#gr8books

Wednesday Mashup…

Got A LOT to catch up on! Read on for articles you need to be reading, giveaways you should be entering, and more!

Articles You Should Be Reading:

1.Dana Bate, author of The Girls’ Guide to Love and Supper Clubs, has this to say about writing: Find Your Voice. It’s an article that asipring writers should read!

2. Randy Susan Meyers poses the question: Are Writers Badgering Readers?  It’s an interesting question, because in the land of social media- a person can promote their book till the cows come home- and it costs little to nothing. And does that help or hurt the writer? While Randy’s article takes a lot of other things in consideration- my thoughts on the social media aspect is this: I LIKE to see the author interact with fans, bloggers, and more on social media. It makes for a pleasant experience. I know that the bottom line of being an author is selling books. I get it. I don’t dislike you for wanting to make a living. In fact, as I’ve said before- authors are some of my favorite types of people.  There are some things I don’t like about social media for authors- but for the most part, it’s a good fit.  But remember- social media is not your personal platform for selling- if you think that, you’ve missed out on the “social” part of social media. And just like your mama taught you- if you see someone that has bought a book, or is talking positive about the book- a simple “thank you” goes a long way.

3. Wendy Francis writes about A Letter to the Author You’re About to Become– advice and more for people in the process of becoming an author.

4. The Affair by Colette Freedman was April’s #gr8books online book club discussion. And Colette was fun- letting the online book club know some future work she has planned, and talking extensively of the plot of The Affair. After the Twiiter chat, she wrote this blog post about it. Colin Firth, Brad Pitt and why I love book clubs is funny and a great summary of the amazing people who participate in the #gr8book chat.  As I read the article, I was touched to see that 2 of my comments that I made in the post was listed in the “Some of my favorite tweets from the discussion” section- I’ll let you guess which 2 sound like me 🙂

Giveaways:

1. Great New Books is giving away Priscille Sibley’s book, The Promise of Stardust.

2. Lilmommareader’s blog, Read Baby Read is giving away The Good Woman by Jane Porter.

3. Bookmagnet is giving away The Paradise Guest House by Ellen Sussman.

She Reads:

As you know, I’m a She Reads blogger, Twitter chat hoster, and online book club leader- so I like to make sure other readers are aware of what’s going on at She Reads. April’s book club pick is AND THEN I FOUND YOU by Patti Callahan Henry- it’s fiction; but based on the real life experience of her sister. Beautifully written, heart-tugging and so much more- it’s a book that begs to be read.

I’ll be hosting the Twitter chat with Patti Callahan Henry on April 29th from 2-3pmEST. Use #srchat to join in. There will be a giveaway- and you’ll need to be particpating in the chat to be considered for the giveaway. Hope to see you there!

But, wait, there’s more! Can’t make it to the Twitter chat? No problem! April 29th- May 6th will be the online book club discussion at shereads.org/forum. Come, talk, tell me what you loved about the book. Or what you didn’t like. The discussion will last all week- and I love to hear from readers!

1. Dear Reader: A Note from Patti Callahan Henry

2. Featured Recipe for AND THEN I FOUND YOU

3. Release Day and launch party for AND THEN I FOUND YOU

Looking for Spring Thrillers? She Reads has a list! Spring Thriller Round-up

 

 

 

The Affair by Colette Freedman

This book will be April’s #gr8books book club discussion! Use #gr8books to join in on April 9th, 8-9pm CST.

Colette Freedman takes a subject (in this case, an affair) and instead of making it a very black and white, right and wrong, he said/she said book- she turns it into a book that that has lots of grey. Lots of things to debate. Makes each charatcer human, even relatable. This book could have been so boring- but with the ways she wrote the characters, situations and ending- boring would not even be in the top 50 words I’d use to describe. Find a group to read this book with and let the discussion fly!

Kathy and Robert Walker- married for 18 years, 2 teenage children. They have a nice house and things appear to be ok with them. The marriage is not as exciting as it once was, Kathy’s busy running a house and shuffling 2 teenage children to countless events, activities and just doing the day to day life of a wife and mother. Robert’s not around as much- he misses out on activities and family time because he’s always working- or is he? Kathy finds a name in Robert’s phone while looking for an address- and the name gives her chills- since it’s the same name of the woman she accused him of having an affair with years ago- an accusation that nearly destroyed their marriage.

It’s Kathy’s worst nightmare all over again- she’s afraid to know, but wants to know. And knows that she must have concrete proof this time if she does accuse Robert.  Taking place a few days before Christmas, the story is told from multiple viewpoints- and with each telling of the story- the reader begins to understand what each person is feeling. Is there a clear cut “bad” person? Yes and no, in my opinion. And that is what is so delicious about this book- the reader can identify with the characters.

Many times, the mistress is thought of as the “bad” person- the one who poached a person who was supposed to be untouchable. One of the themes of this book is the thought process of “a person can’t take something that did not want to be taken”- and for this book, it casts a lot of “grey” around the mistress. Is she a husband stealer or a woman who fell in love with a man who she thought was available? Should the wife take any blame for the affair? Is the husband really the one at fault?

Colette Freedman takes these type of questions and creates a book that will make a reader evaluate their thoughts on love, committment, and cheating.  Prepare to discuss with a group of friends- this book could lead to many interesting conversations.

Tuesday Mash-up….

Quick look over all the things going on: giveaways, reviews, and more.

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow:

Looks like from the buzz She Reads has picked another great book for it’s book club.

Some of the reviews (so far!):

A Novel Review: The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow

Bookmagnet: The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow (plus a giveaway of the book!)

Books You Can Read Along with Groups for March:

Naturally you can read along with She Reads as we read and discuss The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow during March.

But say you want more? I know, I know- 1 book is just not enough- guess what? You are in luck!

Join Allison at The Book Wheel and Rebecca at Love at First Book as they read Tana French’s In the Woods all through March!

#giveaways:

GR8Thoughts is giving away The Affair for the April #gr8books Tweetchat. The March chat (Wife 22) happens tonight from 8-9pmCST. Come, join in- the ladies are great, the chat is good- and the convo is fun!

Drey’s Library giveaway of Randy Susan Meyers The Comfort of Lies has 5 days left!

 

 

 

 

Literary Friday ya’ll…

Before I begin my #literaryfriday talk- riddle me this: Why do people want to follow you on Twitter that don’t really care for you in real life? Seriously, looking at my follower list this morning- and I was like “How did you find me?!!” “Why are you following me?” “Why me?!” Ok drama over.

1.Deep South Magazine is taking today off from #literaryfriday- because they are traveling to Arkansas- so no Deep South news.

2. What are your #fridayreads? Mine is American Ghost by Janis Owens.

3. Looking for book tours + giveaways? Cozy Mystery Review has an upcoming one!

4. My review of Malicious Masquerade has been posted to Cozy Mystery Reviews!

Blog Posts to read from She Reads:

Tell Me Something True- A Visit with Tanis Rideout

Literary First Love- Julie Kibler

Book Club News:

Looking for a book to read in March? Rebecca- Love at First Book and Allison- The Book Wheel are teaming up- they’ve picked Tana French’s In The Woods as their March book club pick and would love for you to join along. Read HERE for more info on how to join along!

March #gr8Books Book Club Selection is Wife 22. Join in the discussion of the book on Twitter March 5,2013 from 8-9pm CST. Read HERE for more info!

And don’t forget: I’m hosting a Twitter chat with Julie Kibler about her debut novel, Calling Me Home, on Feb 20 from 2-3pm EST. Use #srchat to join in. Can’t come? Don’t worry. The online book club discussion will begin on Feb 25 and will go on all week long. Go to She Reads to join in!

Happy Reading!

 

Literary Friday ya’ll….

Friday. Oh the weather is not delightful. Yesterday, the air was positively spring-like. I began looking at my flip-flops in anticipation of pedicures and walking around outside. I *might* have even spoken to my favorite new pair- saying something like “I can’t wait to show you off!” But the weather is a cruel mistress, no? Yesterday’s nice, sunny, breezy weather has led to today’s cool weather with dark skies.

In other #literaryfriday news:

1. Deep South Magazine– Cocktail recipies inspired by favorite pieces of literature, list of the most literate cities for 2012, and a review by Laura Kay, a fellow She Reads Blog Network member,  about Julie Kibler’s CALLING ME HOME which is She Reads Feb Book Club Pick of the Month.  Through today, comment on the She Reads post for a chance to win a copy of CALLING ME HOME.

2. More #giveaways: Tell Me Something True-A Visit With Emily Winslow  Comment on post for a chance to win The Start Of Everything (She Reads is giving away a copy!)

3. #fridayreads My read is Veiled Revenge by Ellen Byerrum. Your next #fridayreads should be Julie Kibler’s Calling Me Home. In stores on Feb 12.  Interested in finding out more about Calling Me Home? Here’s my review of Calling Me Home.

4. Two other books readers should be on the lookout for (Both will be released Feb 12). Gods of Mischief: My Undercover Vendetta to Take Down the Vagos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang by George Rowe  and  The Next Time You See Me by Holly Goddard Jones.

5. Still looking for Valentine’s Ideas? My blog post, Valentine’s Ideas, will provide some suggestions as well as Bookmagnet’s blog!

6. Looking for great book chats? Use #gr8books on Twitter- the host is Andrea (@gr8thoughts). Earlier this week, Erika Robuck’s Hemingway’s Girl was discussed. It was a fun-filled chat with lots of interesting chatter about the book. Next chat is March 5th, from 8-9pmCST. The book discussed will be Wife 22.

7. Be thinking of questions to ask Julie Kibler because I’m hosting a Twitter chat with her on Feb 20th from 2-3pm EST. Haven’t decided on hashtag as of yet- but will def post ASAP.

Happy Reading!

 

 

Wednesday: Giveaways, Julie Kibler, and more

1. You may have noticed tons of tweets and things about Julie Kibler. Her debut novel, Calling Me Home, is She Reads Feb Book Club pick. And judging from the tweets and reviews- it seems that everyone in the #srblog group enjoyed the book. If you want to read about Julie Kibler is creating her best and most creative ideas- stop by She Reads today!

2. Tonight from 8-9PM CST chat with Erika Robuck about Hemingway’s Girl.  Use #gr8books to join in!

3. More #giveaway news: Great New Books is giving away The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin. Stop by Great New Books and comment for a chance to win from Wed Feb 6 to Fri Feb 8th (by midnight EST time).

4. Like motorcycles? Non-fiction? Want to read a book about the take down of an outlaw motorcycle gang? Read my review of Gods of Mischief by George Rowe. Out in stores Feb 12!