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!
Nowadays my favorite posts are probably the sale round-ups every day. But what first drew me to the site were the cover snark posts!
I honestly don’t remember what exactly drew me to the website, which is something that happens to me with a lot of things–probably a Google search or many of some kind–, but I stayed because I enjoyed the community. It especially helped that I didn’t get a feeling spoken or unspoken that you were freaked out by those with sight impairments. I’ve recommended the site to a few, including my best friend, because of the podcast.
I just love how affirming the site is. Everyone’s reading tastes are accepted, supported, and honored. In my real life I feel a lot of pressure to justify what I’m reading to my friends and family. I love having an online place where everyone’s choices are equally valid.
Oooh! Some of my favorite things about SBTB? ALL OF IT.
I love listening to the podcasts during my morning routine, spending too much money on ebooks thanks to the sales, and cover snark! Cover snark is easy to share even with folks who don’t read romances, but it’s best with those who do!
Thanks for the amazing work!!!!
Happy birthday! My favorite thing about this site will always be all the snark that comes from the bitchery.
I love the reviews and getting fantastic book recs. I currently am also in love with Elyse’s Bachelor recaps.
I came for the reviews, I keep coming because I honestly love all of it! The daily emails with reduced books are a HUGE selling point – so many books bought! More books found through the HABO. Cover snark is fun, and historical recipes are interesting as well.
Happy Anniversary! Thanks for making such a great site
I love the site so much. The reviews, sales info and the tv reviews (how much do I want a 4th season of Miss Fisher?) are all on my fave list.
I only found the Bitches in late 2016, and now I can’t go a day without checking in. Although I can get reviews from so many other sources, the ones here are so much more interesting. I especially love reading the reviews for the really bad books. I go back to the review of Blitzen’s Fated Mate when I really need something to get me through the day. Those and cover snark give me a welcome laugh. I’ve never watched The Bachelor, but I adore “watching” with Elyse. The Bitches bring snarkiness to a level of excellence that can’t be matched!
It started with the reviews but lately I really look forward to the podcast every week.
I do love a bit of snark & I love the reviews.
Thank you!!
The reviews are probably my favorite – because those and the Books on Sale posts have pointed me towards some really great books! (Though recently, I’ve also been really enjoying Elyse’s reviews of The Bachelor, which are leaps and bounds more fun than actually watching the show!)
I love many things about your site, and I’d say it all comes down to the comradeship and the laughter – you so often turned a difficult day into a good one for me. If I must chose a favorite “product”, then it would have to be the podcast.
Happy Anniversary!
To many more to come.
If you are actually reading all these comments, I have to say lately I have enjoyed your ‘about this business’ posts, and the surveys, and the charts… And I read everything that has snark in it: reviews, the bachelor series, the covers
Hard choice! I mean what is not to love about the SMTB?!?!? 😀
I click most regularly on the books on sale and cover snark, but the rest is also great! Also YOU ALL the whole community, your comments, recommendations etc – you’re a treasure!!! <3333
I find great books to read…..a constant need in times of trouble!
I just started listening to the podcast this week, so that’s my current favorite thing. Mostly I love this site for introducing me to new authors and books I’d never heard of. Especially those with characters of color!
Cover snark totally brightens up my day! I also love the sense of community on SBTB.
Happy 12 years! Here’s to many more. *raises glass*
I have been loving the Bachelor recaps (makes my Tuesday!) and I love the podcast.
CoverSnark for sure! And everything else! Happy Anniversary!
I love getting info on all the new and great books in Romance!
Initially it was the reviews and of course the links that sent you money (Hooray for that!) but then it became the commentary and community. More recently, due to having spent some time with charming younger and having to watch The Bachelor (cringe) I anxiously await Elyse’s synopses. Sometimes it’s the only sane thing that day!
For me too, it’s hard to pick a favorite but I must admit, #1 for me is your book sale news (as my ever growing TBR pile can attest, :-)).
I’ve gotta add though, I love reading your reviews (recently, laughing over Elyse’s review of The Bachelor), I love that you’ve introduced me to some of my favorite authors and to some Kickass Women in History and I especially love that SB is a place where I can read and hear (love the podcast!) thoughtful commentary from folks who share my love of romance (and have a sense of humor!!).
Thank you soooo much for all you do and Happy 12th Anniversary! (FYI, I discovered you through your (years ago) NPR interview!!)
I come for it all really but my favorites are Cover Snark and the ebook deals! Here’s to another 12 years!
The snark, the reviews of my favorite books and how all the commenters respond to them. Oh, plus the Bachelor report!
I love the Book Sale pages. The quick little summaries of what people liked or disliked about a book help me as a librarian and as a romance reader. So, THANKS!
I was just thinking about this last night while listening to latest podcast. I so appreciate the honesty and support of the community here. Happy Anniversary!
My favorite is Cover Snark, with Elyse Watches the Bachelor a very close second. Maybe the best part is just your overall powerful, take-no-prisoners attitude! Every post is real, true womanhood! Yay for us – and for you showing us to us!
I love love love cover snark and your podcast! All the different interviews are fantastic!
I won’t lie, my favourite thing is the reviews of terrible books (thanks for taking one for the team!) but I also love getting recs, I think this website is the worst offender when it comes to my ever-growing tbr pile.
Where to start? First I love just knowing that you are there. That there are a bunch of awesome bitches who love what I love and are so damn smart and funny. The reviews, cover snark, knitting and cocktails. I love the movie reviews, and wednesday links. All of it. Don’t ever leave me.
There are so many books mentioned on this site that have given me a great read or a new perspective on issues. I love the reviews and sales.
My favorite thing about SBTB – the community! Whether if I’m in need of a laugh, some understanding, or just to read about some kick ass women, the SBTB community is always there.
Here’s to 12 more years!
I love so many things about this site, but if I have to narrow it down it’d be the reviews, HABO and Rec League. I’ve discovered so many good books through Those posts.
The reviews, of course! And deals. And snark (oh, my!). You guys do it all and I can’t ONE favoritest thing
My favorite thing about the Bitchery is all the stuff I get to discover I wouldn’t have learnt about. And never having any of that in my Google search history. Where else would I have heard about shark-shifters? Or Emiily’s Magical Codpiece? Or the diary of Lizzie Bennet?
Or, even rarer, a community of people who love stories and are eager to talk and read about what they like and what they don’t like, with respect and ability to laugh at themselves.
I love the reviews and the community, but most of all, I love the podcasts–to listen to so many smart passionate women talk about books is like a little slice of heaven.
Oh my goodness that Romance Reader Workout series you guys did was HYSTERICAL and I loved loved loved it. Next favorite thing are the comments – the community here is incredible. Happy 12th!
Happy Anniversary!!! Thank you for all the great reviews! Love finding new reads through the site.
Lovely pillows, and congrats on the anniversary!
I enjoy the cover snark and rants/D or F reviews, but I’ve also found some memorable reads thanks to SBTB, such as Courtney Milan’s historical romances. This is one of the two romance review sites that I check daily.