free stuff absolutely free
So, here's the deal: while sorting through the expired coupons that seem to spontaneously generate in my car's cupholder, I found a very much non-expired $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble. I figured that, since up until that very minute I didn't know that I had it, I wouldn't really miss it if I gave it away. Hence, I'm doing exactly that. And, because the card can be used online, this particular giveaway is open to everyone, everywhere.
To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment to this post telling us what book or other item you plan to use the gift card for. Or, leave a suggestion (perhaps something you've read recently) about what the winner (in the unhappy event it's not you) should use the gift card for. Check out the Barnes & Noble website if you need ideas.
Now, I know some people don't like patronizing eville stores like B & N. But, here, since the card was already purchased, the money has already been spent, so consider making an exception in this case.
To recap: the rules:
- Think about what book or other item you'd use the FREE! $25 gift card for if you're the lucky winner.
- Think about what book or other item someone else should use the FREE! $25 gift card for if she's the lucky winner.
- Leave a comment to this post that includes your answer to (1) or (2). Or even (1) and (2).
Note: your answer doesn't have to be all that specific and need not include things like title and author. For example: I'd probably use the $ to buy a couple of those historical romance novels where the heroine is named something like Augustiana and always seems to be wearing a dress that evidently belongs to her younger and considerably less bountifully endowed sister is just fine. - Sit back, relax and wait for the winner to be randomly selected.
- If he doesn't call, he's just not that into you.*
*Which, admittedly, has nothing to do with this giveaway, but is always good to keep in mind.
90 comments:
If I won, I'd buy children's books. Stock up more on the classics. I can pretty much recite In the Night Kitchen in its entirety, so it is time to move on.
For others...I'm not one to ask. Although I'm an avid reader, I'm not a book snob or well read in any way. I read mostly for enjoyment. And what I enjoy is mostly crap. Although, if anyone is looking for a good book to read to a child, The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles is MY FAVORITE. Absolutely love that book.
~Tara
I would buy some trashy novels, because I love them...and some books for my girl. She got one of those Scholastic catalogs from the daycare the other day, and asked if we could get all the books in it. I told her that she might get some for her birthday, and she said that Santa would bring her all the books.
I would recommend anything by Christopher Moore - his books make me laugh out loud.
If I were to go to B&N today I would buy something on coping with grief. We lost our daughter at 19w6d gestation on 10/10.
Or maybe a Nora Roberts book, you cannot go wrong with anything by her.
There are so many books I'd *want* to spend the money on, but instead I'd use it for textbooks (my school's bookstore is affiliated with Barnes & Noble). Sigh. Practicality usually wins.
(And besides: I prefer to buy my reading books used, all bent up and worn. I love old, worn books.)
Oh, and as for suggestions? Silas House's books are breathtakingly written. I spend hours lost in them.
I would buy The Budwig Protocol on how to treat cancer naturally, for my boyfriend. Who was recently diagnosed.
guess thats depressing. but it's the only thing i want to buy.
Oh, Ali and Claire, I'm so, so sorry. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.
i would buy bibles and them out on bourbon street.
just kidding.
I would probably buy several plays, I'm looking for new audition monologues.
I'd probably use it to buy a book for one of my adult children for Christmas. We are a family of readers, so there's always a book or two in the ole stocking. As for me, there are so, so many books I want to read...and so, so many books I have piled up to read...and so, so much work I should be doing instead of reading...(thanks for the giveaway, Niobe)
For myself: Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving or/and The Hell of It All by Charlie Brooker.
For others: What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/What-Was-Lost/Catherine-OFlynn/e/9780805088335/?itm=1&USRI=what+was+lost
Catherine O'Flynn is a friend of one of my closest friends, this was her first novel, it was long-listed for the Booker Prize and it won the Costa First Novel Award. It is wonderful, haunting, funny, sad - everything a great novel should be.
Oh, and is THAT why he didn't call? I've been wondering about that for going on 10 years now...
I highly recommend "An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination: A Memoir" by Elizabeth McCracken.
For a recommendation that's a bit more fun, I recently started and am enjoying the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris upon which the tv series True Blood is based.
As for what I would buy, the book I have my eye on at the moment is "Good Eats: The Early Years" by Alton Brown.
I would buy children's books for my son. Dr. Seuss in particular. And that is my recommendation as well, everyone could use a little Dr. Seuss.
I'd probably use the $ to buy a couple of those historical romance novels where the heroine is named something like Augustiana and always seems to be wearing a dress that evidently belongs to her younger and considerably less bountifully endowed sister.
; )
I'm reading Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond chronicles out loud to my husband right now, so I'd probably get the next one in the series.
::andreajennine::
I would buy a hard-back copy of "Where the Wild Things Are" because I may be the only person who's NEVER read that book before!
Oh, and we're totally addicted to cookbooks (by 'we're' I mean my husband, since I don't really cook). I could invest in another Cajun Cookbook, in case he ever runs out of things to put hot sauce on . . .
I would buy a couple things, and let the $25 justify spending a lot of money.
1. a Julia Quinn romance novel, because I love them.
2. cookbook, though I'm not sure what one...
3. Probably more Julia Quinn. :)
For others, I highly recommend Netherland by Joseph O'Neill. I just finished it and it was great.
Hmmm Maybe a cookbook but most likely anything historical, I love history.
Sarah Blaffer Hrdy's newest book. Without question.
Long time reader, first time commenter :) I would use it to buy Ree Drummond's (aka Pioneer Woman)new cookbook because
a) her recipes are easy to follow, and
b) none call for ingredients like truffle oil
I would get the book I just added to my Amazon wishlist -- "125 Great Cupcake Recipes." I shame my family by not cooking often nor particularly well, but cupcakes.... some things are worth special care.
Me, too with the Pioneer Woman's cookbook! I love her! I have actually made some of her recipes--they are recipes for real people. Plus, they are yummy!
-e
(ooh! Look! I'm signed in!)
1. Books for Christmas presents for little ones.
2. The first book that comes to mind is Thomas King's "Green Grass Running Water". Such a good read (and funny too).
Good luck to everyone!
I would buy a beautiful gardening book or two that I am coveting, because I'm getting ready to do my first ever landscaping at my new house!
I would get D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths and Little Bear, You're a Star!: A Greek Myth About the Constellations for my daughter, and Jane Grigson's Fruit Book and Chez Panisse Vegetables for me. Because they've all been on my wish list for way too long.
I would buy whatever family book we will read on our road trip to DC this November. I read aloud on the road - have for the last 13 years. I want to do it forever.
I would get a book on Kama Sutra, just to leave sitting on my husband's nightstand. Evidentally he's forgotten that I exist for reasons other than cooking, cleaning, and taking care of his kids....
Oh, I know I know. There is 2 girls at work that are pregnant so I would buy them a baby wisperer book. Those books litteraly saved my life when my daughter was new born and I was a single mom!!!!
So, so many. I would buy A.s. Byatt's new book, The Children's Book and Josh Lieb's I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President.
For everyone else....it's really hard to recommend books for others. How about Eat, Pray, Love? Or Iris Murdoch's A Word Child. If they like mysteries, I'd recommend Donna Leon's Death at La Fenice.
I would use it to get "The Year of Magical Thinking," which absolutely everyone says I should read, and probably also a new copy of the AP Stylebook and Libel Manual because mine is several years old (and I don't have an iPhone so the app wouldn't work). If someone else wins I hear "The Wet-Nurse's Tale" is fabulous; I already ordered a gently used copy from e-Bay and am looking forward to it greatly. Good luck, everyone!
While I love to read and could easily spend it on myself, I think I would pass it on to my best friend.
She is holding a fund drive to produce her second CD and she could give it out as a perk for a donation.
Oh, ugh. I'm already pouting because I *never* win anything!!!
If I *were* to win (which I won't), I would by the newest Sookie Stackhouse book. I've been waiting (not patiently) until it comes out in paperback, but I think a gift card would warrant a splurge.
I'd buy Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots for a little girl whose birthday party I'm attending. I think it is the best princess book ever, and I want to give it to all the little girls in my life.
For me I'd get Slow, Fat, Triathlete. I just finished my first triathlon this summer with the help of that book, which I checked out from the library. I would like to have it on hand for all of my future athletic endeavors; it was quite inspiring and encouraging to those of us who are enthusiastic, but... ahem... fitness-challenged.
Or I would just give in and buy the newest Gabaldon book, because Jamie Fraser had me at hello.
Whoever wins this card should buy The Stinky Cheese Man by Jon Scieszka, just because there is nothing funnier than Little Red Running Shorts and the Ugly Duckling who grows up to be an ugly duck.
I would walk in looking for a book to get my budget in order. However, after being persuaded by my little one, I know I would leave with a handful of children's books instead.
Something with southern accents, elegant ball gowns, and lots of tall grass.
I think I'd buy the new Cake Wrecks book :)
1) I'd send it to my sister-in-law! I'm a lousy auntie, my nephews just had their 4th and 7th birthdays, 4 days apart, and all I did was TEXT THEIR MOTHER. *hangs head in shame*
2) I'd heavily recommend Peace Like A River by Leif Enger, and The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, if he/she hasn't already read them. Even if Oprah recommended one or both of them, they're great books. Take you right out of where you are. And then I'd suggest using the remaining $ to buy coffee or hot chocolate - if they let you - while you sat and read.
I'd buy one of my secret pleasures that feels slightly wrong. I love celebrity biographies.... so wrong for someone who genuinely loves books, yet so much guilty pleasure!
Oh, I forgot what I would recommend for others. I would recommend the new Margaret Atwood, which I am savoring and reading super-slowly so I don't finish and have no new Margaret Atwood to read.
-e
I think I would use this to buy another book by Lorrie Moore since I am reading A Gate at the Stairs and I really love it. Check it out!
The Cake Wrecks book - I've loved that blog and would be happy to support it!
For someone else, I'd suggest Never Let Me Go - still one of my all-time favorites.
I've got a few books in my wishlist, some that have been there for over a year, so I'd probably get one (or more) of those. :)
I would buy a book that makes me laugh maniacally, while those around me point and snicker. They always *think* it's funny, until I turn the book around, with laughter-induced tears running down my cheeks, only to show them a picture of a cat on an imaginary bike. (yes, this actually DID happen, and YES my husband was too embarassed to let me stay in the store long enough to purchase said book.)
I'm giggling just thinking about it.
And if I don't win... the lucky soul that does should find me at B&N to see what I'm currently making look WAAAAY funnier than it is, and buy that!
I remember when I used to be able to afford books, it was nice. I don't know what I'd get, but it would probably fall in the somewhat-trashy historical category. Or something to read with my son.
Treat myself to a nice fat hardback - the new Hilary Mantel which won the Booker Prize for eg.
Or a stack of new children's books.
1. I would buy a book on greek mythology for the class I am currently teaching at the school I volunteer at
2. I suggest anyone else buy either Bastard out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison, or Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver though I've never gone wrong with either of those authors
1. I would like to purchase the books I am missing from the Outlander series.
2. Just finished The Hunger Games and would highly recommend it. What a page turner!
If this is a second post, just ignore it. :)
I'd get two, cuz I can make it stretch. I'd get the first Laura Ingalls book for Katie, "The Big Woods" because she's getting old enough for the series, and I'd probably get "Three Cups of Tea" for me cuz that's next on GoodReads. :)
I cannot sign up for this because I have my very own unused B&N sitting in my wallet. It's waiting for a very bad day when I will use it to console myself by buying some totally un-child-related book like one of Sabrina Harrison's or How to Create A Visual Journal which I will drool over regularly.
i would buy my mom a book b/c the library where she lives doesn't have much and she is too strapped to buy a new one.
I would buy my children the Star Wars cookbook for Christmas.
I'd get the latest Buffy graphic novel... and maybe some "gay people are human, too" kids' book, like King & King.
Heather said: "Or I would just give in and buy the newest Gabaldon book, because Jamie Fraser had me at hello."
Not trying anything fishy, just wanted to give an "amen sister!" to Heather. Thanks for reminding me to add that to my shopping list.
i would buy kids books, cause im board of reading the ones i have over and over again!!!
The new Robin Hobb fantasy novel, to find out more about the dragons, in wasteful but oh. so. lovely. hardcover!
Sweet giveaway girl!
Since I am in Egypt, I would ask you to send to my sister in the US. She recently went back to school, while working full-time and is hitting her bank pretty hard for tuition and BOOKS!
She recently borrowed money from our Dad, and I would love for her to get even $25.... free.
Anyway thanks for offering this, very cool.
This is kind of funny because I was just looking for B&N coupons because we need to buy my husband a NCLEX examination prep book because he just finished his nursing degree and has to take his state board exam. So that's what I would use it for! Even though that Star Wars cookbook sounds awfully cool.
I'd buy Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, even if it might make me stop eating in restaurants. And with the left-over $, I'd buy the first 39 Clues book for my 8-year old son.
BTW--why is B&N eville?
If I won, I'd buy Good Eats: The Early Years (for my girlfriend)
One can never have too many kid books - we would like to try Have You Filled A Bucket Today? or 7 Highly Effective Habits for Kids.
Thanks!
skkarski
I would buy something mindless but respectable. Not chic lit, not romance, but nothing having to do with what I do professionally, being pregnant or having/raising a child, or anything that has any real value.
And, oh, if I had only know about #5 when I was younger, I would have saved myself a lot of grief.
Ooh! If it's not me, I recommend Love in the Time of Cholera. If it IS me... I think I'd go for Mortal Syntax.
If I win, I would probably buy more homeschooling books.
I'd buy books for my kids or a cookbook for me.
Thanks, Niobe!
There is a cookbook my friend uses to plan and cook and freeze meals for a month. I can't remember the name or it right now but I have wanted a copy for a looong time. I'm pretty sure it doesn't cost $25 so I'd probably buy some chocolate too.
I'd use it to finally get myself some Elizabeth McCracken fiction. The woman writes in lovely prose, very light and elegant. I feel like I'd enjoy her fiction.
I've been wanting to buy my dd The Fall of Freddie the Leaf for some time now. So that's what I would get!
1) I would buy 'Where the wild things are' CD by Karen O. [which is the music from the new Spike Jonze movie adaptation of the most excellent kids book by Maurice Sendak]. My kids would love me to bits for a bit of new, cool music for their ears.
2) I would strongly recommend the new DVD/CD by They might be Giants called 'Here Comes Science' which is a 10/10 in our house. Even DH is into it.
1) I would buy Llama Llama Red Pajama and LL Mad at Mama for the kids or an NCLEX exam prep book/cd for nursing school for me.
2)I recommend anyone with toddlers read (or buy) the Llama Llama books, they're rhyme-y and funny and perfect for 3-4 yr olds. But incidentally I never bought a copy for our house so we only read them at Grandma's.
My current favorite author is Lisa Gardner....I'd buy one of her books.
Cindy
I'm on a new book buying moratorium this year, so free $$ - wow! I'm just finishing Karen Armstrong's The Spiral Staircase and now I want to read her backstock. The Case for God looks particularly interesting.
For others? Jasper Fforde's Thursday next series. Laugh out loud funny.
@Christa: On B & N's eville-ness: I think that some people have a policy of buying books only from independent bookstores and avoiding chains.
I would give it to my 7 year old son, He's recently started reading ALL OF THE TIME (yea!) for pleasure. I would let him go to B and N online and choose his own books.
This is the easiest question! Okay, I would buy my favorite childrens book, "The true story of the 3 little pigs" So that I could share it with my 5 year old daughter. When she hears a good story her eyes light up and you can just see her imagination running wild.
Thanks for the giveaway! V. generous of you.
I would buy a copy of Ruth Reichl's Tender at the Bone to replace the copy I loaned to a friend. I loved that book and miss it at least a couple times a month. I'd also get Hester a book as well...maybe a kids' cookbook as she's really into "recipe books" these days.
If I win, I am going to save the giftcard until late April when I can use it for all the Starbucks coffee it will buy! :)
I would probably use it to buy a copy of the quilting book I keep checking out of the library.
My husband has been laid off for almost year, so I would use this for Christmas gifts for our 3 children.
Thanks,
Mel
mkjacquot@gmail.com
i do ordinarily avoid B&N, although i worked there during grad school b/c the teeny tiny independent bookseller in town couldn't hire me...BUT i got 40% off my textbooks at B&N, and gave my discount away to everyone i could. :)
i'd but "the not-so-big house" and "western gardening book" (if there was enough to get both). i bought a not-so-big house (710 sq ft of living space) about a year ago and i have really enjoyed what i have read of that book. and guy who has a masters and part of a phd in gardening (essentially; the actual program has a long-tailed name) recommended that as i try to wrangle my yard and turn it into a native-plants and minimal-mowing/upkeep zone.
other people should buy jasper fforde books. either the Thursday Next series or Nursery Crimes series. they are delightfully british.
:) liz the PT (i'll check your blog and contact you if i win. but never win, so i doubt this will be an issue. why am i commenting if i truly believe i won't win? because I LOVE BOOKS!)
Manly and I use B&N as our mini-date spot, so it would go towards one grande latte (no foam), one medium mocha with whipped cream, one regular coffee cake, and probably a cooking or car-oriented magazine. Unless of course, the Man has finished his latest Star Wars saga and we have to buy the next one in the series, because I turn to absolute mush when he looks at me with big sad eyes and asks if I will buy him "a book." Because I'm a sucker and he knows it.
My 10 year old son is completely enthralled with the Warrior series by Erin Hunter. It's about cats who live in the wild, and he reads them over and over. He says he wishes he could be a cat. I would let him buy as many of the books as he could.
I would use it to buy touch and feel books for my son. Since I doubt they actually have any braille books for children. But if they did have some I would buy him those. I would hope whoever gets it uses it to get something that makes them or someone they love happy. :D
I would buy books telling me how to find an agent that would publish my YA novel.
I'd give it to my daughter for her stocking for Christmas. She's 14 and loves books.
I just finished the latest S.M. Stirling in paperback-it would be nice to buy the newest one in hardcover. And I'm dying to read it. :)
I'd give the gift card to my kid's Early Intervention program, they got shafted by the governator and are trying to do their usual fantastic jobs on 75% the money (and retroactive to February, to boot). As educators, they would certainly put it to good use. It's sad when your kid's classroom has a little "If you know anyone who would like to support our program, we sure could use it" paper on the wall with envelopes to enclose a check.
If someone else gets it? Well, I'm sure that any reader of yours could use that gift card on any number of fabulous tomes; I suspect your readers are fabulously literate. Even if they do read bodice-rippers ; )
Ella Kazoo Will Not Brush Her Hair, which a firm favourite with our 2yo and us. We've borrowed it from the library to an extent that is perhaps somewhat unfair to other patrons.
Also, Kate Inglis' forthcoming book The Dread Crew.
If I could make it past the stack of beautiful new journal notebooks (a weakness), I would probably just close my eyes and point at something on my reading list, and then buy that one. Or maybe a book on Photoshop, since I have it on my computer, but I have absolutely no idea how to use it.
Cool! I will read the other comments to get ideas for books.
My answers:
1) A kids book about donor eggs - probably the one with the elephants
2) Anything by Iain M. Banks (sci fi) or Christopher Moore. I think Excession is the best from the former and Lamb by the latter.
I would get the book, "How to take really cool pictures like Niobe" but I don't think it has been published yet. Actually, I don't think it would do me much good anyway. I am hopeless.
I would give send it to a blog friend whose many year relationship has dissolved days after her IVF twins turned two. She in now facing starting over in a foreign country without the support of family.
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