Today is the 9th Anniversary of Smart Bitches! We were founded 31 January 2005, and what a long, funky nine years it's been!
Thank you for being here to talk about romance and all the other things we love and enjoy and don our ragepants about. I'm so glad you're here.
To celebrate, I usually do a silly giveaway that's tied to the traditional or modern gifts for that year's anniversary. Last year, the traditional gift included linen and lace, so I gave away fichus. (Bitches love fichus).
This year? OH, THE TRICKERYNESS. Because sometimes, the traditional and modern anniversary gifts are completely difficult, like this year: pottery and china! Or willow!
Or LEATHER GOODS.
I have some leather goods for you right here:
No, I'm not giving away a leather-clad Fabio. I wouldn't know where to find him.
I could go with , or some shoes. A leather trench coast would be interesting, but if you had to hunt vampires or werewolves, it might endanger your life with all that creaking and noisy swooshing that leather makes, so that wouldn't work.
Or, I could get everyone some pot, but that's only legal in two states.
Hmmm.
But soft! What gift idea from yonder browser window breaks? There are a bunch of different and very cute bags named “Willow.”
AW YEAH.
For our 9th anniversary, I'm giving away bags. Willow bags – bags named “willow” – each perfect for carrying one's books and reading essentials. And each one comes with a $50 gift card to the bookstore of your choice.
Meet your Willows!
This is the Kipling Willow, a canvas bag, the right size for the essentials. It has a zipper closure, and is 7″ (17.8cm) high by 13″ (33cm) wide. It also has a set of double top handles with 7″ drop, plus an adjustable detachable long strap with 26″ drop.
Another Willow! This is the Sherpani Willow bag:
It's a little funky, a little different, but still a good size for a book and your essentials — and reviewers online say the front pocket is perfect for a Kindle. It's 10″ by 10″ (25cm x 25cm), with an adjusaible crossbody strap.
But wait! There's one more Willow! This one satisfies the leather AND the willow gifts:
This is the McKlein Leather Briefcase. It's 16.5″ x 11.5″ (41.9cm x 29.2cm), with a compartment for a small latop up to 15.4” in screen size.
Want to try to win a willow and a $50 bookstore gift card? Easy! Just leave a comment as to what book you'd put in your bag, either in paper or digital format. I'll select three winners at random. One comment enters you to win one of the three bags and gift cards.
Entries will close on Tuesday 4 February 2014 at noon eastern. I'll announce the winners shortly afterward. Standard disclaimers apply. Void where prohibited. Open to international residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and ready to read and rock a righteous bag to enter. By submitting an entry to the contest as set forth herein, each entrant does acknowledge and agree that, in the event such entrant is victorious, such entrant will perform a ceremony reasonably appropriate to such circumstance, including, without limitation, the Miposian Dance of Joy or, in the alternative, Gangnam Style.
Thank you for making 9 years of Smart Bitches so much fun. Happy anniversary!
I would bring an Ilona Andrews book. Either Magic Strikes or perhaps Bayou Moon. Thanks for the chance. PS I’m an international entrant. This blog is so much fun. I’ve been following for the last 3 years. Ironically, I discovered you after my move to South America 🙂
Wow! 9 years! And those are some great bags!
Between working full time, and then (stupidly? smartly? jury’s still out) deciding to go back to school in the fall, and wedding planning, I’ve barely had time to sleep much less read any non-required reading. But! I did finally pick up a Susanna Kearsley book over the holidays and can’t wait until I have time to read another one. So I’d pick The Winter Sea, as that seems to be the fan favourite of hers. Well, technically I’d pick my Kobo, but the Winter Sea is on it and waiting for me.
My book choice would be Tessa Dare’s newest. However, I don’t go anywhere without my iPad. Happy Anniversary.
Happy 9th Year!
Because I like the mood-lightening effects, I’d carry Jennifer Crusie’s ‘Faking It.’ Ask me tomorrow, and I’ll have a different book to carry.
HappyAnniversary! I would put Courtney Milan’s latest in any Willow bag I would win.
Wow 9 years!
I would put in my kindle, which is full to the brim with all the novels on sale this site makes me buy. (Currently mainlining Sarah MacClean’s Rule of Scoundrels books after listening to the podcast you had recently. I’m spoiled about ~*the thing*~ but it’s making reading the books and hunting out the clues pretty good!)
(And probably Three Men in a Boat which never fails to cheer me up. I probably should find that to put on my kindle)
It’d have to be nonfiction because that’s 80% of what I read now. I’d like to read the new-ish biography of Jim Henson, so let’s say I’ll put that in my new bag!
Congrats on 9 years! I love the reviews on the site. If I had to pick just one I think it would have to be Gone with the Wind. I haven’t reread it in a while but I’ve always loved that book and it provides many hours of entertainment.
Woo hoo! Happy Anniversary!
I would put the first romance I ever read (at the tender age of 10): A Rose in Winter by Kathleen Woodiwiss. It still makes me swoon a little when I reread it. 🙂
Congrats!! Look forward to reading sbtb every day 🙂 in my bag I would put either my kobo, kindle, or a hard copy book. I’d also have the essentials – hand cream, 3 kinds of lip balm, hand sanitizer, kick ass sunglasses, scarf, phone….and since everyone knows the more space you have the more you HAVE to have with you…also some chocolate, hair clip, nail polish, and hat 🙂
Happy Anniversary!
I’d totally carry around a Nalini Singh book.
What do you mean I have to pick one? Fine…either Caressed by Ice or Heart of Obsidian.
Whoot! Happy Birthday! I would put some Old Skool romances in there with a leather clad Fabio on the front! Good memories!
The bag would be for my nook. Thank you Sarah for 9 great years. You Rock!
Oooh! I’d put my Nook (in it’s red leather case!) in the Willow bag loaded with the Georgette Heyer books on my to-be-read list. 🙂 And Caroline Linden’s Truth About the Duke series. And the entire Hunger Games series. And a few programming books. Oh! And The Bloggess’s book Let’s Pretend This Never Happened.
I might have book ADD…
And thank you thank you thank you for this site. 🙂 I love it and recommend it all the time.
Congrats on 9 years, Sarah and SB! Looking forward to years more!
I would load the Sherpani Willow bag with with my Kindle and any of Nalini Singh’s, Ilona Andrews’, Patricia Briggs’, or Meljean Brooks’ books.
Happy 9th anniversary ! I love this blog. Soo much snark, so many recommendations.. That entry on the craziness that is romance sex seriously addressed so many of my wtf questions!! Thanks…. you guys always make my day 🙂
I would put in Laura Florand’s Amour et Chocolat :The Chocolate Touch or The Chocolate. Temptation….. So perfect
CONGRATS ON THE ANNIVERSARY! 🙂
Only one book? Ah…I think I would pick…Kresley Cole’s “Demon from the Dark”. Because I love Maklom Slaine to BITS, he’s so adorable and loving and Carrow is just the perfect girl for him. I just love the story, the characters, and of course, the steamy goodness. Although I love all of Cole’s books…so it’s hard to pick just one, haha!
And OMG the Sherpani Willow bag is LOVELY. I’m not normally a purse girl, but one that has a pocket just perfect enough for an e-reader? I might have to look in to this <3
Happy anniversary! I may not read many romances, but I love this site’s reviews (especially of the truly insane books) and discussions.
And since the prize is something leather, I’d go with my favorite erotic novel: WHITE ROSE ENSNARED by Juliet Hastings. And since the prize is sum’n leather, here’s a part of the book (where hero Geoffrey Lymington and heroine Rosamund are captures by the villainous Sir Ralph, and Geoffrey is tied up standing) that made the corset my favorite fictional (and often real-life) garment:
Then Sir Ralph said sharply, ‘See your mistress, Master Lymington.’
Geoffrey’s eyes opened of themselves. He saw Rosamund before him and his lips gaped open in wonder and horror. The thick cloak lay behind her on the floorL Sir Ralph was holding her wrists behind her back. Her head was tilted back to reveal her long white throat, her dark eyes were fixed on Geoffrey’s face with mute, beseeching entreaty, and her body—-
She was clad in a vile garment, black, soft, and glistening like leather. It clung to her waist, pulling it in tightly. Above the waist her breasts were exposed and forced upwards by the tight-laced garment, and Sir Ralph held her wrists and dragged back her shoulders, thrusting her upper body forward, offering the soft white mounds to Geoffrey’s astonished gaze. Below her waist the—thing—was snugly fitted to her hip-bones, then abruptly ceased, revealing the splendor of her white buttocks and the swell of her pubis beneath its cushion of dark fur.
Geoffrey has seen such things in the low taverns of Southwark where he and his friends were wont to go for a little salacious entertainment when their time permitted, but he had never dreamed that anyone might compel a lady to demean herself so. It was terrible to see the woman he loved dressed like a whore, but his body did not share his mind’s disgust…
Wishing you officially, now, Sarah. Happy Ninth! I can’t believe it’s only been nine years since I’ve been talking to you, talking about you, and hearing about you. It seems like it should be much longer than that.
As far as your question goes, these days, the book of my choice would a Georgette Heyer—my tally so far is 14 back-to-back—or a traditional Regency by Joan Smith, Joan Wolf, Michelle Martin, Edith Layton, and so many more.
Congratulations on 9 stinking years! How about that????
I’d put my ipad mini in it with my 3 (yep, don’t ask—it makes sense to me and me alone) reading apps. I’d like to be able to say there’s a specific book I’d put on it but I just want ALL the books, whichever catches my fancy at any given time. Not known for my book focus, I tend to LOOKSQUIRRELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOKLOOKLOOK
Oh, sorry. I need lots o books.
Congrats on your Anniversary, I love this Blog. I would use the pocket on the Sherpani for my Kindle and I would take Up From the Grave by Jeaniene Frost. It’s the last novel in this awesome series so sad to see it end (sniff sniff).
Congrats Sarah! And here’s to another nine years of posts that make people ruin their keyboards and computer screens!
I would put the book that made me visit your site for the first time: Twilight. Oh yes, I was looking for intelligent reviews of the book before purchasing it. Needless to say, I bought it and it gave me some good laughs.
Happy Anniversary! I would put my library books and my nook in the bag.
I’d put my kindle full of romances and any of the books I’m supposed to be reading for school in my bag. That way no matter where I am I can find the perfect thing to read…
Happy Anniversary!! I haven’t been here since the beginning, maybe just the last 6 years or so? It seems like only yesterday…anyway I would put the newest Cat and Bones book, Up from the Grave in the purse! I’m currently waiting for it to be available to loan from my library :-/ New Years resolution of using my library card now is frustrating – just clicking the “Buy Now” button is so much easier!
Happy anniversay. I’d put my Nook in it, of course. And I’d probably read the Sarah Mayberry I’ve been saving for a special occasion.
I’d put a kindle full of romances and any one of the dozens of books I am supposed to be reading for school so no matter where I end up I have the perfect thing to read!
Happy anniversary! This site is wonderful. I find great books just from reading the comments. Currently rereading The Bolelyn Inheritance of which the paperback version will fit nicely in the pockets!
Happy Anniversary!
I’d put my kindle in, and to mark the celebration of winning cool free stuff, I’d download Tessa Dare’s new book first.
Happy Anniversary! Wow, I’ve been following you for the last six years! I got a kindle fire for Christmas, so that is what I’d put in the bag. Thanks you for all the laughs and great book choices, you’ve often made my day.
I haven’t been here the whole time, but I’m crazy grateful for this crazy happy funny site (which I spend a few minutes everyday on).
I just purchased the digital versions of the Wallflower series by Lisa Kleypas. I’ve already read my paperbacks to DEATH, but I’m up for another round. SO, I’d say digital It Happened One Autumn (thank you guys for the super savers alert) would be in my fabulous new Willow bag (or just already in my old bag).
Happpppy anniversary to all of us.
Happy Anniversary!
I would put my Kindle in the bag, as well as my paperback copy of IRON NIGHT.
I’d put in a romance with a classic Fabio cover to carry with me for an autograph when I go to Whole Foods in Tucson. He is touring the country promoting his line of protein shakes, and people can get up close and personal for autographs and photos.
Lovely bags, and congratulations Sarah. Love the blog, love the podcast, love hearing your voice on NPR!
Congrats to the Smart Bitchery – I can’t imagine my internet life without this amazing site!
In my bag? Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught. My first historical romance that my college roommate introduced me to. Thanks Michelle!
Happy Anniversary and thanks for the laughs and for introducing me to so many great authors!
As for my choice of book, I have too many favorites to choose from, so I’m going to name my two favorite audio books. That’s okay right? After all, they’re loaded on my Kindle and my Kindle goes with me everywhere.
Venetia by Georgette Heyer because it’s narrated by Richard freaking Armitage.
And Oracle’s Moon by Thea Harrison, narrated by Sophie Eastlake.
Yaaaay! Happy Anniversary! And may you have as many more as you’d like 😀
I am tempted to cheat and say I’d put my iPod touch in these bags, because it has MANY books on it… but I think instead I’ll say that I’ll put Lord of Scoundrels in there, because it’s the kind of book that I can pick up any time, at any place, and read, and be happy. You know, like in a doctor’s waiting room, on the train, in the middle of a family gathering I don’t want to be at. So many times when being able to escape in to a book is useful, and now that I’ve READ it eight hojillion times, it’s not a big deal to put it down in the middle of a scene, you know? And then pick it up who knows how many days later.
Congratulations! 9 years is AMAZING whoaah!
Love the Kipling willow bag. I think I’d put the last Night Huntress book in there. 😉
Happy Anniversary!! I would put in a copy of Nalini Singh’s Posession that I just bought.
I just discovered your blog recently, and I am so glad to have found you! I wish i had known you from the start, but congrats on your 9 years. The bags all look very nice, and I would put a copy of the upcoming Strangers on A train anthology in it!
One or both of my Kindles would go in the bag. I never leave home without my Kindle. Used to be whatever book I was reading, but in this modern era I can take the entire library! I love it. What book am I currently reading? Well, I just finished Devlin’s Dare by Sabrina York yesterday and today I read Unconditional by Lexi Blake. Book wonderful books by wonderful authors that I am proud to have on my Kindle!