Shaz's Book Blog is 10 today!

If you had asked me 10 years ago when I set up this blog would I still be blogging today I honestly don't think I would have believed it. When I set it up I had no idea what I was doing and didn't think anyone would be interested in reading anything I wrote and quite often at times I still feel that way!  

The last couple of years have definitely been quieter on the review front from me as I've struggled both physically and mentally with a few health issues as well as adapting to the new norm of staying safe in this pandemic world and working full-time from home. But one of the plus points of not being able to travel is the increase in book events going online meaning that I've been able to watch more events that I would have missed if they were in-person events. To be honest I'm still extremely wary of travelling and attending events so I'm not sure when I'll bite the bullet and make plans to travel. There's already a few scheduled for next year but I'm not going to make any decisions until nearer the time. 

One of the best things that has come out of setting up this blog is being welcomed into the book world with open arms. Some of the bloggers and fellow bookworms I first spoke to online have become close friends in real-life. On that note I need to do a shout hand to my right-hand woman on the blog Emma who has been a trooper again this year picking up the slack with reviews, despite having a busy teaching job herself. It's hard to believe that we have never met in person, due to Emma living in Ireland and me in England, but we have known each other online for what feels like a lifetime as we first met as part of an online forum before I even set up the blog. 

I also love the interactions I have had with authors, either through social media chats or who have done features on the blog, publishers, fellow bloggers and bookworms alike. The one thing we all have in common is talking about what we love, 📚 Our favourite books, future books to keep an eye out for (although not sure my bank manager always agrees when I buy/pre-order so many books), as well as talking about screen or film adaptions of books. As far as I am concerned there is nothing better than reading recommendations from fellow book lovers. 

Well this blog post has turned into more of a rambling mess than I'd intended so let's get onto the celebrations. Over the next week or so I have a few giveaways scheduled, the first today is for this bundle of bookish goodies: 

• The Merry Christmas Project by Cathy Bramley
• Sorry I'm Booked Tote Bag
• If You Can Read This, I Am Lost in a Book socks
•  Reading Log
• Trio of Bookmarks

There was supposed to have been another bookish item included in this bundle, a The Really Tiny Book Light, but sadly the parcel got mislaid in the post by the courier and still hasn't arrived. A refund has been received and a replacement ordered so should it arrive before the giveaway ends then I might include it or else hold onto it for a future giveaway prize. I might also add in some sweets or chocolate when I package up the goodies to send to the winner.  

*Terms and Conditions* – As with all giveaways on the blog the giveaway is open to existingent blog/social media followers, enter via Rafflecopter form below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by email and/or Twitter. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties and will be deleted once receipt of the prize has been confirmed. NB. Please do not add details of this giveaway to other sites without my permission.    

a Rafflecopter giveaway