Willa Cather book giveaway and Book Birthday gifts ♥

Good morning sweet friends.

 

Come in and sit with me, I can get you a cup of coffee or tea and a delicious cookie.  It is Tuesday, we are well halfway through the month of August.  I usually complain about time flying but I have to be honest, I would be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to September and the beginning of the BER months.  Cool temperatures, pumpkins, orange and rust colors, falling leaves, and the start of one of my favorite seasons.

 

I have been so busy, and I know it always happens during the summer, but by the end of summer I am so ready for everything to slow down.  I often want to go outside, look up to the sky, and yell out "slowwwww dowwwnnnn already."   

 

But the good news is that the the seasons are starting to shift a little, we've had a pretty good summer with only about 2 or 3 weeks of really hot weather, the rest of the time it's been not as bad.  Although, when you live in Texas and get used to the triple digits in the summer, the 90s seem like a bit of a cold front.  *I know I'm exaggerating lol*

 

Anyway, I celebrated my birthday on the 10th of August, I turned the big 51.  Crazy to even think that I am now in my 50s decade, but very blessed to be here, for sure.  I didn't get to see my brother and sister in law on my day, but had everyone over this past Saturday for a Portuguese dinner and a celebration of not only my birthday but mine and Curt's anniversary and Curt receiving his VA Disability as well.

 

My sweet brother and sister in law brought my birthday gifts, and as always they nail it.  I think I am one of the easiest people to buy gifts for as well.  I'm a girlie girl, so books, lotions, perfumes, pajamas, slippers, cookbooks, kitchen gadgets, chocolate, flowers, lego flowers, puzzles.....yes, any of those and this girl is ecstatic.

 

Along with my great gifts, I got two books.  Both my authors that I don't have on my shelf but have been wanting to read, and luckily for me, my sister in law grabbed the books knowing I would love them, without even realizing that they were on my wish list.  She's that great of a sis! ♥ 

 

The first book she got me was A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd.  I have been hearing such wonderful things about her books, and have wanted to try them but I was on a no spend month and wasn't buying any books.  I was so happy to see this book in my gift basket.  

 

Sarah is a regency book author so just the kind of genre I love reading. 

 

The book my sister and brother got me is actually book three in the Whispers of the Moors series.  So of course, I had to go to the store to find the first 2 because I just can't read a book out of order.  Can you?

I was able to find books one and two, which are The Heiress of Winterwood and The Headmistress of Rosemere.  

 

The next book they gave me, was Lucinda Riley's The Missing Sister.  This is book five in the Seven Sisters Series.  I have heard of not only Lucinda but this specific series, for a long time and I have been wanting so much to read it.  It seems to be a favorite amongst a lot of book fans.

 

I need to find the first 6 in the series, but I am actually today ordering the first book so that I can read it before I get to this one.

 

By the way, this specific book I got is a beast.  Over 700 pages, it's definitely one of my biggest books on the shelf and it's a bit intimidating but I think it's going to be a really good read.   

Have you read any of these series or authors?  Do you have a favorite one?  Be sure to let me know.

 

Before I talk about the book I am giving away, I wanted to share with you one of my best purchases this year, and that is this super neat reading light.  It is malleable, it folds nicely and fits right in my bedside table drawer.  I just love that it hangs on my neck and it's hands free, I don't have to hold it, I don't have to clip it to my book and it's not battery powered, it is chargeable which for me is a huge plus.

 

I got it on Amazon, and I'm going to leave you the link if you want to get one or see how it is.  And no, I don't get any kickbacks or credits or money or anything from this link.  I am not affiliated with anyone or anything.   

GIVEAWAY:

 

Now for the giveaway.  I will start by saying that is not a new book, it is used, and it is from my own bookshelf.  I bought it not too long ago through Thriftbooks, but I didn't realize that I already had another copy of My Antonia on the shelf, so I ended up with two copies and I think one of you might really enjoy it. 

Willa Cather is a new author for me but after seeing so many wonderful reviews on her books, I knew I had to give them a go.  She is such a beautiful writer, her stories just flow and are so vivid.  If you want to read up a little more on who she is, I would encourage you to go over to the Willa Cather Archives.

 

Leon Bakst's portrait of Willa Cather, courtesy Omaha Public Library

 

 

Willa was born in Virginia in 1873, and was well known as an American novelist who focused on books about the settlers and frontier life.  I am currently reading her book O Pioneers and loving every single word and every page.

 

So, with that said, I would love to pass this copy of My Antonia onto one of you, who is interested.  All you have to do is let me know down below if you've ever heard of her, if you've read any of her books, or why you would be interested in reading her work.

 

I will pick a winner on Friday and will mail the book out over the weekend.  Good luck friends ♥ 

 

Leaving you with a fascinating documentary on Willa Cather and her life.