Bedside Reading {giveaway}

i am a bookworm.

i love books.  

my bedside table usually has a pile of books on it. 

my piles are getting smaller now that i do most of my reading 

on here!

i usually have two or three books going at the same time. i like to have a choice depending on how much time i have to read, my mood, or just what i am feeling like reading that day.

here's a look at what i am reading right now:

one thousand gifts by ann voskamp.  i started this last winter but wasn't able to devote myself to this book.  it is the type of book that needs to be read slowly where the words are soaked up and left to linger in your soul.  now that summer is here {at least school is done} i will have more quiet, slow days to read this book.

unbroken by laura hillenbrand.  i started this book last weekend and have had a difficult time putting it down.  hillenbrand gripped me from the start with her story telling.  i am learning that i really enjoy reading books that are historical fiction.  i have been intrigued by this story and look forward to getting deeper into the story.

reshaping it all by candance cameron bure.  dj tanner is all grown up!  i am excited to read about her journey to be physically and spiritually fit.  this book fits well with my journey.

some of my favorite books from this past year:

the help by kathryn stockett .  it is coming out in a movie in august. i can't wait. i loved the characters in this story and how the author gave them each a distinct voice.  if you haven't read this book, you won't be disappointed!

sarah's key by tatiana de rosnay.  this book was hard, not difficult but uncomfortable, for me to read.  it is a heartbreaking story but i was gripped by sarah's story that i had to keep reading.  as sad as it was to read it was a wonderful book.

loving frank by nancy horan.  this book was recommended to me by two people in the same week last summer.  the author had me hooked from the first page.  it was an interesting look into the life of frank lloyd wright.  if you read this book, wait to google anything about frank lloyd wright until you are done.  i made that mistake and it did cloud my reading a little bit as i knew how the story would end. 

the hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet by jamie ford. i just finished this book for our book club.  the story takes place in seattle where the character flashes between the 1940's and the 1980's {which is present day for the story}. an interesting story of life during WWII for japanese and chinese americans. everyone in our book club loved this book.

the girl with the dragon tattoo trilogy by stieg larsson.  i was so intrigued by this series.  i loved the suspense, the character development, and the twists and turns of the plot.  there were parts of the book that i skimmed or made me squirm but overall it was a very series.  

winter graden by kristin hannah. this was my first exposure to any of kristin hannah's books.  this is a beautiful story about relationships and how things aren't always how we perceive them.  i have read a few other books by kristin hannah and have not been disappointed.

water for elephants by sara gruen.  there was so much hype around the book that i put off reading it for a while. when everyone loves a book i usually set myself up with high expectations and then find myself disappointed.  this books was a surprise. i was completely captivated by the story and loved every minute of reading it. i can't wait to see the movie.

 as you can tell a bookstore+ me = dangerous combination.

i love wandering the book store in search of the perfect book to read {or browsing online}, opening it, and immersing myself in the life of the characters.

there is nothing better than spending the day curled up with a blanket and a good book. that is as close to a perfect day as it can get for me.

with summer approaching  {the weather could start to cooperate}, i always make a list of books i want to read over the summer.  i also make a list for my kiddos as well.  morgan, landon, and i are going to track and see how many book we can read between us over the summer. 25? 50? 100? we will keep you posted.

as a kick off to summer, relaxation, and more time to read i am giving away a $25 gift card to barnes and noble.

to enter the giveaway leave me a comment telling me what's on your summer reading list and/or a book you think i should add to my summer reading list.

for extra entries you can:

* follow my blog or if you are a follower let me know

* post about this giveaway on facebook

* post about the giveaway on twitter

please be sure to leave contact information so i have a way to get in touch with you if you are the winner.

winner will be drawn on wednesday may 25th!