It’s been a while since we had a Friday Freebie, so this week we have another great giveaway for you!  An audio book copy of Dear John by Nicholas Sparks.

Here’s a bit about Dear John from Amazon:

An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life–until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. “Dear John,” the letter read…and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love–and face the hardest decision of his life.

• To enter the giveaway to receive this audio book copy of Dear John, just leave a comment telling us your favorite book that’s been made into a movie. (Be sure to include an accurate email address in the comment field so we can let you know if you won. It won’t be published.)
• For an extra entry follow this blog. Be sure to let us know your follower name so we can give you the extra entry.
• Post or tweet about this giveaway for another entry. Please leave a link where we can verify this!

This giveaway closes at midnight on Sunday, February 13, 2011.

*We really hate to impose any restrictions, but due to high mailing costs, this giveaway is only open to those who have Canadian or US mailing addresses. Our sincerest apologies to those readers outside North America.

Our January Book Club selection is The Duff by Kody Keplinger. This one was selected by YOU in our “Can’t Put it Down” poll and it’s getting rave reviews! I quite enjoyed the book, and am looking forward to discussing The Duff with my fellow book lovers.

There were no discussion questions available for The Duff, so I’ve had to come up with a few of my own. But I’m no expert, so please don’t limit yourself to these questions! We always want to hear what you have to say, so please feel free to bring up anything you would like to discuss about the book. Veering off topic is highly encouraged around here!

The DUFF Discussion Questions

1. Did you enjoy The Duff? What did you like about it? What didn’t you like about it?
2. Could you relate to Bianca and her friends? Did you feel they were realistic examples of teenage girls?
3. Had you ever heard the somewhat controversial term DUFF before this book? Were you offended by the term the Duff before you read the book? Has your opinion changed after reading the book?
4. At first Bianca uses sex with Wesley as a way to briefly forget her troubles. Were you surprised by her actions? Do you think using sex as a distraction is a typical behavior?
5. While we’re talking about sex… were you surprised by how much “consequence free” sex there was in this YA book?  Should sex be so prevalent in a book directed at teens?
6. Joe says to Bianca “And girls love jackasses…” Do you believe this is true? Have you ever fallen for a guy you knew was a jerk?
7. What message (if any) did you take away from The Duff?
8. On the author’s blog, she talks about her DUFF kit, which is a “comforting little collection that you can use on a relaxing night either alone or with friends”. Kody’s DUFF Kit has things like Cherry Coke, Converse sneakers, James McAvoy movies, Chocolate Swirl ice cream and a comfy t-shirt. What would your DUFF kit include?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Sucker Bet (Vegas Vampires #4)
by Erin McCarthy

Summary
This fourth and final installment in the Vegas Vampires series focuses on Gwenna Carrick, younger sister to Ethan Carrick, the president of the vampire nation. After laying low for centuries Gwenna has relocated to Vegas and is living in her brother’s hotel. To help fill her spare time, Gwenna has been investigating an online vampire slayers group. When she plans her first meeting with a member of the Slayers loop, the result is a dead body and a run in with the police. Despite the unpleasant situation, sparks fly between Gwenna and the detective on the scene Nate Thomas. As the murders continue, Nate and Gwenna can’t seem to stay away from one another, but things go terribly awry when Gwenna’s ex husband gets involved. Will they be able to stop the murders and her ex before it’s too late, or will Gwenna’s ‘new life’ be cut short?

Review
I really enjoyed Sucker Bet by Erin McCarthy. While the characters aren’t overly deep or layered in the Vegas Vampire series, they’re all very likeable and entertaining. Ethan’s sister Gwenna makes for an interesting main character, and we get to touch base with many of the characters from the earlier books in the series as well. The story moves at a fast pace, there’s a bit of mystery, lots of steamy (but not x-rated) romance and a few laughs, which is a perfect combination for a light, fun read.

Verdict
I’m sad to see this fun little series come to end, the Vegas Vampires have a little more bite than Betsy the Vampire Queen but aren’t so dark as Sookie and her Southern Vampire pals.

* Sucker Bet is book #2 for the The TwentyEleven Challenge

As I mentioned last week, I’ve decided to add a personal challenge of my own to the other reading challenges I’ve joined this year.  Some major life changes have resulted in a need to free up shelf space and to reduce my growing debt. I’ve been cutting back all over, but the big pile of books always seems to be growing.  So, it’s time to make a change! And thus a challenge was born…

The challenge is this: Until my very large pile of unread books is reduced to single digits, I am not allowed to spend any more money on books.

But, this does NOT mean I can’t acquire new books by other means… because that would be unrealistic, and I’d just be setting myself up to fail. But I have quite a collection of book gift certificates to use up, and I have a library card and friends who share books, not to mention review copies. Any of these means are acceptable. As long as I don’t spend any $$. Granted, allowing myself new books won’t reduce the TBR pile as quickly, it will ensure I don’t have to miss out on those books I’ve been waiting for.

I know there are other TBR pile reading challenges out there, but I didn’t want to force myself to read a specific number of books, I just wanted to stop adding to the pile and save some money.

My TBR piles is big enough to keep me going for a while (including e-books and the ones I forgot to put in the pile, it’s about 46 books), but I got all those books because I wanted to read them, so it’s time to stop jumping to the next book I want and read the ones I already have.

This is a challenge I came up with to fit a personal need, but if you like the idea, feel free to join in! I’m sure a support team will be a big help! I have no idea how to use Mr. Linky, so if you want to try the Frugal Reader Challenge yourself, then join in in the comments below. Feel free to grab the badge above and add your own post on your blog if you so desire! I’ll update this post and add my progress from time time, and do a write up post at the end of the year. (Or if I happen to beat the pile. Whichever comes first.)

He’s Just Not That Into You
by Greg Behrendt & Liz Tuccillo

If you watched Sex and the City, or have seen the He’s Just Not That Into You movie, you probably already know what the book is about. But if you’ve missed out on the screen versions, He’s Just Not That Into You demystifies the bizarre behaviour of men in dating scenarios. Greg Behrendt shares insights that women have been sorely missing for decades. Centuries probably. He basically takes all the hours we’ve spent obsessing about what the confusing behaviour of the opposite sex means and boils it down to one simple truth. A guy who likes you will not leave you wondering and sitting by the phone. Period.

As I read this book I saw EXACT examples of male behaviour that I have been subject to. I know Greg and Liz haven’t met my exes, but I swear they were recounting stories I have lived. I’ve already re-read multiple sections, because their advice is just that great. Their message may be a bit hard to take at first, because nobody really wants to accept that the guy who didn’t call just doesn’t like them, but I think this book is genius. And while it may seem disheartening at first, it’s really a book that focuses on how awesome women are and why we should love ourselves enough to not let a guy treat us any less than great.

All women who are dating should keep He’s Just Not That Into You handy as a reference. Read it, and then when you’re lying awake wondering what his latest behaviour means, check it and I bet you’ll find your answer.

- He’s Just Not That Into You is book #1 for The Dewey Decimal Challenge, and book #1 for the Page to Screen Challenge.

It’s Friday so why not a little entertaining video to help the day go by?

Back in October, Oprah Winfrey did an intimate and in-depth interview with author JK Rowling. I watched the enitre hour completely fascinated as the two uber-famous women discussed their rags to riches stories. Recently, EW.com’s Shelf Life blog unearthed another great J.K. Rowling interview, this one taking place shortly after she signed her deal with Scholastic to bring Harry to the States, and before Chamber of Secrets had even been released!

Hearing JK praise herself for a whopping 30,000 copies sold, is sweet and funny all at the same time. And I couldn’t help but be a little moved by shots of her sitting in a pub working on Prisoner of Azkaban! For this and other great insights from the early days of Harry Potter check out the video below.

Just when I was thinking I was in need of some new adult series to sink my teeth into, Melissa de la Cruz, the author of popular YA series Blue Bloods and The Ashleys is releasing the first book in a new series, and this time it’s a series for adults! (Yay)

The first book in the new series will be called Witches of East End, and will center around the Beauchamp’s, a magically inclined family. The series will be set in the same universe as de la Cruz’s Blue Bloods books, and readers can expect some of her Blue Bloods vampires to be involved in the new book’s mystery. Witches of East End is set to be released on June 21, 2011.

Have you read any of Melissa’s other novels or series? Are you a fan? Will you be checking out Witches of East End? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

If at first you don’t succeed… Take the challenge again! The TwentyTen Challenge was the one challenge that I didn’t complete last year, but the point of a challenge is to challenge yourself right? Once again this challenge is being hosted by Bart’s Bookshelf, but this year the challenge becomes The TwentyEleven Challenge.

The Rules:

• You must read a total of  20 books from 11 categories. (You can choose two of the categories where you only need to read one book.)
• The categories are intended to be loose guidelines only, if you decide it fits, then it fits!
• Each book can only qualify for one category.
• Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.
• Books read from 01/01/2011 – 31/12/2011 are eligible.

The categories for TwentyEleven are:

1. To YA or not YA: This one works like this… Tend to read more Young Adult than Adult Fiction books then read one or two adult fiction titles, vice-versa if you don’t tend to read much Young Adult. I’m going for 2 non-YA books here.
   1.  Spinning by Michael Baron
   2. Electric Blue by Nancy Bush
   -
2. …With a Twist: This one focuses on sub-genres, read a lot of chick-lit, then try a paranormal romance! Fantasy? Why not give some Steampunk a go, like a bit of Space-Opera in your Sci-Fi then pick up a military Sci-fi book.
   1.  Sweet Spot by Susan Mallery
   2. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
   -
3. Hot off the Presses: Read a book published (in your country) in 2011? Then it counts for this category.
   1. The Summer of Permanent Wants by Jamieson Findlay
   2. The Warlock by Michael Scott
   -
4. It Wasn’t Me! (aka Bad Bloggers*) Books in this category, should be ones you’ve picked up purely on the recommendation of another blogger count for this category (any reviews you post should also link to the post that convinced you give the book ago). *Bad Bloggers is hosted by Chris of Stuff as Dreams are Made on.
   1. Crossed by Ally Condie
   2. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
   -
5. Show it Who is Boss! Tackle that overflowing T.B.R. pile! Books for this category must be already residents of your bookshelves as of 1/12/10.
   1. Subject Seven by James A Moore
   2. The Final Warning by James Patterson
   -
6. Bablefish: Read books that are translated from a language that is not your own.
   1.
   2.
   -
7. Will-Power? What Will-Power? Bought a book NEW during 2011? Then it counts for this category. Second-hand books do not count, but books bought for you as gifts or won in a giveaway do count.
   1.  The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
   2. Death’s Excellent Vacation by Various Authors
   -
8. Mind the Gap: Need just one more book to compete that duology/trilogy/series then read it for this one! (This is for that final book you need to complete the series, so you can’t read two books from the same series!) Because not everyone reads a series in order, this is for the last book you need to read, not necessarily the last book in the series…
   1. Sucker Bet by Erin McCarthy  – Vegas Vampires #4
   2. Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
   -
9. Back in the Day: Re-read an old favourite or two for this category.
   1.
   2.
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10. Way Back When: Read books that were published before you were born for this one, whether that be the day before or 100 years prior!
    1.
    2.
    -
11. Slim-Pickings: Got a novella you want to read? Then this one is the one for you! Any books between 90-150 pages count.
    1. The Death of Joan of Arc by Michael Scott
    2.

The Dewey Decimal Challenge is hosted by Jen at The Introverted Reader. This challenge is designed for fiction addicts who want to add some non-fiction into their reading but need a little push.

The rules are pretty simple: Read any non-fiction books. That’s it… Absolutely anything that is classified as non-fiction counts for this challenge.

There are four levels in The Dewey Decimal Challenge:

Dilettante–Read 1 non-fiction book.
Explorer–Read 2
Seeker–Read 3
Master–Read 4

I’m going to go all out and try for the Master level!  I know.  Big words for a girl who only finished 2 of her 3 challenges last year, but I’m already reading a non-fiction book now, so I figure I have a good start.

Here are my four non-fiction books:

1. He’s Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt & Liz Tuccillo (Review posted)

2. The Big Ten of Grammar by William Bradshaw

3.

4.

As promised, here’s my 2010 book wrap up! So, after achieving my goal of 50 read in 2009, my goal for 2010 was to read 75 books. As mentioned in my final Read by Jody of 2010, I did not make my goal, but I’m OK with that.

I did manage to read 69 books in 2010, so I wasn’t too far off my goal.

Some stats…

Only 11 of my books were e-books this year, which actually disappoints me because it’s DOWN from 2009. I love my e-reader and have found e-books actually more enjoyable to read than traditional books, and I try very hard to be environmentally friendly, so I want this number to go up instead of down! I blame the backslide partly on review books, which are mostly still coming as hard copies, and a large gift certificate for a bookstore that couldn’t be used for e-books. I’m really hoping this number will increase significantly in 2011.

A whopping 42 books of my 2010 reads were YA books! This is up significantly from just 15 in 2009. I’m not sure what this says about me, but I think I should really try and incorporate some more adult books into my reading this year!

40 of my 2010 reads fell into the Science Fiction & Fantasy genre, which is no surprise since this is where my heart lies. But since my overall book count went up, I actually managed to read more non-fantasy books this year than last, so I’m happy about that.

Highlights of the year…

1. Definitely The Hunger Games trilogy! I love me a great epic adventure that sticks with you. Add in a strong female heroine and I’m in love. It’s been weeks since I read Mockingjay and I still can’t stop thinking about Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch and Gale. And I’m coveting Hunger Games merchandise, so clearly this one has struck a chord with me!
2. Some great starts: I read a few gems that I really loved which all look like promising starts to new series. Anyone who has been following this blog for any length of time knows I’m a series addict. I like to get attached to my characters and follow their stories for years to come. And that’s why these awesome books stand out for 2010: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, EON by Alison Goodman, The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, and The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller.
   I’d also like to give a shout-out to Graceling by Kristin Cashore because I really loved it, but unfortunately Fire, book 2 in the Seven Kingdoms series was a very poor follow-up.
3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians. While not every book in this 5 volume series is a 5 star book, I enjoyed them all and it had a fantastic 5 star ending. Ending a series satisfactorily is a big deal as far as I’m concerned!
4. Netgalley. A site that offers plenty of great review books and all in e-book format! Big win.
5. Real life YA. I don’t know if that’s the best name for it, but I read some absolutely amazing stories about teens dealing with real life issues that resonated with me on every level. If you’re ever looking for a book to really make you feel, check out The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson, As She Grows by Lesley Anne Cowan, God is in the Pancakes by Robin Epstein or The Second Trial by Rosemarie Boll. All are amazing.

The Challenges

I signed up for three challenges in 2010, but unfortunately I only completed two of them.

I actually surpassed my goal for the 2010 YA Reading Challenge hosted by J. Kaye’s Book Blog (now known as Home Girls book blog). I signed up for The Mini YA Reading Challenge, which requires you to read 12 Young Adult novels, but completed the Just My Size YA Reading Challenge, which requires you to read 25 Young Adult novels.

I just barely finished The What’s in a Name? Challenge, hosted by Beth at Beth Fish Reads. My final book for that challenge was completed on Dec. 26 and it wasn’t until after I read it that I learned that Nightshade was a plant name and qualified for the last book in the challenge!

I did not however manage to complete the TwentyTen Reading Challenge hosted by Bart’s Bookshelf. I was close, but only managed to get in 17 of the 20 books required. I do think this one was a fun challenge, and it was a good one for getting me to select books I may not normally have picked.

(To see any of my challenges just follow the links above.)

So there you have my 2010 book year in review. I’d love to hear some of your highlights from the year! Please share some of your faves from 2010 in the comments below.