Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Best of 2013 Giveaway Hop


Best of 2013 Giveaway Hop
December 11-18
Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Bookhounds
Featuring your favorite book or books of 2013. 

I'm giving away a copy of A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson. This is hands-down one of my most favorite books that I've read all year. Seriously. And I'm giving several copies as gifts for Christmas. So if you're in my family and you're reading this, now you know what you're getting for Christmas. :) This really is a fantastic book, and I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did!

About the Book
There’s nothing quite like family—for good or bad. But in a world where we sometimes know more about the Kardashians than we do the people sleeping right down the hall, it’s easy to forget that walking through life with our family offers all sorts of joy wrapped up in the seemingly mundane. There’s even a little bit of sacred sitting smack-dab in the middle of the ordinary. And since time’s-a-wastin’, we need to be careful that we don’t take our people—and their stories—for granted. Whether it’s a marathon bacon-frying session, a road trip gone hysterically wrong, or a mother-in-law who makes every trip to the grocery store an adventure, author Sophie Hudson reminds us how important it is to slow down and treasure the day-to-day encounters with the people we love the most.

Written in the same witty style as Sophie’s BooMama blog, A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet is a cheerful, funny, and tender account of Sophie’s very Southern family. It’s a look into the real lives of real people—and a real, loving God right in the middle of it all.

My Thoughts
And because I loved it SO much, I'm reposting my review so you'll see what I'm giving this awesome book away!!!

If you've been reading here for long, you know I don't read a lot of non-fiction. And I rarely—if ever—post a review of the few I do read. However, I couldn't keep my excitement about this book to myself. It would be a disservice to you, my faithful readers, and the public at large.

A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson is hands down the best book I've read this year. RUN to the store and get yourself a copy. NOW. Don't even read the rest of this review. Just buy a copy for yourself … and maybe one for your mama and your grandmama and your best friend too.

Sophie has an incredible talent for weaving stories of her very southern family together with nuggets of spiritual truths. Some of the stories are quite poignant. (Reader Tip #1: Have a box of tissues on hand for the first two chapters.) Others are happy tears streaming down your face, wet your pants funny. (Reader Tip #2: Particularly for chapter 7, it would be in everyone's best interests to "go potty" prior to reading. I am not lying to you when I tell you I nearly wet my pants—and thus the bed—while reading this chapter very late one night. Additionally, my dear husband thought I was having a seizure because of the spasms I was having while trying to laugh silently so as not to wake him up. Needless to say, he woke up anyway.) But each story shines a light on the legacy of faith that Sophie and her husband are so blessed to have. Plus, Sophie tells these stories in such a way where her family seems to leap right off the pages, becoming more than just "characters" in a book (which of course they are, since they're real people and all).

By the end of the book, I literally could.not.put.it.down. I read the last two chapters on the way to church one night and sat in the car in the parking lot to finish the last few pages. (Pastor, I apologize for coming in late to service that night. This book was just so good!) (Reader Tip #3: Clear your calendar when you pick up this book. Your spouse, children, dog, pastor, and friends will thank you for it.)

Sophie's reflections about the treasures she has in her family made me reflect on my own family. There were moments while reading where I found myself imagining my mom or grandmother doing or saying the exact same thing. (Southerners are really all alike, you know.)  Southern born and bred, I have a new appreciation for the way we sit around after dinner and tell stories—some of which I've heard at least half a million times.

Every year it seems that one book stands out as a book that must be read by all. And it inevitably ends up under every Christmas tree we visit because I can't stand the thought of everyone I know not getting to read this book. For 2013, I feel certain that A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet will be that book (unless I can't wait until December to share it). (And for any relatives or in-real-life friends who may be reading this, act surprised when you open your Christmas gift this year!)

A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet reminds Southerners of the joys of being Southern and is a great introduction to the best parts of the South for those who may not have the privilege of living here—faith, family, and lots of laughs.

(And apparently, I've now adopted Sophie's habit of writing with lots of parenthesis … at least for this review anyway!) [5 stars]

I read this book for the pure pleasure of reading. I was not requested to provide a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Giveaway
One (very, very, very lucky) person will win a copy of A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson. The winner will be able to choose if they would like a paperback copy or ebook (Kindle or Nook). Open to US residents only. Giveaway ends December 18.

*** Also, be sure to check out all of the awesome giveaways going on as part of my Countdown to Christmas Party, running Dec 2-14. ***

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*** All participants must be 18 years or older. The winner will be contacted via email. Once contacted the winner has 72 hours to respond with the required information. If the winner does not respond within the timeframe specified, another winner will be chosen. I am not responsible for shipping mishaps. Void where prohibited. *** 
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33 comments:

  1. This is a tough one, but I think it would be "The Preachers Bride" by Jody Hedlund. I was fiction but loosely based on the story of John Bunyan. There was so much real history in it with much to learn. A great read.

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  2. This is a hard, hard question, but I have to say it's The Ladies' Shooting Club by Susan Page Davis. I became so involved with the town and the people. It was lighthearted, but was Christian. It made me forget my problems for awhile. I know you ask for one book, but I can't pick just one out of this series. All of these books and great!
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  3. Promise of Blood. It was awesome because it was a fantasy with guns! ;)

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  4. Thief by Tarryn Fisher -- amazing conclusion to the best series I have ever read -- it was thrilling, romantic, imperfect and just a complete and amazing story!!

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  5. I really loved Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. It was the sweetest book I read this year. :)

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  6. This looks so good! I love sweet reads like this. Thanks for doing the hop!

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  7. Hm, god I've read so many books this year...I'm not sure I can pick the best one. Especially with all the different genres. The most recent 5 star book I read though was The Tearings, which was really good because it's one of those stories where there's a viral outbreak in the U.S. and it's creepy because it could happen you know? There a new strains of viruses that are found all the time.

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  8. nope can't pick one I have added so many great books to my forever shelves this year.

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  9. Attrition by S.G. Night. It's a wonderful epic sci-fi fantasy BETTER than Lord of the Rings (believe me, I'm a HUGE fan of LOTR!!)

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  10. A Step Of Faith by Richard Paul Evans

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  11. I've read so many good books this year that it's hard to choose the best. I will say both Wedded to War and Widow of Gettysburg, both by Jocelyn Green. These are both fabulous.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  12. Clockwork Princess! I love the characters, and the world Cassandra Clare creates, it's beautiful! She made a love triangle like no other and it was wonderful!

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  13. The title caught my eye immediately. Would love to read the book.

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  14. I haven't read this year I'm afraid. Looking forward to getting some good reads again.

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  15. My favorite book this year is Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins. It was full of mystery, suspense and it perfectly captured the South. Loved it!

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  16. I loved Anne Bishop's Written in Red because her writing was compelling, the characters seemed to actually live and breathe, and the world she created seemed more real in many ways than our own (at least while I was reading).

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  17. dearly departed by lia habel because it was rly different

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  18. Too many good ones, but I would love to read A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet to add to that list.

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  19. Legend by marie Lu cause the characters were kick ass and the pace was at a breakneck speed

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  20. I don't know if I have an ultimate favorite but The Vicar's Wife is one of my favorites!
    bookwormgal2011 at yahoo dot com

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  21. The latest book I read that I enjoyed was Ducks in a Row by Michelle. It was so good, but I will say it is not something for everyone. I did enjoy it though and flew through the book due to the easy writing and storyline.

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  22. Made of Stars by Kelley York. It was just so unique, and the characters were so quirky. I fell in love!

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  23. Loved Doctor Sleep. It was good to find out how Danny turned out.


    TAMMY HUDSON
    HUBTIVOLI1@YAHOO.COM

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  24. When Mountains Move by Julie Cantrell. Strength, character and amazing writing shine through in this book. A great read!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  25. RETURN TO ME by Lynn Austin, hands down! It hit me right where I'm studying in Devotions (studying Daniel with my husband) and I was so excited to read about the Jews returning from Babylon and their resistance to God's commands. sharon, CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman.It was special because it was all about family.

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  27. Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson was the best book and we will discuss it tomorrow for the Third Tuesday Book Club. I like it because it has the POV of a guide dog assisting his blind master down 78 flights of stairs of the World Trade Center in the 911 catastrophe. It's riveting along with being sensitive.

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  28. I really liked Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn because it was so suspenseful.

    Thank you for the chance to win!

    -Amber Terry-

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  29. The Raven Boys was my favorite book of the year, due to the strong characters. I loved all the boys, and their friendship.

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  30. Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowan was great. Thank you for joining this hop

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  31. I loved Scarlet and Divergent because they were well-written and made me think.

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  32. Probably "The Help", it was so funny and amazing all at once!:)

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  33. Me Before You. Few books move me to tears.

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I love comments! Thanks for letting me know what you think!

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