It's been (almost) 2 years!

I cannot believe how fast time flies. It's November (already?!?!), and my 2-year anniversary as a book blogger is only 3 weeks away... To celebrate, I've got a few things up my sleeves...

But first, I'd like to thank you guys--readers and authors both!--for visiting, commenting, and entering my giveaways. I was hoping by this time to have more of a dialog going on about books here, but as you can tell, I haven't quite gotten that far! My Featured Author spotlights seem to be doing alright, and I'm happy for the chance to meet new authors and introduce them to you. I am also thankful that they're willing to take the time for all the stuff I demand! *grin* I am now recruiting for 2011's slots, and if I haven't replied to your inquiries, or you're not on the list in the sidebar, please feel free to remind me! I'm afraid the gray hairs are starting to overpower my natural color, and is resulting in even more forgetfulness than normal. (That's my story & I'm sticking to it!)

I did slow down a bit on my reading compared to last year, which is good for my free time, but not so good for my Mt. TBR! To those whose books I still haven't gotten around to, I sincerely apologize. I will read them, I promise. Sometimes though, I think I'm like a magpie--oooh, pretty shiny new things! *sigh*

And, to the authors, publicists, and publishers who have so generously sponsored the multitude of giveaways this year, thank you! I--and my winners--are very grateful for the titles that have brought new characters to our homes (& hearts!), or continued us on a journey with a character we hold near and dear. I'm pretty sure the Mr. thanks you, too, for our pocketbooks might be a little lighter otherwise *grin*...

For this next year, I will continue with my Featured Author spotlight. I aim to get more of a dialog going about the books I read (feel free to offer suggestions on how!). And to participate more in the book blogging community. For now, let's move on to the fun stuff!

Thing 1 is a giveaway!
"Hmm, what kind of giveaway?" you wonder... Well, it's not like it's going to be a surprise when I say "books!" is it?

Here they are, the little gems we love so much:

Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell, US & Canada, no PO Boxes
(IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository)
Lipstick in Afghanistan by Roberta Gately, US only
(IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository)
Rise Again by Ben Tripp, US only
(IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository)
Duchess of Sin by Laurel McKee, US & Canada, no PO Boxes
(IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository)
Tempted by Fate by Kate Perry, US & Canada, no PO Boxes
(IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository)
Rumor Has It by Jill Mansell, US & Canada, no PO Boxes
(IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository)
The Harry Bosch Novels Volume 3: A Darkness More Than Night, City of Bones, Lost Light by Michael Connelly, US & Canada, no PO Boxes
(IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository)
Thunder and Ashes by Z.A. Recht, US only
(IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository)
Rescue by Anita Shreve, US & Canada, no PO Boxes
(IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository)
Hell's Corner by David Baldacci, US & Canada, no PO Boxes
(IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository)
The Brave by Nicholas Evans, US & Canada, no PO Boxes
(IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository)
The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent, US & Canada, no PO Boxes
(IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository)

To enter, fill out the entry form (i.e. click this link). You can do this once daily, and either pick the same book every day or pick all 12 books over (at least) 12 days! Please refer to the geographic limitations stated above. Do it before 6pm CST November 30th.

A huge thank-you to Danielle, Stephanie, Miriam, Anna, and Brad for providing the books!!

Thing 2 is a giveaway! With a twist!
I read a comment by C.E. Murphy on her facebook page about an email from a Marine she'd sent books to... And a lightbulb went off in my head. I seriously have piles of books next to my bookcase--piles of books that I've read, that weren't from the library. So I'm going to (somehow) get them shipped out to our troops stationed overseas. I've reached out to the USO, but haven't heard back. If you know of an organization that will distribute books & such to our troops, please let me know. But anyway! Back to the books... Here's how this giveaway will run:

For every 10 comments on the blog during the month of November, I will add 1 book to the "ship-out" pile. Comment daily. Go hog wild. Just make sure it's not spam, 'cuz those I'll delete. If you'd like, comment on this post (and this post only!) with suggestions of reading materials to add to the pile. If I get more comments than I have books to ship, I'll randomly pick some off these comments and send those too. What do you think? Come and be chatty! (By the way, comments with twitter status for your tweets count, too!)

Happy November to you, happy blogoversary to me, now go have a great month!

drey's blogoversary: Day 10!!

'tis the last day of my carousel giveaway... *sniff* Yesterday's book was What Would Jane Austen Do and the lucky winner was Angela, which mean's today's book is Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea (US/Canada)

Rules:
-- Contest is open to US residents only (some will also be open to Canadian residents, and I will identify this by the book), no PO Boxes please!
-- Follow for 1 extra entry. I am going to be very particular about this--I must be able to verify this, so please let me know where you follow, and how I can identify you. Email address (Feedburner email), name (facebook NetworkedBlogs), twitter id, blogger profile page, etc.
-- To enter, comment and tell me which book you'd like. If the book is not picked, it will be up tomorrow, and etc... You will need to re-enter each day if you still want the book!
-- Make sure there's an email address (you at email dot com).
-- Do it all before 10:00 pm CST. Good luck!

drey's blogoversary: Day 9!

Yesterday's book was Naamah's Kiss and the lucky winner was dor! So today, we have two books left on the carousel...

Rules:
-- Contest is open to US residents only (some will also be open to Canadian residents, and I will identify this by the book), no PO Boxes please!
-- Follow for 1 extra entry. I am going to be very particular about this--I must be able to verify this, so please let me know where you follow, and how I can identify you. Email address (Feedburner email), name (facebook NetworkedBlogs), twitter id, blogger profile page, etc.
-- To enter, comment and tell me which book you'd like. If the book is not picked, it will be up tomorrow, and etc... You will need to re-enter each day if you still want the book!
-- Make sure there's an email address (you at email dot com).
-- Do it all before 10:00 pm CST. Good luck!

Today's books are...
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea (US/Canada)
What Would Jane Austen Do by Laurie Brown (US/Canada)

drey's blogoversary: Day 8!

3 more books left, which means tomorrow there'll be 2, and only 1 on Friday... Yesterday's book was Last Light Over Carolina and the lucky winner was DarcyO!

Rules:
-- Contest is open to US residents only (some will also be open to Canadian residents, and I will identify this by the book), no PO Boxes please!
-- Follow for 1 extra entry. I am going to be very particular about this--I must be able to verify this, so please let me know where you follow, and how I can identify you. Email address (Feedburner email), name (facebook NetworkedBlogs), twitter id, blogger profile page, etc.
-- To enter, comment and tell me which book you'd like. If the book is not picked, it will be up tomorrow, and etc... You will need to re-enter each day if you still want the book!
-- Make sure there's an email address (you at email dot com).
-- Do it all before 10:00 pm CST. Good luck!

Today's books are...
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea (US/Canada)
Naamah's Kiss by Jacqueline Carey (US/Canada)
What Would Jane Austen Do by Laurie Brown (US/Canada)

drey's blogoversary: Day 7!

5 down, 4 to go... Yesterday's book was Lavender Morning and the lucky winner was Anna! Email has been sent, please reply with your mailing information before the end of day Thursday...

Rules:
-- Contest is open to US residents only (some will also be open to Canadian residents, and I will identify this by the book), no PO Boxes please!
-- Follow for 1 extra entry. I am going to be very particular about this--I must be able to verify this, so please let me know where you follow, and how I can identify you. Email address (Feedburner email), name (facebook NetworkedBlogs), twitter id, blogger profile page, etc.
-- To enter, comment and tell me which book you'd like. If the book is not picked, it will be up tomorrow, and etc... You will need to re-enter each day if you still want the book!
-- Make sure there's an email address (you at email dot com).
-- Do it all before 10:00 pm CST. Good luck!

Today's books are...
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea (US/Canada)
Last Light Over Carolina by Mary Alice Monroe (US only)
Naamah's Kiss by Jacqueline Carey (US/Canada)

drey's blogoversary: Day 6!

Another week, another 5 days on the carousel... Friday's book was Flesh and Fire and the lucky winner was housemouse88!

Rules:
-- Contest is open to US residents only (some will also be open to Canadian residents, and I will identify this by the book), no PO Boxes please!
-- Follow for 1 extra entry. I am going to be very particular about this--I must be able to verify this, so please let me know where you follow, and how I can identify you. Email address (Feedburner email), name (facebook NetworkedBlogs), twitter id, blogger profile page, etc.
-- To enter, comment and tell me which book you'd like. If the book is not picked, it will be up tomorrow, and etc... You will need to re-enter each day if you still want the book!
-- Make sure there's an email address (you at email dot com).
-- Do it all before 10:00 pm CST. Good luck!

Today's books are...
Lavender Morning by Jude Devereaux (US only)
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea (US/Canada)
Last Light Over Carolina by Mary Alice Monroe (US only)

drey's blogoversary: Day 5!

Day 5 already? How time flies when we're having fun, huh? Yesterday's book was Mama Dearest and the lucky winner was lag123!! Email has been sent out, please reply before the end of day Sunday.

Rules:
-- Contest is open to US residents only (some will also be open to Canadian residents, and I will identify this by the book), no PO Boxes please!
-- Follow for 1 extra entry. I am going to be very particular about this--I must be able to verify this, so please let me know where you follow, and how I can identify you. Email address (Feedburner email), name (facebook NetworkedBlogs), twitter id, blogger profile page, etc.
-- To enter, comment and tell me which book you'd like. If the book is not picked, it will be up tomorrow, and etc... You will need to re-enter each day if you still want the book!
-- Make sure there's an email address (you at email dot com).
-- Do it all before 10:00 pm CST. Good luck!

Today's books are...
Flesh and Fire by Laura Anne Gilman (US only)
Lavender Morning by Jude Devereaux (US only)
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea (US/Canada)

drey's blogoversary: Day 4!!

It's a new day, and we have a winner to post, and a new book to add to the carousel... Yesterday's book was Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife and the lucky winner was Benita! Email has been sent out, please reply before the end of day Saturday.

Rules:
-- Contest is open to US residents only (some will also be open to Canadian residents, and I will identify this by the book), no PO Boxes please!
-- Follow for 1 extra entry. I am going to be very particular about this--I must be able to verify this, so please let me know where you follow, and how I can identify you. Email address (Feedburner email), name (facebook NetworkedBlogs), twitter id, blogger profile page, etc.
-- To enter, comment and tell me which book you'd like. If the book is not picked, it will be up tomorrow, and etc... You will need to re-enter each day if you still want the book!
-- Make sure there's an email address (you at email dot com).
-- Do it all before 10:00 pm CST. Good luck!

Today's books are...
Flesh and Fire by Laura Anne Gilman (US only)
Mama Dearest by E. Lynn Harris (US only)
Lavender Morning by Jude Devereaux (US only)

PLEASE pay attention to whether you can enter for the book you're choosing, based on whether it's available for your location.

drey's blogoversary: Day 3!

Another day, another giveaway... Yesterday's book was Italian for Beginners and the lucky winner was Allison of Poodle Doodle! Email has been sent out, please reply before the end of day Friday.

Rules:
-- Contest is open to US residents only (some will also be open to Canadian residents, and I will identify this by the book), no PO Boxes please!
-- Follow for 1 extra entry. I am going to be very particular about this--I must be able to verify this, so please let me know where you follow, and how I can identify you. Email address (Feedburner email), name (facebook NetworkedBlogs), twitter id, blogger profile page, etc.
-- To enter, comment and tell me which book you'd like. If the book is not picked, it will be up tomorrow, and etc... You will need to re-enter each day if you still want the book!
-- Make sure there's an email address (you at email dot com).
-- Do it all before 10:00 pm CST. Good luck!

Today's books are...
Flesh and Fire by Laura Anne Gilman (US only)
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll (US/Canada)
Mama Dearest by E. Lynn Harris (US only)

PLEASE pay attention to whether you can enter for the book you're choosing, based on whether it's available for your location.

drey's blogoversary: Day 2!!

I still cannot believe it's been a year. I guess time does fly when you're having fun, huh? =)

Anyway, today I'm starting up the carousel giveaway. On the block are three lovely books. One winner will be picked, and the other two will go on to tomorrow's carousel. So pay attention, this one will move fast!

Rules:
-- Contest is open to US residents only (some will also be open to Canadian residents, and I will identify this by the book), no PO Boxes please!
-- Follow for 1 extra entry. I am going to be very particular about this--I must be able to verify this, so please let me know where you follow, and how I can identify you. Email address (Feedburner email), name (facebook NetworkedBlogs), twitter id, blogger profile page, etc.
-- To enter, comment and tell me which book you'd like. If the book is not picked, it will be up tomorrow, and etc... You will need to re-enter each day if you still want the book!
-- Make sure there's an email address (you at email dot com).
-- Do it all before 10:00 pm CST. Good luck!

Today's books are...
Flesh and Fire by Laura Anne Gilman (US only)
Italian for Beginners by Kristin Harmel (US/Canada)
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll (US/Canada)

drey's blogoversary: Day 1!

Ok, here we go! To kick-start my blogoversary celebration, I have a few books for you to choose from. How many books get new homes, depends on how many people enter the giveaway... All books have been very gently read--they are either from my library, or a book sent to me for review.

Rules:
-- Contest is open to US residents only, no PO Boxes please! Sorry, international folks, I cannot afford shipping overseas...
-- Follow for 1 extra entry. I am going to be very particular about this--I must be able to verify this, so please let me know where you follow, and how I can identify you. Email address (Feedburner email), name (facebook NetworkedBlogs), twitter id, blogger profile page, etc.
-- To enter, comment about the extra entries for the giveaways here on drey's library, and tell me if you like them or not, with reason, please. I'm considering making my life easier, and removing extra entries will do that, but if you blog about the giveaways, or tweet 'em, etc., then there should be a recognition that you did something other than say "enter me", right? Or am I making this wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too complicated?
-- Make sure there's an email address (you at email dot com), and list which book(s) you'd like, in order of preference.
-- Do it all before 6:00 pm CST December 4th. Good luck!

Winners:
Every 10 people entered means ONE winner gets picked, for a maximum of 10 winners. So, go nuts and tell the world.

Now for the important part, the books (click on the titles for more information):

1. Liam Hearn's Tales of the Otori: Across the Nightingale Floor, Grass for His Pillow, Brilliance of the Moon (yes, this is a 3-book set)
2. Jeaniene Frost's Halfway to the Grave and One Foot in the Grave
3. Jacqueline Carey's Banewreaker and Godslayer
4. John Shirley's Bleak History
5. Amber Benson's Death's Daughter
6. Jim Butcher's Academ's Fury (Codex Alera #2)
7. Michelle Rowen's Tall, Dark & Fangsome
8. Molly Harper's Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men
9. Anne Bishop's The House of Gaian
10. Patricia Briggs' Dragon Blood
11. Chris Marie Green's A Drop of Red
12. Dan Simmons' Hyperion
13. Leila Cobo's Tell Me Something True
14. Belinda Acosta's Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz
15. Lisa Fineberg Cook's Japan Took the J.A.P. Out of Me
16. Sarah Bird's How Perfect is That
17. Anita Shreve's A Change in Altitude
18. Katie Crouch's Girls in Trucks
19. Claire LaZebnik's The Smart One and the Pretty One
20. Shelley Adina's Tidings of Great Boys
21. Zoey Dean's Hollywood is Like High School with Money
22. Sue-Ellen Welfonder's A Highlander's Temptation
23. Amanda Scott's Tamed by a Laird
24. Jennifer Haymore's A Hint of Wicked
25. Mindy Klasky's Magic and the Modern Girl

Hopefully there's something here for everybody... =)

It's my blogoversary!! Time to celebrate!!

OMG. I cannot believe it. ONE whole year! 200+ books. 100 giveaways. 13 interviews. 20 guest posts. 159 authors. Almost 400 followers on Google Friend Connect. 600+ subscribers on FeedBurner. Ok, so I'm slacking on the interviews... I'll have to do something about that!

I'm honored and touched that you think it worth your time to swing by and read my posts. I appreciate that you stop by, and I hope you keep doing it! *grin*

To celebrate this first year mark, I've got a few questions, and a--what else?--giveaway or two for you...

First, to make you work...

I am thinking of slowing down a bit on things here, especially the reviews. Posting daily on weekdays is a huge commitment, and I've been neglecting other things. If I can get to 3 reviews a week, I think I'll be happy. But will you? Anyway, if I slow down on my reading, I will need to focus a bit more on the genres I read. Which brings up the question--are you here for the reviews? If so, which genres do you read my reviews for? If you're not here for the reviews, then is it the giveaways? And if so, which ones?

Now are you ready to find out what the giveaway is? There are two. One starts today, so check out the drey's blogoversary: Day 1 giveaway post!

For the second giveaway, I'm borrowing the "carousel" method I saw at Dan's Journal...

There will be three books listed each day. One book will be selected, and the other two will be carried over to the next day with a new book added, until all 9 books are given away.

This one will run tomorrow through December 4th, on the weekdays only!! Please be aware that there will be books added to the carousel on Thanksgiving Day, and the day after Thanksgiving, so don't eat too much turkey and forget to come by! *grin*

A huge heartfelt THANK YOU to the folks at Pocket Book, Hachette Book Group, and Sourcebooks, for providing books for the carousel. I have had such a great time working with all of you this year, and I hope you feel the same way too!