12 Days of Giveaways: Day 12 with Random House of Canada

I usually end my days with a cup of tea and a good book. After what are usually days filled with a blend of good, bad and just plain chaotic, it's always pacifying to look forward to my nights for that reason.

When we look back at our years in life, I bet you can think of a book that will instantly transport you back to a moment in time.
Take a walk down memory lane with me...

Do any of these look familiar to you?
What memories these bring just by looking at the cover of each book.

Now that I'm a mother, it's heartwarming to see my children's eyes light up as we read books together.
My wish for them is that they will continue on throughout the years with the same passion for the written word as they do now.

One of our favourites in the home, that is practically read every night is I'll Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.

"I'll love your forever. I'll like you for always. As long as you're living. My baby you'll be."

As the years progress and our literary appetites transition, one thing is for certain:
"Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience:  this is the ideal life."
  ~Mark Twain

What I'm Currently Reading/on my Reading List:
Fiction:

• Some Kind of Fairy Tale by Graham Joyce *A CAC Fave!
• The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
• The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
• And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
• The Circle by Dave Eggers

Non-Fiction:

• Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin
• Lean In: women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg *This is one of my FAVOURITES right now!

I've got tons and tons in my home; a bookcase in almost every room in the house brimming with all sorts of books.
There is just something about the feel and smell of a real book that can not be replaced. Do you agree?
What are you reading?

One of the brands that represent and carry some of the best reads of all time, has always been Random House of Canada.
To learn more about them and explore their wonderful collection, please visit www.randomhouse.ca.

Courtesy of Random House of Canada, Day 12's winner will win a fantastic collection of personally selected favourites.

The books include:
1. Provence 1970 by Luke Barr
2. Perfect by Rachel Joyce
3. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
4. Longbourn by Jo Baker
5. The Butler Speaks by Charles MacPherson

To enter, leave a comment telling me What your favourite book is of all time and why below.

Open to Canadian Residents only.
Ends 12/12.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Birthday Wishes to a Dr of Giggles & Imagination

I remember growing up reading every single one of Dr. Seuss' books
It's amazing that many years later, his stories have continued to transcend through the generations and persevere in teaching us all about imagination, kindness, humbleness, confidence & laughter.

My absolute favourite books from Dr. Seuss are: The Seven Lady Godivas (1939), The Cat in The Hat (1957), Green Eggs & Ham (1960), Oh The Thinks you can Think (1975), Oh The Places You'll Go (1990).

Can you believe Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel's first book was published in 1937? Wow! That was 75 years ago! Today would mark his 108th birthday!
My great-grandparents read his words and now my daughter is too. Literary Genius!

It takes a remarkable and distinctive virtuoso to come up with words that would echo a lifetime. And that he did.

What was your favourite Dr. Seuss book and quote?

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Mailatale: Bringing the World of Literature to your Doorstep

After having joined the world of Twitter, I've been fortunate in meeting not just a vast and admirable amount of new friends but also getting to know old brands I've been loyal to for many years and also new ones that have sparked my interest.

One new company that I've gotten to know well is Mailatale. 

Mailatale is a monthly personalized package of children's books carefully put together just for your little one/s.

With a Mailatale subscription, you’ll receive a monthly delivery of great reads – from award winners to backlist gems. Each package is age-perfect, and suited to your reader’s interests. 

And how cute is that logo? Makes me smile, that's for sure.

I was asked if I wanted to participate in a beta testing for Mailatale as they ramp up their business and website.

Of course I obliged! Not only am I an avid bookworm, but so is my little girl! 

I was interested to see what this service had to offer.

Much like my past review on beauty box delivery subscription, The Luxe Box by Loose Button, this is very similar in that you are paying for a monthly service which is personalized to your child's specific book interests and age and it is shipped to you once a month.

To sign up for this service, all you had to do was click 'Get Started' on their homepage and complete a quick 5-step enrollment process and that's it! You're all set up.

Currently the price for a monthly service is $27.95 montly with a small $5 S&H fee.

You will always get at least a retail value of $25 of quality books, source guide and stickers.

You are able to cancel your subscription at anytime.

I was smitten by the website when I first logged on; it's colourful, cheerful and whimsical! And registering was very easy!

What sold me was when I received my first package for January -- adorable logo of the mailatale squirrel on the box along with a quote on the packaging sticker. Adorable!

Opening the package excitedly with my little girl, we first came upon the welcome letter/source guide outlining the details of the books. Ava liked seeing her name. :)  

I love the little personal touches like the wrapping paper and quote tag and ribbon -- so pretty that I didn't even want to tear it open! I was being super careful.

Cute straw-like ribbon pulled together the books wrapped in white tissue paper with a quote tag (love those quotes!), and personalized stickers for her books. Utterly enamored but the packaging -- so carefully put together like an individual gift just for my little bookworm.

The two books that were included in this package were Hardcover book Brontorina by James Howe (retails for $18.00 CDN) and A Flock of Shoes by Sarah Tsiang (retails for $8.95 CDN).

Both wonderful choices for Ava; we got to reading them that same day and she loved them!  Brontorina is probably one of her new favourites in her growing book collection.

So do I think this is a book delivery service worth subscribing to and for the price? Absolutely!

They put much care in choosing the books for your child, packaging it and just all the little details makes for a special little surprise every month.

A brilliant service for the bookworms in your family -- I highly recommend Mailatale!

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."

— Emilie Buchwald

Happy reading!

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