Hippo Blogiversary and giveaway!

So a few days ago I celebrated my third blogiversary, yes, The Hippo is 3 years old!

It seems like only yesterday that I decided to take my first tentative steps into the book blogosphere and what an adventure it’s been. I’ve read so many fantastic books that would probably never have been on my radar, I’ve met, and become friends with lots of amazing people and I’ve attended some fabulous book events.

I think the general consensus is that if you like reading, you’re a bit of an introvert and maybe even anti-social, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The book community is a thriving one, full of wonderful people who write books, read books, publish books, love to talk about books and most importantly share their love for books.

Everyone is so supportive of each other, we share each other’s ups and downs and as a result firm friendships are made. Of course, it’s not always all hearts and flowers, there’s always going to be haters and trolls, people who, for reasons known only to them, get a kick out of knocking us down, leaving snippy comments on our blogs, being openly spiteful on social media and accusing us of not being ‘real readers’, whatever THAT means. 🤔

Then there are the authors. These amazing people spend months, sometimes even years working on their manuscripts, and then bravely send them out into the unknown for others to critique. They love people shouting about their books, whether it’s a blogger or a reader, book love is book love no matter what the source.

I love the diversity of the book blogging community as well. Every blog has their own unique style, their own special features, some only review certain genres, some concentrate on new releases and some only read self-published authors. It’s interesting to read other people’s thought on books that I’ve already read as well as reading reviews of books that I haven’t heard about so that I can add them to my own ever growing TBR mountain!

I’ve enjoyed going to book festivals, meeting up with old friends and meeting authors who I know very little about and coming away with a bag full of shiny, new (and usually signed) books, as well as having fan girl moments like the one I had when I met the hugely talented and super lovely Amanda Prowse.

All in all it’s been a fabulous three years. I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading my reviews as well as my “The Hippo Hands Over” and “The Hippo Hangs Out” features along with my occasional Virtual Mini Book Festivals over the years (watch out for another one coming later this year!) as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them. I also hope that I’ve helped you discover some fabulous books as well as introducing you to some new and exciting authors.

So as my little way of saying thank you to everyone for their support over the last three years I’m doing a little giveaway.

One lucky person can win a Techbed in the colour of their choice courtesy of the very lovely Paul at Edge Beanbags (please show them some love on Twitter @edgebeanbags and visit their website to see their whole range of amazing products), a paperback copy of The House by Simon Lelic and a £5 Amazon voucher!

Hamlet & Howie insisted on modelling my techbed!

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning the stash is recommend a book to me, telling me why you loved it and why you think I would love it too, but it has to be one that I haven’t reviewed here on The Hippo. The competition will close at midnight on Saturday 19^th May, the winner will be chosen at random and announced the following day and it’s open to anyone in the UK and Ireland.

Hamlet & Howie with the book and my techbed.

Good luck everyone and thank you all once again for all your love and support. Here's to more books, reviews and blog posts!

Fiona from Cincinnati Zoo joining in the celebrations!

Don't forget you can also find me, Hamlet and Howie hanging out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so why not come and say hello, we'd love to hear from you 😉