The Perfect Christmas Gift for The Book Lover on Your List

It is not often that you find a truly affordable gift, one that will last all year long, for the book lover in your life. Most people who are not avid readers are hesitant about selecting a title for the person on their list who is, for fear the reader might not care for the book. You can solve that problem by getting them a membership to Book Swim.

There are so many great things about Book Swim. The main point is that you can order as many books as you want and return them when you are ready. It is like an online library without the late fees and due dates! Choose from over 200,000 titles, with free shipping both ways. Also, with the light reader program there is a 30 day free trial...AND, when you sign up for the Book Swim newsletter you are automatically entered to win a free book every month.

This truly is the perfect gift for the book lover on your Christmas list. The membership fee is only $14.99 a month, which is such a great price for the privilege of getting all the books you want to read whenever you want and keep them for as long as you like. Members can also buy titles if they so choose, but are never asked to do so. Move over Netflix, Book Swim is going to turn the world into book readers before it's all said and done!

During the holidays, buying Book Swim gift cards cannot be beat, because YOU also get treats. Check out the information in the banner below and get busy buying Book Swim Gift cards.




Review of "Adopted Ed" by Darren Maddern

My granddaughters love books, and they love for me to read to them. They are only 3 and4, but are precocious and smart. So I ordered a copy of the children's book, ADOPTED ED, by Dareen Maddern, as part of an ongoing crusade to make sure Lucy and Edy become educated about all kinds of different people, places and things.

I never realized when I sat down to read ADOPTED ED that it would be such a well thought-out, sensitive and delightfully illustrated book.  Darren Maddern does a great job of explaining adoption to kids in a way that they can understand, but he goes far beyond that as he also shows the dark emotions and sometimes negative experiences that can unfortunately be a part of being adopted and how to handle them.

One thing I really was impressed by was the fact that the mom in the story is a woman of color, and the father Caucasian. This simple, smart move on the illustrator's part, (the book is illustrated by Erin Fusco) helps enrich the story, moving it beyond not only the boundaries of convention but of color.

If you have an adopted child I would highly suggest this book, ADOPTED ED. You will enjoy it and so will your chosen child!

Serving a Great Thanksgiving Meal on a Budget

Here is a great post with ideas on how to serve a wonderful Thanksgiving meal on a budget.

Let's Talk about Black Friday

Have you always wondered where the term BLACK FRIDAY came from? Here is a post with a great explanation, and also it discusses how to get gift cards to your favorite retailers for up to 30% less than their original value.

Best Books to Teach You Fiction Writing

When I first started out writing fiction in 2003, I didn't just jump in, I studied. I couldn't afford creative writing classes so I did the next best thing and so can you! The following two books are my best recommendations for learning to write fiction. The most difficult part of writing fiction is learning how to use proper tense, how to write conversations between characters, and how to create setting and tension for the reader. These two books will teach you both.

The Writing of Fiction by Edith Wharton

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Here is the link to order either or both books from Amazon. com. If you want to learn to write fiction, why not whisper in Santa's ear that one or both of these books are what you want for Christmas? Or if you know an aspiring fiction writer, here is the answer to a gift for them that will make their creative hearts sing!

Please pass this link along if you know someone who would be interested.

You Won't Find a Writer Who Isn't a Reader

I bet you won't argue with the fact that all writers started out as readers. Start your budding writer out right by giving them the power of books cheap.

When you join the Children's Book of the Month Clubyou get 6 books for $2, plus a Free Gift, with membership. Having a membership like this for your child makes having ready reading material at hand so easy and convenient.

And for yourself? How about a membership to the Doubleday Book Club, where you'll get 5 books for 99 cents with membership.

Either or both of these would make the perfect Christmas gift too! You can't go wrong with the gift of books. Every Christmas I order at least one subscription of some sort for a friend or relative.

If you have someone in the family or a friend who is not a reader, (perish the thought!) you can get them a membership to Columbia House and order 3 DVD's for $1 each. Besides, even writers like to watch a movie now and then!