The Post of Awesome + Giveaway: Carrier of the Mark / Lola and the Boy Next Door!

Step 1: Get some of this

The last 24 hours have been filled with several moments of sheer awesome. Since these moments are to do with my book blog, I could not resist sitting down to share them with all of you. :) So sit back, sip some cocoa (It's cold outside) and join me for a moment in the sun.

Awesome Thing #1: Win A Copy of Glow

I don't know how this book managed to slip my attention, but when I found out about it a couple of weeks ago, I began to be very excited. I have watched and enjoyed a lot of sci-fi on TV. But my experience with science fiction as a written genre as opposed to via a television has mostly been limited to a course that I took at Trent. Truthfully, it really wasn't my cup of tea.

But Glow sounds more like my kind of book and less like something that would be assigned by an English professor. Plus, now that Jay has looked the book up he is excited for it as well.

What we didn't know was that it released this week. Along with a ton of other books that have my attention this month.

Well, I still might end up needing to buy Glow. But there is also a chance I could win it. How? I want to draw your attention to a totally awesome giveaway going on over at The Non Reluctant Reader. Three copies of Glow are up for grabs from now until the 22nd of September. If you want to have a chance at winning one of them, you should check out the giveaway post here.

<3 --- <3 --- <3

Awesome Thing #2: I'm Reading Graffiti Moon

Last night I got an e-mail that made me feel like this:

That's because the lovely people at Random House Children's Books are letting me read this:

First, I'd like to thank Jenna from Fans of Fiction for suggesting that if I wanted to read Graffiti Moon, that I should request it from Net Galley. I still have such a long way to go as a book blogger: I didn't even know a site like Net Galley existed.

I'm sure I have mentioned how anxious I am to read this a few times now. Ever since I heard about it over on Absolute Write it's been sitting on my wishlist over on Amazon and Chapters. So, how's it going?

So far I am roughly 45 pages into Graffiti Moon.

What do I think at this point? (Please realize I am not done this book yet!):

"So far... So fabulous."

I am very glad that I am reading this. I can't believe I would have been waiting until February 14th of 2012 otherwise.

<3 --- <3 --- <3

Awesome Thing #3: I've Gained Over 50 Followers! 

Okay, this is actually a bit late. As of this posting I have 60 followers. :D Do you realize what that means? It means that part of the awesome of this post is you, sitting there on the other side of the computer right here, right now. Without people to share thoughts, ideas and opinions with all of this posting I do would not be worth it. Thanks so much for visiting my blog, whether you are a reader, someone who comments, a follower or a lurker who takes part in my weekly polls. It means a lot.

<3 --- <3 --- <3

So Now It's Time To Give Something Awesome Back...

There are these two books coming out in October that I'm really excited about. They both look like they should be great reads and totally amazing in their own way. Heck, they're even releasing the same day...

Maybe you've heard of them?

Carrier of the Mark
by Leigh Fallon

Summary: (from GoodReads)

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

AND

Lola And The Boy Next Door

by Stephanie Perkins

Summary: (from GoodReads)

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

<3 --- <3 --- <3

Have I Got Your Attention? Awesome.

Here's what's happening: someone is going to win their choice of either Carrier of the Mark or Lola and the Boy Next Door. Pretty cool, huh? 

But wait! There's more...

If I reach 100 followers, I will draw a second winner and give away another book. Each winner will receive their choice of Carrier of the Mark or Lola and the Boy Next Door.

Here's How To Enter:

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is be a follower and leave a comment with your e-mail. If you are an OLD follower (You were following I Write, I Read, I Review before I posted this topic.) you will receive two entries when you enter since I'm having this giveaway to celebrate how far my blog has come.

Want More Entries? Here's How To Get Them:

Share The Love:

Remember that Glow contest at the top of the page? Well, click that link, copy it and tweet about the giveaway for another entry in my giveaway. (+1)

You might have noticed that awesome Zompacolypse button I'm sporting right now. Click it and tweet about Zompacolypse for another entry. (+1) Or go the distance and pop the Zompacolypse badge on your own blog for (+2) entries. 

Easy Entries:

+1 If you follow my twitter or are already a follower.

+1 If you friend me on GoodReads

+1 If you like I Write, I Read, I Review on Facebook

+1 Tell everyone which book you'd like to win! (And make sure to come back next week to vote in my second Book Wars event, which will be featuring these books!)

+1 If you tweet about my giveaway.

A Little Elbow Grease:

+ 3 If you add my button to your blog

+2 If you recommend a book that I should review

A Tremendous Help:

+5 If you blog about my giveaway on your own blog.

So...

If you add it all up, that means that new members can earn a grand total of 20 entries and old members can earn a grand total of 21 entries.

Please make certain that you include all appropriate links so that I can see what you have done. If you need to post more then once (for instance, if you end up writing about my giveaway) that is alright, but please let me know it is a second post so that I can avoid confusion.

This giveaway is available to residents of Canada and the US only. My sincerest apologies to international readers, but the shipping charges can get very costly.

Entry for this giveaway will end at 12:00 p.m. EST on Monday, October 3rd 2011. Winners for this giveaway will be drawn on Monday, October 3rd at approximately 6:00 p.m. EST 2011.

Good luck and have fun!