Coming this fall...

In case you were wondering why I have been such a blog-slacker lately...

We can't wait!

What was your favorite children's book??

I need to make sure my future minion has all of the best reads.

World Book Night 2013!

What is World Book Night?
"World Book Night U.S. is a celebration of books and reading held on April 23, when 25,000 passionate volunteers across America give a total of half a million books within their communities to those who don’t regularly read. In 2012, World Book Night was celebrated in the U.S., the UK, Ireland, and Germany and saw over 80,000 people gift more than 2.5 million books." (Source)

I am a Book Giver! I was chosen again this year to be a Book Giver and I can't wait to start handing out books to reluctant/new readers!  I live right by a college campus and in a big city, so I am sure it won't be an issue to find new readers out and about today.  However, I am only one person and can only go so far. BUT with this blog I can reach a national audience so I have decided to give away two copies of my World Book Night book right here!  I was lucky enough to be chosen to hand out copies of John Grisham's Playing for Pizza!

A small stack of my books ready to find new homes!

Playing for Pizza by John Grisham
 "Rick Dockery was the third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In the AFC Championship game against Denver, to the surprise and dismay of virtually everyone, Rick actually got into the game. With a 17-point lead and just minutes to go, Rick provided what was arguably the worst single performance in the history of the NFL. Overnight, he became a national laughingstock and, of course, was immediately cut by the Browns and shunned by all other teams.

But all Rick knows is football, and he insists that his agent, Arnie, find a team that needs him. Against enormous odds Arnie finally locates just such a team and informs Rick that, miraculously, he can in fact now be a starting quarterback. Great, says Rick—for which team?

The mighty Panthers of Parma, Italy.

Yes, Italians do play American football, to one degree or another, and the Parma Panthers desperately want a former NFL player—any former NFL player—at their helm. So Rick reluctantly agrees to play for the Panthers—at least until a better offer comes along—and heads off to Italy. He knows nothing about Parma—not even where it is—has never been to Europe, and doesn’t speak or understand a word of Italian.

To say that Italy—the land of opera, fine wines, extremely small cars, romance, and Football Americano— holds a few surprises for Rick Dockery would be something of an understatement."

My thoughts:  I read Playing for Pizza by John Grisham a LONG time ago - way before I started my book blogging, so I don't have a full review of it posted on my site.  However, it is a great novel.  A little different from John Grisham's norm Playing for Pizza is a contemporary fiction about a not-so-great football player that ends up in Italy playing football for "pizza" and learning what is really important in life.  The novel is heartwarming and very well written. I highly recommend it! It is a great book to start reading if you aren't a big reader.  Not too heavy or challenging, with an interesting plot and likeable characters. 

Giveaway
Are you a reluctant reader or have a reluctant reader in your home that needs a little motivation?  Or do you not have easy access to books?  Then be sure to enter the rafflectoper below for a chance to have one of my copies of Playing for Pizza by John Grisham. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
-Must be over 13 yrs old to enter
-Must have valid US mailing address.

Divergent Book #3: Title Reveal and Countdown!

It's time to start counting down.

Divergent Book #3...

ALLEGIANT

comes out this fall!

See the title reveal video here!

Allegiant is definitely on my pre-order list. I can't wait! I know October seems far away, but it will be here before we know it.

In My Mailbox (31)

"In My Mailbox" is a weekly Meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Yay for new reads! 

I got some great new reads in the last week or two so I am really excited to share them with you. 
Check them out below (not all are pictured)...

For Review

Icons by Margaret Stohl
Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan
Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger
Loki's Wolves by K.L. Armstrong & M.A. Marr

Prizes 

Angelopolis by Danielle Trussoni 

Purchased 
Foretold by Jana Oliver
Soul Thief by Jana Oliver
Infamous by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Gifts
The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde 
The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Steel by Carrie Vaughn
The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern 
Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Waiting on Wednesday (65): Inferno & Magic Rises

Time for "Waiting On Wednesday" weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine! Waiting on Wednesday spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating! 

 

  Coming Soon...

 

Inferno by Sherrilyn Kenyon

To Be Published: April 9th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin

 

"The heat is on, and a new threat to humanity has risen…

Nick has his driver’s license and he’s not afraid to use it. But turning sixteen isn’t what he thought it would be. While other boys his age are worried about prom dates and applying for college, Nick is neck deep in enemies out to stop him from living another day. No longer sure if he can trust anyone, his only ally seems to be the one person he’s been told will ultimately kill him.

But life spent serving the undead is anything except ordinary. And those out to get him have summoned an ancient force so powerful even the gods fear it. As Nick learns to command and control the elements, the one he must master in order to combat his latest foe is the one most likely to destroy him. As the old proverb goes, fire knows nothing of mercy, and if Nick is to survive this latest round, he will have to sacrifice a part of himself. However, the best sacrifice is seldom the sanest move. Sometimes it’s the one that leaves your enemies confused, and you even more so.

And sometimes, you have to trust your enemy to save your friends. But what do you do when that enemy is you?"

 

My Ramblings on Inferno: I have really enjoyed the other three novels in the Chronicles of Nick series, so I will probably enjoy this one as well! Just another week and I can add this one to my collection.  This series, while not a deep read, is an enjoyable one.  I like the crazy plots and all of the characters.  I am looking forward to reading more about Nick! However, this is probably the cover I like the least so far of the series.  Nick's position just looks kind of awkward... Is he running? Is he dancing ballet? Not sure. haha..

 

 

 Waiting for the long haul...

Magic Rises (Kate Daniels 6) by Ilona Andrews

 

To Be Published: July 30th 2013 by Ace

 

"Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…"

 

My Ramblings on Magic Rises: YES PLEASE. I love this series and can't wait to get more of Kate and Curran! We have had an extra long wait for this one, so I am really looking forward to it.  Oh, and have you read the synopsis yet? Looks like the little kiddos will be getting the short end of the stick in this novel = instant tear-jerker.  I am also hoping that Ilona Andrews will continue to write spin-off series for her other characters *cough*Derek*cough* ;). Oh and as for the cover - I love it. Probably my favorite of the entire series.