What I’m reading and a giveaway of books

by Veronica on June 15, 2011

in Blogging, Sharing The Love

 

Last week, I started reading the above book and fell in love with it. I can’t remember who recommended it, but it was someone whose tastes run similar to mine and I immediately went and bought the book here.

Two days after it arrived, the first book in the series arrived in my mailbox. A slight mix up and I’m not sure what happened, but somehow, I have two copies of the first book, “Blood Ties”.

Because of this, I was planning on giving it away, to one of my readers here. Then I thought about it a bit and realised that I actually have quite a lot of books here that I’ve enjoyed and I would like to share that around. These are all books that I’ve read and have since been languishing on my (overfull) bookshelves.

So, I’m holding a giveaway.

The prize:

Including:

Neil Gaiman: Stardust
Neil Gaiman: Odd and the Frost Giants
Pamela Hastings: Blood Ties
Johanna Spyri: Heidi
Charlaine Harris: Shakespeare’s Counsellor
Ben Elton: Inconceivable
Rowan McAuley: Sleep-over
4 Ingredients Cookbook
Jane Austen: Emma
Eve Makis: The Mother-In-Law
Jeanette Winterson: Oranges are not the only fruit

So would you like to win?

How to Enter

Become a follower of this blog either by RSS or Friend Connect (both options available in the sidebar, over there to the right).

Leave a comment telling me what your all time favourite book is. Which book is falling apart because you’ve read it so much?

My favourite books are everything by Robin Hobb. They’re all falling apart due to overreading and I’m probably about ready to replace the Assassin series.

That’s it.

If you’d like an extra entry, you can tweet this post as well (make sure you cc me in @SleeplessNights) and come back and leave me a comment telling me that you’ve tweeted it.

For another extra entry, sign up for the new Sleepless Nights newsletter and then leave a comment letting me know you did.

There is also a possibility that depending on postage, I might add an extra few books to the box when I send it.

Competition closes on the 29th of June at 8pm AEST and I will announce the winner shortly after that. Winner will be notified via email and will have a week to reply to me, before another winner is drawn. Competition is only open to people with an Australian mailing address.

Barbara June 15, 2011 at 7:53 am

Your mum put me onto Robin Hobb, particularly the Assassin series. I love it. Read the first two in short order and got slightly sidetracked whilst trying to read the third. They are amazing books.

A book that’s falling apart because I’ve read it so often? I can’t choose just one. My favourite authors at the moment though are Terry Pratchett, Nick Hornby, Audrey Niffeneger (probably misspelt) or Anne McCaffrey. I haven’t focused on just one book since before I had children.

Alex June 15, 2011 at 7:58 am

I have loved The Mists of Avalon series by Marion Zimmer Bradley ever since my uni days. They’ve been read so many times, they’re barely holding together. Sara Douglass is a recent discovery (she writes fat, fantasy trilogies).

Jilly Cooper is my favourite trashy novel author. Very British, very funny.

(Tweeted)

Melissa June 15, 2011 at 8:16 am

My favourite book(s) that have fallen apart from overreading are a bit of a cliche, but I can’t help it. I read them both at least twice a year. Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion. I love Austen.

I’ve not read any Robin Hobb. might have to give it a go.

Emma is the only Austen book I don’t actually own. And The Mother-In-Law looks interesting. (I’m a long way from you though, so if I do end up winning one of these, let me pay postage).

Melissa June 15, 2011 at 8:19 am

Tweeted

Super Sarah June 15, 2011 at 10:34 am

I need some good fantasy suggestions actually. My favourite book(s) of all time are the Belgariad and the Mallorean by David Eddings. I read them at a time in my life where they just made sense to me on every level. Those characters grew with me through my teenage years and I still turn to the books in times of stress for comfort!

pixie June 15, 2011 at 10:40 am

Im following as blossompetal 😉

my fave book..is Gone With the Wind so much so Im o9n my 2nd copy……LOL

Alex June 15, 2011 at 6:15 pm

Oh I forgot about Gone With The Wind! Excellent book (movie, meh!)

Kathryn June 15, 2011 at 10:40 am

My all time favourite book is Thief Of Time by Terry Pratchett. I love the whole Discworld series, but that is the one I pick up to read most often.

Probably a lot of us have books around that we can no longer fit in our bookshelves. Maybe we should start some kind of book-swapping thing.

pixie June 15, 2011 at 10:42 am

I tweeted too!!!

Christina June 15, 2011 at 12:23 pm

My long-time favourite book is Little Women. I remember buying it in primary school (maybe grade 5?) and I have read it pretty much every year since then. It is falling apart badly but I still remember when it was brand new and I was so proud of it!

Melissa June 15, 2011 at 4:09 pm

Christina, I still have my Year 5 copy of LW. My mother bought it for me when I was very ill – a set – Heidi, LW, Alice in Wonderland and Grimms Fairy Tales. I still have the first two.

Alicia=Madcap Mum June 15, 2011 at 3:03 pm

I have two favourite books – The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkein. I read them when I was in my teens. I loved the movies as well. I’ve heard they are working on The Hobbit movie at the moment.

frogpondsrock June 15, 2011 at 4:21 pm

Oi Missy, I haven’t read the Neil Gaiman, “Stardust” tsk tsk

Kyri June 15, 2011 at 4:23 pm

My all-time favorite book is extremely hard to pick, because I’m such a voracious reader and enjoy just about anything I read. My favorite has consistently been Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Neil Pratchett, though. Gaiman is just one of my favorite authors of all time and I will read literally anything and everything written by him. I’ve yet to get through his entire published works, but I’m working on it. 🙂

Kyri June 15, 2011 at 4:27 pm

Augh, I can’t believe I said Neil Pratchett! Obviously I meant Terry.

river June 15, 2011 at 4:46 pm

I’ve had several books fall apart through reading: White Coolies by A.B. Jeffrey; Gypsy Lady by Shirlee Busbee; That Man Cartwright by Ann Fairbairn; The Talisman by Stephen King; Bella Mafia by Lynda LaPlante; The Changeover by Margaret Mahy; The Egg And I, Anybody Can Do Anything, Onions In the Stew, all by Betty MacDonald; Stolen Children by Gwen Hunter; I could probably list a whole bunch more……I love re-reading old favourites. Right now I’m re-reading my way through the Earth’s Children series by Jean M. Auel, book one is The Clan Of The Cave Bear.
If I had to pick a single favourite it would probably be Gypsy Lady. Or The Clan Of The Cave Bear.

Angela June 15, 2011 at 4:59 pm

My favourite book is Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Dystopian sci-fi full of Shakespeare references? Got to love it! Oh, and I always cry buckets at the end…

Jayne June 15, 2011 at 5:25 pm

Yep, I love anything Robin Hobb writes lol 😉

Haley June 15, 2011 at 5:29 pm

I have to say my favorite book(s) of all time would be most of Tamora Pierce’s writings. In particular, her Tortall quartets are my favorites, and I’ve read the adventures of Alanna the Lioness and Daine the Wild-Mage over a dozen times since I stumbled upon them in middle school (I’m in my early twenties, now). It’s somehow extremely refreshing each time I read them, to see such strong female characters and heroines that are obviously lacking in a lot of other YA fiction nowadays. As well, the realm of Tortall is so wonderfully thought up, with the Bahzir tribes as a minority battling for acceptance and integration in their culture, and its own bestiary of magical creatures and pantheon of gods and goddesses.

I’ve even encouraged my younger sister to begin reading them, even though two are misshapen from being dropped in the bath, and one has a broken spine with loose pages in the Immortals series. She claims she’s reading them because she “doesn’t have anything else” but I know there’s a hoard of books from a birthday bookstore giftcard by her bed. I don’t think I can convey how happy this makes me, that these series have given me countless hours of enjoyment and positive female role models, and on top of it are able to captivate my sibling and teach her the same things they taught me.

At one time I thought that if Ms. Pierce did not continue writing, I would die. I’m still here, and she’s still writing.

Kyri June 16, 2011 at 4:33 am

Oh goodness, Tamora Pierce. I’ve been meaning to reread her works. They were what got me into the fantasy genre and I practically lived and breathed her universe during my entire middle school years. Definitely worth picking up again.

Megan June 15, 2011 at 7:50 pm

I have so many favourites, my spare room is full of books! Love anything by Robin Hobb also, Sara Douglass, Jodi Piccoult, Juliet Marillier, Kate Forsyth, the list goes on 🙂

minuted'automne June 15, 2011 at 11:02 pm

Can I move to Australia to participate then? Only wish I could. I remember following here on your web corner all over from Robin Hobb’s and am pretty sure I’d love your highly recommended new serie but I don’t fall into the “austalian mailing address category” never mind. i’ll add it to my wish list. I’m glad the Gaiman book I had sent in the big box when i moved will keep travelling! happy reading!

Gina June 16, 2011 at 1:26 am

Oh my! I want to win those books!!
Is South Africa to far away to enter?
My favourite books ever are a series by Sergeanne Golon called Angelique (at least thats the first one), I have read the English translation of the French books and I adore them. In fact they are so worn and well read that the covers have disintegrated and there are pages missing *sob*, I really need to find new copies 🙂

Peggy Brister June 16, 2011 at 2:16 am

My favorite books are ANYTHING AT ALL by Patricia Cornwell and Under The Dome by Steven King. Well, actually ANYTHING by Steven King except the Dark Tower series. I never liked those.

Marylin June 16, 2011 at 7:48 am

*pouts* I wish I lived in Australia! 😉

Tracy June 16, 2011 at 4:04 pm

Tommyknockers by Stephen King, it’s the only book that has ever given me nightmares. Green lights are taboo for me now. I watched the movie and it was nothing like the book. Give me a good book over a movie any day.

Gluckman June 16, 2011 at 4:09 pm

My all time favourite book is Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman. I don’t think I’ve read it once without crying, and I think I’ve read it at least 10 times (nor do I know anyone else who has read it without crying). It’s depressing, beautiful, horrible and wonderful all at the same time. I could write more but I don’t want to spoil it.

I’d also like to thank Haley for reminding me of Tamora Pierce, I’m going to HAVE TO go and reread her now. #memoriesofprimaryschool

Also, I’ve followed the RSS of your blog Veronica, tweeted about this post and signed up for the newsletter.

Hear Mum Roar June 16, 2011 at 11:56 pm

Any book in the Harry Potter series. Cannot get enough of it. Am following you via RSS and google friend connect.
I’ve signed up for your newsletter and tweeted the giveaway

Ali June 17, 2011 at 2:00 am

I am a fantasy nerd like yourself. I was just thinking I might grab the assassin series from the bookshelf and start at the beginning again. The Robin Hobb books are probably my fave for just easy, fun reading. I have read them through way too many times to count. She could just write books in that world as far as I’m concerned, I could read about it forever. I love how she has managed to write so many great stories that are linked but also stand alone really well. So, those and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy are probably my top books. I read them both over and over and never get sick of them. It’s a bad idea to get me talking about this though because I could go on…….
xx

eccentricess June 17, 2011 at 2:19 pm

The book, or series of books, that I had to buy a second set of, is the Belgariad, by David Eddings. I started reading it about about 13 and am still re-reading it annually.

So many books other commenters have listed that I either love or am going to hunt down! Saving this page so I can refer back…LOL

Melanie Graham June 17, 2011 at 4:37 pm

My love of books knows no bounds and cannot be contained! lol. At last rough count I had over 3000 in my home library. I love the Wheel of Time series and they are all falling apart. I love J.R.R. Tolkien and my poor old dog-eared version of The Hobbit has seen better days. There are just so many authors that I love.

Melanie Graham June 17, 2011 at 4:39 pm

I have retweeted and I have signed up for your newsletter and I have become a follower of your blog. 🙂

Amy June 17, 2011 at 7:20 pm

I love my books, the ones that are getting the more reading at the moment are the Sookie Stackhouse series. I got quite into the Merry Gently series last year too.

I am ashamed to say I love chick lit too. It is so easy to read which means I can have my head in a book and play with the kids at the same time if I really really needed too 😛

melanie w June 19, 2011 at 12:21 pm

I love everything by Richard Laymon but by far my most read and tattered book BFG , Roald Dahl was a genius.

melanie w June 19, 2011 at 12:26 pm

Signed up for the newsletter 🙂

Ash mack June 19, 2011 at 4:28 pm

I’m an avid reader but the books I always come back to are Stephen Kings. I love him.

Tracy Boulter June 19, 2011 at 7:40 pm

following RSS

Tracy Boulter June 19, 2011 at 7:42 pm

Love my novels but my favourite book of all times is The Power of Positive Thinking, with a message as powerful today as when it was written so long agon.

Tracy Boulter June 19, 2011 at 7:43 pm

Subscribed to your email

Karen Turner June 19, 2011 at 10:34 pm

following RSS

Karen Turner June 19, 2011 at 10:34 pm

tweeted about this comp

Karen Turner June 19, 2011 at 10:36 pm

Signed up to newsletter

Karen Turner June 19, 2011 at 10:38 pm

I love “My Sister’s Keeper” or anything by Jodi Picoult.

Vija Leitis June 23, 2011 at 1:44 pm

I loved The Caine Mutiny. It was also a film starring Humphrey Bogart. An insightful movie into human traits.

Why Sleep June 26, 2011 at 1:51 pm

These look interesting, i might have a look at them.

Amanda Elizabeth from Amanda's Mummy Jeans June 27, 2011 at 12:52 pm

My Favourite book is 1984 by George Orwell. I’m a teacher and I borrowed it from a school library in 2001 and I made so many notes in it and read it so many times I was too ashamed to give it back!

I have read it too many times and now it’s almost unrecognisable.

If I have a son I want to call him Winston 😀

I’m following via RSS feline1981@ hotmail (dot) com

Thanks- love books

Amanda from Amanda’s Mummy Jeans

Nicole Hastings June 28, 2011 at 1:20 pm

Anything by Jeffery Deaver, I love a good crime novel.

Michelle H June 28, 2011 at 6:05 pm

The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Or more particularly, the first 4. Those were the best, the later ones aren’t as loved.

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