Bloggin' 'bout Books: 07/12/08

2026 Literary Escapes Challenge

- Alabama

- Alaska

- Arizona

- Arkansas

- ~~California~~ (1)

- Colorado

- Connecticut

- Delaware

- Florida

- Georgia

- Hawaii

- Idaho

- ~~Illinois~~ (1)

- ~~Indiana~~ (1)

- Iowa

- Kansas

- Kentucky

- Louisiana

- ~~Maine~~ (1)

- Maryland

- Massachusetts

- Michigan

- Minnesota

- Mississippi

- Missouri

- Montana

- Nebraska

- Nevada

- New Hampshire

- New Jersey

- New Mexico

- ~~New York~~ (2)

- North Carolina

- North Dakota

- Ohio

- Oklahoma

- Oregon

- Pennsylvania

- ~~Rhode Island~~ (1)

- South Carolina

- South Dakota

- Tennessee

- Texas

- Utah

- ~~Vermont~~ (1)

- ~~Virginia~~ (1)

- Washington

- West Virginia

- Wisconsin

- Wyoming

- Washington, D.C.*

International:

- England (3)

Miscellany & More Link Love

1:15 PM

So, I'm still plugging away at my "homework." I really shouldn't call it that, because I always love finding great new authors. Robyn Carr's Grace Valley series is fun and heartwarming - my reviews should be up in the next few days. I've also got a stack of Linda Greenlaw's books on my desk that I can't wait to dive into. I'm also really excited about the other interviews and giveaways I'm getting ready to present to you. So, although not much is happening here at the moment, stay with me ... lots of fun stuff is coming up.

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In the meantime, here are a few things I wanted to share:

Thanks for all your responses on the two questions from my last post. I will pass all of your recommendations on autism books to my sister, who I'm sure will be very grateful. She lives in Guam (her husband's in the Navy) and I don't know what kind of libraries they have there, but hopefully she can find what she's looking for. My other question about "bookwormism" being a product of nature or nurture brought in some excellent comments. If you haven't checked it out, do, and be sure to weigh in on the subject. Personally, I think readers can be nurtured, but true bookworms are born. I grew up in a home where books were plentiful. My parents both read a lot and encouraged me and my siblings to do likewise. All but one of my brothers and sisters enjoy reading, at least on occasion, but nobody else is as book-crazed as I am. I think, too, that would have found books to read whether or not I grew up in a book-friendly household. Books are that ingrained into my being. Anyway, it's been fascinating to hear everyone's thoughts on the subject. Keep 'em coming.

Also, if you just can't get enough of my book reviews, you can see more of them at Rebecca's Reads. I've only done one so far, but I will be reviewing for them regularly, so keep an eye out. I also FINALLY received an email from Elle about their "Readers' Jury" Program (I can't find a link for this, but you can email eagerreader[at]elle[dot]com for more info). Megan provided the head's up on this one, and I'm really excited about it.

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Okay, I promised "Giveaways Galore," so here are some fun ones that are going on around the Web:

Harmony is giving away a copy of The Elite by Jennifer Banash plus a CD of music that inspired the author while writing the book. Contest deadline is July 31.

Monnibo is giving away several prize packages in celebration of her 1000th post. Click here for details. Contest deadline is July 24.

KT is giving away a copy of J. Scott Savage's book Far World: Water Keep. Contest deadline is July 17.

This has nothing to do with books, but my sister is giving away a stamp set from Close to My Heart (I think). She didn't state a deadline, but I think it's still running. At any rate, check out her cute scrapbooking blog here.

Again, nothing to do with books, but my friend Tara is giving away a bottle of her favorite nail polish on her newly-remodeled blog, The Well-Rounded Woman. All the details are here. Again, I can't find a contest deadline, so it could be over, but check out her blog anyway. It's fun.

Wow - is that it? Did I miss anybody? Anyone else running fun contests/giveaways right now?

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There's one more thing I should mention: I'm moving in less than a month. My husband and I put money down on a lot a few months ago, thinking we would build a new house that would be ready sometime between November and March. Well, we kept looking around and wouldn't you know it? We found the perfect house. We close on July 31st, which means we'll be moving much, much, much sooner than planned. Since the kids start school on August 11, we want to be at least semi-moved in by then. So, if posts on BBB start getting sparse, you'll know I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth, I'm just buried under a mountain of moving boxes!