Monday, May 23, 2011

Armchair BEA Introduction and Giveaway #1

Since my health and my finances prevent me from attending BEA (though one day I hope to go), I am staying home and enjoying Armchair BEA this week with lots of other great bloggers.  Today's post is simple:

Who are you, and how do you Armchair?
 
My name is Crystal and I am a bookaholic, I know I am and I am not undergoing any 12-steps to get rid of it. You see I could have worse habits, like 300 cats instead of books. Books don't need feeding or have to use the bathroom, they just sit there and look pretty on my shelves and only cause me some pain when trying to decide what to read next.
Okay that was me two years ago, now that number has probably tripled no matter how many books I give away on my blog. I'm pretty sure my husband is eying me and considering whether the insane asylum is a good idea or if I was gone there would he end up there after having to care for the kids by himself for that period of time. I'm pretty sure the books will win out in the end. Plus he has the benefit of me saying "hey honey, I think you would enjoy this book" and I haven't been wrong yet with book or author recommendations for him.

So who am I? I am an obsessed book blogger, who is going through a rough patch in my health at the current moment and that may have me in Duke Hospital within the next month, but it won't be in the mental health ward. With all of that I also get to say this is the last week of little league for my boys and while I have enjoyed watching them play and the camraderie of the other parents, I will be glad to see it end, because I do work as well and this 8-4 work, then 5:30 - 8:30 running the kids around and finally eating at 8:30 gets old pretty darn quick (and it was close to landing me in the insane asylum). I will be happy to catch back up on my reading and to actually see my boys more nights of the week. I hope also to get back to my blog more and visiting other blogs I have missed out on that while socializing at the ball field lately.

So that leads to the personal me. I am a wife of 13 years and my husband and I have actually been together for 19 years (since the end of our senior year of high school) and no you cannot do the math! I have a 10-year-old who is becoming a know-it-all, but he is a sweet boy and a 6-year-old who keeps me on my toes (he was singing California Gurls by Katy Perry while waiting in line at Walmart yesterday - Bikinis, zuchinnis, martinis). We also are owned by a sweet black cat who keeps getting into disagreements with snakes and his name is Buckwheat. And the final member of the family is our pound puppy Chewey (short for Chewbacca - my boys' are Star Wars addicts). Chewey is part lab and has the prettiest coat. He's also the perfect size, about 3/4 the size of a full-blooded lab. Everyone but Chewey and Buckwheat love to read, and Buckwheat loves to pester us when we read, so maybe he loves to read as well.

That's pretty much it - I have to say that blogging for the last two years has really led me to branch out in my reading and I love that. No longer am I waiting on 3-4 of my favorite authors to release new books, now I have a whole world open to me. Oh and I have a Kindle so I have even more books than my husband knows about, but hey a lot of them were free, okay some of them were free, he doesn't have to know about the ones I do the one-click thing with - you know it doesn't even seem like spending money ;)

So what about you? Tell me something about yourself and be entered in to win your choice of two books my read pile. I'll be putting up a page to look at the choices later today (it's here now), but there is something for everyone. I do have to limit this one to the US/Canada because of postage costs. It takes a lot of money for my book habit, ooops I mean to raise two hungry boys. LOL. Giveaway ends the end of this week, 5/27/11.
I'll also be running other giveaways this week because I like to share the wealth (and my husband likes me to remove some books from the house from time-to-time).




49 comments:

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Crystal, with your busy life it's amazing that you can read much less blog!! You're in my thoughts and prayers as you cope with the health issues.

Brimful Curiosities said...

I have a six-year old as well! My blog is mostly about children's books. Visiting by way of Armchair BEA.

Nancy Naigle said...

I love your reading room!! So glad to find you via twitter. Thanks for sharing.

Wishing you all the best.
HUGS ~

Katie said...

My TRB pile is huge too. I wish I read faster to get through everything!

I hope your health gets better soon!

Katie

Alyce said...

I have two boys that are about the same ages as your kids. I know what you mean about how exhausting the activities are. I hope your health issues are resolved soon!

Sarah Reads Too Much said...

So much of what you write is familiar to me... huge TBR pile, two active boys (but mine are younger) and love giving away the books I've read! I give away the books to theoretically make room on the shelves, but then I just fill it back up again. Like, immediately.

Mice to meet you (even as I've been a follower for awhile now)!

toothybooks said...

i'm glad to know that you don't have 300 cats lying around. that would freak me out just a bit. sorry to hear about your health. i hope you feel better soon!

Elise said...

Lovely post, Crystal! It was great learning about you, and I hope you have a speedy recovery!

Ashley @ Book Labyrinth said...

Sounds like you're a busy lady! I know what you mean about blogging opening you up to new authors and even genres... it's awesome how many great books I've picked up that I never would have looked at before.

Book Labyrinth

Vivien said...

I've been married for 6 years and I'm only 20 :) I have 2 cats and 2 hedgehogs. I'm only supposed to have 1 hedgehog, but she was pregnant when we brought her home, and didn't know it! Surprise!!! lol

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Autumn said...

I've been married almost 11 years and have 3 girls. A 9 year old and 7 year old twins. I am so busy all the time that I don't get nearly enough time to read. Sometimes though, I feel like I need a 12 steep program to deal with my book addiction...we addicts need to stick together LOL

Karis Jacobstein said...

We have a lot in common. Married 13 years, a 10 year old know-it-all, and a six year old who loves Katy Perry (I have a "spare" six year old- as my oldest likes to call her- as well)... Hope your health gets better soon. Sick with kids sucks!

http://yalitwit.blogspot.com/2011/05/introducing-me-armchair-bea-kick-off.html

Orchid said...

Wow, you are one busy person!
I'll keep you in my prayers, hope you'll be feeling better soon. :)

Hmm, a little about me. I am a middle child with three sisters (and my room is filled to bursting with over 700 books).

Orchid
The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia

Unknown said...

Hope you feel better soon. I have health issues, too, and reading and blogging help keep me sane. thanks for the giveaway
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tiffany Drew said...

We have so much in common!

I've been married for ten years. I have a 10yo and a just-turned 7yo. We also have cats and dogs, one of which is a lab :) My children are also obsessed with Star Wars, so much so that by the time by daughter was four if you asked her anything about it, she could tell you. I also have quite the large TBR pile. I won't say how many, but it is way more than you probably think lol. Good thing I read a lot!

Tiffany
jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Unknown said...

I'd be one of the kids who's driving their parents crazy with busy schedules. :) It's only going to get more hectic because next year I'm a senior in high school - SAT, AP classes, college applications and scholarships, senior trips, not to mention regular school and marching band - should be fun.

susanna DOT pyatt AT student DOT rcsnc DOT org

http://susie-bookworm.blogspot.com

Qandthebooks said...

Hope you get better soon (:

And uhm, I'm just your regular high school kid, that instead of doing physics homework, spends her time reading! Just kidding, I'm a good student ;D

blissfulrains(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carol M said...

I've been married forever! lol I'm the mother of two and the grandmother of seven. I love to read, of course, and I love to give books to my grandchildren.
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Valia Lind said...

I like your post! I only discovered Armchair BEA today and quickly put up a post of my own. If you get a chance, take a look @ http://wordsareinnermusic.blogspot.com/2011/05/armchair-bea-welcome.html

Unknown said...

I am currently in library school. Thanks for the giveaway!
amandarwest at gmaildotcom

Colleen Turner said...

Hi there!

My son will be turning six next month, and when I am not taking care of him or my husband, working full time or taking care that my house doesn't fall apart I have my nose stuck in a book! I have piles of books to read and start going through withdrawals if I cannot read atleast a little bit each day!

candc320@gmail.com

Michelle said...

I'm sorry to hear about your health. I can definitely relate to your crazy schedule though. An 8:30 - 5:30 job, leaving early two to three times a week for cheerleading, ballet, club soccer, and piano keeps my husband and I on the go for the entire school year. With an 11-year-old son and soon-to-be 7-year-old daughter, I've learned that it gets worse before it gets better. Yikes!

Welcome to Armchair BEA! On behalf of the organizers, we hope you have a blast this week!

Chelsea B. said...

Well. I love reading, of course. I love watching movies. The more historical, the better. I am currently obsessing over the TV show Smallville, but next month my obsession will have switched to something else. I love owls, butterflies and frogs, but not the real ones. And I love reading people's blogs :-)

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

If you think your husband might think you're crazy with the amount of books you have, think of what mine thinks with my 3000+ books...and he just recently had to move them all when we moved into our new apartment. You think he'll have me committed? On a serious note, I am so sorry to hear of your health issues. I hope you are able to get them resolved soon.

Something else we have in common--we also have a black cat (Alice) and my sons are also Star Wars fanatics (what boy isn't?).

Glad you are joining in on the event this week. I'll be sure to stop by again!

Meredith said...

I have three teenage boys, so I know all about how much it costs to feed them!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Sidne said...

Oh yes you have a busy life. How i remember those days. instead of baseball i was at dance, ballet, martial arts and etiquette classes. i had one cat his name was Topaz. he was a beautiful tan color and acted as if he was a Tiger. I do want to let you know i will pray for your health issues. i honestly will. hooray for BEA!! happy reading.

Diana said...

Girl, I feel you on the busy schedule, although I do admire you- busy life, children and you blog? WOW. Hope you start to feel better soon!

take it easy and just pretend everyday is mothers day :)haha! (I wish)

Diana

Anonymous said...

I would love to read your book.
gardnerad@juno.com

Carrie K. said...

Thanks so much for stopping by Books and Movies yesterday! I, too, collect books like I'm saving them for a nuclear holocaust - my husband says most people hoard toilet paper, but I hoard books. :)

debbie said...

I have a son, 5 cats, a dog, and a rabbit. It sounds like you are really busy, but like me, really enjoy reading. I love your blog, I learn about so many new books.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I am a retired lady who loves to read a good mystery.
I have a daughter who is a nurse and I am very proud of her.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

Great post! Sorry to hear you are having health problems (I have been having them myself lately...2011 is just not my year). Hope you feel better soon. I recently got a Kindle and I have to agree that the one click checkout makes it feel free...until I'm charged that is.

throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Texas Book Lover said...

I am a full time working mom and wife of two very busy girls who are about to turn 7 & 13. When I am not running them around to soccer and dance (which is 6-7 days a week) I love to read (obviously) and am a huge football buff!

Lately there just isn't enough time to read as much as I would like! Hope you get to feeling better soon!

mmafsmith(at)gmail(dot).com

joemmama said...

I have been reading you for awhile and enjoy your posts so much! Hope all goes well, I know about bad health times, so hang in there. Too many books, 2 granddaughters living with me, 3 dogs and a partridge in a pear tree. Chaos reigns!

Laura @ I'm Booking It said...

Good luck with your health issues!

I know what you mean about kid sports taking over our lives, and I'm glad you'll have a little more sanity in your schedule.

It's fun to get to know one another better this way.

Jessy said...

I'm pregnant now with my first baby, and I can see what I have to look forward to!

Lisa Schensted said...

hey there, interview buddy! i'd love to enter this giveaway. thanks for having it! :)

lisathebooknerd at gmail dot com

oxo

Jessy said...

I am pregnant now with my first baby and I see what I have to look forward to!

Bleuette said...

18 year old that loves reading practically anything.
tirachii@yahoo.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

My favorite place to read is in the hammock out by the pool.


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

mendy said...

My 16th birthday is next month :)
Hope you get better!

Joanna said...

Hi Crystal, I'm Joanna. I am the only daughter in a house of three older brothers, which could be annoying and overwhelming at times when I was younger. My pets and reading books are my passion. I have one dog and one cat. My dog is a Jack Russel named, Willow (who has tons of spunk), and my cat's name is Socks (who's very lazy). I can't read a book without a cup of coffee on the side. I think if I had a poison, it would certainly be coffee. To one avid fiction reader to another, whom also is afriad to admit how much it consumes my life and spending, I say I live in reality, why would I want to read about it.

joanna9273[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I was active duty Air Force for 13 years, and spent three of them in England and four in Italy :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, too funny on the book habit. Me too! I may have to wear old holey underwear but I always have a pile of new books. Um...toooo much information?

Debbie Rodgers said...

I live near beautiful Tatamagouche Nova Scotia with three rooms full of books, two dogs, a cat, & - oh! - my long-suffering husband.
Thanks so much for running these giveaways!

Debbie Rodgers said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ikkinlala said...

I have an office job that's part-time at this time of year, so I have a lot of time to read (although I tend to spend too much of it on the internet).

AwesomeNiks said...

I have far too many books too :P Between my Nursing textbooks and my reading obsession for young adult books, I can't fit any more in my house!!!

N.lee.0288(at)gmail(dot)com

http://wickedlysweetbooks.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

i started blogging after i was sidelined last fall by major surgery and couldn't lift (anything heavier than my coffee cup) last fall. Finding all these blogs has got me HOOKED. Then, i went down to Arizona for 5 months as companion to my 84 year old Mom who is a snowbird and started blogging about books. Now i am back in Alberta for the summer...and still blogging. please follow me to find out more about me.

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