Introducing: Sweet Summertime Reads + GIVEAWAY!

I love to read all year round, but there's something special about the summertime, and the books that go along with it, that entice my want to read even more.  I have teamed up with Tara from Ficition Folio, as well as the lovely ladies Estelle & Magan from Rather Be Reading to give you: SWEET SUMMERTIME READS! 

For the next few weeks each of us will be featuring different summertime reading related posts on our blogs.  We're hoping to recommend some new books for you to check out this summer, highlight a few of our favorite authors, incorporate fun summer-themed bookish posts, and even offer giveaways to stock up on your summer reading piles!  I hope you're all excited, because the four of us are SUPER pumped to bring you all this summer goodness and then some.

Sweet Summertime Reads officially kicks off on Saturday, May 26th - so be sure to visit Fiction Folio, Rather Be Reading, and right here at GReads for your official guide to summertime reading :)

To get things started, enter my GIVEAWAY for one of my most favorite authors: Jennifer Echols!  Her books are the perfect summertime reading material, no matter if you're poolside or in route to a vacation getaway!  I adore her stories and I want to share them with you all, as well.  Be on the look out in the coming weeks for my special post dedicated to this fabulous author.

Jennifer Echols Giveaway: ENDLESS SUMMER + SUCH A RUSH pre-order

(this giveaway is open INTERNATIONAL - where ever book depository ships)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Until I Die by Amy Plum + Giveaway

Until I Die (Revenants, #2) by Amy Plum
To be published: May 8, 2012 by HarperCollins

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

I'm excited to be hosting a spot on the UNTIL I DIE blog tour hosted by the fabulous Mundie Moms.  Several blogs will be taking part in this tour with reviews, interviews, & guest posts.  Be sure to click HERE to see the full line-up.  Each stop on the tour is part of the UNTIL I DIE scavenger hunt.  Find the word (or phrase) and keep track as the tour continues.  At the end, author Amy Plum will post the riddle on her site & you have an opportunity to decode the puzzle! Check out more details + all the fabulous prizes you could win HERE.

My secret word: end.

I'm also excited to be presenting to you the playlist for UNTIL I DIE.  Fans of author Amy Plum nominated a bunch of songs on her facebook page, and then they all voted on them!  8 songs were chosen by reader fans, 3 songs were chosen by Amy Plum, and 1 song was chosen by her assistant Kayla.  Check out the songs which made the official playlist: (click the song title to listen)

Brand New Life - by Young Marble Giants *chosen by Amy Plum
Rolling in the Deep - by Adele *chosen by Amy Plum
And the Boys - by Angus & Julia Stone *chosen by Amy Plum
This is Twice Now - by Lydia *chosen by assistant Kayla
My Immortal - by Evanescence *chosen by readers
The Only Exception - by Paramore *chosen by readers
Enchanted - by Taylor Swift *chosen by readers
Your Guardian Angel - by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus *chosen by readers
All I Need - by Within Temptation *chosen by readers
Born to Die - by Lana Del Ray *chosen by readers
I Will Follow You into the Dark - by Death Cab for Cutie *chosen by readers
A Thousand Years - by Christina Perri *chosen by readers

You know what else is cool? I'm giving away a SIGNED paperback of Die For Me by Amy Plum.  So if you have not started this series, now's your chance to read the first book.. just in time for the second, Until I Die's release!  Enter below:

Something Like Normal: Interview + GIVEAWAY!

Trish Doller, author of the upcoming YA contemporary Something Like Normal, has dropped by the blog today to share with us her inspirational photos for writing this incredible story.  I started following Trish's tumblr a few months back and fell in love with these images even before I read the book.  I'm a visual person to begin with, so naturally they grabbed my attention.  From what little I did know about her story at the time, these photos set me over the edge and I was dying to know the rest.  This emotional, yet unforgettable story about the beautifully broken Travis captured my heart.  Now let her photo inspirations capture yours.

Be sure to fill out the GIVEAWAY form at the bottom of this post for a chance to win a pre-order of Something Like Normal (to be published June 19, 2012) as well as a copy of Trish's playlist for the book!

Inspiration No. 01

I was browsing military pictures on flickr one day when I came across a series that a photographer had done of what I think was a whole company of Marines. They were all posed like this, looking so serious and tough, and it reminded me of those old daguerreotypes of Wild West outlaws or Civil War soldiers and I just loved it. This guy in particular reminded me of Travis, even though he doesn't really look like the guy in my head.

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Inspiration No. 02

Throughout the book, Travis shares memories of his experiences in Afghanistan. When he goes to a party, one of his stoner friends from high school asks him about the poppies--from which heroin is made--and he jokes away the memory of taking fire from the Taliban in a poppy field. I didn't make that up. I pored over hundreds of photos of real Marines--many of which were taken by Marines in Afghanistan--including this one.

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Inspiration No. 03

Field crosses are often set up in-country as memorials to fallen Marines or soldiers. Since their bodies are sent home, the Marines left behind usually do something to remember them. They'll erect a field cross, have a service, and sometimes they'll name a forward operating base or outpost for one of their fallen. This is what they would have done for Travis' best friend Charlie in Afghanistan before the book even began.

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Inspiration No. 04

There's a beach just south of Fort Myers where sea turtles nest each year and volunteers actually monitor the hatching to help the turtles have a fighting chance at getting into the Gulf of Mexico. This photo is specific to a scene that involves lots of baby turtles. While it's a cute scene, it's really more about two people taking a big step forward in trusting each other.

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Inspiration No. 05

Travis meets Charlie's mother while he's home on leave. I don't want to give away too many of the details on that, but I will say she's a colorful character who owns a tattoo parlor and takes a salad bar view of spirituality, picking and choosing the part she likes best. I envision her as a tattooed lady with a huge capacity for love.

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Inspiration No. 06

This is another scene that would be spoiled by too much information, but I see Travis and Harper in this one--and the girl's posture says it all, really.

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Inspiration No. 07

I'm not sure this one needs any explanation. It's absolutely perfect.

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Thank you so much Trish for sharing your inspirational photos with us!  I adore this story, SO MUCH.  You can read more about my adoration for it here.  Having read this book, I can totally see all of these photos fitting exactly in to the story.  My favorite has to be the last one though.  This scene in particular was very emotional to read.  By this point in the book, I felt so invested in Travis' character... and well, I won't say more to give anything away, but it's SO GOOD.  If you'd like to experience this scene yourself, then enter my giveaway for a pre-order of Trish's book!  Also, be sure to check out Trish's playlist which contributed to her inspiration for the story as well. Below you can sample each song. I am happy to say that I contributed one song to this playlist. You may see a familiar band on there ;)

Something Like Normal Official Playlist

1. "Bad Company" - Five Finger Death Punch

2. "Brothers" - Jimmy Stare

3. "Final Transmission" - Street Dogs

4. "Life in the Pain" - SafetySuit

5. "Santa Monica" - Jimmy Malinowski

6. "4th of July" - Chris Murray

7. "Lay Me Down" - Dirty Heads

8. "Savior" - Rise Against

9. "Bullet" - Mat Kearney

10. "Like a Soldier" - Johnny Cash

11. "This is Letting Go" - Rise Against

12."If I Ever Leave This World Alive" - Flogging Molly

Bonus track: "Smile" - Uncle Kracker

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THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Thanks to everyone who entered.

Kiss Me I'm Irish (not really) Giveaway Hop!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!  Today I am participating in Team Kilt's Giveaway Hop!  This day is kind of special for all the Shade series fans out there because it just so happens to be Logan's favorite holiday, too.  In honor of him (one of my FAVORITE book characters) I thought I'd give away a copy of Shade to one *lucky* winner -- along with a SIGNED bookplate from Jeri Smith-Ready!

This giveaway is open international (as long as Book Depository ships to you) and will run until Wednesday, March 21st.  To make things even more Irish, I want you to tell me your FAVORITE kissing scene from any book :)

Not only are you entering to win a copy of Shade from me, but if you win this giveaway your name will also be put in to a grand prize drawing for the very last ARC of Shine!!!!  The author of this series, Jeri Smith-Ready has saved her last ARC to give away for this very special occasion.  So make sure you enter my giveaway & every one else who is participating in this giveaway hop!  You can find all the participating blogs linked up at Kilt and Keeley.  Good Luck!!!

Here are a few YA books that had some steamy kissing scenes, which literally left me breathless:

So tell me, what are some of YOUR favorite kissing scenes from a book???

GIVEAWAY CLOSED! Winner will be announced soon! Thanks for entering!!

25 Days of Jubilation + GIVEAWAY!

Three of my favorite bloggers have come together this Holiday season to host the 25 Days of Jubilation. I am excited to be among the slew of bloggers participating through out this celebration!  For 25 days a different blogger will be hosting a giveaway for their followers.  To see the complete list and to make sure you've entered each of these fabulous giveaways, be sure to check out Dog-Eared & Bookmarked. 

When I think of the Holiday season three things come to mind: a festive book, a toasty cup of hot chocolate, and cozy slipper/socks.  So that is exactly what I am giving away for all my followers here! 

Please fill out the form below to win:

• Dash & Lily's Book of Dares 
by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

• $5 Starbucks Gift Card

• A Pair of Cozy Slipper/Socks

*Please see GReads Policies for further giveaway rules.

And the Winners are...

photo by kyokosphotos

I recently had two HUGE giveaways on my blog, both within the same week.  Thank you to every one who stopped by and entered them.  The turn out was fantastic!

Now you're probably wondering... who are the winners?  Well I've chosen them with the aid of random.org and am happy to announce who has won...

Banned Books Week Hop WINNER:

Angela Druran
Mary Ward
(due to the previous winner not contacting me within 48 hrs, a new one has been chosen)

GReads Blogoversary WINNER(S):

Valerie Fink (Lola & the Boy Next Door)

Amy @ Amy's Book Den (Divergent)

Congrats to the winners & I hope you enjoy your books!

The winners have been contacted by email & have 48 hrs to respond or a new winner will be selected.

Banned Books Week HOP + GIVEAWAY

Did you know there are people out there who actually want to BAN books from young readers?? I know, crazy right?!  I am shocked & appalled by this fact - so that is why I am a HUGE supporter of celebrating the freedom to read during BANNED BOOKS WEEK.

We, as Americans, have the right to read what we choose to.  No one should take that privilege away from us.  As a soon-to-be-teacher I can not express enough the awareness of how important it is to educate the mind in all works of literature.  Books are an eye-opening experience that no child should be turned away from.

I decided to pick a few of my favorite books that have been heavily censored in years past to be given away to one lucky winner!  Please get involved by spreading the word about BANNED BOOKS WEEK!

Speak by Laurie Halse-Anderson: Since the beginning of the school year, high school freshman Melinda has found that it's been getting harder and harder for her to speak out loud: "My throat is always sore, my lips raw.... Every time I try to talk to my parents or a teacher, I sputter or freeze.... It's like I have some kind of spastic laryngitis." What could have caused Melinda to suddenly fall mute? Could it be due to the fact that no one at school is speaking to her because she called the cops and got everyone busted at the seniors' big end-of-summer party? Or maybe it's because her parents' only form of communication is Post-It notes written on their way out the door to their nine-to-whenever jobs. 

While Melinda is bothered by these things, deep down she knows the real reason why she's been struck mute: Andy Evans. He's a senior at Melinda's high school, and Melinda hasn't been able to speak clearly since the Incident with him at the senior party last August. {taken from goodreads.com}

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up. {taken from goodreads.com}

*** THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO ENTERED. ***

Banned Books Week HOP is hosted by I Read Banned Books & I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.

Hop on over to the following blogs for more GIVEAWAYS.

I receive a small commission from books purchased through the Amazon links provided.

Winner: Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

Thank you SO much to every one who entered this giveaway & shared their favorite high school memories.  I am pleased to announce the winner of Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty is...

 Kathy @ Read This Instead

Congrats, girl! And I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.  It is definitely in my top reads of all time.  Be prepared to lose yourself in the geniusness of Jessica Darling (and the epicness of Marcus Flutie).

The winner has been contacted by email & has 48 hrs to respond or a new winner will be selected.

Sloppy Firsts 10 Years + GIVEAWAY!

You. Yes, You.

10 years ago today a book about a girl, trying to find her way through the epic-less monstrosity of high school, was published.  Her name: Jessica Darling.  She gave us the insights of what really went down in suburban American for the teenage girl today.  We laughed (a lot) and we cried (also a lot) right along side her.  Her journey through some of the toughest times of adolescence is what made this story so amazing.  It was REAL.  Any young girl could pick up this book and relate to something, anything, among these pages.

There are no wizards, vampires, princesses, or unicorns.  It's just a story, about a girl, her family, her friends, her peers, her crush, her hometown life, her high school, and everything else in between.  It's a story that I felt connected to, even at 30 years old.  Jessica Darling brought me back to what life is like as a teenage girl.  Oh the drama and insane popularity contests that went along with high school!  But it also reminded me how important these years are. 

I am celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty on my blog today!  I love this series so so much and want to spread that love to all of my followers.  In regards to this fantastic celebration, I will be giving away a copy of Sloppy Firsts to one lucky winner!  All you have to do is fill out this form RIGHT HERE and leave me a comment about your high school experience.  Was it memorable? If you could go back & change something, what might you do differently?  Any and all stories are welcome!  If you've read Sloppy Firsts, please share some of YOUR favorite moments from the book as well.

Jessica: You once called me sloppy firsts.
Marcus: What?!
Jessica: You did.
Marcus: That's offensive. And it doesn't even make sense. I mean, I've heard of sloppy seconds, but sloppy firsts? I guess I didn't know what to say to you, so I just said something stupid to fill the void. Something like Blame Byron! ... Sloppy firsts. What does that even mean?
Jessica: I don't know, either, and I've been spending the last ten years trying to figure it out.

My love for Jessica Darling goes beyond Sloppy Firsts. See my reviews here:
+ Sloppy Firsts
+ Second Helpings
+ Charmed Thirds
+ Fourth Comings
+ Perfect Fifths

Thank you Megan McCafferty for giving us a story that is REAL. Happy 10 years!!