My Addiction - And (Finally) 'The Hunger Games' Giveaway

I have always been a reader. More specifically, I have always been a big reader of 'sets'.

First it was Babysitters Club books, and then it was Sweet Valley High books. By the time I'd reached highschool, I was reading (albeit sneakily) Virginia Andrews books (Flowers in The Attic etc.) - and in all honesty, that probably cemented me in my deep seated love for trashy novels. I still like actual REAL, honest to goodness literature too, but I will always have a soft spot for 'easy reading'. Like many books, a television of film version often finds its way to our screens. I also enjoyed the TV series and movies of each of those sets. When I'd made my way through all of the Virginia Andrews books, I spent a few years trying to find something that fit the mould. Bryce Courtney saw me through a few of those years.

I wasn't reading for pleasure as much in my University years, and it was only when 'Twilight' was released that I found my way back to my old trust 'book sets' again. Throw stones all you want. Twilight got me reading again. (Twilight and some other GENUINE books). I resisted at first, because I just didn't think the whole 'vampire thing' would be for me... but it turns out I was wrong. I was addicted. I also am addicted to the movie versions of the books. Go on and laugh. Sometime sI shake my head at myself, but it's a fact. They are my favourite 'sick day' and 'rainy day' movies. (And lets face it, I AM the target audience of desperate housewife). After Twilight I then lunged straight into the True Blood series (mostly because I love the television series, and needed a 'fix' in order to see what might happen in future storylines), and truth be known, I want those hours of my life back. The books are NOTHING like the show. If anyone thinks Twilight is terrible reading, I don't recommend getting your claws anywhere near True Blood (The Sookie Stackhouse books). After Twilight I got into more serious reading; no 'sets' as such, just good, solid novels. 

CP is also a reader. Early in our marriage I discovered his extensive stash of Wilbor Smith, Jeffrey Archer and John Grisham books. They kept me busy for quite some time too, but left me hungry for something a little more 'feminine'.

I started a book club in our little town and once a month a group of awesome ladies would get together to discuss books. I was deeply ingrained in my passion for reading.  I found my way into Dan Brown, Kate Morton, Jodi Picoult, and Ken Follett, Harry Potter and the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series.

I am also a fan of (and am almost ashamed to admit I like) '50 Shades of Grey' (again, I am the target demographic).  I am currently making my way through the 'Game of Thrones' (A Song of Ice and Fire) box set. I am a fan of the series, and wanted to get myself engrossed in the books. It's heavy reading, but I am sure it will be worth it.

More recently I finished reading one of the latest literary phenomenom making its way around the world.

I'm talking about The Hunger Games. It took me a whole three days to go from go to whoa. There are three books in the series. 1. The Hunger Games 2. Catching Fire and 3. The Mockingjay. They are really written for a teenage audience, but I really loved them. The 'Hunger Games' movie was released in cinemas the week I started reading them, but I have always been a fan of reading the book first whenever I can. And so when Roadshow Entertainment contacted me about running a giveaway for 'The Hunger Games' DVD, I jumped at the chance! The movie is every bit as good as the book.

For your chance to win one of 3 copies of the DVD, all you need to do is pop over to my facebook page (or at the bottom of this page if it is more convenient) and leave a comment stating what your favourite book/movie combo is, and why. No word limit.

Winners will be selected randomly. The judges decision is final. Competition closes 21st August at 5pm EST. Australian and New Zealand entrants only please. Winners will be contacted by me directly.

The Hunger Games is available to own on DVD and Blu-Ray 17th August 2012.

* Amended 3 hours after posting. COMPETITION CLOSED!

'Go To Sleep'

* This blog contains some coarse language. If you are easily offended, perhaps this one isn't for you.

Right now my new favourite thing is this book...

Me and a billion other people who have all rushed out and bought it.

This book isn't for people who are easily offended. If you don't like swearing, you probably won't like this book. If you have perfect children and perfect sleepers, you probably won't like this book. If you are a first time parent, you probably won't understand this book.

This is not a book for children. Any parent who reads it to their children is clearly missing the point. In case you really have been living on Mars for the last few months, here is a taster of what you've been missing:

You can also listen to it being read on youtube, but not by Samuel L Jackson anymore,  as audible.com have claimed copyright laws on it.

When I first read this book, I cried with laughter and almost wet my pants. It made me feel a sense of relief in that the guilt we feel as parents (and more specifically as mothers) are not isolated incidents.

With a little help from the media, us parents place enormous pressure on ourselves in our quest for perfection. It doesn't matter how hard we try, or how much we perservere, we always feel like we could be doing something better. And we are hard on each other. Should we deliver naturally or with a c-section? Home birth or hospital birth? Are we right to breast feed or bottle feed? Circumcise or not circumcise? Use cloth nappies or disposables? Immunise or not immunise? Control cry or not control cry? Do we smack or yell or do neither? Is bribery good or bad? Whatever it is, we all have our own ways of doing things and our own reasons for doing it. We are all trying to be the best parent possible for our child. We all just want to get it right. We want our kids to grow up and be healthy, happy and uncomplicated. And the arguments and passion parents (especially mothers) feel in relation to specific topics are all because we are so INVESTED in our childrens upbringing that we have to fight for what we believe in. The energy and conviction that goes into raising our children needs to be justified.

Being a parent is hard. Much harder than you ever think it is going to be. And this book acknowledges that.

I have three children. Two of them have been pretty ordinary sleepers. And now that they are that little bit older, we are going through the motions of 'sleep procrastination'. I should add that they are mostly pretty good, but this book still gives me piece of mind. We have a night time routine. We brush our teeth, have a quick sip of water, go to the toilet, do the 'tuck in' thing, tell a story or sing a song and after a kiss and a cuddle, THAT'S IT! In theory... We all know the truth as parents. Any parent who says they've NEVER hoped and prayed that their child would sleep through for a solid 8 hours at ANY point in their lives is lying!

The swearing in this book doesn't bother me. I do swear. I try hard not to do it in front of my children, and mostly I succeed. I'm not perfect though. Does 'Go The F&^% to Sleep' give parents everywhere the thumbs up to speak this way to their children? I don't believe so. No more than it is to be used as an actual children's bedtime story. Any parent who thinks that is the purpose of the book probably has other issues going on as well. And yes, there are groups who have been actively trying to get this book banned because of the nature of the text. I think those people are missing the point of the book though.

I think this book is an affirmation that parents everywhere struggle with this. This book has put into words, what I have spent years bottling up inside. And it feels good to know I'm not alone. This book is about giving voice to frustrated parents everywhere.

If you haven't already done so, do yourself a favour and go and check it out.