I HAVE FALL CATCH-UP READ-A-THON WINNERS!!!

The Read-A-Thon was a success thanks to all my lovely participants! I've decided to make this week long read-a-thon a seasonal event and will be hosting my next one in January, a week long winter read-a-     thon.  Stay tuned for details!

Now, on to the winners of the read-a-thon giveaways....

The winner of the $20 BetterWorldBooks gift certificate is...

Sheila @ Book Journey

(Sheila, I will email you the gift certificate!)

The US/Canada winner of the mini-challenge, who wins two print copies of Charlie Courtlands novels is...

Crystal @ My Reading Room

(Crystal, I will email you for your address so I can send it to Charlie)

The International winner of the mini-challenge, who wins two e-book copies of Charlie Courtland novels is...

Charlotte @ Lit Addicted Brit

(Charlotte, I will email you the codes so you can order your free e-books)

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks again to everyone who joined me in the read-a-thon! Also, a very special thanks to Charlie for providing the awesome prizes for the mini-challenge!



FALL CATCH-UP READ-A-THON WRAP UP

Well, the fun is over. *sob*  I did not accomplish as much reading as I would have hoped.  As usual, life got in the way.  I was doing pretty well and then the weekend kind of went down the drain.  I've got a lot of personal stuff going on right now and it was hard to concentrate on reading.  Here is my sad readathon accomplishments:

I read 75 pages of Vampire Academy--Richelle Mead (I was not planning on reading this for the read-a-thon, but I couldn't put it down!).

I read 102 pages of Labyrinth--Kate Mosse (for my TuesBookTalk chat on Twitter)

I finished The Queen's Pawn--Christy English.

Started Dracula in Love--Karen Essex on Friday...have read 100 pages =O(

I will say that the read-a-thon was a success though because of all the lovely participants.  It really seemed like everyone was having fun and some even got a lot of reading done (you know who you are).  I also enjoyed the mini-challenge where read-a-thoners talked about a banned book they have read.  It's interesting to find out what other people think about the banned books issue.  Thank you to all who participated and helping me to make this a successful event.  I'm thinking of making this a seasonal read-a-thon (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer), but haven't decided yet.  I know I will have this one again next year, if nothing else. 

If you would like to do a wrap up post and link here, feel free.  The linky is below.  In regards to the giveaways, I will announce the winners by the end of the week.  If I can locate an email address, I will email the winners.

Edit:  I was remiss in neglecting to thank Charlie Courtland for generously donating copies of her books for the mini-challenge giveaway and for joining us for the read-a-thon.  You rock, Charlie!

Now it's time to look forward to Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon and the Halloween Read-A-Thon and the fun festivities of Halloween!

HAPPY FALL AND READ-A-THON UPDATE

HAPPY FALL!

Read-a-thon Update:

I read 75 pages of Vampire Academy--Richelle Mead (I was not planning on reading this for the read-a-thon, but I couldn't put it down!).

I read 102 pages of Labyrinth--Kate Mosse (for my TuesBookTalk chat on Twitter)

Currently reading The Queen's Pawn--Christy English--have read 66 pages.  I'm hoping to finish it tonight! *fingers crossed*

How are you doing on the read-a-thon?

MINI-CHALLENGE: FALL CATCH-UP READ-A-THON

This mini-challenge and giveaway has now ended.

I was trying to think of a great mini-challenge for the read-a-thon and then it dawned on me....Banned Books Week starts Saturday! So that is what this mini-challenge is about.  I'm making it relatively simple in keeping with the theme of the read-a-thon and for the people who do not have blogs (I have a few participants who do not). 

Your task for this mini-challenge is to go the the American Library Association (ALA) banned books page HERE and look on the left sidebar.  There is a menu titled Frequently Challenged Books organized by years, authors, decades, etc.  Take a look at these lists and pick one book that you have read, then tell me why you read it (did you read it specifically because of its banned status?), what your thoughts on the book were and anything else you might want to share about the book (why you would recommend it or why not).  If you have not read any of the books, pick one you would like to read and tell me about the book and why you want to read it.

RULES:
--If you have a blog, you must do a blog post and then place your link in the Mr. Linky on this post.
--If you do not have a blog, you can leave your responses in the comments (I have a new comment system where you can comment as a guest so you don't have to have a blogger account)
--This challenge will be open until Sunday, September 26 at 8:00pm CT.
--In the linky, please leave your name and what country you are in (non-bloggers leave your country info in your comment).

And now....

THE PRIZES!

Charlie Courtland was generous enough to donate hard copies and e-copies of her novel, Dandelions in the Garden and her new novel, the sequel to Dandelions, The Hidden Will of the Dragon.

About the books (product details from Amazon):

Amara Borbala is certain she is the only living person in the sane world with intimate knowledge concerning the life and exploits of the Countess Elizabeth Bathory. After all, she was Elizabeth s companion and confidant since her eleventh year. In 1573, after the death of her mother, Amara is sent by her cousin to serve as a lady-in-waiting at the castles of Sarvar, Varanno, and Cachtice. Now it is years later, 1628, and Amara is aging, alone, and reduced to eavesdropping at her favorite cafe around the corner from her townhouse in Vienna. Befuddled by gossiping ladies, Amara determines perhaps it is time to finally put a stop to the rumors and once and for all, answer the question, Is it true? Did Elizabeth Bathory, a descendant of Vlad Tepes really commit the horrible acts of torture, bathe in the blood of slaughtered virgins, and dabble in the dark magic that she was accused of during her trial? One thing is certain, Amara knows the truth, but will it be enough to explain the habits of her friend? Dandelions In The Garden is book one in a two-part series that begins with the journey of Amara, an impressionable girl who follows the Blood Countess through all the horrid events that lead to her rise and secure her place in history.

The year is 1628, Vienna, and the aging Lady Amara Borbala has collapsed before fulfilling her promise to Count Drugeth to record the historical truth about the infamous Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory. In her last entry, Amara writes, "It'd been nearly 130 years since Vlad Tepes, known as the Dragon, arranged the secret agreement." Was it truly possible that the kin of his ancient advisor would honor the contract? And if so, how would it change history?

In the sequel to "Dandelions in the Garden," the journey of history's most intriguing noble female murderer continues. Come following Elizabeth and Amara through the canals of Venice and high into the Carpathian Mountains to discover the inevitable. How the story of the Blood Countess really ends!

PRIZE DETAILS:
--There will be two winners. 
--Winner's choice of both hard copies or a 100% discount code to obtain e-copies of both books at Smashwords.
--International (outside of US/Canada) will automatically receive the e-books.

Thank you, Charlie, for providing these wonderful prizes!

To find out more about Charlie Courtland, visit her at the following:

website:  http://www.bitsyblingbooks.com/
blog:  http://www.charliecourtland.com/
blog:  http://ccourtland.blogspot.com/

Copies of both books (e-format) can be purchased at Smashwords.
Copies can also be purchased at Amazon HERE and HERE.

GOOD LUCK WITH THE MINI-CHALLENGE...CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR ENTRIES!

STARTING LINE--FALL CATCH-UP READ-A-THON

It's time to start the read-a-thon! This is the starting line.  Sign up in the linky with your starting post (or other link, if you don't have a blog).  Everyone who signs in here and participates in the read-a-thon will be entered for a $20 gift certificate to BetterWorldBooks! They ship free in the U.S. and for a small fee worldwide.  I will also be hosting a mini-challenge which will probably start on Tuesday and there will be a book(s) prize from author Charlie Courtland for this one.  Both the mini-challenge and the main giveaway will be open until Sunday, September 26 at 8pm CT. 

Remember, if you can't sign in today, no problem.  I made this read-a-thon a week long so that people could participate when they could.

If you're on Twitter, be sure to come on over and chat with other read-a-thoners.  The hashtag is #readathon.

I hope I haven't forgotten anything! Let me know if I have or if you have any questions, leave me a comment.

Now, here is my list of books that I hope to finish. *fingers crossed*

The Queen's Pawn--Christy English (already started...will be finishing)
Dracula in Love--Karen Essex
By Fire, By Water--Mitchell James Kaplan
Quicksilver--Joy Spraycar
The Red Door--Charles Todd
Adam & Eve--Sena Jeter Naslund

Alternates:

Under the Dome--Stephen King (will read this periodically to break up the monotony...LOL!)
Labyrinth--Kate Mosse (have to read 100 pages for my Tuesday night book chat on Twitter, #TuesBookTalk)

So...there we have it.  Wish me luck!

Here's the linky:

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE FALL CATCH-UP READ-A-THON?

Just two more days until the Fall Catch-Up Read-A-Thon and there's still time to sign up! Go HERE for complete details and sign up.  The read-a-thon starts on Monday, September 20 at 8am and goes through Sunday, September 26 at 8pm (times can be according to your individual time zone).  It's going to be a lot of fun! I'm having a giveaway for a $20 BetterWorldBooks gift certificate.  All you have to do is be sure to sign in at the starting line post, which will be up here on Monday morning, and participate in the read-a-thon.  Don't worry if you can't start on Monday, just sign in on the day you start.  I made this read-a-thon a week long so people can participate when they can...we all have jobs and obligations, after all! Also, I will announce a mini-challenge on Monday that will last for the entire week...and the prize?  Author Charlie Courtland (who is also joining us for the read-a-thon) has generously donated copies of her books for my mini-challenge prize.  How cool is that! If any of you participants would like to host your own mini-challenge, you are more than welcome.  Just let me know so I can help promote it.  Also, we will be chatting on Twitter as well.  Follow the hashtag #readathon.  Who knows...people may do some giveaways over there too (again, feel free)!

Let me know when you've posted your reading list, either in the comments here or in the comments on the sign up post--OR--use your reading list post as your starting post at the starting line sign in.  I'm looking forward to catching up on a lot of reading next week and interacting with everyone.  See you on Monday!

SPREAD THE WORD...THE MORE, THE MERRIER!!!

SIGN UP FOR THE FALL CATCH-UP READ-A-THON

Time to sign up for the Fall Catch-Up Read-A-Thon! You can do a post saying you're participating (and to help me get the word out) or just link your blog.  No need to make your reading list yet, unless you want to! I'll also be posting a starting line linky on the start day of the read-a-thon.  If you would rather wait until then to post your reading list, that is also fine.  I'm flexible!

• The official start date and time is Monday, September 20 at 8am CT, but you do not have to start on time and you can adjust it according to your time zone.  The end date is Sunday, September 26 at 8pm CT (again, adjust accordingly). 
• Keep in mind that you do not have to participate the entire week or 24 hours a day.  I made it a week long, during the week and the weekend, so that people that work different schedules can participate.  And don't forget...sleeping is allowed! Also, forgot to mention...you do not have to have a blog to participate.  Leave your sign up and reading list in the comments. 
• I am hosting a giveaway for everyone who signs up, then posts on the starting line on start day, and actually participates in the read-a-thon.  That's all you will have to do to be entered.  The prize will be a gift certificate to BetterWorldBooks, a book seller that donates all proceeds to literacy programs around the world.  Doing my bit for a good cause too! And they are awesome because they always have free shipping and they ship carbon free.  Not sure what the amount is going to be...that part will be a surprise! I've also decided to host a mini-challenge that will go on the entire week so people will have plenty of time to participate.  Not sure what the mini-challenge will be or what the prize will be for that yet.  I'm all about the surprises right now!
• Also, during the event, be sure to come chat with us on Twitter.  Just use hashtag #readathon  There may be some surprise giveaways on there as well.  Anyone who wants to do an impromptu giveaway during chats is more than welcome.
• If you are interested in doing a giveaway or mini-challenge for the read-a-thon, please email me at truebookaddict@gmail.com
• I will also be kicking off the first of my week long Banned Books Week posts on Saturday, September 25, which will only add more fun!

I think we are going to have a lot of fun! I hope you will sign-up and get ready to catch up on some reading!

HAPPY SEPTEMBER: NEWS AND BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Happy September everyone! We only have a couple more weeks until the first day of Fall.  I just wish the Tennessee weather would cooperate.  I can't wait for the cool, crisp Autumn days, especially after the sweltering summer we had!

I have some news and then I will announce the giveaway winners.  Patience, patience! =O)

My create-a-button contest entry for Brizmus Blogs Books' Japanese Friday, or Nihon no Kinyoubi, is currently tied for FIRST PLACE! Thanks to all who have voted for me so far.  Voting is open until Sunday, 9/5, so if you haven't already, please go here and vote in the poll on Brizmus's left sidebar.  Mine is #7.  Thanks...and wish me luck!

My weekly book chat on Twitter, TuesBookTalk, is still going strong.  I needed an easier way to get in touch with all the members so I created a group on Goodreads.  You can go here to visit (or join) or access it from the widget in the left sidebar.  We are going to start discussing Labyrinth by Kate Mosse on this Tuesday, 9/7...that is, if everyone can get the book.  If not, we will postpone by a week.  Our first discussion will be on Chapters 1-10.  Tuesday chat time is 10:30pm ET.  Coming up in October, we will be having Halloween Horror Month.  There is a poll up at the group so we can vote on our reading selection for that event.  Who doesn't love a spooky read during Halloween?!  I hope you will think about joining us, Dear readers.  If you can't make the Tuesday night chat, you can go to the group and post your thoughts in the discussion thread there.  Hope to see you!

I will have the sign up post and read-a-thon info up later today for my Fall Catch-Up Read-A-Thon.  I hope you will join us.  It will be a fun week! Also, Banned Books Week starts that Saturday of my read-a-thon so I will have daily posts up starting Saturday and throughout the week in honor of it.  Banned Books Week is September 25-October 2, 2010!                            

FIRST BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!!

First Place....Brooke--3 books

Second Place....JennJ--2 books

Third Place....Juju--1 book

(winners were chosen by random.org)

Brooke gets to choose first...3 books from the following:

Cardboard--Fiona Place

The Silent Governess--Julie Klassen

Fragile--Chris Katsaropoulos

Winter's End--Jean-Claude Mourlevat

206 Bones--Kathy Reichs

Hush--Kate White

Once Brooke picks her 3, I will email JennJ with the remaining choices, of which she gets to choose 2.  Then, Juju will get the book that is left.  Brooke, if you are seeing this post, you can go ahead and email me your 3 choices at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom (don't worry...I'm still emailing you!)  Each winner will have 48 hours to get back to me with their choices from the time I send out their email.  Congrats!

Thanks for reading about all my news and thank you to everyone who wished me a happy blogoversary and entered the contest.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

FROM DUSK TILL DAWN READ-A-THON

Another read-a-thon...woooo hoooo! The From Dusk Till Dawn Read-A-Thon is going on August 25th, until August 29th from the hours of 8 PM until 8 AM each day!!! There will be challenges going on during the day and lots of prizes will be given out.  This read-a-thon is being hosted by Jenn @ Book Crazy and Jami @ YA Addict.  Click here for details and to sign up.

I'm using this read-a-thon to catch up on my review books and to maybe read some more of Under the Dome!  Here is my list:

Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show--Frank Delaney (finish)
Arcadia Falls--Carol Goodman
The Queen's Pawn--Christy English
Dracula in Love--Karen Essex
By Fire, By Water--Mitchell James Kaplan
Quicksilver--Joy Spraycar
Under the Dome--Stephen King

I hope some of you good blog friends will join me! I know I've already seen some of you all over at the sign up.  Good luck!

Speaking of read-a-thons...in case you haven't heard, I am hosting my very own read-a-thon next month.  It's the Fall Catch-Up Read-A-Thon, a week long event that will allow us to "catch-up" on our reading--whether it be review books, reading challenges or the giant TBR pile! The dates are September 20, @ 8am through September 26, @ 8pm.  Feel free to participate as much or as little as you want.  I will be giving away a prize for all who sign up at the starting line and who participate in the read-a-thon.  I'm not sure what that prize will be yet, but I will announce it closer to time.  If anyone would like to have a giveaway or a mini-challenge during the read-a-thon, just let me know.  I'm game for anything! Just email me at truebookaddict(at)gmail(dot)com.  I will have the sign up page ready around the first of the month and the starting line post will go up the day of the event.  Feel free to grab the button (link back here) and spread the word.  Hope you will join me for this fun Fall event!