This month marks seven years since Novel Novice first debuted on the interwebs — and my goodness, how time flies! January 12th is the actual date this little blog went live back in 2010, although my blogging history dates back a few years more than that, to 2008, when our original site Novel Novice Twilight got its start as a place featuring ways to incorporate the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer into the classroom.
I’ve been blogging about books in some form now for almost ten years. Holy moly. It’s weird to think back on how much my life has changed in those ten years. Ten years ago …
- I was working as a producer in morning TV news, so I worked graveyard shift
- I was single
- I lived alone in a condo I had purchased right out of college (which, let’s be honest, was actually pretty great)
And today …
- I work with my dad in our family business
- I’m (happily) married
- My husband & I live together in a house we bought a couple years ago
- And I even have an entire room dedicated to all my books! Yes, my own little library room.
- I’m an auntie! I have a seven-year-old nephew and an 18-month-old niece, and both of them love books.
I loved my life then, and I love my life now — but it’s definitely become a much busier life for me, so it’s harder to squeeze in time for reading and blogging. I make it happen, but my ability to read and blog as much as I did ten years ago has certainly diminished. And if you’ve been a long-time blog follower, I’m sure you’ve noticed the changes in my blogging habits as a result of those life changes.
I’m sure things will continue changing even more as time marches on. But then, that’s life, isn’t it?
Still, I love this little blog and my blogging buddies and (for the most part) the blogging community. I’ve made some incredible friendships as a result of blogging & I don’t know what I’d do without all those wonderful people who’ve come into my life because of it!
So this year’s anniversary is a celebration of all the good that has come from Novel Novice!
To celebrate our 7-year anniversary, we’re giving away a set of 2017 YA ARCs and a bunch of swag and other goodies:
That prize pack includes:
- ARC of Traveler by L.E. Delano
- ARC of Lifers by M.A. Griffin
- ARC of Confessions of a High School Disaster by Emma Chastain
- ARC of Exo by Fonda Lee
- Samplers of Strange the Dreamer, The Diabolic, Tales of the Peculiar, Something in Between, Carve the Mark, and more
- Plus assorted bookmarks, stickers, tattoos, buttons, activity books, and an Unexpected Everything pouch
There will be ONE lucky winner who takes home the entire prize pack. Contest is open to the U.S. only, and is open through midnight (PT) on Wednesday, January 25th.
To enter, tell us below – in detail – what you love most about Novel Novice! Please be specific and show that you’re a true Novel Novice fan. (If you’re just a casual contest fan and do not regularly visit this blog, please move along! This contest is truly meant to reward and thank our regular followers.)
Then complete the Rafflecopter form to complete your entry and earn more chances to win!
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Novel Novice 
What I love must is always the calendars/wallpaper!
Hoping to win this contest! Thank you for it!
Love reading the YA book reviews not only for myself but to purchase for my high school library collection.
What I enjoy most about your blog are your reviews. not only are they well written, flow easily in conversational tone, and never hold back what you really think, but also the vaiety of books you review here–you also review many age groups and genres. I like to read and write middle grade and picture books mostly, so I need to find out about these books and which ones to read to become a better writer. Also, I love to read different genres from contemporary to scifi and I get to read about them here. I also love your name (my daughter is also Sara, no H). Congrats on finding happiness, no matter where your path has led. I’m happy to have found your blog and will stick around as long as you keep posting bookish things.
I love the books you feature. I’ve been made alert to new authors and the contests are always a huge plus :).
Your passion for books!
I love reading your reviews, finding new books to add to my list, seeing if you agreed with books I have read before. I also enjoy finding out new tidbits about the book world and reading someone’s words about loving books as much as I do.
You not only give honest and detailed reviews, but you introduce me to a wide range of books that I never would’ve picked up before. Because of this blog, I’ve read some of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
I try to check the blog every day to see if there are any new books to learn about. I have not yet read the Evil Librarian books, but they sound like fun. The Web site is well designed, and logically organized.
I love the break down and reviews of the books you cover. I find it a great way to find books to add to my want to read list. An awesome site that keeps me in the know.
Why us only??
Why US only?
Because int’l mailing is too expensive, and I pay for it out of my own pocket! See our contest policy here for more: https://novelnovice.com/about/novel-novice-contest-policy/
I love Novel Novice for the book reviews – for all ages! I come here often to find new books for all of my kids (3, 7 & 9). Happy Anniversary!