Saturday, September 15, 2018

Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop


Welcome to the Clear Your Shelf Giveaway!

I am giving away one book to four readers; really four separate giveaways. These are books I've read in the past year but am not keeping:


From Goodreads: Keiko Furukura had always been considered a strange child, and her parents always worried how she would get on in the real world, so when she takes on a job in a convenience store while at university, they are delighted for her. For her part, in the convenience store she finds a predictable world mandated by the store manual, which dictates how the workers should act and what they should say, and she copies her coworkers’ style of dress and speech patterns so that she can play the part of a normal person. However, eighteen years later, at age 36, she is still in the same job, has never had a boyfriend, and has only few friends. She feels comfortable in her life, but is aware that she is not living up to society’s expectations and causing her family to worry about her. When a similarly alienated but cynical and bitter young man comes to work in the store, he will upset Keiko’s contented stasis—but will it be for the better?

Sayaka Murata brilliantly captures the atmosphere of the familiar convenience store that is so much part of life in Japan. With some laugh-out-loud moments prompted by the disconnect between Keiko’s thoughts and those of the people around her, she provides a sharp look at Japanese society and the pressure to conform, as well as penetrating insights into the female mind. Convenience Store Woman is a fresh, charming portrait of an unforgettable heroine that recalls Banana Yoshimoto, Han Kang, and Amélie.

From Goodreads: On her sixtieth birthday, Auntie Poldi retires to Sicily, intending to while away the rest of her days with good wine, a view of the sea, and few visitors. But Sicily isn’t quite the tranquil island she thought it would be, and something always seems to get in the way of her relaxation. When her handsome young handyman goes missing—and is discovered murdered—she can’t help but ask questions . . .

Soon there’s an investigation, a smoldering police inspector, a romantic entanglement, one false lead after another, a rooftop showdown, and finally, of course, Poldi herself, slightly tousled, but still perfectly poised.

This “masterly treat” (Times Literary Supplement) will transport you to the rocky shores of Torre Archirafi, to a Sicily full of quirky characters, scorching days, and velvety nights, alongside a protagonist who’s as fiery as the Sicilian sun.
From Goodreads: Bombay, 1921: Perveen Mistry, the daughter of a respected Zoroastrian family, has just joined her father's law firm, becoming one of the first female lawyers in India. Armed with a legal education from Oxford, Perveen also has a tragic personal history that makes her especially devoted to championing and protecting women's rights.

Mistry Law is handling the will of Mr. Omar Farid, a wealthy Muslim mill owner who has left three widows behind. But as Perveen goes through the papers, she notices something strange: all three have signed over their inheritance to a charity. What will they live on if they forefeit what their husband left them? Perveen is suspicious.

The Farid widows live in purdah: strict seclusion, never leaving the women's quarters or speaking to any men. Are they being taken advantage of by an unscrupulous guardian? Perveen tries to investigate and realizes her instincts about the will were correct when tensions escalate to murder. It's her responsibility to figure out what really happened on Malabar Hill, and to ensure that nobody is in further danger.

From Goodreads: An intimate portrait of a family and an epic tale of hope and struggle, Sing, Unburied, Sing examines the ugly truths at the heart of the American story and the power – and limitations – of family bonds.

Jojo is thirteen years old and trying to understand what it means to be a man. His mother, Leonie, is in constant conflict with herself and those around her. She is black and her children’s father is white. Embattled in ways that reflect the brutal reality of her circumstances, she wants to be a better mother, but can’t put her children above her own needs, especially her drug use.

When the children’s father is released from prison, Leonie packs her kids and a friend into her car and drives north to the heart of Mississippi and Parchman Farm, the State Penitentiary. At Parchman, there is another boy, the ghost of a dead inmate who carries all of the ugly history of the South with him in his wandering. He too has something to teach Jojo about fathers and sons, about legacies, about violence, about love.

Rich with Ward’s distinctive, lyrical language, Sing, Unburied, Sing brings the archetypal road novel into rural twenty-first century America. It is a majestic new work from an extraordinary and singular author.

Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. **US residents only.** The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Bronze can be ordered through any bookseller (ISBN 9780982893678) or order now at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.
Visit theglisterjournals.com for news, excerpts, and more about The Glister Journals series.
Reviews for Bronze

All original text and materials by or commissioned by B. B. Shepherd are copyright 2012-2018 to B B Shepherd.

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Fall Into Books Cash Giveaway

 

Fall Into Books

$250 Cash Giveaway

September 10th to October 10th


Enter for your chance to win $250 in PayPal Cash or Amazon Gift Code!

Thanks to all the wonderful sponsors who made this giveaway possible. Be sure to stop by each one!

Sponsor List
I Am A Reader
Clean Wholesome Romance
I'm All About Books
Lori's Reading Corner
All the Ups and Downs
B. Kristin McMichael
Simple Wyrdings
Christian Author, J.E. Grace
Confessions of a Frugal Mind
Author Krysten Lindsay Hager
Kasey’s Reviews
Kimber's Life
JeanBookNerd
Elana Johnson
Bound 4 Escape
Glistering: B's Blog
ReadingIsMySuperPower
Every Free Chance Books
Author Deborah M. Hathaway
Mary Abshire Author
Liz Isaacson
Sassy Book Sleeves
Rockin' Book Reviews
Ilovebooksandstuffblog
NikkisBestStory
Sybrina's Book Blog
CoolCatMysteries
Skyrocket Press
Author June McCrary Jacobs

Giveaway Details

$250 in Paypal Cash or Amazon.com eGift Card

Ends 10/10/18

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers, and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Bronze can be ordered through any bookseller (ISBN 9780982893678) or order now at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.
Visit theglisterjournals.com for news, excerpts, and more about The Glister Journals series.
Reviews for Bronze

All original text and materials by or commissioned by B. B. Shepherd are copyright 2012-2018 to B B Shepherd.

Monday, September 3, 2018

I'd Rather Be Reading Review and Giveaway


TODAY is the last day to preorder Anne Bogel's new book, I'd Rather Be Reading and claim some preorder exclusives at I'd Rather Be Reading.com!


Bonuses include a free digital download of the audio edition read by Anne herself (I LOVE her voice!), access to her online class, "7 Ways to Get More Out of Your Reading Life", and digital artwork from the book. I got a copy enlarged to frame and I love it! Order TWO copies or more and also receive bookmarks, postcards, signed book plates and other goodies.

Although I received an ARC copy to read and review, I have preordered three copies: one each for my best friends, and one to give away to one lucky winner here!

I absolutely love this little gem of a book. First of all, it's GORGEOUS. The watercolor artwork used for the cover was an original created by David Holmes and is a representation of Anne's own library. The text is in a sparkling gold. This is a book to not only be read but displayed. If I had a coffee table it would surely live there. As it is, I want to get a book stand and give it a place of prominence on a bookshelf.

Inside, it's just as delightful. Anne explores the reading life with her trademark warm humor and keen insights. Anyone who loves books and reading will adore this beautiful book!

The first chapter is "Confess Your Literary Sins" and she encouraged those of us on her launch team to share ours. I couldn't think of any until recently, but a couple of things have come up:

I confess that, although I read it multiple times in elementary school, I have never owned my own copy of The Black Stallion. Although I grew up reading, I believe it was the first real chapter book I read, probably in the third grade. I credit Walter Farley's wonderful horse story with turning me into an avid reader. I would go on to read all the books my mother had kept from her youth - Alice In Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, Gulliver's Travels, Arabian Nights, and others. I still have those books, many of them published in the early 1900s. They are treasures and I'll pass them on to my children to share with their children. Other books I would later fall in love with - Marguerite Henry's horse stories, Austen and the Brontes, C.S. Lewis, Harry Potter - have been reread over the years and intentionally collected. I HAD to have them for myself. And yet I've never bought The Black Stallion or read any of the sequels. I don't think my children ever read it either. This must be rectified!

I also confess that I have a weakness for art books, including graphic novels - but I don't read them! Until an Instagrammer I follow asked for recommendations for graphic novels, I hadn't thought too much about the ones I own. But when looking to see which ones I would recommend, I couldn't recommend any of them BECAUSE I'VE NEVER READ THEM! I'm a sucker for good artwork, but still prefer reading traditional books. This also must be rectified!

So even in the very first chapter, Anne's book of essays has caused me to examine my reading life. The whole book is a delight to read and has resonated deeply with me and made me think about my reading habits, history, and future goals. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is in love with books and the reading life!


I am giving away a copy of Anne's book, I'd Rather Be Reading, to one lucky winner. (US only.)

Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. United States residents only. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Bronze can be ordered through any bookseller (ISBN 9780982893678) or order now at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.
Visit theglisterjournals.com for news, excerpts, and more about The Glister Journals series.
Reviews for Bronze

All original text and materials by or commissioned by B. B. Shepherd are copyright 2012-2018 to B B Shepherd.