Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thankful For You & a Giveaway

I am so thankful this year for friends and readers who have taken a minute out of their day to support A Story Club! I started this blog as a way to share the great books I've read, with a few writerly thoughts along the way, and I still strive to do just that. I've even had some gracious authors give of their time and resources, answering questions and offering advice. Each of those interviews has meant so much to me.

Your comments and thoughts have blessed me, your love for reading has encouraged me, and your interest in my writing has motivated me. 

Never fear, the year is not over and I have some great interviews still in store. . .stay tuned! Subscribe by e-mail so you'll never miss a post-- or go like my Writer Facebook page, where I always announce my newest post. My page focuses on writing, reading, and fabulous authors I want you to know about, plus a few silly comments thrown in now and then. I would love to chat with you there!


As a way of saying 'thank you,' I would like to give away a collection of a few of my favorite Trader Joe's products. These will be hand-selected and shipped to one commenter (U.S. only). I'm just telling you, you'll like this-- I think I have good taste. And it's a unique, great store. 

So I would like to know: What is the best book you have read this year? What makes it the best? 
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
(Random drawing held on Nov. 28- please put your e-mail in your comment!)

The winner is. . .eyeballlucy! Congrats and thank you to all who gave great recommendations!

13 comments:

  1. *ugh* The BEST book?!?!?
    I can't. Just can't.
    I've had a great year of reading - especially with NEW authors. I really liked "Keowee Valley" and "River to Redemption", and I also loved Kaki's Runaway Brides series.
    mail@genevievegraham.com

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  2. I know, that is a hard question. There have been many great ones this year! Including yours! Thanks for coming by, Genevieve.

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  3. New-to-me-this-Year amazing books/authors: Lucinda Brant (Noble Satyr, Deadly Affair) Genevieve Graham (Under the Same Sky) Deborah Harkness (A Discovery of Witches) Mary Robinette Kowall (Shades of Milk & Honey, Glamour in Glass), Lev AC Rosen (All Men of Genius). If I dip into late last year Kaki Warner, Pamela Clare, Caroline Jewell, and Kevin Hearne add on. Am happily buried in excellent reads!
    larisa.labrant(at)gmail.c0m

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    1. I'll have to check some of those out, so thanks for sharing! I'm happily buried too, and loving it.

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  4. How very sweet of you, Christina, to host this giveaway. My favorite book of the year just so happens to have "killed two birds with one stone." I got in a bit of pleasure reading while researching for the sequel to Sweet Glory. Although the book is non-fiction, it read like fiction and I couldn't put it down. Okay, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. It is "Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, A Friendship that Changed the World." I especially loved how the author, Penny Colman, structured it. The chapters alternated between Elizabeth and Susan's lives, running by parallel years. Even so, as they were mostly inseparable for the fifty years of their friendship and their stories greatly intertwined, a chapter couldn't focus solely on one woman or the other.

    By the way, I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED "The Thirteenth Tale" as featured in your cover photo for this particular blog. Anyone who likes Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights will love this book too. I guarantee it. I might've picked this book as my favorite for your blog, but I read it a few years ago.

    Hope you had a gibbly gobbly goodly Thanksgiving, Christina!

    Lisa

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    1. That book does sound really good. I don't think I know too much about either one of them. I'll for sure put that one on hold. Yes, The Thirteenth Tale is a few years old, but I've just read it for the first time. It will be on my blog soon. This was truly the book I couldn't put down. Had a great Thanksgiving with the fam, hope you did too!

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    2. I actually thought of you while reading it, with all the twin references.

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  5. Sorry, Christina, forgot to include my email address with my comment. Here it is: lpotocar@nycap.rr.com.

    Lisa

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  6. I have enjoyed so may good books this year......but a recent one would have to be 'Breaking The Code'...by writer Karen Fisher-Alaniz.....loved it ...about a world war veteran journey.....it well touch your heart in more ways than one....babyruthmac16ATyahooDotcom

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    1. That looks amazing! I love memoirs. I'll definitely put this on my list! Thank you for coming by today, eyeballlucy :0)

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  7. Christina~
    I hope it's not too late to leave you a comment. I left your site open just so I could post last night and then got too tired and forgot! :-) The best book I've read this year, and am still in the process of reading it, is Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. Dave and I are reading it together, one chapter at a time, and then discussing it. This is the best marriage book I've ever read! I has insights to a better marriage that are not the "typical" ones. It's more about your relationship to the Lord and then how improving that, helps to improve your marriage. Anyway, we are loving the book and am happy to share with you about it. :-) Have you read it? I would love to know what you thought.
    ~Alissa




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    1. Alissa, I have not read that. I don't read very much non-fiction, but I have been reading "Velvet Elvis" by Rob Bell on Sundays. It's very thought-provoking. I love that you guys are investing so much into your marriage. It is so worthwhile. I will look for that book. Thanks for sharing it!

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  8. I forgot to leave you my e-mail address: oneblessedfamily@gmail.com

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