Book Carnival Giveaway of Claire LaZebnik’s Novels

March 2, 2009 in giveaway, Literary Event by Kim | 107 comments

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

1. 

   drey on March 2, 2009 at 8:28 am

   lol, I’d much rather be the smart one. Then again, I’ve always been quite a geek… Thanks for the giveaway!

2. 

   unconfidentialcook on March 2, 2009 at 8:38 am

   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!

3. 

   Kathy on March 2, 2009 at 8:55 am

   Great giveaway! I’d like to be the smart one because beauty fades.

4. 

   Holly on March 2, 2009 at 9:16 am

   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.

5. 

   mindy on March 2, 2009 at 9:17 am

   the smart one because you can always buy beauty but can not buy brains thanks for the giveaway

6. 

   Lori Barnes on March 2, 2009 at 10:01 am

   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

7. 

   Vera on March 2, 2009 at 10:12 am

   I’d like to be the smart one, because I think beauty only gets you so far.

   Please enter me! vvperesk@gmail.com

8. 

   Megan on March 2, 2009 at 10:22 am

   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

9. 

   jennie a on March 2, 2009 at 10:42 am

   Smart all the way! Pretty will get me a hubby… I have 5 kids, I don’t need any extra!lol!

10. 

    kim v on March 2, 2009 at 10:49 am

    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

11. 

    Nise' on March 2, 2009 at 10:54 am

    I am the smart one and I am happy so I’ll stay right where I am.

12. 

    Erika Lynn on March 2, 2009 at 11:57 am

    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

13. 

    Kaye on March 2, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    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

14. 

    Karen Haney on March 2, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    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!

15. 

    Paula H on March 2, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    The smart one. Pretty fades and will only get you so far.

16. 

    SANDY on March 2, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    smart one= looks fade and men go on and leave- breains are more important

17. 

    Yvonne on March 2, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    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

18. 

    Christina Brunetti on March 2, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    I would like to be the pretty one cause I have never been.

    Thanks

19. 

    Tracy on March 2, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    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.

20. 

    Meredith on March 2, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    I would be the smart one. Pretty is in the eye of the beholder.

21. 

    Aerin on March 2, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    Whichever nabs me Brendan Fraser – no, really.

22. Pingback from Book Giveaway Carnival « Rubber Stamping & Card Making with Yapha on March 2, 2009 at 4:13 pm

23. 

    Kelly on March 2, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    I would rather be the smart one. Beauty gives out WAY before your brain does!
    kmanfredini AT GMAIL DOT COM

24. 

    Cheryl K on March 2, 2009 at 4:26 pm

    Definitely the smart one, although pretty has it’s advantages you get farther being smart

25. 

    Susan on March 2, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    The smart one! No wait, the pretty one! I know, why not both?

26. 

    Chantele on March 2, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    I would like to be the smart one as well!:) Love the giveaway by the way!:)

27. 

    Lori on March 2, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    I would love to be the pretty one, I have always been the smart one, and would love to try out the other role.

28. 

    Angela C on March 2, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    Both would have there advantages. But, I would rather be smart. Intelligence will last a lifetime and beauty fades.

29. 

    kim v on March 2, 2009 at 5:43 pm

    I would want to be the smart one b/c that lasts.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

30. 

    Darlene on March 2, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    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

31. 

    Steph Su on March 2, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    I would totally be the smart one. Witty rejoinders and discussions over blank, drooly stares any day.

32. 

    Leann H Swinney on March 2, 2009 at 5:54 pm

    I much rather be the smart one, pretty fades.

33. 

    Kelly B on March 2, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    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

34. 

    kristy w on March 2, 2009 at 5:58 pm

    I’d rather be smart and good looking but smart most of all

35. 

    velocibadgergirl on March 2, 2009 at 6:38 pm

    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

36. 

    Suburban Sweetheart on March 2, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    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

37. 

    bunny on March 2, 2009 at 7:15 pm

    I would most definitely love to be the smart one You can always be smart with your looks
    bunnybx at gmail . com

38. 

    Wendy aka misswendiki on March 2, 2009 at 7:20 pm

    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.

39. 

    Leslie B on March 2, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    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!

40. 

    Meg @ Literary Menagerie on March 2, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    I’d rather get a boost in the looks department–I’m already the smart one!
    Please enter me!
    meh471 (AT) gmail (DOT) com

41. 

    Valorie on March 2, 2009 at 8:30 pm

    I would want to be the smart one!

    Valorie
    morbidromantic@gmail.com

42. 

    Rachael G on March 2, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    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!!

43. 

    Becky on March 2, 2009 at 10:00 pm

    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.

44. 

    Mia J. on March 2, 2009 at 11:04 pm

    I would much rather be the smart one. Brains and wit can take you a long way.

45. 

    tricia on March 3, 2009 at 3:36 am

    Smart one…You can always buy some look enhancers, but you can’t buy brains.

46. 

    dee tollaksen on March 3, 2009 at 5:21 am

    Duh. The smart one, of course!

47. 

    Stacie on March 3, 2009 at 7:32 am

    I’d rather be the smart one because beauty fades.

48. 

    Marie on March 3, 2009 at 8:43 am

    I’d rather be the smart one since beauty doesn’t last (as my grandmother always told me

49. 

    Carol M on March 3, 2009 at 9:29 am

    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

50. 

    BeE on March 3, 2009 at 9:41 am

    Smart can lead to more possibilities in life than pretty.
    Great giveaway and question

    BevE
    merryweatherbookblog@gmail.com

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