I’m not sure how I feel about blog giveaways. I have done them before. And, at times, they have felt fun. At times, they have felt like a transparent means to collect comments and followers.
But I do know how I feel about three books. And I know that you will love them. So, I am trying not to overthink things (a resolution perhaps for 2013?) and I am giving one of you a bundle of the following trio. Trust me, you will like these books.
The first is Claire Bidwell Smith‘s The Rules of Inheritance. The paperback was released on Christmas Eve. I had the privilege of reading an early copy of Claire’s beautiful book and was honored to write a blurb for it. Claire’s story is exquisite and wrenching. I expect very big things from this beautiful writer and mom-of-two. It is a privilege to call Claire my friend and colleague.
The second is a small and spicy book Santa left me in my stocking. It’s called Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative and Austin Kleon wrote it. I devoured this tiny treatise on Christmas morning and I cannot express to you how much it inspired me – as a person and as a writer. I know you will love it.
The third? Another book that is itty-bitty in size and big on wisdom. David Foster Wallace’s This Is Water: Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life was another gem I found in my stocking. The entire book is one essay and there are only one or two sentences per page. I found the essay hauntingly profound and cannot stop thinking about its message, a message that was patently meant not just for the graduating class of Kenyon College to whom the author delivered these words in 2005, but for all of us.
So, there you have it. Three books I absolutely adored. Three books I implore you to read and absorb. Leave a comment here before Monday, January 7, 2013 (when I will return to my regular program of blogging) for a chance to win all three of these books. Consider it a belated holiday gift. Hey, I am feeling generous!
In general, how do you feel about blog giveaways? Have you read any of these books? Have you enjoyed any books little or big recently that you’d like to recommend?
Perfect timing since I’m on my way to the book store to select a book or two for my cruise that leaves on Saturday. Hugs to you and your magnificent family in the New Year, and, we really need to meet up the next time you’re in PA>
)
Oh I’ve been needing some inspiration and brain candy for awhile now to keep cozy in this weather! Happy New Year as well!!
would love to read these! happy new year ADR!
Inspiration to start the new year. Also thinking your givers know you well
I love STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST. Looking forward to checking out the other two.
The Rules of Inheritance intrigues me. I love non-fiction!
Besides your blog, I follow a few perfume bloggers (I love perfume)!
I have tried to win their “giveaways” many times but the odds of
winning are so slim. Maybe someday!
The only reading I’ve had time for lately is my Prevention and Yoga magazines!
I share your trepidation about giveaways, but with books, well, I’m onboard. I’m doing a giveaway next week, in fact!! Can’t wait for you to come back. xox
What a great idea!
I bought “Steal like an artist” for my husband for Xmas. Can’t wait to read it now. I’m adding “Rule of Inheritance” to my Amazon wish list. Always looking for fresh novels!
Okay, I see its a memoir. Love those too
I’ve been looking forward to reading “The Rules of Inheritance.” I have no strong feelings about blog giveaways. Recent read I loved: “Gone Girl.”
I love new books. I have a stack that are waiting for me (and was given Gone Girl by a fellow teacher that’s being passed around right now). But these look like more manageable sizes (for lack of a better term) with my current workload. And I don’t ever want to give up reading because it is far too important to me. I just had a conversation about television with one of my 10th graders. And I told her that I used to be a television junkie (which is true!) but that since starting this full time position for the year, I just don’t have time for that and to get at least a little bit of reading done.
Hope the end of your break is going well – are the girls back in school yet or did they have this whole week off?
I have similar feelings as you to giveaways, although I’ve also been considering doing a book giveaway myself. Hopefully you will be happy with the results and who doesn’t love a good book!
Happy New Year! Thank you for inspiring me to make some changes in my life. Expect another email from me next week when you’re back in the saddle!
I am adding these books to my list now!
I’m always looking for new authors – I can’t wait to read these three books! Happy New Year, Aidan.
I love book recs and book giveaways!
I am always looking for some new good books to read- thanks for the giveaway!
Me, Me, Me! Pick me! I love books and haven’t heard of them except the DFW one. And if I don’t win, they will undoubtedly be added to my “must read” list.
Happy New Year! Anxiously awaiting your return…in a good way…you’ve been missed. This post is exactly what I needed right now because one of my new year’s resolutions is to read more books that I actually want to read…you know, less reading of how-to parenting books and more reading of fascinating memoirs. I’m excited to read The Rules of Inheritance in particular, especially after stumbling upon Claire Bidwell Smith’s blog, which I’m really enjoying. That said, though, this is the place that feels like home to me, and I can’t wait until you return!
Would LOVE to win – Claire’s book is on my list to read in 2013!
Blog giveaways are fun – and you are right – they may draw new readers. I haven’t done it yet, though, because I am not sure how it would tie into my blog… silly books, maybe….
I am updating my Goodreads “to read” list and was just think about Claire’s book. I can’t wait to read it. Hope you are enjoying your break!
I can’t wait to read Claire’s book–whether I win it here or not
I always appreciate leads on great books–thanks.
These looks like fantastic reads! I’m so glad I popped over to see what you chose. I read three books on my recent family vacay and was not super-impressed with any of them (all novels). I think I need to branch out and give my brain some other food for thought. Happy New Year!
Great to have some new books on my reading list.
As an avid reader, my favorite resolution last year was to keep a book list of the books I read in 2012… I plan on continuing this resolution for 2013 & these books would look great on my list
Sure, I like blog giveaways, but I don’t follow bloggers just because they do (or don’t!) host them. =) Lately, my favorite books revolve around my son’s collection and include Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site and Bear Stays Up for Christmas.
Count me in! You know I’m a reading fanatic — and it’s impossible for me to turn down a book giveaway. I just never know when I’m going to discover the next read that will change my life!
Right now I have my nose in Emma Straub’s Laura Lamont’s Life In Pictures, which is engrossing and lyrical and lovely, and just because I like to keep things fresh? Justin Halpern’s I Suck At Girls, which is laugh-out-loud funny, silly and realistic.
Would love to read these books!
Winner
Would love to read all three– consider me entered!
Santa was good to you this year! These sound great
Always looking for great new books to read. Didn’t get any for Christmas so I would love to win these!
I shy away from blog giveaways. But, in the spirit of my resolve to read more (I’ve been very bad lately), I will take these as fantastic recommendations and hope to win!
I typically don’t enter blog giveaways, and I have never hosted one on my blog. But I’ve read the majority of the books you’ve recommended, and I’ve loved all that I have read. For those reasons, I’d love to win these three little gems. Looking forward to your complete return; I hope you’ve been enjoying the time away. And for the record, I’ve loved your posting style lately. Little blurbs throughout the day is something I rarely see in a blog, and I have to say I really love it.
I am so dying for new voices and someone else’s concerns and thoughts to put in my head at the end of the night while my daughter watches Netflix (single mom, daughter 4.5 yrs) and I can’t think any further about anything else concerning the day that’s past or the day that will begin in T minus 11 hours (that doesn’t sound so grim, really, but I find I need ridiculous amounts of sleep these days).
The books I got for Xmas are super-unenticing (The Letters of William Styron? Hitman – The Untold Story of Johnny Martorano?). I also find myself incredibly lazy about book selection these days given attention and resources I have at my disposal: Booker Prize? Sure, I’ll read it. Pulitzer? Okay. Otherwise it had better be diverting, well-written, and contain a murder.
Right before Xmas I picked up Daniel Woodrell’s The Outlaw Album when buying gifts, and took it up on Monday and devoured it. I now find I want something other than literary junk food. Woodrell is dark, but writes like an angel.
Well, this was quite a little dissertation. Guess I had more to say on the matter than I knew. If you give me the books it will doubtless be because I sound so pathetic, but in any event now I have three recommendations to peep out.
Okay, throwing my hat into the ring…you always have great book recs.
As an avid reader my entire life I’m always on the prowl for a good book….and rarely, if ever, re-read a book *(two exceptions) so often loan/give mine away too once finished as I’d rather someone else enjoy them…so I’m all for giveaways! I just read One Amazing Thing by Chitra Divakaruni about a group of strangers that are trapped in a building after an earthquake and each shares one amazing story from their life. Also kind of a fun, easy read was The Dalai Lama’s Cat (I studied Buddhism in undergrad) but it was a sweet and fun refresher on some basic truths that we could all potentially learn from and apply to our lives.
Happy New Year! Since, I am relatively new (last summer) to reading blogs. I noticed these “give aways,” and the truth is I personally would rather be on the giving end, so I do not participate in the give aways. I think they are probably a lot of fun for people, but not for me.
Xo
Rachel
p.s.
I do purchase many of the books that are offered or recommended on blogs.
Everywhere I look lately I’m running into David Foster Wallace. Discovering his stuff was one of the highlights from last year for me. I haven’t read this essay though. What a wonderful collection of books! Happy new year!
They all sound great
! Happy new year!
I love book recommendations. It always expands my own perspective. Looking forward to your words. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Oh these look great! I’m working my way through The China Study, and it is certainly making me think more about the food I eat and feed my children.
Books. I love books. (Am reading yours right now and have at times a hard time putting it down.) So this giveaway is actually perfect! Happy New Year!!!!
Thanks for the new book ideas! As a nursing mama who reads very quickly, I fly through books in the middle of the night and am always looking for new ones.
I have a bedside table piled high with books. Reading is my escape. As for blog giveaways, they are a great idea! I am currently reading two books, Maine and The Happiness Project.
I never win these things anyway, but I’m particularly interested in memoirs these days, for some reason. I think I want to know how other people make sense of their lives.