Saturday, October 27, 2012

CHARLOTTE STREET by Danny Wallace

Congratulations to 
KIMMI with the Penguin logo! 
You've won Charlotte Street!
Email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com with your full name and address so I can send you your book!



Note: Winners from previous entry Forgotten announced below!



“Danny Wallace’s long-awaited debut novel is so worth the wait… a moving, funny, all-too-relatable tale of boy seeking girl, with some gripping twists and turns… an unmissable read which will have you laughing out loud and melt your heart, all at once.” - Cosmopolitan

I'm excited to bring you Danny Wallace's book, Charlotte Street, but before I tell you about that one, he's also written a bunch of other books like these here, which include one that was the basis for the screenplay Yes Man, which starred Jim Carrey. His other books are touching and sincere, and they really make me want to find Danny Wallace and just sit down with him and figure this guy out. He's THAT interesting.

BUT this is not what this post is about. This post is about his latest book Charlotte Street. I've started it, and the tagline on the cover is: A heartwarming everyday tale of boy stalks girl.

Who doesn't love a boy-stalks-girl story, especially when it's written BY A BOY!?! I'm totally into it, and you know how I love when I find a guy author that I want to share with you all, I just have to bring these kind of books to you, so that's what I'm doing here!

Here's the back of the book blurb, which should grab you all right away!
It all starts with a girl... (because yes, there's always a girl...) 

Jason Priestley (not that one) has just seen her. They shared an incredible, brief, fleeting moment of deep possibility, somewhere halfway down Charlotte Street.

And then, just like that, she was gone - accidentally leaving him holding her old-fashioned, disposable camera, chock full of undeveloped photos...


And now Jason - ex-teacher, ex-boyfriend, part-time writer and reluctant hero - faces a dilemma. Should he try and track The Girl down? What if she's The One? But that would mean using the only clues he has, which lie untouched in this tatty disposable...


It's funny how things can develop...


Here's Danny talking about the book (I might have a little crush, and that accent!!!)


Read an excerpt here: EXCERPT OF CHARLOTTE STREET

To win a copy of Charlotte Street, tell me if you have ever stalked a boy you may have had a crush on. Share as much as you feel like you would like to! Guilty here!! On quite a few occasions!

In the future, I'll announce winner's names on the next posts at the bottom like this rather than doing a separate post, just to keep things moving on the blog. And/or I'll try to remember to put the winner's name on top of the post of the book that they have won - will that make it easy for you all to find out if you've won a book? Leave a comment along with your entry for Charlotte Street! Thanks!  
 
And, here are the two winners from last week's book by Catherine McKenzie: FORGOTTEN! Please email me your full names and addresses and I will make sure you receive your books. Congrats to:

Becki****

NEW TO BOOKING WITH MANIC?  

If you're new to Booking with Manic, thank you for stopping by! We love new readers! Some notes - If you're entering to win a book, please use an identifying name and it's usually a great idea to include an email, which I will never give out to anyone else. You can only enter once please. You'll need to check back here in about a week or so to see if you've won the book -- I will highlight the winner's name at the top of this post, or tell you where you can find the winner's name at the top of this post. Most books are supplied directly through publishers, publicists and the authors. Winners will receive books directly from the publisher or author within 3 weeks from the time you provide me with your address, unless I send you the book (sometimes I will). Sorry, but we can only ship to U.S. and Canada so if you're from another country, thank you for coming by to read and discover new authors, but we can't send you a book. Any questions on how I run the blog or suggestions on who you would like to see featured, please email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

FORGOTTEN by Catherine McKenzie! Two can win!

Congrats to winners:
Becki****







I'm so excited for Catherine McKenzie's newest book that is out THIS WEEK, and by the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Catherine TODAY!!

Her latest book is Forgotten which takes place partly in Africa, where Catherine has never been, but the main character is a lawyer, which Catherine really is, as well as an amazing author--one of my faves!

Unfortunately, this book has been 'forgotten' by me as you all know I've been facing some things at home I'd rather forget about -- haha, nice play on words on my part here. I haven't had the chance to read at all lately, but I couldn't NOT bring this book to YOU, and I'm dying to start reading it. I've loved Catherine's other books, SPIN and ARRANGED, and I know this one, once I get started reading it, will have me glued to the seat!

Here's what Forgotten is about:

Emma Tupper is a dedicated lawyer with a bright future. But when she takes a month-long leave of absence to go on an African vacation, she ends up facing unexpected consequences. After she falls ill and spends six months trapped in a remote village thanks to a devastating earthquake, Emma returns home to discover that her friends, boyfriend, and colleagues thought she was dead—and that her life has moved on without her.

As she struggles to re-create her old life, throwing herself into solving a big case for a client and trying to reclaim her beloved apartment from the handsome photographer who assumed her lease, everyone around her thinks she should take the opportunity to change. But is she willing to sacrifice her job, her relationships, and everything else she worked so hard to build?

In Forgotten, Catherine McKenzie tweaks a classic tale of discovering who we really are when everything that brings meaning to our lives is lost.

Read more on Forgotten on Catherine's website here: INFO ON FORGOTTEN.

Thanks to Catherine and her publisher, she's offering TWO copies of Forgotten so if you'd like a shot at winning, just tell me something that you are always forgetting! And not something lame like your keys!

PS... one of the Perks of Being a Wallflower winners have not contacted me yet...melisa TMD636 where are you? 

PSS... for those of you thinking of my son Luke who was diagnosed with epilepsy over the summer and has had grand mal seizures, (which is why the posting of books has been very sporadic), we are on day 23 of being seizure-free. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Life is almost getting back to normal. I hope to be getting back on track with lots more books soon!

NEW TO BOOKING WITH MANIC?  

If you're new to Booking with Manic, thank you for stopping by! We love new readers! Some notes - If you're entering to win a book, please use an identifying name and it's usually a great idea to include an email, which I will never give out to anyone else. You can only enter once please. You'll need to check back here in about a week or so to see if you've won the book -- I will highlight the winner's name at the top of this post, or tell you where you can find the winner's name at the top of this post. Most books are supplied directly through publishers, publicists and the authors. Winners will receive books directly from the publisher or author within 3 weeks from the time you provide me with your address, unless I send you the book (sometimes I will). Sorry, but we can only ship to U.S. and Canada so if you're from another country, thank you for coming by to read and discover new authors, but we can't send you a book. Any questions on how I run the blog or suggestions on who you would like to see featured, please email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!

Friday, October 19, 2012

Winners of PERKS!!!!



The Perks of Being a Wallflower Winners!
 


Thanks for taking the time to share your high school stories with us -- some of them were truly inspiring! If you haven't had a chance to check out The Perks of Being a Wallflower -- either on the big screen or via the written word, go see it or read it. It's such a great book and movie - you won't be disappointed!

Here are the lucky winners!


Erin G.

melisa TMD636

nanette's blog

ncsuloges

Sara Dobie

What you will need to do is send me an email 
(stephanieelliot at gmail dot com) telling me how you would like your book signed. I think it will be a bookplate in the book. Please don't make it too lengthy! : ) 

And include your mailing address so we can get your signed book to you!!

Thanks everyone! I've got some books coming your way next week too!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER By Stephen Chbosky




The Perks of Being a Wallflower
By Stephen Chbosky 

Hello reader friends! So, a book opportunity fell into my lap, and while I don't want to jinx any good health issues we're having with Luke, he actually made it to school and had three very good days in a row last week -- Wed, Thurs, and Friday -- (which actually also meant I showered three days in a row!) and now we're winding down Sunday night so I have the time and the motivation, and as I said, this awesome book opportunity fell into my lap and I want to share it with you.


Have you guys seen The Perks of Being a Wallflower or have you read the book? I've recently seen it and also read and loved the book many years ago. And the movie was written and directed by the author of the book, so it makes for an equally great movie! On Facebook the other day, a friend of mine, who happens to be a friend of the author, Stephen Chbosky, has spearheaded this 'get the word out' about the book and I loved the book, loved the movie and want to help spread the word too! So, if you haven't read it, seen it, now's your chance to learn more. It's like a classic read for kids in high school these days. I like to think of it as the The Catcher in the Rye of our generation! But WAY better!

Here is what the book blurb is:

Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor. This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
 
This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

Here's the AWESOME movie trailer -- there were so many talented stars in it - Really, go see it!

Awesome Movie Trailer for Perks:  



 Also, FYI, the music is AMAZING in this movie. Every.Single.Song!

If you want to know more about the movie, here's a great interview with the author. 

So, we all went to high school right? We all have stories from high school right? Share one that has stayed with you for a long while, one that you think about a lot, one that has shaped you into the person you are today. Here's mine, that is a little similar to being a wallflower -- Charlie went to his Homecoming alone. I never went to a Homecoming or a Prom.

I got asked to my junior year Homecoming by a guy. I bought a dress. I don't really think I liked him all that much. I was probably scared of going because I think he was bragging to me that he was going to drink and there were rumors that he might have been into smoking pot. The Thursday before the dance he came over to my house and I told him I didn't want to go to the dance with him. I had a beautiful sea-foam green dress and even matching green mascara to wear. I returned that dress.

What is your high school story to share? Tell it and you will be one of FIVE winners who will get a personally signed copy of THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER book.

YAY!

Thanks for sticking around!

XO to you all!

NEW TO BOOKING WITH MANIC?  

If you're new to Booking with Manic, thank you for stopping by! We love new readers! Some notes - If you're entering to win a book, please use an identifying name and it's usually a great idea to include an email, which I will never give out to anyone else. You can only enter once please. You'll need to check back here in about a week or so to see if you've won the book -- I will highlight the winner's name at the top of this post, or tell you where you can find the winner's name at the top of this post. Most books are supplied directly through publishers, publicists and the authors. Winners will receive books directly from the publisher or author within 3 weeks from the time you provide me with your address, unless I send you the book (sometimes I will). Sorry, but we can only ship to U.S. and Canada so if you're from another country, thank you for coming by to read and discover new authors, but we can't send you a book. Any questions on how I run the blog or suggestions on who you would like to see featured, please email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!