Claire and I have been talking about giving away books on this blog for quite awhile, but the Book Giveaway Carnival has motivated us to act. We’re giving away an autographed set of Claire’s three novels: Same As It Never Was; Knitting Under the Influence; and, The Smart One and the Pretty One. With these books, you’ll have a mini-vacation from life. Personally, Claire owes me three nights sleep because there was no way I was stopping once I started each book.
There are links to Claire’s site for the reviews about each of them, but I’ll pass on an insider tidbit about each book:
Same As It Never Was is Claire’s first novel. She had four children at the time and Will was a baby Claire wrote the novel during
his naps while the two oldest were in elementary school and the third was in preschool. It’s still hard not to be a little aggravated by that fact. The book is ultimately about what you do when your life unexpectedly changes, plus there is some romance thrown in.
Knitting Under the Influence includes drink recipes at the end that Claire made up with friends. But not me, I wasn’t invited. Just wanted to point that out. Anyway, about the book. Claire also co-wrote two books about autism, the second of which is due out next month and we’ll be giving away on the blog later. Her knowledge and interest in the subject shows up in a heartbreaking and loving manner in this novel with the brother of one of the characters. I love the friendship between the women (they meet once a month to knit together) and how they aren’t perfect, but they hang in there with each other. Claire is a great knitter, she has this black sweater with white pirate skulls popping up at different places. I always think “wow” when I see it because I can’t knit a sweater in one color (I have the parts to a pink sweater stashed somewhere to prove how they don’t match up).
The Smart One and the Pretty One is Claire’s latest novel about two sisters (Claire has three, she’s a sister expert), one of which has the reputation of being smart and plain (she’s an estate planning attorney, like I was, but I’m trying not to take it personally) and the other dumb and beautiful. Claire’s theory is a beautiful woman wants to hear that she’s smart and a smart woman wants to hear she’s beautiful. She’s undecided over which one she would rather be; I definitely want to be the smart one, but with a nice wardrobe. The sisters in the book come together when their mother undergoes cancer treatment and support each other as they grow to realize their full potential. Both have encounters with boyfriends and help each other out, i.e. there’s great romance.
A special head’s up, all three dedications are beautiful.
So, we’re giving away a set of all three books, all you have to do is leave a comment and tell us which one you would rather be, the smart one or the pretty one, and why. All comments before Saturday, March 8th at noon PST will be eligible to win. Both domestic and international particpants are acceptable. If the winner doesn’t respond within 36 hours of notice from us, we’ll go to the next name drawn. If you’re looking for more book giveaways, head over to Bookroom Reviews. It’s running a Book Giveaway Carnival for a week, so every participating blog will be listed. See how many books you can win and let us know how you did.
Tags: Book Carnival, giveaway





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March 2, 2009 at 4:13 pm
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March 2, 2009 at 8:28 am
drey
lol, I’d much rather be the smart one. Then again, I’ve always been quite a geek… Thanks for the giveaway!
March 2, 2009 at 8:38 am
unconfidentialcook
Hmmm….probably pretty because 1) it works if you work it, and 2) I do believe ignorance (read also “not smart) can be bliss. Politically incorrect no matter how you slice it, but it’s the hard truth.
PS The post looks fantastic!
March 2, 2009 at 8:55 am
Kathy
Great giveaway! I’d like to be the smart one because beauty fades.
March 2, 2009 at 9:16 am
Holly
Oh, please enter me in this giveaway! I guess I’d like to be the smart one. Much rather rely on my brains than how I look.
March 2, 2009 at 9:17 am
mindy
the smart one because you can always buy beauty but can not buy brains thanks for the giveaway
March 2, 2009 at 10:01 am
Lori Barnes
I think i’d rather be the pretty one, even though it’s not right alot of people will excuse your lack of things when you’re pretty. Please enter me in this awesome contest.
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net
March 2, 2009 at 10:12 am
Vera
I’d like to be the smart one, because I think beauty only gets you so far.
Please enter me! vvperesk@gmail.com
March 2, 2009 at 10:22 am
Megan
I would definitely rather be the smart one! To start, being “pretty” is subjective — and, as everyone knows, beauty fades. And it can only take you so far! You’re not going to become CEO because you have a pretty face.
Thanks for the chance!
Megan — writing.meg [at] gmail.com
March 2, 2009 at 10:42 am
jennie a
Smart all the way! Pretty will get me a hubby… I have 5 kids, I don’t need any extra!lol!
March 2, 2009 at 10:49 am
kim v
The smart one b/c I could “fix” my looks, but dumb is pretty hard to fix.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
March 2, 2009 at 10:54 am
Nise'
I am the smart one and I am happy so I’ll stay right where I am.
March 2, 2009 at 11:57 am
Erika Lynn
i have always been the smart one and maybe I would like to trade that in to be the pretty one for a few days but nothing permanent. I like being the smart one
March 2, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Kaye
Much rather be the smart one, looks fade hopefully the brain stays active. It has a better chance of it than looks at least.
Please enter me in the drawing. florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com
March 2, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Karen Haney
I think the smart one…altho the way I look today, a little pretty could go a long way! Thanks for the chance for this giveaway!
March 2, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Paula H
The smart one. Pretty fades and will only get you so far.
March 2, 2009 at 1:13 pm
SANDY
smart one= looks fade and men go on and leave- breains are more important
March 2, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Yvonne
I’d love to enter. I’d pick being the smart one so I could learn how to do well in business and become rich
March 2, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Christina Brunetti
I would like to be the pretty one cause I have never been.
Thanks
March 2, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Tracy
Love you giveaway! Thanks so much for participating and enter me, the books looks terrific! I would be the smart one too, pretty is from the inside anyway.
March 2, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Meredith
I would be the smart one. Pretty is in the eye of the beholder.
March 2, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Aerin
Whichever nabs me Brendan Fraser – no, really.
March 2, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Kelly
I would rather be the smart one. Beauty gives out WAY before your brain does!
kmanfredini AT GMAIL DOT COM
March 2, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Cheryl K
Definitely the smart one, although pretty has it’s advantages you get farther being smart
March 2, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Susan
The smart one! No wait, the pretty one! I know, why not both?
March 2, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Chantele
I would like to be the smart one as well!:) Love the giveaway by the way!:)
March 2, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Lori
I would love to be the pretty one, I have always been the smart one, and would love to try out the other role.
March 2, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Angela C
Both would have there advantages. But, I would rather be smart. Intelligence will last a lifetime and beauty fades.
March 2, 2009 at 5:43 pm
kim v
I would want to be the smart one b/c that lasts.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
March 2, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Darlene
I’d love to be entered. I guess I’d rather be the smart one because those will likely last a lot longer. Great giveaway!
bj19662001 (at) yahoo (dot) ca
March 2, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Steph Su
I would totally be the smart one. Witty rejoinders and discussions over blank, drooly stares any day.
March 2, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Leann H Swinney
I much rather be the smart one, pretty fades.
March 2, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Kelly B
I would like to be the smart one. Now if was the difference between the smart one and the STUNNING ONE! I might have to change my tune.
Both have their benefits and their curses.
Thanks so much!
enroutetolife(at)gmail(dot)com
March 2, 2009 at 5:58 pm
kristy w
I’d rather be smart and good looking but smart most of all
March 2, 2009 at 6:38 pm
velocibadgergirl
I’ll take being the smart one, because you can get a better haircut and cute glasses, but you can’t makeover your brain!
Thanks
velocibadgergirl at gmail dot com
March 2, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Suburban Sweetheart
I’d like to be BOTH, frankly – no need for them to be mutually exclusive! That said, if I have to choose, I’ll go with the smart one. If I’m gonna be smart, I’m gonna be smart enough how to figure out how to make myself presentably pretty, too!
Cute giveway. Even if I don’t win, I’ll check the books out!
suburbansweetheart [at] gmail [dot] com
March 2, 2009 at 7:15 pm
bunny
I would most definitely love to be the smart one
You can always be smart with your looks 
bunnybx at gmail . com
March 2, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Wendy aka misswendiki
I’ve always been the smarter one, but I’d like to be the pretty one for a day or so. In the name of science, just to be fair, haha.
March 2, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Leslie B
Don’t enter me in the giveaway since I’ve read them all and LOVED them! But, just to weigh in, I’d want to be the smart one, of course!
March 2, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Meg @ Literary Menagerie
I’d rather get a boost in the looks department–I’m already the smart one!
Please enter me!
meh471 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
March 2, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Valorie
I would want to be the smart one!
Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com
March 2, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Rachael G
Hi!!
I’ve been the smart one all of my life, I’m kind of in the mood to be the pretty one! I KNOW it sounds silly but when your a 20-something, looks can get you places when reciting history facts really can’t.
Thank you for the giveaway! Super super excited!!
March 2, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Becky
I’d rather be the smart one; you can always ‘clean-up’ nicely for special events, but smart girl have that certain charm.
Thank you for offering this giveaway! eyeslikesugar [at] gmail [dot] com.
March 2, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Mia J.
I would much rather be the smart one. Brains and wit can take you a long way.
March 3, 2009 at 3:36 am
tricia
Smart one…You can always buy some look enhancers, but you can’t buy brains.
March 3, 2009 at 5:21 am
dee tollaksen
Duh. The smart one, of course!
March 3, 2009 at 7:32 am
Stacie
I’d rather be the smart one because beauty fades.
March 3, 2009 at 8:43 am
Marie
I’d rather be the smart one since beauty doesn’t last (as my grandmother always told me
March 3, 2009 at 9:29 am
Carol M
It would be nice to be both! lol However, hopefully, being the smart one, you would make the right decisions in life. Thanks for a great giveaway!
mittens0831 AT aol.com
March 3, 2009 at 9:41 am
BeE
Smart can lead to more possibilities in life than pretty.
Great giveaway and question
BevE
merryweatherbookblog@gmail.com
March 3, 2009 at 10:50 am
flip
The smart one……my sister was the pretty one…fact is she is also the smart one.
flip (at) tetonvalley (dot) net
March 3, 2009 at 12:44 pm
oona b
I would rather be the smart one, of course. Smarts last but beauty fades.
Thanks! foxsquirrelrabbit at gmail dot com
March 3, 2009 at 2:23 pm
dorothy l
smart I can always change my looks con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
March 3, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Renee
The smart one – beauty can fade but a beautiful mind lasts forever.
March 3, 2009 at 2:58 pm
SusanB
Definitely the smart one. Why is that? Hm…well, I think I AM the smart one, and I am pretty happy with my life, for one thing. Also, I enjoy my brains waaay too much to trade for something that will not really give ME a lot of extra enjoyment. But of course I don’t really know about that, having never actually BEEN the pretty one. =)
March 3, 2009 at 3:23 pm
bridget3420
I’d rather be smart. Personally I’d rather be able to hold an interesting conversation than be oogled at.
March 3, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Valerie
smart one for sure. I mean, if you eat right, exercise-etc you can look pretty too and feel great
March 3, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Ellie W
I’d rather be the smart one because it takes you further in life.
March 3, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Victoria
I would rather be pretty….”pretty smart.” I think that the modern day woman has a duty in today’s society to be able to read a book, comprehend the material, and look good doing it.
March 3, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Susan C
I would rather be the pretty one because it’s probably much more fun!
smchester at gmail dot com
March 3, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Aliya D.
My sister and I have the same sort of relationship (and likely related emotional issues) as the sisters in the book you stated above… According to others I fall into the “smart” category, whereas my sister was always the “pretty” one. I don’t know which one I would rather be… I do know that neither labels were fair to us. Please enter me and thank you!
March 3, 2009 at 8:19 pm
MD
I’d rather be smart because beauty is subjective!
March 3, 2009 at 8:25 pm
deltay
I’d rather be the smart one because beauty fades. Brains last longer, and knowledge is always expanding. And beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It’s harder to debate whether or not someone is smart.
lucidconspiracy[at]gmail[dot]com
March 3, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Donna Moore
Okay I want to beauty and brains. Can’t we as women have it all? I can’t choose but I do want you to choose me!!
I love chicklit so please count me in!!!
March 4, 2009 at 1:02 am
Michelle Kuo
Hmm I think I’d rather be the smart one because that leads to a better future. That way you can be smart enough to go to college and be successful. Plus, once you’re older, beauty turns into wrinkles anyways.
michelle.kuool(at)yahoo(dot)com
March 4, 2009 at 6:29 am
Liz C
My sister who’s 16 years younger is the smart and the pretty one both, which is so unfair. And with whats happened in my life the past year with my husband leaving me for a 24 yo, I think I want to be the pretty one.
March 4, 2009 at 6:36 am
Fran
I prefer to be smart than beautiful because I can find ways to beautify myself using my brains. Besides, being beautiful in its truest sense, should be inside out, not just only by physical appearance.
March 4, 2009 at 8:48 am
Neverwithoutabook
Hmmm, I think the smart one. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I’d love to read these books. Please enter me.
March 4, 2009 at 9:37 am
Amy R
The books sound great. And I definitely would want to be the smart one.
Thanks!
March 4, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Carolyn S
Oh, heavens, I need to be the smart one, because if I have to make it on looks, I am definitely in trouble. lol
thanks for sharing
ceashark at aol dot com
March 4, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Wrighty
Why can’t we be both? I consider myself smart (enough!) and my husband is sweet and always tells me I’m pretty too so I always feel pretty. We can be anything we want, right?
These books sound great! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
March 4, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Mary
I would rather be the smart one cause I think smarts has a natural beauty within itself
March 4, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Rhonda Struthers
I guess the Smart one…If I am smart and make lots of money..I could always spend it on plastic surgery to make me pretty….Nah that would be pretty dumb.
I’ll stick to smart
rhondastruthes at yahoo dot ca
March 4, 2009 at 5:11 pm
gahome2mom
Why can’t we be both smart and pretty? I will say smart then.:)
March 4, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Joanne
I would much rather be the smart one. Looks only matter for so much in life and I would rather be admired for my mind than how I look.
shiloki[at]gmail[dot]com
March 4, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Debbie Deskin
Please include me in your giveaway. I would rather be smart and pretty!
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net
March 4, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Chrysa
I would rather be the smart one. Pretty fades.
March 4, 2009 at 7:01 pm
she
i’d like to be smart and settle for cute instead of pretty! i’m more intellectual and enjoy using my noggin’!!!!
March 5, 2009 at 4:44 am
Estela S
I WAS the smart one growing up, and it was terrible seeing the guys flocking to my is and ignoring me (unless it was an ill-fated attempt at getting closer to her.) But, I can honestly say it helped me grow into my own skin a lot better. I’m happier with myself now and never have to question anyone’s motives around me!
March 5, 2009 at 6:16 am
Karina
Wow, it’s fascinating to read the comments. The majority picked smart–is that because this group of women are already ’smart’ (obviously, because they read!) and understand the value of smart? The world values beauty over brains, if magazines, TV and movies are any indication.
As for me, I’d say smart, because beauty is so subjective and personality plays such a huge part in it. But really, most everyone has smarts and looks, they just have to know it.
March 5, 2009 at 8:31 am
Blodeuedd
I guess i would like to be the pretty one, sure it would be nice to be smart too. How shallow I am, yes it would be the right thing to say the smart one, but in certain times of your lifes it’s the pretty ones that get what they want….then again could i be pretty and “normal clever”
March 5, 2009 at 9:28 am
Johannah B
Always been smart…skipping grades and such… never “felt” like I was the pretty one. So I guess I would like to be the pretty one, at least for a few years, then I’ll take the smarts back.
March 5, 2009 at 9:52 am
Bcteagirl
I would rather be the smart one… so I can read all these books!
Thanks for the contest!
March 5, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Indigo
I would choose intelligence over beauty any day of the week. I’ve found those who “think” they’re beautiful tend to be rather empty inside. Yet take a shy intelligent woman and witness the compassion she has for everyone but herself…priceless. I would rather that kind of beauty than the pronounced obvious one. Thanks for the opportunity! Indigo
March 5, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Helen S
The smart one because beauty is just skin deep.
March 5, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Nicole
I would rather be the smart one, because there’s always plastic surgery to become the pretty one. :}
March 5, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Kayce C
I’d like to be both, but I’ll go for Smart.
March 5, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Pamela S
Oh I would always chose the smart one!!! Pretty doesn’t last that long and then you’re saggy & living in some run down roach motel!!!
March 5, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Terra Heck
I’d like to read these books. It’s hard to choose, but I think I’d rather be the pretty one.
March 5, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Colette S
I’d rather be the smart one. Outward beauty fades
I definitely would love to win this!
Thank you
calliemist@yahoo.com
March 6, 2009 at 12:14 am
Kiki
I’d like to be the pretty one!
ParkingGoddessFTW at gmail dot com
March 6, 2009 at 12:40 am
sena
I would rather be the smart one because beauty doesn’t last forever!
March 6, 2009 at 9:37 am
Sherry
I’d rather be the smart one. Looks fade and are always in the eye of the beholder. (plus I’m a geek anyway!)
Thanks for the chance to win
slcremer at gmail dot com
March 6, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Christina
I’d always rather be the smart one, because even if you don’t have looks you can have personality and be pretty through that, but smartness is something else! I’d love a vacation from life through reading these three giveaways, I certainly need one!
March 6, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Meagan
The smart one because most of the things I enjoy require a certain amount of intellect. If I couldn’t appreciate my books, or chess and I was constantly suffering from confusion, then i would have a very sad life.
March 6, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Valeen N
Oh, I’d definately rather be the smart one! Life is too short to be dumb!
March 6, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Jayna
Definitely the smart one – all the better to enjoy life with!
March 6, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Karen
I’d definitely rather be the smart one — because smart stays with you for your whole life. Pretty can fade and then what? Smart leads to interesting conversations and knowing that people are with you because they really care about you and find you interesting — not your looks.
March 7, 2009 at 11:05 am
nhertel
I’d rather be smart.
March 7, 2009 at 1:12 pm
RidgewayGirl
Just following the herd, here and preferring to be the smart one.
March 7, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Christy
I’d rather be the smart one. There’s just too much of life to be enjoyed to be obsessed with appearances.
March 7, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Susan K
I’d rather be the smart one since I think people have more fun in the long run interacting than on simply ogling each other.
March 7, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Sue
I would definitely rather be the smart one. Beauty fades as you get older while the smart ones get wiser as they age. Besides, smart women/men get to change the world and I would love to make a difference in this earth.
March 8, 2009 at 12:56 am
Stephanie Meng
I’d rather be smart only because I usually under estimate myself a lot and would be nice to not do that.
March 8, 2009 at 5:41 am
Robin
I’d soooo rather be the smart one. This is something I am trying to ingrain into my teenage daughter. Teenagers are so focused on the outside rather than the inside. I told her there are many so-called pretty people who are very ugly inside.
March 8, 2009 at 8:34 am
Holly
I would be the Smart One of course! It gets you more places! Great contest!
March 8, 2009 at 9:32 am
barbara wright
I’d rather be the smart one than the pretty one. Prettiness fades; smart just keeps getting smarter.