Celebration!
August 2, 2011We are now louse-free, as far as I know, and that's good enough for me. I will probably continue to comb Henry's hair for nits until he has children of his own, but I'm done worrying. You don't have to tell me how you thought your family was free of it and then it came back 3 quabillion times, because the helpful community that is Twitter has already told me that. For now I'm happy, okay? LET ME REJOICE! I just wrote "rejuice." Let me rejuice, while I'm at it. So refreshing.
To celebrate my family's newly unmolested scalp areas, I am giving away five (5) (V, Romans) copies of Ann Napolitano's new book, A GOOD HARD LOOK. This giveaway is not at all related to our recent drama, but I'm going to pretend it is. Because we were LOOKING HARD AND ALSO GOOD at our heads! Right? Ahahhahaahaaaaauuugh?
But let's talk about the book, which does not refer to lice, not even once. Ann emailed me a while ago to ask me if I wanted a copy, and when she mentioned that Flannery O'Connor was a character in it, that was all I needed to hear. I have a deep and abiding love for Flannery O'Connor, both as an author and what I know of her as a human being. I find her views on Catholicism especially baffling and compelling. The Habit of Being, a collection of her letters, is among my favorite books. (Speaking of which: I did this interview with Colleen Wainwright, and in it I list my other favorite books, among other things. Like what George Saunders wrote to me, once! And what my epic sixth-grade graphic novel was going to be titled!)
Once I got Ann's book I sat down to flip through it and suddenly the weekend was gone and I hadn't eaten in a long while. It's just that good. I am so bad at writing book synopses, DON'T MAKE ME DO THAT, so you'll have to take my word for it. It's a good book. And I'm not the only person who liked it! Amazon called it "heartbreakingly beautiful and inescapably human." I was going to say that until they did. THANKS, AMAZON. You want this book. I don't normally do giveaways, but I actually asked Ann if I could do one, in this case. Because you need to read this. Okay.
If you want a copy, just say so in the comments. I'll pick five commenters at random, and Penguin Press has kindly agreed to send the winners' copies, so you won't have to wait for me to get off my ass and stumble over to the post office. I must limit winners to the U.S. and Canada, as per the publisher's request. I think they hate foreigners! (They probably don't hate foreigners.) (Although they did try to limit the Canadian winners to "nobody who's too Canadian-y, if you catch our drift.") (No they didn't. I'm sorry.)
Comment! Hurry! I'll be announcing the winners in one (1) week. Good luck.
Reader Comments (334)
I want to win this. Even if I don't I will buy the book based on your reco.
Oh! Oh! Oh! I have been wanting to read that book! Pick me! Pick me! :::suddenly remembering that the teacher does not like students to be too loud or over enthusiastic and subsiding quietly in her chair but with eyes open very wide and eagerly, looking positively angelic:::
An example of my love for Flannery O'Connor: One day, my best friend from college excitedly emailed me to say she couldn't wait for her daughter to be born because I was the only one she felt who would appreciate what they were giving her as a middle name. I had to wait some long months to find out that my guess was correct. There's a little Alice Flannery running around Connecticut, and I am probably one of the few people who thinks that is the most awesome thing ever.
Then again, maybe my friend deserves the book more than me considering the lengths she went through to honor Flannery O'Connor. If I do get a copy, I swear I will send it to her when I am finished with it.
Pick me, Please!
i want a book!
Sounds good, I'd like a copy!
Oo! Oo! Pick me! I love a good read
BOOKS!!! Om nom nom (cookie monster style. Don't judge.)
Yes, please! I would like a good book for free!
i would 100% love a copy. my favorite flannery o'connor = everything that rises must converge.
me! pick meeeee!
i haven't read a book for months (work. cramping my style AS USUAL.) and i need something really good for re-entry.
(full disclosure - if i don't win, i'm likely going to buy it and read it anyways. but if i win i promise to pass it on!)
I need something new to read! I don't have an entire pile of books sitting on and next to my bed, why do you ask?
Congrats on being louse free. We've been through those good times too.
Would love a new book to read.
I want one!
And I'm American, but not too American-y, if you know what I mean. I hope that's OK.
Now I feel like I should read some Flannery O'Connor to prepare for when I win a copy of this book!
I love Flannery O'Connor, so I'd definitely like to read the book and see how she is portrayed in it!
I would like to win a book.
Yes, book, please! I live in the US and/or Canada, hooray for me and my prize-eligibility! (Wow, I am way too punchy today. Too much apartment-cleaning is making me crazy. -er. Than usual. *ahem*)
I know you don't want advice, BUT! Let me just tell you MY lice experience. I had them once and I never got them again! No backsliding for me. In fact, I'm pretty sure lice is like polio. Kicks your ass, but only once. Boom.
This is free advice, Alice! From an expert! I had lice, as you now know. That's how I know. Sleep well, equipped with this new knowledge. Lice: just like polio, only itchier.
Long time reader - first time commenter. Would LOVE a free book, and so happy you have cause to rejuice! But also, a little freaked as my daughter is at camp for the first time, and ohhhhh how I will check her head!
you had me at Flannery O'Connor. so want one. so very, very much.
a copy of a new book would make me do a dance!
Yay! I would love a copy. (And how cool is it that Ann posted?!)
Whee, books, I love books and need more books, so obviously you should send me a book. Also? Totally human. Keep trying to escape that, but I think there's something in sunscreen and caffeine free root beer holding me back.
I want a copy of that book SO MUCH.