Showing posts with label 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012. Show all posts

Friday, October 19, 2012

TOP TEN PICKS for 2012

THE TEENS HAVE SPOKEN
YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) announced their Teens' Top Ten winners for 2012! These titles are chosen and voted on by teens as the best of the best for the year.
1). Divergent-Veronica Roth
Beatrice lives in a society where she must choose either to remain with her family’s faction or set off towards
independence and her beliefs. And what happens when the unity between these factions begins to fall apart?
2). The Fault in Our Stars-John Green
Hazel and Augustus meet and forge a relationship at a support group for
kids battling cancer. As Hazel and Augustus struggle with the “side-effects of dying,”
they come to learn the strength of wishes, the complexities of long human lives, and the
wondrous ways of the universe.
3). Legend-Marie Lu
June, a fifteen-year-old military prodigy, is hunting Day, the outlaw she believes is responsible for her brother’s death. What will happen when the two meet and discover the government is corrupt?
4). Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children- Ransom Riggs
When Jacob was little, his grandfather would tell him stories of the fantastical children’s home where he grew up and the seemingly magical kids who lived there with him. When his grandfather is killed, Jacob sets out to find the home where these children lived, unearthing a magical secret and uncovering his true heritage.
5). What Happened to Goodbye-Sarah Dessen
Ever since Mclean’s parents divorced, she has lived in four towns in two years – each time taking on a new persona. Mclean expects to leave Lakeview in six months, but soon finds that she doesn’t want to – she just wants to be herself.
6). Across the Universe-Beth Revis
Cryogenically frozen centuries ago, Amy and her parents are on their way to a new planet aboard the spaceship, Godspeed. Unplugged from her cryo chamber, Amy discovers she has been awoken 50 years early, in a failed murder attempt. With Elder, the future leader of the ship, by her side they are on an adventure filled with murder, lies, dreams, and stars.
7). Cinder-Marissa Meyer
A futuristic retelling of the classic Cinderella, Cinder, a cyborg and talented mechanic, lives with her cruel stepmother and two stepsisters in the plague-ridden New Beijing. Soon after meeting Prince Kai, Cinder must find the truths of her past, which may help to save the future.
8). The Scorpio Races-Maggie Stiefvater
Every November, the beaches of Thisby come alive with the Scorpio Races. The water horses are vicious, the terrain is treacherous, and death is likely, but the reward can be beyond anything you could imagine. Puck Connolly is racing for her family, Sean Kendrick for his passion—but only one can win The Scorpio Races.
9). Where She Went-Gayle Forman
This sequel to Gayle Forman’s If I Stay is narrated by Adam, Mia’s ex-boyfriend. Shortly after the devastating accident that killed Mia’s family, the talented cellist moves to New York, where an accidental meeting brings them back together.
10). Abandon- Meg Cabot
Pierce has experienced death before and barely escaped. When she moves from her old town to a town called Isla Huesos - Island of Bones - for a new start, she realizes that death wants her back. Can she escape death once again?

Okay-I am dismayed and a little embarassed to admit that I have read none of the above! How is this possible? I obviously need to step up my game...I'm ashamed of myself.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Banned Book Winners

ANNOUNCING.....
Winners drawn from Banned Book Week 2012
Thanks for celebrating with Mug of Moxie!


Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Winner- DOMINIQUE

Hungar Games by Suzanne Collins
Winner- APE2016

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky
Winner-HOLLY LETSON
Congratulation to all the winners! Books will be mailed out this week. Thanks for hopping and following.

I will also be participating in the HUGE Spooktacular Giveaway Hop. So stay tuned! I'll be giving away some amazing books!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Ellen Hopkins is My Hero

Here's why-
I felt a physical reaction-like I had actually had the wind knocked out of me after reading Crank by Ellen Hopkins. I'm not really sure I have ever had such an emotional shock to the system while reading a book. Which is why I had to include a book by her for Banned Book Week in my giveaway. If you google Ellen Hopkins inevitably her name pops up with the words challenged and censorship. In this article found on her livejournal.com she talks about an instance in which she was uninvited to a Teen Lit Fest in 2011.
You will not find person more passionate about censorship and books for young adults. In this article she shares her thoughts about censorship and a powerful poem she wrote called Manifesto. Her books are raw, honest and sadly realistic. She writes about the dark topics of drugs, cutting and suicide. These are things that our kids see and hear about in the halls of school every day.
Small town America is now armed with drug dogs while hydrocodone is being bought and sold in school parking lots during recess. These topics are not shocking revelations to the teens living it every day.
I shake my head in frustration when I read that adults or libraries try to keep these books out of the hands of teens.
Crank does not glamorize the use of drugs. It shows the slow, dark, descent of a girl that tries a drug and then becomes addicted to the "monster". Crank doesn't have a happy ending and that's why it's so powerful. It's exactly why we need to make sure that it's accessible to teens and we use this book as a teaching tool. If it helps even one child to think twice before going down that road it's worth the fight.
Thank you Ellen Hopkins for fighting the good fight. I've got your back.
For the chance to win a copy of Crank by Ellen Hopkins click on sidebar to right or just scroll down.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Why I love Sherman Alexie

Books are something that I'm passionate about. It might explain why I have chosen jobs that allow me to spend alot of time around books-I work part-time at a public library and substitute at a local middle school library.
I find great joy putting a book into the hands of kids or recommending a great book to a reluctant reader. Books have always been a comfort, an escape and a source of happiness for me.
Last year my son came home from school with an assignment to write about the "Growing Trend of Young Adult Books-How exciting for me! My teenage son still doesn't really get what my blog is about-nor at 16 does he really care. LOL!
While researching the topic he came across an article that was featured in The Wall Street Journal written by Meghan Cox Gurdon called Darkness Too Visible? In which she asks the question-
Contemporary fiction for teens is rife with explicit abuse, violence and depravity. Why is this considered a good idea? The full article is found here .
Of course the article found alot of attention from readers-pro and con, bloggers and authors.
One of my very favorite authors Sherman Alexie responded to Meghan Cox Gurdon's article with an essay called Why the Best Children's Books are Written In Blood. It's found here . His words brought me to tears while reaffirming to me why it's so important that we put these "challenged" books into the hands of kids that NEED to read them.
During this week we celebrate the freedom to read-
I gladly take this opportunity to participate in Banned Book Week. During this week you have a chance to win  an excellent book by Sherman Alexie called The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Information is found on side bar as well as below.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Bloggiesta Wrap Up

BLOGGIESTA WRAP UP
I'll be honest-I didn't get alot of the things I had planned to do originally at the start of Bloggiesta with the exception of cleaning up my blog roll and writing a couple of reviews.
But I come away feeling great because through the mini challenges I learned this-
*How to print my blog and why I should(Suey@ It's All About Books)
*I created an Evernote Account-a place to keep all my scattered notes and hopefully keep me more organized(Joy's Book Blog)
*I have 20+ Post and Discussion Ideas for future posts(Tanya@Girlxoxo)
*I visited 10 blogs that were also participating in Bloggiesta and left comments-a challenge to Help me Build A Blog Audience(Sheila @ Book Journey)
*I wrote 2 back logged reviews-a mini challenge (Hannah@ Word Lily)
So I'm going to call Bloggiesta 2012 a success. I made a small dent but learned alot.
A BIG thanks to the hosts It's All About Books and There's A Book. A GIANT thank you to the hosts of the mini challenges.
I look forward to Bloggiesta 2013!

Sunday, September 30, 2012

BLOGGIESTA Continues

BLOGGIESTA UPDATE
HOLA!
Hope your weekend has been filled with the joys of getting @#$% done.
What I have done so far-
*Cleanup on my blog roll
*Written a couple of reviews(they will be posted after Banned Book Week).
*Updated my Goodreads
I have also enjoyed in participating in a few mini challenges.
*Sheila at Book Journey- Building a Blog Audience
She encouraged us to visit 10 new blogs and leave a comment. Great idea! I visited a few blogs that are also doing the Bloggiesta and found some excellent new blogs that I know I'll be visiting again very soon. The idea is that if you take the time to make a comment they will return the gesture and soon you are building your blog audience...and making new friends :)
1. Ruby's Books
2. Ms. O Reads Books
3. Scuffed Slippers and Wormy Books
4. My Little Pocket Books
5. Mariana @ Book Travels
6. Project To Be Read
7. Little Book Owl
8. The Cozy Armchair
9. Lady In Read
10. Fiction State of Mind
*I participated in a survey at It's All About The Books thanks to Suey.
*Word Lily challenged bloggers to use this weekend to catch up on our back logged reviews-I did two.
*Love, Laughter and a Touch of Insanity challenged bloggers to keep a notebook or calendar for our blogs to jot down those random ideas, stay organized and keep track of things. I have several notebooks devoted to my blog, ideas, half started reviews and thoughts about books I've read or am reading(these cool colorful notebooks have nothing to do with my addiction to office supplies).
Here's my notebook with BLOGGIESTA happenings-

It's Sunday afternoon and I'm feeling a nice sense of accomplishment so far. I'm foing to try to do a few more of the mini challenges and pick up a few ideas.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Banned Books Week Hop

There is nothing that gets me more fired up that finding out a book has been challenged. Usually by a parent that hasn't even bothered to actually read the book-they "heard"  the book in question has what they deem inappropiate. Maddening!!
This will be a week of talking about banned and challenged books. BUT let's not forget to have some fun along with the serious. Mug of Moxie will be particiapting in Banned Books Week Hop also. Our lovely hosts I Read Banned Books and I Am A Reader, Not A Writer have organized this hop. Thank you very much! Below is an entire list of participates giving away all kinds of goodies. Please join us.
Now what I have up for grabs are books that have been "challenged" not banned. BUT a challenged book can be removed from a shelf-restrictions can be put on that book and a select few can only check it out.
We'll be discussing this more at length during the week.
Without further ado-
I will be giving away a copy of one of these fabulous books to a winner!!
The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
                                                       Hungar Games by Suzanne Collins
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
All these happen to be very good books. Books that should indeed be read.
So tell me which book would would choose if you won this giveaway. And please take the time to follow. I'm insecure and I need the love. Leave you GFC Name in comment section along with your contact information. Because I love these book so much I will choose at least two winners....maybe more.
This contest is open to International as well.
Have fun!

BLOGGIESTA 2012

TIME TO GET #$@%* DONE!!!
BLOGGIESTA 2012
September 28-30
Bloggiesta is the perfect event to check off those to-do lists and also get inspiration going into the wintry months! It’s also a great opportunity to connect with other bloggers you may have not met before or haven’t talked to in awhile. We’d love to have anyone interested to join in the fun!
This event is hosted by There's A Book and It's All About Books
If you have some clean up projects you have been trying to get to or you need some new blog ideas this event is perfect for you.
Here are a few of things that I'm going to try to get accomplish this weekend-
*Update challenge lists for the year
*Clean up my blog roll
*Catch up on the 5 book reviews I'm behind on.
*Make sure my Goodreads reviews are up to date
And I plan on joining a few mini challenges-because who doesn't like to win prizes!
Wish me luck!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Winners Announced!

I'm a little back logged with contest winners as of late so lets catch up on that-
REUNITED Giveaway-
An ARC of the book Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham
Winner- ABBI HART
Thank you Simon & Schuster!

LAST DAYS OF FREEDOM Giveaway-
An ARC of the book Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
Winner- NICOLA
Thank you Simon & Schuster!

UNDER THE SEA Giveaway-
Hardback book of Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Winner- PERSEPHONE

Congratulation to all the winners! Books will be mailed out this week. Thanks for hopping and following.
I will also be participating in upcoming giveaways-Banned Books Week Giveaway and the HUGE Spooktacular Giveaway Hop. So stay tuned! I'll be giving away some amazing books!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

GIVEAWAY-Under the Sea Giveaway Hop

Welcome to UNDER THE SEA Giveaway Hop hosted by  Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Musings of ALMYBNENR.
This giveaway is reader's choice!!
Which book would you choose if you won this giveaway?


Rules for the Giveaway:
1. Please enter contact information in comment section.
2. This giveaway runs from September 14th to September 20th. A winner will be selected on September 21st.
3. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
4. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be selected.
5. This giveaway is open to everyone-BUT you must be a follower.
Good luck!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Last Days of Freedom Giveaway

Those dog days of summer are coming to an end. Hopefully everyone took a little time to soak up a few rays, have an ice cold whatever and enjoy a good beach read. Fall is in the air. It's time for back to school schedules, early bedtimes and FOOTBALL! But wait! Turn those frowns upside down! We have a giveaway hop to celebrate the Last Days of Freedom.
Thanks to Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Jessi from The Elliott Review for hosting this Giveaway Hop.
For this giveaway I'm giving away an ARC of Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian.

Included with this ARC is a cute little bottle of sunscreen lotion-SPF 30 on a key chain. Both are courtesy of Simon and Schuster. Rules for the Giveaway:

1. Please enter contact information in comment section.
2. This giveaway runs from August 17th to August 22nd. A winner will be selected on August 23rd.
3. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
4. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be selected.
5. This giveaway is open to everyone-BUT you must be a follower.
Good luck and may the forces of evil be confused on the way to your house!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Reading Road Trip 2012 Giveaway Winner!

CRYSTAL!!
Thanks to all who participated in the Reading Road Trip 2012 Giveaway!
This hop was the brainchild of I Like These Books and Icey Books.
I BIG thank you to them for hosting this super fun AND educational hop.
Crystal has 48 hours to confirm after which I will be mailing her a hardback copy of Chris Crutcher's Deadline.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Reading Road Trip 2012 Giveaway

WELCOME TO IDAHO!
Thanks for stopping by the Reading Road Trip 2012-hosted by  I Like These Books and Icey Books Our license plates say that our state is famous for it's potatos but Idaho has more to offer than french fries!   
Idaho is famous for its Whitewater Rafting-

Incredible parks like Yellowstone-

Fishing-

Skiing-

Idaho offers a wide variety of activities for the outdoor enthusiast-we tend to play hard!
The book I've chosen for this giveaway is by Idaho author Chris Crutcher. A cool guy who writes novels for young adults. Hers's the magical thing about his writing-When I have a boy walk into the library who has reluctant reader written all over him I immediately pull Chris Crutcher's books from the shelf. Most of the time my reluctant reader comes back for another Crutcher book.
And so without further ado I give you Deadline by Chris Crutcher-
Picture
Synopsis taken from Chris Crutcher's website:
Ben Wolf has big things planned for his senior year. Had big things planned. Now what he has is some very bad news and only one year left to make his mark on the world.
How can a pint-sized, smart-ass seventeen-year-old do anything significant in the nowheresville of Trout, Idaho?
First, Ben makes sure that no one else knows what is going on—not his superstar quarterback brother, Cody, not his parents, not his coach, no one. Next, he decides to become the best 127-pound football player Trout High has ever seen; to give his close-minded civics teacher a daily migraine; and to help the local drunk clean up his act.
And then there's Dallas Suzuki. Amazingly perfect, fascinating Dallas Suzuki, who may or may not give Ben the time of day. Really, she's first on the list.
Living with a secret isn't easy, though, and Ben's resolve begins to crumble . . . especially when he realizes that he isn't the only person in Trout with secrets.
Sounds good huh?
To enter this giveaway simply leave your name and contact information in comment box below. A winner will be drawn bu Random.org on August 6th. The winner has 48 hours to confirm after being contacted.
Click HERE below to visit other states offering awesome books for giveaways.

GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED!

DRAKE!!!
DRAKE was chosen by random.org and has confirmed by email.
The prize is three books-a delightful trilogy by Adriana Trigiani!
A GIANT thank you to Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer who hosted of the No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop. I truly appreciate all the people who take the time to hop and enter these giveaways.
Stay tuned for Mug of Moxie's other giveaways going on or coming up.
*Reunited Giveaway
*Reading Road Trip 2012 Giveaway
*The Thing about the Truth Giveaway

Friday, June 29, 2012

FREEDOM TO READ!

IT'S TIME!!
Stretch out people we are hopping again! That's right! Mug of Moxie is ready for another giveaway away!
The book up for grabs is perfect for this FREEDOM TO READ GIVEAWAY HOP.
Why?? Because it's not a book at all! It's a $20.00 gift card from Amazon.com so YOU have the FREEDOM to pick your own book-that's FREEDOM TO READ, baby!!
And now for the RULES of this giveaway:
*You must be a follower of Mug of Moxie
*You must be over 13 years old to enter this giveaway
* This giveaway is open to US Only
*In the comment section please leave GFC name and contact information
A winner will be chosen by Random.org on JULY 6th-If chosen winner does not confirm in 48 hours a new winner will be drawn.
Good luck and have fun! Below is a list of other blogs participating in the awesome Freedom To Read Giveaway Hop.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Giveaway Winner!

If my small town had a KFC I would gladly treat this giveaway winner to a chicken dinner. Unfortunately we only have a Burger King so the winner of the Cleaning Off My Shelf Giveaway Hop will have to settle for a box of books!
DUPLIKATE by Cherry Cheva(HB)
BEAT THE BAND By Don Calame(HB)
Wolves, Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler(HB)
Congratulations.....
Chynna
Many thanks to those who joined and hopped this giveaway. And of course a thousand thank yous go to the hosts I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting this event.

Friday, June 15, 2012

I'm cleaning out my book shelves!!


Why oh why is parting such sweet sorrow? Sadly this beautiful books were purchased or won but- Alas! I have had no time to read them! So it is with a heavy heart that I pass these jewels on to my blogging buddies. In hopes that they will find a good home.

DUPLIKATE by Cherry Cheva(HB)

.

                                                                BEAT THE BAND By Don Calame(HB)

Wolves, Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler(HB)
This giveaway is for all three books!
I will be adding a couple more books during the week-just not sure which ones yet. I need the shelf space!
And now for the RULES of this giveaway:
*You must be a follower of Mug of Moxie
*You must be over 13 years old to enter this giveaway
* This giveaway is open to US Only(because of shipping costs)
*In the comment section please leave GFC name and contact information
A winner will be chosen by Random.org on JUNE 21st-If chosen winner does not confirm in 48 hours a new winner will be drawn.
Good luck and have fun! Below is a list of other blogs participating in the awesome Clear Your Shelf  Blog Hop.
**A GIANT shout out to I'm A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting this AMAZINGLY COOL event!

Friday, June 1, 2012

My Favorite Reads Giveaway Hop

Hey Happy Hoppers! More giveaways!
                         Two favorite reads that come to mind are:

Win them both!
And now for the RULES of this giveaway.
*You must be a follower of Mug of Moxie
*You must be over 13 years old to enter this giveaway
* This giveaway is open to US residents
In the comment section please leave GFC name and contact information
A winner will be chosen by Random.org on JUNE 7th-If chosen winner does not confirm in 48 hours a new winner will be drawn.
Good luck and have fun! Below is a list of other blogs participating in the awesome MY FAVORITE READS Blog Hop.
**A GIANT shout out to I'm A Reader, Not A Writer and Rachelle Writes for hosting this AMAZINGLY COOL event!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

ARE YOU READY TO GET YOUR HOP ON?


Stretch out people we are hopping again! That's right! Mug of Moxie is ready to give another book away!
The book up for grabs is perfect for this SPLASH INTO SUMMER GIVEAWAY HOP.
The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June
By Robin Benway
And now for the RULES of this giveaway.
*You must be a follower of Mug of Moxie
*You must be over 13 years old to enter this giveaway
* This giveaway is open to US residents
In the comment section please leave GFC name and contact information
A winner will be chosen by Random.org on JUNE 1-If chosen winner does not confirm in 48 hours a new winner will be drawn.
Good luck and have fun! Below is a list of other blogs participating in the awesome SPLASH INTO SUMMER Blog Hop.
**A GIANT shout out to I'm A Reader, Not A Writer and Page Turners for hosting this AMAZINGLY COOL event!

Monday, May 21, 2012

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Random.org has spoken and the winner of the LDS AUTHORS GIVEAWAY HOP is-
ANGELA CISCO
An email has been sent and the winner is confirmed.
I will be mailing ANGELA CISCO two great books by LDS authors-
Matched by Ally Condie &
Haunts Haven by Joan Sowards 
A ENORMOUS thank you to I'm a Reader, Not a Writer and  The Book Bug for hosting this hop-
AIR KISSES to all who participated, hopped, joined and followed.
Next giveaway will be:
May 25th
SPLASH INTO SUMMER Giveaway Hop.
See you there!