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Celebrating 3 Years of Booktastic Reviews!

Sunday 13 October 2013
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BOOKTASTIC REVIEWS, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HIP HIP HOORAY, HIP HIP HOORAY, HIP HIP-


MY BLOG IS NOW THREE WHOLE YEARS OLD, GUYS! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! *reaches through screen and cradles blog* I CERTAINLY CAN'T! 368 posts, 110 reviews, 117402 pageviews, 471 GFC followers and 193 Bloglovin' followers later and here we are.


Yep, I can't quite believe it either. I mean, over 100,000 pageviews?! That's amazing! And a combined following of over 600 followers (not including twitter)?! WHAT?! I am SO lucky! Huge thanks go out to everyone who follows or even takes time to browse through my blog! :)

I LOVE YOU ALL!<3

I do want to thank a few specific people though - mainly book bloggers. Now that I think about it, it might be best to grab a cup of hot chocolate or tea because when I say a few, I actually mean a LOT... Also, since I have no idea how I'm going to order this, I'm just going to go alphabetically, here's hoping I don't miss anyone out! :3


I'm not even sure if Amber knows this or not but she's the one who introduced me to the book blogging community. Years and years ago when I was just a life blogger - documenting my very boring day-to-day life - a fellow blogger (HINT: Amber!) started up a book blog. Since I'd had no idea there was such a thing as the bookblogosphere, I instantly wanted to jump on the band wagon! It was the perfect blog for an avid reader like myself to start! So, HUGE thanks go out to Amber as, without her starting up TMLB, this blog probably wouldn't exist! She's also a pretty awesome person in general. :)

Catherine (The Book Parade)

Even though I feel like I haven't talked to this girl in so long - WE SERIOUSLY NEED TO CATCH UP BIG TIME! - she's been a blogging buddy of mine for a good while now and, of course, I had to include her! She's such a lovely person and I adore her blog! :D


My goodness, where do I start with Cat?! This girl... Well, if it hadn't been for her, I would never have even come across blogger! She's the one who introduced me to the website all those years ago and helped me start up my first ever blog! She's amazing! THANK YOU SO MUCH, CAT! So happy we've stayed close all these years! xD


Francoise is one of my newer bloggy friends and I'm so glad to have met her, she's so nice and I just love her blog! The design is so pretty! I also love it when I see she's left a comment on one of my posts. :')


Eeeeek, this girl is crazy awesome. Emphasis on the crazy. ;) If you ever need someone to cheer you up, talk to this girl! She's hyper, prone to fan-girling and just so much fun! She's been a blogging bestie of mine for what seems like forever now! Her blog is perfect and her personality shines through every post, you'll love her! Thanks for being awesome, Hawwa! ;P


This is another newer bloggy friend that I'm so glad to have met! His blog is always updated with a variety of interesting and fabby posts and there's something for everybody! I always just want to go for a good ol' browse whenever I visit it (which is often)! He's also great to talk to on twitter! :)

Jessica (Booked Up!)

I absolutely love this girl and her blog. They are both fabby! We came to the realisation we've actually got quite a few things in common (which is why we must get along so well! ;D) and, if I remember correctly, my blogoversary and her birthday are on the same day. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESSICA! xD


You seriously need to check out her blog. Her posts are always interesting and fun to read (I especially love her discussion posts!) and she updates her blog regularly! She's also recently become a booktuber and I just love watching her videos!


Okay, well, for one, Ruby is amazing with everything and anything technical and so her blog design is gorgeous and she's always so willing to help me out if I'm stuck with a graphic/widget. She also writes amazing reviews - seriously, I don't know how she does it! - and I love just simply talking to her about books and fictional boys and everything in between. She's also quite the Pottermore geek and can best me in all the duels. ;D


Another lovely girl with a great blog. I love all her posts (especially her amazing discussion posts)! Her blogger header is so pretty too! She's great at writing stories too! Everyone needs to go visit her blog now - you won't regret it! xD

Sunny (A Sunny Spot)

Sunny is also such a nice book blogger (I know I'm repeating myself but all my bloggy friends are super lovely, okay? ;P) and her blog is a ray of sunshine! I love every post she writes and she leaves such lovely comments on my blog and they never fail to bring a smile to my face! :)

Zoe (Bookhi)

Ohmygoodness, where on earth do I start with Zoe?! She's one of my very oldest bloggy friends and has stuck by this blog all this time. I cannot thank her enough! Especially since my first reviews were dreadful! :3 She's great to fan-girl with and is just, simply, amazing. We have quite a similar taste in books so if she recommends anything to me, I'll instantly look it up. SIDENOTE: More GIFs, Zoe! Are you proud? ;D

A few more shout outs are needed for Beverley, Rita, Kyra, Kezia, MayaFionnuala and Amy who are all super awesome and great twitter buddies. I also want to send out a huge thank you to Cliona at Bookster Reviews because, even though she is no longer blogging, she was one of the very first bloggers (along with Zoe) I became friends with and one of the first bloggers to comment on my blog. So thank you for everything, Cliona! I hope you return to blogging someday! :)

So, there we go. I am so grateful to have such fantastic bloggy friends! They make blogging all that more fun! LOVE YOU GUYS! Of course, if you're new here, introduce yourself! I adore making new bloggy friends!

I know I haven't been around much lately (and that's likely to continue *sniffles*) but I hope you stick by the blog! I'll try and get the odd post up whenever I can!

Wish I could stay longer but, alas, I have to prepare the birthday cake...

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo



34 comments :

  1. Aw, happy birthday, Rachel!

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  2. HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY MY DEAR ROCKY! :'D xxx

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  3. Happy blogoversary! *gives gifts, cupcakes and Will Herondale* ;) Your blog is amazing and you deserve every single one of those followers and page views and I am proud to say that I am bloggy buddies with you! Hope that we'll have your awesome self in the blogosphere for a very long time! Thanks for the mention too! :) <3

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    1. *accepts Will Herondale greedily* BEST PRESENT EVER! Thank you so much for the kind words! *sniffles* I count you as one of my blogging besties so it was my pleasure. *bows* ;)

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  4. *sings badly* HAPPYYYYYYY BLOGOVERSARYYYYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUUUUUU! CONGRATULATIONS!! AND OH MY GOSH!! THREE YEARS!!?? SUCH. A. LONG. TIME! *HUGGLES* You are one awesome blogger and I'm very happy to have you as a bloggy friend! :D Keep on blogging! I can't till your blog turns 4! (No pressure, hehe!)

    Rita xx

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    1. *listens politely and applauds* *cries because your voice is so beautiful* THANK YOU! :D *strangles with huggles* Yup, I'm kind-of like the old granny of the blogosphere... I can't wait 'till my blog turns four either! *squeals* xx

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  5. Happy Blogoversary! Wow! 3 years!! Hope you have many more happy years to come!

    Here's my STS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  6. Congrats! Happy Blogversary! Three years is a long time and a great accomplishment. It's totally awesome and I hope you stay around for many more years!:)

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    1. Thank you! I'm hoping to stick around for a looooooooooooong time! ;D

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  7. AWW HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY RACHEL! YAY FOR THREE YEARS OF AWESOMENESS!!! :)

    Seriously, I love your blog so much and gahhhh you're awesome too! *SUPER BLOGGY HUGS* And thank you for writing that lovely paragraph and you're such an amazing bloggy buddy too (POTTERMORE GEEKS FTW) and yay. :')

    So, um, Happy Blogoversary Rachel and I hope you stay around for many more years of awesomeness!

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    1. THANK YOU MUCHLY! *super bloggy hugs you back* xD Woooo! *performs Pottermore geeky handshake* YOU'RE AN AMAZING BLOGGY BUDDY TOO! :')<3

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  8. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Wow 3 whole years is a massive achievement!!!! I hope to continue blogging for as long as you have...lol I haven't even reached one yet. I feel like so many bloggers are having blogoversary's and here I am...only blogging since may... Thank you so much for the mention!

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    1. THANK YOU! Ikr?! I don't think it's quite hit me how long I've been blogging compared to some newbie bloggers! :O You wouldn't think you'd only been blogging for a few months though - you're great at it! When you hit the one-year mark, I've got to say, it's an amazing feeling - you feel so proud! I hope you stick around for many years too! :D

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  9. WOO HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY RACHEL! THIS IS SO EXCITING!!! :D

    Seriously, it's ridiculously impressive that you've been blogging for three whole years. I've passed my first blogoversary, and it's been hard to keep up with blogging thus far for me. Seriously, I'm so proud of you! <3 Your blog has always been one of my favorites to read, and your enthusiasm for books is just so contagious. And your comments always rock my world!

    Happy blogoversary, girly, and here's to many more!!

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    1. THANKIES! Ooooh, congrats on passing your first blogoversary, it's such a great achievement! I love your blog too - I'll stop by soon and leave another amazing comment! ;D

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  10. Eep, internet was fuzzy yesterday, so couldn't comment! HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!! :)

    I can't believe you've been blogging for THREE WHOLE YEARS, its like amazing, I haven't even reached the 6 month mark, yet! Thank-you for the mention! You've actually heard/read all my fangirling and weirdness and have lived to tell the tale xD

    Fi xx

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    1. THANK YOU! :D You're welcome! I mean, how could I not mention you?! You're one of the best bloggers to fan girl with on twitter! ;P xx

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  11. Rachel!!!!!! Happy blogoversary, girly!!!! Woooooo!!!!!

    I'm super happy for you and I think it's so amazing that you've managed to keep up with THREE WHOLE YEARS of blogging! Haven't managed to catch up with you in a while but hope to fix this ASAP! Thanks for being such a fantastic blogger and many congrats again!

    Keep reading and good luck with school! Speak soon xxx

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    1. THANK YOU! Such kind words. :') Yeah, we should definitely try to catch up more on twitter! :D

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  12. *cue the music* ...
    HAPPY (BLOGGY) BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
    HAPPY (BLOGGY) BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
    HAPPY BIIIRTHDAY TO RACHEL AND BOOKTASTIC REVIEEEWWSS...*pause for dramatic effect*
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!
    WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
    Congratulations!!!
    I would do a spontaneous celebratory dance, were it not for the sad fact that my dancing skills are somewhat, well, *cough*...non-existent...
    Nevertheless I can make up for my lack of dancing skills with my enthusiasm YIPPEEE DODAYYY!!!!!!!
    3 years is a really awesome achievement; I so admire you for keeping up such an awesome blog as yours for that long! (ANd many more years to come, I am sure!!)
    Awwww thanks so much for including me on your list!! Me feels very special ;) <3
    I KNOW! WE NEED TO CATCH UP! I am just having such a hard time balancing the blogosphere with normal life at the mo *sigh* That's why I think it's so great that you've managed to keep going for 3 years :)
    I love your gifs in this post hehe, I really want to start trying to use gifs in my blog posts; I just think they make everything so much more funny and exciting! AND OMG I just had a special moment which made me feel very clever - I was thinking, 'Hmm, that blonde girl in the Harry Potter gif looks exactly like Julianne Hough!!' But I thought 'nah, how could she be in Harry Potter, she's an American actress...' AND anyway, then I googled it and that is actually her!! I SHOULD BE A DETETIVE!! (Maybe not. Meh.)
    ANYWAYS BASK IN THE GLORY OF YOUR 3rd BLOGGY BIRTHDAY FOREVERMORE, RACHEL (well, or at least until next year when it's your 4th!) :D

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    1. *strangles in hug cause I've missed you so much* THANK YOU! You're one of my closest bloggy buddies so you're very welcome! ;) GIFs are awesome! I'm still not that skilled at finding any and I can't work Tumblr to save myself but... I'm trying! ;D

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  13. Woopsies, may or may not have got a little carried away there..!

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  14. RACHEL! HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY! WOOOOOO!

    I'm so glad we're bloggy friends because your blog is one of my all time favourites. I love your posts, your reviews, your personality. CONGRATULATIONS! Here's to another great year of Booktastic Reviews. *clinks glass* :D

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    1. THANK YOU, JACK! :D I'm so glad too - your blog is one of my absolute faves, I love it loads! Of course, you're awesome too! ;D

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  15. YAY Rachel!! Happy blogoversary again!! <3 it's really cool that your blog is three years old now -- I rarely see that in the blogosphere to be honest... But Rachel, it's okay if you cannot post as much as you want to :( I assume school is eating you free time... Mine too ._. I swear every time I get a great book there are tests for the whole week. Thank you for mentioning me! I feel really honored :) I hope we can stay friends and you'll stay blogging for many years to come ^^

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    1. Thank you!! It only just dawned on me that there aren't many blogs celebrating three years too! :O Yup, you're correct! It's school! Argggghhhhh! Why can I not just quit school and blog and read all day every day? *shakes head in frustration* You're very welcome for the mention - I love you and your blog! :D

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  16. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH RACHEL I'M SO SORRY FOR BEING SO LATE WITH THIS COMMENT BUT:

    A HAPPY BELATED BLOGOVERSARY TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxx

    And aw, thank you sooooooo much for that lovely mention. You don't know just how much it means to me to read what you wrote about me and Booked Up! You are such a lovely girl and I love you and Booktastic Reviews too!!!!! xxxx

    I can not believe you still remember that my Birthday is the same day as your Blogoversary! I had a great day, and hope that you did too. :D

    Thank you so much for being a wonderful friend throughout the years - I miss our regular chats soooo much. I have just posted a side note on Booked Up! explaining a bit better why I've been absent for so long. I still try to keep up with stalking your posts, though ;)

    Thanks again, Rachel - here's looking forward to many more years of Booktastic Reviews that are still yet to come! ;Dxxxxx

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    1. DON'T WORRY, I SHALL FORGIVE YOUR LATENESS! *hugs* THANK YOU SO MUCH!<3 How could I forget?! It's so cool how you and my blog share the same birthday - glad you had a great day! :D Missing you and our chats too but come back when you can! :D

      *clinks glass* ;)

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  17. HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY RACHEL! 3 years is a massive achievement and you should feel really proud. I always smile when I see you've written a new post and Rachel, you are just so lovely and I'm so happy that were bloggy friends! Thank you for the mention, you've made my morning!

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    1. THANK YOU!<3 I'm happy we're bloggy buddies too! ;D

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  18. HOW DID I NOT SEE THIS POST BEFORE???????????

    thank you and i know i already said Happy Blogoversary but HAPPY FREAKING THIRD BLOGOVERSARY YOU ARE AWESOME.

    and so is your blog.


    a bit. ;p

    hehe



    JOKE.

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YOU ARE BEYOND AMAZING! Thank you for sharing your thoughts/opinions/feels! I'll be replying to your comment (hopefully) very shortly!