April 29, 2012

Today is my 2nd Blogoversary with 2 Giveaways!


I can't believe it was two years ago today I started this blog! If you read my blog you know most of my posts are positive, that's because when I read something I love, I want to share it and I've found blogging such a great way to do this.

I love all kinds of books. I've found there is a bit of a battle between those who love fiction and those who love non-fiction. Well I love to read both! I believe there is beauty in the written word, whether it's fiction or non-fiction. To me each book leaves a little piece of the author's heart and soul and I appreciate that.

I mostly read paperbacks because I just love the feel of them in my hands as I read. :) I do have an e-reader, which I received for Christmas, and have been enjoying it more with each book I read on it. I love that I can switch from one book to another quickly, as I'm one of those readers who reads more than one book at a time. I also love that I can change the font! I don't have the greatest eye sight, I have one lazy eye which I can barely see out of, so to be able to change the font size is wonderful. I've also newly started listening to audiobooks. The first book was terrible, the narrator a little creepy, but now my daughter and I are listening to C.S. Lewis's Narnia book 'The Magician's Nephew' and the narrator, actor  Kenneth Branagh is fantastic. He has a great talent in bringing the book to life.

I didn't always love to read. As a child I had a lot of difficulty in comprehension and reading. I was the kid who went to the resource room, that all the other kids made fun of. It wasn't fun for this shy girl, but it must have helped because I now love to read and I think it made me appreciate the ability to read and understand even more.

I mostly read Christian books because that's just what I'm draw to. I just love hearing others experiences and love for God expressed in their writing, whether it's fiction or non-fiction. While some of my favorite reads have come from non-christian books, (ex. Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir, To kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah), I do try to be discerning of what I read. I believe it is easier than we think to be persuaded by false teachings and writings, so I always pray before I read something controversial or non-christian.

I also have another blog which is coming up to it's 1st blogoversary. If you are interested in gardening and all things nature you may enjoy it too:

                              Diary of a Simple Gardener


I post all sorts of things...about my garden, poems, quotes, things I love in nature and so on. Feel free to come by and visit or follow! I'd love to see you there. :)


Giveaway:


Well, in appreciation of all my wonderful followers I thought I'd have a giveaway! One fiction and one non-fiction book. I will be purchasing these myself and mailing them out so please be patience if you win.

To enter you need to be a follower, then please leave your e-mail and whether you would like the fiction or non-fiction book. There will be 2 winners, one for the fiction novel and one for the non-fiction book. This is open internationally and you can enter for both books if you like, just leave separate comments. So here are the books I've chosen to give away:

Non-Fiction Pick...                      Fiction Pick...





I loved 'Grace for the Good Girl' and hope whoever wins it will be blessed by it. :) Here is Amazons description:

"In Grace for the Good Girl, Emily Freeman invites women to let go of the try-hard life and realize that in Christ we are free to receive from him rather than constantly try to achieve for him. With an open hand and a whimsical style, Emily uncovers the truth about the hiding, encouraging women to move from hiding behind girl-made masks and do-good performances to a life hidden with Christ in God."

I haven't read Tracy L. Higley's latest book 'Garden of Madness' yet, but I loved her other books and can't wait to read this one! She's a wonderful story teller. Here's a review from Publisher's Weekly: 

"The biblical story of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar's seven years as a madman, found in the Old Testament Book of Daniel, deepens and broadens thanks to veteran author Higley's historical research and vivid imagination . . . Readers will find much to enjoy here: fine writing, suspense, mystery, faith, love, and a new look at an old story."

*I'll be announcing the winners on Monday May 7th. Giveaway open till then.


I'm looking forward to reading more great books and blogging about them and would once again, like to thank all of you who take the time to come by and visit and read my blog and to those who also leave kind and encouraging comments. You all make my day! :)

27 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your blogaversary! It's amazing how quickly time flies when you're enjoying what you're doing! Grace for the Good Girl sounds like a wonderful book. I'm adding it to my TBR list. :)

    Brooke
    iblog4books (at) gmail.com

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    1. Thanks Brooke! I loved Grace for the good girl and I'm excited to give it away. Good luck!

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  2. Congratulations on your blog anniversary...and thank you also for stopping by and leaving your comments on my "All This and Heaven Too" post.

    I definitely am not an e-reader. My daughter has one, and I don't like it at all. My biggest fear is that "real" books are going to go by the wayside and we will all be forced to use an e-reader. It doesn't work well for my learning style.

    I enjoy both fiction and non-fiction, but for me it all has to mostly be historical based. I like to read non-fiction about the early decades of the 20th century. While I read modern-day fiction, I really enjoy an early 20th century setting as well.

    Blessings,
    Patti

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    1. Thanks Patti! I hope they never get rid of 'real' books either. They are my first choice for reading.
      Historical based books are my favorite too, so much to learn. :)

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  3. Cathy,
    Congratulations on the 2 year anniversary of your blog! I'm so happy for you...and for me that I found your blog!! I enjoy what you write. Your quotes are inspiring and your reviews very helpful. Continue the good work in your blog, that God is using to bless others.
    Your book blogging friend,
    Kathy
    christianbookmom@gmail.com
    p.s. I like the non-fiction book :)

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    1. Thanks Kathy! What kind words and encouragement! Good luck in the draw as well.

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  4. Congratulations on your 2nd blogoversary! What an accomplishment. I am currently reading (and LOVING) Grace for the Good Girl. What a great read! So if I happen to win, fiction for me it is. ;) Thanks for such an awesome giveaway on YOUR special blog day. :)

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    1. Thanks Jenn! Glad your loving Grace for the good girl! Just a reminder, I need an e-mail address to enter you for the fiction book. :)

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  5. Happy Blogaversary, Cathy! I love your blog, and always enjoy your thoughts and insights on books. Thank you for all you do here!

    Sweet Blessings,
    Michelle

    **This is not an entry.

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    1. Thanks Michelle! I appreciate all your visits and encouraging comments.

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  6. Congrat Cathy, time does pass too fast. Just think of all the folks you have met in that time. I too like to read the paperbacks and not a reader. Should I win I am thinking I would like to read "Grace for the Good Girl", thanks for sharing today.
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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    1. Thanks Paula! I've really enjoyed getting to met new people online through blogging. So many wonderful bloggers! Good luck!

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  7. Congratulations on your 2nd Blogoversary! Mine is coming up in a couple of weeks. ;)

    I read a good bit of both fiction and non-fiction, too. (the best of both worlds)

    I'm going to enter Grace for the Good Girl with this comment. I've had both books on my wishlist. :)

    bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com

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  8. This comment is to enter for Garden of Madness.

    bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com

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    1. Thanks Bluerose! I'll have to check out your blog for your blogoversary! Good luck on both books!

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  9. Congratulations for reaching your second year blog anniversary! It's been wonderful reading through your various blog posts and hearing out your thoughts on books and other things. I'm excited to see what's to come next!

    Thank you for hosting this lovely giveaway! I'd like to enter to win the fiction book, Garden of Madness.

    Jemimah C.
    Jemstone3574@gmail.com
    http://beautifulblankpages.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks Jemimah! Glad you enjoy visiting and reading my blog! Good luck!

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  10. Happy Blogaversary dear. I would love to win either book. My email address is shortybear.63@att.net

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  11. Congrats on 2 years of blogging! And thanks for sharing your story about why and how you like to read :)
    I'd be interested in Garden of Madness :)

    Thanks

    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

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  12. Congratulations on two years of blogging for the Lord! I'm a new follower from Goodreads -SF. I'd enjoy winning and reading Garden of Madness. Best wishes and prayers for years more of reading and blogging Cathy!

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    1. Thanks Susan and welcome! Good luck on the draw. :)

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  13. Wow Cathy, Happy Two Year Blogoversary!!!! How amazing is that??!! Please don't enter me in the drawing, just wanted to wish you many more wonderful blogging adventures and let you know what a blessing you are to the blogging community :)

    I love The Magician's Nephew!! How cool that you're sharing it with your daughter :) I think that's wonderful to share good stories with your kids (I don't have kids but i share the worthwhile stories with my nephew).

    Thanks for sharing your story, I know God has many awesome things in store for you still. Many hugs and blessings to you and your blog! Also, i love your new button! I'll be updating that on my blog :)

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    1. Thanks for the congrats and for the encouraging words Kara! Thanks also for updating and putting my blog button on your site. I appreciate it! :)

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  14. Happy Blogoversary! I too enjoy Christian fiction, mostly Amish fiction, but I am now starting to branch off. I am currently into historical romance fiction. I love my kindle but I cannot resist a deal on paper back books from CBD! It feels weird reading the left hand page after getting used to a kindle! LOL! I would be interested in the fiction book you are giving away!

    Diane

    djuseless at charter dot net

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    1. Thanks Diane! Tracy Higley's books are fantastic. Good luck in the draw. :)

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Feel free to leave your own thoughts in the comments. I try to respond to all of them by the end of the week. : )