Tuesday, June 19, 2012

GIVEAWAY: SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL and THIS IS NOT A TEST!!

*NOTE: Contest is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!*

Today's an exciting day for readers. TWO amazeballs books are releasing today! TWO books that I am so very excited for readers to get in their hands and devour and love, in different ways.

First is a book I haven't had a chance to read yet, but believe me, I can't wait.

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller is not your standard contemporary. First, it's from the boy's perspective--but more than that, Travis is a Marine, back from a tour in Afghanistan. Here's the summary:

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero. (from Goodreads)


I've known Trish since we were both hanging around at Verla Kay's Blueboards, writing different books, querying, going through the process. I always liked Trish's avatar because it looked so hopeful, so friendly. Her posts were friendly too, and smart. I was thrilled when I discovered that my new agent represented Trish too--we're agent sisters!--and she's been very supportive of me.


But that's not why I think you should read this book. It's not why *I* want to read this book. I want to read it because of reviews like this one, about SLN's emotional honesty:


http://youngadultanonymous.blogspot.com/2012/06/review-something-like-normal-by-trish.html


and this one, which says it's an "important, timely novel" but also talks about the strengths of the romance, and the realism:


http://cleareyesfullshelves.com/blog/early-review-something-like-normal-by-trish-doller.html


Yeah. So that's Reason #1 to be excited about today as a reader. You can buy that book!


Second is a book I HAVE read, and loved. GUYS. COURTNEY SUMMERS HAS A NEW BOOK OUT TODAY, AND IT'S ABOUT ZOMBIES!!

This Is Not a Test.




Well. It's not really about zombies. It's about people: damaged, hurting, REAL people who happen to have to deal with zombies. Here's my review from Goodreads:


***
I've loved all of Courtney's books, and I expected to like this one--she is such a talented writer, she can pull anything off. Even zombies! I admit, I'm not a zombie fan--but this book isn't about zombies at all. It's about people: how they relate, how they react in difficult circumstances, and really, how they can completely mess each other up--and redeem each other.

Courtney's amazing skill lies in opening a vein directly to a character and letting us in to that private, real world. That skill hasn't changed just because this book has zombies. Sloane is very, very real and heartbreaking in her pain, but she was still someone I wanted to spend time with and understand. All the other characters are also deeply realized, complex people in their own right.

The zombie setting is well done and keeps you on the edge of your seat, but in the end it's Sloane's journey I found most compelling
.

Read it. Trust me.

***

 I have to tell you too--in just a little aside--how awesome Courtney is. She's been an incredibly supportive friend to me for years now, and I have a sneaking suspicion she is the same with a ton of other writers. Courtney emails have made me cry, have gotten me through, have made me laugh out loud more than once. I think she deserves the best of everything.


She just also happens to write effing kick-ass amazing books, which I am so happy to support.


So here's where you say WEREN'T YOU GOING TO GIVE AWAY A BOOK, SUSAN?


Why, yes. Yes, I was. Not only that, I am going to GIVE AWAY TWO BOOKS, one of each.


Here is ALL you have to do:


--Comment on this post and tell me which book you'd like, Something Like Normal or This Is Not a Test (or if you want either, say that too!) You'll be entered!


--You get an extra entry if you tweet about the contest! Just make sure to @susan_adrian so I see it!


--Contest will be open until Thursday morning, June 22, 8 am MDT. North American entries only, please (sorry!) The winners will have the books shipped directly to them.


Let's all celebrate this Excellent Reader Day!!

23 comments:

Sashi K said...

Ooh! I would like Something Like Normal. Was just reading about it on the twittersphere!

Christina said...

Awesome giveaway! I would like to win either, although I have a slight preference for This Is Not a Test, because I read an egalley of it and it was phenomenal!

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/Reader_Fictions/status/215094994174873600

Elizabeth Briggs said...

Do want, do want.

C. K. Kelly Martin said...

I have a copy of TINAT on the way but I would absolutely LOVE to get my hands on Something Like Normal!

Unknown said...

Both sound amazing, but I've been dying to get my hands on This Is Not A Test since I first read the synopsis!

Krista Van Dolzer said...

Thanks for the giveaway, Susan! Count me in! And they both sound interesting, so I'm up for either.

Anonymous said...

I'm not entering in the contest, but I love your outpouring of support for these two authors! Of course I've been a Courtney-fangirl for a few years now but Trish has crept up the list in the past several months because she feels so accessible and down-to-earth. Does accessible make sense? Is that a compliment? Because it totally is. =)

Deborah Small said...

Both books sound amazeballs; my preference is Something Like Normal. Not only do I believe I'll enjoy it, I think it would be a great summer read for my teenage boys.

And Suze, it's good to see you back in the groove. :)

Andrew said...

Gotta go with the classic zombie...ok, new classic...er...anyway I would love "This is Not a Test" not only is it an awesome title (and cover), but the story idea is so different. Love it! :D

melannie (: said...

Oh yes yes yes please... may the force be with me or something because I really REALLY want This is Not a Test and don't know when I'll have the funds to buy it ):

thanks for the chance!

Catie said...

I would love to win either of these books! Thanks for this giveaway!

traci16 said...

I sm absolutely dying to read This is Not a Test...thanks for the giveaway!!!!

Amanda said...

I'd LOVE This is Not a Test! Haven't been able to get my hands on it yet!

DeadlyAccurate said...

OK, tough call, but I'll go with THIS IS NOT A TEST. Love zombies. Love Courtney's books.

Monica Gutierrez said...

I would LOVE to read This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers! I've read some great reviews and can't wait to read her work!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Here is my tweet:
https://twitter.com/monica254/status/215191705878675456

Rachael Allen said...

I'd love either of them! Great giveaway!

Jillian Schmidt said...

I can't wait to read This is Not a Test! Thanks for the chance to win it :-D.

Crystal said...

These both look so good! I'd love to read either :)

Cecelia said...

I'd love This Is Not a Test. Thanks for holding the giveaway!

Samantha R. said...

I'd love to win This Is Not a Test! Thanks!

scr15[at]duke[dot]edu

A.J. said...

This Is Not a Test. I've already read Something Like Normal & loved it! :)
Thanks for the giveaway!
naruto_and_hinata(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jessica B said...

I would love to win This Is Not A Test!

Jessica B said...

Oh and my email is Shutupjessicasreading @ gmaildotcom