KindleBoards Anniversary Contest!

[Harvey]

It's anniversary time at KindleBoards! And we're celebrating with a Kindle 2 giveaway, along with additional prizes.  

What's the anniversary? Well, look at all of these anniversary dates!
   Oct 24 - 1st anniversary of Oprah calling Kindle her favorite gadget
   Oct 27 - 1st anniversary of the Great KindleBoards Migration, where our forums started growing by dozens and then hundreds of people
   Nov 18 - 2nd anniversary of the debut of the first Kindle
   Nov 26 - 2nd anniversary of the founding of KindleBoards

From our humble beginnings, KindleBoards now boasts over 6,000 members! Thank you for making this site a lively and enjoyable place to be.

If there's one thing that unites us all, it's a love of reading. To enter this contest, reply to this post with one paragraph about a book - any book. Include a clickable book cover to the book on Amazon. (You can either use Link-Maker for the book links, or the manual version of Link-Maker for Kindle Store books).

Rules:
One entry per person; duplicate entries will be de-duped. On the drawing dates shown below, we will randomly draw winners. We will announce winners in this thread. Winners must respond within ten days. Prizes are a Kindle 2 (grand prize), or one of five $50 Amazon gift certificates. (The Kindle 2 winner's shipping address must be in a Kindle-supported country.)

Good luck! Now share your book thoughts!

Winners:
   Nov 14 - $50 Amazon gift certificate - Tip10
   Nov 15 - $50 Amazon gift certificate - mlewis78
   Nov 16 - $50 Amazon gift certificate - bjazman
   Nov 17 - $50 Amazon gift certificate - loonlover
   Nov 18 - $50 Amazon gift certificate - Dankinia
   Nov 26 - Grand prize: Kindle 2 - B-Kay

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Okay, guys, I've got dibs on Outlander.  ... What!?!  Did you expect something else from me? 

Off to write my paragraph. 

[Elmore Hammes]

Hmmm, I was tempted to write about one of my own books, but I decided that wouldn't be quite right. Instead, here's a paragraph about a very compelling read:
 

Theo's Story is a rich political murder mystery and thriller, set in the bluegrass of Kentucky. Author Ron Rhody spins an entertaining read, pulling the reader into the story and enriching it with local flavoring in dialect and in setting, such as the incorporation of the Melungeon village as a central part to the mystery, which newspaperman Theo Clark is determined to solve. The ending is both surprising and satisfying.

[SongbirdVB]

A Wrinkle in Time



I hope this works!  I never have much luck with the images...

A Wrinkle in Time was one of my favorite books as a child, and one I re-read every few years.  The love these children have for their parents, and each other, comes through on every page.  A wonderful story for kids or adults!


ETA:  LOOK!  I DID IT!!  Happy dancin'!! 

[intinst]

The Hobbit


The beginning, if you will, of the Lord of the Rings story, It describes Bilbo Baggins' transformation from a simple small town dweller into a hero, renowned among men, dwarves, elves and hobbits. His adventures with trolls, rivers, wizards, dragons and relatives is certainly a classic. I have five different versions of the book, and read one of them yearly! (Six, counting the one on my Kindle!)

[RavenclawPrefect]

How can I pick just one book??  I guess I will go with the start of the series



Harry Potter and the 7 books in the series has become an amazing phenomenon and this is the book that started the craze.  For those of you who may dismiss it as just a children's book, you are sadly mistaken. This is the introduction to a series that has the ability to captivate both children and adults.  We are introduced to Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived and his magical world as well as why he has the distinction to be the Boy Who Lived.  The ground work for the saga is laid in this book but each book can stand alone.  I think this book and series will survive the test of time.  Any book the inspires people to read and continue to read is worth checking out

[crebel]

 Locked In, Marcia Muller (kindle)

This is the latest release (#26, I think) in the long-running Sharone McCone mystery series.  It is written from an entirely different point of view, but was just as engrossing as book one, Edwin Of The Iron Shoes.  Marcia Muller is a Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America and her novels have never disappointed me.  If you enjoy mysteries and detective stories and have never read this series, you should.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Outlander begins in 1945 (or 1946 if you read the British version Cross Stitch), in Scotland.  Claire and Frank Randall have been separated for most of their marriage because of WWII and are reigniting their relationship where they were originally married.  Claire was a nurse in a field hospital in France.  The experience proves to be invaluable as, in a surprise twist (if you didn't read the cover blurb), Claire is transported back in time to 1743.  Not only is Claire confused and frightened, but the 18th Century Scots don't know what to make of her, either.  Her transition is helped by a young clansman named James Fraser.  Thus begins the adventures of Jamie and Claire in a story filled with power and passion, laughter and tears.  This is not a romance novel, nor is it a time-travel novel, but defies classification into any one genre. 

[sheba]

44 Scotland Street



Out of all the many books I've read since I've gotten my Miss Savannah, 44 Scotland Street is the one I've enjoyed the most. It was originally done as a Daily Novel in 'The Scotsman' newspaper and then put into book form. The book follows the lives of the various folk who live at 44 Scotland Street...Pat, Bruce, Domenica, Bertie and their friends and acquaintances. I found the book to have a very good flow and rhythm to the writing and the characters were fleshed out well. I did get wrapped up in their stories and adventures, yelling at the schmucks and cheering for the love-able ones...all signs of a much enjoyed book!

-Krys

[Jen]

I have never used link maker before...hopefully that worked.  

Pillars of the Earth is one of the best books I've ever read, and truly sparked my interest in the historical fiction genre.  
It's based in 12th century England, and tells the story of Tom Builder and all of the people that come in and out of his life.  Tom's dream is to build a cathedral, and will not give up until he does.  He of course ends up entwined in the politics of the cathedral, and is pulled in several directions.  The story weaves in and out between characters, each one you grow to learn and love.  This is one book that feels like a movie, Follett does such a superb job of describing scene and character.  If you have not read it, READ IT!!

[modkindle]

I really enjoyed The Monsters of Templeton. It is a sort of coming of age story. A young woman learns you can return home, but maybe you can't stay. It is fascinating to watch the main character learn that how her mother sacrificed to raise her. Also an excellent peek into the secrets of a small town. And one of my favorite lines comes from this book. "In the end, fiction is the craft of telling the truth through lies."

[Wisteria Clematis]

This is the latest book by Sue Monk Kidd, who also wrote "The Secret Life of Bees." It is autobiographical, written by both Sue and her daughter (each chapter alternates between their two voices). It deals with the issue of a mother/daughter relationship during a time when Sue is confronting menopause and the idea of facing the final decades of her life, and her daughter has just graduated from college but was not accepted into the graduate program she had her heart set on and is confronting issues of shaky self-esteem and figuring out what she is meant to do with the rest of her life. The two of them spend two weeks together touring ancient sacred sites in Greece and this is the story of how they both came to terms with all of this and at the same time deepened their relationship with each other. There are also lovely descriptions of the various temples and historical sites they meandered through, for those who would enjoy traveling in that part of the world.

[amg]

http://www.amazon.com/Water-for-Elephants-A-Novel/dp/B000R93E9S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1256662101&sr=1-1



The first book on my new Kindle.  It is the story of Jacob Janowski's life in a Depression-era traveling circus.  Some parts were hard to read, but it seems like Sara Gruen did an enormous  amount of research and really brought the characters and story to life.  A very unique book.

[mistyd107]

While my Sister sleeps by Barbara Delinsky is the story of a woman who is training to run in a marathon and possibly the Olympics.  One day in training she collapses.  The remainder of the novel deals with what happens to her family as a result.  The novel deals with a couple of real "hot button" issues and in my opinion does so in a very realistic and emotional way.  This book was the first that I have read in a very long time that had me reaching for tissue many times through out the book not just the ending.  It is an emotional read, but well worth it IMO just make sure you have tissue handy.  

[sebat]

The first book in the series...

This tough gal from New Jersey, is an unemployed discount lingerie buyer.  Her Miata has just been repossessed and she's so poor at the moment that she just drank her last bottle of beer for breakfast. Her only chance out of her present rut is her repugnant cousin Vinnie and his bail-bond business.   She's blackmailed Vinnie into giving her a bail-bond recovery job worth $10,000 (for a murder suspect), even though she doesn't own a gun and has never apprehended a person in her life. The guy she has to get, Joe Morelli, is the same creep who charmed away her teenage virginity behind the pastry case in the Trenton bakery where she worked after school.  Stephanie's several unsuccessful attempts at pulling in Joe make a downright hilarious and suspenseful tale of murder and deceit.

[MeganW]

Since it's almost Halloween, I'll post 'Salem's Lot, a book I re-read every year around this time (it's available for the Kindle, but I couldn't get that link to work).  'Salem's Lot is Stephen King's second novel.  It doesn't have the gore/weird factor like some of his later books -- it's just a good ol' horror novel about vampires who come to Jerusalem's Lot, a small town in Maine.  King's writing is so perfect and so descriptive that, when a character is in a basement you feel as if you, yourself, are in that basement.  You get the musty, damp feeling that he's conveying, and you feel like you're there with that character.  Absolutely amazing book -- albeit tricky to read at night.

Megan

[Andra]

When I was younger, I liked to read books about magic.  Oh wait, I still do that.
Anyway, this is one of the first magic-type books I read.  I followed the librarian as she was putting it back on the shelf because I thought the cover looked very interesting.  Half Magic is the story of three sisters and a brother who find a magic coin and must learn how to use it.  The twist is that each wish is cut in half, resulting in some very clever outcomes.  Wishing for a fire causes a playhouse fire.  Wishing to be home finds you half-way home.
It's a fun book and I can't wait for my 4-year-old niece to be old enough to enjoy it.

[Leslie]

 

I've read a lot of really good books this year, but these two stand out in my mind as some of the best. The Boy I Love is the story of Paul Harris, a World War I soldier and how he copes on his return home to England after the war. Paper Moon is its sequel, set 26 years later, and tells the story of Paul's son Bobby, who like is father, is returning home, this time from World War II, broken and disfigured. Absolutely beautifully written, I cried when they ended because I wanted so much more. Highly recommended.

(NB: Since I am a mod, I won't be entered in the contest, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to talk about these books again and hopefully introduce them to a few new readers.)

L

[libros_lego]

This is the 11th book of The Dresden Files. I love this series and I can't stop reading it. I've read the 8th, 9th, and 10th books in less than two weeks. I just love how the stories are always original and how they hook me from the start. I also love the main character because he's witty and far from a perfect hero. I'm just sad that I'll have to wait til next April for the next one.  

[Silver]

A book I have read again and again is Dean Koontz' Watchers.  This is his finest work, in my opinion, in a body of outstandingly enjoyable works.  The hero and heroine aren't stupid, whiney, or unbelievably "heroic".  They're just people who get on with what needs to be done.  And the dog...  Well, Einstein is funny, brave, loveable, playful, loyal, smart - all the things our dogs are - painted into an exciting story.  Can you tell that I really love this book?

[salaniz]

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

This has always been one of my favorite classics!  This book has it all - romance, intrigue, murder.  It is the story of a valuable diamond that is stolen from a Hindu idol and given to a young Englishwoman on her 18th birthday.  The diamond is stolen again.  The resulting investigation will keep you guessing.  Just when you think you've figured it out, think again.

The link above it to my favorite cover of the novel.  However, there are cheaper (and even free, I think) versions available.

[Ann in Arlington]

This was a HORRIBLE idea, Harvey.

Look at all these books I am now compelled to check out!

When will it end???


(Not until Nov 26, apparently. . ... )

[chilady1]

One of the hardest books I ever read and at the same time one of the most gratifying to read!  It took me three times reading this book to get it!  I LOVE TONI MORRISON!  Enjoy!



Mixed with the lyric beauty of the writing, the fury in Morrison's (Song of Solomonp latest book is almost palpable. Set in rural Ohio several years after the Civil War, this haunting chronicle of slavery and its aftermath traces the life of a young woman, Sethe, who has kept a terrible memory at bay only by shutting down part of her mind. Juxtaposed with searing descriptions of brutality, gradually revealed in flashbacks, are equally harrowing scenes in which fantasy takes flesh, a device Morrison handles with consummate skill. The narrative concerns Sethe's former life as a slave on Sweet Home Farm, her escape with her children to what seems a safe haven and the tragic events that ensue. The death of Sethe's infant daughter Beloved is the incident on which the plot hinges, and it is obvious to the reader that the sensuous young woman who mysteriously appears one day is Beloved's spirit, come back to claim Sethe's love. Sethe's surviving daughter, Denver, immediately grasps the significance of Beloved's return and so does Paul Dno period after D, another escapee from Sweet Home; but Sethe herself resists comprehension, and, as a result, a certain loss of tension affects the latter part of the narrative.  It is Morrison writing at the height of her considerable powers, and it should not be missed

[Neekeebee]

Links to DVD, not book

Salutations!  Charlotte's Web was the first book (longer than 64 pages) that I remember reading.  I love this magical story of love, friendship, and loyalty.  Whenever I see it, I am transported back to Mrs. Tucker's second grade classroom, listening to her read aloud after lunch.   As soon as she finished, I asked my parents to buy me a copy and still have it sitting on the shelf.  Even if it's Kindleized, that worn-out paper copy of Charlotte's Web will have always have a place on the bookshelf.

Modified to add: I was just browsing all the recommendations on this thread again and noticed my post looking all sad without a picture.  Strange...when I clicked to modify, the link is there, but for some reason the picture doesn't show!  Then I tried to add the book link, (no Kindle version) but couldn't generate a picture on Link-Maker.  So I will have to settle for the picture from the DVD.

N

[kory]

I picked up this book not thinking I would get as hooked into it as I did, I could not put it down. I immediatley went and bought the other three. I had to force myself to go to bed. This series was quite a nice suprise. Very well done Ms. Meyers!!!