Saturday, November 13, 2010

Giveaway and Gift Idea

With each passing day, Christmas is drawing near and near while I feel like Easter was just yesterday.

Does this give you an idea that I’m running behind? If not, let me tell you - I’m behind big time. Work has gotten crazy the last few days so that’s way I’ve been absent from commenting on your blogs and even not around here as much as I would like to be. I appreciate everyone who has stopped by (including those that don’t comment) and all the wonderful support you have given the authors guest blogging. Y’all rock!!

Today’s post is a quick giveaway of a unique book. I mentioned the holidays coming because I think books make wonderful gifts at Christmas, birthdays, and anytime. Kerrie at Mysteries in Paradise recently did a post about ‘Books to give for Christmas.’ Be sure to check out her post.

Now for the giveaway. Thanks to Brianne and the folks at Hachette
Book Group, I have 3 copies of EUPHEMANIA, OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH EUPHEMISMS (ISBN:9780316056564) by Ralph Keyes to giveaway. Guidelines for the giveaway at the end of the post.

A brief synopsis of the book: “How did die become kick the bucket, underwear become unmentionables, and having an affair become hiking the Appalachian trail? Originally used to avoid blasphemy, honor taboos, and make nice, euphemisms have become embedded in the fabric of our language. EUPHEMANIA traces the origins of euphemisms from a tool of the church to a form of gentility to today's instrument of commercial, political, and postmodern doublespeak.

As much social commentary as a book for word lovers, EUPHEMANIA is a lively and thought-provoking look at the power of words and our power over them.


Ralph Keyes is the author of 15 books, including The Courage to Write and I Love It When You Talk Retro. He has written for Esquire, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, GQ, Newsweek, and Harper's. Keyes lives in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he writes, lectures, and is a Trustee of the Antioch Writers' Workshop. His website is http://www.ralphkeyes.com/index/

Here are the guidelines: To enter the giveaway, send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com). Your subject line should read, “Win Euphemania.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. In addition, Hachette is advising winners that they will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title (or one set in the case of grouped giveaways) in the mail. (Winners here have always be great about letting me know if they have already won the book somewhere else so another winner can be selected. However, this announcement is something that has to be passed along from Hachette). And, just so you know, I don’t share the mailing information or use it for any other purpose. I have 3 copies of this 288-page hardcover book to giveaway. Since the release date is Dec. 14, the deadline to enter the giveaway will be 8 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

Tomorrow I hope to have a couple of book reviews to share with you. As always, they will be from different genres, but still good gift items. :) Have a wonderful Saturday, happy reading and I hope to catch up with your blogs this weekend.


13 comments:

  1. A lot of euphemisms are "old wive sayings" and are very valid. But where did they originate?

    Please enter my name in the giveaway.

    pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

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  2. Mason - What a fascinating book! It's really intriguing for someone like me who's a linguist :-). Thanks for offering it for a giveaway. And I know just exactly what you mean about work and life getting crazy. Life has a way of doing that...We're always lucky to have you in the blogosphere no matter how busy you get :-).

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  3. Oh, I'm so getting that book for my husband!

    CD

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  4. I'm with you on time getting away, this year in particular for some reason. Really, August seems like last week, not 3 months ago!

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  5. Charleydog, I'd wondered that myself. Maybe the book tells. I'd be happy to enter you in the giveaway, but you need to send my an e-mail to enter. Check out the guidelines at the end of the post for more details. Thanks for stopping by.

    Margot, I thought you might enjoy a book like this. Thank you for such kind words. I do appreciate everyone in the blogosphere and enjoying visiting.

    Clarissa, hope your husband enjoys the book. Sounds like it would be fun to read.

    Joanne, I thought maybe I was just losing time. Glad to know I'm not lost by myself. :)

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  6. YES, it should be Easter instead of Christmas, where did those months go? Have I been in a coma? Was I visiting another planet? I am trying to start my shopping and yet I'm not getting far.

    T

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  7. Love the sound of this book!! :)

    I can't believe Christmas is sneaking up that fast! I need to start shopping!!

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  8. Sounds like a fun book.

    Christmas creeps up on me. I know it's coming, but I can never think what to give people, so I try to ignore it, then, bam, it's here. I was flabbergasted that on Halloween Day I went to the grocery store and there was a huge crew of sales people taking down everything Halloween and putting up Christmas. Halloween wasn't even over and they were totally skipping Thanksgiving!

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  9. I have most of my gifts bought for Christmas- its the ones I'm hand making that I'm behind on...sighs. good luck!

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  10. What an interesting book. It would be neat to learn where some of the euphemisms originated from.

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  11. I know it's not possible, but it sure seems like time is speeding up. How can it be almost Thanksgiving? Usually, I'm done with all my gift shopping by now. Not this year, sigh.

    Thank goodness books make such perfect gifts. This one sounds very intriguing.

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  12. Hi Mason .. I love these kind of books .. just not in the right part of the world ..

    So thanks for letting me know about a new one - it will certainly be an interesting read for whoever wins .. lucky them!

    Hope your week calms down a little - Hilary

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  13. That's funny - several people, including myself, blogged on the topic of Christmas shopping anxiety this weekend. Must be that time of year.

    I'll e-mail for the giveaway. That looks like a great book.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's post. Thanks for dropping by.