Thanks to everyone who entered this week! Keep those entries coming! If you're listed as a winner this week, go to the store you submitted your entry at with a picture ID after Monday to collect your $50 Bookmans gift certificate! If you submitted your entry online, we will contact you by e-mail regarding how to receive your gift certificate. Congratulations to our second week's winners, listed below:

 

Mesa Winner: Ana M.

“The Girl in the Mirror” by Mary Alice Monroe

This is the first book I ever actually finished. I read it about ten years ago and have loved it ever since. I grew up in L.A. and was always made fun of because i was a tomboy and didn't have the best face out there (now I laugh because I consider myself beautiful). Yeah... self confidence. The girl in this book, Charlotte, has a rough childhood but throughout the book you realize there is more to life than physical appearance. I love this book and would recommend it to anyone. This book made me feel better about myself.

 

Phoenix Winner: Trevor S.

“The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien

This is one of the most well-written books in the history of the universe. Personality drops from every single word. Even as an eighth grader, I coveted this book as if it were the last gem on earth. I've been searching for something comparable ever since. I still haven't found anything. I hope I never do.

 

Flagstaff Winner: Heather F.

“Dick and Jane” series, by William S. Gray

When I was in kindergarten, I was in the “bluejays” reading group. It didn't take me long to realize that I was in the highest reading group. I remember reading all of those Dick and Jane books. The first story I remember reading out loud was the story about the kids in class all drawing pictures of what they saw on the way to school on that rainy day. Then the one kid drew a windshield wiper and it stumped the kids. I loved the cute little twists in the stories about Dick, Jane, Sally and their dog, Spot. I loved it even more when the Cat Puff showed up. They seemed like a happy family that new how to have fun and appreciate each other.

 

Grant Winner: Mike H.

“A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeline L'Engle

Is seven years old too young to have your mind blown? Obviously not, because L'Engle's young adult masterpiece turned my still-nascent world upside down. Weird, wild, extra-dimensional fun for readers of all ages.

 

Speedway Winner: Wendy G.

“I Heard the Owl Call My Name” by Margaret Craven

Years and years ago, when I first read this book, it inspired me to open my mind to other cultures, especially Native American. This book reads like poetry; it is very simple and deep and compassionate. I've loved reading it for a long time.

 

Ina Winner: April L.

“Percy Jackson & The Olympians” series, by Rick Riordan

In fifth grade I started reading these books, and I wouldn't read before that unless I had to. My mom told me to read this book, and it took me about a week to finish it. After I read it, I just loved to read! Thanks Rick Riordan!

 

Online Winner: Sandra F.

“The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks.

It's really hard to pick just one favorite book. There have been so many that have inspired me to read. And others that have taken me places. And others that have made me cry or made me laugh. I used to tell my children when they were little that they never had to use drugs, because a good book will take you on the best trip you'll ever know!

I guess if I had to pick just one book, it would probably be “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks. I really didn't read romances before I found Mr. Sparks' books. My first of his books was “Message in a Bottle,” and it really made me like him. But the book that made me love him was “The Notebook.”

My mother was 70 years old and had Alzheimer's when she drowned in the lake near my parents' home. My dad had started to take care of all her personal needs and this was difficult for any spouse. She had been to a rehabilitation center for an assessment that was ordered by her psychiatrist. She had had a long struggle with mental illness, and she had been in-patient a lot prior to her death. We did not get a copy of the assessment until she was already gone. The assessment said that she needed 24/7 care. Her psychiatrist adored her, because she was a very loveable person. He said he did not want her to go to a nursing home. We also did not know until her death that she had Alzheimer's. My dad did his best to care for her. But, one night, after he went to sleep; she wandered away from the house and she drowned. A jogger found her two days later. Those were two days in hell for our family.

So, you can see that Mr. Sparks' story was very close to my heart. It gave me insight into my parents, and I love him for writing it. Until you have experienced Alzheimer's first-hand, it's hard to know the devastating reality it can be for a family. I hope I never have to know how devastating it can be for a spouse.

 

Check back with us next Friday morning for next week's Love of Reading Contest winners... if you weren't a winner this week, try again! Just head in to your favorite Bookmans location to fill out an entry form, or e-mail us at loveofreading@bookmans.com with your full name, the title and author of the book that you're nominating, and how it inspired your love of reading. Good luck and keep the entries coming! Thank you to everyone participating.