Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 35 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

Yum candy- the Cadbury creme or caramel eggs seem to be the most favorite of the answers with Reese's peanut butter eggs the next fav. And ChrisS loves the old yellow peeps! It has been a while since I got those since I am not a marshmallow person unless for toasting and smores. Thank you to everyone who commented!  Most of us try to reduce waste and reuse or recycle! A few nice Easter traditions were mentioned but the most mentioned was egg coloring and egg hunts. It seems that not many of us have joined in Earth Day yet.

The Winner from Enquiring Minds Week #34 is: #2. Lieder Madchen. Lieder, please pick a book from the Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks if desired.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 35 QUESTIONS

Okay - these should be fun!

1. What is your shoe size?

I wear 8 1/2 medium for the most comfort. Sometimes a 9. 

2. How many pairs of shoes do you own?

These are NOT my shoes but I have similar rows in a spot of my closet that has three tiers for shoes! I have over 52 pairs of shoes.

3. How many do you actually wear regularly? 
I found some really weird shoes at this link:  

Boy - it is time to clear out my closet! I only wear about 15 pairs out of all of those shoes I have.

Your turn to share: What size shoe do you wear? How many shoes do you have and how many of those do you actually wear?

Enquire Comment Winners can choose a selection from  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books. 

Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, May 6 at 10PM central. 

Audio Book Review: Maeve Binchy Collection

This is a warm and charming collection of relationship stories with a wonderful narrator.

Maeve Binchy Value Collection: The Copper Beach, Circle of Friends, The Glass Lake

Author website

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Random House Audio; Abridged edition (July 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739312669
• ISBN-13: 978-0739312667

Genre: Women's Fiction ?
My Rating: 4.75

Product Description
At the heart of every Irish family, the hopes of the future are tied deeply to the dreams of the past. And at the heart of every Maeve Binchy novel, the lives and loves of vividly drawn characters are deftly woven into unforgettable, beautifully realized tales. Now, in this charming audio set, three of Maeve Binchy's classic coming-of-age tales are collected together. These wonderful audio presentations represent the very best work of one of the world's most celebrated authors. And listening to her comforting stories feels just like coming home.

The Copper Beech
Carved on the trunk of the mighty copper beech tree that embraces the schoolyard in Sharcarrig are declarations of love, hope, and identity--the youthful dreams of the children who studied there. Now grown, yet shaped by their years in the schoolhouse, they lead different lives. The Copper Beech tells the story of these eight dreamers.

Circle of Friends
Circle of Friends begins with the pair of Benny Hogan and Eve Malone from the village of Knockglen until they leave for university in Dublin and are joined by Nan Mahon and Jack Foley. Long-hidden lies emerge to test the meaning of love and the strength of ties held within the fragile gold bands of a circle of friends.

The Glass Lake
In The Glass Lake, Maeve Binchy explores the unspoken language between mothers and daughters in an extraordinary story of a mother's secret, a daughter's courage, and the hidden bond between them that neither deceit nor death can destroy.

Review: These are absolutely charming reads!

I had not read the description of the books before I started listening to this audio book. I confused at first by the different characters in THE COPPER BEECH until I realized that these were mini stories of eight men and women who grew up in Sharcarrig where they had carved their names in the school-yard copper beech tree. Each story has unique qualities: sadness, joy, love.

The second story, CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, tells the young friendship of Benny and Eve as they grow from girlhood to college friends. Benny is a heavy girl with a sunny and bright disposition. Her best friend, Eve, is more attractive and has been drilled by her parents that she must always show a grand face until she is accepted in the upper classes.  They make new friends at college, including the beautiful and rich Nan and the handsome, determined Jack.  The story follows their friendships, dreams and early romances and the twists that occur in intertwined everyday young lives.

My favorite of the three lovely stories is the third: THE GLASS LAKE. I have never read a story like this and it is extremely engaging, emotional and charming even with sadness. Young 12 year old Kit fears that her rather ethereal mother has committed suicide by drowning in the local lake, Lough Glass. Kit destroys the letter left by her mother for her father so that her mother can be given a proper burial.

Kit begins to receive letters from Lena in London who claims to have been a close friend of her mother’s.  They develop a warm correspondence with Lena giving loving support and hope to Kit. When Kit is graduating she celebrates by going to London to surprise and meet Lena. Imagine her shock and betrayal when she discovers that Lena is actually her mother, Helen!

The story deftly follows Kit’s growth, fears, friendships and ultimately her romantic relationship with a gorgeous young man who could break her heart. The story also portrays Helen’s passions, loneliness, sacrifice, betrayal, pain, regret and fear. Can Kit ever forgive her mother? Will Helen find love and peace. Can Kit find the courage to risk love?

Each of these stories move at a fine easy pace. The audio book was a wonderful way to read them. The narration is absolutely lovely with the smooth, warm Irish accent adding to the richness of these tales.  Although the stories are set in Ireland they portray the lives of friends and families of any nationality.

I may add this to my Audiobooks for future giveaway... I am just not decided yet.

Our New Granddaughter

I spent Wednesday this week in the hospital with our daughter welcoming our new granddaughter!!
The majority votes were for a boy but God blessed us with a girl. :-)

 Baby Zaly born 4/27; 8 lbs 1 oz, 20 inches long.

 Happy Mom and Dad with Baby Zaly.

 Proud Grandmom (me).

Proud P-Pop

Unhappy sister, JoJo.

Happy Brother, Zane.

Bear meets Baby Zaly - he really seems to love the children.

Of course all of us have to duck Bear kisses!

Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway April 29, 2011

I am now listing winners with the new Friday Pick each week. Thank you to all who entered.

No four week (who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks) winners this time.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Winners from April 22 Pick:

Victoria gets Hunted

Tracey gets 

Pair - James Patterson

1st to Die (The Women's Murder Club)

Kiss the Girls (2nd Alex Cross Novel)

All winners please email me with address information. 

I hope to add a new set of books next week.

3/25/11  I did get to set up a new group of books:
Group #19

Pair - James Patterson

1st to Die (The Women's Murder Club)1st to Die (The Women's Murder Club)

Kiss the Girls (2nd Alex Cross Novel)

Singles

And Then Came You: Sam's StoryAnd Then Came You: Sam's Story

Second Chance: A NovelSecond Chance: A Novel

Disguised Blessing

The Italian (Mira Historical Romance)

Rhapsody: A Love Story

The Waterfall

Primary Colors - audio tapes

A Little Magic

See No Evil (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #39) (black stripe on cover)

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!
Not all of these are two from a series but several are.  Each pick gets two books.

Patricia Cornwell:
Cruel and Unusual
At Risk (Win Garano)
John Grisham
Bleachers
The Last Juror
Jack Higgins
Touch the Devil (1983 Signet Edition)
Thunder Point (Sean Dillon)
Fern Michaels ?? These haven't been claimed yet so I have to check winner posts to see who won these.
Final Justice: Sisterhood Series #5
The Jury: Sisterhood Series #4 (Revenge of the Sisterhood)

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books!  And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

So far I have posted 19 groups of 16 books to find new homes!

I am continuing to include the full list updated with chosen books crossed off until I get around to deleting the crossed off books.  You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!  I am happy to say that so far about 169 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the correct number sent out.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.
I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00.  If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.   
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY  NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings before the next Pick post. 
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND E-MAIL ME YOUR ADDRESS at mesreads@gmail.com.  I will confirm receipt of the addresses.  If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so.... 

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List 
#17

Scavenger by David Morrell
The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, No. 4) by Janet Evanovich
Turbulent Sea (Drake Sisters, Book 6) by Christine Feehan
Saving Faith by David Baldacci

12/3/10  Book Set:
#16

Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith
Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart
Veils of Silk by Mary Jo Putney
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
Blueberry Hill by Marcia Evanick (small tear on cover)
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Uneasy Alliance (Famous Firsts) Jayne Ann Krentz (slightly worn)

List #15

Double Exposure (Brio Girls) by Kathy Wierenga

Wicked Widow  by Amanda Quick

Imitation in Death by J. D. Robb

The Texas CEO's Secret (Silhouette Special Edition) by Nicole Foster

Silver Falls by Anne Stuart

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller

List #14

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

Blood And Glory (Soldiers Of War) (Soldiers of War, Book 1) byLarson Reed

Off Season by Jack Ketchum

The Color of Law: A Novel by Mark Gimenez
Depraved Indifference by Joseph Teller
Lines of Defense by Barry Siegel
Must the Maiden Die (Seneca Falls Historical Myster) by Miriam Grace Monfredo
Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom
The Summons by John Grisham - Audio CDs

Here is set #13 of Used books!

Anansi Boys by Neil Gairman
The Hellion by LaVyrle Spencer
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read.  Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!"  Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....
Group #12
The Ripple Effect by Lynn Erickson
First King of Shannara (Shannara Trilogy, Prequel)  by Terry Brooks
Seal Team Oneby Dick Couch
Motion to Suppress by Perri O'Saughnessy
Presumption of Death by Perri O'Saughnessy
Pandemic by Daniel Kalla
Lethal Practice by Peter Clement
The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip M. Margolin
The Burning Man by Phillip M. Margollin
Double Jeopardy by William Bernhardt
The Genesis Code: A Thriller by John Case

Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Hothouse Orchid by Stuart Woods - CD Audio
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher
Looking Back by Belva Plain
The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly

List #1 Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2
Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann
The Crush by Sandra Brown
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman
Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Sixth Sense
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)
The Forgotten by Faye Kellerman
Swear by the Moon by Shirley Busbee
Montana Bride by Barbara Clark (A)

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Jake's Return by Liana Laverentz (A)
The Jester by James Patterson - Audio Tapes
The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole
Misfortune by Nancy Geary
False Prophet by Faye Kellerman
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes
A Kiss of Fate by Mary Jo Putney (SC)

Pick #6
Tin Man by Dale Brown
The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*
On Bear Mountain by Deborah Smith
Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan
Mistletoe and Mischief by Patricia Wynn

Pick #7
In Her Defense by Stephen Horn - Audio Tape
A Perfect Gentleman by Barbara Metzger (slightly creased)
Scarred by William Heffernan (spine creased)
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
The Path to Her Heart by Linda Ford (Personally Autographed)
X-Men 2
Hunted by William W. Johnstone (spine frayed at top)
Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
Stormy Weather by Carl Haasen - Audio Tapes
Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland - Audio Tapes (box creased but tapes good)
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes
Vertical Run by Joseph R. Garber (sc)

Pick #9
Spyder Web by Tom Grace - Audio Tapes
Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology
Final Appeal by Lisa Scottoline (spine creased)
The Lost World by Michael Crichton - Audio Tapes
Evil Whispers by Owl Goingback
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray
Runaway Heart by Stephen J. Cannell
Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10
The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)
Double Blind by Ken Goodard
Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief by Dorothy Gilman - Audio Tapes
The Trouble with Mary by Millie Criswell
Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)