Really Random Tuesday #2: A Meme of My Own, Book Winners, and a Video

Welcome to the second "edition" of Really Random Tuesday. I've always wanted to create a meme of my own, and although the alliteration could be improved, I've decided that a meme which allows me to post random yet book-related things is worth repeating. If you're inspired by this idea, feel free to copy the button at the end of the post, use it on your own blog, and link back to me--I would be so grateful. Tuesday might even become my favorite day of the week. :)

Congratulations to the latest winners of my book giveaways! Nancye won a copy of Boys Lie: How Not to Get Played by Belisa Vranich and Holly Eagleson, and Erika from Moonlight Book Reviews won a copy of 1001 Life Changing Quotes 4 Teens by Laura Lyseight. Thanks to all who entered these book giveaways. Please stay tuned for more giveaways in the future.

While I'm driving in the afternoons I often listen to Fresh Air on NPR, a radio show hosted by Terry Gross. I absolutely love listening to these in-depth interviews. Yesterday I heard a terrifically engaging interview with author Gary Shteyngart about his new book, Super Sad True Love Story, a futuristic, dystopian novel, and I learned about the farcical book trailer I present here. If you're a fan of the absurd, you'll enjoy watching this video, which features some well-known authors including Jeffrey Eugenides and Mary Gaitskill.

Marvelous Mailbox Monday

When I first started blogging about books in May of 2008, I only dreamed of the day when I'd be sent books in the mail. I really never expected anyone to mail me books, unless I paid for them. It took about a year of blogging before anyone contacted me and asked me to review a book. I always keep this in mind when I feel a bit overwhelmed by requests, and I appreciate each and every book that has been mailed to me.


Last week, I received three books in the mail. To Your Dog's Health!: Canine Nutrition and Recent Trends Within the Pet Food Industryby Mark Poveromo arrived from Lisa, the Online Publicist. I have a 12-year-old boxer, so I hope this book will have some useful advice about meeting the nutritional needs of an older dog. Additionally, two authors sent me their books. Jeannette Katzir mailed me Broken Birds, The Story of My Momila, a true story about the lasting effects of World War II and the Holocaust, and Sweta Srivastava Vikram sent me Because All is Not Lost, a collection of her poetry. I'm looking forward to reading each of these.


Mailbox Monday, one of my favorite memes, is being hosted by Shanyn from Chick Loves Lit this month. What new books have you gotten recently in the mail or from elsewhere?