THE YEAR OF READING DANGEROUSLY GIVE-AWAY

I had a brain-fart yesterday. Since I have survived my first year in the blogosphere - no easy task for a total technophobe - I was thinking maybe it's time to crank things up a notch. I'd been mulling on that for a couple of days, when inspiration struck. The source of my inspiration was my favorite blog, Eyes of Wonder (eyesofwonder.typepad.com/my_weblog/). This is another blogger who I came across late in the game, and who has inspired me to go back to the very beginning and work my way straight through her archives. You should all go visit her site, and thank her for giving me this idea.

Occasionally this blogger has included a photo of the gorgeous picture journal that she keeps, spread open on a table. Every time she does, it causes a flurry of comments and questions because everyone is so taken with its splendor. Finally, as a way of saying thank you to all her loyal readers, she decided to give them a gift. She put together a journaling kit, complete with sketchbook, markers, scissors, glue sticks, ribbon, and even magazines for cutting pictures from. (No, that's not what I am going to do) She also included some hints about how she does her own journal. She then asked all of her readers to leave a comment, if they would like to be included in a drawing for this basket. Only one person's name was drawn, but everyone was a winner, for they were all inspired just reading about it, and many went out for supplies right away, to begin their own journals. It got me to thinkin'.

What kind of gift could I give to all of you? I don't really do any crafts, or make anything you would want. It would need to be something that personifies my blog and its intention. Something that inspires me. What about a book? Better yet, what about a bunch of books? And why do it just this once? Why not do it once a month, for a whole year? Yeah, that's the ticket! So, yesterday I went on a treasure hunt. I made up a list of all my favorite books with Seasonality - books about people who are actually livin' the good life, and which inspired me to set out on my own quest. I started out at Half Price Books, and managed to nab five from my list. Then I came home and went on-line, and found four more. Next time I am in Houston, I will hit the stores, and try to round up the final three. What fun I've had already, seeking out these jewels for you!

Here is how it will work. I will give away one book at the end of each month, until they are all gone. Anyone who wants to be entered in the first drawing, can just leave a comment on any of this week's postings, and I will put your name in the hat. As soon as I get up on Sunday, I will draw a name from the hat, and ask the winner to give me her mailing address, so I can send her prize on its way. Then I will tell you all a little bit about the book I gave her, and the ways in which it inspired me, in case you want to read it yourself. I would love to hear your thoughts, once you have read it. Best of all, I will pull out my own copy, dust it off, and read it right along with you. It will be almost like having our own little book club!

So, why am I calling it "A Year of Reading Dangerously?" Well, if you read all twelve of these books, you just might experience a shift in your paradigm. You may wake up one day, and find yourself longing to shed a skin that no longer fits, and wanting to reinvent yourself as a Seeker of the Good Life. Are you ready for that? Then leave me a comment, and we'll take this journey together.