TGIF is a new(ish) feature at one of my absolute favourite blogs, GReads!, hosted by the lovely Ginger. It's a way to celebrate the impending weekend, and answer fun questions. Most of all though, you get to know a wee bit more about all those awesome bloggers you meet. So, what are you waiting for? Do your own post and head on over to link up!

Which books are you most thankful for receiving from other bloggers, friends, family members, or publishers?

This is one of those answers that I could ramble on repeatedly hour after hour, simply because of the sheer generosity of publishers, authors and other book bloggers. It's truly a wonderful community that shares and gives back to one another in a spirit of kindness and a genuine love of the written word. Rather than ramble on forever and ever though, I wanted to point out the two books that I received this year that utterly blew my mind in every way, shape and form.

I remember when I first highlighted this way back when as a WoW, and was miraculously entered into the incredible Michelle Hodkin's spontaneous giveaway to give back. Well, I won, and I received an art print and the first two chapters, which killed me.

Then, her incredible publicist was kind enough to send me my very own ARC, and the book was arguably the most incredible I've read this year. I'm so incredibly thankful and grateful for having received The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer through this blog for review not only because it's an amazing book, but it's given me a chance to get to know Michelle, who is an amazing, amazing person!

I've never had a thing for contemporary fiction at all. It's never been for me, and I've always found it a bit too girly-girlish for my taste. I kept hearing from various bloggers that this one was one of the best though, so when the opportunity arose for me to participate in a blog tour and read Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar, naturally, I was sold.

Well, consider me blown away. This is one of those books that creeps up on you and steals your heart before you have time to flinch away. It's utterly captivating, and it breathed new life into my take on contemps. I'm so thankful for other bloggers opening my eyes to new books like this gem.

Plus, I would like to take this moment to thank all publishers, authors and incredible book bloggers for helping spread the love for books to all of us. Thank you all for your immense generosity, and thank you for being a part of this book blogging community!

As many of you know, it's Kirsty Eagar Appreciation Week, and this lovely feature is hosted by the all-too-awesome Linds from Bibliophile Brouhaha and Nic from Irresistible Reads. Raw Blue is a one of a kind read that transformed my opinion of contemporary fiction in a single read, and I'm still blown away by the book to this day. I jumped at the chance to share the love for the brilliant author and incredible book. Please join me in welcoming Kirsty Eagar to my little blog for a post about something we share in common...our love of the ocean and the setting of Raw Blue!

RAW BLUE - THE PLACE

Hello people! Thank you all so much for supporting Raw Blue. Writing that book affected me a lot, so it’s lovely to know that the story is travelling and some of you guys have met the characters. I know not all of you will be familiar with Sydney’s northern beaches – the setting for the story – so how do you feel about coming on a quick virtual tour with me?

1. North Narrabeen

The place where Carly is living and surfing. It’s a beachside suburb that is pretty well awash with water when you consider that it not only fronts the ocean but is also home to Narrabeen Lakes (people sometimes call it ‘the lagoon’ – pick your pony). I’ve just spent a year living directly across the road from the surf break there, and the photo on the left is what I looked out at from my writing desk – !!! (Although I should say that I usually had to cross the road to check the surf. It normally breaks further up. That photo was taken on a huge winter’s day). The photo on the right is the other extreme – that’s me on some incredibly small summer slops.

2. The Café - Manly

When people talk about the northern beaches what they’re referring to is 30 kilometres (18.5 miles) of coastline that starts at a suburb called Manly and stretches northwards to a place called Palm Beach. The café where Carly works is in Manly, which is a really lovely suburb bracketed by the beach on one side and the harbour on the other. It’s very popular with tourists because it’s a ferry ride away from the city. The café in the story is fictional, but based on real places that I worked at while I was travelling around Australia. I’d love to name them but I’d better not. I think they’d sue. Hollandaise sauce, anyone?

3. Turtlebacks at Dee Why (chapter 22)

Dee Why is the place where Ryan and Carly go to check out a huge south swell. It’s three beaches north of Manly. There really was a large Tasman Sea swell that hit Sydney during the year I wrote the first draft of the book (2006). I took these photos of it from Dee Why. Note the two guys at the edge of the tidal pool about to get smashed – they’re the turtlebacks in the story.

4. The Collaroy Services Club

At the risk of getting all Big Yellow Taxi on you, I’m surprised at how many things have changed since 2006. The Collaroy Services Club (chapter 26) is now called The Beach Club. And The Sands (a pub mentioned briefly in chapter 24) has been bulldozed for apartments. They’ve built a new Sands – I don’t like it, though; it’s not as good. But I’m getting sidetracked. This is the Collaroy Services Club where Ryan takes Carly for a drink when he first comes back from the mines. Nice location, hey?

Well, that wraps it up. Thanks for having me! I hope it’s all humming for you, wherever you are.

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Thank you so much for dropping by, Kirsty! Now for all of you, please visit the rest of the events this week - you can view the full list HERE...annnnnnndddd thanks to the lovely author and coordinators of this event, I have a signed copy of Raw Blue up for grabs for you guys! Want to enter? The rules are simple:

As always, you do NOT need to be a follower to enter, but it's always appreciated! This giveaway is open internationally and will end promptly at midnight on September 7, 2011 at 12 AM EST.

Click HERE to enter!

Once upon a time, I hated contemporary books, guys. You know this. I professed my hatred in many a post, and I firmly declared that I was certain no book could ever change my mind. Enter Raw Blue. That singular book opened my eyes to the beauty of a genre that had always escaped me, and the lovely Kirsty Eagar gave us a book that is honest, heartfelt and beautiful in the most tragic and truthful sense of the word.

The lovely Nic from Irresistible Reads (champion of Aussie authors) and Linds from Bibliophile Brouhaha (her personal quest is to have Raw Blue published in the US) are hosting a one-of-a-kind, week-long event featuring reviews, guest posts, giveaways and more to bring Kirsty Eagar's incredible works to light. Here's what you should know:

Kirsty Eagar Appreciation Week: August 29th - September 4th

Where: Irresistible Reads and Bibliophile Brouhaha

Also Features On: Supernatural Snark, The Unread Reader, Inkcrush and right here at I Swim for Oceans

Look Out For: Guest posts from Kirsty (and info on her new book!), reviews and GIVEAWAYS!

Please help us spread the word, and please feel free to join in the fun! Below are some buttons you're more than welcome to take and use - let's share the love for an awesome author!