The Buzz

• Random List #7: 10 Books That Made You Cry!

  Dec 3, 2010

  Need a good cry? Well we've come up with a list of the 10 best books to get your tear ducts working! Below are the top 10 books that make us all cry, as picked by our lovely members and YOU! Did your picks make the list? Any others worthy of honorable mention? Head to the comments! 

  Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
  "Heart breaking and tear jerking, the ending is horribly depressing and I have a hard time thinking about it without crying." - Dell

  

   

   

  Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
  "I would have to say that Bridge to Terabithia is one of the best and saddest books I have ever read." - Rosittaa

  

   

   

  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  "I totally balled my eyes out after reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It was beautiful and made me reconsider how I value life and love. I don't think I've ever cried as hard after reading a book." - OctopusInk

  

   

   

  My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
  "My Sisters Keeper by Jodie Picoult - I have never cried that much from reading a book before." -Danielle93

  

   

   

  Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
  "Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.....a book everyone can relate to and cry with." - JessDay

  

   

   

  Night by Eli Wiesel
  "Night by Elie Wiesel was the first book that made me cry. We read it in my sophomore English class, and I found it so moving I went out and bought my own copy. I still have it." - ShaEliPar

  

   

   

  The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
  "The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray practically broke my heart!" - Masquerade1

  

   

   

  The Giver by Lois Lowry
  "I am not a type of person who cry easily but one book that really made cry is The Giver by Lois Lowry." - imsoulreader

  

   

   

  Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows
  "Definitely Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, it was so intense and heartbreaking at times." - YAbookqueen

  

   

   

  The Last Song and A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
  "Any book by Nicholas Sparks lol the endings always make me tear up." - revolution93

  

  by HeadBuzzer | 35 comments |
  Filed under: Random List

• 12 DAYS: Enter Day 2 (and Day 1 Winners)

  Dec 2, 2010

  Day 2 of our 12 Days of Holiday Book Giveaways is now live and ready for you to submit your entry! We're giving away 5 sets of of our Extreme Adventure Bundle (a pack of our faveorite action/thrillers!) Click here to enter now! Want to know what's coming up in the next 12 days? Check this blog post for the full schedule! 

  Thanks again to everyone who submitted yesterday's giveaway. If you weren't selected don't fret, you have many more opportunities coming soon! Below are the 5 winners who will receive a Chick Lit Extravaganza Bundle! Congrats to all the winners!

  DAY 1 WINNERS

   

  kristanhoffman

  
  

  YAbkreader

  
  

  Katelyn2015

  
  

  LunitaBere

  
  

  chrllffn90

  by HeadBuzzer | 33 comments |
  Filed under: 12 Days of Holiday Book Giveaways

• Random Hour #111: I'm Dreaming of a Daydream

  Dec 1, 2010

  Now that it’s officially the holiday season, no doubt there will be lots of travelling in my future. To and from my friends’ places, visiting relatives, going on a mini vacation. All of this reminds me of last year….when disaster struck. Okay, so it wasn’t really a disaster, but when you’re stuck on a train for 6 hours and your Kindle has died, iPod battery life has drained and you just finished the last page of the only book you brought along with you…what do you do? My go-to activity when I literally have nothing to do is daydream. I could daydream for, well, days! The best part about daydreaming (and better than night dreaming) is that I get to control where my dreams go and I remember them long after they’re done.

  So what about you? Are you a daydreamer like me? What do you like to do when all of your entertainment supplies have failed you?

   

  by Buzzgirl | 38 comments |
  Filed under: Random Hour

• 12 Days of Holiday Book Giveaways Is Back!

  Dec 1, 2010

  

  December is here which means 12 Days of Holiday Book Giveaways is back! If you're new to Random Buzzers, for the next 12 days you have an opportunity every day to enter to win books! Each day we give away something different (and in varying quantities) so you have many chances to win some great books just in time for the holidays! 

  Every day will have an activity where you enter but each day we'll ask something different, so read carefully and make sure you submit what's asked of you! To easily access the activity, just click on the billboard on the homepage (the one that looks like the image above!) Also, PLEASE remember to fill out your mailing addresses....we only select winners who have done so!

  We will announce the winners the following day here on our blog so check back to see if you won! In the meantime, here's the schedule for the next 12 days -- which day are you most excited for??

   

  12 DAYS OF HOLIDAY BOOK GIVEAWAYS SCHEDULE

  DAY 1 -- Chick Lit Extravaganza Bundle (a bundle of the best and juiciest chick lit books!)

  DAY 2 -- Extreme Adventure Bundle (a pack of action/thrillers for boys...or girls!)

  DAY 3 -- Heavy Box of High Brow Bundle (a bundle of our most literary books!)

  DAY 4 -- Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

  DAY 5 -- His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman

  DAY 6 -- Maze Runner & The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

  DAY 7 -- Books of Ember Series by Jeanne DuPrau

  DAY 8 -- Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants series & Three Willows by Ann Brashares

  DAY 9 -- Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray

  DAY 10 -- Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

  DAY 11 -- Fallen & Torment by Lauren Kate

  DAY 12 -- The Inheritance Cycle (all 3 books in hardcover!!) by Christopher Paolini

  by HeadBuzzer | 72 comments |
  Filed under: 12 Days of Holiday Book Giveaways

• ARC Giveaway Winners: The Emerald Atlas

  Nov 30, 2010

  Thanks to everyone who submitted an entry for last week's surprise ARC Giveaway for The Emerald Atlas written by John Stephens! Get ready because TOMORROW marks the beginning of the 12 DAYS OF HOLIDAY BOOK GIVEAWAYS! Each day we give away something new giving you plenty of chances to win some books just in time for the holidays! Are you excited?!?! And now for the winners who will receive an ARC copy of The Emerald Atlas:

  Addictedtolife

  friendlyreaderohyeah

  ShaEliPar

  kyliemae

  Monze

  Pinkangel1026

  rdshann1

  thebookmuncher

  yabookqueen

  BeastieBooks

   

  bookybee

  Frazzletastic

  lostinbelieving

  ArtisitFairie

  Katelyn2015

  Samantha22

  vroengirl08

  Danadoesread

  CNadeau

  Dakota5

   

  Rika85

  weeziestoy

  bookworm1996

  Galaxy_Chic

  xbrittanyxstarr

  BeautyQueen25

  BookishDelights

  hobbitsies

  Lolita

  adwilson617

   

  RebeccaNaomi

  brandileigh2003

  mwchristine

  soyboricua143

  lovelyLinda

  HauntedOrchid

  vroengardforever

  megantherabid

  Arya1234

  chelseyg008

   

  jenny1133

  keitrad

  bookreader4

  BLear421

  quirkyfatepress

  peechiekeen03

  OnTheSunnyDays

  episkey

  smhslibrary

  jessixoxo25

  by HeadBuzzer | 48 comments |
  Filed under: ARC Giveaway Emerald Atlas

• Random List #7: What Books Make You Cry?

  Nov 30, 2010

  

  Here at Random Buzzers, we like nothing than to find a truly great read. Okay, okay, I’ll say it- sometimes all we want is a great cry. Crying isn’t always a bad thing! In fact, I’ve always found it to be very therapeutic and some of my best cries have come from books. That being said, I need your help in crafting the list of the 10 books that make us all cry! Hit the comments and voice your opinion! As always, here’s a few titles to get you started!

   

  Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

  Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

  The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

  Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

  Night by Elie Wiesel

  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

  Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

  The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

  My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

   

  by HeadBuzzer | 46 comments |
  Filed under: Random List

• Introducing Buzz Blogger: TheBookmuncher

  Nov 29, 2010

  It's Buzz Blogger time again! We'd like to welcome our newest featured Buzz Blogger: TheBookmuncher! We'll be featuring their reviews of Folly & Crash Test Love throughout the next coming weeks. In the meantime, here's a little more about our newest blogger!

   

  Blog Name: The Book Muncher
  http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com

   

  How did you first start blogging? I stumbled upon several book reviewing blogs (The Page Flipper and Book Chic) while I was a member of the BookDivas, and decided that this was something I could do since I have always loved reading.

   

  When/how did you discover Random Buzzers? I can’t say that I really remember exactly how I found Random Buzzers. I know I joined soon after I started my book reviewing blog, so I assume I found a link on someone else’s blog and thought the site and all its awesome activities sounded fun.

   

  Which author/book has been your favorite so far & why? That’s tough because I think I’ve enjoyed most of the books Random House books I’ve read. I really enjoy Ted Michael’s writing (particularly in his latest Crash Test Love), but I was absolutely enamored with the first three installments of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series by Michael Scott as well.

   

  What are your favorite three books of all time? It’s no secret that I have way more than three favorite books; it’s an ever growing list. As of late, I particularly enjoyed The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood, I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (which I’m pretty sure is the pseudonym for another famous author), and Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girl series.

   

  If you could interview one author who would it be? These questions are so tough! I’m not good at narrowing down my choices. For now, I think I’ll have to go with Ally Carter.

   

  What would you ask them? Can I be a Gallagher Girl?

   

  Do you want to become a published author one day? If so, what will the first title of your first book be? I would love to be published one day (although I’m not so sure I have the patience to see it through). I’m much better at coming up with book titles, such as Over the Counter Beauty, Later: a love story, Suicide Angel, and Lost in the Mail. Which will be my first? Whichever one I finish first, I guess.  

  by HeadBuzzer | 35 comments |
  Filed under: Buzz Blogger

• ARC Giveaway Winners: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

  Nov 29, 2010

  Happy Monday Buzzers! Did you have a wonderful Thanksgiving? We have picked the 40 winners who will receive an ARC copy of Dash & Lily's Book of Dares written by Rachel Cohn & david Levithan! Thanks to everyone who submitted an entry and don't forget to check out what we're giving away this week!

  Also, keep an eye out because this Wednesday (12/1) we'll be starting our 12 Days of Holiday Book Giveaways event again! So many great giveaway opportunities coming your way! Are you excited?! Without further ado, I give you last week's ARC winners:

   

  fayeflame

  ritzbitz

  ficklefan

  summerrain5621

  YAbkreader

  sportschick20

  Cmeister3

  punkrocker12

  Dakota5

  imsoulreader

  lostinbelieving

  BLear421

  manderzizawesome

  jenny1133

  Crazy_Girl

  ArtisitFairie

  history788

  xbrittanyxstarr

  inconceivably

  writergirl24

  Narcisse

  Nica88

  revolution93

  megantherabid

  stephnii

  marielovesbooks

  BeastieBooks

  ACS

  Lolita

  BookishDelights

  ReadingAngel

  OktopusInk

  Dakota5

  intothemorning

  soultifiedreader

  PinkDaisy

  Read-a-holic

  snoopy15

  b3070

  ses1978

  by HeadBuzzer | 49 comments |
  Filed under: ARC Giveaway Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

• Random List #6 Results: Best YA Books (90s Version)

  Nov 29, 2010

  Who here loves the 90s? We do! This awesome decade brought us Skip Its, Care Bears, My Little Ponies, Beanie Babies, the Macarena, Spice Girls, Double Dare, Pogs & so much more. Earlier this week I asked you what your favorite books from the 90s were and below are the results! BEHOLD! The 10 Best YA Books (90s Version!):

  Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (1997)
  "What's a list without Harry Potter?! I remember I read my first HP book in third grade - feels like a century ago!" - Wildbunnies

  

   

   

  The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (1990)
  "The Boxcar Children series was my FAVORITE to read! When I'd get catalogs from my school, those were the books I'd always buy." - Frazzletastic

  

   

   

  Goosebumps by R.L. Stine (1992-1997)
  "I loved the Goosebumps series was I was a kid. I remember when I was reading, I would actually get Goosebumps. Haha!" - Addictedtolife

  

   

   

  The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993)
  "It's one of those books that can last a lifetime and still be relevant." - yabookqueen

  

   

   

  The Midnight Club or anything written by Christopher Pike (1994) 
  "I remember sending in for Christopher Pike books by tearing out the order form at the back of one book and enclosing--get this--cash money!" - Hderaps

  

   

   

  The Baby-Sitter's Club by Ann M. Martin (1989-2000)
  "Oh my goodness I read every single Babysitter's Club book there was! Best series ever!" - Pixielaughter12

  

   

   

  Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce (1992)
  "My favorite was Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce!" - JessDay

  

   

   

  Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar (1998)
  "I would read them over and over, and over agin!" - Everlastingecho

  

   

   

  Animorphs by K.A. Applegate (1996)
  "I loved Animorphs when I was younger." - sagiwolf

  

   

   

  The Bailey School Kids by Debbie Dadey & Marcia Jones (1991)
  "I used to love The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids!" - Krissy

  

  by HeadBuzzer | 25 comments |
  Filed under: 90s YA books boxcar children Random List The BabySitter's Club

• A Letter from Jen Bryant

  Nov 25, 2010

  Happy Thanksgiving Buzzers! We hope you won't be too stuffed to join us next week as author Jen Bryant visits! She'll be with us all week to chat about her new book The Fortune of Carmen Navarro and answer all of your questions!

  Head on over to her forum now and post a question and check back next week to see what she has to say! In the meantime, here's a letter she wrote to all of you. Enjoy and have a happy Thanksgiving!!

   

  Hi there!

  I’m thrilled to be “buzzing” about my latest novel, THE FORTUNE OF CARMEN NAVARRO. This one is very different from my previous books—for one thing, all of my previous novels have been written in verse (i.e. free-verse poetry). TFOCN, however, is written in short prose chapters and is narrated by four different characters: the main character, Carmen, who is an aspiring singer/ songwriter; her best friend Maggie, who works long hours at the convenience store with Carmen and goes to Vo-tech school; Ryan, a shy, serious military school cadet who falls hopelessly in love with Carmen, and Will, Ryan’s more fun-loving best friend and roommate at the Valley Forge Military Academy.

  THE FORTUNE OF CARMEN NAVARRO is a modern re-telling of a much older story that I first read in French during my college days, and also on the wildly popular opera “Carmen,” which is performed all over the world and also appears frequently in movie theaters. It’s a timeless tale of love, obsession, loyalty and betrayal, and it’s also a story I’ve been fascinated with since I was a little girl, dancing around my parent’s living room dressed as a gypsy. When you read it, I hope you’ll identify with one of the characters, but I also hope that you enjoy the emotional journey that each of them takes as the plot unfolds and Fate, Duty, and Passion all play a part in the outcome.

  On my author website, www.jenbryant.com, you can find out more about the opera “Carmen” as well as other versions that have been made into movies, watch the book trailer, download a discussion guide, and learn more about my other titles for teens and for younger readers, too. I look forward to answering your questions about TFOCN and about the writing process in general!

  –Jen Bryant 

  by HeadBuzzer | 22 comments |
  Filed under: Jen Bryant