Happy 12th Anniversary to everyone! The site started on 31 January 2005 with a review for Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn and for The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann, and what a long strange hot pink journey it has been over the past twelve years.
WOW. I’m sort of stunned by that, and I’ve been working on this post for a few weeks now. Twelve years! That’s a long, long time. Thank you for hanging out with us for so many years!
As has become tradition, I went and had a look at the traditional gifts for a 12th anniversary, and behold! Linen! So I played online and shopped for several hours (SUCH A HARDSHIP MY GOSH), and came up with some fun prizes to celebrate our anniversary with a giveaway.
This year, my goal is to accessorize your favorite reading location with adorable pillows that include linen or a blend thereof, and that celebrate reading the books we love.
Ready? We’ve got six to give away!
Have a look!
A typewriter pillow! How cute is that?
But wait, more pillows!
This one has embroidery to make it look like looseleaf paper – I love it.
When my house was staged and it looked like stylish chevron-obsessed aliens lived there with us, this pillow was added to a small grey sofa, and I loved this pillow like mad. I am so excited I found it online and can give one away! The alphabet is embroidered on the front, and it’s just adorable.
Do you read past your bedtime? Of course you probably do. We’re all members of The Bad Decisions Book Club.
It’s always Book O’Clock, right? No question.
And of course, one more pillow:
Can’t leave out The Ladies, right? The front of this pillow has The Ladies – Original Recipe, and on the back it says, “You should be reading.” Because obviously.
To enter to win, leave a comment and tell us your favorite thing about hanging out here at SBTB. HaBOs? Cover Snark? Reviews? What’s your favoritest thing?
Standard disclaimers apply: We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to international residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and ready to lounge and read. Pants are always optional. To keep with the theme of twelve, we recommend reading in two twelve-hour blocks to most efficiently fill your time. All blankets and all readers welcome. Keep books and read on. Comments will close Monday February 6, 2017 around noon ET, and winners will be announced shortly thereafter.
Whatever it is that keeps you coming back to Smart Bitches, thank you. It’s an honor to hang out with all of you from each part of the globe each day, and I’m so glad you’re here. Happy anniversary to us!
Update: Here are our winners in order!
Thank you all so much for being a reader of Smart Bitches! You’re what makes this community great!
I come for the daily deals then end up reading everything. The HaBO, the cover snark, the reviews and the Bachelor described by Elyse!!! I hate these types of reality TV (not a fan of harem stories ^^’) but I LOVE what Elyse makes of it XD
I think my favorite thing about SBTB is just being a part of such a great online community. Romance (and its readers) are so often looked down upon, and I love being surrounded by readers who also unashamedly love the romance genre and all its oddities. Alien princes? Stepsiblings? Shapeshifters? MLM/WLW? Scots in kilts? We love it all, and we love to share those things with like-minded people.
To quote one of my favorite books, “You are who you are, whether you like it or not, so why not like it?” We’re romance readers, and we like it!
All the things…..reviews, cover snark, HaBO, cocktails and cooking….but mostly because you guys recommend the Best books…..and y’all are great to hang out with!
Honestly, ya’ll got me hooked with the book rants but I’ve stayed for the great recommendations and conversations. Thanks for the wonderful community!
On an esoteric note, I love the community the bitches have created. Keep fighting the good fight. Remember that the work you do is important. You keep people like me sane. I listen to the podcast while training for my first marathon. It takes my mind off all the pain… and there is so much pain.
I really like the reviews. I have found so many great authors and their fabulous books. But for sheer fun. I love the cover snark, not only for the blog, but the answers from readers. Let’s have a toast to the next 12 years!
Happy Anniversary! {please picture me throwing confetti and toasting you with champagne}
There are just so many things to love, depending on my mood. Reviews, Hide Your Wallet, What We’re Reading when I’m ready for something new. Cover Snark, Rants, Elyse’s Bachelor reviews when I need a laugh. HaBOs when I’m feeling sleuthy. Discounts well, all the time.
You just know all my moods. And I am ever so appreciative that you’re here. Thank you for everything I’ve learned through the years. I’m really looking forward to so much more!
There is just so much I love about this site. The HABO, the reviews, the sales email, the cover snark, the hilarious commentary from both the Bitches and the commenters. 🙂
Definitely the reviews which are harmful for my wallet but wonderful for my soul 🙂
That and the amazingly sane comment section.
I love the reviews and the book sales!
I love books, the reviews, the snark, the love, and HaBO, and so much more! Love this blog–y’all rock!
I always come back for the deals, I love discovering new authors through the reviews, but I might enjoy the rants the most! Thanks for all your hard work over the years.
HaBos (but cover snark is a close second….).
I love the cover snark and the HaBOs. One of these days I hope I can figure an HaBO out. I also have started listening to the podcasts and enjoy those. Keep up the good work.
The book reviews have helped me find some recent fave reads. Cover snark and most recently the Bachelor recaps make me laugh which is much appreciated.
I stalk obsessively for the book sales, but I hang out here because you guys are my kind of people – I get to laugh, and I feel understood (not judged), and safe, and not alone in these dark times.
SO THANK YOU ALL
HAPPY 12TH ANNIVERSARY!!! ♡
I’ve been checking SBTB almost every day for seven years now and I love pretty much everything about it! The humour, the community (awesome people;D), the reviews, HaBO (my favourite part of SBTB), books on sale (!!!!), DABWAHA…
Seriously, SBTB is a great site and I hope it continues for a looooooooooooooong time!!
I adore HaBO, but I always come back for the excellent reviews. 🙂
My favorite thing about this website is everything. It’s the smartest women, the funniest women, the most helpful women…all talking life and romance and good lit.
Finding out about books I would have otherwise missed.
The reviews and the HABO! Although, to be fair, I dont think I’ve ever solved one successful, it certainly increases my TBR pile!
I absolutely love/absolutely hate that I always find new books to look for and add to my TBR mountain. I also love reading the HABO columns even though I never know the books being searched for – but you all helped me find a book, for which I’m eternally grateful!
The book sales, the reviews, and the general camaraderie are what I love most about this site. I’ve been poking around on this site since my first Library job sent me searching for books to recommend to very specific readers and I stumbled upon it. Best. Decision. Ever.
I love to hear about new authors and books i have never considered reading. I especially like listening to the Podcast. Keep it up SBTB….you all are doing a great job!
Love book deals! and reviews!
My favorite thing is “Hide Your Wallet”, and in spite of the title, I never do. Lunch vs. a great new book means lunch loses every time.
Happy 12th anniversary! That’s awesome! I love pretty much everything about SBTB, but most especially the idea that there is a community of smart, interesting, funny people out there that like to read and have intelligent discussions about the same books that I enjoy.
Whether I am snorting out my coffee from laughter, or fighting a lump in my throat from a heartfelt message, I find friendship and community here. Congratulations and Thank you.
I love the cover snark and the reviews the most ❤️
Amazing reviews of books, movies, and tv shows!!
The reviews are treasures and I straight up stalk the place on the third weekend of the month for the Whatcha Reading? thread.
I love Elyse reviews because I know I’ll love anything she loves.
Happy anniversary! My favorite thing at SBTB is the monthly Whatcha Reading? post. I love peeking into other people’s reading lives like that, the summary of their past month in books.
Reviews! There are so many books, and just not enough time, so it’s nice to have a friend steering you in the right direction!
I started reading your site for the ebook sales. Then I began reading the reviews and purchasing romance novels that you all made sound irresistible. Now I have to listen to the podcasts as soon as they drop, see what books are mentioned and calculate if I can afford the time or money to sneak another book in. Thanks for the time and effort you all put into the site. You acknowledge the crazy, but also show it love and acceptance (were-sharks I’m thinking of you). Long may the Smart Bitches live and read.
I keep coming back for the community: smart, kind, critical people discussing books (and many other things). It feels safe and welcoming. The awesome features and reviews are just the icing on the cake. Thank you for creating such a wonderful place.
CONTRATS! and…. Just Cause :)!!!! Really, I love the site, the podcast — all of it!
My favorite thing is this site’s point of view. Romance should not be the ghetto of book reading. TSTL should not be a desirable character trait. Slut shaming is wrong. And it’s totally OK if everyone is good at their job!
What’s not to love!?!?! My favorite thing by far is the review system. The grades and reviews have helped me discover so if my favorite books and authors. My second favorite is the Cover Snark, that has added so many laughs to my days! I am constantly recommending this site and am always excited to read the next juicy entry. Also, the gift lists and reviews have been a super bonus. Keep those up, I love finding so many new treasures!!!
Thank you all!
My absolute favorite is the Podcast!