
And today is going to be one of my firsts! I’m going to my first author event today. How fitting, right? When I lived in the States there was never anything going on where I lived (I would have to drive a couple of hours to get to one) and so now that I’m right outside London I can go to events there. Hopefully I don’t make a fool out of myself. I feel like everyone does these things and it becomes no big deal, but the first time is always emotional. Like when you received your first ARC from the publisher! I’ve never experienced that! Crazy stuff ;)
Asti (A Bookish Heart) recently posted…Bookish Friend: Christina @ Christina Reads YA
YES, we’re Team Ellen Hopkins Asti! -grabs some cardboard and markers and writes that-
I always urge (okay, more like strongly urge) my friends to read her books. Like you said, EVERYONE should read them!
Ohh, who are you meeting? And I’m glad you live in an area where book events are, it sucks when people tell me that authors almost never go to where they live. ):
Receiving my first ARC from the publisher was definitely crazy stuff! I think I was dancing around the room and my dad was looking at me like I was crazy. :P
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Just One Day – Gayle Forman
My first Historical Romance was Rutherford Park and it definitely made me love this genre :)
I’ve never heard of Rutherford Park before! I’ll have to check that one out. :D
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Just One Day – Gayle Forman
I am exactly not so proud of my first YA.It was Twilight.My first NA was Easy by Tammara Webber.And I can still remember the first review I wrote.It was for Defiance by C.J.Redwine.
Mishma recently posted…A to Z Bookish Survey
Ha ha, Twilight isn’t bad. It was one of my first young adult books too, like in the top ten I think. :P
Your first NA read is an excellent choice. ;D
Eep, I’m writing my review on Defiance right now!
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Just One Day – Gayle Forman
The first YA series I reviewed was Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber! I love it as much as I love vampires!
Algel recently posted…Release Day: HEREAFTER by Kate Brian
I’ve never heard of that series before, but at the same time, it sounds familiar. o:
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Just One Day – Gayle Forman
I think the first book blog I ever visited was The Book Smugglers! Been hooked ever since!
I can see why, that book blog is AWESOME. :D<3
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Just One Day – Gayle Forman
If you enjoy historical romance, you should reader “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon. The most amazing historical romance, with an huge slab of adventure (and time travel!) on the side. “The Raven Prince” looks pretty great, I might have to find myself a copy; I haven’t read a good historical romance in such a long time!
Samantha recently posted…Book Review: Beautiful Creatures
I’ve never heard of that one before, but I’m definitely willing to give it a try. Thanks for the recommendation Samantha! :D<3
And The Raven Prince is the BEST. It's a perfect combination of swoon-worthy and cute. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Just One Day – Gayle Forman
My first YA book was Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. I was hooked and have read several great YA novels.
Ha ha, I remember when Twilight had all the hype. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Best/Worst Series Enders
I don’t even remember my first YA book!
My first book signing as a blogger was a Books of Wonder the other day.
My first NetGalley approval was Picture Me by Lori Weber.
My first time being on a street team is for Unbreatheable.
My first received ARC was Once We Were by Kat Zhang.
Jessica recently posted…NCIS and Elementary Season Premieres
Hi fellow New Yorker! -waves-
Once We Were was awesome! I hope you enjoyed it! (:
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Best/Worst Series Enders
Oy, first reviews. I DETEST my first review. It’s soooo bad. I obviously didn’t take blogging very seriously then. At the same time though, I think it’s really interesting to flip back and see how you’re improving. Though it doesn’t feel or seem like it, improvement is a constant which definitely puts my mind at ease.
The only first I remember is the first book blog I found. I think it was The Book Alley which is non-existent now (I searched it up a couple of months ago!) which is sad because that was the blog that inspired me to get into blogging!
Annie recently posted…Where Beauty Lies by Elle and Blair Fowler
Oh, I DETEST my first review too. I don’t want to see how I improved, I just want to re-write my review. :P
Aww, that’s sad! D:
One of my favorite book bloggers also disappeared, so I know what you mean. ):
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Best/Worst Series Enders
The first time I got a book signed by a well-known author was when I won Shadows in the Silence by Courtney Allison Moulton. I was fangirling about it for a week or two. I was so excited! I’ll never forget that day! ^_^
I remember that feeling! I was fangirling all over Brodi Ashton and Cynthia Hand. It was so embarrassing. :P
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Best/Worst Series Enders
that would be the Gabriel’s Inferno and Rapture since then, I started buying a lot of books :)
I’ve sadly never read those two. It’s just sadly not for me. -shrugs- D:
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Best/Worst Series Enders
My first YA novel was Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Someone else here read Twilight as their first YA book too! :D
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Best/Worst Series Enders
My first romance novel was “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon.
I’ve never heard of that one before. o:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Defiance – C.J. Redwine
The first author that I loved (even before JK Rowling) was Tamora Pierce, I was addicted to reading because of her books, thank goodness she has a few series haha but yeah, I wouldn’t be the reader I am today, if it weren’t for her books
Chantelle recently posted…The Search for the Panacea [1]
I’ve seen Tamora Pierce’s name around everywhere, but never heard of any of her books before. I might check her books out since you appear to love them so much. o:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Defiance – C.J. Redwine
My first NA novel is Slammed by Colleen Hoover. Oh and yes, my first ever John Green book is Looking for Alaska!
Nina Waters recently posted…American Girl on Saturn Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway
Ha ha, I can’t believe I forgot what my first NA book was!
And my first and only John Green book is The Fault In Our Stars. I want to read Looking for Alaska too though. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Defiance – C.J. Redwine
I love getting to know more about your blogging journey! I think the Reader Bee was one of the first blogs I ever saw too. And Anna and the French kiss is a definite 5-star read. I love that it was your first!
Becca @ Nawanda Files recently posted…Monthly Highlights: September 2013
I’m so glad The Reader Bee still exists, every time I visit it, it brings back good bookish memories. (:
Yeah! :D To think that I thought I would hate that one too…
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Defiance – C.J. Redwine
The first review I wrote was for The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. The first book I fell in love with was The Rescue from Nicholas Sparks which makes him my first and number favorite author ever….which is weird because everything else I love related to books is strictly Young Adult only.
Michelle @ Unraveling Books recently posted…The Road to You – Book Blitz!
Happy Blogoversary!!! Im not a blogger so i dont really have bookish first… I do a few books that got me into reading– Fear Street books and this book named There He Keeps Them,Very Well by Clare Mcnally- i read this book several times..
First childrens book was The Very Hungry Caterpillar haha
Katie recently posted…September Book Haul/ Stacking the Shelves #2
I have been wanting to read Just One Day for a VERY long time!
Allyn recently posted…To Speak… or Not | #YouTubeLowFiWeek
Proxy by Alex London was my 1st YA with a homosexual character of color as a MAIN character, and I loved it!
Allyn recently posted…To Speak… or Not | #YouTubeLowFiWeek
I love to read, but I had not been reading so constantly as now, since I read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, since then can not stop with reading, books are like air, integral important part of my life :)
My first harlequin, Nora Roberts Language of Love series, Search for Love in Indonesian translation. I love her writing since.
Ashtrie Karana Putrie recently posted…Cover Reveal! The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Marie Landry
My first new adult book was Slammed by Colleen Hoover (some might consider it as YA, but I like to think of it as NA). I absolutely loved it! Ever since then, I started reading more NA books.
My first historical romance book was Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas. I LOVED all her series and she is my #1 author of that genre :D
First book series I read: The Harry Potter series
First book that made me cry: The Fault in our Stars
Thanks for the awesome giveaway! :D
BTW, I’m so happy to know that someone likes Anna and the French Kiss as I do. ;)
The first YA book I read as an adult was Twilight. Once I read that I got hooked on YA fiction, and it’s basically all I read now. I just love YA so much, I love contemporary but I love paranormal, sci-fi, fantasy even more. Thanks so much for the giveaway and Happy Blogoversary :)
Rochelle Sharpe recently posted…Fiction Friday: Review ‘Revived’ by Cat Patrick.
First signed copy of a book (specifically addressed to me): Time Between Us
teepee recently posted…BOOK BLURB: This Song Will Save Your Life
I think my first YA read Before I Die by Jenny Downham, I didn’t enjoy it very much but I continued to read YA and I love it now!
My first-ever YA read was The Twilight Saga and it was freaking awesome! The First-ever book review I wrote was of Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo :-) I LOVE YOUR FIRSTS ESPECIALLY CRANK!
Een recently posted…Stacking the Shelves (2)
My first YA read was Eragon in the 3rd grade :)
My first YA book I really remember was The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. And thus began a lasting obsession with her books :D
My first book was Harry Potter! After that, I got hooked to all kinds of novels
Shatter me was my first dystopian novel!
Okay, let me think. . . I have no idea which to choose from, so I’m just going to go with first physical ARC received. That was THE WAITING SKY by Lara Zielin, and I was so pumped because I only ever get e-galleys. Best of all, I ADORED the book. Win!
I know I’m new to your blog, but happy blogoversary, Kelly! Now I can proceed to gush about how much I love your design. <3 Here's to many more happy blogging times to come! *raises butterbeer*
Megan @ Adrift on Vulcan recently posted…Infiltrate. Overthrow. Takeover.
My first YA was Twilight series and my first “adult” series was Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showalter. I did A LOT of blushing while reading the Lords :D
Thanks for the giveaway!
Janhvi recently posted…Author Interview- Ruchi Vasudeva (Bollywood Fiance For A Day)
My first YA book I think was THE DUFF by Kody Keplinger. I thought it was the greatest book ever at the time and then I started reading a bunch of other books in that section and now I live in B&N. I still have that book on my bookshelf. :)
Elena recently posted…BEB Review: Under the Never Sky
My first book signing was Kiera Cass’. She was so adorable and so sweet. Her voice sounded even cuter in real life! (i’ve been watching her youtube videos… heh)
Hi Kelly,
Just like you I also got my first ARC straight from the publisher (IT WAS AMAZING) in such a short time and I danced and even did a know called “ARC BOOK DANCING”. It was pretty amazing and we have it difficult since we are in Spain and INT mail sucks, so… Best. Day. Ever. LOL
And also I wrote my first ever book review. At first I was a little lost, but once I started, I got more confidence ;)
ALSO I used my basic programming skills (Thank you college ^^) to do some pretty things with our blog. Although this part was not so nice when the HTML code was not right…. U-U
Thanks for the amazing and HUGE giveaway you are doing. And being INT! Thanks! ;)
And… HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!!!!
Patri :D
The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club recently posted…Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles #1) by Kresley Cole
Hmmm. My first blog was specifically a book blog, although that one never got off the ground :/
But when I first got into the world of blogging, I won two books (The Mark by Jen Nadol and By The Time You Read This I’ll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters) within a couple weeks of each other, so that was exciting!
But the contest I most loved winning was one where I got a little owl figurine and a Barnes and Noble gift card(:
Other than that, I am TOTALLY ready to get my first book/ARC to review from a publisher or company. Hope it happens soon!
Thanks for the giveaway. Happy Blogoversary! Mine recently turned 3 1/2 but I’ve been on a long hiatus and I am barely returning :(
But congrats to you! :D
Joanna Velez recently posted…Nobody Said It Was Easy
Hmm I believe my bookish firsts was when I picked up my first ever Harry Potter book. Also, when I first rated a book 1 out of 5 stars, I don’t remember what book it was though. Congrats on the 1 year blogoversary!
My first book was Harry Potter! And I still reading that type of books :)
It took me forever to think of a “first”, but I think I’ll keep this bookish. The first YA book I can remember reading was Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen. I read it in middle school and pretty much fell in love with it. At the time I didn’t realize it was YA, but still. Sarah Dessen is still a favorite author of mine. (:
Lisa recently posted…Stacking the Shelves (25)
Lawrence Sanders…the first commandment…then I got hooked.
The first signed book I won! it was Tempest by Julie Cross!!
Mine was Cinder & Scarlet by Marissa Meyer!
The first YA series I read was the Twilight Saga. My friends recommended it for me.
BTW, thanks for this giveaway!
One of my favourite bookish firsts was getting auto-approved for all book from Patchwork Press on Net Galley! I love all the books I have read from their publishing house ^.^
I just attended my first book signing in September! It was the Fierce Reads tour and I had an awesome time.
I’m not sure what the first YA book I read was, but I kind of want to go with Twilight. I think it was.