Book Giveaway: Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

The Thanks to the 1st Event has been running on the site Loud Words & Sounds for the past 2 weeks.  Today is the final day of the event. 

Andrea asked for sites who would be willing to donate something for giveaway and I happily agreed.

Stop by Loud Words & Sounds for your chance to win a copy of Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers.

Giveaway is open until December 5th.

US mailing addresses only.

When the event ends Andrea will send me the winner's address so I can ship the book.

BIR2010 - The Clock is Ticking - Teaser Giveaways

Best I've Read is just 6 days away but the giveaways have already started.


Currently there are 3 giveaways on the Best I've Read site with 2 more coming later this week.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (US)

Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan (US & Canada)

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry (US)










Stop by the BIR2010 Website to enter the giveaways.
Last day to enter is December 5th.

Giveaway Winners: The Reversal

Congratulations to the Winners of my
Audiobook Giveaway: The Reversal

The Random Number Generator has spoken!

The Winners are:

Sean Pynaert

Ruth Hill

Winners have been contacted and will receive their book from the publisher.

Book Review: Christmas with the Prophets by Laura F. Willes

How did Joseph Smith celebrate Christmas? What did John Taylor say about the pioneers first Christmas in the Salt Lake Valley? What was the heartening message that Heber J. Grant included on his 1945 Christmas cards? Christmas with the Prophets provides glimpses into the individual Christmas celebrations of each President of the Church, with recurring themes of missionary efforts, Church work, family, and service. Some of the vignettes are personal, others soul-stirring, poignant, and tender. Often their experiences and messages reflect the world conditions at that time and serve as little snapshots of history. Illustrated throughout with historical photographs and illustrations, each story of a Christmas past reminds us of the wondrous birth of the baby of Bethlehem, the Lord Jesus Christ. Discover how each Church President has celebrated Christmas, from Joseph Smith to Thomas S. Monson Beautifully designed and illustrated A Christmas keepsake for every Latter-day Saint family.

This is a wonderful book for the Christmas season.  Each of the 16 prophets of the LDS church are highlighted with glimpses into how they spent Christmas.  Details are sketchy for some of the earlier prophets and full of detail for the more recent ones. 

I loved hearing the excitement over receiving fruit, nuts and a stick of candy - a vast difference from the Christmas my children are used to. Stories of serving others, Christmas traditions and messages about Christ fill the pages of this book.  Some of these stories were familiar to me and others I had never heard.

The quality of this book, Christmas with the Prophets, is incredible.  Thick, glossy, full color pages with a glittery cover make this a beautiful book to add to any LDS home.

Content: Clean

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Source: From Publisher for Review

Book Giveaway & Interview: Author David M. Perkins

Welcome to Author David M. Perkins.

Bio:

David M. Perkins has spent the past thirty years as a telecine colorist in the motion picture and television industry in Los Angeles. He is a writer, and became a member of the Writers Guild of America, west in 1988. But mostly, he’s a father and a husband.

He currently lives, with his wife and son, in Southern California and devotes much of his time to building and maintaining internet websites. You will find more of his writing on his website at http://davidmperkins.com/

Interview:

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
An iPad loaded with books and music, a pint of Haagen Dazs, and a Beck's light. And a spoon, I guess. Can I have four things?

What is one book everyone should read?
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

What is the last book you read?
The Lion by Nelson DeMille

What is the last movie you saw?
Fair Game. Excellent film.

When you were 12 years old what did you want to be when you grew up?
Elvis Presley. But, sadly, the position was already taken.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Peanut Butter

What's your favorite music genre? Favorite artist? Song?
My favorite music genre is Jazz. A favorite artist is a little harder to pin down, but I'd say it's a tossup between Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown. Of artists who are currently recording, I really like Diana Krall.

Is there anything you need in order to write? (ie Chocolate, quiet, music)
Mostly, I just need to stop finding other things to do that will allow me to put off writing.

Night owl, or early bird?
Night owl. Even as a kid.

One food you would never eat?
Haggis

Pet Peeves?
Morons. There are a lot of them.

Skittles or M&Ms?
M&Ms of course. You know, it's been scientifically proven that Earth is the only planet with chocolate. We need to save it for that, if for no other reason.

Favortie Cartoon?
All old Warner Brothers cartoons.

If you could go back in time and meet one author, who would it be and why?
Probably Mark Twain, because I'm afraid that I share his cynicism and sarcasm but, alas, not his insight and keen wit.

What was the first book you read?
I'm not sure, but I was a big Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew fan when I was young.

Who is your favorite author?
In fiction, I love Nelson DeMille

Do you prefer to write on the computer or with paper?
I use a computer. I'd really be a mess if I tried to organize paper.

What kind of book do you read when you get sick?
Mystery thrillers

What are your favorite comfort foods?
Ice cream, but I try not to "comfort" myself too often.

What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
NFL football

If not a writer, you would have been?
A musician, provided I could arrange a visit from the talent fairy.

What is your favorite book that has been made into a movie?
Besides To Kill A Mockingbird, I loved Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie

What is your least favorite movie that came from a book?
For Those I Loved - a disappointing translation of an outstanding book by Martin Gray.

What is your favorite quote?
"Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist, but you have ceased to live."
Mark Twain

If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee because she created, in Atticus Finch, a character who is the model of morality and integrity that every father wishes he could be for his children.

You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?
A wheel of Jarlsberg and a pair of socks.

What do you do in your free time?
Criticize myself for wasting time.

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
Really? This Is What You've Done With Your Life?

To learn more about David please visit his website: http://www.davidmperkins.com/

Dear Austin: A Letter to My Son by David M. Perkins:
Leaving home; for college, for military service, or for a job. It's a milestone in the life of almost every child - and a bittersweet crossroads for almost every parent. What you say to your child at this critical moment, and how you say it, can be a welcome catharsis for you, as a parent, and a lifelong gift to your child. The letter in this book is how David Perkins chose to say goodbye to his son as he left for college. He does not hold it up as a template, or even as an example, for others. He only wants you to know that it made this important rite of passage easier for him to navigate. How his son feels about it may not be known for some time.

Giveaway Details:
David has generously offered 10 copies of his book for giveaway to followers of this blog.
5 Paperback copies to those with a US or Canadian mailing address.
5 pdf Ebook copies open Internationally.
Giveaway ends December 20th.

Optional Extra Entries
+1 Share this giveaway - Blog, tweet, facebook or link to
+1 Like David on Facebook

Book Review: Dear Austin: A Letter to My Son by David M. Perkins

Leaving home; for college, for military service, or for a job. It's a milestone in the life of almost every child - and a bittersweet crossroads for almost every parent. What you say to your child at this critical moment, and how you say it, can be a welcome catharsis for you, as a parent, and a lifelong gift to your child. The letter in this book is how David Perkins chose to say goodbye to his son as he left for college. He does not hold it up as a template, or even as an example, for others. He only wants you to know that it made this important rite of passage easier for him to navigate. How his son feels about it may not be known for some time.

Dear Austin: A Letter to My Son is just what the title says it is - a letter author David M. Perkins wrote to his son Austin. This is a really quick read. Just 56 pages with lots of pictures. I think it only took me about 15 mintues to read through.

I really enjoyed reading through this letter. Filled with words of advice, encouragement and love from a father to his son. I wish I had a letter like this from my mother who passed away several years ago. This book made me decide to write a letter like this one to each of my children when they leave home.

Rating: 4 Stars

Source: From Author for Review

Giveaway Winners: Gratitude Giveaways

Congratulations to the Winners of my

Gratitude Giveaways

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

The Random Number Generator has spoken!

The Winners are:

Donnas - Book of Choice (up to $12)

Cathy Wallace - Marcia Lynn McClure Books

CindyWindy2003 - Over the Moon

Pam Sinclair - The Jumper Chronicles

The winner have been contacted.

Giveaway Winners: Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens

Congratulations to the Winners of my

Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens Giveaway

The Random Number Generator has spoken!

The Winners are:

Pisinat

Theresa M.

Llehn

Page

Kristina Barnes

The winner have been contacted and will receive their book from the author.

Giveaway Winners: The Prometheus Project

Congratulations to the Winners of my

Prometheus Project Giveaway

The Random Number Generator has spoken!

The Winners are:

Ginny

Renee Richardson

Dianne Mongelli

Ammy Belle

The winner have been contacted and will receive their book from the author.

In My Mailbox, Mailbox Monday

From Author For Review:

The Rogue Shop by Michael Knudsen

Audio Download from Audible:

Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate by K.S.R. Kingsworth

From Author:

The Pirate Ruse by Marcia Lynn McClure

For Book Group:

Recovering Charles by Jason F. Wright

Won in a giveaway on Adventures in Children's Publishing:

Blank Confession by Pete Hautman

Won in a giveaway on Bippity Boppity Book:

Confessions of Anne Shakespeare by Arliss Ryan

From Author For Review:

The Job by Craig Davis

Won in a giveaway on Goddess Librarian:

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren.

The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought.

Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library.

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at the Printed Page. November's hops will be hosted by Knitting & Sundries.

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week.

BIR2010 - Best I've Read Giveaways - Address Form

Best I've Read 2010 starts in just over a week.

Response to BIR2010 has been phenomenal!

Authors and publishers have been absolutely amazing to work with and have been incredibly generous. All total between the 10 blogs that are participating in BIR2010 we will be giving away nearly 400 books!

Just on my blog alone I will have 70 winners! Yep you read that right - 70 winners! This creates a little bit of a logistical nightmare!  Trying to keep track of all the giveaways and winners is a huge task.

To help make things run smoothly it will be required for those entering the giveaways to provide a mailing address.  I do not have the time to track down 70 addresses a week before Christmas when the giveaways end.

To make things simple for everyone I have created a form so you can enter your mailing address just once.  Once you have filled out this form all you need to do is enter your name & email address to enter each of the BIR2010 giveaways.  BIR2010 runs from December 6th to 14th.

This should be much faster than having to enter your mailing address nearly 70 times if you choose to enter all the giveaways. 

FYI - Most of the publishers that are shipping out books will not ship to P.O. boxes. There are a few International giveaways included but most of the giveaways are open to US & Canada or US only.

If you plan to enter the BIR2010 Giveaways on my site please fill out the form below.

Want a small taste of the books that will be given away on this blog?

Crescendo, Tell Me a Secret, Five Flavors of Dumb, Anna and the French Kiss, Before I Fall, Once in a Full Moon, Matched, Clockwork Angel, The Scorch Trials, Firelight, Nightshade, Pathfinder, Linger, Mockingjay.... plus many, many more!

Giveaway Winner: Beyond the Rapids

Congratulations to the Winners of my
Beyond the Rapids book giveaway.

The Random Number Generator has spoken!

The Winner is:

Baddict17

The winner has been contacted and will receive her book from the author.

Giveaway Winners: What Good Is God?

Congratulations to the Winners of my
Audiobook Giveaway: What Good Is God?

The Random Number Generator has spoken!

The Winners are:

ky2here

Linda @onedesertrose

Winners have been contacted and will receive their book from the publisher.

Giveaway Winners: The Coming Economic Armageddon

Congratulations to the Winners of my
Audiobook of The Coming Ecomonic Armageddon

The Random Number Generator has spoken!

The Winners are:

Myra C.

Yokemun

Winners have been contacted and will receive their book from the publisher.

Blog Hop & Follow & Weekly Update

Thanks for stopping by!






While you are here take a minute to enter my current giveaways:
Beyond the Rapids ends 11/26

The Prometheus Project ends 11/27

Heavenly ends 11/28

The Reversal ends 11/29

Best I've Read 2010 Contest ends 11/30

Finding Rose ends 12/3

The Adventures of Annie Marmalade ends 12/4

Lost Island Smugglers ends 12/7

From the Ashes of Courage ends 12/7

Peace and Plenty ends 12/8

Mockingbird and The Absolute Value of Mike ends 12/9

World's Best Origami ends 12/10 NEW THIS WEEK

The Peanuts Collection ends 12/11 NEW THIS WEEK

Lizzie's Blue Ridge Memories ends 12/12

Conspiracy 365 ends 12/12

Ice King ends 12/14 NEW THIS WEEK

Foresight ends 12/15

The Thorn (plus opportunity to win $25 Amazon Gift Card) ends 12/15

The Job ends 12/16 NEW THIS WEEK

Flecks of Gold ends 12/17 NEW THIS WEEK

Five Flavors of Dumb ends 12/19 NEW THIS WEEK

Nearly New Books for You Giveaways: Safe Haven audiobook, Restored Hope & The Fairy Folk and She ends 12/6 NEW THIS WEEK
Visit my Got Great Giveaways Linky to enter dozens of book giveaways. If you have a giveaway on your site that isn't listed please add it to the linky. Book related giveaways only please!

Reviews:
I reviewed 9 books this week: The Pink Princess Cookbook, World's Best Origami, The Iron King, The Babysitter's Survival Guide, A Christ-Centered Christmas, Slayed , Prologue: The Brothers, Ansel Adams in the National Park & The Peanuts Collection.

Events:
Gratitude Giveaways - A Book Blog Follower Appreciation Hop - November 17th - November 28th
You can enter my Giveaway HERE!  I have 4 great book giveaways. Then Hop to 170 other blogs each with a giveaway.  Last day to enter is Sunday, November 28th.



Upcoming Events:

The Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop is hosted by Simply Stacie. It runs from December 1st - 5th. There are currently almost 300 blogs signed up to each host a gift card, gift certificate or cash giveaway.



I have 4 Great Sponsors for this Giveaway.  If you want a Jumpstart on entering these giveaways CLICK HERE.









Usborne Books $15 Gift Certificate









Leap Books - 2 $10 Gift Certificates








Memorable Children Books & Gifts - $25 Gift Certificate






Little One Books - $25 Gift Certificate.

Book Blogger's Holiday Bash Giveaway Dec. 5th to 15th, hosted by Soapbox in my Mind.


Best I've Read 2010






Starting December 6th - Best I've Read 2010 is an Event You Won't Want to Miss!
9 Blogs
75+ Authors
Guest Posts
Interviews
Giveaways, Giveaways and more Giveaways!
Did I mention giveaways? I've spent hours and hours and more hours rounding up giveaway books for this event. You won't want to miss it!

Coming December 21st - 22nd
Sign up for the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop.


New Year's Reading Resolutions January 3rd to 9th Hosted by Reading Angel, Pure Imagination & Candance's Book Blog.


January 14th - 17th
Sign Ups are now open for the Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop


February 8th - 13th
Sign up to show your followers some love - Follower Love Giveaway Hop.



If you are still here remember, I always follow back so if you are a new follower be sure to leave me a comment on this post with a link to your site so I can stop by your blog and follow you.

Hope you are having a fabulous Friday!

Book Giveaway: The Peanuts Collection by Nat Gertler

The first Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts cartoon ran sixty years ago; October 2nd, 1950, to be exact. Since then, Peanuts fans have been savoring every tidbit of Charlie Brown and Lucy wisdom and memorabilia. The truly unique collection features high-quality reproductions of Peanuts items that even diehard aficionados have never seen: sketches, comics, and photographs; removable features including film cells, stickers, and artwork suitable for framing. For Peanuts fans, this oversized, slip-cased hardcover is the gift of the season.

I just reviewed The Peanuts Collection by Nat Gertler. As much as I enjoyed looking through this book I'm not a die hard fan and my kids would ruin this fantastic book so I'd like to get it into the hands of a Charlie Brown fanatic. This book is in like new condition. I handled it very carefully as I read through it to review it.

Giveaway details:
Open to those with a US mailing address (sorry this book is big and heavy so I'm only willing to pay to ship it to the US).
To enter you must be a GFC blog follower.
Just leave a comment telling me why you would like this book.
Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you.
Giveaway open until December 11th. I'll then pick a random winner and get it in the mail so it will hopefully arrive by Christmas.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Book Review: The Peanuts Collection by Nat Gertler

This fully authorized, one-of-a-kind illustrated book celebrates the 60th anniversary of the world's most beloved comic strip characters. A compendium of rare materials from the Charles M. Schulz Museum and family archives, The Peanuts Collection comes in a sturdy slipcase and features high-quality reproductions of original sketches, comics, and photographs from the world of Peanuts. Removable film cels, stickers, and booklets are included, as well as reproduction prints of Peanuts artwork ready for framing. Written by Peanuts aficionado Nat Gertler, with quotes from Schulz family members and a foreword by daughter Amy Schulz Johnson, the text offers insight into the making of the comic strip and its impact beyond the realms of newspapers and books to film, television, and popular culture. The Peanuts Collection is a must-own keepsake for anyone who loves Snoopy and the gang.


The first Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts cartoon ran sixty years ago; October 2nd, 1950, to be exact. Since then, Peanuts fans have been savoring every tidbit of Charlie Brown and Lucy wisdom and memorabilia. The truly unique collection features high-quality reproductions of Peanuts items that even diehard aficionados have never seen: sketches, comics, and photographs; removable features including film cells, stickers, and artwork suitable for framing. For Peanuts fans, this oversized, slip-cased hardcover is the gift of the season.

This has to be one of the neatest books I've ever looked though.  It's filled with so many removable features including stickers, letters, reprints, song book, cook book, trading cards, etc. 

This book is a must have for anyone who is a lover of Charles Schulz's beloved Peanuts comic strip. There is so much detail put into this book, it's filled with information on the comic strip, its characters and the author Charles Schulz. A very well done, high quality book.

Rating: 5 Stars

Source: From Publisher for Review

Book Review: Ansel Adams in the National Parks

With more than two hundred images, some of them previously unpublished, Ansel Adams in The National Parks will contain revelations even for longtime enthusiasts of this seminal nature photographer. Adams' classic pictures of Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park are here, but there are also photos of the dozens of other national parks that he visited during his many decades as a photographer. (He visited his first national park in 1916; he died in 1984.) A major book by America's favorite nature cameraman.

With more than two hundred photographs - many rarely seen and some never before published - this is the most comprehensive collection of Ansel Adams' photographs of America's national parks and wilderness areas. For many people, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, and other iconic American wildlands exist in the mind's eye as Ansel Adams photographs. The legendary photographer explored more than forty national parks in his lifetime, producing some of the most indelible images of the natural world ever made. One of the twentieth century's most ardent champions of the park and wilderness systems, Adams also helped preserve additional natural areas and protect existing ones through his photographs, essays, and letter-writing campaigns.

Edited and with commentary by Andrea G. Stillman, the foremost expert on Adams' work, this landmark publication includes quotations by Adams on the making of numerous photographs and essays by Wallace Stegner, William A. Turnage of The Ansel Adams Trust, and journalist and critic Richard B. Woodward. This is a must-own for Ansel Adams fans and all those who, like Adams, treasure America's wilderness.


Ansel Adams in the National Parks is such a cool book! Filled with over 200 black and white images taken in the National Parks this book is beautifully done. Included are pictures from over 40 National Parks & Monuments. The photographs brought back many memories from trips I have taken to Yosemite, Yellowstone, Mt. Rainier, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Carlsbad Caverns & Glacier National Park.

The photos include everything from close ups of nature to majestic mountain scenes, lakes, rivers, geysers and magnificent formations.

Although I'm usually a fan of color photos these black and white images are amazing. This book would make a great gift book. In fact I know exactly who I am giving it to for Christmas.

Rating: 5 Stars

Source: From Publisher for Review

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you have a wonderful day stuffed with fun, friends, family, food & a good book too!

Got Great Giveaways 11/25 - Happy Thanksgiving

Got Great Giveaways is a weekly feature hosted here on I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.

I love book giveaways. They often have low entries which means I actually win them. I'm always on the lookout for book giveaways and have become frustrated by not having one place to find them all. So I started hosting my own Book Giveaway Linky.


Do you have a book giveaway on your blog or website? Scroll down and add it to the linky list.

Have you found a great book giveaway you want to share? Please add it.

Stop by each week and link up book related giveaways.

Many of the book giveaways listed on last week's Got Great Giveaways Post are still open.

To help bloggers easily find giveaways they are interested in please include as much info as possible:
Genre or Category, Title, Author, website, ending date, etc.

Please link directly to the giveaway.

BOOK & BOOK RELATED GIVEAWAYS ONLY - others will be deleted.

Bookmark this site and stop back by in a couple days for more giveaways because new giveaways get added all week long!

Don't forget to enter all my great giveaways here on this site. Giveaways are listed on the right sidebar ----->

The next Got Great Giveaways Linky will be posted on Thursday 12/2. If you have a giveaway you want me to add to next week's linky just FILL OUT THIS FORM, or you can stop back next week to add it.

This Week's Got Great Giveaways: