Wednesday, September 26, 2018

100 Things to Do in Dallas Fort Worth Before You Die ~ Lone Star Book Blog Tours promo, review, & giveaway!


100 THINGS TO DO 
IN DALLAS FORT WORTH
BEFORE YOU DIE
2ND EDITION
by
TUI SNIDER

  Genre: Non-Fiction / Texas Travel
Publisher: Reedy Press   Twitter   ⎸  Facebook
Date of Publication: September 15, 2018
Number of Pages: 160 with black & white images

Scroll down for Giveaway!

Have you ever drawn a blank when a friend or family member asks, “What do you want to do today?” Maybe you have visitors to show around the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex, or perhaps you’ve lived here for years but feel like you’re in a rut rather than experiencing anything new.

If so, Tui Snider’s new book is for you! If you live in, or are visiting, the DFW region, this list will inspire you to start exploring. If you’re hungry, flip through the Food & Drink section. Looking for entertainment or want to get outdoors? Dig into the Music & Entertainment or the Sports & Recreation sections. Want to barter for antiques or see a museum? Check out the Culture & History or the Shopping & Fashion sections.

This book is a playful bucket list of suggestions meant to spark ideas: everything from family outings, date nights, and solo excursions, to simply hanging out with friends on your day off.







✪✪✪✪✪
HALL WAYS BONUS REVIEW:
Final score: the book wins 57 to 43. Time to expand my local horizons.

100 Things to Do in Dallas-Fort Worth Before You Die is a fabulous guidebook that gives concise but informative overviews of one hundred plus places and activities in the DFW Metroplex. By the way, the DFW Metroplex, I learned, is a 9,286 square MILES area! Wow! Author Tui Snider's travel writing skills are on point as she shares the places and tidbits about each that make north Texas so unique.  

As a Fort Worth, Texas-born gal, I was raised in a family where my momma was always seeking-out and taking us to the cool, off-the-beaten-track places and festivals. Even with that upbringing and the majority of my fifty plus years lived in DFW, I found over half the one hundred places in the books are sights and activities (57 of them, to be exact) I have never experienced -- and a bunch I had never even heard of!

An awesome aspect to 100 Things is that it really is an excellent resource for locals to not only have on hand for visitors but to use as a source for new ideas and a lot of reminiscing.  Some of my favorite childhood memories and restaurant experiences were made at places mentioned in the book (like Burger's Lake Fossil Rim, and the National Cowgirl Museum, and Bonnell's, Ol' South Pancake House and Edelweiss). After reading 100 Things, I realize that I am a creature of habit with the local activities I enjoy: for example, Grapevine does not have the only wine trail; Fort Worth does not have the only ghost tour. I plan on getting a bunch of copies of this guide for my local friends and family to enjoy. 

The “Hundred Things” is actually well over a hundred because of the glorious sub-lists in many sections. Plus, there are lots of extra cultural details, statistics, and tidbits thrown in that add an extra layer of interest. Again, much of what’s included is new information to me that reinforces DFW has some of the biggest and best events in the US.  The organization of the book, which includes a divided table of contents, index, suggested itineraries, and activities by season, and website addresses really helps users find what they need for quick reference.  Especially helpful are the "Free Family Fun" and "Rainy Day Fun" lists.  Also included in the book are interesting photos sprinkled throughout the book that add interest, though they are not clearly labeled. I am okay with the small selection of photos and that they are black and white since the purpose and focus of 100 Things is informational.

The book is well-edited, the writing is clear and friendly, and the generous white space and formatting make it very user friendly and easy to read (as opposed to other guides that pack too much on a single page with teeny-tiny print). There are a few places where it seems like there are no spaces between words, and this Grammar Policewoman issues only a few citations for some misspelled words and comma issues. (Though the Neiman Marcus police might have a full warrant for arrest out!) Snider gets an Award of Excellence for being on Team Oxford Comma, which counters any punctuation pitfalls. The issues are all minor and none detracts from the overall fabulousness of this book.  I can't wait to plan a staycation to include some new excursions and also to re-visit some old favorites around my own stomping grounds. 


I subscribe to Tui Snider's newsletter (you should to) and answered the author's call a while back when she asked for suggestions of places to include in the book. What a surprise to find I am mentioned in the acknowledgments! I am excited and honored -- just like I was to finally meet the author at the AME Book Fest in July. When I was there, I bought another copy of her book Understanding Cemetery Symbols and arranged for my gorgeous signed print copy of 100 Things to be sent when it was hot off the presses. There were no strings attached, and my bonus review, shared via Lone Star Book Blog Tours, is my honest opinion -- the only kind I give. 

Planning my staycation while on vacation!
Meeting Tui at AME Book Fest

Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in hometown travel. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!” Snider's work has been featured by a variety of outlets, including Coast to Coast AM, LifeHackeasyJet and Authentic Texas. Snider’s award-winning books include Unexpected Texas, Paranormal Texas, Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and more. Tui enjoys connecting with readers all over the globe through her WEBSITE.




◆  WEBSITE  ◆  FACEBOOK  ◆  TWITTER  
◆  AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE  ◆
◆  INSTAGRAM  
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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!
 1ST PRIZE: Signed Copy + $5 Amazon Gift Card
2ND PRIZE: Signed Copy
3RD PRIZE: eBook Copy
(US ONLY)
  September 18-October 2, 2018
CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
9/18/18
Excerpt
9/19/18
Guest Post
9/20/18
Review
9/21/18
Excerpt
9/22/18
Author Interview
9/23/18
Review
9/24/18
Bonus Review
9/25/18
Review
9/26/18
Guest Post
9/26/18
BONUS Review
9/27/18
Review






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26 comments:

  1. I love the idea of a "100 things" list! Should I ever come near Dallas-Forth Worth I am going to tick all of the suggested things of this book!

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    1. It really helps having such a focused list. Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. I've only driven through Texas. Maybe I should stop sometimes.

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    1. You should! Lots to see and do, whether in DFW or beyond. Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. I'll have to check this one out. I've only been to Texas once and didn't really have much time to explore. I would love to go back.

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    1. We'd love to have you! Thanks for stopping by the blog!

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  4. really enjoyed this book and can't wait to try out some of the "new to me" places.

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    1. Same! Maybe we can do some of them together!! Thanks for stopping by the blog.

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  5. Replies
    1. tee hee -- it feels that way! So much fun stuff! Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. I’ve never been to the area, but if I ever visit, I’ll pick this book up before!

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    1. You must! It really narrows down the options when it can be pretty overwhelming. Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. so many places to visit and so much to see :) (Vidya tiru)

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    1. True - and DFW is such a small drop in the world's bucket. Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. I'd love to visit Dallas and check out all these places!

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    1. We'd love to have you! Thanks for stopping bythe blog.

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  9. This sounds like a great reference book for people looking for something to do in the area.

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    1. It is -- so many things I didn't even know about and have lived in the area most of my life.

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  10. I've never been to Texas, but this seems like a great book to get ideas!

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    1. Come! And DFW is just a tiny part of the state -- so much to see and do in Texas.

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  11. Wow, that is a lots of places to visit. Sounds like a must read for anyone visiting the area.

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    1. I am seriously buying multiple copies for my friends and family who live here. So many hidden gems, even for those of us who thought we'd seen it all.

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