Long and Short Reviews 17th Anniversary Party & Giveaway!!!

Like books? No matter the genre, we have a great place for you to find your next favorite read!

Long and Short Reviews is celebrating their 17th (wow!) anniversary, but you get the gifts. They're featuring more than 50 books in all genres from romance to science fiction, young adult to poetry... no matter your reading preferences, you can find something to enjoy!

What could possibly be better than that? 

How about a chance to win one of two $100 Amazon GCs, of course! Think of how many books you could buy... 

Once you're arrived at the Long and Short Reviews site, simply read through the book posts each day and answer a simple question (or follow authors on their social media accounts) and you're entered to win. New chances to enter every day! So, go visit and enter and don't forget to tell a friend or two. Good luck!

Contest runs from August 19-23, 2024.

First Book of the Year Sponsored by Sheila at Book Journey

Sheila from Book Journey is sponsoring First Book of the Year for the fifth year in a row.

Here is what First Book is. The first book of the New Year should be:

A. A coveted book that you have wanted to read but have just not found the time.

B. A delicious favorite… one you have read before, but crave to read again.

C. Really whatever you want it to – it is after all YOUR First Book Of the year.

Make it AWESOME.

Then, once you have picked what it will be, you email Sheila a picture of you with the book. On January 1st she will post all the pics in a collage format of all of us around the world that are doing First Book.

Sign up here if you would like to join us!

Vacation and Other Fun Stuff

Bodie Island Lighthouse,  North Carolina

Well, the first full week of summer vacation has been an adventure. The Lil Princess (8) had pink eye last week and now the Lil Diva (10) has it. I'm praying I don't get it or I might not be able to drive to North Carolina on Friday. Hard to drive when you can't see.

I'm excited about vacation this year. This is the first vacation in years where I'm not planning to work. Yes, I could write, but instead I plan to catch up on reading and enjoy the time away. I'm contemplating not bringing my laptop, but I'll probably bring it because I like my mine better than the hubby's and I like to check the news. I won't be posting here as often as usual, but there will still be posts up.

The main reason I won't be working this year--my last day at Pump Up Your Book is on Friday. I've enjoyed the last five years working in online book promotion, but now I feel God is leading me in a new direction. I'm still praying for guidance. I'm not certain of his plans. It's scary making a change. I've made many wonderful friends during my years with Pump Up Your Book. I got the chance to read a ton of great books. I'll still be hosting authors on virtual book tour for them, but the clients featured here will not be mine. I'll be updating my disclosure policy.

Thank you for your continued readership. The Book Connection has grown a lot this year. We have more subscribers and more daily hits then ever before. I am truly grateful that so many people are enjoying the site.  Here's hoping you have a fabulous summer!

What Was Your Favorite Book of 2011?

In getting ready for my Top 10 Books of 2011, I thought it would be nice to hear from our readers what their favorite book of the year was. I rarely end up reading books that make the big lists, but I always have a difficult time selecting only 10 favorite books of my reading year.

What was your favorite read of the year? Did you have more than one?

The Book Connection's Top 10 Books of 2011 Coming Soon

I'm in the middle of reading my last book of 2011 right now. When I'm done, I'll have read 169 titles, which includes six short stories. This is slightly less than the 174 books I read among my three main blogs last year. I'm still satisfied with my tally. It was an overwhelming year filled with wicked weather, and I was busier with volunteering, business, and home life than I've ever been.

I'm looking forward to participating in reading challenges for 2012 at this blog. I'll also be running themed months over at Books, Products and More! January will be a month of product reviews; though I'm sure you'll find books there too. I can never wander far from my love of books. If you are looking to have your product reviewed, please feel free to send me an email at cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com.

The Book Connection will continue to focus on the many titles in  my TBR pile, so I won't be taking on any new review requests until July. I can still offer a limited amount of guest post spots. Please read  my guest blogging policy before contacting me.

Thank you for your continued support and readership.

How many books did you read this year? What goals are you setting for your blog(s) in 2012?

150+ Reading Challenge for 2012!

The 150+ Reading Challenge for 2012! is being hosted by My Overstuffed Bookshelf.

DETAILS/RULES:


1. The goal is to read 150 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

2. Allowed are: Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible and comic books.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st, 2012 thru December 31, 2012. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

6. When you sign up under Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.

READY......SET.....SIGN UP!!!!

A partial list is posted on a separate page above!

How Many Books Did You Read This Year?

It's that time of year again--the time when I get to thinking about how many books I've managed to read over the last 365 days. There is no contest. I'm not trying to read more books than someone else, but I am usually astounded by the sheer number of books that remain in my TBR pile come December 31st: the few books I've bought, the many books I've won, and those books I've received as gifts.

This year, I've written reviews for 174 books between this blog, Book Tours and More, and The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. I have 2 more books sitting on my desk just waiting for me to have a few moments to type up reviews, I am reading a book that I am providing an endorsement for, and I also have another book that I should finish tonight. So, when all is said and done, I'll have read close to 180 titles this year. Wow!

Feel free to let us know how many you've read this year. What were some of your favorites? What books are you looking forward to reading in 2011.

Happy New Year everyone!

Bodacious Blogging Book Reviewers Award

Thank you to Nicole at Tribute Books Reviews & Giveaways for giving The Book Connection the Bodacious Blogging Book Reviewers Award. And we are passing it on. The rules are:

If you are given this award you must first accept it by leaving a comment on the post you were nominated on. Then copy and paste the post and add it to your own blog. Make a list of the last 5 books you read and pass the award on to 5 other bloggers (no backsies!). Please also identify the blog from which you got the award and don't forget to tell them they have a blog award!

Given to each of you for all your "bodacious" posts and the frequency with which you update your site. Never a dull moment on any of these great blogs, be sure to check them out!

This award is presented to the following who are tasked with passing it forward:

Just One More Paragraph

What You Reading Now?

Down Under Reviews

Cafe of Dreams

Turning Back the Clock



My Last 5 Books Read


Faith & FINANCES (devotional with numerous contributors)

The Three Dimensions of Character by Larry Brooks

The Elf of Luxembourg by Tom Weston

My Dog Tim and Other Stories by Garasamo Maccagnone (review not posted yet)

Conflicts with Interest by Michael Ruddy (review not posted yet)