My 100th Post Giveaway!
My 100th post!!! Wow, time flies when you are having fun! I have been blogging for just a short six months and when I started I thought one post a week should just about cover it but then I discovered such a great community of book lovers that I dived right it. A very special thank you to everybody who has welcomed me and as a result made my TBR list so big that I am actually stressing over the amount of books I haven’t read yet! I have discovered so many wonderful books that I honestly believe I wouldn’t have discovered if it weren’t for you.
To celebrate I’m having a giveaway! To tell you the truth I’ve been thinking about this for weeks just waiting for my 100th post to roll around. I’m so excited! I have this awful habit of buying books I already own, for example if I find a secondhand hardback of a book I already own I’ll switch it out with the paperback. And when I see like new condition books secondhand that I love I can’t help but buy them so I can pass them along. Something about leaving them behind makes me sad. So naturally I have a lot of books that I’d like to pass on to you.
Here’s the rules:
- Anybody may participate; bloggers, friends, neighbors, cafemom-ers, lurkers, my BookWise preferred customers, family members, etc.
- To enter just leave comments on any posts that I’ve written or will write. Easy enough! Basically, I just want to say thank you for doing what you already do!
- For every comment that you leave you’re name will be entered into the giveaway once. Leave 1 comment, you’ll be entered once. Leave 5 comments, you’ll be entered 5 times. Leave 10 . . . well you get the picture.
- Here’s what I think is so fun! If you have a blog and mention the giveaway you can double your entries! Yes, I said double!! But what if you don’t have a blog? You can double your entries by emailing at least 5 of your friends about the giveaway (just cc me so I know you did it: natasha(at)mawbooks(dot)com). So if you leave 1 comment, you’ll now get two entries. Leave 5 comments, you’ll now get ten entries. Leave 10 comments, you’ll get TWENTY entries! I’m so excited!
- If you just say, “nice post” I won’t count it. Sorry. If I’m going to take the time and money to mail you some free books, the least you can do is put some thought into it. And I delete all spam. So don’t even think about it.
- And another note, I’ve realized that I just can’t afford to send books out of the country all the time. So this one will just be open to those within the U.S. My deepest apologizes, you know who you are and I’m crying a river of tears for you. Don’t let that stop you from comment dropping though.
There will be TEN winners! Yes, TEN! Each winner gets to pick TWO books of their choice from my stack of books. So your odds are pretty good. I will put up the list of what books I have available in the next couple of days. Trust me, there will be some ones that you’ll want.
So when does it end? My in-laws are currently in town for the next week. Since they are sleeping in the computer room, I’ve found it hard to stay up until 1 or 2 in the morning writing my posts. Because I’ll be otherwise preoccupied I will not draw names until after they have left. So let’s see . . . the cut off date for entries will be April 30th at midnight and I’ll draw names on Thursday, May1st. That should give you and I plenty of time.
A note about navigation: If you click on reading list in the top bar you’ll see, well, obviously my reading list. If you click on a book that I have read, it will give you the post corresponding to that book. Easy enough to see all the book reviews. Or navigate through the calender or by category. I hate my categories. I created them before I knew what I was doing and I haven’t had the time to redo them and reassign all my posts. So just don’t laugh at me when nothing makes sense. Also, when you leave a comment don’t forget to subscribe to the follow-up comments. That way if you get a conversation going, you won’t have to be coming back all the time to see what’s new.
A good place to start is here. I wrote this when I first started blogging and before I had a readership, so I’d love to hear what you think. If you have some great parenting stories you can go here. And this is the book that I think EVERYBODY should read this year and this one is a very, very close second. I also have very close thirds, fourths, etc. It’s been a very good reading year thus far. This is something I was very proud of doing and I’ll be doing not one, but two this Christmas! And this was one of my life-goals that I accomplished. Also, keep on the lookout for new posts over the next couple of weeks.
So I hope that it’s a lot of fun. I just wanted to celebrate and say thank you for making it a great six months and a great 100 posts! It’s been a pleasure!
And yes, I’ve realized that I can’t keep upping (is that a word? Did I spell that right?) the bar on my contests otherwise I’ll never be able to up myself.
I LOVE your rules. Especially the part about extra entries for posting or emailing friends. THAT is brilliant. I was trying for something similar a while ago, but I obviously fell short of the genius you achieved. No, I’m not trying to suck up. I’m just keepin’ it real.
on April 16th, 2008 at 11:30 pmCongratulations on 100 POSTS! And . . . WOW! This is quite a Celebration Giveaway! You have done an incredible amount of work on your blog in only 6 months. I’m impressed! Keep up the great work and most importantly - Happy Reading!
Question: When will you start counting comments?
on April 17th, 2008 at 4:56 amWhat a great contest and a brilliant way to get comments! Love it!
on April 17th, 2008 at 5:59 amAlas. As your expensive Canadian friend, I am exempt from the contest, but das ok. You are still great, and this is still a great contest. Brilliant ideas!
on April 17th, 2008 at 8:10 amCongratulations Natasha! What a great giveaway! I remember getting to my 100th post and I was nowhere near as organized as you are at that point! I’m still not, lol. Hope to see many hundreds more from you
on April 17th, 2008 at 1:05 pmTrish - Hey, I’m all for sucking up!
Joy - Starts now! You’ve already got a couple entries in the pot.
SmallWorld - Thanks, I’ve been lying awake thinking about this since about post 75.
Raych - Ah, maybe next time when it’s just one book. Your books are one the way! Took me a bit longer to mail than I hoped because I wanted to go to the post office without kids so I waited a few days for the in-laws to arrive. And then I get there and I’m 1.5 oz over the weight where the price just skyrockets to this astronomical sum. So they tell me to go home and repackage it into something different. Which I did. Not complaining, you’re worth it! I just can’t ship out of the country every contest or else I’ll soon be broke!
on April 17th, 2008 at 1:07 pmJust stopping by to say Hi
on April 17th, 2008 at 3:45 pmCongrats on your 100th post!
Congrats on 100 posts!
on April 17th, 2008 at 6:31 pmCongratulations on your 100th post. I don’t keep count of my posts so I have no idea how many I’ve made or when I passed 100. LOL.
I have blogged about your contest and I’ve Stumbled your 100th post contest.
Happy blogging.
on April 17th, 2008 at 8:22 pmHa ha–What about the posts that we’ve already commented on? I notice my name is still #1 (although there are a few other Trishs, so I’m not sure how that figures in).
And, even though it is checked for me to receive the followup comments, I NEVER do???
Anyway, congrats on 100 posts!
on April 18th, 2008 at 6:07 pmWow, I wish I had as much money as you to spend on books.
I posted a link to your contest in my “blog” at livejournal to double my entries.
on April 18th, 2008 at 7:14 pmHmm . . . Trish. I show that you are subscribed to 15 of my posts. Odd, perhaps check your spam folder, see if they’re getting caught. Is anybody else having this problem? If so, I need to fix it. Anyways, I’m counting entries from April 16th - 30th.
Pussreboots - You are my new best friend for stumbling my post. Now I know what everybody means with the traffic surge by getting stumbled. Thanks!
Kathy - I do buy a lot of books secondhand in addition to at least one new one every month (as part of my BookWise benefits). I don’t feel quite so guilty when I can buy 10 books for $10-$15.
Bunny and Steph - Thanks!
on April 18th, 2008 at 11:01 pmNope, not in junk mail.
I don’t have this problem with blogger, so I’m not sure what the difference is.
on April 19th, 2008 at 6:32 amAwesome contest!! 100 posts, woo hoo! It makes me wonder how many posts I”ve had. I’ve never paid attention to that. Good luck, everybody (in America! Too bad for you, raych!)
on April 19th, 2008 at 9:24 pmNatasha, congratulations on your 100th post! *hug* How was your weekend? :o)
on April 20th, 2008 at 4:50 am[…] Free Books I’ve been getting a fair number of free books lately, between ReaderViews, J Scott Savage’s blog tour (he has more spots available for bloggers!), and a string of luck in the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program. Well, now you can get free books too! Maw Books (whose name I LOVE) is giving away 20 free books to a total of 10 people. All you have to do to be entered is comment on her blog, which you should check out anyway, because it is great. See the post about the contest here. […]
on April 22nd, 2008 at 7:27 amCongrats on 100 posts! That’s so generous of you to be giving away free books
You’ve inspired me to give some of mine away too when I hit that milestone (although it won’t be for awhile!).
on April 22nd, 2008 at 12:32 pmIf you just say, “nice post” I won’t count it. Sorry. If I’m going to take the time and money to mail you some free books, the least you can do is put some thought into it.
I am so glad you said this so firmly! When I get comments like “nice post, check out my blog” I don’t even click their link. I don’t think they even read the post, just went around spamming whatever blogs they could find. That is not a way to build blogging relationships!
on April 22nd, 2008 at 2:02 pmTrish - I’ll look into this and try to figure out what the problem is. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
LisaMM - Thanks! 100 posts just snuck up on me so fast. One day I looked and I was already at about 80. I had no idea how that happened. It doesn’t feel like I write very much. I don’t know how some people put up 3-4 posts a day, I can’t do it.
Tarie - Ah, thanks! You make me feel all warm inside. My weekend was great. My in-laws from California were in town for the week. My father-in-law put in a sprinkler system in the backyard for us and my mother-in-law played with the kids. We went out to eat for wonton noodle soup not once but twice (yummy!!), watched movies, and since we had free babysitters I went on a nice date with the hubbie.
Kathleen - You’ll get there faster than you think. Giveaways are fun, it brings the lurkers out which for me is really nice to see.
Dew - I did a giveaway before and was so irritated when they did this. Drove me crazy! I also dislike it when a blogger doesn’t respond to the review, they just say hey look at mine. It’s a two way street.
I’ve been very fortunate to have the book blogging community welcome me with open arms. I’m sure I’ve made a few mistakes along the way, but it’s been so much fun I wonder why I haven’t been doing this for years.
on April 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 pmCongrats on your 100th post!!
on April 22nd, 2008 at 7:39 pmCongratulations! I put up a post about your giveaway so I might send a few more readers your way but I can’t claim nearly as many readers as you can. You’ve done such a great job in just 6 months. It’s very impressive.
on April 22nd, 2008 at 8:53 pm[…] Mention the contest on your blog or via email you can double those entries. See all the details on how to enter here. There will be TEN winners who will each get to pick TWO books! So I’d say the odds are in […]
on April 22nd, 2008 at 10:36 pmAw, I just love all these giveaways! I almost always check my books out from the library, but as soon as I get a couple of good books I think I’ll hold a giveaway too. So fun!
on April 22nd, 2008 at 10:40 pm3M - Thanks! And welcome back from your trip!
Kim - Thanks for posting. Your entries will be doubled so keep them coming!
on April 22nd, 2008 at 10:43 pmwow you love to read! i love to read also. i have like over 100 books in storage at my moms.. she is telling me to tak them. but thats plus the books that i have in my house that my hubby wants me to get rid of. im thinking that i should do something liek this.. ohh i cant forget congrats on ur 100th post!
on April 23rd, 2008 at 9:43 amI love that you are doing this! I have such a love of books, my parents practically own their own library, and I am working on my own. you remind me of my sister, she buys pretty much every book in sight, and just can’t help it. Have you ever seen Gilmore girls, you also remind me or Rory, who buys books even when she has like no money. ANyways, this sounds like fun!
on April 23rd, 2008 at 10:02 am[…] Books Blog is giving away 100 books. All you have to do is comment on her site to […]
on April 23rd, 2008 at 10:31 amI love your book list. It’s given me lots of books to add to my to-read list. Unfortunately I’ve had to stop buying books. I’ve filled all our bookcases. I’ll make room for a few new ones though, if I win!
on April 23rd, 2008 at 1:09 pmwow, you have like the awesomest giveaway. My brain hurts at the thought of that much organization. I’m impressed! Anyhow, that’s cool that you hit 100 posts around the same time as me.
on April 23rd, 2008 at 5:59 pmKim - Okay, you’ve totally inspired me with your giveaway. I didn’t know what to do about the out of the country shipping and you’ve solved that problem with a gift card. Hmm . . . I wish I had thought of that. But the gift card is still the same price as shipping, so still not sure how to make it cost effective. In my case since I’ve got ten winners I can’t take my chances this time around or else I’ll be broke! Maybe next time.
on April 23rd, 2008 at 7:57 pmMelinda - Many thanks!
Adelina - I love owning books. Just looking at books in my own home gives me this type of joy that I just can’t explain. I haven’t seen Gilmore Girls before. Everybody seems to like it though.
Jennifer - Good luck! The more comments you make, the more entries you get, so don’t be shy!
on April 23rd, 2008 at 7:59 pmThat’s awesome that you have reached your 100th post! I have been debating over the past month on whether or not to start a blog… and after seeing your’s I think I am inspired to do so and especiall include a section about books I have read. Even if it is just to help me remember thoughts on those that I have read.
I totally share your thoughts on that books just bring a certain sense of joy that is unmatchable. I would love to own a home one day that has a library similar to that of Beauty and the Beast… you would probably agree
on April 24th, 2008 at 6:53 amI’ll share your contest on my livejournal page… I’m even setting it to read ALL, not just friends Thanks for throwing the contest!!
on April 24th, 2008 at 11:37 amI’m having a blast looking over your list and adding to my TBR list!
on April 25th, 2008 at 11:51 amCongratulations. Here’s a link to my post about your great giveaway:
on April 26th, 2008 at 10:17 amhttp://framedandbooked.blogspot.com/2008/04/book-giveaway.html
I’ve posted about your fabulous celebration giveaway at A Reader’s Journal. You really did come up with some fun ideas for this. I’m impressed and will probably stealing for future drawings on my blog.
on April 26th, 2008 at 2:58 pmWow, what a great giveaway! I totally missed my 100th post, my first anniversary, everything of note. I just found your blog through A Reader’s Journal today, so hopefully all the fresh new posts will spur me to comment a LOT so I can win win win!
on April 26th, 2008 at 5:11 pmpardon the double post, I forgot to subscribe to comments!
(also, I am headed over to talk about your giveaway on my blog now!)
on April 26th, 2008 at 5:13 pmCongratulations on your 100th post! I have been meaning to get over to your blog and take a look, but life has been so busy. Very nice! I will add you to my Bloglines list and will check in when you post. Thanks so much for having a giveaway. All of this is a lot of fun.
I am having my 1st anniversary as a blogger on Monday and will be giving away some books as well. Please stop by if you get a chance!
on April 26th, 2008 at 8:05 pmWhat fun. Great contest idea. I’m going to put up a link when I post my next review tomorrow.
And, I’m going to check out I Am the Messenger, too.
on April 26th, 2008 at 9:48 pmBrittnay - Thanks for stopping by! If you do start a blog, you’ll find the community here amazing. They’ve welcomed me with open arms. It’s been a fun experience. Plus, I’ve found myself actually retaining more information from the books I’ve read.
Julie - Awesome. All the comments that you make on any post between now and the end of the month will be doubled for entries.
Booklogged - Thanks! Steal away. I have to admit that I thought about this one for a long time and hadn’t seen anybody do anything like it. So far it’s been really successful! I couldn’t ask for a better response. Plus, ten winners gives everybody the feeling that I actually have a chance. Keep the comments coming, your entries are doubled now!
Lisa - Thanks for stopping by! I’ve actually been a lurker of your blog for a bit now. I believe I’ve already added many of your reviews to the Book Bloggers Book Review database. If you haven’t checked it out, you’ll have a lot of fun. And your comments are doubled as well!
Kay - Better late then never! Congrats on the one year anniversary. I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for your giveaway.
CB James - Thanks. I’ll watch for your post. I hope you like I Am The Messenger, it was a great read.
on April 26th, 2008 at 10:25 pm[…] book giveaway, but the chances to win are literally endless. For more info just hop over to Maw Books for details, but hurry! This contest ends on April 30th Email me! […]
on April 27th, 2008 at 4:42 amWow.. if you do this for 100 postes what can you do when you hit 1,000 posts?? lol
on April 27th, 2008 at 4:46 amWhat a great sight. I stumbled upon it through another blog and am so glad I found you. Have added you to my blog feeder and look forward to exploring your sight more. Good luck to whoever wins the lucky prize of books, but regardless I will be returning to your site.
on April 27th, 2008 at 4:51 amI posted on my blog and am keeping my fingers and toes crossed as the list is great!
on April 27th, 2008 at 4:59 amI see that RUNNING WITH SCISSORS is on your “Reading Soon” list. I hope, hope, hope you read it next! I just finished it (loved it!) and blogged about it. A line from my blog: “I’m still not sure if this really is an autobiography. Although the main character’s name is the same as the author, there is no way this stuff happened. Is there?”
on April 27th, 2008 at 2:56 pmI hope you like it as much as I did!
EVERYBODY - I seem to have fixed the problem with people not receiving follow-up comments that they’ve subscribed to. Yay! So if you’re getting this than it worked. If you didn’t get this than you wouldn’t be reading it.
Just a reminder that there are three days left in this giveaway. As of right now, there are approx. 95 people entered. So up you chances by leaving comments and if you haven’t mentioned the giveaway on your blog or via email, there’s still time left to double your entries. Good luck!
Deslily - Yes, I may have overdone myself here!
Laura - Thanks, I’m so glad you stopped by!
Tracee - I’ll keep mine crossed for you as well!
Bobbi - Running with Scissors keeps getting pushed back, but I do hope to read it soon!
on April 28th, 2008 at 1:17 pmHi!
What a great contest! Congrats on your 100th post! Can’t wait to see your list of books. Who doesn’t love free books?
on April 28th, 2008 at 1:20 pmHow did I not know about this before! Wow, this is such an amazing contest; it’s very generous of you! Unfortunately I live in little old New Zealand! Oh, well! I find joy in the happiness of others. Seriously. =D I’m gonna post about it on my blog. (It’s really new, and kinda ugly right now- definitely nowhere near as cool as yours!
My blog!
on April 29th, 2008 at 2:54 amI still have my fingers crossed and I reread your list of available books today… I have my eye on a couple!!!
on April 29th, 2008 at 4:57 amhey..congrats on your 100th post.. i have been slogging my way through my blog and can’t wait reach my 100th post..:) and your rules for the book giveaway are quite innovative, i must say.:)
on April 29th, 2008 at 10:15 amDear Natasha,
How my heart aches for discovering the contest only today! Else I would have commented away;) what if I’m not in US? I have relatives and they could have gotten the books for me grin* I’m just tad greedy when it comes to books
That aside, reading your contest post reminds me of our church centenary celebration! yes! it is as exciting and overwhelming as that.
Congrats and may you celebrate many more centenaries
(I’ll keep coming and hopefully I’ll get to participate next time :))
on April 30th, 2008 at 7:51 amLooks like I barely found your blog and giveaway in time, but glad I made it. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
on April 30th, 2008 at 5:29 pmwoah, there a lot of comments on this entry. But for a good reason of course. I probably found this too late but I’m leaving a comment anyway. Good luck to all of you who entered numerous times, and to people like me who will only have entered once.
Great contest!
on April 30th, 2008 at 10:17 pmI’m so new to this blogging stuff that I’ll try anything!! Plus I love to read, but don’t like buying books. I either borrow or head to the library. Who wants to dust books?
on July 19th, 2008 at 8:16 am