A new bunch of books to giveaway!
The giveaways for this theme will be about a random series of books related only because they are about things that make me think of summer!
For this theme I have a bunch of summer things in my mind:
1. bugs
2. beach
3. travel
4. storms
5. horse-riding
6. gardening/farms
7. going home to visit my family
8. weddings
9. blue sky
10. dandelions
11. hiking
12. potlucks
13. crazy reality shows
14. books with the word "summer" in them
I had other words, but couldn't think of books to use to relate to them! :)
RULES FOR ENTERING:
a. Post a comment to the blog entries of the books you would like to win AND answer the question that goes with it. There will be one summer word giveaway at a time.
Today's Question: In today's book giveaway, the main character loves to travel and makes a list of 10 places she absolutely must see someday. What's your list of 10 places you would like to travel to someday?
Here's mine: 1. London, England 2. Hawaii 3. The Disney Island from the Disney cruise 4. Austria 5. Paris, France 6. New York 7. East Coast US in the Fall 8. Colorado 9. Rome 10. Australia
I'm actually not much of a traveler, but my husband likes to go places so I try. The bad part for me is how much work it is to prepare everyone for travel and then the work of catching up with everything when you get back. Plus I'm not comfortable with new places...some of have to be home bodies, right? :)
b. Enter on or before the date specified. Today's book winner will be drawn on August 13.
c. Check back for the next summer theme word giveaway!
Today's summer word: "travel." The book is Around the World in 80 Dates by fellow (though I think she is a former) Wisconsin girl Christa Ann Banister.
Description:
Travel around the globe, write, and get paid for it---it's a dream job come true for young Sydney Alexander. But as she meets man after man with more self-centered ego than any sort of spiritual depth, will she be able to successfully navigate the world of social dating?
My Thoughts:
This was a fun and enjoyable read! I loved the way that the story switched point of view from the loveable Sydney to the "meanwhiles" of her friends and sister. Sydney is a great character who is fun to get to know and sticks with her principles with her dating life. I enjoyed seeing a girl who was totally comfortable with her faith and willing to be very clear about it to her dates. I also love how things seem to finally come together for her when she stops trying so hard to force them on her own. Isn't that always the way? I keep having to learn that lesson over and over for myself too.
On the fun side, I loved the descriptions of the shopping, dining, and more shopping that Sydney did on her travel journeys.
A very good chicklit that had snappy dialogue, quirky characters (like her hippy friend Rain--I loved that she was crocheting her bridesmaid dresses, too funny!), and just enough dating angst to make Sydney real and crazy at the same time.
Can't wait to find out what happens to Sydney next in the second book, Blessed are the Meddlers, coming out this month.
