Giveaway of audio version of Shine, Shine, Shine by Lydia Netzer

If you like new authors (and want to support them!), love audio books, and adore hearing Joshilyn Jackson’s voice (she’s the audio version voice! Squeal!)- then this giveaway has your name all over it- in a million different pretty shades of colors.

Go to Joshilyn Jackson‘s website and follow her rules for entering the contest- there is 3 audio books up for grabs!

 

Again, HERE is the link to follow- don’t miss out, spread the word, expose your friends to a new author, expose yourself to something new!

 

 

Gillian Flynn- I would love to be a fly on the wall while she writes a book.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn has taken the book world by storm- it’s one of the books on many people’s mind and lips- plus, with the news about the book being turned into a movie- well, it’s quite a buzz.

Having just discovered Gillian Flynn myself after reading Gone Girl, I was interested to read her earlier books. I bought Dark Places and Sharp Objects for my Kindle- and read Sharp Objects this weekend. I feel now as if I need a light and fluffy read after reading Sharp Objects– the book is disturbing, dark, and good. It takes the saying “Girls are sugar and spice and everything nice” and shows the reader how far from the truth that statement can be.

As I was reading the book, I tried to picture what Gillian Flynn thinks about when she writes these kind of books. Looking at a picture of her, she looks like an everyday, normal girl- a woman that probably has tons of friends and a really exciting life. Her writing- dark, mysterious, disturbing tones at times- but a style that grips the reader and does not let go till the reader knows how the book ends.

Gillian Flynn- not sure if her plan was to shake up stereotypes that women can’t write books like this; but if it was- well-played, well-played.

 

Thank you… (You Like Me, You Really Like Me!)

Months ago when I decided to start blogging, my biggest fear was that people wouldn’t like my blog, that no one would get it or think it was “cute”, “funny”, or whatever. It was this that kept me from blogging for some time.

Each day, though, someone proves me wrong. From a “like”, to a “follow”, to a “re-blog”- and for all that I want to thank people.

To borrow from Sally Field’s Oscar speech “You like me, you really like me!” Thank you to all- may you continue to stop by and may I continue to amuse you or shed light on a book or travel topic that you’d like to know more about.

Best,

Traveling with T

Literary Friday ya’ll…

It’s Friday- Literary Friday!  Let’s break out some bubbly and toast the weekend.
1. Deep South Magazine has posted their edition of Literary Friday– it’s screamingly funny this week- from a link to the books that make you un-dateable (I checked the link and luckily none of my favorite books made the list!) to a round up of Southern events. Sign up to have Deep South Mag delivered to your inbox- that way you won’t miss out on any Southern goodies!

2. Deep South Mag also did a post on Summer Booksignings that can’t be missed- a huge thanks to Erin for posting my picture with Karen White and for mentioning my blog- grateful beyond words! Also mentioned is Kimberly Brock’s The River Witch tour- she’s making stops in Mississippi- so come and see her, listen to Anna Kline and the Grits and Soul Band, get your book signed, and mingle with other fans. Should be extremely fun!

3. I used the term “literary crushes” a few weeks ago- and I was all about Peeta from The Hunger Games (don’t judge and I still am!) However, Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice is gaining ground. I’ve enjoyed reading his and Elizabeth’s back and forth banter in Pride and Prejudice.

4. I’ve been raving about Gone Girl for weeks- it’s great, it’s a summer read, it’s wonderful- get ready for more raves- it’s going to be a MOVIE!

5. My Friday Reads is a bit of a mystery- I have way too many books to choose from- Emily Giffin’s Where We Belong, Elin Hilderbrand’s Summerland, and several others. What are you reading on this Friday?

Happy Reading!

 

Karen White- Lemuria Books Friday July 13, 2012

Hmm…. Don’t read too much into the Friday the 13th and Karen White. There was nothing scary about meeting her!

Karen White stopped by Lemuria Books to sign and read from her latest book, Sea Change. But as 2 ladies (Terri and Stacy) found out, Karen was gracious enough to sign all the books they had to have signed. Karen White  appreciates fans!

It was a nice book signing, a small group of ladies eager to meet Karen and hear tidbits about past books and upcoming books. One man even stopped by for a minute to get a book signed for his significant other- now that’s love!
Karen White also had family stop by to support her- which was lovely. We heard stories of inspiration from characters in her books- it seems some family members play a role in the inspiration of characters, which made for a nice little chat about where writers draw inspiration.

Other tidbits that Karen told us: Sea Change debuted at #12 on the New York Times (NYT) list. Her first book to make the NYT was Beach Trees. Another interesting tidbit about Karen’s writing- Sea Change is the first book where the main character has brothers, the other books are either only children or sisters.

When asked if there was any interest in her books to be made to movies, Karen told the group “the odds of getting a book made into a movie are very slim, but there has been interest.” Another audience member asked Karen “Where does she get ideas?” Karen’s response- ” always has a stewpot going on in back of her head (even though she’s not a cook!) and that the best ideas come when she’s not thinking of the book.” Karen also informed the audience that she likes to write about “multi-generational family stories- a grandma or a grandmother figure, a mom, and daughter.” Another question was asked as why did she like to write about the coast- her reply was ” she likes to write about storms, not just physical storms, though; sometimes internal storms.” Karen says when writing she “always starts with the main character and her conflict and the rest comes together” (when she said this, she reminded me of Susan Gregg Gilmore- she said something in a similar vein at the Booktopia event about her writing- I wonder if that is a trait of Southern writers?)

Good news if you are a Karen White fan- After the Rain (sequel to Falling Home) will be released in the next few months. Also, Karen’s first hardcover book will be released in June 2013.

Check back later for reviews of Sea Change and Falling Home– the 2 books I purchased and had signed by Karen White.

 

Karen White and me

 

Karen White signing books for a fan

 

Karen White answering questions from the audience

 

 

WWW Wednesdays (Should Be Reading) July 18

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

 

1. What are you currently reading?

Currently reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and The Sweet Life #1 by Francine Pascal.

 

2. What did you recently finish reading?

Finished Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks on Monday.

3.What do you think you’ll read next?

I’ll read the 2nd part in the Francine Pascal 6 part e-serial next. I also have Where We Belong by Emily Giffin and The Meryl Streep Movie Club by Mia March.

 

Meeting Whitney Miller- Masterchef Season 1 winner

Back in July 2011, Whitney Miller had a book signing at Turnrow Books in Greenwood, MS.  Being a slight fan of Masterchef, but more of a fan of a small-town Mississippi girl achieving a dream- I went to see her and get my cookbook signed.

Whitney was delightful- sweet and kind- willing to pose for pictures and spoke to each person with a smile. Whitney had also had some food to taste from the cookbook prepared for the book signing. Her tea was wonderful (as well as the other food!) The book signing was fun and memorable.

One of the reporters from the Greenwood Commonwealth came and took a picture of Whitney and me while I was getting my book signed and did an interview with Whitney about her book, winning the Masterchef contest, and cooking in the South. The reporter published the picture and the interview in the Greenwood Commonwealth, along with a blurb from me about Whitney ” Seeing a small-town girl, especially from Mississippi, just gives every girl and young woman hope that she can really do something big with her life even if she is from a really small dot on the map.”

Whitney is proving every day that believing in yourself is the key to success. For a good cookbook, one that has recipes that are yummy and will not require a million special ingredients, consider Whitney Miller’s cookbook Modern Hospitality: Simple Recipes with Southern Charm.

Whitney Miller’s Cookbook

 

Whitney Miller and Me

 

 

 

It’s a little thing called Double Decker Arts Festival- Oxford, MS

As much as I love summer (think sitting on beach, ice-cold drinks, beach reading, tan lines, too many good things to name), spring also holds a good place for me. It’s getting me close to summer and it’s the perfect time of the year for outdoor festivals. Enter Double Decker Arts Festival. Held every year in Oxford, MS on the historic square- it’s a fun event to go to. Combining art, kid’s stuff and music for the adults/collegians- it’s the kind of event that you do not want to miss.

Picture this: Walking onto The Square in Oxford. Vendors and tents everywhere- food and art vendors. People walking around and enjoying the ambience.  Music playing the majority of the day- local music, bigger bands for the later shows- if this is the kind of thing you like, prepare for a treat.

Did I mention it’s free? Oh sure, you have to pay for what you buy- but the music and getting into Double Decker is free. In the last couple of years, Double Decker has also had musical acts for Friday night before the Double Decker Arts Festival on Saturday. Generally, that is 10 buck admission-but worth it if you enjoy live music.

There is a real live Double Decker bus that does tours for a nominal fee. It’s something fun to ride and a memorable picture for people that like that kind of stuff.

There is so many kinds of art and crafts- it’s fun to walk through and look (plus, with Mother’s Day being just a few weeks later- it’s a great time to get Mom something).

If in the month of April, you are looking for something fun to do, consider Double Decker Arts Festival. It’s an experience.

 

Traveling with T’s Reading Challenge/Resolutions….

I wrote about reading challenges the other week, and while I see pros and cons to a “reading challenge”, I generally don’t participate in them. However, this is not a challenge exactly- this is more of resolution (like my New Year’s Resolutions- except I hope to not fail miserably at this like them!)

Ok- here goes:

1. To read books I’ve confessed for “literary confessions” that I haven’t read yet.

2. To make 2012 the year I read The Night Circus.

3. To put my special signed books in a great location for easy access.

4. To make significant progress in my “to be read” list.

 

I probably have several more resolutions, but this is all I can think of now.

Do you make resolutions for reading? Or just enjoy books as you can?