Really Random Tuesday #34: The Gap Year Winner, and BBAW 2011

Congratulations to Tiffany Drew, the winner of The Gap Year, a new novel by Sarah Bird that I thoroughly enjoyed. My daughter (who chose the winning name from a hat) is reading the book now, and she seems to really like it as well.

If you didn't win this book giveaway, don't despair! I have other book giveaways listed on the right side of my blog, and many more on the way.

********************

Two, four, six, eight
Who do we appreciate?

You may have noticed the banners on various book blogs recently. Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW) is almost here! Created in 2008 by Amy Riley from My Friend Amy, this year it will be held from September 12 - September 16. BBAW is a chance to meet other book bloggers who share a love of books and the joy of reading. It only takes a few moments to register for BBAW, and there are numerous activities planned, such as giveaways, interviews, guest posts, awards, and more. It should be a lot of fun.

********************

Appearing on random Tuesdays, Really Random Tuesday is a way to post odds and ends--announcements, musings, quotes, photos--any blogging and book-related things you can think of. If you're inspired by this idea, feel free to copy the button and use it on your own blog. For other recent Really Random Tuesday (and Thursday) posts, please visit Vivienne's blog, Serendipity Reviews, Avis' blog, she reads and reads, Naida's blog, the bookworm, and Leslie's blog, Under My Apple Tree. Please leave a link in the comments if you’re participating and I'll add it to this post.

Thanks for reading! Your comments are welcomed.

Dael and the Painted People: Review and Giveaway

Their song could not continue; it was too dangerous to do anything that might draw the attention of enemies.
~Dael and the Painted People, Allan Richard Shickman


Think you have problems? Imagine a primitive world of warriors and hunters, teeming with wild animals such as bears and boars, a time of fierce competition for the basic necessities of food and shelter. Imagine the need to huddle outdoors with others in makeshift beds at night for warmth, and to always be vigilant. This is the world that author Allan Richard Shickman presents in rich and vivid detail. The new book in the Zan-Gah series, Dael and the Painted People, focuses on Dael, Zan-Gah's tormented twin brother, who is haunted by Hurnoa and his past actions, which have all too often stemmed from his uncontrolled fury. Accompanied by Sparrow, his new, quiet companion, they embark on a journey and discover a land of red rocks and crimson people, and things slowly start to change.

Wow! It will be difficult to convey even one tenth of my enthusiasm for this book--or this series. I read Dael and the Painted People with rapt attention over the course of a day. Initially, I didn't expect to be enthralled by books set in prehistoric days, but once again, I was absolutely (and willingly) transported back in time to a way of life stripped down to the bare essentials--food, shelter, and a touch of friendship and love. These books have enormous appeal to me (maybe I would be happy camping out in the wilderness). Imaginative and brimming with action and emotion, life here is presented as a daily struggle for survival, although in this book, cooperation and trust begin to supplant mere brawn and aggression. Although these books are for young adults, older readers should also enjoy them--I certainly did!

Does the prehistoric world of Zan-Gah also sound appealing to you? Earthshaker Books is generously offering a set of these three books, which includes Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure, Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country, and the newest book, available to readers August 30, 2011, Dael and the Painted People, as a giveaway to one lucky reader in the U.S.. (Aren't book bloggers lucky? Frequently we're invited to read new books, sometimes before they're even published.)

• To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment.
• For another chance at winning, become a follower of this blog, or let me know that you're already a follower, or that you subscribe in Google Reader.
• For an additional chance, post about this contest on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

Enter by 5PM PDT on Monday, September 12. One winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Tuesday, September 13. Good luck!

Special thanks to Bonnie from Earthshaker Books for sending me this book.