Summer Reads Giveaway Winners

Musings of a Bookish Kitty is now into its third year, and I could not have done it without you. Thank you for the anniversary wishes and all of the support you have given me over the past two years.

There was a great turn out for the Hachette Book Group USA Summer Reads Giveaway, in which five people will receive 14 books each. Thank you to all who participated! I got some amazing recommendations and look forward to reading them.

I changed the rules slightly when tallying the votes for the drawings. Those who answered both of my questions (1. recommending a book you think I might like and 2. listing a book that you became interested in or read based on, in part, my review) received two drawing entries, one entry for each question answered. Those who only answered one or the other, received one entry. I wanted to reward those who followed the directions to a "T" without leaving anyone out. As promised, I counted up the comments left by participants after entering the giveaway, which resulted in an extra entry per comment. For those kind enough to spread the word about the giveaway, three extra points were added in. Once the entries were tallied, I clicked over to RANDOM.ORG, the True Random Number Service, where the winners were selected.

Now on to the moment you have all been waiting for!

The Winners:

Shana of Literarily

Trish of Trish's Reading Nook

Princesshoney of Princesshoney's Weblog

Florinda of The 3 R's: Reading, "Riting, and Randomness

Iliana of Book Girl's Nightstand


Congratulations to all the winners! Happy Reading!

Your Recommendations

I got quite a number of wonderful book recommendations in response to my recent drawing, the Hachette Book Group USA Summer Reads Giveaway. I did not want to keep all the recommendations to myself and thought I would make a list to share with you all.

A
The Avengers: A Jewish War Story by Rich Cohen (recommended by Heather J of Age 30 - A Year of Books)

B
Back Home Michelle Magorian (recommended by Stephanie of Open Mind, Insert Book)
Birdman by Mo Hayder (recommended by Nicola of Back to Books)
Black and White by Dani Shapiro (recommended by Megan of Leafing Through Life)
The Blood of Flowers by by Anita Amirrezvani (recommended by Nyssaneala of Book Haven)
The Blue Cheer by Ed Lynskey (recommended by Jen of Jen's Book Thoughts)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (recommended by Trish of Trish's Reading Nook)

C
Cane River by Lalita Tademy (recommended by Heather J of Age 30 - A Year of Books)
Change of Heart by Jody Picoult (recommended by Julie of Julie's Jewels)
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (recommended by Lenore of Presenting Lenore)
Cold Plague by Daniel Kalla (recommended by Lori of She Treads Softly)

D
Deception by Christopher Reich (recommended by Donura)
Deerskin by Robin McKinley (recommended by Jena of Muse Books Reviews)
Devil's Footprints (recommended by Amy of Park-Avenue Princess

E
Eleanor Rushing by Patty Friedmann (recommended by Florinda of The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness)
Emergency Sex and Other Desperate Measures by Kenneth Cain, Heidi Postlewait, Andrew Thomson (recommended by Heather J of Age 30 - A Year of Books)
The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Arctic Expedition by Caroline Alexander, Michael Tezla, and Marin Rubin (recommended by Heather J of Age 30 - A Year of Books)

F
The Fourth Watcher by Timothy Hallinan (recommended by Jen of Jen's Book Thoughts)

G
Ghostwritten by David Mitchell (recommended by Lenore of Presenting Lenore)
gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson (recommended by Lisa of Books. Life. Lists.)
Gracy Valley Trilogy by Robyn Carr (recommended by Susan from Bloggin' 'Bout Books)

H
Hotel Du Lac by Anita Brookner (recommended by Wendy of Caribousmom)

I
In the Woods by Tana French (recommended by Iliana of Bookgirl's Nightstand and Lori C.)
Infected by Scott Sigler (recommended by Lori of She Treads Softly)
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali (recommended by Evelyn)

J
Jia: A Novel of North Korea by Hyejin Kim (recommended by Princesshoney of Princesshoney's Weblog)

L
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (recommended by Princesshoney of Princesshoney's Weblog)

M
Malgudi Days by R.K.Narayan (recommended by aBookworm of A Bookworm Reads)
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (recommended by Princesshoney of Princesshoney's Weblog)
The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff (recommended by Jennifer of Literate Housewife Review and Julie of Julie's Jewels)
Mr. Thundermug by cornelius Medvei (recommended by Princesshoney of Princesshoney's Weblog)
Mrs. Lieutenant: A Sharon Gold Novel by Phyllis Zimbler Miller (recommended by Barbara of My Own Space)
Mutant Message Down Under by Margo Morgan (recommended by KP)
My Sisters Call Me by Megan Crane (recommended by Christine B.)

N
Nim Chimpsky: The Chimp That Would Be Human by Elizabeth Hess (recommended by Framboise)
No One You Know by Michelle Richmond (recommended by Christine B.)

O
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan (recommended by Jessica of The Bluestocking Society)
The Other Side of You by Salley Vickers (recommended by Megan of Leafing Through Life)
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (recommended by Carrie K. of Mommy Brain)

P
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks (recommended by Heather Munro Prescott of Knitting Clio)
Pop Larkin Chronicles by H.E. Bates (recommended by Merri from Merrily We Roll Along

R
Ringside 1925: Views From the Scopes Trial by Jen Bryant (recommended by Teddy Rose of So Many Precious Books, So Little Time)
A Rose for the Crown by Anne Easter Smith (recommended by Meghan of Medieval Bookworm)
The Ruins of California by Martha Sherrill (recommended by Florinda of The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness)

S
Schooled by Anisha Lakhani (recommended by Amy of Park-Avenue Princess
The Secret River by Kate Grenville (recommended by Teddy Rose of So Many Precious Books, So Little Time)
Shadow Family by Miyuki Miyabe (recommended by Elizabeth of Adventures in Reading)
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (recommended by Trish of Trish's Reading Nook)
The Spies of Warsaw by by Alan Furst (recommended by Jeanne)
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky (recommended by She is too Fond of Books)
Summer Sisters by Judy Blume (recommended by Shana of Literarily)
The Sword of Truth Series by Terry Goodkind (recommended by Monica of Monniblog)

T
Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman (recommended by Lallybroch of SHHH I'm Reading . . .)
These Is My Words Nancy Turner (recommended by Suey of It's All About Books)
3 Aces by Richard Ide (recommended by Ruth of Diabetes Treatments)
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy (recommended by Megan of Leafing Through Life)
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (recommended by Laura of Reading Reflections)
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer (recommended by JMom of Found Not Lost)

U
Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri (recommended by Heather Munro Prescott of Knitting Clio)

W
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver (recommended by Heather from Book Addiction)
When he Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall (recommended by Theresa N.)
Where is the Mango Princess? by Cathy Crimmins (recommended by Jena of Muse Books Reviews)
Word Origins ... and How We Know Them: Etymology for Everyone by Anatoly Liberman (recommended by Jeanne)
The World According to Garp by John Irving (recommended by JMom of Found Not Lost)

I linked the reviews of those who recommended the books where I could. Some of you were kind enough to provide me with direct links to your reviews and others I found by searching your blogs. If I didn't link your review and you would like me to, please let me know by leaving me the link to the review in the comment section.

Thank you all for your recommendations and for taking the time to participate in my little giveaway. I have plenty of good reading ahead of me! I will be announcing the five winners later today. Stay tuned!

My Furry Threesome

Riley ~ The First Born

Parker ~ The Middle Child

Anya ~ The Newest Addition

Anya came to live with us earlier this week and has been taking up much of my attention and time (when I'm not doling out attention to the other two so they don't feel left out). She is 6 weeks old and weighs 1.4 lbs.

Anya's favorite activities include napping on my chest, running from shoulder to shoulder and playing with my ears, attacking Anjin's feet, and chasing after her canine brother. I am going to try and teach her to read one of these days.

Is It Friday Yet?

Those of you with multiple blogs or private blogs...if you could add your link to the Fill-Ins, that would be GREAT! Questions 1 and 2 this week are courtesy of Sherry; thanks!

Here we go:

1. If I could travel back in time, I'd go to 1930 or thereabouts when the Doctor overcame the Daleks attempt to create a hybrid race using human DNA.

2. Give me a full night's sleep or give me another round of raspberry ice.

3. I am listening to my husband mutter at his online game and the sound of me typing on my keypad.

4. Somewhere, someone is thinking, "What was it I was supposed to remember?

5. I'll always be wondering why I never read that book, especially since "that" book changes regularly.

6. My idea of a good time includes reading a good book, taking in a movie, enjoying dinner out, being healthy and spending time with my husband and furkids.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a quiet evening since everyone will be drugged (after a day at the vets' for shots); tomorrow my plans include continuing to be a pin cushion for the kitty; and Sunday, I want to repeat Saturday all over again!

I apologize for not being more social this week and stopping in to visit your blogs. I have a good excuse, I promise. Tomorrow you'll find out why. Happy August!

Review: Watches of the Night by Sally Wright

An American Army combat photographer, a Staff Sergeant named Bobby Talbot, stood in a filthy wet uniform with his back to the Saar River, as chunks of ice floated past on its cold grey skin. [First sentence]


Watches of the Night by Sally Wright
Severn House, 2008
Crime Fiction (S/T); 245 pgs

University archivist, Ben Reese, has been harboring a grudge of sorts for over 15 years. He served as a scout during World War II, putting himself in dangerous situations, sometimes leading teams of technicians in to obtain important documents and technology behind enemy lines. On one such mission, he encountered a colonel with a shady past and questionable methods. He had buried his suspicions for the sake of his bride and his health after the war, needing to focus on his own life and recovery from his war injuries. When his Scottish friend, Kate Lindsay, asks for his help in uncovering who mailed her the eye of her husband, who had died in the war some 16 years earlier, dark memories of Ben’s own time on the front line resurface.

Despite the fact that his job at the university is hanging by a thread, Ben sets out to reach into his past in hopes of finding the truth to what happened those many years ago. While he does what he can to uncover clues in the United States, Kate puts her own investigative skills to use in Scotland, searching out a medic who may know something about the unexpected gift. Only, someone else has other ideas, wanting the secrets of the past to remain buried. This someone will go to any length to protect those secrets, including committing murder. Kate and Ben must watch their step the closer they get to the truth.

Watches of the Night is the fifth book in Sally Wright’s Ben Reese mystery series. The novel is set in the early 1960’s, not long after the building of the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s decision to send advisors to Vietnam. The author takes the reader back to 1945 through remembrances, which offer the reader a glimpse into Ben’s harrowing past during the Second World War, a time that was often harsh and brutal. It was also a time of great heroism, where men risked their lives for their comrades in arms, fighting with all they had to survive.

The characters are well developed, from the minor characters to the more prominent ones. Kate Lindsay, a suspense/thriller novelist herself is both intelligent and resourceful. She balances Ben Reese’s character well. He is no slouch himself, quick on his feet and in mind. His love for horses and his strong sense of doing what is right make him even more endearing. According to the acknowledgments at the end of the book, the character of Ben Reese is based on a real life person, John Reed, who also was an archivist and had been a scout during World War II.

Author Sally Wright has written a compelling mystery novel. Her writing style flows easily as she paints a beautiful picture of the landscapes her characters encounter, including Ohio, Kentucky, Scotland and Italy. She packs a lot of detail into her story; however it never feels overwhelming or too busy. It is obvious the author did her research and aimed for accuracy in even the smallest of details. It was curious that phone conversations were presented as being only one-sided although the novel is written in third person and jumps in points of view from one character to another.

Watches of the Night makes for interesting reading. It is suspenseful while at the same time maintaining a steady pace that allows readers to take in all the details and stay on top of the events as they unfold. For series readers who may wonder if this book can be read out of order, the answer is yes. It seems to stand well on its own. Sally Wright has demonstrated that she is a talented writer, and I look forward to reading the earlier books in the series as well as reading future books. Originally published at Front Street Reviews.

Rating: (Good +)

Check out the Sally Wright's website for more information about her books.