Roof Beam Reader
Adam Burgess
It’s a Winter Break Celebration!
Well, I have just completed my first semester in the Ph.D. in English program. It was . . . exhausting, time-consuming, and hard work. But it was also interesting and rewarding. I know that my blog updates over the past few months have been lacking (I’m behind by about 8 or 9 reviews!), but I hope to get caught up over the winter break.
All that being said, I did receive a lot of kind words from people on Facebook, Twitter, and here on the blog – encouraging me to hang in there and to stay calm, and letting me know that they would stick with the blog! You guy ares are awesome! And, as an added surprise this morning, I see that my blog now has almost 100,000 unique hits! That’s nearly 50,000 hits since April of this year! I’m so grateful, and I still can’t believe how much love and attention Roof Beam Reader has enjoyed.
Anyway, to celebrate the end of my first semester and this near-100,000 mark, I’m throwing together a little giveaway. This is to say “thanks” to all of you who have stuck with me during a difficult readjustment period (returning to school after almost 5 years) and also to treat myself, in a way, for finishing the first semester and doing quite well, if I do say so myself!
The Giveaway: Any book of your choice, up to $20 USD from The Book Depository.
Enter by Completing: This Form.
+1 Entry for Following on Twitter (@RoofBeamReader).
+1 for “Liking” Roof Beam Reader on Facebook.
+2 for Tweeting: Check out the Winter Break Celebration Giveaway hosted by @RoofBeamReader & Win a book of your choice! http://wp.me/p1n6kW-12J
Rules:
–Must be a follower.
–Must be 13+ with parental permission if under 18.
–Winners must respond to e-mail within 48-hours or new winner selected.
–Winners chosen randomly through Random.org
-Giveaway ends at 10pm Central Time (USA) on Friday, December 14th.
Book Suggestions:
Here are my favorite reads of 2012, so far. By all means, feel free to choose something else – just thought I’d share some that I’ve enjoyed! What books have you loved in 2012?
That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo (review to come)
Play it as it Lays by Joan Didion (review to come)
White Noise by Don DeLillo (review to come)
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
P.S. Don’t forget to join the 2013 TBR Pile Challenge!
Roof Beam Reader 
Congrats – on both accomplishments.
LikeLike
i’m glad you are supported ^^, it helps to keep motivated^^
take care and thank you for thinking about us with this giveaway while you are already so busy
LikeLike
Enjoy your break!
LikeLike
Oh, I definitely plan to! haha
LikeLike
Thank you so much for the giveaway and congrats for making it through the 1st semester! I’m in the middle of my final exams so… Anyway, I have read 2 of the books you mentioned, “The Woman in White” (I didn’t feel as enthusiastic about it as you did) and “Germinal”. I really loved this book, I hope you’ll read more books by Zola in the future, I’ve read many and so far “The Fortune of the Rougons” and “The Ladies’ Paradise” are my favourites (along with Germinal, of course!).
LikeLike
Congratulations, Adam! You are truly blessed! I want to pursue a BA in English or Literature, and your success is a great inspiration for me. Best wishes!
LikeLike
Good luck to you! Finally finding the English department and declaring my major (late in my college career) was like finding Home, for me. I hope it works out for you, too!
LikeLike
Congrats on the first semester!
Of course I’m sticking with you. I love your blog and know you’re busy.
Thanks for hosting this!! 😀
LikeLike
Congratulations on reaching 100,000 hits, and a huge congratulations on finishing your first semester of your PhD program. Graduate school can be intensely stressful. Remember the mantra from Hitchhikers Guide: “Don’t Panic!” 🙂 And enjoy your holiday break.
LikeLike
Congrats Adam! 🙂 I’m still trying to come to terms with the fact that my school year is almost half hour-times flies, doesn’t it? I hope you’re enjoying your program!
I’m still deciding if I should sign up for TBR. I’m most definitely going to fail again this year…maybe if I do a combination of YA and classids? Hmmmm…maybe… 🙂
LikeLike
Wow, Adam, congrats on so many fronts! You’re an amazing blogger and have amazing reading taste – of course we will stick by you 🙂
LikeLike
Congratulation, Adam, for keeping going, even when it’s a little much. Working, school, writing papers at home, reading for school and pleasure. Not sure how you manage! Have a great break!
LikeLike
Much congrats!!! My semester is ending too!! How the long and stressful time has gone by. Hope you enjoy your winter break stress free till Spring semester comes around. I know I will.~LOL
LikeLike
Congratulations and thank you for sharing this giveaway. Have a happy holiday!
LikeLike
Congratulations Adam! I felt the hectic just by reading your tweets, LOL!
So, have a refreshing winter break, enjoy it!
And thanks for the giveaway.. 🙂
LikeLike
Congratulations on completing your first semester as a Ph.D student! I got my B.A. in May, and for the first time ever I’m not in school at all; I find myself really missing the challenges and some of my professors!
I look forward to your review of Play it As it Lays; I read three of Didion’s books this year (Slouching Towards Bethlehem, Blue Nights, and The Year of Magical Thinking) and am curious about her novels.
LikeLike
Well done on your first semester. Being older and studying can be difficult, getting back into the “groove” as well as balancing other parts of life. Awesome stats, you’ve done really well!
LikeLike
I haven’t said it yet, but I am very proud of you. I remember how much work my mom put into getting her PhD, and I remember how stressful it was for her. Hang in there, Adam–you got this.
LikeLike
Congratulations! I somehow envy you and your hard work! I have only one subject left and although I’m writing my dissertation I miss deadlines, a different time-table a day etc.
Can’t wait for your reviews!
LikeLike
Congrats, Adam! I have been enjoying your posts. My husband is finishing his doctorate in music composition this year… I know it is a lot of work and a long haul, but worth it! Your 2013 TBR Challenge is exactly what I need to do next year. I’ll be signing up! Thanks.
LikeLike
Congrats! And thanks for the awesome giveaway for us!
LikeLike
Congrats! I’m holding off on the PhD for right now, but decided to get my second master degree. This one in English and Creative Writing – Fiction. I’m looking forward to putting a whole in my TBR pile this winter break, I have a list of what I plan on reading up at my blog.
LikeLike
Congratulations Adam, and thanks for the generous giveaway.
I’m not revealing yet all my favorite books of the year 😉
and yes, I signed up for the TBR challenge!
did you see I also offer a book these days?:
http://wordsandpeace.com/2012/12/10/1st-historical-holiday-blog-hop/
LikeLike
Congratulations 😀
And I don’t think I finished any books yet that were actually published this year, but I do have some favourites that I read this year 🙂 One of them is The Song of Achilles.
LikeLike
I just received The Song of Achilles as a Christmas gift from a book blogging pal! (Ellie from Musings of a Bookshop Girl) Very excited to read it. 🙂
LikeLike
Congrats on finishing your first semester! Don’t know how you manage to work full-time, complete coursework, and run a successful blog. You must not need any sleep! I don’t know what book I’d choose, but The Song of Achilles would be toward the top of the list. Will sign up for the TBR challenge next week.
LikeLike
I just received The Song of Achilles as a Christmas gift from a great book blogger pal!! I’m very excited to read it during winter break (hopefully). 🙂
LikeLike