public service announcement:get a YA story from Jen Lancaster

Earlier today Jen Lancaster posted a request on her blog. She wants to test the commonly held belief that "social media mentions are tantamount to success" for authors. She's offering a free copy of her never-before-seen (young adult) short story, "The Girl Most Likely," to anyone who talks about her and her work on social media during the next week. And, you don't even need to say nice things. See this post on her blog for full details.

In any case, I like Jen Lancaster (she shares my affection for footnotes) so I have no problem going along with her experiment and I'm interested to hear the results (she's promised to report back). In any case, if you're interested in learning more about her work, I've posted abut Bitter is the New Black (see post) and Such a Pretty Fat (see post). Her blog is also good reading. If you're intrigued, you can post somewhere and earn a copy of "The Girl Most Likely." If not, it's no skin off anyone's back.

giveaway winners and their prizes

I finished ordering the prizes for my three winners this morning.¹ When I started shopping for them, I decided that I'd be sending each a book from her² wish lists as well as two of my own selections.

Wendy V

From her wishlist:

Huntress by Malinda Lo

This one was released in April and has been getting pretty good reviews.

The focus of Wendy's book blog, A Cupcake and a Latte, is young adult fiction so I limited my choices to that genre (or near enough) so that she could write about them on her blog if she chose to.

Stravaganza: City of Masks by Mary Hoffman (my review)

The first in Hoffman's wonderful Stravaganza series, which I'm rereading myself now.

Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu (my review)

I adore this book. I think everyone should read it and I've lost count of how many copies I've purchased to give to others.

Nimrodiel

From her wishlist:

Cathedrals of the Flesh: My Search for the Perfect Bath by Alexia Brue

I'd never heard of this book before I starting shopping Nim's wishlist, but it sounds wonderful.

I've actually known Nim since before I started this blog (she's an online friend). We've shared books and book recommendations enough that she trusts my taste and would be open to books that she wouldn't necessarily pick out for herself.

Shades of Grey: The Road to High Saffron by Jasper Fforde (my review)

I know Nim's read and enjoyed Fforde before and Shades of Grey is quite wonderful, though more sedate that his usual work.

Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann (my review)

This is my more "out there" selection for Nim. I hope she likes it!

Nulaanne

From her wishlist:

Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins by Emma Donoghue

Another one that I wasn't familiar with before. I do like Donoghue, though, so I think could be quite good.

My choices for Nulaanne:

Motel of the Mysteries by David Macaulay (my review)

One of the questions on the giveaway entry form was "Any of my favorites that you're dying to try?" Nulaanne mentioned Motel of the Mysteries and I'm happy to oblige.

The Witch's Boy by Michael Gruber

I haven't written a review about The Witch's Boy for the blog, but it is fantastic. I listed to the audio (read by Denis O'Hare) years ago and decided that I needed to pick up a hardcover copy for my library. Concerned with fairy tales, I think The Witch's Boy makes a good traveling companion for Kissing the Witch.

I do so hope that Wendy, Nimrodiel, and Nulanne enjoy the books I've selected for them.

1. For those who are interested this (books plus shipping) tidily ate up all my Powells affiliate program earnings. I had to add five dollars and change to complete the payment of the final order.
2. In this case, all the winners are female.

giveaway update

I'm busy picking out books for my winners. Expect a reveal post in the next couple of days.

I really appreciate all the feedback I received along with the entries.

last chance to enter the giveaway

You have until the end of the day (11:59 pm, EDT) TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 10 to enter. More information in this post.

5 years [giveaway]

Five years ago today I posted my first blog post. I think that's a pretty good excuse for a giveaway.


I like surprises so this giveaway will be a little bit different than the usual book-blog giveaway. There will be at least two winners and the prizes will be customized. If you win, I'll send you a book off your wishlist¹ and a copy of one of my favorite books that I think you'll like.

I'll be posting my choices for the winners on the blog, so don't enter if that makes you uncomfortable. Don't worry, I won't be buying erotica. I don't know any of you well enough for that.

I'm using the commission I've earned from Powells Partner Program to buy the books.² As I mentioned above, there will be at least two winners. The cost of my book selections will decide how many more. The more the merrier!

If you win, you'll need to be willing to provide me with your mailing address. The prizes may ship directly from Powells and they may or may not be wrapped.

Who can enter?

• No location restrictions
• Family and real-life friends are eligible
• If you are a minor, have a parent or guardian submit an entry on your behalf
• You don't have to be a follower, but you'll earn an extra entry if you are

Interested? Click here to enter. You have until Wednesday, August 10 (11:59 pm, EDT).³

Thanks for reading! I'm looking forward to the shopping I have ahead of me.

1. Amazon, LibraryThing, ... anywhere as long as it's publicly accessible.
2. circa $93
3. Eastern Daylight Time

PSA: book giveway

Presenting Lenore (a great book blog!) is currently hosting a giveaway for a fantastic-sounding new YA novel.

I've shared the publisher's book description below, but please rush over to Presenting Lenore to read Lenore's review of Bumped (in honor of Dystopian February she's using zombie chickens instead of stars, who cool is that?) and her interview with the author Megan McCafferty. Then sign up for the giveaway. You know you want this book.

Bumped by Megan Mccafferty

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

From New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty comes a strikingly original look at friendship, love, and sisterhood—in a future that is eerily believable.

giveaway

srah at srah blah blah is giving away a copy of Sandition by Jane Austen and "another lady."

Synopsis: When Charlotte Heywood accepts an invitation to visit the newly fashionable resort of Sanditon, she is introduced to a full range of polite society, from the local reigning dowager Lady Denham and her impoverished ward Clara, to the handsome, feckless Sidney Parker and his amusing, if hypochondriacal, sisters. A heroine whose clearsighted common sense is often at war with romance, Charlotte cannot help observing around her both folly and passion in many guises. But can the levelheaded Charlotte herself resist the attractions of the heart?
Publisher comments: "Out of print for more than 20 years, this novel--an 11-chapter fragment at Austen's death completed with seamless artistry by an Austen aficionado and novelist--is a wonderful addition to Austen's beloved books."

Head over to srah blah blah to enter.

giveaway

One of my online friends is giving away a $25 gift certificate for TheLiteracySite's online gift shop.

TheLiteracySite is a click-every-day site dedicated to funding free books for children. Per their website: "On average, over 80,000 individuals from around the world visit the site each day to click the "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button. To date, more than 87 million visitors have helped provide more than 2.5 million books to children who need them the most."

All you need to do to enter the drawing for the gift certificate is go to her blog, Shaunie's Happy Place and comment on this post (including the title of one of your favorite books in the post) by October 10th.

PSA: book giveaway

Booklogged at A Reader's Journal is having a drawing for The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

I've been hearing lots about this novel (and it's on the voting list for next year's book club selections), so I'd love to get a copy. Depending on how many comments she gets, Booklogged has up to five copies to give away.

Pop over to this post to enter.