My 5 Favorite Books & an iPad Mini Giveaway!
HI! Hope y’all had an amazing Labor Day weekend! I spent mine doing what everyone should be doing…not laboring! Just kidding, I had lots and lots of work to do around here…but I was able to carve out some time for a bit of fun, phew! I also got to do one of my favorite things…read (on our awesome new concrete rug porch!)!
What do you like to read? I have a crazy, undying passion for books—all kind of books! Big books, small books, long, old, new, anything! My husband built me this beautiful bookcase to help house my collection (obsession). But I am always ready to find a new good book—so please give me the details on what you guys are reading these days so I can add to my list.
Dream fulfilled:
Hehe.
While it’s hard to narrow it down, these are my current top five FAVORITE fiction reads:
5. Shopahoic Series
By Sophie Kinsella
I know this is a series and not a book, but I read it all in like 3 days, so in my mind it’s a long giant book. This is my confession for the day: I kind of love to shop! Who doesn’t? There’s something magical about sliding that shiny credit card and walking away with some killer boots, or shiny cardigan. Well, until the bill comes right? So I don’t get to shop that much (unless it’s for lumber and hammers, boo), but I do love living vicariously through Becky in the book! Plus, there is a new book in the series coming out in a few months…finally! 🙂
4. Night Road
By Kristin Hannah
You guys. This one is a tearjerker. But it is SO GOOD. This was another book that I couldn’t put down. I’m a huge fan of Kristin Hannah’s writing style, even though Scott always gets nervous when he sees me pick up one of her books because it leads to tears every. single. time. But this book deals with so many big themes—parents, children, friendship, how one second can change your life, etc. So good.
3. Gone Girl
By: Gillian Flynn
If you have seen previews for the upcoming movie and thought, “nah I’ll pass on reading and just wait till the movie comes out”, you are missing out! I picked this up last summer, and my husband will attest to how obsessed I got. We were enjoying an all-inclusive trip to the Dominican Republic and I couldn’t put it down…it went in the pool with me, on the sand, the beach, the tub and my bed. And I hear the movie has a surprise ending, so go ahead and read the book—it is SO good.
2. Anne of Green Gables
By: Lucy Maud Montgomery
Surely you’ve read this? Anne Shirley that is…haha (props to Scott for that joke!). If you haven’t, you need to get yourself a bottle of cordial, get your best friend a little tipsy, then sneak off in a canoe down the most charming of streams during a beautiful sunset to read the most breathtaking love story from the perspective of my bosom friend, Anne (with an e). Anne was my childhood hero, and still is in a lot of ways. Witty, chatty and red-haired, I definitely learned a lot from her!
1. Pride and Prejudice
By Jane Austen
Duh! Okay, if you’ve read my previous blogs you probably know this already. But it really doesn’t get any better than this. Really, it doesn’t, don’t try to argue that, history will prove you wrong. 😉 This book NEVER gets old. If it has been more than a year since you’ve read this timeless story, please pick it up and find new love for it. Every time I read a bit of the book some new reality comes through…it’s just the best…EVER
I mean it, like, I will be at work, or at the grocery store, walking my dogs and a scene from Pride and Prejudice will come to mind. Darcy will be walking slowly through the mist, in his oversized trench coat and facial hair that in reality would drive me crazy but fits so perfect in my P&P world. I even made a giant sign that hangs in our dining room to show my devotion. 😛
Runner up: Outlander
By: Diane Gabaldon
I had to add one more. So I am working my way through this series after numerous people recommended it to me. It’s really interesting but I will admit I had to cover my eyes (sometimes literally!) through parts of the book, especially towards the end. Does anyone know what I’m talking about? Ahh! Also, the show is so good…I’ll admit I totally got Starz channel just to watch it (worth it so far!).
I also have some BIG news to share…I’m giving away an IPAD MINI. Giving it away!
To be honest with you guys, I am in transition. I love the smell of old books, something about the old paper, antique-store smell that just makes me happy. I also happen to love new books, and ever since I joined Amazon Prime my bookcase is expanding a bit too rapidly. I couldn’t help but notice that one day, believe it or not, I might have too many books for my bookcase. I realized that I would have to find some sort of filtering system for good books, and turned to an iPad and e-books as a solution. I will never say goodbye to paper books but sometimes the practicality (and instant receiving!) of an e-Book is hard to resist.
We live in a world with amazing technology and awesome gadgets that we can use to access a plethora of knowledge, and entertainment — with just a few swipes of our finger tips!! The Apple’s ipad is an extremely versatile device. And the iPad mini just makes it all even more fantastic because of its compact size! You can do so many things with it!
As the Apple site states: iPad mini with Retina display lets you do more than you ever imagined. Feature for feature, it’s identical to iPad Air in every way. Except for its super-portable, hold-it-in-one-hand, still-just-right mini size.
You can use the iPad mini for school, work, to read books, to help organizing your finances and/or life, scheduling, browsing the internet, social media, games, entertaining your kids, and so MUCH more!
There are also TONS of apps that you can download for countless purposes–from business to fun to everything in between. The iPad mini is truly a fantastic product!
And…
Like I said, we are giving one away!!!
The 411 on the 32 GB iPad mini Giveaway
Who?
You, of course!
Note: giveaway is open to the Continental US, Hawaii, and Alaska. Ages 18+.
What?
ONE – 32 GB iPad mini
When?
Giveaway will be open from September 2, 2014 – September 30, 2014. Winner will be chosen at random on or about October 6, 2014. If winner does not respond within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be chosen. Please read more about giveaway terms here.
How?
To have a chance to win the 32 GB iPad mini – all you are required to do is leave a comment below telling us what you would use the ipad mini for if you won!! The rest is up to fate! 😉
All other tasks are optional to increase your chances of winning.
This giveaway is sponsored by:
Moms of Faith
A Cowboy’s Wife
This Roller Coaster Called Life
Tech Savvy Mama
That Bald Chick
The Bright Side of Reality
Run to Radiance
Mom Foodie
Disclaimer: Apple is not affiliated with this ipad mini giveaway or its sponsors. Prize is being provided by sponsors mentioned above.
Tania Griffis is an accomplished writer, blogger, and interior designer with a Journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. She started her popular blog, Run to Radiance, in 2011, demonstrating her design expertise through the personal remodeling of six houses to millions of readers across the globe.
Tania also owns The Creative Wheelhouse, a respected ghostwriting agency for bloggers, further showcasing her talent for creating engaging and informative content.
I love reading, but don’t do it often – I mainly just stick to Christian fiction and non-fiction, but I need to check some of these out!!! Thanks for the fun ideas 🙂 Happy Tuesday!
I love Anne of Green Gables!
Pride and Prejudice and Outlander are my most favorite ones. You and your husband are so perfect together it’s refreshing to see a couple like you two. iPad would be nice with 2 kids in college and one in middle school.
I love to read too – Tracie Peterson is one of my favorite authors! I have a few homeschooling books that I’d like to read they are e-books and since I don’t have a tablet or e-reader the ipad mini would be great!
What an awesome giveaway! I just got a new Kindle fire, so i don’t need one.
I have Gone Girl coming up on my to read pile, I’ve heard lots of good things. And you of course know my love for Pride & Prejudice 😉
I recently read Outlander and thought it was ok. It was SO long. I like the show much more. I think Jamie is much dreamier in the show.
I would use it in the kitchen, for recipes. 🙂
I’d use it for reading. It’d be nice to not have to share with my 3.5 year old.
Such an awesome giveaway!!! I’d probably use an ipad most for photography editing/showing clients the photos… I’ve never done the ebook thing… but it would be fun to have a way to read them!
i love that bookshelf, and it would make me forever happy knowing that my husband built it for me 🙂 and as far as that ipad- well- i would use it for reading at the beach!
I’ve been looking for some good books to read as well as purchasing an iPad. I’d use it to help grow my freelance business. I’m thinking about reading #GirlBoss next.
The Bible is my favorite book. Every time I read it Gos reveals something new to me.
Same here I love reading the Bible as well. The Holy Bible is my favorite Book. I learn something new as well when I read the books of the bible.
I, Teresa, am a Book-a-holic and would use the iPad to read! Left Neglected by Lisa Genova is an awesome book! Give it a read!
I’m a reader, too. I always have at least one book and one audio book in progress. I just have to be sure that they are in different genres so I don’t get the characters mixed up. 🙂
If you liked Gone Girl I would recommend What Alice Forgot. Although the stories themselves are quite different, they both have that “story behind the story” thing that keeps you trying to puzzle it out.
Enjoy your blog — glad I happened upon it! 😀
I would do everything with the ipad!!! Great books I just got back from Prince Edward Island where I went to Green Gables and even got to see the Anne of Green Gables musical. Since you love the book so much put it on your list of places to visit. It was wonderful!
My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice and I’d use the iPad to read your blog of course! (Sucking up aside), my favorite book is Dante’s Inferno and I’d use the iPad to reclaim my use of one since my kid has taken over mine ;)! I read your blog a lot, how fun. The swing might be my favorite.,. But that pantry was cool.
I LOVE that sign! I am pinning it from your other post pronto! Gorgeous!
My kids (age10 & 2) have hijacked my now ancient ipad 2. If I won the new ipad, I’d get to start reading again on my kindle ap, and keep up with reading my favorite blogs…like yours!
I love series. All of them. Lol my next venture is going to be the Giver series! I NEED an iPad for my classroom! I’m a music teacher and I’m trying to build up a collection of devices so my kids can interact via technology in real time! There a million uses for it and I’d love that as a resource!
Tania,
I am so impressed with your skills and creativity! I love reading your blog and seeing all of the different ways you dress up your house.
Helloooo neighbor! I’m also from Texas!! I would give the mini ipad to my college-bound son!
I would use it while I’m at work to blog ! Thanks!
Love this blog! Since I’m a college student I could definitely use the iPad mini to do my work!
Hey P&P is my #1 as well so zero shame up in here. And I adore that sign – perfect! I haven’t read – or watched – outlander though, its on the list!
I would use it for social networking! i love twitter and tumblr
I would use it for recipes in the kitchen!
If I got an iPad mini… I would download books & music & apps and just be really fancy!
Watch netflix.
I would totally use it for awesomeness!!
I would use it for EVERYTHING! Internet, reading books, watching Netflix, games for my daughter… tons of things!
Anne of Green Gables is one of my all-time favorite books too! I’ve been dying to read ‘Gone Girl’, but still haven’t yet. This is such a great giveaway, thanks for offering it 🙂 If I won, I would use it to keep up with blogging even when I’m away from home. Right now I have a cell phone that doesn’t allow for that!
ooo yay! i would use an ipad mini for some reading / entertainment for my future middle-of-the-night feedings. 🙂 🙂
Hello I have a sister who enjoys reading books just as much as you do. I enjoy learning and reading more about the world around me and fashion. I am a business major and to win a 32gb Ipad mini would be amazing when I go to college next semester. I picture myself carrying it instead of my laptop when I go to class, and using it to play games in my free times and even downloading ebooks. I hope I win and I enjoyed reading your blog!!!