meditative reading

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand – Giveaway! « One Persons Journey through a world of Books

2010-06-17T18:33:00.000-05:00

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand – Giveaway! « One Persons Journey through a world of Books

Hatchette is to be thanked for for this opportunity to give away three copies of this book!

Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy’s closest friends for what will be revealed.

Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks

2010-06-02T17:44:00.000-05:00

Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks

Knight of Passion

Book Blurb: (taken from the Hachette website)

HOW CAN THIS PASSIONATE KNIGHT...
Renowned beauty Lady Linnet is torn between two desires: revenge on those who destroyed her family or marriage to her childhood sweetheart Sir James Rayburn. One fateful night, she makes a misguided choice: she sacrifices Jamie's love for a chance at vengeance.

TRUST A BEAUTY WITH A PAST?
Jamie Rayburn returns to England in search of a virtuous wife-only to find the lovely Linnet as bewitching as ever. Their reckless affair ignites anew, even hotter than before, although Jamie vows to never again trust her with his heart. Then just as Linnet begins to make amends, she's tempted by one last opportunity to settle old scores. But a final retribution could cost her Jamie's love - this time forever.

Do you want to win your very own copy of Knight of Passion?
Thanks to Anna and Hachette, there are 3 copies to giveaway.

Spunk On A Stick's Tips: 200 Followers Uber-Beyond-Belief Contest!

2010-05-29T05:11:00.000-05:00

Spunk On A Stick's Tips: 200 Followers Uber-Beyond-Belief Conte

Celebration dance coming! The "Spunk On a Stick" blog has hit 200 followers, which means it is time for a massive contest giveaway.
One grand winner will receive-

A $30.00 gift certificate to either Amazon or Barnes&Noble.com - your choice

And a complete, autographed set of The Circle of Friends - a $102.00 value

But wait! There's more!

If she hits 250 followers before this contest ends, the winner will also receive:

A basket of treats from Bath & Body Works
OR
A basket of edible, gourmet treats
Your choice!

Conditions:

This contest is open to everyone, however...
Those outside the Continental USA will receive eBook copies of the series instead - and she will be happy to mail you a packet of bookmarks & stuff! And instead of a basket of goodies, your Amazon or B&N gift card will be $60.00. Sound fair?

Celebrate Your Faith GIVEAWAY!

2010-05-24T17:48:00.000-05:00

Celebrate Your Faith GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to our very first giveaway, brought to you courtesy of Miriam at WhatsCookingAtDD.com.

Miriam purchased one of our wall crosses and was so happy with the product and service, and impressed with the mission and values of Celebrate Your Faith, that she contacted us to see if we would partner with her in this giveaway. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and now we’re almost as excited about the giveaway as Miriam is! Read the story here.

What’s Cooking at DD Celebrate Your Faith Giveaway! Check out the website for the many samples.

zoom view

One winner will receive a $100 merchandise credit at Celebrate Your Faith!

To enter, visit www.celebrateyourfaith.com and choose your favorite product, then add a comment telling us why you chose that item and what you liked about it, how it spoke to you, whatever. (We’re looking for more than just “I liked this one”; at least a sentence or two describing what and why.)

See Miriam’s WCatDD blog post for ways to increase your chance of winning by earning extra points.

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Confessions of a Bookaholic

2010-05-22T09:41:00.000-05:00

Confessions of a Bookaholic GiveAway

Win

Win My Soul to Keep (signed) and swag by Rachel Vincent!
2 prize packs. Contest ends 6/1.

Summary of the Soul Screamers Series:

Soul Screamers is a young adult urban fantasy series narrated by teenage bean sidhe (banshee) Kaylee Cavanaugh. Join Kaylee as she tries to balance a normal high school experience with the threat of the Netherworld, a terrifying, hidden world full of reapers, hellions, and countless other mythical monsters out to possess her, body and soul.

WHEN KAYLEE CAVANAUGH SCREAMS, SOMEONE DIES
AND KAYLEE IS ABOUT TO SCREAM HER HEAD OFF...

Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them.

Until something does.

Demon’s breath. No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow, the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends—one of whom is already hooked.

And when the epidemic hits too close to home, Kaylee will have to risk everything to save those she loves.

The Prizes: First prize- My Soul to Keep (signed)

A Soul Screamers t-shirt

A Bookmark

Second prize- My Soul to Keep (signed)

A Bookmark

* Books are signed and personalized to the winners directly from Rachel!

The Bibliophilic Book Blog: Here We GO, Again!

2010-05-16T17:49:00.000-05:00

Monica at The Bibliophilic Book Blog is at it again! She's running a giveaway where you can win an ereader or, if you don't want that, a $100 gift card! There will be additional prizes as she reaches more followers. Check out the awesome choices for the ereader prize:

Sony Pocket (color of your choice) Ebook

RCA Reader Ebook

Aluratek Libre Ebook Pro

Kobo Ereader

Sony Pocket (color of your choice) Ebook

RCA R

RCA Reader Ebook

e Ebook Pro

Kobo Ereader

Win “Fresh From the Garden” Gift Sets! « The Vintage Workshop Blog: The Workshop Window

2010-05-16T17:05:00.003-05:00

Win “Fresh From the Garden” Gift Sets! « The Vintage Workshop Blog: The Workshop Window

Prize Pack #1

Prize Pack #2

2010-04-07T06:03:00.001-05:00

My Brain is Inside Out: Le Creuset Giveaway......Yes, Another One!

2010-03-27T03:08:00.000-05:00

My Brain is Inside Out: Le Creuset Giveaway......Yes, Another One!

The color of this cookware is absolutely fantastic. One lucky winner gets the cookware. Go to the blog and check it out.

Jo-Jo loves to read!!!: Audiobook Giveaway: Black Hills by Dan Simmons

2010-03-20T19:30:00.000-05:00

Jo-Jo loves to read!!!:

Audiobook Giveaway: Black Hills by Dan Simmons

Three copies of the audio book to be given away.

Le Creuset Giveaway and one of our favorite dishes - Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese! - Gluten Free Mom

2010-03-18T23:00:00.000-05:00

Le Creuset Giveaway and one of our favorite dishes - Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese! - Gluten Free Mom

Enter to win 2 casserole dishes from Gluten Free Mom. The color is absolutely gorgeous!!
Check out the details for entering at Gluten Free Mom.

Beyond Blue Book Review and Five Book Giveaway

2010-03-17T16:23:00.000-05:00

Beyond Blue Book Review and Five Book Giveaway

Great book on dealing with depression and the decision to take medication. Based on the author's own experiences with depression, bipolar condition, and other mental health disorders.

The Book Junkie's Bookshelf: Last Snow review and Giveaway!

2010-03-06T14:52:00.000-06:00

The Book Junkie's Bookshelf: Last Snow review and Giveaway!

This giveaway ends on March 25th.

Jack McClure, Special Advisor and closest friend to the new President of the United States, interprets the world very differently from the rest of us. It’s his greatest liability, and his greatest asset.

An American senator, supposedly on a political trip to the Ukraine, turns up dead on the island of Capri. When the President asks him to find out how and why, Jack sets out from Moscow across Eastern Europe, following a perilous trail of diplomats, criminals, and corrupt politicians. Thrust into the midst of a global jigsaw puzzle, Jack’s unique dyslexic mind allows him to put together the pieces that others can’t even see.

Still unreconciled to the recent death of his daughter and the dissolution of his marriage, Jack takes on a personal mission along with his official one: keeping safe from harm his two unlikely, unexpected, and incompatible companions—Annika Dementieva, a rogue Russian FSB agent, and Alli Carson, the President’s daughter. As he struggles to keep both young women safe and unearth the answers he seeks, hunted by everyone from the Russian mafia to the Ukrainian police to his own NSA, Jack learns just how far up the American and Russian political ladders corruption and treachery has reached.

In the vein of Eric Van Lustbader’s latest bestselling Jason Bourne novels, Lustbader takes us on an international adventure in this powerful page-turner that will keep you reading through the night.

Dr. Bill's Book Bazaar: Book Giveaway - Beach Street

2010-03-06T10:11:00.000-06:00

Dr. Bill's Book Bazaar: Book Giveaway - Beach Street

how can it miss, with beach, knitting, society, yarn and club all in the title!
All entries must be submitted by March 12.

The Groschen Goblins: Groschen Goblins Go Green / Irish Gift Guide / Event Announcement

2010-02-15T09:42:00.002-06:00

The Groschen Goblins: Groschen Goblins Go Green / Irish Gift Guide / Event Announcement

There's a St. Patrick's Day Celebration Coming! Hooray!!

Wonderful "Irish" Gift Ideas for St. Patrick's Day from Etsy Shops to companies selling wonderful St. Patrick's Day Gifts will be shared on Teh Groschen Goblens. She will be showcasing companies that make "green" products from cleaning products to Nail Polish and Cosmetics. Over have 25 fabulous companies participating in reviews and giveaways for the event! Check this out early and get extra entries to the giveaways.

Luxury Reading: Blog Tour & Giveaway: "The Wives of Henry Oades" by Johanna Moran

2010-02-15T09:01:00.000-06:00

Luxury Reading: Blog Tour & Giveaway: "The Wives of Henry Oades" by Johanna Moran

Win 1 copy of "The Wives of Henry Oades" which is the debut book by author Johanna Moran. This is a novel about families, relationships.

The Burton Review: Giveaway inspired by meeting Roses author Leila Meacham!

2010-02-14T07:28:00.000-06:00

The Burton Review: Giveaway inspired by meeting Roses author Leila Meacham!

Read a great interview and win Roses by Leila Meacham. Ends 2/26/2010.

Gerbera Daisy Diaries: Interview: Bernice McFadden and Giveaway!

2010-02-14T07:04:00.000-06:00

Gerbera Daisy Diaries: Author Interview: Bernice McFadden and Giveaway of Two Autographed copies of Sugar!

Read a great interview with Ms. McFadden to fully understand how Sugar became a reality. Win 2 autographed copies of Sugar. This ends 2/20/2010

story on a page: 50 Followers Giveaway!

2010-02-13T05:04:00.000-06:00

Story on a page: 50 Followers Giveaway!
To help celebrate the emergence of a great new blog, Story on a Page is offering an Amazon gift card or design layout assistance. It ends February 28th so go and enter now.

Knowledge Safari: GIVEAWAY - GLOW GLUTEN FREE COOKIES!

2010-02-12T09:30:00.000-06:00

Knowledge Safari: GIVEAWAY - GLOW GLUTEN FREE COOKIES!

Come and try out fabulous cookies. Glow gluten free cookies are now available for families and individuals needing to have gluten free food.
Check out Knowledge Safari for the Giveaway. Do it soon since it ends on Valentines Day, February 14th.

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls Giveaway at My Red Apron

2010-01-10T15:09:00.000-06:00

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

If you would like to get creative and try to make your own recipes from a starter recipe from Pillsbury, you can enter to win two coupons for Free Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and a three piece appetizer platter set.

Check out the entrance details at My Red Apron.

Medieval Bookworm » Challenge Announcement: A Tournament of Reading

2009-12-28T18:34:00.000-06:00

Medieval Bookworm » Challenge Announcement: A Tournament of Reading

After having signed up for so many challenges I hope I can still squeeze this one in to my reading time. What's with one more? So here are the details:

This challenge is designed to get us all reading a little more medieval literature in 2010. The challenge will run from January 1st to December 31st, 2010, and will be hosted at Medieval Bookworm. Challenge genres include history, medieval literature, and historical fiction. Medieval, for simplicity of definition, will be from 500-1500 AD, and literature from all over the world is welcome, not just western Europe. There are 3 levels:

Peasant – Read 3 medieval books of any kind.
Lord – Read 6 medieval books, at least one of each kind.
King – Read 9 medieval books, at least two of each kind.

You’re not required to make a list or stick to one, but it would be fun if you did! Go to the link to sign up for this challenge.

I will be entering at the Peasant level and will read at a minimum of 3 books.

Fire & Ice: Blogversery Giveaway

2009-12-27T23:22:00.000-06:00

Fire & Ice: Blogversery Giveaway

Happy Day it is the Blogversery for Fire and Ice and time for a Giveaway Party! Fire and Ice has put together a group of books to give away to one of us! These books have been gently loved and read so they are not brand new but have no major issues at all. Ready? Here we go.

This Giveaway will run until Jan. 5th 2010.

Mega Xmas & New Year Giveaway : Picture Keeper | Parent Reviewers

2009-12-23T17:08:00.000-06:00

Mega Xmas & New Year Giveaway : Picture Keeper | Parent Reviewers

The Picture Keeper which makes backing up your precious photos completely idiot proof (hey look even I can use it!). All you have to do is plug this puppy into your USB spot on your computer. The software installed on the Picture Keeper will automatically find all the photos on your system and back them all up. Yes, I said automatically!

There are no special programs to download to your computer because everything is installed on the Picture Keeper. The photos are backed up and organized in their original folders so you can always find any photo you are looking for. This little gadget is amazing – trust me – I’m the one always (always) losing my photos!

The Picture Keeper comes in several sizes including 4GB (which saves around 4,000), 8GB (which will save around 8,000 photos) and the 16GB (which saves around 16,000 photos). There is also a larger version – the 160GB – that can hold 160,000 photos!

Check out ParentReviewers for further details.

Christmas Giveaway Bonanzaaaaaaa! Win a $200 Target Gift Card

2009-12-22T17:42:00.000-06:00

Christmas Giveaway Bonanzaaaaaaa! Win a $200 Target Gift Card

In the spirit of giving, Givedaddys Giveaway Blog is giving you (well, one of you) a big Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Unbirthday gift: a $200 gift card to Target! While it might not come in time for Christmas, you can definitely hit those after Christmas sales hard!

This one will go on for 2 weeks! We’ll choose a winner December 26.

Check out the blog for further details.

Montly Mixer Mele

2009-12-22T13:52:00.002-06:00

Monthly Mixer Mele

Monthly Mixer Mele

All you have to do is read a book that begins with a letter of each month or read a book that begins with the authors name (first or last name, doesn’t matter).

There are 74 letters so you will have to have 74 different books to complete the challenge. Books can however be used to complete other challenges.

You don’t have to do the months in any kind of order, just fill in books as you go along until you have each letter a book by it.

Challenge begins November 1, 2009 and ends November 2, 2010 so you have a whole year to complete! Lets break out them books and get busy!

N
O
V
E
M
B
E
R

D
E
C
E
M
B
E
R

J
A
N
U
A
R
Y

F
E
B
R
U
A
R
Y

M
A
R
H

A
U
G
U
S
T

S
E
P
T
E
M
B
E
R

O
C
T
O
B
E
R

If you decide to join me in the 2009/2010 Monthly Mixer Mele, create a post on your blog telling others about this event. In your post, be sure to include the link to this post on your blog. That way others can find their way here and join in the fun!

When you sign up under Mr. Linky, list the direct link to your post where your books will be listed in the URL spot.

No need to link your reviews to here just come back and let us know how your coming along in this same post. :)

The most important thing is to have fun!

Our Mutual Read: A Victorian Reading Challenge

2009-12-21T14:39:00.000-06:00

Our Mutual Read: "This challenge will run from January 1st, 2010 to December 31st 2010. And it is completely okay to double-dip, what you read/watch here can count on other challenges!

Next, decide on what level you'd like to participate:
~ Level 1: 4 books, at least 2 written during 1837 - 1901. The other books may be Neo-Victorian or non-fiction.
~ Level 2: 8 books, at least 4 written during 1837 - 1901. The other books may be Neo-Victorian or non-fiction.
~ Level 3: 12 books, at least 6 written during 1837 - 1901. The other books may be Neo-Victorian or non-fiction.

Then, determine if you are up to a mini-challenge:
Period Film Mini-Challenge -- watch at least 6 films that take place between 1837 - 1901 (they don't necessarily have to be based on a book) and post a review.

Short Story Mini-Challenge -- read 12 short stories written or taking place between 1837 - 1901 and post a review."

Check out Our Mutual Read for further details about this challenge.

I will be participating at Level 1: Read 4 books (at least 2 written during 1837-1901).
The books I selected to read are:
1. North and South by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
2. Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
3. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
4. Middlemarch by George Eliot

Giveaway: Pamela's Products

2009-12-20T20:09:00.000-06:00

Giveaway – Pamela’s Products – Cookies, Cake Mix, Brownie Mix – Ends 12/31/09

Pamela’s Products
founded on the premise that wheat-free and gluten-free foods can taste great and that everyone should have food delicious enough to celebrate.

And from what I’ve tasted – they are absolutely succeeding!

Cakes – Cookies – Biscotti – Cheesecakes – Baking Mixes

These products are tasty by any standard – not just for people who are on a wheat-free or gluten-free diet! You can check out the nutritional/technical details on their site. And I can tell you how delcious the products that I tried are!

Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Brownie Mix
Chocolate Cake Mix

Check out how to enter the giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers.

Naki: Final December Book-Give-A-Way

2009-12-20T00:49:00.000-06:00

Naki: Final December Book-Give-A-Way

In the next few days Bernice McFadden will be in possession of a few ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies) of her new novel GLORIOUS It willl be published on May 1st 2010. So she's decided to give one of those ARC copies away. Check with her blog for the details on how to enter.

451 Challenge 2010

2009-12-19T18:36:00.000-06:00

451 Challenge

Welcome to the 451 Challenge! This challenge is based on 451 Fridays, a weekly feature hosted at As Usual, We Need More Bookshelves.

451 Fridays is based on an idea from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In his novel, a group of people (Bradbury calls them Book People) are trying to keep the ideas found in books alive. Instead of actually saving the books, the Book People each "become" a book - memorizing it, word for word, and passing it down to the next generation.

451 Fridays asks what books you feel passionate about. What book do you think is so important that you would be willing to take on the challenge of "becoming"?

An amazing list of books has been compiled and it's time to start reading them! So, the 451 Challenge was born. Check out the list of books here.

Here is how it will work: between January 1, 2010 and November 30, 2010, participants are challenged to read books on the 451 master list. There will be several levels of participation:

Spark - read 1-2 books from the master list
Ember - read 3-4 books from the master list
Flame - read 5-6 books from the master list
Blaze - read 7 or more books from the master list

Re-reading is acceptable, as are crossovers with other challenges. Audio, print, and e-books are all acceptable. Each month, participants will be encouraged to post their reviews on the challenge blog, and each review posted will be an entry into a grand prize drawing for a $25 gift card to the online bookseller of the winner's choice.

I will be participating at the Ember level. My books will be :

1. A Bend in the River - V. S. Naipaul
2. Age of Innocence - Edith Wharton
3. Cry, The Beloved Country - Alan Paton
4. Middlemarch - George Eliot

I look forward to this challenge.

Black Classics Challenge 2010

2009-12-18T01:09:00.002-06:00

The Black Classics Challenge for 2010

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Welcome to The Black Classics Challenge 2010

2010 will be the first year for The Black Classics Challenge. The purpose of this reading challenge is to encourage people of all ages to read great, pre-modern literature that is not regularly promoted in the Western canon.

Most of the authors that I recommend will be of African decent, but readers are encouraged to read classic non-western authors of other ethnicities.

Challenge Dates: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

Challenge Rules:

1. The book must have been originally published prior to the Harlem Renaissance (1920).
2. The author of the book, regardless country of birth, may be of African decent.
3. The book may be fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose.

Challenge Levels of Participation:

Curious -- I commit to 3 books
Experienced -- I commit to 7 books (may include 1 anthology)
Enthusiast -- I commit to 15 Books (may include 2 anthologies)

Challenge Suggested Authors:

Poetry
1. Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784)
2. Jupiter Hammon (1711-1806)
3. Ann Plato (1820-????)
4. Francis Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911)
5. George Moses Horton (1797-1883)
6. James M. Whitfield (1822-1871)
7. Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)

Fiction
1. Harriet E. Wilson (1808?-1870?) "Our Nig"
2. Alice Dunbar-Nelson (1875-1935)
3. Frank J. Webb (1828-1894) "The Garies and Their Friends"
4. William Wells Brown (1816-1884) "Clotel"
5. Charles Chesnutt (1858-1932)
6. James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) "Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man"
7. Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870)

Autobiographies
1. Mary Prince
2. Harriet Jacobs, "Linda Brent", (1815-1897)
3. Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)
4. Henry Bibb
5. Olaudah Equiano, "Gustavus Vassa", (1745-1797)

Politics
1. Booker T. Washington
2. Carter G. Woodson
3. W. E. B. DuBois

I will be committing to 3 books or the Curious Level.

200 Followers Contest!! | Books At Midnight

2009-12-15T22:34:00.000-06:00

200 Followers Contest!!

Wow, 200 followers! Books at Midnight is hosting her first contest with multiple winners. Before you begin, you HAVE to be a follower to enter, sorry! For future contests, maybe not, but since this one is a follower contest, she is making it mandatory.

Anyway, the contest is split into two parts and the prizes are an accumalation of books that were bought or won this year:

PART ONE: US/CA/Puerto Rico ONLY
No PO boxes please!

18 BOOKS, 3 WINNERS -
First winner gets 3 books, one from each section
Second winner gets 2 books, two from different sections of his/her choice
Third winner will win 1 book from any section - only one that is NOT random; my top ten commentators by the end of the contest will be entered into a draw. Feel free to go back and comment on old posts. ;)

>> Section One:

Evermore (The Immortals #1) by Alyson Noel - PB
The Summoning (Darkest Powers #1) by Kelley Armstrong - HC
Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries #1) by Charlaine Harris - PB
Marked (House of Night #1) by P.C. and Kristen Cast - PB
The Faerie Path (The Faeire Path #1) by Frewin Jones - HC

>> Section Two:

The Sweet Life of Stella Madison by Lara M. Zeises - HC, signed
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantansky - HC
My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent - PB
Love Is Hell Anthology - PB
Intertwined by Gena Showalter - ARC

>> Section Three:

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - HC
Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater - PB
Stealing Death by Janet Lee Carey - ARC
Ex Games by Jennifer Echols - PB, signed to me
Betrayed (House of Night #2) by Kristen and P.C. Cast - PB
Bad Apple by Laura Ruby - HC, signed
Heroes At Risk by Moira J. Moore - PB
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange- PB

PART TWO: outside of the above-mentioned areas ONLY

1 WINNER -
Any book ($15 or under) from the Book Despository
(Sorry international lovelies, but she can't ship internationally right now.)

And that's it! Please remember that comments on this post do not count as entries.

AFRICAN DIASPORA READING CHALLENGE 2010

2009-12-15T20:06:00.003-06:00

African Diaspora Reading Challenge 2010

The African diaspora speaks mainly to the dispersion of African descendants in the Americas and Europe due to the Atlantic slave trade. Yes, Africans were enslaved or migrants to other parts of the world but the term is usually in reference to the aforementioned areas. So, for this challenge, books read will be by Black authors and set in Africa, North America, South America, Central America, Caribbean Islands, and Europe. Yes, this is broad but it means the possibilities are endless. Hopefully, those who participate will gain more incite into the myriad of Black cultural experiences.

Now, for guidelines:
*This challenge will run from January 1, 2010-December 31, 2010
*Crossovers are allowed
*Fiction and nonfiction hard copies or e-books from any genre (no audio books)
*Participants should visit different geographical regions in their reading (i.e. not all African American or Afro-Brit or Haitian or any one group representing the diaspora)
*Levels of participation
Novice: commitment to read four (4) books
Versed: commitment to read eight (8) books
Scholar: commitment to read twelve (12) books
*If you need ideas, here's a list of authors and titles in the African diaspora.
*There will be a prize drawn amongst those who complete the challenge.

I plan on participating at the VERSED level. I will be reading eight (8) books throughout the 2010 year.

/- LA FEMME READERS -/: Pre-Holiday Giveaway! Whoop Whoop!

2009-12-15T18:58:00.000-06:00

/- LA FEMME READERS -/: Pre-Holiday Giveaway! Whoop Whoop!

Hey everyone! In celebration of Christmas or Hanukkah for those that don't celebrate Christmas, LA FEMME READERS wanted to do a great giveaway. Since she is close to 500 followers, this is a way to thank all of her readers! There will be two winners. Each will win a book of choice! You can choose any book you want and she will order it through Amazon which will ship right to your door! How amazing is that!? Each order must be under $25 though.

TEASER TUESDAY 12-15-2009

2009-12-15T11:52:00.003-06:00

TEASER TUESDAY: Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber 12/15/2009

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser is

"Generally, after a few times out, she found a convenient excuse to call it quits. Counseling probably would have helped her face her fears, but in seeking profession assistance, she'd have to confront far more than her reluctance to enter into another relationship."

p. 111, Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

What are you reading? If you have a teaser, you can head on over to Miz B's blog to share it with others.

Naki: Book Contest..followup book to Sugar: This Bitter Earth.

2009-12-09T20:57:00.000-06:00

Naki: This Bitter Earth is sequel to Sugar.

This Bitter Earth picks up where Sugar left off-on the dirt road leading to Sugar's childhood home in Short Junction, Arkansas. Here, Sugar hears a shocking revelation about unrequited love, and about one man's hatred-and the black magic that has cursed generations. Her travels take Sugar to St. Louis, where the bonds of an old friendship test the limits of her courage and compassion-and the sacrifices she will make for another young woman in desperate need of a caring friend.

Filled with the lyrical language, haunting imagery, and compelling voice that imbued Sugar with its power and grace, This Bitter Earth is a novel about the inexorable power the past exerts over us and our ability to triumph over adversity and sorrow. Earthy and richly evocative, it is a testament to the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.

Go to Naki blog for further details.

Naki: One Month Left...Book Contest...Dear Oprah..

2009-12-09T20:50:00.000-06:00

Naki: One Month Left...Book Contest..Campaign to sell 10,000 copies

Naki wrote and published a book, Sugar almost 10 years ago. She is promoting a campaign to sell 10,000 copies of Sugar by January 19, 2010.

Check with Naki on the specific details for this Campaign. .

Pudgy Penguin Perusals: Giveaway: The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

2009-12-09T17:33:00.000-06:00

Pudgy Penguin Perusals: Giveaway: The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

This is a debut novel. It is wonderfully written and draws the reader in immediately. The story starts out in 1952 as we are introduced to Claire Pendleton, recent arrival in Hong Kong with her much older husband, Martin. Claire has been hired by the socially prominent Chen family to teach Locket Chen the piano. When the Chen family invites Claire and her husband to a party, she meets Will Truesdale, the Chen chauffer.The Chen family and Will Truesdale figure prominently in this novel from the beginning to the end.
The story then goes back and forth from 1941 to 1953 as the characters are introduced in preparation for war with the Japanese.
Check out the details and participate in the giveaway. There will be 2 winners.

Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!: Day Two: Shirley Connolly

2009-12-09T14:19:00.000-06:00

Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!: Day Two: Shirley Connolly: "I See God in the Thorns-n-Thistles"

Check out this devotional book at Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! Day 2
When your heart is burdened and you’re experiencing times of trial, where do you turn? When you’re challenged by the complexities of life, the afflictions, the tests, and the tragedies, do you run to or from God? If you run toward Him, do you try to see what He’s teaching you?

God remains with you not only in the simple circumstances but also during the toughest times of your life. You’re never alone, and I See God in the Thorns~n~Thistles offers you, in independent devotions, a way to make the most out of the troubles, a way to draw closer to God because, and oftentimes in spite of, your pain.

Life-changing lessons like these not only help us on our personal journeys, they teach us to have compassion for others who we learn need it more. Isn’t that what life’s all about for the believer?

Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!: Day Seven: Giveaway with Margaret Daley

2009-12-09T12:26:00.000-06:00

Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!: Day Seven: Giveaway with Margaret Daley

Together for the Holidays (Love Inspired Book Five of the Fostered by Love Series)

A single mother with a traumatic past, Lisa Morgan only wants to raise her son with love and values. But lately the boy is struggling. When his basketball coach becomes a reluctant role model, Lisa is relieved. Until she learns that David Russell is also a cop. She's not ready to share her past—or her heart. And neither is the world-weary detective. Yet as Christmas comes closer, the true meaning of the holiday brings them together in ways they never dared dream.

Sounds like a great book. Check out the details on the blogsite for entering the giveaway.

Suddenly, the Puddings are baking!

2009-12-08T20:22:00.000-06:00

Suddenly, the Puddings are baking!

Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag Giveaway | a giveaway everyday

2009-12-08T18:41:00.000-06:00

Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag Giveaway

Com and see this wonderful diaper bag. It has many pockets and special trays to keep your child's necessities handy.

What's in a Name? 3 Challenge

2009-12-05T20:58:00.000-06:00

What's in a Name? 3 Challenge

This sounds like a great challenge and I can use many of the books that I am reading for the challenges.

THE DETAILS: Between January 1 and December 31, 2010, read one book in each of the following categories (that's only 6 books all year):

A book with a food in the title: Clockwork Orange, Grapes of Wrath, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
A book with a body of water in the title: A River Runs through It, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, The Lake House
A book with a title (queen, president) in the title: The Murder of King Tut, The Count of Monte Cristo, Lady Susan
A book with a plant in the title: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Wind in the Willows, The Name of the Rose
A book with a place name (city, country) in the title: Out of Africa; London; Between, Georgia
A book with a music term in the title: Song of Solomon, Ragtime, The Piano Teacher

The book titles above are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
Books may overlap other challenges.
Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
Creativity for matching the categories is allowed.
You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.
There will be a single prize at the end of the challenge. Readers who complete the challenge and write up a wrap-up post (or wrap-up comment) are eligible. I'll figure out a way to make it international

To join, sign up with Mr. Linky here.

Up Giveaway! - PaysToBeFrugal

2009-12-05T08:12:00.000-06:00

Up Giveaway! - PaysToBeFrugal

Great family movie. Check out Pays to be Frugal for details.

A Classic Christmas

2009-12-04T17:00:00.001-06:00

Dear John Book Giveaway

2009-12-03T22:59:00.000-06:00

The Book Vixen Giveaway: Dear John by Nicholas Sparks for five winners

If you are interested in reading Dear John before you go to see the movie version, then visit The Book Vixen's blogsite for the details of the giveaway.

War Through the Generations: Viet Nam: Challenge 2010

2009-12-03T00:16:00.001-06:00

War Through the Generations

War Through the Generation’s 2010 reading challenge will be the Vietnam War. The challenge will run from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010.

Rules:

This year you have options when reading your fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, etc. with the Vietnam War as the primary or secondary theme.

Books can take place before, during, or after the war. Books from other challenges count so long as they meet the above criteria.

Dip: Read 5 books in any genre with the Vietnam War as a primary or secondary theme.

Wade: Read 6-10 books in any genre with the Vietnam War as a primary or secondary theme.

Swim: Read 11 or more books in any genre with the Vietnam War as a primary or secondary theme.

I am registering for the Dip Level and try to read 5 books this year.

If you are interested then click here to find out how to register for the challenge.

Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Women Writers Reading Challenge

2009-12-02T00:34:00.001-06:00

Hosted by Becky of Becky's Book Reviews
Minimum 2 books;
All of 2010

Read books written by women authors that were written and/or published between 1700 and 1900. Contemporary historical books set in this time period do not count towards this challenge! The challenge is to encourage you to read some classics.

I will read :

North and South by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
Lover's Vows by Mrs. Inchbald

Social Justice 2010 Challenge

2009-12-01T14:04:00.000-06:00

Social Justice 2010 Challenge

Reading opens new worlds to us and can sometimes expose the injustice in our own. We have all been powerfully moved by the injustice we have learned about in books and decided we wanted to host a reading project that would encourage us to learn more about these issues in the world.

It can sometimes be overwhelming and disheartening to read about the powerful obstacles others in the world face. So this reading challenge is different. Not only will we be encouraging you to learn about issues of social injustice in the world through books, essays, blogs, and other media–we will also be challenging you to take an action step and make a difference as a result of what you’ve learned. Let’s put our knowledge into action and make a difference!

There are two steps to the (1) Learn and (2) Take Action.

When you sign up for the Social Justice Challenge you are committing to 12 months participation. The amount you participate each month, however, is up to you.

Activist–At this level you are agreeing to participate fully in the activities of the month. You will read at least one full length book as well as choosing something from the other media list. You will also complete an action step. By signing up for the challenge, you agree to do a minimum of 3 months at this level. You do not have to decide which months in advance.

Intern–You agree to either read something from the reading resources (it can be an essay or children’s book) or choose to do something from the other media list. You will complete an action step. You can do three months at this level, and you do not have to decide which months in advance.

Volunteer– You agree to read at least one of the recommended blog posts, essays or shorter novels. You will complete an action step. You can do three months at this level, and you do not have to decide in advance which months they will be.

Observer — Need a break? Just follow along with the blog for the month. This month has no commitment level. You can only do a maximum of three months at this level.

You can always do more, but you can’t do less. You can also customize the challenge in other ways. Already planning to read more about India this year? Choose your reading resources around the country of India!

2010 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

2009-11-30T23:21:00.001-06:00

2010 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 Historical Fiction novels.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 Historical Fiction novels.

-- Addicted – Read 12 Historical Fiction novels.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 Historical Fiction novels.

3. Any book format counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge.

If you are interested in this challenge go to The Royal Reviews blog to sign up.

At this point I decided to participate at the Fascinated level. I will list these six books by January 2010.

ALL ABOUT THE BRONTES CHALLENGE

2009-11-29T22:22:00.002-06:00

Do you enjoy a good gothic novel? Do you wonder what it would have been like to be a part of a trio of three gifted sisters living a lonely existence in the moors? Then you will enjoy the All About the Brontes Challenge!

Challenge Details

1. The All About the Brontes challenge will run from January 1st to June 30, 2010. You can post a review before this date if you wish.

2. You can read a book, watch a movie, listen to an audiobook, anything Bronte related that you would like. Reading, watching, or listening to a favorite Bronte related item again for the second, third, or more time is also allowed.

3. The goal will be to read, watch, listen, to 3 to 6 (or beyond) anything Bronte items.

4. Please sign-up by posting your blog entry on the number of items and what items you would like to do for this challenge below in Mr. Linky (Don't just post your blog's URL). Don't worry, you can do different things than you have listed. I myself am not always good at sticking to lists!

5. On January 1st (or slightly before), I will have a post on this blog where reviews of each Bronte item can be linked in.

6. Enjoy!

What Bronte items can you read/watch/listen to? There are plenty! Here are a few suggestions.

The Original Works

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte*

Villette by Charlotte Bronte*

Shirley by Charlotte Bronte*

The Professor by Charlotte Bronte*

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte*

Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte*

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte*

Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell

Juvenilia by Charlotte Bronte

-The Secret

-Mina Laury

-Orgins of Angria

-Marian vs. Zenobia

-Mary

-Mina Laury

-Elizabeth

Biographical Works/Literary Criticism

The Life of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Gaskell*

Charlotte Bronte: A Passionate Life by Lyndall Gordon*

The Art of the Brontes by Christine Alexander and Jane Sellars

Selected Letters of Charlotte Bronte edited by Margaret Smith
Charlotte Bronte: A Writer's Life by Rebecca Fraser

Charlotte Bronte: Unquiet Soul by Margot Peters

Bronte by Glyn Hughes

The Three Brontes by May Sinclair

The Brontes by Juliet Barker

The Brontes: A Beginner's Guide by Steve Eddy*

The Oxford Companion to the Brontes by Christine Alexander

The Bronte Myth by Lucasta Miller

In the Footsteps of the Brontes by Ellis Chadwick

Spin-offs/Modern Reworkings/Brontes as Fictional Characters/Etc.

Emma Brown: A Novel from the Unfinished Manuscript by Charlotte Bronte by Clare Boylan*

The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fford*

Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman*

The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Bronte by Laura Joh Rowland*

The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte by Syrie James

Emily's Ghost: A Novel of the Bronte Sisters by Denise Giardina

Jane Eyre's Daughter by Elizabeth Newark

Jane Airhead by Kay Woodward

Jillian Dare by Melanie M. Jeschke

The Taste of Sorrow by Jude Morgan

The Heights by Brian James

Becoming Jane Eyre by Sheila Kohler

The Infernal World of Branwell Bronte by Daphne Du Maurier

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier (an original work inspired by Jane Eyre)*

Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier (an original work inspired by Wuthering Heights)*

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (definitely a gothic tale in the vein of Jane Eyre)*

The Brontes went to Woolworths by Rachel Ferguson

Coldwater by Mardi Mcconnochie*

Being Emily by Anne Donovan

The Crimes of Charlotte Bronte by James Tully*

Heathcliff: The Return to Wuthering Heights by Lin Haire-Sargeant

Thornfield Hall: Jane Eyre's Hidden Story by Emma Tennant

Return to Wuthering Heights by Anna L'Estrange*

Jenna Starborn by Sharon Shi

Movies/Mini-series
Wuthering Heights (1939 - starring Laurence Oliver)*

Wuthering Heights (1970 - starring Timothy Dalton)

Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights (1992 - starring Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes)*

Wuthering Heights (Masterpiece Theatre 1998)

Wuthering Heights (2003 for MTV)

Wuthering Heights (Masterpiece Theatre 2009)*

Jane Eyre (1934)

Jane Eyre (1944)*

Jane Eyre (BBC - 1970)

Jane Eyre (1983 miniseries starring Timothy Dalton)*

Jane Eyre (1996)*

Jane Eyre (1997 A&E movie)*

Jane Eyre (2007 Masterpiece Theatre)*

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1996 - Masterpiece Theatre starring Tara Fitzgerald and Toby Stephens)*

Villette (1970 BBC mini-series also adapted in 1999 as a BBC Radio production)

Rebecca (1940)*

Rebecca (2003 DVD - Masterpiece Theatre)*

Jamaica Inn (1939)*

Jamaica Inn (1983 TV Movie)

Devotion (1946 - highly fictionalized account of the Bronte sisters lives)

A couple of great blogs to check out for more information about the Brontes and related works are:

BronteBlog

Bronteana

I have chosen to read three books for this challenge.

1. The Infernal World of Branwell Bronte by Daphne Du Maurier
2. The Life of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Gaskell
3. Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

SOUTH ASIAN AUTHOR CHALLENGE 2010

2009-11-29T21:35:00.002-06:00

What is the South Asian Author Challenge?

This challenge is to encourage people to read books by South Asian Authors – South Asia being India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Please not that it does not include the Middle East! The books can be from any time period, contemporary or classic. If you want to talk about the challenge on Twitter or tweet your reviews, use the hashtag #saac.

What books qualify for the South Asian Author Challenge?

There are two requirements for a book to qualify for the South Asian Author Challenge, both of which must be met:

1) The author must be of South Asian descent. It doesn’t matter if they’re third or fourth generation, or are only half South Asian – I’m pretty flexible on this issue.

2) The book must be about South Asia in some way. It doesn’t have to be set in South Asia, as long as it’s about the culture or history in some way. On the other hand, it can be set in South Asia and not be about South Asians.

As an example, The Blue Notebook is an amazing book about India by James Levine. But because James Levine isn’t from South Asia, the book wouldn’t qualify for the challenge.

Another example: Amulya Malladi is a South Asian author, but her book The Sound of Language wouldn’t qualify because it’s about a girl from Afghanistan.

However, the book The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar would qualify because, although it is about non-Indians, it’s set in India.

If you’re still confused on this point, please feel free to contact me and ask if a particular book would qualify for the challenge, or leave a comment on the list of South Asian authors page.

What are the dates of this challenge?

January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010

How many books do I have to read for the South Asian Author Challenge?

There are four different commitment levels:

3 books

5 books

7 books

10 books

You can sign up at any of these levels, but please specify which level you’re participating at in your sign-up post.

Do you have a list of suggested authors or reads for this challenge?

Definitely. Here is a list of some of the books that will qualify for the challenge, and here is a list of South Asian authors (sorted by genre) that you might want to consider.

Do I have to make a list of books when I post my sign-up post?

No, definitely not. Part of the point of this challenge is to discover new authors through other’s reviews. Being forced to create a list at the beginning would be counterproductive!

Do I have to review every book I read for this challenge?

No, you don’t. I really hope you’ll choose to review the books you read, but it’s not a requirement!

Can I participate even if I don’t have a blog?

Absolutely!

Are there any prizes for this challenge?

YES! There will be a prize for those who sign up before January 1, and another for those who complete it. Additionally, I hope to host some South Asian Author Challenge-exclusive giveaways while the contest is going on. Unfortunately, I will be up front about the fact that most of these giveaways will be U.S. only, with some including Canada, because I can’t afford to send books internationally.

Can I use books I read for this challenge for other challenges? (Are crossovers allowed?)

Yes, definitely!

Can I change challenge levels after January 1?

You can’t move down (change from 10 to 7 – that defeats the purpose of it being a challenge!) but you can move up if you find you just love South Asian authors and want to read more of them than you expected!

Why join this challenge?

Because there are a lot of great Indian authors out there! While I love Salman Rushdie and Jhumpa Lahiri, some people don’t find their work accessible. I want to show people that Indian authors write every genre – non-fiction, YA, chick lit, historical fiction, as well as literary fiction!

Can the books I read be in translation?

Yup, definitely!

Do re-reads count?

Absolutely! The point of the challenge is to read South Asian authors – if you’re reading a book you’ve already read, you’re still reading a book by a South Asian author!

I have decided to start out with just three books which I will identify later. I hope I can read more during next year.

Thriller/Suspense Challenge 2010

2009-11-29T21:09:00.004-06:00

I have decided to join the Thriller/Suspense Challenge for 2010. I absolutely can't resist
reading suspense books. This challenge goes from January 1, 2010 to December 31. 2010.

The only requirement is to select and read 12 books during this time.

The Challenge Details:

• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront then you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• If you decide to join this challenge be sure to create a post telling others, please make sure you add a link back to this post so others can join in.
• You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.
• There will be a place for you to link your reviews, but this is optional

To sign up go to Book Chic City and use Mr. Linky.

Night of Flames by Douglas W,. Jacobson

2009-11-29T12:32:00.003-06:00

Title: Night of Flames

Author: Douglas W. Jacobson

Published: October 1, 2008

Page Count: 384

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Rating: 5/5

In 1939 the Germans invade Poland, setting off a rising storm of violence and destruction. For Anna and Jan Kopernik the loss is unimaginable. Anna’s father is deported to a death camp, and Anna must flee to Belgium where she joins the Resistance. Meanwhile, Jan escapes with the battered remnants of the Polish army to Britain. When British intelligence asks him to return to Poland in an undercover mission to contact the Resistance, he seizes the chance to search for his missing wife.
Night of Flames is an excellent book that kept me enthralled from the very beginning. The book is rich with historical details while still focusing on the characters and their relationships with each other, the historical details of the annihilation of the Jews and the resistance efforts( from local to national) to rid their country of the Nazis.

In addition, the reader gets a perspective of what happened in Poland and with its people with the Nazi invasion. Poland is a country that has been conquered and reconquered over the centuries and this is just one more time that the Polish people lose their identity to a conquering country. What was unique here. though, is that the people had a scapegoat to blame it all on, the Jewish population. I knew that the initial actions of the Nazi's were often met with little if any resistance at the beginning of World War II. However in Night of Flames, you get a real feeling of the chaos, lack of understanding and belief in their own vulnerability, and eventual personal devastation that occurred within families.

There are many subplots within the main story and each subplot has its own set of characters. Jacobson's control of the plot lines made is easy to follow along with the story. It is a complex storyline but it never drags. Jacobson keeps the reader engaged with the story and always eager to keep moving along in the book.

Night of Flames is excellent historical fiction. It pulled me in from the beginning, and I found myself completely immersed in the historically accurate action from page one– not to mention the incredible set of characters! I would highly recommend Night of Flames to any reader who loves historical fiction especially regarding World War II.

The Colorful Reading Challeng

2009-11-28T04:27:00.002-06:00

The Colorful Reading Challenge

At the request of some of the participants of this year's Colorful Reading Challenge, Lost in Books is hosting it again for 2010.

UPDATE:
If you participated in 2009 or read the post before this update, the challenge had a requirement of 9 books with 9 different colors in the title, six required colors and three freebies. Well, I decided to let everyone explore the color selections a little more and change up the rules.

You still need to read 9 books with 9 different colors in the title, but this time you get to choose all 9 colors for your books! You may be wondering how many books are there really out there with colors in the title? You may be surprised. To help you out and inspire your reading list, I created a reading idea list for sixteen or so different colors. So be sure to click over if you aren't sure what you can read.

As always, there is no need to make a list of books if you'd rather play it by ear and if you do make a list you may change it at any time. The challenge runs from January 1- December 31, 2010. If you would like to participate, please sign up using the Mr. Linky.

Click here if you'd like to see the titles and reviews by this year's participants.

The point is to challenge yourself but to also read some great books and have fun!

2010 Reading from My Shelves Project

2009-11-27T22:59:00.003-06:00

After reading about this Challenge on Bibliophile by the Sea, I decided to join in and try to lessen the weight on my bookshelves, by reading books from my shelves, and then passing the books on to someone else: a friend, relative, the library, used book store, swap them, just as long as the book leaves my house once it has been read. I'm setting a goal of (20 books).

Does this sound like something you'd like to do as well??? If so, feel free to join in and follow these guidelines as defined at Bibliophile by the Sea:

grab the challenge button
decide how many books you want to read from your shelves (minimum of 20 - no maximum)
find a new home for the books once you read them
post the titles and the authors of books you've read and passed on
project runs from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010
crossover challenge books are allowed

Go to Bibliophile by the Sea to sign up on Mr. Linky. My list of books that I will read will be added here:

1. The Tudor Rose by Margaret Campbell Barnes
2. Amigoland Oscar Casares
3. Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
4. Base 10 by Maryann Lesart
5. From Wonso Ponds Kang Kyong
6. Bone Woman by Cleo Koff
7. So Into You by Sandra Hill
8. Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara
9. Madam Curie Complex by Julie des Jardin
10. Pillow Talk
11. Zeleika Dobson
12. The Sisters: Family Saga of the Mitford Family by Mary Lovell
13. Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino
14. Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrud Undset
15. American Eve: Evelyn Nesbit by Paula Uruburu
16. The Sinner by Tess Berritsen
17. Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor
18. Pictures of Perfection by Reginald Hill
19. Circle of Honor by Carol Umberger
20. Luxembourg and the Jenisch Connection by David Robinson

A Sea of Books: Audiobook Giveaway: A SEPARATE COUNTRY by Robert Hicks

2009-11-26T21:14:00.000-06:00

A Sea of Books: Audiobook Giveaway: A SEPARATE COUNTRY by Robert Hicks

Set in New Orleans in the years after the Civil War, A Separate Country is based on the incredible life of John Bell Hood, arguably one of the most controversial generals of the Confederate Army--and one of its most tragic figures. Robert E. Lee promoted him to major general after the Battle of Antietam. But the Civil War would mark him forever. At Gettysburg, he lost the use of his left arm. At the Battle of Chickamauga, his right leg was amputated. Starting fresh after the war, he married Anna Marie Hennen and fathered 11 children with her, including three sets of twins.

If you want details on how to get a copy of the audiobook, go to A Sea of Books Audiobook Giveaway.

The Bibliophilic Book Blog: Because I'm in a Good Mood! GIVEAWAY TIME!

2009-11-26T21:03:00.000-06:00

The Bibliophilic Book Blog: Because I'm in a Good Mood! GIVEAWAY TIME!: "Covet by: J.R. Ward."

The Bibliophilic Book Blog is appreciative of her followers and wants to give away one copy of Covet. Check out the blog site for entry details.

The Bibliophilic Book Blog: Book Review and Giveaway: Knight of Pleasure by: Margaret Mallory

2009-11-26T20:07:00.000-06:00

The Bibliophilic Book Blog: Book Review and Giveaway: Knight of Pleasure by: Margaret Mallory
Want a great romance novel to read? Then enter to win Knight of Pleasure.
The plot is good It occurs in the time of King Henry V with no crazy twists of history. It moves at a pretty good pace and there was no waiting around or gratuitous love-making inserts. The characters are amazing.

Check out the details for entering the giveaway at Bibliophililic Book Blog.

Mommy Goggles » Holiday Feast for 8 at Walmart for $20! Two $30 Gift Cards Giveaway (12/11)

2009-11-26T19:23:00.000-06:00

Mommy Goggles » Holiday Feast for 8 at Walmart for $20! *Two $30 Gift Cards Giveaway* (12/11)

Enter to win a gift card to assist you in supplying a holiday meal from Walmart. Mommy Goggles found out she could feed her family for $20 when she choose Walmart.
Check out the details on the blogsite so you can win a gift card for the winter holiday meal.

Women On Wednesday Wednesday November 25, 2009

2009-11-25T17:02:00.006-06:00

Women on Wednesday~ Thank you Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell!

Susan at Rocks n' Reads West of Mars hosts Women on Wednesday.

WOW — Women on Wednesday.

Every Wednesday, write about a book you loved that’s written by a woman. Celebrate a woman author whose books you love. Talk about a book you’re dying to read.

This is a new meme to spotlight favorite FEMALE authors, as Publisher's Weekly has recently published their Best Reads of 2009, without a single female writer on their list.

So now we get to give the Women a Weekly Meme!

Susan says:

"WOW — Women on Wednesday.
Every Wednesday, write about a book you loved that’s written by a woman. Celebrate a woman author whose books you love. Talk about a book you’re dying to read. "

This week I want to focus on a newly discovered female writer for me, Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. I was introduced to Cranford this past September and absolutely fell in love with her writing. This book is filled with humor, close examinations of relationships, unrequited love, and classisms. I can hardly wait to read more of her novels.

Cranford is the best-known novel of the 19th century English writer Elizabeth Gaskell. It was first published in 1851 as a serial in the magazine Household Words, which was edited by Charles Dickens. After being overshadowed for a little, it has taken its place finally among the masterpieces of English fiction, along with Jane Austen and the Vicar of Wakefield. There has never been a more delightful and tender study of English village life, or one in which insight is so joined with kindliness.

This is a witty and poignant look at the market town of Cranford where women are the majority of the population. The railway is pushing its way relentlessly towards the village from Manchester, bringing fears of migrant workers and the breakdown of law and order. The arrival of handsome young Doctor Harrison causes yet further agitation, not just because of his revolutionary methods, but also because of his effect on the hearts of the village’s ladies. Meanwhile Miss Matty Jenkyns nurses her own heart following her forced abandonment of the man she loved since she was a young girl.

Some of her other novels include

I look forward to reading these other books and enjoying Elizabeth's humor and observations of 19th century England. Also Cranford is going to be on PBS soon as a rebroadcast for Masterpiece Theater. I can hardly wait for this to happen.
Join in the Women on Wednesday Fun by linking to today's post

Teaser Tuesday 11-24-2009

2009-11-24T22:06:00.004-06:00

TEASER TUESDAYS is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. It asks you to:

Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title and author of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations and they can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Please avoid spoilers!

My Teasers

" But Boris was unpersuaded. I just remember three of them, he insisted. I am positive he had just three daughters."

Come Along for the Ride:--Amazing Book Signing Weekend and BIG CONTEST

2009-11-23T22:12:00.001-06:00

A SIGNED hardcover of Sarah Dessen's Along for the Ride, and an ARC of Will Grayson, Will Grayson signed by David Levithan.

Plus all of this sweet swag from the day!

(as seen in a picture of all the books Donna got)

- set of four Leviathan postcards (middle, left, far right)

- Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks pin (right)

- Sarah Dessen magnets (bottom left)

- Liar bookmark (bottom (far) right)

Check out the blog: The First Novels Club for more details.

The Bookworm's Giveawy and Review: Willoughby's Return

2009-11-23T02:59:00.000-06:00

A lost love returns and rekindles the passion between the two old lovers.

This is reflective of several of Jane Austen's book plots. You will need to read the book to find out what happens. Check out The Bookworm blog site for details on how to enter the giveaway and learn more about the author and novel's plot,

The Burton Review: GIVEAWAY & GUEST AUTHOR: KATHRYNE KENNEDY, HISTORICAL ROMANCE

2009-11-23T02:22:00.000-06:00

The Burton Review: GIVEAWAY My Unfair Lady by Katheryne Kennedy

Remember that story "My Fair Lady" with Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins? This is the same concept with a blend of both America and England and a larger dash of a southern accent. If this sounds interesting, go to The Burton Review to read more about the book and sign up for the giveaway.

Shawn's Sharings: Bella Basset Ballerina Book Giveaway

2009-11-20T21:52:00.000-06:00

Shawn's Sharings: Bella Basset Ballerina Book Giveaway

Bella Basset is a pup when her mother takes her to see the famous Royal Borzoi Ballet for the first time. At the ballet, a dream is born: Bella wants to become a dancer! But in Bella's world, only Borzois can dance, so she has many obstacles to overcome before she can realize her dream. This is a story about dedication and perseverance, which may give children (and grown-ups) the inspiration to pursue their dreams.

Go to Shawn's Sharings to sign up soon!

Ramblings of a Bibliophile: Bookizzle's FIRST EVER Giveaway!

2009-11-20T18:08:00.000-06:00

Ramblings of a Bibliophile: Bookizzle's FIRST EVER Giveaway!: ""

The 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge

2009-11-19T20:50:00.001-06:00

J. Kaye's Book Blog: The 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge: "The 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--The Mini - Check out and read 25 library books.

--Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.

--Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books.

--Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.

(Aim high. As long as you read 25 by the end of 2010, you are a winner.)

3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – any book as long as it is checked out from the library count. Checked out like with a library card, not purchased at a library sale.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

6. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

I selected the level of The Mini: To read 25 library books.
A list of these books will be added to this post in the near future.

Holiday Gift Guide Frosty Friends DVD Giveaway:

2009-11-19T18:24:00.000-06:00

Wishing Penny

Bundle up with your favorite preschool pals in these fun-filled wintertime tales. Join Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Pingu™, T homas & Friends™, and Kipper™ as they enjoy playful adventures in the snow. Learn the true meaning of Christmas with your best friend, Barney, build a snowman with Bob, go sledding with Kipper, whistle down the tracks with Thomas, and laugh along as Pingu plays hilarious tricks on his friends.

This movie is really fun!

Episodes include :

Thomas & Friends - "Percy's New Whistle"
Barney - "Gift of the Dinos"
Bob the Builder - "Snowman Scoop"
Pingu - "Pingu and the Hose"
Kipper - "The Big Freeze"

Sounds fun huh?

GIVE IT!!!

I highly recommend this DVD for any little one. Great for before the holidays or for wrapping up and putting under the tree.

World Religion Challenge 2010

2009-11-18T20:02:00.001-06:00

Announcing the World Religion Challenge 2010

The Challenge runs from Jan 1st 2010 to Dec 31st 2010. There are four categories or Paths (Tao means “way” or “path”) to Reading Challenge Enlightenment:

1. The Bare Bones Path (Also Know As: The *Technically* There’s Only Three Path): Read something about what are *technically* the only world religions, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. (These are considered, by some scholars, to be the only World Religions because while Judaism and Hinduism have the numbers, they don’t proselytize or really invite other people to join, making it more of an ethnicity).

2. The Penthouse Path (Also Known As: The Five Biggies Path): Read something about the five major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

3. The Universalist Path (Also Known As: The Above and Beyond Path): Read something by all five of the major world religions PLUS more books about any or all of the following: Shintoism, Animism, Taoism, Confucianism, Wicca, Mythology, Atheism, Occult, Tribal Religions, Voodoo, Unitarianism, Baha’i, Cults, Scientology, Mysticism, Rastafarianism, Jainism, Sikhism, Zorastrianism, Agnosticism, Gnosticism, Satanism, Manichaeism, Deism, Comparative Religion, Religious Philosophy, Jungiansim, Symbolism, Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, etc., etc. etc. (you may also read about another aspect of one of the 5 Biggies)

4. The Unshepherded Path (Also Known As: The Don’t Tell Me What to Do Path): Read as many books as you would like about whatever religions you want.

What to read?

Nonfiction
fiction
religious texts
poetry

and if your eyeballs are ready to fall out of your skull:
watch a movie
see a play
listen to some music
attend a service
celebrate a holiday
perform a ritual
open the door when Jehovah’s Witnesses come to call

Need some inspiration? Do the following:

Go to this post on Bibliofreak's blog, and see where it is tagged “religion?” Click on the tag and it will take you to all of the myriad books I’ve tagged as “religion”. In the next month and a half, I’m going to try to review a lot of other books I’ve previously read so as to add to the list.

Go to the bookstore, and browse around

Look up religions on Wikipedia

Ask me for advice

Steal from other participants’ lists

Audio books and cross-overs from other challenges are encouraged.

Do you have to have a blog to join? Of course not! I’d be happy to post on here for you…or you can just leave a comment with the book you read.

Soo…Go make your lists!

And this list is totally subject to change as I come across more and more books that fit the theme (and remember, I tend to find themes of religion in most things I read).

Here are some suggestions by religions:

Hinduism:

Baksheesh and Brahman: Asian Journals – India by Joseph Campbell
The Namesake by Jumpa Lahiri

Buddhism:

The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World by the Dalai Lama
An Introduction to Zen Buddhism by by DT Suzuki
The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
The Life of Milarepa: A New Translation from the Tibetan translated by Lobsang P. Lhalungpa
Buddha’s Wife by Gabriel Constans

Judaism:

Night by Elie Wiesel
Sarah: A Novel by Marek Halter
Samson’s Walls by Jud Nirenberg

Christianity:

Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio
Mariette in Ecstasy by Ron Hansen
James the Brother of Jesus: The Key to Unlocking the Secrets of Early Christianity and the Dead Sea Scrolls by Robert H Eisenman
Pope Joan: A Novel by Donna Cross
The Bible: A Biography by Karen Armstrong
The Monastic Journey of Thomas Merton by Thomas Merton
Silence by Shusaku Endo
Baudolino by Umberto Eco

Islam:

Saffron Dreams by Shailah Abdullah
Leap of Faith : Memoirs of an Unexpected Life by Queen Noor
The Koran translated by A. J. Arberry
The Reluctant Fundamentalist Mohsin Hamid
God Dies by the Nile by Nawal El Saadawi
God Has Ninety-Nine Names by Judith Miller

Mythology:
Hrafnkel’s Saga and Other Icelandic Stories translated by Hermann Palsson
Gilgamesh translated by Stephen Mitchell
The Histories by Herodotus translated by John M. Marincola

Comparative Religion:

The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions by Karen Armstrong
A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam by Karen Armstrong
What Is God? by Jacob Needleman
The Harvard Psychedelic Club: How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the Fifties and Ushered in a New Age for America by Don Lattin
Holy Madness: The Shock Tactics and Radical Teachings of Crazy-Wise Adepts, Holy Fools and Rascal Gurus by George Feuerstein

Taoism:

The Wandering Taoist by Deng Ming-Dao

Tribal Religions/Animism/Shamanism:
The Bone People by Keri Hulme
The Valley of Horses by Jean Auel

Wicca/Occult/Paganism:

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

Atheism/Agnosticism:

The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution by Richard Dawkins

My level and books are yet to come.

vvb32 reads: Bright Star (2009) movie

2009-11-14T23:24:00.000-06:00

vvb32 reads: Bright Star (2009) movie

Before watching the film, I picked up Bright Star: Love Letters and Poems of John Keats to Fanny Brawne with introduction by Director Jane Campion.

Just like the movie, exquisite.
vvb32 picked up a second copy for some lucky soul out there in the blogosphere.

Interested in receiving a bundle of Keats love letters? Check out the blog site for further details on entering the giveaway.

Sweeps4Bloggers: Giveaway - Affordable Scarves - Ends 11/23/09

2009-11-14T23:03:00.000-06:00

Sweeps4Bloggers: Giveaway - Affordable Scarves - Ends 11/23/09

Scarves for Fashion and Function - All Under $20.

Yes, you read that correctly. ALL of the gorgeous scarves on this site are priced at less than $20! :)

The selection is fabulous - you could easily pick up a bunch of them as Christmas gifts and make people happy without breaking the bank.

The site is easy to search by color, material (pashmina, silk, cotton, cashmere), shape (loop, skinny, wrap...), size (extra long, extra wide, short...) and trend (animal print, metallic, floral, embellishment...).

I had fun looking at all of the pretty pictures and saw several that I liked, but when I went to the pashmina scarves section, I knew I had found the absolutely perfect scarf for me.

The Reagan Striped Pashmina is beautiful - love the colors and the design. It's lightweight and very soft - 55% pashmina, 45% silk. I can easily wear it with jeans or with a dressier outfit and it's reversible, if I want a little different look.

DEAL ALERT - All scarves are under $20 - Free shipping on orders of $30 or more - 100% Money Back Guarantee.

PRIZE ALERT - 1 of you will win a scarf - your choice! :)

All About the Brontës Challenge

2009-11-14T20:25:00.000-06:00

Christy's Book Blog: All About the Brontës Challenge

Do you enjoy a good gothic novel? Do you wonder what it would have been like to be a part of a trio of three gifted sisters living a lonely existence in the moors? Then you will enjoy the All About the Brontes Challenge!

Challenge Details

1. The All About the Brontes challenge will run from January 1st to June 30, 2010. You can post a review before this date if you wish.

3. The goal will be to read, watch, listen, to 3 to 6 (or beyond) anything Bronte items.

4. Please sign-up by posting your blog entry on the number of items and what items you would like to do for this challenge below in Mr. Linky. Don't worry, you can do different things than you have listed. I myself am not always good at sticking to lists!

5. Enjoy!

Audiobooks

1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

2. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

I have really enjoyed listening to Jane Austen on audiobook and want to discover how the Bronte novels sound on audiobook. It's time to reread these novels, so I'm going to spice it up by listening to them this time around.

Books

1. The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte by Syrie James (I've been meaning to read this since I first heard about it and can't wait to read it!)

2. The Wide Sargasso Sea by by Jean Rhys (I've been meaning to read this for years and a friend just passed me a copy . . . I think it is meant to be!)

3. Emily's Ghost: A Novel of the Bronte Sisters by Denise Giardina

4. Jillian Dare by Melanie M. Jeschke

5. The Infernal World of Branwell Bronte by Daphne Du Maurier (I've had this book for at least a decade and Du Maurier is one of my favorite authors. Now is a good time to finally read it!)

Movies

1. Jane Eyre (BBC - 1970)

2. Wuthering Heights (1970 - starring Timothy Dalton)

fore. He has been going through the motions and trying to move on with his life with his young son Jonah. He meets Jonah’s new teacher Sarah and suddenly starts to love and live life again. A tragic set of circumstances sets Miles back to a dangerous obsession with trying to find his wife’s killer and threatens to destroy his new relationship with Sarah.

Win The Best Books of 2009

2009-11-13T23:15:00.001-06:00

Valerie at Valeriewrites is giving away ARCS! And here's the best part, it's INTERNATIONAL! That means, if you win, she will ship your book anywhere in the world.

Here's what you can win:

These are ALL ARCs - not hardcover copies.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Maze Runner by James Dashner

If I get 50 entries, I will add another ARC. (After by Amy Efaw)
If I get 100 entries, I will add another ARC again! (Candor by Pam Bachorz)

Please go to the blog site to check out the entrance criteria.

2009 Holiday Book Challenge!!

2009-11-13T15:43:00.000-06:00

All About {n}: 2009 Holiday Book Challenge!!

Hey everyone, I'm joining Nely's 2009 Holiday reading challenge. I love this time of year...the snow, eating a big fat turkey and most important: the Holidays. What sounds better than a hot cup of chocolate by the fireplace, curled up with a lovely holiday book!!! Here's some info for the challenge and you can sign up at All about N

Challenge Requirements:

1.Challenge will start Friday, November 20 and will end Thursday, December 31.

2.You can read anywhere from 1 to 5 books

3. And now, here's the clincher... they must be holiday related books. That's right, the holiday doesn't really matter, but it would be more "jolly" if your choices were Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.............

You can find the rest of the info at All about N.....

So Im shooting big and setting my goal for 5 books, here's my list:

1. The Christmas Bus by Melody Carson
2. The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
3. An Irish Country Christmas by Melody Evans
4. Tidings of Comfort & Joy: A Classic Christmas Novel of Love, Loss, and Reunion by Davis Bunn
5. The Christmas Glass: A Novel by Marci Alborghetti

BlessedwithGrace: Two Children's Christmas Books Giveaway

2009-11-12T21:28:00.000-06:00

BlessedwithGrace Review and Giveaway of Two Children's Christmas Books

Blessed With Grace has reviewed two books: The Berenstain Christmas Tree Book and Come and See Baby Jesus.
Enter the giveaway by November 19th to have a chance to win one of these books.

Shawn's Sharings: GiveAway: The Book "Seven"

2009-11-11T22:03:00.000-06:00

Shawn's Sharings: GiveAway: The Book "Seven"

Author:Jacqueline Leo

Full Description From Website:

What is it about the number seven that has such a hold on us? Why are there seven deadly sins? Seven days of the week? Seven wonders of the world, seven colors of the spectrum, seven ages of man, and seven sister colleges? Why can we hold seven numbers or words in our working memory--but no more? Author Jackie Leo explores everything about this mystical, magical, useful, and fun number in her new book.

SEVEN REASONS YOU NEED THIS BOOK

1. SEVEN is a tool to improve the quality of your life. It is a way to define time, synthesize ideas, and keep your mind performing at top speed in an era of distractions.

2. SEVEN is culturally significant. It pops up everywhere, structuring our world in ways so fundamental, we notice them only when we pause to look. Across the ages and across cultures, the number has acquired a huge scientific, psychological, and religious significance.

3. SEVEN is intriguing. Why, out of hundreds of recipes in a cookbook, do people return to the same seven, over and over? Why, when asked to choose a number between one and ten, does such a large majority of people choose seven? Why does it take seven rounds of shuffling to obtain a fully mixed deck of cards?

4. SEVEN is influential. You'll learn how the number seven shapes our thinking, our choices, and even our relationships.

5. SEVEN is practical. Throughout this book are Top Seven lists covering the best ways to get someone's attention, to build your personal brand, and to put yourself in the path of prosperity and good luck.

6. SEVEN is fun. You'll encounter surprising facts, intriguing puzzles, and hilarious anecdotes.

7. SEVEN is wise. You'll hear stories about the meaning of seven from Mehmet Oz, Sally Quinn, Liz Smith, Christina Ricci, and many others.
Artfully designed and full of enough insights to keep you engaged in conversation at the water cooler for years, SEVEN will provoke, enlighten, and amuse.

Would You Like to Win Your Own Copy? Shawn's Sharings is generously offering five copies of Seven to five of my lucky readers.

Bibliofreak – The Great Kindle Giveaway

2009-11-11T20:54:00.000-06:00

Bibliofreak – The Great Kindle Give

Bibliofreak is giving away 1 Kindle II in the giveaway. She also has 14 others that can be given away depending on additional requirements explained on the blog. Please check this out if you want to have a Kindle II.

Book Reviews by Jess: Contest! Blue Bloods Book 1 – 4 by Melissa De La Cruz

2009-11-11T18:36:00.000-06:00

Book Reviews by Jess: Contest! Blue Bloods Book 1 – 4 by Melissa De La Cruz

ne winner will receive the gently used copies of:

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz

Masquerade (A Blue Bloods Novel) by Melissa de la Cruz

Revelations (A Blue Bloods Novel) by Melissa De La Cruz

The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Book 4) by Melissa De La Cruz

Blue Bloods is a paperback edition but the last three are hardback.
RULES:

Entries will be accepted until Midnight, November 29 ET
Entries are open to US & Canada only, sorry. NO P.O. Boxes.
The winner will be randomly selected via BuzzMyBlog Contest Winner Picker.
The winner will be announced on November 30 (or soon thereafter)

Book Giveaways

2009-11-11T16:13:00.000-06:00

Book Giveaways
With the holiday season soon upon us, Book Giveaways is giving away two fabulous holiday books: Christmas Magic and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Got to the blogsite for further details on how to enter.

Literanista: 25 Books Every Latina Should Read Challenge

2009-11-10T23:14:00.002-06:00

Literanista is proposing a new book challenge for bloggers (perhaps for 2010?), based on "the compilation of the best literature every Latina should check out put together by Latina Magazine: 25 Books Every Latina Should Read"

The "25 Books Every Latina/o Should Read" Challenge:

The House of Spirits Isabel Allende
One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marquez
In The Time of the Butterflies Julia Alvarez
When I Was Puerto Rican Esmeralda Santiago
Don Quixote Miguel de Cervantes
Kiss of the Spider Woman Manuel Puig
Death in the Andes Mario Vargas Llosa
Hopscotch Julio Cortázar
The Labrynth of Solitude Octavio Paz
The Death of Artemio Cruz Carlos Fuentes
Like Water For Chocolate Laura Esquivel
The Alchemist Paolo Coelho
Las Peliculas De Mi Vida Alberto Fuguet
The House on Mango Street Sandra Cisneros
The Little Prince Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Compañero: The Life and Death of Che Guevara by Jorge G. Castaneda
A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn
The Aleph Jorge Luis Borges
Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in the United States Juan Gonzalez
Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair Pablo Neruda
The Brief & Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao Junot Diaz
Dreaming in Cuban Cristina Garcia
The Decapitated Chicken and Other Stories Horacio Quiroga
Pedro Paramo Juan Rulfo
Men of Maize Miguel Angel Asturias

What's the challenge? To track, blog, share, and discuss the 25 books listed above with other members of the challenge. Some people may also choose to set their own personal goals to read more books, or more non-fiction, or newer books.

Gofita's Pages: Fifty Followers Giveaway!

2009-11-10T14:27:00.000-06:00

Gofita's Pages: Fifty Followers Giveaway!

Gofita's Pages has reached 50 followers and is sponsoring a giveaway in appreciation of the many followers. For the lucky winner, he/she will get a book of their choice from Amazon.com sent to their front door! This giveaway ends Friday November 13th at Midnight Mountain Standard Time.

Mom - Musings: November Giveaway: Your Choice out of 4 Books

2009-11-09T14:36:00.000-06:00

Mom - Musings: November Giveaway: Your Choice out of 4 Books

Mom-Musings is hosting a November Giveaway. She is feeling eclectice and want to giveaway a book from her “Four B00ks That I Want To Read In November List”.

Check out her website for further details.

Original TBR (To Be Read) Challenge

2009-11-09T13:39:00.004-06:00

For this challenge you should…

** Pick 12 books – one for each month of the year - that you’ve been wanting to read (that have been on your “To Be Read” list) for 6 months or longer, but haven’t gotten around to.
** OPTIONAL: Create a list of 12 “Alternates” (books you could substitute for your challenge books, given that a particular one doesn’t grab you at the time)
** Then, starting January 1, read one of these books from your list each month, ending December 31. )
(for more information, please read the challenge FAQs)

By the end of the year you should’ve knocked 12 books off of your TBR list! (of course, if you’re anything like me, you’ll have added *at LEAST* 12 more to the ever-growing pile by then! LOL).

The good news is, though, that you’ll be making some progress! ;o)

Additional rules/guidelines for this challenge:

* the challenge is to read 12 TBR books in 12 months — you can read those all in one month if you want, or one a month, or however you wanna do it.

* you should have a list posted somewhere for others to see

* you CANNOT change your list after January 1st, of the current year!!!

* you can create an Alternates list of MAXIMUM 12 books, if you want, in order to have options to choose from (you can read these in place of books on your original list).

* audiobooks and e-books ARE allowed

* re-reads are NOT allowed, as they aren’t TRUE “TBRs”

* you CAN overlap with other challenges

* OPTIONAL: you can join the Yahoo! Group created for participants of the TBR Challenge, if you want to have a place to keep your list, or ju

st to share with others about how you’re doing!

Here is my list of 12 books:

1. Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
2. Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran
3. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
4. Anger by Thich Nhat Hanh
5. Sugar by Bernice McFadden
6. World Without End by Ken Follett
6. Adam by Ted Dekker
7. The Sinner by Tess Gerritsen
8. The Power of Less by Leo Babauta
9. Who Killed King Tut by Patterson
9. American Eve, Evelyn Nesbit by Paula Uruburu
10. Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
11. Sepulchre by Kate Mosse
12. The Different Drum by M. Scott Peck

It's Monday! What are you reading? (November 9, 2009)

2009-11-09T07:12:00.000-06:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? (November 9, 2009)

This is a weekly to celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week. Feel free to join in this weekly event if you'd like.

Hosted by J. Kaye

I had a slow reading week but I did manage to finish the following books:

Night of Flames by Douglas W. Jacobson. This is a novel focusing on the lives of common people in Poland during World War II; what occurred in the lives of the Jews when Germany conquered Poland and the strength of individuals to resist the extinction plans of Hitler.

Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran. The story of Nephertari, niece of Nefertiti, as she matured from a child to Queen of Egypt, wife of Ramseses II.

This week I am reading:

The Apple by Penelope Holt

The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million by Daniel Mendelsohn

American Eve, Evelyn Nesbit: The Birth of the It Girl and The Crime of the Century by Paula Uruburu

The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon

Have a great reading week everyone!

Christy Awards Challenge: Announcing the Christy Awards Challenge!

2009-11-07T15:56:00.000-06:00

Christy Awards Challenge: Announcing the Christy Awards Challenge!

Chances are when you hear the words Christian Fiction, you have a definite impression. Clean. Hopeful. Preachy. Boring. The only thing you read. Wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. Amy from My Friend Amy and Deb have been working hard to make this a great challenge....for both newbies to Christian fiction and old veterans. They will be featuring author interviews with Christy winning authors and nominees, hosting giveaways of Christy books, and some guest posts as well. And spotlighting reviews!

There are several ways you can join in and many different levels to choose from:

Total Christian Fiction Newbie:

This is only for those who have read no Christian fiction before...the challenge is to read one book from any of the Christy Awards Winners!

Baby Steps

1st Tier - 2009 Favorite Category Read All Nominated Books 3-4 books
2nd Tier - Any ONE Years Favorite Category - 3-4 Books or mix 3-4 winners from any category

It's All in the Winners
3rd Tier- 2009 Winners - 9
4th Tier- Any ONE Year's Winners 7-9 or mix'n'match 7-9 winners

Dedicated

5th Tier - Read 2009/or ANY Year All Books 36-40 Books

Hardcore

6rd Tier - Read all the nominees in your favorite category
7th Tier - Read all of the winners in every category

The Christy Challenge--Perpetual Challenge
Read all of the books nominated and awarded the Christy challenge throughout the course of your lifetime.

You can check out the book lists and decide at which level you'd like to join in! Don't hesitate though! If you sign up by November 15th, you'll be eligible for a drawing for one package of the following books!

Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky
You Had Me at Good-bye by Tracey Bateman
Dogwood by Chris Fabry
Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin
From a Distance by Tamera Alexander
The Rook by Steven James
Vanish by Tom Pawlik
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke

As you can see this is almost a complete set of this year's winners! Many thanks to the publishers for donating these giveaways.

Now...how do you join?

Just write a post on your blog announcing your intentions to join. State which tier you'll be joining and the books you'll be reading. You can see all the nominated and awarded books here. Then drop a permalink to your post in the Mister Linky on the Challenge Page. If you do all of this by November 15th, 2009, you'll be eligible to win the aforementioned bundle of books. But don't worry! You can join in at any time.

The challenge officially November 1, 2009 and ends December 1st of 2010. Unless of course you're doing the perpetual challenge in that case, it lasts just as long as you do. :)

I choose to do the Baby Steps Tier 2 and read from the 2008 category of Historical, the following 3 books:

2008 Historical

A Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin – WINNER
Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen
Tendering the Storm by Jan Kirkpatrick

What a kick this challenge will be!!

NEW AUTHOR CHALLENGE

2009-11-03T21:22:00.002-06:00

New Author Challenge 2010

Guidelines:

The challenge will run from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.
Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels. Anthologies are a great way to try someone new, but only a third of your new authors can be from anthologies.
Can pick to do either 15, 25 or 50 new authors. It all depends on how fast you read and how adventurous you want to be. If you reach your goal halfway through the year, don’t stop. Any new author you try can be added to Mr. Linky. We all want to know about your new experience.
After reading your new author, write your review and then add your link to Mr. Linky. Make sure you include your name and the author, but adding the title is completely up to you.
Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome

For more info about the challenge, and to sign up head over to Literary Escapism

My goal is 25 new authors

Really Old Classics Challenge--November 2009 to February 28, 2010

2009-11-02T21:35:00.003-06:00

The Really Old Classics Challenge is a four-month reading challenge, running from November 2009 to February 2010. The purpose is to celebrate really old works, particularly those written before 1600.To join the Really Old Challenge, commit to read at least one work written before 1600 A.D. between November 2009 and February 28, 2010.

Optional “Classicist” certification: Become a “classicist” by reading four works written before 1600 A.D. between November 2009 and February 28, 2010.

Extra credit: For a little extra fun, also read a retelling of a classic work. It could be a retelling of the work you read for the first part of the challenge or it could a retelling of any other classic work.

Want to join? Sign up in the comments on this page. Let them know if you think you’ll be doing the extra credit.

I chose to start with 1 book: The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon (Japanese)

Hopefully I can read more during this time.

Women Unbound Reading Challenge

2009-10-30T16:30:00.005-05:00

November 2009 – November 2010

Straight from the Women Unbound challenge site:

Participants are encouraged to read nonfiction and fiction books related to the rather broad idea of ‘women’s studies.’ The definition according to Merriam-Webster

the multidisciplinary study of the social status and societal contributions of women and the relationship between power and gender.

For nonfiction, this would include books on feminism, history books focused on women, biographies of women, memoirs (or travelogues) by women, essays by women and cultural books focused on women (body image, motherhood, etc.).

Obviously, any classic fiction written by a feminist is applicable. But where do we go from there? To speak generally, if the book takes a thoughtful look at the place of women in society, it will probably count.

Three levels of participation:

Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones

I’m so excited! I can't possibly pass this one up!!

I’m aiming for the Suffragette level.

My list of eight books is:

NONFICTION:

1. The Madame Curie Complex by Julie DesJardins
2. The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family by Mary S. Lovell
3. The Bone Woman by Cleo Koff
4. Queen of Scots--True Life of Mary Stuart by John Guy

FICTION

1. Base Ten by Maryann Lesert
2. From Wonso Ponds by Kang Kyong-ae
3. Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
4. Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino

Four Month Reading Challenge Part Two

2009-10-30T08:48:00.003-05:00

Virginie Says...Introduces The Four Month Challenge, Part Two

She had so much fun doing her last challenge that November 1st will be the beginning of this new challenge. Search through your libraries to find books for each of the categories you select. Rules/guidelines will be posted November 1st when the challenge starts. I am planning on doing the 20 Point Challenges. With any luck, I will be able to finish.

5 Point Challenges

Read a book with a proper name in the title

Read a book about a queen or king

Read a book by a Bronte

Read a book about Vampires

Read a book by V.C. Andrews

10 Point Challenges

Read a book by Canadian author

Read a book by Charles Dickens

Read a book set in France

Read a book by Georgette Heyer

Read an ‘art’ themed book.

15 Point Challenges

Read a book with a Civil War theme (any country)

Read a book with characters inspired by King Arthur or about King Arthur/Camelot

Read a biography/autobiography

Read a book related to or something by Shakespeare

Read a book by an author born in November, December, January or February

20 Point Challenges

Read a book with a wintery theme (Christmas, snow, ice, freezing etc.)

Read a book that was a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

Read a book that begins with A and one that begins with Z

Read a book from The Modern Library Top 100

Read a book and then write a review

MY READING LIST FOR THE 20 POINT CHALLENGE IS:

1. Wintery theme: The Christmas Bus

2. Pulitzer Prize Winner: Killer Angels by J. Shaara

3. Book Starting with A: Angle of Repose by

4. Book Starting with Z: Zeleika Dobson by Max Bierboehm

5. Modern Library Top 100: Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara

6. Review: ???????????

Sins of the Flesh - Book Giveaway!

2009-10-29T15:00:00.000-05:00

Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Pineiro

Caterina Shaw's days are numbered. Her only chance for survival is a highly experimental gene treatment-a risk she willingly takes.
Mick Carrera is a mercenary and an expert at capturing elusive, clever prey. Yet the woman he's hunting down is far from the vicious killer he's been told to expect: Caterina is wounded, vulnerable, and a startling mystery of medical science. Even more, she's a beautiful woman whose innocent sensuality tempts Mick to show her exactly how thrilling pleasure can be.

Five books to be given away. Check out the website for details in order to win this exciting new book.

*Mom's Best Bets: GIVEAWAY: Prevent diaper rash with BUMMAS!

2009-10-28T20:56:00.001-05:00

*Mom's Best Bets: GIVEAWAY: Prevent diaper rash with BUMMAS!

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My Country Blog of This and That: Sit Back and Relax Give Away

2009-10-28T10:01:00.003-05:00

My Country Blog of This and That: Sit Back and Relax Give Away

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My Country Blog of This and That: Sit Back and Relax Give Away

2009-10-28T10:01:00.001-05:00

My Country Blog of This and That: Sit Back and Relax Give Away

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JAM's Own Reality: "Fall Fun" Necklace Giveaway!

2009-10-28T09:49:00.001-05:00

JAM's Own Reality: "Fall Fun" Necklace Giveaway!

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Libby's Library News: Nine Dragons - Blog Tour and Giveaway

2009-10-22T22:26:00.000-05:00

Libby's Library News: Nine Dragons - Blog Tour and Giveaway

Nine Dragons is an action packed thriller that keeps the reader's attention from the first page to the very last word. Libby's Library News is giving away 5 copies of this book. Check out the details at Libby's Library News.

Laura's Reviews: Giveaway - The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

2009-10-22T22:00:00.000-05:00

Laura's Reviews: Giveaway - The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

Laura has 2 copies of The Heretic's Daughter to giveaway. If you are interested in the Salem Witch Trial era in American History then this is the book for you. Check out Laura's Reviews for further details

Year of the Historical: A 2010 Reading Challenge «

2009-10-22T20:50:00.003-05:00

Year of the Historical: A 2010 Reading Challenge «: "A feast for the reading romanticist.

Join the 2010 Year of the Historical Reading Challenge at Luv Alamode.

This challenge will encompass both straight historical fiction and historical romance. If you’ve never read historicals, follow along. After all, it’s a challenge. Check out the details at the website for further details. I am joining and hoping to read 12 books during the 2010 year.

Interview and Giveaway for Ruined by Paula Morris : Debbie's World of Books

2009-10-17T01:45:00.000-05:00

Interview and Giveaway for Ruined by Paula Morris : Debbie's World of Books
What a great way to better understand the book, Ruined! The interview provides that insight from the author, Paula Morris. Debbie's World of Books has 5 copies of Ruined to giveaway. Please go the website and enter the contest.

Habitwise Review & Giveaway — Where A Mommy Saves You Money Babee Love

2009-10-17T01:32:00.000-05:00

Habitwise Review & Giveaway — Where A Mommy Saves You Money Babee Love
Check out these unique habit forming bracelets to help you with drinking more water, staying fit, losing weight and eating healthy.
Babee is giving away one of these kits.