Books that are heartbreaking, but yet full of hope and inspiration

So an author friend of mine, (I feel I can call her a friend, we've chatted often enough now) gave me this link (she happens to be an author of one of those books) and it lists books that are about being a teenager and the struggles one has.  I really thought this was brilliant and loved how the writer of the article pointed out the different depths of the books.  I haven't read them all yet, but the ones I have read are certainly books that will stick with me.  I wanted to share the link with all of you since it's so great and is a great list of recommended reading if your looking for something in particular.  So go here and check it out! 

I'm also hoping maybe some of you would be up for donating some of these books, or any others in new to gently used condition, to the Pine Ridge Reservation book drive.  You can find the info about it here.   I think all of these books would be fantastic as the struggles that the teens go through on the reservation are more frequent.  More alcoholism, more drug use, more suicides.  Sometimes a book can make a world of difference. 
Even if your not able to donate you really must get your hands on these books and read them!
After posting the above bit I got some great comments with MORE inspirational books!  So I thought I would add them to the list here.    Karen says Split by  Swati Avasthi should be on the list.  I recognize the cover but really don't recall reading any reviews on it.   I'm definitely going to be watching for it though!

 Angel says Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala should be on the list.  I have heard good things about this one! 
She also says A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler.  It's another one I've heard many great things about.  Both of these books are ones I can't wait to get my hands on!
Do you have some that should be added to the list?

WINNERS, WINNERS and MORE WINNERS!

Lots and lots of winners to be announced!  I'm going to start with the faerie bookmarks, journal and fancy tags since that one has multiple winners.
First place winner will get the journal,  a bookmark, and a birdcage tag.
The winner is- Riv Re said...

For my birthday I just have a little family celebration. I'm getting smart though. It's time to start bugging for lap-tops and gift-cards to iTunes and Amazon.- You've been emailed!  I agree that you have to start the hints early!  I got lucky and got a netbook!  Yay!

Second place will get the fancy tag with the flowers, a bookmark and a birdcage tag.
The winner is- Simply Grace said...

Back in the day, before the kids, I used to party like a rockstar on my B-day! Now, its an overnight and dinner with the hubby, which is definitely a great way to celebrate too. No kids!!!  You've been emailed! Your lucky you get overnight and dinner with hubby!  I can't remember the last time we did that!  Oh yeah, like 3 years ago!

Third place wins the bird and faerie tag and a birdcage tag.
The winner is- Atypical Girl said...

I love to go to an outdoor market, have dinner, see a movie, and of course, eat cake. But most of all I love to spend the day non-stressing with people I love!
Happy birthday to *YOU*! - You've been emailed!  I really would've loved a non stressing day.  Didn't happen though :(  I did eat cake though!  I hope that maybe this weekend I can go to Saturday Market because I love the outdoor market too!

Thanks so much everyone for the Birthday wishes!

Winner of Willow by Julia Hoban is...

Angie D  Congratulations!

The TWO winners of The Vampires Seduction are...

Angela

and 

Donnas

Congratulations!

The Winner of Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready is...

KMichelle!  Congratulations!

The Winner of The Hunger Games and Whimsical Fiction necklace is...

Bianca!  

Congratulations!

All the winners have been randomly selected via random.org. That's all the winners this time around but I still have some giveaways up and I never even got all the giveaways posted yet!  So keep watching for more.  Things are crazy here but hopefully I'll find some time to get the rest up for giveaway!  

Thanks to everyone for all your awesome comments and to my followers for helping my blog grow.  It's truly been amazing and I really feel like I found my niche.  My place.  My thing that's all my own and is ME.  So thanks to all of you for helping me find this place.  If it wasn't for all of you, my readers and my followers I never would've felt like I was getting anywhere.  So thank you!  

Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Amy

Thank you everyone who entered!  And congrats to the winners!  If I haven't already sent you an email then one is on the way!

It's my birthday! And Winner of the Twilight Graphic Novel!

Today is my golden Birthday!  I'm actually having an okay day but I'm pretty frustrated with my baby who's been crying at me all day.  But I did get a new netbook!  I'm really excited about it because my laptop is going to die one of these days (like soon!).  The battery doesn't last longer then 5 minutes so I have to stay in one spot anyway.  I decided to go with a netbook for the portability.  With kids it's hard to keep them happy in one spot.  So now I can go outside or wherever and I have 10 hours of battery life!  That's awesome!

This is not the actual one I got, but the closest picture I could find. Mine is red though. 

 

Okay, so I finally kind of got a chance to pick a winner for the Twilight Graphic novel.  There were only 26 entrants this time and everyone only had one entry, so nice and easy.  Random.org picked number 6 and that's

 YARA! 

Congrats Yara!  I'll email you as soon as I can!  I have company on the way so it might be after that.


If you didn't win you and you haven't entered my other contests be sure to do so.  Many end tonight!  Not sure when winners will be announced but hopefully tonight or tomorrow.  Most entries are already added up, I think.  

Would-Be Witch by Kimberly Frost Review

This is an adult novel (though not very graphic in any way).
Desciption:
The promising debut of a hot new voice in paranormal romance-and the first of the Southern Witch novels.The family magic seems to have skipped over Tammy Jo Trask. All she gets are a few untimely visits from long-dead, smart-mouthed family ghost Edie. But when her locket-an heirloom that happens to hold Edie-s soul-is stolen in the midst of a town-wide crime spree, it-s time for Tammy to find her inner witch.After a few experiences with her dysfunctional magic, Tammy turns to the only person in small-town Duval, Texas, who can help: the very rich and highly magical Bryn Lyons. He might have all the answers-and a 007 savoir faire to boot-but the locket isn-t the only heirloom passed down in Tammy-s family. She also inherited a warning: stay away from Lyons.


My Thoughts:
This was a perfect change from all the young adult books I've been reading.  I didn't want anything heavy, but I needed to get away from the teen angst and drama and this was the perfect medicine.  
Light and LOL funny is a great way to describe this one.  Although there is action and some serious stuff goes on it's all portrayed in a light manner.  
Tammy Jo is a character that you just can't help but love.  Even if she doesn't know what Gaelic is (that was a little over the top strange for me, but not that big of a deal).  
The small town in Texas where Tammy Jo lives is perfect for the setting.  Full of eccentric and unusual characters that are full of some very curious wit.  I love a southern book and find southern characters completely loveable.  If all southerners are the way they are in the this book and others I've read then I want to live in the south!
At times things seemed a little too light for the subject matter, but I was able to overlook that.  
I can't wait to read the next book Barely Bewitched!  
I give this one 4/5 moons!

You can find Kimberly Frost on her Website | Twitter | Facebook
You can purchase at your favorite bookstore or amazon.
  

It's Monday! What are you Reading? (12)

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading?  Is hosted by Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books.  It's a fun meme where we gather to share what we've read last week and our reading plans for this week. 


Well, we're going to the beach today!  Woo hoo!  First beach trip of the summer.  Well, we went in May but it was raining pretty hard.  Anyway, the kids are excited to play in the sand.  Not sure which beach we'll go to, but it'll be one of the Oregon beaches.  We usually go to Seaside because I have a sister in law that lives there, but I'm thinking maybe we'll hit up another one since it's been awhile.
Anyway, as to what I've read...

I read White Cat by Holly Black (review here)

I read Sea by Heidi R. Kling (review here)

And then I needed a change of pace and I read

Would-Be Witch by Kimberly Frost (review to come)

I am working on Seers of Light by Jennifer DeLucy

I keep getting distracted by other books though.

I started Manifest by Artist Arthur because I was out of the house and only had my Kobo after I read

 Would-Be Witch.  

Then I got a book from We Love YA! tours and wanted to get it read and sent on so I started 

Deception by Lee Nichols

So my goals for this week?  Finish up those books!  Then I plan to read another adult book.  The teen angst is getting to me.  That's why I read Would-Be Witch.  It was the perfect book for getting away from teen drama!  Seers of Light is adult as well, but it's a bit heavier reading.  At least so far.

I have giveaways ending today and tomorrow.

So make sure you click through the giveaways and enter before it's too late!

Also I'm doing something very important to me and I really hope to get as much help as possible from all of you, my bloggy friends.  Read the post below this one if you haven't already.  Then click through to read all the info on my original post (or do that first).

ALSO, remember to mark your calenders for the Read A Thon!  It happens July 12, 13, and 14th and we have so many amazing prizes!  I mean, tons and tons (like over 100 prize packs!)!  And all you have to do is participate to be entered to win!  

What Inspires You?

When you were a child was there a book that inspired you to maybe be a better friend?  When you were a teen was there a book that maybe gave you hope and helped you struggle through some tough times?  How about as an adult?  Is there a book that has made you a better person?  Maybe a better wife, husband, sister, brother, mother, father?
Books can bring inspiration in all different forms.  They can inspire a person to give their mom a hug because they were reading about a girl without a mom and suddenly they are thankful for their own.  They can inspire a person to become a doctor and they end up saving lives.  Books bring inspiration, we all know that right?  Have you ever felt that maybe a book saved your life?  What about if someone who is a drug addict reads Crank by Ellen Hopkins and it inspires them to quit?  (note; I haven't actually read it yet!)  
What about you've lost a loved one and you just feel lost and like you can barely even hang onto life anymore yourself.  Then you pick up I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder.  Or Chasing Brooklyn, also by her.  And it opens your eyes.  You suddenly realize you can go on.  You've been inspired to live your life that you are lucky to have.
Imagine living out in the middle of no where.  No stores, no movie theaters, nothing to do.  Not even a tv to watch or a car to drive around.  Nothing to read because there's no money (or store) and the library is too far and has a sparse collection as it is.  What would you do with yourself?  Yeah, that's where trouble comes in.
Well, that's how it is for the people of Pine Ridge Reservation.  If you haven't yet please check out my post about the Pine Ridge Book Drive.
For this post I want you to tell me the books that have inspired you.  If you were to pick one, or a few books, that you think are the most inspiring what books are they?  Can you donate a copy(s)?  Even if you can't (trust me, I understand if you can't and no one will think badly of you) just let us know so we can add it to the list of books we MUST get to them.  Hopefully someone will have the ability to donate it.  You can leave your inspirational book in the comments.  If you want to donate you can fill out the form, and/or contact me at candace_redinger(at)yahoo(dot)com
Although this particular post is about inspirational books, they are in need of books of all kinds and all new or very gently used books are welcome.   I also plan to have some giveaways for all who donate but haven't yet worked out the prizes.  Thanks everyone for reading this, I really appreciate any and all comments (nice ones, anyway).

In My Mailbox (13)

Happy Sunday once again folks!  Whew!  It's been one CRAZY weekend!  Busy, busy, busy.  Friday was a Mary Kay party at my mother in laws in the morning and I ended up staying until LATE at night.  Didn't get a single thing done (well, I finished off a book!).  Today (Saturday) we went garage saleing (how the heck do you spell sale'ing?) and we (well my FIL and hubby) rototill-ed our backyard.  Thank goodness cause it was a mess!  It was a long day of yard work though.  Now Sunday I have more yard work to do and the house and laundry needs cleaned.  But I have to fit in some time for blogging!
So anyway, back to the important matter at hand!  In My Mailbox is a weekly event highlighting all the books you've received through the week (no matter the source).  It is hosted by the lovely Kristi at The Story Siren and was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.  

This week turned out better then I had thought.  

I bought

Would-Be Witch by Kimberly Frost (finished yesterday!) 

and from a garage sale I got 

Nightworld No. 2: Dark Angel; The Chosen; and Soulmate

I don't have the first book so I probably won't be reading this anytime soon.

For review on tour from We Love YA tours I got

Deception (ARC) by Lee Nichols

So see?  Not such a bad week!

However, next week I'll have a haul!  I ordered a TON of books for the Pine Ridge Reservation book drive.

But there are a couple for me as well.  I think I should have about 20 for the book drive and maybe I'll find more good deals.  Make sure you check out the info as they could use your books as well!  Plus there are going to be great prizes for those who donate!

So what was in your mailbox this week?  

Sea by Heidi R. Kling Review

Description:
Still haunted by nightmares of her mother’s death, fifteen-year-old Sienna Jones reluctantly travels to Indonesia with her father’s relief team to help tsunami orphans with their post traumatic stress disorder—something Sienna knows a lot about. Since her mother’s plane went missing over the Indian Ocean three years before, Sienna doesn’t do anything if it involves the ocean or planes, so this trip is a big step forward.

But the last thing she expects is to fall for Deni, a brooding Indonesian boy who lives at the orphanage, and just so happens to be HOT. When Deni hears a rumor that his father may be alive, Sienna doesn’t think twice about running away with him to the epicenter of the disaster. Unfortunately, what they find there could break both their hearts.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book.  I thought the setting was great and the descriptions of Indonesia and the people (and their customs) was very eye opening.  Particularly of the destruction the tsunami wrought.  

I loved learning a little about the relief work and thought it was great how it was pointed out that they were not there to convert their religion or take away their customs.  It really bothers me how so many do go over to 'help' and take advantage of the people by basically bribing them to convert to whatever religion.  That is my own personal opinion in that matter anyway.  

I also thought it was great how 'real' Heidi made it.  When relief workers go to help there are things they can't change.  In this case the man who owned the orphanage was accused of using the money donated for himself instead of the orphanage.  We never learn if this is true, or just Deni's opinion (or what he thought).  But in real life that is something that relief workers really can't do anything about.  They just have to stand by and watch.  They can only do what they can do.  They can't completely change the world.  

I liked the men in Sienna's life.  Spider was a surfer boy that was easy to imagine, and Deni was completely different.  Although things didn't go exactly as we may wish they kind of work themselves out.  Some may be left a little sad (like me) but yet I knew that was the right thing.  

I found myself a little irritated at Sienna at times, but she is only 15.  She seemed a bit naive, but she was quick to ask questions, and this is how we learn many of the customs in Indonesia.  I guess she just didn't quite click with me.  

Overall this was an intriguing and eye opening read and I look forward to passing this book onto my family and friends.  It's refreshing to read one that will be enjoyed by all my friends and family who are readers.

I give this one 4/5 moons and look forward to reading more of Heidi's work!

You can find Heidi R. Kling on her website | Livejournal

You can purchase Sea from your favorite bookstore or amazon.