My family of three pulled into the driveway early yesterday evening after a 964-mile drive, and we were not at wits' end and our nine-year-old was not wrestling with backseat lockdown fever. Why not? Bribes, sugar-free soda, smoothies...? Busted. But I must say that our smooth sailing was also helped along greatly by books, both audio and printed.
On our two-week trip, our daughter read four books and listened to short stories by Mark Twain on audio. Even better, a Parenting magazine (@parenting) tweet alerted me to a best-ever vacation tip: many libraries have downloadable audio books.
This was a revelation to me. Audio books are fantastic for keeping up with the latest from a favorite author and just for passing time on the road. But they're not cheap!
So in honor of the boost that books gave us on our trip, I'm giving away one new audio book a week for the next four weeks. To Enter: Just post a comment (I'd especially love to hear the favorite book you've read this year) and I'll randomly choose a winner and mail out that week's audio book each of the four Saturdays. These are straight from the publisher, brand new in their original shrinkwrap.
This week's audio book giveaway: While My Sister Sleeps, by Barbara Delinsky, a $29.95 value.
Come on -- let's get into some great summer reads together. I can't wait to hear what you're reading and loving right now.
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13 comments:
Just popping in from SITS.....
When the girls were young, we would strap them in and head out on day trips (sometimes overnighters). They never really cared for the drives but we always managed to find something fun to do / see.
Hope your weekend has been beautiful
Robin: Thanks for the comment. You're now entered in the giveaway contest, and if you win and aren't a Barbara Delinsky fan, surely you know someone who is and could give it as a gift. I know what you mean -- our daughter is old enough now to really feel the length of time it takes to get across four states, but being a strong reader really helps!
Hi SITSta...I recently finished The Book Thief and LOVED it. I also highly recommend Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (same author as Wicked but I liked it even more.)
JennyMac, Hey back at you. Thanks for your comment. "Confessions..." looks really interesting. I may check it out myself. You're now entered!
Visiting you from SITS--can you believe I've never listened to an audio book in the car?
Ah so many books, how do I choose?
Cross Country by James Patterson.
Sorry, have a bit of a dark personality,.. if I'm not in court listening to horror stories, I am reading about it.
Thank you so much for the visit to my blog. Much appreciated.
I'm working for a child justice organization, based in Mariental, south of Namibia.
Lora: There's no time like the present! Audio books can be really fun to listen to in the car, or on long walks or workouts. Thanks for your comment/entry.
And WhiteSockGirl, your work sounds so important. Would love to contribute if I could. I am a huge fan of groups like the International Justice Mission, which works to end slavery around the world.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the RT!
We *heart* audio books! And I have also recently learned about the library downloadables and that is awesome.
I have to pick a fave? I'm terrible at that. Recent loves -- The Book Thief & Atonement. And an easy summer read I really enjoyed is Gone to Green by Judy Christie.
The Book Thief is on my list. Thanks for coming by!
I'm listening to a bunch of chick lit this summer so far - nothing heavy - lots of Meg Cabot right now. Loving it!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Connie
twitter ID princesstimetoy
Thanks, Connie. I also go lighter in summer when it comes to reading (now, if only I could go lighter in other areas of my life...).
Never done an audio book! Sounds pretty neat!
I just won a book giveaway for 2 Emily Griffin books: Something Borrowed and Something Blue. I heard they are pretty fun reads!
Happy Saturday to you! I am slowly making my way around to all the blogs that visited me when I was featured on SITS to say "Thank you". It is indeed a fabulous SITStahood.
Be blessed!
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