three hundred followers later… (giveaway)

Monday, June 28, 2010 |

I know that the number of followers or facebook friends you have isn’t supposed to be tied up with your self-worth, but I do get a little thrill every time I see a new blog follower. I’m just not on facebook enough to care about that that deeply. Besides, I can tell when you’re my real friend, versus someone I met once. Hint: It’s when you feed me. Or buy books for me, or…wait, that’s dangerous territory! But…it’s kind of true.


This weekend I passed the 300 followers mark on the blog, and I danced a little on the inside. I also may have danced on the outside (no one was hurt, I swear!) because I went to the ALA annual conference. ALA stands for American Library Association. They’re the awesome people who run American libraries, hand out the Newbery and Caldecott awards, and have ridiculously great conferences.


At ALA I met several authors I admire and picked up many books I’ve been anticipating. I also met some really cool librarians while waiting in various signing lines. I’m serious, these ladies GOT IT. I could talk to them about all the books I love but feel guilty about reading, and the reactions of my friends to my book problem (I swear, I won’t buy any more this month!), and about the hazards of being a book-loving traveler. Denver, Alabama and National Geographic (you know who you are), I heart you! Thanks for making me laugh.


Another highlight was Toni Morrison’s keynote speech. That lady? Is elegant, entertaining, intelligent, beautiful and very, VERY cool. The way she phrased things, the cadence of her speech, reminded me very much of my own grandmother, who is a gracious, wonderful person. So Toni’s speech for me was awe-inspiring on the one hand (she’s TONI MORRISON, people!), and comforting on the other. I only hope that when I am old I can look back and realize that I have done something beautiful and reflect on it with half the aplomb of either Toni or my Nana.


BUT! Back to the books. There were many. In fact, there were too many. My eyes were big, and my shoulders weak. There are only so many tote bags one girl can carry, all right? I eventually dropped books off at a FedEx holding area on one end of the Exhibit Hall. Overnight. And then I took the box plus another bag home via taxi the next day. *sigh* At least I live within taxi range!


Followers, these books are for you. I am going to give away them away to two winners in the US or Canada, and there will be an additional $40 Book Depository spend spree for one of my international friends. How it works: the first winner will pick 5 books, and the second winner will get the rest. International winner will let me know which books they want ($40 or less, no pre-orders), and I’ll buy. Sound good? Check out the selection:


The DUFF by Kody Keplinger (ARC)

Sapphique by Catherine Fisher (ARC)

Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti (ARC)

Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles (signed ARC)

Grace by Elizabeth Scott (signed ARC)

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (signed ARC)

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain (signed hardcover)

Siren by Tricia Rayburn (signed hardcover)

Ash by Malinda Lo (signed hardcover)

The Daykeeper’s Grimoire (Prophecy of Days) by Christy Raedeke (paperback)

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken (hardcover)

-----


To enter:


Leave a comment on this post telling me the book you’re looking forward to most in 2010. Also let me know if you're international or domestic. Followers only, please!


Please include a method of contact. Giveaway is open internationally. Comments will close on July 16 at 11:59pm EST, and I will notify the randomly selected winners via email.


Good luck!

110 comments:

Khelsea @ Once upon a review said...

Yay thanks for the contest :)
I am really looking forward to The Duff, Nightshade and Infinite Days!!

Khelseabrasuel@gmail.com

misskallie2000 said...

I really, really want to read The Dark Divine and Siren. I have both on my wish list.

Thanks for this opportunity to enter this giveaway.

Congrats on your 301 followers.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Sarah E said...

I'm most looking forward to reading The Passage by Justin Cronin this year.

I follow.

I live in the USA.

Please enter me in this giveaway!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

-k said...

So many books it's almost too hard to choose. I'm really looking forward to Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler; it seems like a new take on Dystopian fiction. But there are so many others that I'm really looking forward to too.
As for the rest, is Canada considered domestic? Anyways, that's where I'm located. And I can be contacted through my blog here or my e-mail - katherine.cope@gmail.com
Great competition and good luck to everyone who enters!

Zia said...

I am looking forward to Linger the most this year. Followed closely by Clockwork Angel.

Awesome contest!

Zia
ziaria(at)gmail(dot)com

Jenna said...

I am most looking forward to Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Me and everyone else). These books are like crack to me, and I need to know how it ends!

Thanks for the awesome contest!

jennapomme[at]yahoo[dot]com

Ryan said...

There are so many I'm looking forward to but the new Simon Green book is one I need to get soon. There are quite a few on this list that I would love to read as well. Thanks for the giveaway and I'm domestic.

fforgnayr@yahoo.com

titania86 said...

I'm looking forward to Suzanne Collins' Mockingjay! I jsut can't wait!

titania86[at]yahoo.com

Milka said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Milka said...

Great contest.
The book I am waiting the most from 2010 is definitely Linger by Maggie Stiefvater. I read Shiver a couple of weeks ago and I can't wait to read what happens in the next book.

milkareads[at]yahoo[dot]com

and yeah, I am international. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for opening this internationally :)(I am based in Dublin)
I was following on my google reader but now I made things official (I think)
I would love to read Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken (hardcover) but the book I am most looking forward to is Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
E-mail: emilyandherlittlepinknotes@gmail.com

Sullivan McPig said...

Great giveaway!
And I'm really looking forward to both Aline Tango by Gini Koch and Double Cross by Carolyn Crane.

(international and email in profile)

Christa said...

Wow! Thanks for the contest. I want all of those books, lol. : D It's so nice of you to share them with us.

I'm most looking forward to Matched by Ally Condie & The Scorched Trials by James Marsden.

I'm a Texas Follower. : )

ambience.of.rain {at} gmail.com

Unknown said...

Congrats on 300 well-deserved followers! You rock :)

Thanks for this giveaway. I think I'm really looking forward to two book Mockingjay and The Scorch Trials

I'm a US follower.

foltzsfantasticbooks at gmail.com

BleuMoon said...

Congratulations on your milestone!
Thank you for the contest and I am most looking forward to 'The Daykeepers Grimoire', 'Beautiful Darkness' or 'The Dark Divine'
Thanks Again! btw I am domestic -

jerriannmullen

bleumoonspirit@gmail.com

Ellz said...

Congrats on 300 followers! This is a wonderful giveaway! Off my wishlist is...Beautiful Darkness, Firelight, and Matched. I also have a few sequels I am looking forward to. zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom.

Thanks!

Andrea said...

Great contest! Thanks. I'm so jealous that you went to ALA. It's been a few years since I've been able to go.

I'm looking forward to Mockingjay, of course and The Ghosts of Ashbury High.

annieiskawaii(at)gmail(dot)com

debbie said...

I am looking forward to infinite days. I am in the US.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Kristen said...

Great contest my friend! I'm glad you had a great time at ALA and I was sad to have missed it this year.

I'm definitely looking forward to Mockingjay this year. :)

dragonzgoil at gmail dot com

Jessica B said...

I'm most looking forward to MOCKINGJAY.

shutupjessicasreading @ gmaildotcom

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for this contest!

I am most looking forward to reading Beautiful Darkness this year!

I am domestic

swordsforfighting at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a great weekend.

I don't know what I'm most looking forward to. Maybe Faithful Place by French.

I'm US.

carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

Shy said...

Congratulations on reaching this HUGE milestone! And also thank you for celebrating it with all of us :D

I think the book I most look forward to this would be The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff Ha! I finally got her name right without even referring to Goodreads, LOL! Anyhoo, I really love the cover of this book AND it also has male protag, something that I truly love :D

I'm your International Reader

Thanks again!

Shy
shy8629(at)gmail(dot)com

donnas said...

I am really looking forward to Clockwork Angel.

I am a US follower.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Dani. said...

I am most looking forward to Nightshade by Andrea Cremer & Paranormalcy by Kiersten White! :)

*from USA!

-Dani
lightningstreak123[at]comcast[dot]net

Tales of Whimsy said...

Congrats darling!
(not an entry)

Tales of Whimsy said...

Pssst...I just wanted to tell you. I've been wearing my Mr. Darcy pendant on a ribbon and it looks positively splendid :)

Tia said...

Congrats and excellent books! I'm most looking forward to Monsters of Men, which already came out in the UK...

I'm in the US.

tiasbook AT gmail DOT com

~The Book Pixie said...

Congratulations on 300 followers! That's really huge! Also, thanks for this marvelous contest!

I don't really know if there is any one book that I'm looking forward to more than all the rest. I mean, there are so MANY amazing books releasing this year. However I think I'll have to go with The Back Door to Midnight by Elizabeth Chandler.

I'm Domestic; USA

~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

Dazzling Mage said...

I can't make up my mind on which book I look forward to. >_< Buy I've narrowed it down to Beautiful Darkness (starting on Beautiful Creatures now), and Siren (because.. well, I love mythological creatures).

Awesome contest. =D

e-mail: asma.aljeelani@gmail.com

William Anderson said...

Congratulations on the big three hundred. I would love to enter your contest. I've just started getting into several book blogs and am adding you to my bookmarks. I'm domestic and my email is shawneeheights@hotmail.com.

Jenny N. said...

I'm most looking forward to Clockwork Angel as I recently finished The Mortal Instruments series. But there are also lots of great books coming out in the fall.

jen4777[at]hotmail.com

Jenny N. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I've heard so much about The Passage so I'm looking forward to reading that one. Congratulations on 300 followers! I'm from the United States.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

EVA SB said...

I'm looking forward to The Infernal Devices in the Clockwork Angel series.

I'm actually quite domestic, a godess almost, but for this giveaway's purposes I'm internatioal :0)

eva.s.black[@]gmail[.]com

Unknown said...

Yay, CONGRATULATIONS on all the followers! :-)

And thank you not only for such an amazing giveaway, but thanks so much for making it international!! (yes, as you could guess, I'm an international entrant, living outside teh US)

I'm really looking forward to Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong and Blameless by Gail Carriger.

Thank you!

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

throuthehaze said...

One book I am REALLY looking forward to is Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.
I am US
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Page (One Book At A Time) said...

It would have to be Mockingjay of course!

I'm in the US

onebooktime[AT]gmail[DOT]com

Lizzy said...

Congrats on all your followers! Hmm, what am I looking forward to...Mockingjay. I'm sure plenty of other people have said that, but I'm dying to read it :)

I'm in the US

Thanks for hosting this contest
-Lizzy
Cornucopiaofreviews[at]gmail[dot]com

Lizzy said...

Also, I just realized I wasn't following you, despite visiting your blog quite often. I fixed that, though

vvb32 reads said...

yay for your 300+ followers! and so cool to hear about your ALA experience.

Unknown said...

Thank you for the contest and congratulations on your followers.

I am most looking forward to As Lie the Dead by Kelly Meding and many, many more! I think I add one every day.

robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

I am in USA.

Allison T said...

I'm looking forward to Mockingjay, The DUFF, and Beautiful Darkness.
hyperallison@gmail.com
Allison T.
I'm in the US

Cackleberry Homestead said...

I'm looking forward to Linger by Maggie Stiefvater and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

I'm in the US.

Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

crystalfulcher(at)ec.rr.com

Harmony B. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Harmony B. said...

I'm really looking forward to Beautiful Darkness, Paranormlacy by Kiersten White, Stork by Wendy Delsol, and The Duff.

twisterstar(at)live(dot)com

Nomes said...

Wow!!!! such an awesome give-away!

I'm pumped for Mockingjay, Matched, Forget You (Jennifer Echols), Saltwater Vampires and I am Number Four. Oh - and grace. Actually...I could go on :)

Plus - yay for an international contest! I'm from Australia

naomirees27@gmail.com

Bianca said...

AH! The book I am looking forward to the most, is actually one of the books up for grabs! THE DUFF! I haven't been this anxious to read a book in so long!

infinitemusic19 at gmail dot com

Bianca said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
pepsivanilla said...

I'm most looking forward to Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder :)
And also Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins obviously!

Great contest, congrats on all the followers :)

I'm in the US

pepsivanilla14(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jacinda (The Reading Housewives) said...

Right now I'm looking forward to Mockingjay...and later on in the year I'm looking forward to Matched.

jacindahinten @ sbcglobal . net

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this contest!

Previously, my most looked forward to book was MATCHED -- but, having read that, the next is MOCKINGJAY. :)

sandyshin7 [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I apologize I forgot to mention this in the previous comment, but I'm from the U.S. :)

Anonymous said...

Denver loves you too! I am going to be sending you an email, but I just wanted to say hi since I was here... :)

Llehn said...

I'm an old international follower.

I am looking forward to The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff.

lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'm most looking forward to reading Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. Can't wait for it to come out!

I'm international. Thanks for the great contest!

hanjie.1992 @ live.com.my

Sylvia said...

I'm really looking forward to reading Matched by Ally Condie and of course, Mockingjay! I can't wait!
I'm international:D

Thanks for this contest:)

sylvia_uy4(at)yahoo(dot)com

Test said...

I'm most looking forward to reading Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

I live in the US.

laurenscrammedbookshelf@gmail.com

Jackie said...

WOW! Congrats on 300! That's awesome!

I am most looking forward to Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen! I read a sample of it and it was super good! I love the characters. I also loved the Luxe series so I am really looking forward to it.

Thanks for the contest!

jackie_love35@msn.com

Debbie F said...

Looking forward to JD Robb's new In Death book

thanks

I'm a follower
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Okapi said...

I'm looking forward to Beautiful Darkness and Behemoth!
xicecreamsjx@aol.com

Kate said...

I am looking forward to Mockingjay!

I live in the US

sithereandread (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Oooh, thanks for this amazing contest ! One of the books I'm looking forward to the most is Paranormalcy by Kiersten White ! The cover is beautiful !

~Alison
lostinbelieving(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Glad that you had a nice experience. Besides the ones most known and the obvious *Mockingjay, Matched, etc.* I want to get Siren.

Anonymous said...

I live in the US, forgot to add my email which is ricettebunny @ live . com

Anonymous said...

300 followers! That's so great! :)
This year I'm really looking forward to reading The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory, as I loved The White Queen, which was the first in her War of the Roses series. So glad she's moved on from the Tudors (yawn).
I'm an international entrant.
You can contact me at coffeestainedpagesblog[at]gmail.com

June G said...

Congrats! I'm a US follower and I'm looking forward to Matched and I Am Number Four. Thanks for the contest!

june (at) writingisablessing (dot) com

Icedream said...

Congratulations on over 300 followers! :)
So far this year I am looking forward to Mockingjay, Beautiful Darkness, Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King and Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 1.

Thanks for hosting a great giveaway.

waitmantwillie at hotmail dot com

Cass said...

I'm looking forward to so many books. The Duff, Matched and Anna and the French Kiss are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

I'm international. Thanks! :)

Cass said...

whoops, forgot my email.

cc932005[at]hotmail[dot]com

Sarah said...

I'm most looking forward to LINGER and FORGET YOU... both of which luckily come out in a couple of weeks!

Thanks for this amazing giveaway!

Sarah
sarahdc22@gmail.com

Darlyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Darlyn said...

Hi Celi.a!

I'm a new follower. Congratulations on your blog achievements and hope you'll gain more followers!

I really looking forward to real Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Torment by Lauren Kate and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins!

I'm a reader from Malaysia ;p

Thanks for a generous contest.

darlyn225 at gmail dot com

Giada M. said...

Congratulations and thank you for this GREAT contest! :)
I can't wait to read Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins!
I'm an international follower.

Thank you for this chance!:)

Giada M.

fabgiada (at) gmail (dot) com

soulfulll said...

I'm really looking forward to Beautiful Darkness.

I'm in the US.
shanti804[at]hotmail[dot]com


Btw congrats on the 300+ followers.

Ruth (Book Focus) said...

Woo what an awesome contest! And awesome prizes for both domestic and international winners, yayy :)

I'm really looking forward to both FIRELIGHT by Sophie Jordan and MATCHED by Ally Condie, but most of all it's gotta be MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins.

Email: kiwibooklover at gmail dot com

And yes I'm international! Thanks so much for making this open to us poor international readers as well. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to The Duff.
I follow via GFC.
I am domestic.

kzupancic[at]yahoo[dot]com

Ann-Kat (Today, I Read...) said...

{raising my hand} oooo, please enter me.

I'm a follower and...the book I'm most looking forward to this year? Now that's gonna take some...lemme see...I think I'm going with The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, mainly because I adore that cover (and the premise sounds good too).

Thanks for hosting this contest and I love your blog layout.

Ann-Kat (todayiread[at]gmail.com)

Noodles and Waffles said...

I'm really looking forward to reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.

adventuregoers(at)gmail(dot)com

Alessandra said...

Wow, that's a big giveaway!

I'm looking forward to Mockingjay (geez, really?), Delirium, and Grace by Elizabeth Scott.

Alessandra
outofblue1(at)gmail(dot)com

Mrs. DeRaps said...

Honestly, I am looking forward to two books the most. Mockingjay and Grace. So, I could knock one of those off my list! Thanks for the giveaway!


hderaps @ mbrsd . org

Cackleberry Homestead said...

I'm a follower.

I'm in the US.

I am most looking forward to Mockingjay but there are a lot of other great books coming out this year as well.

crystalfulcher(at)ec.rr.com

latishajean said...

Im looking forward too Nightshade by Andrea Cremer and can't wait for the last book in vampire academy last scariface.
great giveaway thank you!
tishajean@charter.net

Rabid Fox said...

Wow, that's an enticing pile of books. So count me in.

What 2010 release am I most looking forward to reading? Oh, man. Too many. How about I mention Nnedi Okorafor's Who Fears Death, as that sounds like a very promising read.

E-mail: rabidfox(at)ymail.com

I'm Canadian, so I guess that makes me "international." :)

KMichelleC87 said...

Great giveaway!

I'm looking forward to Clockwork Angel.

I'm in the US

kmichellec87(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ashley said...

Oh my goodness there are so many book I'm looking forward to this year. Probably my tops are Paranormalcy, Beautiful Darkness, and Mockingjay.

booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com

Kulsuma said...

Wow, fantastic giveaway!

This year, I'm looking forward to Mockingjay, Paranormalcy, The Duff, Dark Life and Matched.

I'm an international follower.

k_anon@hotmail.co.uk

k_sunshine1977 said...

so many good books this year! i'm squeeing with joy looking forward to paranormalcy, beautiful darkness, clockwork angel and blameless...

and i'm a new follower!

k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com

Mystica said...

I am looking forward to The Rebel Princess, London the story of a great city and Poison by Sara Poole.

I am an international follower.

mystica123athotmaildotcom

Sas (Tea Mouse) said...

Congratulations on 300! Such a big achievement!
And thanks for making this international, thats always good. :)

I'm a new follower (and I'm glad to have discovered your blog through Teaser Tuesday! The layout is so pretty and your reviews are fantastic!)

I'm really looking forward to Creshendo by Becca Fitzpatrick, The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and X-Isle by Steven Augarde! Those, and practically every other YA book out in 2010, they're all so good!

I'm also international.

sugarcubequeen (at) gmail (dot) com

Thanks again!

Holly said...

2010 Most Wanted:
Deadly Little Games (Touch, #3) b Laurie Faria Stolarz
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn
Girl Saves Boy by Steph Bowe

I'm International (and proud to be!)

hollytaylor(AT)optusnet.com.au

The Library Lurker said...

I'm most looking forward to Mockingjay! This is an awesome contest, thank you soooo much!

I'm in the US

librarylurker@gmail.com

Lexie said...

Sooo many books. Let me think...

Prophecy of the Sisters 2: Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink

Zombies vs. Unicorns anthology

Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

:D I'm domestic and congrats!! I hit 220 followers and was like 'w00t'!

Lexie C.
Lexie.Cenni@gmail.com

jpetroroy said...

I can't wait for Suzanne Collins' Mockingjay!

jpetroroy at gmail dot com

jpetroroy said...

Forgot to mention I live in the US.

jpetroroy at gmail dot com

californiameaghan said...

linger and mockingjay are two books i am dying to read. there are so many books coming out this year that look amazing it is hard to narrow it down!

meaghan_koci (at) yahoo (dot) com
USA

Anonymous said...

Fantastic contest.

I'm most looking forward to Beautiful Darkness. Really loved the first, also, Matched sounds so amazing.

I live in the US

-Lisa B.
angel28140 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com

Kirthi said...

I'm eager to read Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. I've pre-ordered a copy already :D
Thanks for this awesome giveaway!

raokiki6(at)gmail(dot)com

flanpnhfpnanfnFN said...

Awesome contest :)

I'm most looking forward to Beautiful Darkness and Infinate Days

I live in the US
-Khadija
fraijikhadija (AT) hotmail.com

Jessica said...

Congrats on the followers!! :) I'm looking forward to Forget You, Beautiful Darkness, Mockingjay, Paranormalcy, and many more :) But my fav. would probably be Forget You!

I'm a follower in the US.

totalbookaholic[at]hotmail[dot]com

Thanks so much for the contest! Love your blog :)

Unknown said...

I am really looking forward to The Red Queen.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom

Patricia's Particularity said...

Enter Please :)
I am most looking forward to "Return to Paradise"!
Im a US Follower :_)

Katie said...

Oh, awesome contest! I'm most looking forward to GRACE by Elizabeth Scott.

I'm a US follower!

skellington28210@yahoo.com

ExtremeReader said...

Thanks for the contest! I have so many books that I can't wait for! Here are a few: Mockingjay, Beautiful Darkness, Firelight, The Scorch Trials, The End of Days(Night Runner 2), Siren, Infinite Days, Creshendo, The Clockwork Angel, The Eternal Ones, Paranormalcy, Nightshade, I Am Number Four
jenniferclodfelter(at)yahoo(dot)com

Aik said...

I'm looking forward to Crescendo!

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Andra Lyn said...

I'm looking forward to Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong!

Im a domestic!

pcmbflutycutey@yahoo.com

Chioma said...
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Dovile said...
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Sara said...
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