Thursday, November 1, 2012

Book and Audiobook Giveaway: A Grown Up Kind of Pretty

Joshilyn Jackson's novel, A Grown Up Kind of Pretty, has been nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in the category Best Fiction. I really, really want it to win. Let me tell you about this book, A Grown Up Kind of Pretty:

The novel is about three women, told in three voices. Big is 45, a tough nut, smartassed and sarcastic but soft in the center. She's subverted her entire personal life to the care of her daughter, Liza, who is 30 and has had a debilitating stroke. The third character is Liza's daughter, Mosey. She's 15 and a typical teenager: texting, skipping school, and obsessively peeing on pregnancy sticks in the woods to make sure, sure, sure that she's not, like the two previous generations of Slocumb women, pregnant at 15. That's the set-up... now add some baby bones in the backyard -- and you've got a novel on fire with plot, rich with characters, and resonating with meaning.

It's as readable as the best women's fiction, at times funny and at times sad, and I swear to you that you could proudly stand the sections written in stroked-out Liza's point of view up against the best literary fiction produced this year. I mean, it's just fantastic. There is a moment in this book where I had to stop reading and just sit there thinking, oh my god, this is what motherhood is. This is what it means to be a mother.

Also Joshilyn is a good, good, good friend. And a funny blogger. And she's kind of crazy. Which I respect.

So the book has been nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in the Best Fiction category. Yeah, it's there with Junot Diaz and Barbara Kingsolver and a lot of hard-hitting bestsellers from the year. It's the only work of Southern fiction to make the list -- I think it deserves, so much, to make the finals, I'm telling you. It really does. So I'm hosting a giveaway to support this book.

PRIZES:

1. A hardback copy of A Grown Up Kind of Pretty that you can keep or give away as a present.
2. A signed hardback copy of Shine Shine Shine, my novel, in the hard-to-find UK version, which is orange and interesting and not for sale in the US.
3. An audiobook of Between, Georgia, Joshilyn Jackson's second novel and one of my favorites.
4. An audiobook of Shine Shine Shine, read by Joshilyn Jackson, which got a starred review in PW.


HOW TO ENTER:
1. If you haven't already read this book, go buy it. It just came out in paperback, and I promise you that you will not be disappointed in this novel. Get it at your local indie -- chances are they might have a signed copy.
2. If you have already read it, and love it as I do, please go to this link and vote for it in the Best Fiction category.

Leave a comment saying you did one of these things, and which prize you want. I will pick four different people to win the four different prizes. Good luck! You can also enter on my Facebook page here.

UPDATE: Joshilyn's book has made the finals!!! Thank you so much for voting. I'm going to keep the giveaway open until after Thanksgiving so we can hopefully push this awesome book even farther!

36 comments:

  1. Ooooh, great contest! I already own AGUKOP and I voted. I'm entering for prize #2.

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  2. You've sold Joshilyn's book SOOO well; can't wait to read! (And since I've already reada nd own your fab book, Lydia, would love to win your buddy's book!;-) Looking forward to some fabulous reading.

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  3. Oh my, I read it and loved it as I've loved all of Joshilyn's books. I voted as soon as I saw AGUKOP was a nominee.

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  4. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win prize #1 -A hardback copy of A Grown Up Kind of Pretty to read! I just finished reading SHINE SHINE SHINE and absolutely loved it, I can't stop telling all my friends what a cool book it is, very cute and refreshing to read and cannot wait until book club to suggest it as our next read!! I'm sure A Grown Up Kind of Pretty will be a good read if you're suggesting it! Hope I win :)

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  5. I've read & voted for AGUKOP! Would love prize #1. My BFF so needs a copy.

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  7. Already voted...early and often.

    I got my autographed copy of AGUKOP when I interviewed Joshilyn at Malaprops in Asheville, during the gawdawful cold of Feb 2012.

    Wonderful book, wonderful lady. Yes, she's crazy. But it's a grown-up kind of crazy...

    Would love prize #2...

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  8. I love Joshilyn Jackson's voice. I listened to AGUKOP on a a road trip between ATL and St. Louis with my daughter in the car, on our way to Grandma's. We loved the 3 generation's perspectives that the story gives. I would love to hear / win Jackson's reading of Shine, Shine, Shine (#4)

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  9. I voted and I would like to enter for a prize. I would love a copy of either book, but I'm gunning for prize #2. Please. :D

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  10. I voted for A Grown Up Kind of Pretty on Goodreads. I keep going back just in case they let me vote again. I'm entering for prize #3. I have copies of both of your books in hardcover, and it has been a while since I read Between, Georgia and I would love to revisit it via audio.

    Have also posted to facebook asking others to vote and also on Twitter.

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  11. Since I haven't read A Grown Up Kind of Pretty yet, it looks like I'll have no choice but to buy it to enter this contest... not that I mind... the book sounds wonderful and I already can't wait to read it! Since I'll be buying it, I'll have to set my sights on prize #2... partly because the idea of a book signed by the author is super exciting to me, but mostly because I already have the perfect place for it... and I look forward seeing it often... a constant reminder of the writer who has inspired me to write :)

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  12. I Voted and I have read it and it's heavily campaigning in my head to be my favorite Jackson book of them all. What prize? Well, you had me at Shine, Shine, Shine and you embraced me UK version and then we were practically kissing at "orange"!!! So, #2.

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  13. I voted and have read it, and would love to win #4. Also, I always enjoy your book reviews and recommendations on GoodReads

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    1. Hi Kimberly,

      Thanks for commenting! I need some way to contact you in order to enter you for prizes. :)

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  14. Hi Lydia, I just voted for A GROWNUP KIND OF PRETTY! I already have all of Joshilyn's books including audio, so if I win I would love an audiobook of Shine Shine Shine, read by Joshilyn! I would. I really would. Honest and truly! She is a brilliant audiobook reader. I need to win. xoxo

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  15. I read and voted as well. Isn't Goodreads great as well? Prize #1 please. I'd like to gift it.

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  16. I've read or listened to all of Joshilyn's books and listened to Shine Shine Shine because Joshilyn said to. I have a small but growing collection of signed editions so winning a signed copy of either hardback would be great....on the other hand if I won an audiobook (once again either would be great) I could share it with a friend (I'm thinking Christmas present). Tell you what...you decide for me. Of course, I voted for AGUKOP on GoodReads.

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  17. Can't wait to read it! I'm heading to my Kindle. :D I'd love any of the prizes, but especially a paper copy of Shine, Shine, Shine. :D

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  18. Voted immediately! I'd love 3 or 4, but really all of them are wonderful!

    Wendy

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    1. Hi Wendy!
      Ready to pick winners, but I need some way to contact you. :)

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  19. I voted the second I read about it - LOVED AGUKOP! And if I were to win a prize, I'd have to say that I'd love 4 or 2. The UK book could go right next to my US one!

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  20. I keep checking back to see when you'll announce the winner, I'd love love love to win AGUKOP because if you recommend it it must be good-your book was amazing-one of the best i've read in a long long time!

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  21. I voted! I'm entering for prize #1 :)

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  23. Fabulous review. I was on the fence about whether to read or listen. I think I'll go for the audio. She's one of my favorite authors!

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  24. This is a wonderful, warm, amazing book. The author has created characters that are imperfect, understandable, and real. Highly recommend this book.

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