Really Random Tuesday #26: Tips on How to Win a Book, and the Winner of "The Mom Book"

If I can do it, so can you! In yesterday's post I mentioned all the books--and a pair of earrings--that I've won online recently. I didn't mean to brag about my winnings, and I hope I wasn't too obnoxious. I was actually trying to encourage other people to try to win books online. It's fun to win something, and books are no exception to the rule. There are always numerous book giveaways online (including many that I post in my sidebar), and it really isn't terribly difficult to win a book. It's even easier if you have a blog, or an account on Facebook or Twitter. To maximize your chances of winning, there are a few simple "tricks" you should know about. (Experienced book bloggers may want to skip the next paragraph.)

Many book bloggers host book giveaways. There are also sites dedicated solely to book giveaways, such as one of my favorites, West of Mars - Win a Book!. Once you've found the giveaways that interest you, pay close attention to the rules. Often you will get extra chances at winning a particular book by posting about a giveaway on--you guessed it--your own blog, Facebook, or Twitter account. Helping to spread the word on a social network will often give you an extra shot at winning, which is only fair as you will also increase the competition for the book. If you become a Follower of a blog, you may also earn an extra chance. Be sure to mention the fact that you're already a Follower if the post asks you to do so (a bit of diligence pays off here). If the post has any sort of bonus question you may opt to answer that for an additional chance as well. Each book giveaway is different, so be sure to read carefully and follow the rules.

Please congratulate Laura from Laura's Reviews, the winner of Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps, edited by Dave Isay. Although she was chosen randomly, Laura earned extra chances in this giveaway because she mentioned that she's a Follower, and answered the bonus question. I think Laura will really enjoy this book. I know I did.

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Really Random Tuesday is a way to post odds and ends--announcements, musings, quotes, photos--any blogging and book-related things you can think of. If you're inspired by this idea, feel free to copy the button and use it on your own blog. Please leave a link in the comments if you’re participating and I'll add it to this post.

For other recent Really Random Tuesday posts, please visit Naida's blog, the bookworm, Avis' blog, she reads and reads, and Vivienne's blog, Serendipity.

Thanks for reading. Your comments are always welcomed.

Mailbox Monday: Feeling Fortunate

You win some, you lose some. Lately, it's been "you win some" for me with regard to books, and it's hard to keep track of them all (this blog helps). I've been feeling very fortunate, book-wise.



I won the book The Paris Wife by Paula McClain on one of Laurel-Rain's blogs, Creations by Laurel-Rain Snow. I also found out that I won two other books, Star Gazing by Linda Gillard on Carol's blog, Dizzy C's Little Book Blog, and a "mystery" novel by Georgette Heyer on Laura's Reviews; these wins are quite recent and I haven't received the books yet.



On Natalie's blog, Pioneer Writer, I won the gorgeous turquoise tiger eye earrings more easily seen in the close-up picture above (photo from Natalie's blog) than in my first photo. Natalie made these earrings! They are quite stunning. She's very talented and has her own Etsy shop. I also "won" two books from authors, Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda, and Perfectly Untraditional, the first novel by writer Sweta Srivastava Vikram. Last but certainly not least, I received A Game of Character by Craig Robinson (Michelle Obama' s older brother!) from TLC for a June book tour. I didn't win this book, although it kind of feels like I did.

Catch some of this book luck and enter my giveaway for Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps, edited by Dave Isay, if you haven't already done so (I will announce the winner tomorrow in a Really Random Tuesday post), or enter one of the other giveaways posted on the right side of my blog.

During the month of May, MariReads is hosting Mailbox Monday, a meme created by Marcia from The Printed Page (now called A girl and her books). What new books have you recently added to your shelves?