Happy Birthday to Me + Liebster Blog Award

The very kind Kate, from Musings of a Book Lover, bestowed upon me the Liebster Blog Award! =) It was very sweet of her to think of me, and it makes me happy that she thinks of my blog as one of her favorites. So the purpose of this award is to spotlight up and coming bloggers that have less than 200 followers. Before I talk about my picks, here are the rules:

• 1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
• 2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
• 3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
• 4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
• 5. And most of all - have some blog fun! 

I'm going to be honest here. I don't really read too many blogs. My time is more focused on reading. So the following blogs aren't ones that I necessarily read every day, but that I think are excellent all around, with quality content.

1. Madigan Reads: The reviews on this blog may not be lengthy but they are incredibly insightful. In whatever book Madigan is reviewing I learn what I want to know about the book without having to sit there for more than five minutes. (Kind of ironic since I typically write non-short reviews.)
2. Paranormal Night Owls: They don't have a follower count, so I can't be sure they qualify. But, frankly, I don't care either way. Pretty layout aside, this blog has got it going on. The reviews here may be on the longer side, but they touch every aspect of a book. Plot, romance, ending, characters. Everything. 
3. Planet Print: Again, not too sure about the follower count, but I can't not include Liz's blog. One of my main reasons for stopping by her blog is because she and I share similar tastes, as far as what she reviews and we can fangirl over a lot of things. Even though I don't actively comment, I tend to read her posts pretty often.
4. My Need to Read: Although it isn't a YA-focused blog, the content is fun to read nonetheless. And besides, I'm a closet adult romance reader, so I always end up benefiting from blogs like this one. Plus, the layout is to die for. Really love just looking at it.
5. The Paperback Heart: I love reading the posts here because I feel like Lux is honest in her reviews. Plus, they're straightforward and to the point. 

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And now for that other thing, the part about me being born. Today I turned seventeen. So,

Happy Birthday to me! 

I wish I was cool and had an equally cool giveaway to host, but I don--Oh, wait, I do!

Today I'm giving away a SIGNED copy of Settling by Shelley Workinger, and a bookmark is included. You can read my blog tour/character interview here. Also, here's a link to my review.

Official Giveaway Info: 

• in order to enter, be sure to fill out the registration form with the label 'Settling by Shelley Workinger Giveaway' label
• all entrants must be at least 13 years old or older
• giveaway deadline is August 25, 2011
• giveaway is only open to US residents only*
• read my Contest | Giveaway page, as well as my Privacy Notice