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.