[Closed] Happy Birthday Giveaway!

You know, I meant to have a 30-day blogging thing going here at One More Page this month because March is my favorite month being that it is also my birth month. I also thought of having a month-long giveaway. I meant to do those things but March hit me with too much work and real life things that I didn’t have the time to set it all up. My reading is also slower compared to my January one, and it’s kind of frustrating because I really can’t do much about it (except maybe…not sleep).

ANYWAY. Being busy doesn’t mean I can’t hold a giveaway, even if it’s not as grand as how I planned it to be. So behold: my 25th birthday giveaway! :)

I’m keeping the mechanics simple. Just leave a comment in this entry and answer this question: What’s your favorite birthday read? Or if you don’t have a birthday read, what’s one book you’d like to read on your birthday? It doesn’t have to be a book, but if it’s a book, do share so I can see what it is! :) The giveaway will run as long as it’s March 17 somewhere in the world — that starts 8:00pm today (GMT+12 – as soon as this post is up) up to 6:00pm on March 18 (GMT-11). This is open to everyone, and I will pick 2 winners by Sunday, who can get any book of their choice worth $15 from Book Depository. :)

Image from cdryan.com

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE. I don’t want this to be just a simple giveaway — I also want to help. I’ve been planning to donate to Red Cross to help with the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami relief efforts. I’ve set to donate $25, but I thought you guys could help me raise that amount. For every five (5) entries I get for this giveaway, I will add $1 to the donation. So if I get 25 entries, I will add $5. I know it’s not much, but every bit counts, right?

One more time!

  • Leave a comment on this entry with your answer to this question: What’s your favorite birthday read? Or if you don’t have a birthday read, what’s one book you’d like to read on your birthday? One entry per person only. :)
  • This will run from March 16, 2011 8:00PM (GMT+8) to March 18, 2011, 6:00pm (GMT+8) — that’s how long March 17 is all over the world. Comments left beyond that will not be counted.
  • I will pick 2 winners on Sunday via random.org. The winners will receive a book of their choice worth $15 from Book Depository.
  • For every 5 entries in the giveaway, I will add $1 to my donation for Japan relief efforts on top of the $25 I will be donating.

Clear, clear? I’m not sure if I will be able to put up a post in the next few days since, well, I may be busy, so keep those comments coming. :)

88 Thoughts on “[Closed] Happy Birthday Giveaway!

  1. I noticed too that you’ve been SO busy lately! I mean, I rarely see you tweet anymore (maybe I’m busy too!) and I can’t believe you’re 25?! For real, Tina? You’re like younger than that! But anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TINA!

    I want to join too! :) What’s your favorite birthday read? I don’t have exactly a favorite read for my birthday but I think I would like to read one of my favorite short read books on my birthday: ROALD DAHL books! Especially Matilda!

    • Haha you think I’m younger? Wow, that’s the first time I heard that. :) People always mistake me for someone older. :)

      Thanks Tricia! I haven’t read any Roald Dahl, gasp! o_o

  2. First off: happy birthday, Tina! I hope your day is filled with surprises, magical mischief and wonderful goodness. :)

    My personal birthday read for 2011 is Steve Jobs’ 2005 commencement address to Stanford University. It’s not a book but it’s something that never fails to spark inspiration. Mr. Jobs gave me my motto in life: Stay hungry, stay foolish.

    Happy birthday once more!

    – Everyday Isa

    • Hi Isa! Thank you! :) It was filled with goodness all the way to the weekend. I feel so blessed.

      I think I’ve read that commencement address sometime after I graduated college, too. I may have to re-read it again, though. And I like that – stay hungry and foolish. God knows we need more people who choose to be that. :)

  3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINA!
    Now you know I am an avid follower of your blog! :) I write this comment not only because I am thrilled by the giveaway, but more especially because of the donation part. I’ve been thinking lately how I can help the victims of the Japan tragedy aside from praying. And I think, in this way, though not much, I can extend my sympathies to them.

    So, for the favorite birthday read question, I have been looking forward to finishing all 8 books in the Mitford Series by Jan Karon, which has been in my TBR for quite sometime. And your post here has given me one bright idea. I plan to read one book every month starting this month (which reminds me I have a lot of catching up to do!) until October, which is my birthday month. I am crossing my fingers that I’ll be able to finish this self-imposed reading challenge considering my dismal reading pace these days.

    See you in April 10! :)

    • Don’t we all love self-imposed reading challenges? Good luck with yours! And thanks, Lynai! I can’t wait to meet you in person next month. :)

  4. Happy Birthday to you! *singing*

    Hope you enjoy your special day! And I would love to participate in your giveaway! :]

    I became 22 just last month and I bought a couple of books for myself, it was The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan, Dark Reflections (1,2&3) by Kai Meyer and The Dark Divine by Bree Despain… Though I think I would love to read everything on my birthday! lol! Though it’s impossible… That’s it! hehehe… :]

    Happy Birthday and keep it up! Rock on! :D

    • Thanks, Marrion! :) That reminds me, I need to read the rest of the books in the Percy Jackson series. It’s been on my tbr for so long already, I might need to re-read the first book again!

  5. This is my first time posting here. :) It just so happened that I decided to be un-anonymous in the web world for today and as luck would have it, you posted this particular entry today. :D And I have been regularly visiting your blogs…including the more personal one and I have to commend you for the great sincere posts. :) And I’m sure your donation to Japan would go a long way.

    On to the question… when I read it, no particular book popped into my mind and so I had to browse through my bookshelf to choose one from among my humongous tbr pile. Since June is my birth month and it is officially the start of yet another school year in my profession, I feel that an light and fun inspirational read would do the kick to start things on a positive note. I might probably read either Robert Fulghum’s “It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It” or his “Uh-Oh.” I like reading essays as it often gives you a glimpse of another person’s life and offers a pat in the back as if to remind us that life isn’t as bad as you thought it is most of the time, if you care to look more closely. So there.

    Advance Happy Birthday Tina! Happy 25th! :)

    • Hm, I have never read any Fulghum. Must look them up. :)

      Thanks Sheryl! And thanks again for being there last night! :)

  6. You Wish by Mandy Hubbard. Love it!

  7. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Hope you have an absolutely AMAZING year ahead of you :) And wow, thanks so much for the awesome giveaway, but especially huge praise to you for donating money to Japan for comments. I’ll be sure to go spread the love for this contest! <3

    Okay, I definitely have to go with Harry Potter for this. It’s my ultimate favourite series in ze world. Plus the year that I first became obsessed with them, my mum and sister got me all four books that were already released for my birthday. Clearly it’s the only book series to pick as the perfect bday read for myself :D

    Thank you!
    hanging.by.a.moment_@hotmail.com

    • Hi Brodie! Thank you!

      Harry Potter is such a classic. Too bad none of them were ever released near my birthday. Still, they did make up most of my reading life, so I definitely agree with your choice. Plus there’s always a birthday celebration in the books. :) Okay, they don’t always celebrate, but Harry’s birthday is always mentioned. :)

  8. First, let me greet you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! What a great way to celebrate a part of your birthday! Giveaway and donation! Also donated to red cross through text.

    The book I want to read on my birthday would be The Knife of Never Letting Go. Weird because I heard about the story and I guess it’s not really an appropriate read on birthdays. But that book is number one on my wishlist. The book can also be included on the list of the books I want to receive on my birthday. How about you? :) Thanks for the giveaway Tina!

    • Hi Edil! Thank you!

      I agree. The Knife of Never Letting Go isn’t really cheerful, but it’s an awesome book. :D

  9. Happy birthday to you! I hope you have a great celebration, not everyday you turn into 25!
    I don’t have any book specifically for birthday but somehow I always want to read Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone (or Sorcerer Stone) especially when on his 11th birthday Harry discovered that he is a wizard.

    • Thanks Lynossa! :)

      Good choice! I think Harry’s birthday there was a particularly fun part to read. :)

  10. Happy birthday! I would read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on my birthday because it is a childhood favourite of mine and I will always be a child at heart.

  11. Happy birthday again, Tina! It’s so awesome that you are giving to the crisis in Japan. That absolutely melts my heart.

    At this rate I feel like ANY book would be good to be reading right now, because I feel so far behind on blogging and reading and just extra-curricular activities in general. But if I had to go with ONE book I’d want to be reading the first installment of the Chaos Walking series. I need more free time, I’ve heard so much good things about this series! And I keep putting it off because I feel like I need to have a week straight of nothing so I can read each novel back to back!

    • Thanks Capillya! :)

      I’ve been putting off reading the second book in the Chaos Walking series because…well, I don’t really have a very good reason. And I feel that if I put it off any longer, I will have to reread the first one again. I wish I had time for that! I agree, I feel like I need to have a set time to focus on those books alone so I could read it without interruption. :)

  12. First Facebook then Twitter then here (but what the heck, you can’t greet a person too many times on her birthday): HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TINA! :D Hope you have a bookish birthday.

    I don’t have a specific birthday read, I can’t even remember what I read for my birthday last year. This year, I’ll probably read a book that I’m really excited about like maybe The Piper’s Son if my Book Depository order arrives on time. If not, I’ll probably go with fantasy with a strong heroine since I tend to love those or maybe even reread an old favorite.

    • Thanks Chachic! And advance happy birthday to you, too!

      Rereading old favorites would be nice on your birthday. Or reading something from your favorite author, too! I was planning to read the latest Thursday Next on my birthday but I was in the middle of two books then, so I had to stick with that. :)

  13. Happy Birthday! I think it’s great that you’re donating to Japan. Best of luck with the giveaway!

    On my favorite birthday read.. It’ll be Battlecry Forever–my old favorite. I had this book when I was about twelve, and its poignant lessons remain with me more than a decade after. Battlecry is about a special bond between a difficult horse and his owner–and how much the two of them changed for the better. It taught me how to push myself to the limits and live life with no regrets.

    So there. Happy birthday again!

  14. I love Blue like Jazz by Don Miller!

    • Oh I love that book too. I love Don’s humor and how he delivers his thoughts in a way like you’re conversing with a friend. :)

  15. Happy Birthday!! That’s amazing you’re donating for Japan through this too. My pick would have to be Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

  16. Happy quarter of a century, Tina!

    I don’t really have a birthday read, although if I had one it would probably be Banana Yoshimoto’s Kitchen. I reread it as often as I can. I suppose it’s a bit sobering for a birthday read but I’ve always loved how acutely aware it makes me of my loved ones which, I suppose, is one of the most important things we can do as we commemorate personal milestones.

    Vive bene, spesso l’amore, di rasata molto. God bless you!

    • Thanks Chris! I saw someone from Goodreads review a book by Banana Yoshimoto on her birthday too. Curious, curious. :) I will have to check that out. :)

  17. Happy birthday, Tina! :) May you covet all your heart’s desires on your special day. :)

    I just celebrated my nth birthday last November, and I couldn’t recall wanting to read any particular book back then. I read several books that month but the one book that I liked best was “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. It made such an impression on me, I still remember our discussion on Goodreads about Jonas and his dystopian world. :)

    My next birthday is too far off for me to think of a specific book I’d like to read by then. So… can I still join your birthday giveaway? :)

    • Thanks Monique! And of course, you can! :) I didn’t have a particular birthday read actually since I was in the middle of two books when my birthday came along. Maybe if I filed a leave from work I would’ve chosen another one from the stack so I can read all day. Heh. :D

      See you on April 10! :)

  18. Happy Happy Birthday! Hope you have had a terrific celebration and that your year will be truly blessed.

    As for a birthday read I don’t particularly have a favorite that I would read on my actual birthday which is in July. So I guess I would say I would love to spend the day reading, and what I read will depend on what I have on my shelf at the time or what one I am in the middle of. Currently I am reading book number 25 for the year. I would love to read at least 150 books this year but at the rate I am going it doesn’t look like I will make that goal.

    Great give-away! And I like your blog!

  19. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINA! ^_^

    Birthday read ? hhhmmmnnn . . . I think I’ll go with “Carter Finally Gets It”. Funny and a very light read. I could picture me laughing so loud in the corner of somewhere (maybe a cafe), not minding whoever would look at me thinkin “who is this crazy guy?” ITS MY BIRTHDAY! hehehehe ^_^

    • Thanks Ariel! I lost count at how many times I thanked you already, LOL.

      I like that cafe scene. I would’ve done that if I didn’t have to go to work. Heh. :P And don’t worry, we’re all entitled to be crazy (and bratty haha) on our birthdays. :)

  20. It’s Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. On my birthdays I kind of wish for Stargirl to burst into my house with her ukelele and sing me a Happy Birthday. Or maybe receive an anonymous gift on my doorstep, perhaps a picture biography of me ^^. This book makes me appreciate life to the smallest bits of it and reminds to bring down that fear of being judged. As I look back on the year that has past since my last birthday, I do hope I have gained at least an ounce of Stargirl’s bravery, introspection, and kindness.

    Happy Birthday! :)

    • I LOVE STARGIRL. Yes, I would have to have her sing me a happy birthday, too! I haven’t reread that book for a long time — great idea to have it scheduled for a reread soon!

      Thanks, Tin! :)

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  22. Happy birthday! I don’t have a birthday read but I hope to be reading Forever by Maggie Stiefvater, which comes out a few days before my special day. Looking forward to more posts by you when life slows down.

  23. First off, happy birthday Tina! Enjoy your special days, and you’ll have more great days ahead of you.

    I don’t have a birthday read, but if ever I do, I reread the “The Adventure of Tintin” books a lot. They have been a childhood favorite of mine, and I don’t tire of reading the stories and looking at the art.

    • Thanks Kyameel! I haven’t read much Tintin, but I remember watching him on TV. Wait, was he on TV ever? I seem to recall an animated series.

  24. Hiya Tina! :) Have a happy birthday!!!

    I always love your giveaways so I’m gonna join in :)

    I don’t really have a birthday read, but if I need a pick me up book, it will be “Anna and the French Kiss” That book never failed to make me smile! :) Oh, and the Tintin series as well! :)

    So, have a blast, buy more books because it’s your birthday!! :D

  25. Happy 25th Birthday! It’s very generous of you to host an amazing giveway on your birthday. Thank you so much!
    My favorite birthday read was The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson. I’ve read it this year on my birthday. It’s now one of my most fave books ever!

  26. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN, TINA!!

    This has to be the most selfless giveaway I ever joined. This is awesome. You’re awesome. I’m proud to be your little b(r)other!! :P Happy books for birthdays!! :) Obviously, I don’t know many happy books since I’m easily tempted by dark and gritty books(and you pretty much have read all happy books I know). Here’s a very very few recommendations: Scott Pilgrims series. See how few? LOL

    See you on Saturday! :)

    • Thank you, little b(r)other! :D And thanks for being there at the party last night.

      Scott Pilgrim. One day, I will read you. One day, I promise.

  27. Angela C on March 17, 2011 at 6:32 pm said:

    I don’t have a birthday read (yet, that’s a great idea!) but I will definitely read Poison Study by Maria Snyder. There’s something about that particular book that got me really hooked on medieval age stories, and about survival thing.

    Happy birthday! Mine’s on 23rd. And thank you!

    • Thanks Angela! And advance happy birthday to you, too! :)

      I’ve had my eye on Poison Study for the longest time, but it’s always hard to find here.

  28. Happy Birthday! I saw your tweet and discovered your blog! :)

    This is a cool game. I enjoyed reading the other replies. Book suggestions I’ll be in the lookout for the next time I browse through a bookstore.

    As for my birthday read, I have three.

    Arnold Arre’s “Ang Mundo ni Andong Aginmat”. Not that it has any birthday significance. Its just that I’ve promised myself to buy this (comic)book for the longest time and I’ve still haven’t. It’s a good birthday gift for myself :)

    Orson Scott Card’s “Red Prophet” Book 2 of The Tales Alvin Maker. I’ve finished The Seventh Son (Book 1) a few months ago and I’ve actually downloaded the e-book of the Red Prophet but because of the busy sched, I’ve never gotten around to read it. A birthday would be a good day to relax, stop working and read a book. This one.

    John Irving’s “Cider House Rules”. This is one of my favorites; and if I’m going to re-read a book on my day, this would be it.

  29. Happy Birthday To You! by Dr. Seuss, what else? =D

    This is a great giveaway and post for Japan. Happy Birthday, Tina. =D

  30. Happy birthday, Tina! :)

    It’s really heartwarming to know that you’re going to help and donate to Red Cross to help those who have been unfortunate enough to experience such disaster! I really admire you for that! :)

    Anyway, happy brithday again! And if I will be asked what’s my favorite read on my birthday, it’s not exactly a book, or a novel. I love reading the things that have been given to me by my friends. Letter, notes, cards, etc. That goes on and on every time I celebrate my birthday. I do that because I don’t wanna forget to be grateful that I have/had these kinds of friends. Plus they took time to write it. What is few minutes every year to read it right? :)

    Have fun today! It’s your day! And a plus-one on your age isn’t a curse. It’s a blessing! <3

    • Thanks Lee! I agree — I love receiving letters and cards on my birthday, too. Even simple messages on Facebook or the blog or text are enough to warm the heart. :)

  31. Happy Birthday Tina! What a wonderful thing to be donating to the Japan relief efforts.

    I don’t really have a birthday read, but I would probably go with a favorite like Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones or Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen.:D

    • Thanks Celina!

      I have Howl’s in my TBR, and I am very very curious about Garden Spells now. :) I saw the trade paperback copy of that book in Fully Booked but it’s a bit too expensive, but I heard that some people have seen that in Book Sale too, so I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for that. :)

  32. Happy Birthday, Tina. :D

    My favorite birthday read? Ecclesiastes, straight through. =)

    • Thanks RE!

      And like what I told you in the chat, I agree. I was reading Ecclesiastes on my birthday, too, and it was very fitting. :)

  33. Isaac on March 17, 2011 at 7:51 pm said:

    “Eat, Pray, Love”. Last year was a difficult time for me personally, and this book helped me a lot. I was re-reading it on my birthday last year while I was on a train to Taj Mahal. :)

    Happy birthday! It’s great that you’re doing a giveaway for booklovers and giving back to Japan. :)

    • Wow, talk about fitting! I liked Eat Pray Love, too! I remember my copy had so many marks because of the quotes that hit me hard while I was reading it.

      Thanks Isaac. :)

  34. Happy Birthday Tins!

    I’m a simple guy. I’d like to spend my birthday week reading The Wheel of Time. Or Star Wars stuff. Woohoo. Would’ve said The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein but that’d be too sad for my birthday.

    Good job donating to Japan, and I pray for 10x the blessings for your generosity!

  35. Gelyn Ong on March 17, 2011 at 9:22 pm said:

    Hi Tina,
    haha.. i bet you’re surprise to find me here leaving comment on your blog.. and this is all for the sake of love :)
    And to answer your question, I don’t really have any favorite birthday read, but the book I’d like to read on my birthday or on any special occasion is something authored by Tina Matanguihan. I know it’s something that will most likely to happen.
    Happy 25th birthday my dear friend! Stay beautiful :)

    hugs
    Gel

  36. Shing on March 17, 2011 at 9:32 pm said:

    Happy Birthday, Tina! What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday (online)! =)

    I would instantly say, “The Little Prince” is my favorite book to read, birthday or not. It’s just so timeless, and every time I read it, I seem to get new insights from the little guy.

    However, I would also love to have a copy of Neil Gaiman’s children’s book, “Blueberry Girl.” I think it’s a book/poem I would read on every birthday from here on. *grins*

    • Hi Shing! Thank you! :)

      That’s another good one, The Little Prince. I think there’s always a new lesson to pick up there with every reread. :)

  37. Happy Birthday again, Tina!

    I want to reread “I am The Messenger” on my birthday. This is one of my favorite book that is not violent. I enjoyed the book a lot because it gives me inspiration and some contemplation about what life is all about.

  38. I usually buy books as my birthday gift to myself, but thinking about it I don’t have any specific birthday read. Maybe I’ll go with Whit Criswell’s “What Makes A Winner”. I think this short read book is a great way to remind me of my priorities and principles in life.

    Happy Birthday!!!

  39. First Id like to say that you are very very kind to have this kind of way to help the people in Japan. Plus its your birthday too, so I am pretty sure that the Lord will shower you with more blessings because of your good heart :)

    As for the giveaway.. I have a lot of books in mind because I love to read. So I guess it would be something about love, happiness and inspiration.

    punkme15 at gmail dot com

  40. Happy Birthday!

    For the Birthday Read thing? It varies every year with whichever book I got for my birthday. This year, my family gave me over $100 in Amazon.com gift certificates so I could get books for my kindle! (hooray!)

    I’m also giving away a few books on my page, if anyone’s interested in more chances to win. :D

  41. (Belated) Happy Birthday!

    My choice of birthday read would be Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. I was given a copy of it on my birthday when I was a lot younger and it’s one of those books that influenced me.

    • Thanks Anne! I haven’t read Little Women yet, but whenever I see that book, I can’t help but remember that FRIENDS episode where Joey put that book in the freezer. Hee ^^

  42. As it is, I’m always late as usual. But before the closing of this giveaway let me greet you once again a (belated) Happy Birthday! :D

    Well, a perfect Birthday read would just be light book. I agree with what Sheryl said up there that Robert Fulghum’s books might be the perfect companion to this kind of day as it is a good enough blend of philosophy and humor with the right punch to set off for a little self-reflection.

    Kudos for coming up with this kind of helpful and innovative giveaway post, Tina! ;)

    • Thanks again Jzhun! Okay Fulghum! Noted! I will look for his books. :)

      Oh thanks for the shirt. :) It fits perfectly. Yay. :D

  43. nicanicnix on March 18, 2011 at 5:53 pm said:

    wow, barely made the deadline. I honestly just stumbled upon your blog on twitter, so Hi Tina! nice meeting you! and hope you have a great birthday!:) btw, sending out your help to japan is such a great idea.:)

    anyway, if i had a birthday read it would probably be The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen because it never fails to make me smile even if I ‘ve read it a thousand times already.

    • Hi nicanicnix! :) Thank you! :) Oh and I loooove The Truth About Forever. That’s one of my favorite books, and I have one of the biggest literary crushes on Wes Baker. Sa-woon! <3

  44. Happy Birthday!

    Sorry to hear you’ve been too busy to read :(

    Hamm, on my bday I’d chose to read either an absolute fave comfort read (like one of Jaclyn Moriarty’s books) OR a new release I’m hanging out for ~ which, at the moment, I kind of am wanting to read Carrie Ryan’s book that’s about to come out (but I’ve COMPLETELY gone brain dead and can’t remember the name of it, haha. You know, the zombie one? :D)

    • Hi Nomes! Thank you! And I know, it sucks when other things in life stop you from reading. I’ve caught up pretty well during the weekend, though. :)

      It’s The Dark and Hollow Places. :) I have that on pre-order for my Kindle, too, and I’m so excited to read it. :)

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