Where You Buy Books and My First Giveaway

I recently took a poll asking where you buy your books. I wanted to know where many of my readers purchased books: online, at chain bookstores, at college or independent bookstores or other retailers. Here are the rankings:
Barnes and Noble Amazon.com Other Retailers Borders Books-a-Million Independent Bookstores College/University Bookstores The results were pretty much as I expected as I buy most of my books at Barnes and Noble or on Amazon too. There were only 4 responses of readers who shop at independent bookstores. There is no judgment here, I don't do it either. But I want to shop at more independent bookstores and I will even if have to drive 25, 50, a hundred miles to find them (thankfully some do have online ordering). One would think living between two college towns there would be more indie bookstores, but no, not so much. A couple of weekends ago, I did go to a not-so local, independent bookstore, noteBooks.  It is a small new and used bookstore that also carries music and art supplies and has a terrific cafe attached to it. (I'd hoped to have some pictures to post, but of course, I forgot to take my camera). You can check out noteBooks for yourself here. While I was there, I purchased one of my favorite books, Looking for Alaska by John Green, specifically for this giveaway. Synopsis: Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave "the Great Perhaps" even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then . . . After. Nothing is ever the same.(from Goodreads) It was important to me that the first book I gave away on Actin' Up with books came from an independent bookstore (there is a lot of back story to this reasoning, but since the post is already becoming too long, I will spare you the details) and I wanted it be a book that I love and want to read over and over again. Now for the Giveaway! If you would like to win a copy of Looking for Alaska, please fill out the form below. You can include the name of your favorite independent bookstore. (It is not required to be eligible) One winner will be chosen by using random.org Good Luck and Thanks for visiting! Contest has ended 10/30/2010

The Friday Five (8)

Here, I recap my week with connections to books I am reading, have read, want to read and other random musings.

1. The movie I Love You, Beth Cooper started showing this week on HBO. As much as I want to like the movie, I just can't. Larry Doyle's novel is just so awesome that the movie adaptation just ruins it. Now, if  I hadn't read the book first, maybe I could appreciate the few chuckles I emitted. But it pales in comparison to the full-on belly laughs, and OMG moments I had while reading the book. I Love You, Beth Cooper - read the book, skip the movie. 

2. If you haven't yet, please check out my poll asking What Do You Purchase Books I am getting ready to host my first giveaway and the information gathered from the poll will help!

3. Currently Reading: Perfect World by Brian James

4. Soon to leave the shelf: Freefall by Mindi Scott - This is the next book I am reading for The Contemps Challenge which you can still sign up for here

5. Random Musings: How much time do you spend blogging? Writing blogs, reading blogs, thinking about what you are going to write or present on your blog. I'm just curious.

Thanks for visiting and have a happy Friday!

The Friday Five is inspired by Sarah Dessen's blog on LiveJournal. I've been following this blog the longest and love how she recaps her week with the Friday Five, now called The Five.

The Friday Five (7) - Call me Chelleless P. Talkaloe

Here, I recap my week with connections to books I am reading, have read, want to read and other random musings.


1. Where do you purchase your books? I am currently taking a poll asking my readers where you purchase your books. I would appreciate your participation! Your answers will help me as I prepare to hold my First-Ever Giveaway. The poll will be up until October 15th and the giveaway will be announced a few days after that.


2. On Sunday I finished Mockingjay and loved it! But what I loved more was going back to all of my favorite blogs and reading the reviews and rants that I was missing out on. Some of my favorite commentary was at Forever Young Adult. I love them, I love them. I can't say it enough. I love them.

One issue that I had to get over when reading the series was the names of the characters: Cinna, Glitter, Cato, Haymitch. It was enough to keep me from reading the books when they first came out. I wondered can I really read a book with a main character named Katniss? The answer, yes, thank goodness, yes.

So what does this have to do with anything? Not much. But now that I am no longer on my Hunger Games/Mockingjay blog ban, I went back to Forever Young Adult and found my Hunger Games name You may now call me Chelleless P. Talkaloe

3. Currently Reading:We Were Here by Matt de la Pena

4. Soon to leave the shelf: Losing Faith by Denise Jaden

5. I've read a book this week. Yep, just one. So, I'm looking for another read-a-thon. Please post a comment or link if you are hosting a read-a-thon, participating in a read-a-thon or know of any read-a-thons coming up.

Happy Friday!

The Friday Five is inspired by Sarah Dessen's blog on LiveJournal. I've been following this blog the longest and love how she recaps her week with the Friday Five, now called The Five.