Posted by Lauren in Featured, Uncategorized | 27 Comments
Comment Contest and August Favorites
I’d like to try something a little different this month! In order to encourage more discussion in the comments section, I’ll be picking a random commenter in September to win one of this month’s releases. It can be any book you choose! The contest will be open internationally; you can win as long as the Book Depository ships to your country (sorry, penguins of Antarctica).
I mentioned I wanted to encourage discussion, right?
Starting this month, each post (barring Pick of the Week and Short Story Saturday) will end with a comment question. If you answer this question, you’ll be entered into the comment contest! Don’t worry–they won’t be too outlandish or challenging. I just want to get your opinion on something related to the book I’m talking about! :)
You could win one of these! Uh, if you want.
September will be a test run. Let me know if you like this idea!
I usually do this feature in video format, but since I’ve just moved back to school, and since my trial of Final Cut Pro expired, I’m doing a text post this month. The basic idea is that I share my favorite book, movie/tv show, song, and miscellaneous item of the month!
Book: The best book I read in August was, oddly enough, one of the last books I read before September began! The book is The Diviners, a murder mystery set in the Roaring Twenties. Boy, was this book a bundle of fun! Despite it being over 500 pages, I read The Diviners in two days flat. Boom. I fell in love with the characters and the story almost instantly.
Movie/TV Show: I didn’t see any decent films in August (crazy, I know!), so I’m picking a TV show this time. I’m going to go with an oldie but a goodie: Firefly. I started watching this show at the beginning of the summer, but did most of my marathoning in August. I can’t believe I hadn’t tried Firefly earlier–it’s a hilarious “space western” that is all kinds of awesome.
Song: My favorite song of August is, without a doubt, “Make it Home” by Thenewno2. I heard this band play live on NPR one day while in the drive-thru of In-n-Out and was instantly smitten. These guys know how to write a catchy song. (Plus, the frontman is George Harrison’s son! Omg!)
Miscellaneous Thing: I got this advertisement in the mail a few weeks ago which talks about a bunch of workshops offered at a photography studio a few towns over. Imagine my surprise when I found they’re offering a “Fifty Shades”-related workshop! I wonder what that will entail! Ha!
“Laters, baby.” Shudder.
Well, those are my favorites for August! See you tomorrow with a book review! :)
Comment Question: What’s one of your August favorites?
I read 10 books in August, so it’s REALLY difficult for me to pick only a few favorites… My favorite is probably My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick – it was just the perfect contemporary. And then…maybe… Oh! The Archived by Victoria Schwab DEFINITELY deserves a nod – it’s so different from anything I’ve ever read. Really unique!
I’m really looking forward to reading The Diviners this month! It sounds so interesting and I’m really happy you liked it so much!
Thanks, Lauren! :D
<3,
- Ava
Ohhh, My Life Next Door is SUCH a good choice! <3 I’ve yet to read The Archived, but I’ve been seeing you talk it up on Twitter, so I’m super excited to dive in. :)
I finally read CITY OF LOST SOULS. I’d say it was my favorite August read. It’s such a great series. I’m so glad that Cassandra has continued it with more books.
I also love ONCE BURNED. Love Frost :).
Thank you.
Hmm I read a lot of books in August. I think that my favorite was The Wild Ones by M. Leighton. I also saw The Dark Knight Rises which was good. A little on the long side though.
Amy @ Book Loving Mom recently posted..Cover Reveal: The Unnaturals by Jessica Meigs
First and foremost, I have to admit that I love this idea, Lauren!(: It’s such a great way to facilitate more conversation! :D I read quite a few book in August, but my favorite, hands-down, was The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. I loved the writing and the characters, their relationships, and even the island of Thisby itself just pulled me in. It was my first Stiefvater novel and I was beyond impressed, especially with the bittersweet ending and beautiful friendship between Sean and Corr. I’ve already re-read it again, so I know it’s not only one of my August Favorites, but also one of my All-Time Favorites! :)
I am thrilled that you loved The Diviners so much though, Lauren! I’m really excited to read it this month, especially because I love Libba Bray and her writing style. The Gemma Doyle Trilogy, her previous (and first I believe) venture into historical fiction was amazing, so I have realllyyyy high hopes for this murder mystery of hers! I can’t wait to read it! :D
Once again, fantastic post, Lauren! I really like this idea and while I haven’t heard of Firefly or even the song, “Make it Home,” I’m off to check out both right now! Thanks for sharing!(:
Keertana @ Ivy Book Bindings recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday (#8)
I agree, Maggie Stiefvater’s writing is superb! I wasn’t as big on The Scorpio Races, but The Raven Boys is one of my new favorites.
I hope you enjoy The Diviners when you get the chance to read it! :)
My favorite August read was Underworld by Meg Cabot.
August was an awesome reading month for me!! I literally went through a slew of awesome YA contemporaries – Pushing the Limits, My Life Next Door, Where She Went. And I went through an Armentrout binge reading everything she’s written:)
Have you noticed how some months are literally packed full of awesome reads – and not necessarily new releases but books you’ve just gotten to?
TV wise I went through the Tudors which I loved:)
All of those contemporaries are AMAZING, I agree!
I tried to get into The Tudors last year, but for some reason couldn’t. I need to try again! :)
You should definitely try the series again! There’s a lot going on but the characters are so well done the history becomes so interesting:)
OMG!!!! This is by far my FAVOURITE idea of yours and for it to be open INTERNATIONALLY is just icing on the cake because I live in Canada and most of the contest you do are only open to USA resedents only so Thank you so much!!! Lauren, I live your reviews and am do super excited about this contest and fingers cross that I have a chance to win!!!
Isobel recently posted..Monthly Post: Books coming out September 2012
Yay! Don’t forget to answer the comment question, though!
I love this idea Lauren! Hope it goes well. For me, hands down, it was CODE NAME VERITY! I could go on and on and on about how much I love it! Fave show= Pretty Little Liars. I didn’t see that many movies so I can’t really choose! I haven’t watched Firefly at all and I’m not sure if I ever will!
Kailia Sage recently posted..Top Ten Books On Your Fall TBR List {39}
My favorite book for August had to be THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak. It was incredible. I sobbed through the end of the book.
The Book Thief is fantastic! Hands-down one of the best books out there. Glad you loved it! :)
My favourite non- series book was Hate List by Jennifer Brown and my favourite series book was The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness. I could not choose.
Sara T recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday
Well, my favorite book this past month was Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen. I just loved this sequel, It managed to be even better than Bright Young Things, and is also set in the roaring twenties (can’t wait too read The Diviners, it sounds really amazing)
I love the idea for a comment contest Lauren! <3 I think it's such a great idea, and you will definitely be getting more comments and more discussions. Because that's the fun in blogging!
Anyways, The Diviners looks SO good. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it so much! My favorite read of August has to be… Unwholly, or maybe The Rise of Nine? I read so much, that I can't choose! ;)
Aneeqah recently posted..Review: The Rise of Nine
Great idea!
I’m glad to hear such high praise about The Diviners! I’m so excited to read that one!
My favorite August reads would have to be The Golden Lily and A Need so Beautiful. I don’t know why I wait so long to read A Need so Beautiful, because I loved a lot more than I thought I would. I am glad, however, that I don’t have to wait for the sequel!
Kapri (Book Fanatics) recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday: Books on Fall TBR Pile
What a perfect idea Lauren! I was going to read The Divners but knowing it’s a murder mystery!? I’m totally sold!
My favorite book last month was Rift by Andrea Cremer. It was much better then the Nightshade series and it was historical! :)
Katie recently posted..Defiance by C.J. Redwine
My August favorite book would be Speechless by Hannah Harrington and Pushing The Limit by Katie McGarry. I just love them both to bits. Come to think of it, contemporary novels are a big hit for me this year. I am so excited to watch Firefly as well. Me and my friends are doing a marathon once the classes let up. For the TV show, I watched and finished the latest season of Big Bang Theory. I love it so much. Sheldon and his gang is just so funny! I love to have them as my friends. :)
I love this idea, Lauren! It will definitely bring about fun discussions. :D
Sarah @ Smitten over Books recently posted..Review: Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
I have really been enjoying contemporary’s lately. Usually I am more of a Fantasy/Paranormal person..
I think my favorite book/thing this month was The DUFF. I gave it 5/5 stars. I read it in one day. Another favorite thing of mine is a Sushi restaurant by my house. The spicy tuna roll is delicious!
Also I forgot to say Thanks Lauren, and I really enjoy your reviews/vlogs. I love totallybooksessed!
this is a great idea to get some more discussion going on. i know there must be lurkers out there who just need a little push.
i don’t know if i have any august favorites. i am looking forward to the raven boys but i haven’t had a chance to get to it yet. i did enjoy the dark knight rises and ted was surprisingly funny.
and i LOVE firefly. glad you liked it. i haven’t found a tv show to get hooked on in a while.
fishgirl182 recently posted..Downtown Abbey – Season 3 Trailer
My favorite August read was “I’ve Got Your Number”. I’ve been really into British chick-lit lately!
Also, I think the giveaway is a fantastic idea.
Marie recently posted..Monthly Favorites: August 2012
Ahhh, I love Firefly! I was actually introduced to it a couple years back by my English 101 teacher, believe it or not. (She was pretty much the coolest teacher on the planet.)
Bahaha. I can’t read a lot of the text on that 50 Shades picture, but I love that it’s DIY event :P
August favorites:
Book: The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls
TV Show: Doctor Who and (believe it or not) a cartoon. Code Lyoko to be precise.
Song: She Walks Right Through Me by Alex Day
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