Thursday, January 14, 2010

Giveaway and Review: Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (audiobook)

Dear John is one of my favorite novels by Nicholas Sparks. I first read the novel over a year ago. My FLICKS book club picked Dear John for our January book; therefore I listened to the audiobook version of the novel to remind myself of the plot details. I found the story to be a very engaging bittersweet romance.

John Tyree has led the life of a rebel. Finding that his life is leading nowhere, he joins the military. While home during a furlough, John meets Savannah, a beautiful young college student. Savannah is with a group of students who are on a habitat for humanity mission. John and Savannah quickly discover that they are soul mates and fall deeply in love. John has to return to the military, but the two know that they will be together when John’s stint in the military is up. Unfortunately September 11th happens and John reenlists. Savannah finds it difficult to not have John with her . . . and as the title of the books suggests, there are difficult choices ahead for our two lovers. The ending was unexpected for me.

Overall, I loved this book. I loved the romance between John and Savannah. I also loved that Savannah was able to help John understand his father and have a better relationship with him. I loved John’s dad, he was my favorite secondary character. What drove me and my book club crazy was some of the choices that Savannah made, but I will not discuss them here and ruin the plot! I thought John was a wonderful hero, lover, and man. I loved his character development from a troubled youth to a self sacrificing man. It was also great having characters that were my age living through the same times as myself. It made it easy to connect with them. I also loved the old fashioned romance and that Savannah is a Christian and is proud to talk about her beliefs.

The audiobook is read by Holter Graham, who also read The Choice (which I also listened to and enjoyed recently). Graham does a fantastic job. I love his Southern lilt and the unique “voice” that he gives each of the characters. I also liked how this audiobook has a picture from the new Dear John movie that arrives in theatres on February 5th. Our Book and Movie Club really wants to see this movie so hopefully we are able to make it happen!

Audiobook Source: A Review Copy from Hachette Book Group. Thank-you!

Giveaway Details
Anna of the Hachette Book Group has been kind enough to offer three audiobook copies of Dear John by Nicholas Sparks for this giveaway.

If you would like to enter this contest do any of the following:

1. Leave a comment on this post. You must include an email address. If I can't find a way to contact you I will draw another winner. (1 entry)

2. Blog about this giveaway or post about it on your sidebar. (1 entry)

3. Become a follower or leave a comment that you already are a follower of this blog. (1 entry)

There are three ways to enter, but you can put all three entries as one comment.

I will be using random.org to pick the winners from the comments.

This contest is only open to US and Canadian residents (Sorry!).

No P.O. Boxes.

The deadline for entry is midnight, Friday January 29th.

Good luck!

34 comments:

  1. I am a Nicholas Sparks fan and I'd love to win this audiobook.

    I'm a follower. :)

    I will post about this giveaway in my blog's sidebar.

    Thanks for hosting this, Laura.

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  2. Oops-- Suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. You know, I've never listened to an audio book in my life.

    Great review. I have trouble with Nicholas Sparks because his voice doesn't work for me personally, but I want to like him. I love the movies made from his books but I just can't seem to get into his style. I've tried to read The Notebook three times and can never finish it.

    I think it's a failing within me...

    I'm a follower.

    corra(dot)mcfeydon(at)gmail(dot)com

    from the desk of a writer

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  4. Glad this was a good one. Some of his books can be a little sappy, but beautiful on screen. Definitely a ladies night out sort of evening. Hope there's lots of hot steamy sex! woo-woo ;p

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  5. I love it even when it is sappy . . . I think I watched too many 1960's weepys as a child with my Mom. :-) The movie will definitely be a great ladies' night out!

    Corra - you should try out some of his other books. The Notebook was his first book and while it is good, his writing style has improved a lot with time!

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  6. I am a follower and would love to enter.

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  7. ~follower
    I want to see this movie so badly!

    kaylajohnson3969@sbcglobal.net

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  8. So glad I just found your blog, I would love to enter. I'm new to this whole thing, but I just signed up as a follower. Thanks!

    Kate

    toriamos658(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. Please count me in.

    I follow.

    simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

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  10. If I win you can contact me at (amt at telus dot net)
    Thanks for the chance to win this.

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  11. I am following your blog (Anne-Marie T)

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  12. Madwoman-doing-cartwheelsJanuary 16, 2010 at 7:40 AM

    I love Nicholas Sparks books so would love to try this book in audio book format. Thanks for the chance!

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

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  13. Madwoman-doing-cartwheelsJanuary 16, 2010 at 7:54 AM

    Follower (Ally)

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

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  14. please count me in....thanks

    karenk
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. This would be great to listen to while I am stuck in traffic everyday!
    Carla in California!
    cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. Please count me in as this sounds a good read (listen!)

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

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  17. Please include me in the giveaway.
    I am following your blog (Anne-Marie T)

    email: (amt at telus dot net)

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  18. Please enter me. I am a follower.

    squiggles87(At)Aol(dot)com

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  19. I am a follower. Please enter me! I love Sparks, but haven't had the opportunity to read/listen to this one yet!

    chris327@mac.com

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  20. I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. I am a follower of your blog.
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. would love to give the eyes a rest,,thx for the contest..
    thehighflyer3(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  23. Please enter me.

    +1 follower

    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  24. Please enter me in this contest. Thank you. Joseph; josephsreviews@gmail.com

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  25. I've heard good things about this book; thanks for entering my name!

    denny(dot)gill(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. I can't wait for the movie but want to read the book first!

    acandler1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  27. I love Spark's books and this is one that I look forward to. I love audio books for when I workout or in the car!

    nicolmontero at gmail dot com

    I'm a follower

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  28. I love Nicholas Sparks. Would love to win.
    ~Jen Unsell
    unsells{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  29. please count me in...thanks

    karenk
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)Com

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  30. I would love to be entered for this book.
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

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  31. Please sign me up for this one too! (put me down for two-I am also a follower of your blog)

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  32. I love Nicholas Sparks and this one is on my wish list!! Please enter me in your drawing.

    I am a follower.
    I have listed you on my sidebar:
    http://tweezlereads.blogspot.com

    Thanks so much for a great contest.
    tweezle at gmail dot com

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  33. This giveaway has now ended. Winners will be posted shortly.

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