I won a Goodreads Giveaway...Share with the Group

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Congrats, Katherine. O'Keefe is originally from my area (Madison), so as a kid it seemed like you were bombarded with her work eveywhere you went--including the local Burger King (really, not kidding!). The Mitchell Park "Domes" in Milwaukee had an exhibit of her work interspersed with desert flora a few years back that was quite well done.

[Katherine]

yes, and she spent an incredible amount of time in my area--NYC and Lake George. I haven't gotten to Taos yet since we tend to travel in the winter but I'm going to get there someday! They were odd ducks the two of them--but such talent. My friend only knew her flower paintings--I introduced her to some of the earlier work and to her NM paintings, which are my favorites.

I wouldn't mind being surrounded by those--even in BK--LOL

[Melodie]

Katherine wrote: "yes, and she spent an incredible amount of time in my area--NYC and Lake George. I haven't gotten to Taos yet since we tend to travel in the winter but I'm going to get there someday! They were od..."

Taos is beautiful. Pretty much "just down the road" for us, so we go every now & again.

[Sandie]

Hooray. I won Before I go To Sleep....and the book, too, looks like a real winner

[Karen B.]

Congratulations Katherine. I had put in for that but am so glad you got it instead! Sandie is the title
Before I Go To Sleep. I wasn't sure if you were a night shift person gettng ready for bed or if that was the title. Anyway, big big congrats. I think it's this list. Really, because we are all so active on it

[Karen B.]

I just had an idea for this list, if anyone sees me post a title that I've won and it's something you had really wanted to win, post a note and let me know, and I can mail you the copy when I am finished. It's not quite the same as a swap, but the way I see it is if I got the book for free, I can afford the postage to pass it on.
I try a lot of different giveaways so my taste is varied and there have only been a few that I've said "Darn,I was hoping to win that." So feel free to ask.
If anyone else feels the same, if you want to do it, it would be nice. But no one needs to be obligated. Maybe you received one that you promised to pass on to a friend or maybe you want to keep for yourself.

Just a suggestion. I will go back at a later time and list the titles that I have finished reading that I still have and also the ones I have won.

[Melodie]

Karen B wrote: "I just had an idea for this list, if anyone sees me post a title that I've won and it's something you had really wanted to win, post a note and let me know, and I can mail you the copy when I am fi..."

That sounds interesting. I've only won 2 and haven't gotten the 2nd one yet!

[Karen B.]

Here is a list of my first reads wins (Keep in mind I do enter a lot of giveaways *LOL*)
A Pug's Tale
Among the Missing
Killed at the Whim of a Hat
The little book of gratitude quotes (not willing to give that one away.)
The Old Man and The Swamp
A Thousand Beauties
AWOL (Acting With Out Love) Christians
When Sparrows Fall
The Devil’s Light
One Dog Night

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

A great idea, Karen! I have passed a couple on to friends or family, but will be sure to list any I don't here in future.

[Melodie]

Karen B wrote: "Here is a list of my first reads wins (Keep in mind I do enter a lot of giveaways *LOL*)
A Pug's Tale
Among the Missing
Killed at the Whim of a Hat
The little book of gratitude quotes (not wi..."

Have you gotten your copy of ONE DOG NIGHT yet? I won a copy of it, but haven't gotten it yet.

[Sherry]

Karen B wrote: "Here is a list of my first reads wins (Keep in mind I do enter a lot of giveaways *LOL*)
A Pug's Tale
Among the Missing
Killed at the Whim of a Hat
The little book of gratitude quotes (not wi..."

Karen: If you're willing to give away "A Pug's Tale," I would like to read it. Everyone who has commented on it has said how cute a story it is. If you'd like to send it to me, contact me and I'll give you my mailing address. I think your generosity is great, and should be copied by many!

Sherry

[Katherine]

Karen B wrote: "Here is a list of my first reads wins (Keep in mind I do enter a lot of giveaways *LOL*)
A Pug's Tale
Among the Missing
Killed at the Whim of a Hat
The little book of gratitude quotes (not wi..."

Hi Karen--Either or both The Devil's Light sounds interesting as does One Dog Night--don't want to be greedy. Of the two, One Dog Night sounds more different than what I've been reading and lighter so that would be my first choice. I, too, have a couple of books to list and will put them on a different post.

[Karen B.]

I am glad to know it's not just me. I have books sent to my husband's house, because if he is not home the mail person leaves it on the porch. Sometimes if I have a package my own mailperson doesn't even knock. Just leaves a note so I have to go in town to the Post Office to pick it up. He is not our regular one. The regular one is nice. I am going over to x's to fix his computer if I can and if I'm not too tired I'll email you if it was in the set of books he got for me today.

Actually I was getting annoyed because the other ones came quickly and I think that was the second one I ordered and one I was looking forward to reading.

Karen

[Karen B.]

Heather,
Yes, One Dog Night was in today's mail. I am in NJ. Where are you?

[Karen B.]

Hi Sherry, sorry I didn't see your message earlier.

A Pug's Tale is yours. send me email at raggedy11@hotmail.com I won't be able to mail it right away though.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

KarenB: That was actually Katherine who was interested in One Dog Night. ; )

[Karen B.]

No ... I meant to address Melodie who had asked if I had receive mine yet. *LOL* Thanks Heather. Don't know how I got it under your name. We'll blame it on being tired and getting older.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Being tired works for me, LOL. Also bound to happen when a thread gets as active as this one has been of late.

[Katherine]

Hi all, I think Karen B's idea is a good one so I, too , have two giveaways I won to pass on:

The China-Africa Parallax

The Social Climber's Handbook

You may have any or all--just whomever gets to me first with a request will get the book(s).

[Melodie]

Karen B wrote: "Heather,
Yes, One Dog Night was in today's mail. I am in NJ. Where are you?"

My copy hasn't gotten here yet. I'm in CO, so guess it's taking a few days longer.

[Britney]

I started entering the giveaways about a month ago and have already won 2 books. The first book I won is The Coffee Shop Chronicles of New Orleans - Part 1 which I am currently reading. The just one a second one and am just waiting for the book to arrive.

[Melodie]

Melodie wrote: "Karen B wrote: "Heather,
Yes, One Dog Night was in today's mail. I am in NJ. Where are you?"

My copy hasn't gotten here yet. I'm in CO, so guess it's taking a few days longer."

ONE DOG NIGHT arrived yesterday. Have to finish up the other 2 I'm reading and then plan to read it!

[Candice]

I won one book, The Suicide Effect by L.J. Sellers. Tried as I might, I could not get into it. I started and stopped three times before re-shelving it.

I feel terrible, because I won it, and it came with a bookmark and a note from the author, but I just can't get into it. It's bogged down by back story and I grew frustrated waiting for something to actually happen.

I thought about putting it up for a swap, but I feel bad because it was a gift. I feel like I owe it to the author who was kind enough to gift it to me to actually finish reading it before I hand it off. Anyone else have this bizarre gift guilt? Hahaha

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/94...

[Karen B.]

Candice,
Yes I get the guilt feeling too. I am starting to alternate between the goodread wins and books I have actually selected myself. So far though two of my goodreads giveaway wins started out with a "not sure if I want to finish this" to discovering it was a great book. To me, my goodread giveaway wins are the discipline I need. They are the books I force myself to read, but some of them, only maybe 10 pages at a time. I got spoiled as my first win was A Pug's Tale and I loved it!

[Sue]

I just found out I won Never Knowing. It looks really good.

[Karen B.]

congratulations Sue. When you have written a review will you let the group know please.

[Karen B.]

Well I finally wrote the review for the book I didn't like. That's the hardest thing I have to do since going on Goodreads. But I am thinking, if someone doesn't want criticism then don't list it as a giveaway. My biggest problem with it was that I believe the author self-edited and it really needed a professional editor.

[Katherine]

Just got notice that I won Al Capone: Chicago's King of Crime

[Sherry]

I received notice this morning that I won . It's a historical mystery, and is said to be based on the actual theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911. It sounds like a good book; I'll let you know what I think after I read it.

[Katherine]

Congratulations, Sherry--I put in for that Mona Lisa one--let me know what you think of it--that may be one I'll actually buy. The Mona Lisa came to NYC when I was in High School. The put it on a small stand and allowed people to walk by in single file and look--had to keep moving there were so many to see it. I was shocked at how small a painting it is! Saw it again at the Louvre many years later and was able to actually linger--still shocked at its size and have always wondered why out of so many paintings it has gotten such a rep and is worth so much more than others. Maybe the book will explains that.

[Sherry]

Katherine wrote: "Congratulations, Sherry--I put in for that Mona Lisa one--let me know what you think of it--that may be one I'll actually buy. The Mona Lisa came to NYC when I was in High School. The put it on a s..."

Katherine - Of course, it will be quite a while before the book arrives, I'm sure, but when you see me post "this is what I thought of this book," if you remind me, I'll send it along to you. I think Karen B's idea is a great one - to pass along books we win to each other, or to libraries, retirement or nursing homes, etc. I am at the age in life where I am trying to pare down my belongings, rather than add to them, and that includes books!

[Karen B.]

Katherine and Sherry congratulations. I looked at the Al Capone one but decided not to go for it. The one about Mona Lisa was one I entered too.

[Karen B.]

I have a question sort of. I recently read a first reads win that I just didn't like for a lot of reasons. Does anyone else find it difficult to review books that you don't like? I feel like I am slapping the author in the face. I think I kind of mellowed by adding that with professional editing I think it might be good, something like that. It was self-edited and that's what bothered me the most. It almost seemed that the author didn't think it needed professional editing.

[Karen B.]

Also Katherine, are you the one who had mentioned you hadn't won any goodreads recently?

[Sherry]

Karen B wrote: "Katherine and Sherry congratulations. I looked at the Al Capone one but decided not to go for it. The one about Mona Lisa was one I entered too."

Karen, maybe after Katherine reads the Mona Lisa book, she'll send it on to you!

And as for reviewing books you don't like, I agree that it's difficult, but if you approach it from a "constructive criticism" angle, it can really be helpful. You wouldn't tell a friend "That dress / hairstyle / color looks great on you" if it didn't. You'd say, "Well, if the skirt was a little longer / if it was a little less curly / if the color wasn't quite so bright...." so she'd end up with a good look. Hopefully, your suggestions can help this author end up with a good book.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Congrats Sherry and Katherine. Like Katherine and Karen, I also entered for Stealing Mona Lisa and did not win. It sounds really good, and have I mentioned that I've actually stitched The Mona Lisa? Do let us know what you think of the book when you get it!

[Karen B.]

Sherry,
No actually it's not one I would want her to pass on. Just in mentioning. Especially considering that Heather actually stitched the Mona Lisa. Thanks for the encouragement about saying what would really help. I wish the book wasn't about faith/religion because so much is just opinion. There is no plot. I was just uncomfortable writing it but am glad that I have it done.

[Nancy]

I won the ebook version of Voice Mail Murder. Will start it when I am done with the book I am currently reading. I am not a very good writer but will give a review when done.

[Karen B.]

Who wrote Voice Mail Murder?

[Karen M]

Kari wrote: "I won a book a year ago and have still not finished it or reviewed it. Probably why I have not won one since. The Plot of the book is good but the editing or lack of editing drives me up the wall. ..."

Just be honest but tactful. I've read one book that I wasn't very happy with but I pointed out what I didn't like and finished up with what I did like. Of course, if the book is totally bad I'm not sure how I would do a review.

[Katherine]

WooHoo---Won The Eighty Dollar Champion by Margaret Letts on LT!

[Sue]

Karen B wrote: "congratulations Sue. When you have written a review will you let the group know please."

I will, Karen.

[Karen B.]

woo hoo Katherine. good going girl. I told you, it's the magic of this list that we win.

[Catherine]

I finally finished one of the first reads win I had One of Our Thursdays Is Missing . It's taken me a while to read this book. I've been busy, yes, but I also had a more difficult time getting into the novel. Tonight I partly figured out why; I just hadn't connected with the main character in any way. I'm going to write my review tomorrow when I've had time to digest the novel and work out my thoughts and feelings. I'm just not sure what I like or dislike yet.

[Karen M]

Won A Young Wife today.

[Karen B.]

oooh you go other Karen. I am curious everyone who is winning, do you find that you win shortly after posting a review? On another list someone mentioned that as soon as she learns she wins something, she immediately posts a review of how much she is looking forward to reading it and will update the review, and she wins one almost every other day. Also I received a note from an author about a book that I don't remembering trying to win, but in his note he told me to be sure to add it to my to-read pile and I would have a greater chance of winning. *thinking ...very interesting*

Oh I won a book today Rasing Stony Mayhall by Daryl Gregory.

I am really getting into the one I am currently reading A Thousand Beauties.

[Karen M]

LOL Shall we re-start the rumor that the GoodReads computer is stuck on "K" again!

[Nancy]

Patricia Rockwell is the author of Voice Mail Murder.

Sorry I forgot to put that in my post.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

It needs to get off K and back to the letter H. Just my opinion... ;-)

[Katherine]

Well, Heather L, I'm sorry to say, it is still on K! (A poet,she don't know it, her feet show it, they'relongfellows!)

I just got notice that I won a copy of Black Monday: A Stan Turner Mystery
by William Manchee

I must say though that I have won about six or seven books in the last month from various places--three from LT--at least two from Goodreads and another giveaway in another location--and so far I've not received a one! I'm thinking the members' giveaways on LT should not be counted on.