I Love Being a Winner!

I tried and tried not to join in on the Twitter bandwagon because I thought I didn't need one more thing to be addicted to (reading, facebook, chocolate, tv, etc.).  But my boss decided we all needed to create accounts this summer and use it to communicate school news. Well, I can say that I have used it very little for school news but have become a major fan of some other great teachers and librarians. I have also found some great authors that love to giveaway books.

Now this last part is one of my favorites. If you've ever seen my to read list (over 200 books) then you know I don't need any more books, but of course every time I see a contest on a website or Twitter I join it. I usually don't win but luckily I did just that recently by becoming the 1001 follower to an author. Matthew Quick was planning to give an ARC of his next book away to the 1000 follower and then a few other followers would also receive books. He choose me since I was so close!! I quickly emailed him letting him know I really wanted Sorta Like a Rock Star (SLARS). He put it in the mail and I received it last week. I was finishing a book but pushed myself so that I could start his book and am I glad I did.

This book gives the story of Amber Appleton. She and her mother are homeless and living in "Hello Yellow" the school bus that her mom drives for the school district. Amber is an optimist. She always finds the good in people and things even when her life gives her nothing to be thankful for.

Amber seems like a great person that I would personally love to be friends with in real life but would have been too afraid to approach. Not because of her appearance or the number of friends (she is a member of Franks Freak Force Federation) but just because she can always find the good in things. Amber's life may not be perfect but she is always full of hope until a fatal tragedy happens in her life. She does a complete 180 and people begin to wonder if Amber will ever be the same again including Amber herself.

This book was awesome and I will be sharing with many of my friends (especially those in education). Just be prepared to have the tissues ready because you will cry unless you have no heart.

Thanks again to the author, Matthew Quick, for selecting me as a winner and I'll aim to be a rock star just like Amber. Be sure to check out his site and his other books at: http://matthewquickwriter.com/ 
or follow him on twitter @MatthewQuick21.