WAY late again this year! 'Tis the season! I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. Looking ahead to the new year, let's start things off with some relaxing winter reading.
We start at 12:00 am on January 1 and end at 11:59 pm on January 31. Times are set for the central time zone so adjust your times accordingly (you can use the link to the time zone converter in the sidebar menu). Of course, like most readathons, the books read must be novels or novellas, adult or young adult are fine, and you can read children's books (as long as you do read some novels too). Note: Non-Fiction is also okay! You DO NOT have to participate the entire month. Join in when you can, start in the middle, end early...whatever works best for your schedule. As with all of my readathons, it will be an event of relaxed reading during which we can personally challenge ourselves and whittle away those ever looming TBR piles/shelves/libraries.
Guidelines for the readathon can be found HERE or you can access in the sidebar menu. Any information you need about the readathon can be found there. Please do be sure to check the guidelines to make sure you're following along correctly. There are specific rules regarding signing up and wrapping up, especially in regards to the giveaway. We no longer use a wrap-up linky and we are now just using the Google form for wrap-ups (since I require your wrap-up link there anyway). That way you don't have to do two steps at the end of the readathon. The wrap-up Google form will be on the wrap-up post instead of the prize page. I will have a yes/no so you can let me know if you're opting out of winning a prize. (If you want to visit people who participated, you can do so via the sign-up/starting line linky. I will have a link to it on the wrap-up post).
As is typical, I will not be hosting any mini-challenges. However, if anyone else would like to host a mini-challenge or giveaway, you are more than welcome. I am also looking for prize donations so if anyone would like to contribute, let me know. Authors, this is a great way to promote your book! (Contact me using the contact form link in the sidebar menu).
Our hashtag is #WintersRespite Also, don't forget about our Facebook group, Goodreads group and check out our Instagram. You can access via the link in the sidebar menu.
Sign up in the linky below. You do not have to do a post now, unless you want to help spread the word (much appreciated). If you don't have a blog, use Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, YouTube...or any social media. Having a blog is not required. Be sure to grab the button at the top of this post (there's also a grab code below the button in the sidebar).
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Two weeks already in the books! I don't know about you (U.S. readers), but Thanksgiving coming so late this year has really thrown off my holiday season. Squeezing reading in has been a creative endeavor, to say the least.
Remember, our process has changed for wrap-ups. No more linky for wrap-up posts. Fill out the form below and indicate if you want a chance at a prize by selecting yes or no. Also, double check that your name is listed in the sign up/starting line linky at this post so you will be eligible for the giveaway. You have until Friday, December 13th at 11:59 pm CST to fill out the form. I will email the winners within a few days (please bear with me if I'm late!) following the deadline so keep a look out in your email inbox (or spam folder, just in case) for an email from my truebookaddict gmail account. (Prize page is here)
Once again, thank you for joining me! Save the date for Winter's Respite in January. Sign up coming very soon!
(If you would like others to visit your wrap-up post, please leave a comment below with the link to your wrap-up, or you can visit participants via the starting line post linky here.)
This is the giveaway/prize promotion page for all the prizes being given away for readathon participants. At the end of this post, you will find details regarding how the prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the readathon. Note: The authors of the books donated would greatly appreciate a review, if you win, on your blog and/or social media and/or on Goodreads, Amazon. Thank you! (This is not required to win.)
Winner - Sharon The Tin Cookie Cutter by Barbara Briggs Ward One (1) print copy (U.S. only)
Barbara Briggs Ward is a writer living in Ogdensburg, New York. She is the author of a Christmas trilogy for adults featuring The Reindeer Keeper, released in 2010 and selected by both Yahoo’s Christmas Book Club and the Riverfront Library Book Club in Yonkers as their December, 2012 featured Book of the Month. Barbara completed the trilogy with the release of The Snowman Maker in 2013 and The Candle Giver in 2015. In 2017, her first work of Amish fiction, A Robin’s Snow, was released.
Her articles and short stories have appeared in the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, Christmas Magic and Family Caregivers, plus Ladies’ Home Journal, Highlights for Children and The Saturday Evening Post online.
In 2018, Barbara’s work of fiction, a short story titled, “Sleigh Bells Ring Again,” earned first place in Watertown, New York’s Jefferson Community College Writing Center’s annual Writing Festival. She has been a featured writer on Mountain Lake PBS in Plattsburgh, New York and at Target Book Festivals in Boston and New York.
Barbara invites you to visit her website at www.barbarabriggsward.com. She is on Facebook under The Reindeer Keeper.
WINNER - MICHELLE H (Naila Moon) Five Christmas Plays (With Joy Inside) by David L. Winters One (1) print copy (U.S. only)
Five Christmas Plays is a perfect holiday read. Each play includes timeless themes such as forgiveness, contentment and trusting God for the future. These plays work great for youth or adults and will add plenty of laughter and joy to your church, family or friends gathering.
About the author
David L. Winters writes suspense to take you higher. He lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. with a small bird who manages his career. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from The Ohio State University and an M.B.A. from Regent University. He has won several awards. His previous fiction work: Driver Confessional included an Uber driver chased by the Russian mob.
Toto's Tale (Book One, The Wizard Was Odd Trilogy) by Peeky Five (5) eBook copies (International)
The story begins shortly after Dorothy awakens (MGM - 1939 - The Wizard of Oz).
A commemorative series from a unique perspective, Toto's! A multidimensional plot-twister with updated cast of wondrous, quirky misfits. A "Wizard of Oz" Epic Adventure for the 21st Century Reader.
A couple of days in Oz equals a year in Kansas where Uncle Henry is dying; If the Wizard will provide the cure, Will Dorothy find her way home…and in time, to make a difference?
Detailed Synopsis
Alongside Toto, you will ride in the front seat of a thrilling and emotional roller coaster throughout the magical Land of Oz…and beyond. This Wizard of Oz takeoff is a multidimensional plot-twister as told from Toto’s perspective that includes an updated original cast and a host of other wondrous quirky social misfits. With many surprises along the way, this complex and intriguing parody has as much tongue-in-cheek humor as it does original content, adventure, mystery, fantasy, and romance.
Bob Moyer (pseudonym - Peeky) has been writing fiction for children, young adults, and adults young at heart for nearly ten years. The following stories will be posted to his website,Oziian.com or WizardWasOdd.com in the near future. "The Calamitous Attitude of Kat Katitude" is about teenage and young adult cats living together as roommates. Another is a bedtime ditty - "No Such Thing", "Fast Food" is a picture book without words about a slow spider trying to catch fast insects, and the list goes on.
Professionally, Bob Moyer has been a trainer, a guest speaker, and featured writer for over thirty years in the community association industry. In addition to having a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in Accounting, he has been a Florida Real Estate Broker, a Licensed Community Association Manager (LCAM), the President of, and one of the principals in The Vanguard Management Group, Inc.
Bob is also a past President of CEOMC, an organization comprised of Chief Executive Officers of Management Companies. Its members are committed to promoting and protecting homeowner associations throughout Florida, engaging in advocacy and setting the standard for community management.
Bob began writing for children in 2010 and belonged to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for many years. In 2012, he and his wife Janet concluded a busy week with a night on the town. His opening question to her was, "So Dorothy, how is Toto?"
From that nugget, he created a version of the Wizard of Oz featuring Toto as the main character. With the input of the readers first two books, he intends to create the third book of the trilogy by 2020. This series will be a celebration of the 120th year of the first printing in 1900 of the original "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum.
Singing Out Loud by Marilee Eaves One (1) galley copy (U.S. Only)
Born during World War II, Marilee Eaves long struggled to fit into the New Orleans’ elite she was born to—secret Mardi Gras societies that ruled the city. While Marilee is a student at Wellesley, she’s hospitalized at McLean psychiatric hospital, where she begins to realize how much of herself she’s sacrificed to be fully accepted by the exclusive and exclusionary white Uptown New Orleans culture.
In Singing Out Loud, Eaves shares her journey to stand on her own two feet―to find a way to be grounded and evolve in the midst of NOLA culture. Along the way, she wrestles with bipolar disorder, alcoholism, and the effects of her poor, heartbreaking, and sometimes hilarious choices.
Raw and funny, this book offers hope and encouragement for those willing to be vulnerable, address their issues, and laugh at themselves in order to embrace who they truly are.
About the author
Marilee Eaves spent nearly five decades of her life struggling to break free of the Uptown New Orleans world she’d been born into—a long line of royalty, kings and queens of the secret elitist Mardi Gras societies that ruled the city.
She moved to Seattle three months before Katrina hit in 2005, and then returned to NOLA in 2018, where she writes looking out on the St. Charles streetcars and seasonal parades. Today Marilee spends time with daughters, grandchildren, and old friends, delighting in the shifts she observes in the city.
Eaves has published articles in New Orleans Museum of Art’s Arts Quarterly, Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana’s Churchwork, Madrona News, Touch Magazine and The Awakenings Review. Singing Out Loud is her first book.
Occupied by Kurt Blorstad One (1) galley copy (U.S. only)
A world at war, a family kept apart and a young boy in the midst of it all. Will they all survive? As WW II breaks out, a father finds himself in the U.S. while his wife and sons are home in occupied Norway. Based on the son’s true-life journals from 1935-1945, this is the story of a family separated by war and uncertainty.
About the author
Kurt Blorstad spends most of his time on airplanes for business travel, where he finds the tight environment conducive to writing. His first book, Plane Excitement, was born and raised on many of his early flights.
When his first grandchild was born with hemophilia, Kurt was inspired to use his writing to generate support and increase awareness of the condition. A portion of the proceeds from Occupied go directly to the National Hemophilia Foundation.
When he is not writing, Kurt enjoys relaxing on the beach, playing tennis and working in his garden. These are also his wife’s favorite things to do, and the two of them plan to collaborate on a murder mystery series in the future.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Victim’s Guide to Understanding, Treating, & Coping with this Debilitating Illness
by Gregg Fisher, Stephen Straus, MD, Paul Cheney, MD & James Oleske, MD
One (1) print copy (U.S. only)
Exhaustion, headaches, inability to concentrate. Depression, nagging joint pain, weight loss, low grade fever. General malaise. For those who are healthy, these common symptoms hardly sound serious. Yet, for the many sufferers burdened with the pain and debilitation of chronic fatigue syndrome, these devastating effects can seem interminable, lasting for months or even years. In this intimate and enlightening guide, Gregg Charles Fisher-himself a daily survivor of CFS-reaches through the shadow of this mysterious and misunderstood disease to reveal how life is lived on the frontlines of the battle against this disease and how it can be made more liveable for CFS victims everywhere. Drawn from the challenges and triumphs posed by Gregg Fisher's own 7 year struggle with CFS, and culled from findings of the most respected medical authorities in the field, this timely and compassionate guide empowers CFS sufferers and those who love them.
PRIZE FROM YOUR HOST ONE WINNER I will make a $15 donation to the winner's choice of a human rights organization, such as the ACLU, Boys and Girls Club, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, Amnesty International, It Gets Better, Planned Parenthood, or another human rights organization of your choice (food banks, homeless shelters would also apply), perhaps your local chapter or a local organization. This giveaway is open internationally. Note: I will not donate to any organization that does not believe that all are equal, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation. Giveaway Details
This is a readathon participant only giveaway. To be eligible, you must have signed up, participated and added a link to the official readathon wrap-up post (I will give everyone until Friday, December 13th at 11:59 pm CST to complete their wrap-ups). We no longer use a linky for wrap-ups. There will be a Google form on the readathon wrap-up post where you will enter your info, your wrap-up link, and answer yes/no on whether you want to win a prize or not. We have a total of 11 prizes. This means there will be 11 winners. I will award prizes on a first come, first served basis. I will draw the 11 winners with random.org and email all 11 at the same time. The first person who emails me back with their choice gets that prize. I will mark off the prizes as they are taken. Winners will be chosen after the wrap-up post deadline (see above).
Try to read at least one Christmas book...it is a Christmas readathon, after all. But I'm not a huge stickler for rules so if you absolutely despise Christmas books, read other books.
You do not have to have a blog. Join us from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Goodreads, etc.You can also interact with us in our Facebook group, Goodreads group and check out our Instagram.
The linky below is the same as the sign-up linky so if you've already signed up and now want to link up your reading plans, just add your link and put reading plans in parentheses (ex. Michelle (reading plans).
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via the contact form, or visit the readathon guidelines page for answers, both in the sidebar menu.
If you're checking in on social media (Twitter, Instagram, etc.) our hashtag is #CSreadathon
Just a reminder, I have eliminated the wrap-up linky and we are now just using the Google form for wrap-ups (since I require your wrap-up link there anyway). That way you don't have to do two steps at the end of the readathon. The wrap-up Google form will be on the wrap-up post instead of the prize page. I will have a yes/no so you can let me know if you're opting out of winning a prize. (If you want to visit people who participated, you can do so via the sign-up/starting line linky. I will have a link to it on the wrap-up post).
Regarding the readathon prizes, I have some wonderful book donations from some awesome authors, and I am offering a charity donation, as usual (see below). I will have the prize page posted in a few days.
I will make a $15 donation to the winner's choice of a human rights organization, such as the ACLU, Boys and Girls Club, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, Amnesty International, It Gets Better, Planned Parenthood, or another human rights organization of your choice (food banks, homeless shelters would also apply), perhaps your local chapter or a local organization. This giveaway is open internationally. Note: I will not donate to any organization that does not believe that all are equal, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation.
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Readathon dates: Monday, November 25 at 12:00 am CST until Sunday, December 8 at 11:59 pm CST (adjust your time zone accordingly...you can access a time zone converter in the sidebar).
I am not requiring that you read only Christmas/holiday books during the readathon, but I hope you will pick up at least one holiday tale, even if it's just to read some children's books with your kids or some holiday short stories
to check in on social media, we'll use hashtag #CSreadathon
as usual, you do not have to have a blog to participate...feel free to link up and check in from Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. You can also interact with us in our Facebook group, Goodreads group and check out our Instagram.
Just a reminder, I have eliminated the wrap-up linky and we are now just using the Google form for wrap-ups (since I require your wrap-up link there anyway). That way you don't have to do two steps at the end of the readathon. The wrap-up Google form will be on the wrap-up post instead of the prize page. I will have a yes/no so you can let me know if you're opting out of winning a prize. (If you want to visit people who participated, you can do so via the sign-up/starting line linky. I will have a link to it on the wrap-up post).
Prizes: Not sure if I will get any prize donations, but I will be offering a charity donation as a prize. If you know of any authors who would like to donate a book for a prize, send them my way. Thanks!
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FrightFall has come to an end once again. I hope everyone enjoyed it, and our event Something Wicked Fall at Castle Macabre. We had a couple of great movie watch-alongs, and the Doctor Sleep read-along. Tons of scary! Thank you all so much for joining in on another readathon!
Remember, our process has changed for wrap-ups. No more linky for wrap-up posts. Fill out the form at the end of this post and indicate if you want a chance at a prize by selecting yes or no. Also, double check that your name is listed in the sign up/starting line linky at this post so you will be eligible for the giveaway. You have until Friday, November 8 at 11:59 pm CDT to fill out the form. I will email the winners within a few days following the deadline so keep a look out in your email inbox (or spam folder, just in case) for an email from my truebookaddict gmail account. (Prize page is here)
The Christmas Spirit Readathon is coming up this month, November 25 through December 8. The readathon also kicks off the season long Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge I host every year at Christmas Spirit. I hope you will join us! Stay tuned for details and sign-up.
Once again, thank you for joining me and I hope to see you next time.
(If you would like others to visit your wrap-up post, please leave a comment below with the link to your wrap-up, or you can visit participants via the starting line post linky here.)
Our month of scary is half over! I didn't post yesterday because it was my birthday. Didn't spend a lot of time online. Hope everyone is enjoying their scary reads. I know I am!
Share your progress in the comments, or post a link to an update post.
We're on the last week of the Doctor Sleep read-along. Check out the discussion post links at the top of blog to join in on the discussion at Castle Macabre. Also, if you're reading any scary books or stories, feel free to share in the comments section of the Horror Stories Master Post at Castle Macabre.
This is the giveaway/prize promotion page for all the prizes being given away for readathon participants. At the end of this post, you will find details regarding how the prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the readathon.
Note: The author of the book donated would greatly appreciate a review, if you win, on your blog and/or social media and/or on Goodreads, Amazon. Thank you! (This is not required to win.)
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Stock Car Inferno by David L. Winters - Print copy (U.S.) or eBook (International) - (1) winner
Racer Emalyn Martin charms her fans but roils her male rivals. On her way to a championship season, she bumps a competitor mid-race. When his car explodes killing him, Emalyn falls under suspicion. Her Italian lawyer and his beefy brother must get to the facts before Emalyn's penchant for self-destruction derails her career. Fasten your seat belts. A killer gives chase, and there is nowhere to hide on a race track.
About the author
David L. Winters writes suspense to take you higher. He lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. with a small bird who manages his career. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from The Ohio State University and an M.B.A. from Regent University. He has won several awards. His previous fiction work: Driver Confessional included an Uber driver chased by the Russian mob.
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Willow and Oak - One Two WinnersWINNERS - ELYSE, MALLORY
2 items of your choosing from our Etsy Shop. New items are being added regularly, and some things are only in limited quantities. So make sure to keep checking our storefront to see what is available. There is no price limit on either prizes, and international shipping is included.
At the moment we offer book jewelry (bookmarks) in two forms:
Book Hook: it is a metal bookmark adorned with charms, pendants, beads, stones, or any combination of the aforementioned. It will sit firmly in the crease of the pages and drape over the spine of the book.
Book Thong: it is a bookmark in cord form. We have ones with a single string that is adorned at each end to make sure the bookmark is evenly weighted. We also have ones with multiple strands. These are great for bookmarking more than one spot in a book. This is very handy for those who like to bullet journal or those who want to keep a special page held while they continue on in their reading.
All of our pieces have special names. Most are from books and film, but some are just special to us.
Here are some images of the items currently in stock, while supplies last. 4 items shown 2 images of each item.
Bebe
Lorelai
Mr. Bones
Fred
About the owners
Nicole DiNatali & Ingrid Lundgren. We are two friends who share a passion for reading, game nights, dinner parties, and of course all things crafty! Ingrid, is the primary creator as she has a long seeded passion for making her own jewelry when she isn’t working her day job assisting special needs kids in the school system. Nicole is more of the administrator. She has a background in business and management. Nicole is an American who relocated to Sweden in 2008, while Ingrid has Viking blood coursing through her veins.
Why we started the business
“It all started with a gift from my husband” – Nicole. After a business trip to China, Nicole’s husband brought home a gift that left Nicole bewildered. At first she thought this contraption must be some kind of hairpin or something. Only later did her husband clarify it was a bookmark. Bang! Revolutionary!! After using many a random slips of paper as a bookmark (that inevitably went for a walkabout), she tried out her new gift. This bookmark didn’t budge! No matter what happened to the book, the bookmark held like the 300 at the Battle of Thermopolis. Being that Ingrid loves to make jewelry, and we both love to read, bookmark business idea was born. We decided this was a great opportunity to put our creative chops to test, and also introduce more people to our artistic and creative take on book jewelry, as we like to call it. But it doesn’t stop there! There are plans in the future to extend the inventory to more bookish accessories and sparkly items.
PRIZES FROM YOUR HOST WINNER - LARAPrize One (One winner)
I will make a $15 donation to the winner's choice of a human rights organization, such as the ACLU, Boys and Girls Club, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, Amnesty International, It Gets Better, Planned Parenthood, or another human rights organization of your choice, perhaps your local chapter or a local organization. This giveaway is open internationally. Note: I will not donate to any organization that does not believe that all are equal, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation.
WINNER - MARLA
Prize Two (One winner)
Winner's choice of any book title from the bargain books (these are generally used books) section of Better World Books. They ship internationally (priced at $3.98 or less) OR a $3.00 Amazon eGift card.
Giveaway Details
This is a readathon participant only giveaway. To be eligible, you must have signed up, participated and added a link to the official readathon wrap-up post (I will give everyone until Friday, November 8th at 11:59 pm CST to complete their wrap-ups). We no longer use a linky for wrap-ups. There will be a Google form on the readathon wrap-up post where you will enter your info, your wrap-up link, and answer yes/no on whether you want to win a prize or not. We have a total of 5 prizes. This means there will be 5 winners. I will award prizes on a first come, first served basis. I will draw the 5 winners with random.org and email all 5 at the same time. The first person who emails me back with their choice gets that prize. I will mark off the prizes as they are taken. Winners will be chosen after the wrap-up post deadline (see above).
And away we go! One of my most favorite times of year and, as usual, I'm ready. How about you? Lots of scary lined up again this year.
Once again, this year FrightFall is part of Something Wicked Fall at Castle Macabre. We're in the middle of a read-along of Stephen King's Doctor Sleep, we've been reading Gothic stories/books in September, and we had a watch-along of The Shining Saturday night. Our read-along continues this month, we're transitioning over to horror stories, and our next watch-along will be of the movie Midsommar on October 19. We're still working out the time. To weigh in, comment on the post in our Facebook group, reply in the Goodreads group, or comment on my Tweet on Twitter (@truebookaddict). For all the details on Something Wicked Fall, stop by Castle Macabre here.
Remember, the one main "rule" of FrightFall is that you must read ONE scary book (which can be a thriller, mystery, Gothic novel, or similar for those who are faint of heart). The rest of the month? Keep reading scary if you want, or read whichever genre you choose.
I did not get many prize donations this time. I did have a couple of prize offers, and I will be offering a couple of prizes myself, as always. Everyone here knows that we like to make this about the reading anyway. I'll have the prize page posted by the end of the first week. Of course, there's always a chance I might get more prize offers since it is a month long event. We shall see!
Don't forget that you can participate even if you don't have a blog. Just link up with your Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (and just post your updates from whichever venue you choose) AND don't forget our Facebook group, our Goodreads group, and our Instagram. If you have any questions about updates, etc., feel free to ask. I will post a mid-event check in post around the middle of the month so be sure to stop by and leave progress, or a link, in the comments.
Hashtag across all social media is #FrightFall Feel free to also use #SomethingWickedFall
The linky below is the same one as the sign up linky. If you do a starting line/goal post, just add your link again, but be sure to put "goal post" beside your name, i.e. Michelle/True Book Addict (goal post). Note: If you're just signing up, you can do it here on this post. It's the same linky.
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