Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Kristyn Kusek Lewis plays favorites...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to have Kristyn Kusek Lewis back at CLC, celebrating the recent release of her sophomore novel, Save Me (reviewed here). She was last here in the summer of 2012 to talk about her debut novel, How Lucky You Are. Since that time, she has moved from North Carolina to the DC area, where her first novel is based. We know Melissa A. is excited to have such a great writer in her neck of the woods. 

Today, Kristyn is kicking off our first theme of 2015...Favorite Things! We've asked all authors visiting this month to make like they're doing a "Favorite Things" show like Oprah, where they could share the items that are special to them with the audience. Of course, to keep the posts a reasonable length, we've only asked for five items. And at the end of this post, we have something to share, as BookSparks has TWO copies of Save Me for readers in the US and/or Canada!

Visit Kristyn at her website, as well as FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

I was a huuuuuge “Oprah Show” fan. So much so (and this will date me) that a Valentine’s Day gift from my college boyfriend was once a big stack of VHS tapes on which he had taped hours and hours of the show for me. I of course never missed a "Favorite Things” episode, so I’m thrilled to offer five of my own.

1. Le Pens. When I write longhand, which I often do when I’m first starting a project, it’s either with a very, very sharp pencil or, more often, one of these beauties. I never formally learned how to write cursive because we moved to a new state after it had already been taught at my new school, so my handwriting is a distinctive mishmash that can look like a serial killer’s with the wrong pen, but Le Pens can make it actually look elegant, even when I’m writing fast.

2. Dr. Hauschka Lavender Sandalwood Body Moisturizer. For years, the first thing I did when I walked into a Whole Foods was find this on the shelf and put some on my hands out of the tester bottle, but I’d never actually buy it because I’m occasionally cheap and couldn’t justify a $40 bottle of lotion. My best friend and husband started buying them for me for birthdays and now I can’t live without it. The scent is to die for and it’s the perfect consistency—not too greasy, not too light.

3. Maldon Sea Salt Flakes. I’m salt-obsessed. I put this stuff on nearly everything I eat, even apples and pizza. Don’t knock it ’til you try it.

4. Spotify and/or Songza. I always have one of these apps going. For work, it’s usually classical or opera. When I’m running, anything goes—I’ve been listening to a lot of go-go music since moving back to the DC area. At home, we listen to a lot of classic soul music, a lot of southern rock and classic country, and I love Songza’s “Safe For Work” playlists because they’re then generally safe for my little kids, too.

5. iPad keyboard. Now that Word is available on iPad, I’ve stared actually writing with mine and this keyboard is a game-changer. I have the Anker Bluetooth Folio Keyboard Case.

Thanks to Kristyn for sharing her favorite things and to BookSparks for sharing Save Me with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

US/Canada. Giveaway ends January 11th at midnight EST.

25 comments:

Janine said...

I used to love to listen to a couple different Hawaiian radio stations through i heart radio. They play their local music and reggae. But since I got a new phone it doesn't seem to work through the speakers in my car.

susieqlaw said...

I create playlists to play on my phone.

Unknown said...

I like all sorts of music. It's mostly a mood thing. I like classical, that's a rest thing. I love Adele, love Stevie Nicks, love oldies (I am one, after all), and listen to a fair amount of Eminem. Just sayin. I am not fond of what I call "girlie" music as it all seems to sound the same. I do have to tell you I love those whole favorites thing.

GinaB said...

"I never formally learned how to write cursive because we moved to a new state after it had already been taught at my new school, so my handwriting is a distinctive mishmash" Yep. Me too! I thought I was the only one. Moved from PA to NY at a crucial stage in cursive instruction. Will have to try out Le Pens!

Unknown said...

Any romantic comedy playlists since its what I mostly write. Sometimes I'll go darker depending on the scene!

rubynreba said...

I'm a country music girl!

Melanie Backus said...

I love listening to the oldies!

mauback55 at gmail dot com

Sharon said...

Today's Country - no matter where I listen, on the radio or Pandora it's country 99% of the time.

Jessica said...

I like to listen to anything pop/top 40. =]

Radwoman said...

Mostly country

traveler said...

I enjoy listening to Leonard Cohen since his unique music is inspiring, beautiful and meaningful. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Bonnie K. said...

I'm not up to date with technology. I don't have a go- to playlist. I turn on the radio and listen to whatever is being played. I generally listen to public radio or a classical music station.

bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

jodi marinich said...

i still love the radio

rhonda said...

All types of music.radio girl,

Anita Yancey said...

My favorite is still classic rock. I think that the oldies is just better than the music today. Thanks for having the giveaway.

Susan R said...

I like listening to oldies from the 60s

Rhonda J G said...

Christmas music....anytime!

bn100 said...

rock music

Linda Kish said...

I like country music.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Hailey Fish said...

I love a variety of different kinds of music genres. On pandora, I'll either listen to top hits or top adult hits. It's nice putting in one artist and then getting other artists just like the one artist you added.

I really enjoy Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea, Kings of Leon, Imagine Dragons, MKTO, American Authors, Neon Trees, 5 Seconds of Summer, Demi Lovato, Florence & the Machine, Sara Bareilles, Christina Perri, Paramore, James Morrison, Maroon 5 and the new songs by Taylor Swift! I love being able to just listen to any kind of music and be able to move my body any which way that I so desire.

fishiegirl22@yahoo.com (just in case)

Terri. said...

I like country and pop/rock.

Maureen said...

I like a lot of different types of music from pop to rock to classical to jazz but I think my favorite is pop.

Holly said...

I love to rock out!

Anonymous said...

I love listening to '80s new wave music. I have SiriusXM so I listen to their channel "1st Wave," which is all new wave/alternative '80s music, whenever I'm in the car.

Suzy

Melissa Seng said...

I have such an eclectic taste in music, from Bethoven, Bach, Brahms, to Sebastian Back of Skid Row, 80's, 90's, and country. Metallica is a favorite. Lately, it's been my "angry driving music," on Octane on Sirius satellite radio.