Blogging Sideways and A Giveaway

I have never been one to win anything. Of course I was never one to try and win anything either. I think I gave up after spending days by the radio with phone in hand to win backstage passes to a Leif Garrett concert (my eyes are burning from reviewing his Wikipedia entry to ensure the correct spelling of his name). Suffice it to say that was a looooooong time ago.

Right after I started blogging I entered a caption contest on While They Play and won an Amazon gift card. Woohoo! Since then it was the first stop on the fabulous cookbook tour from Diary of Domestic Hiss, a Starbucks card from The Mom Bomb and a signed copy of "Driving Sideways" from Hollywood: Where Hot Comes  To Die. I'm still waiting for the big win from The Pioneer Woman, but with the way my luck is going, I definitely have hope.

I won an autographed copy of Jess Riley's brand spanking-new debut novel, "Driving Sideways" by correctly guessing (okay, I had a hint) that Susan Sarandon is gutsy enough to sport hideous, orthopedic footwear on the red carpet.

Wouldn't it suck if I hated the book? I know I'd be embarrassed if Maria Shriver read my review of her book. Although Maria is the one that should be embarrassed. Thankfully, I loved Jess's book.

Chick-lit at its finest--smart, funny, irreverent and character-driven with lots of snappy dialogue. What I really loved was that it was chock-full of pop culture references that I totally got. Anyone that can make an NPR insider joke is totally my kind of writer. And, she references exploding heads! She's in the right crowd with that joke.

If you have ever made a road trip that encompasses the states of South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California (as I painfully remember doing--in a caravan with my in-laws, Dear God, what was I thinking) you will not be able to quit grinning as you read her descriptions of the people and places along the way.

Her main character, Leigh, is warm, wonderful, totally relatable and happens to have Polycistic Kidney Disease--so I got to learn a few things while I was laughing. Since I have an "in" with the author (she knows my real name and address!) I'm curious about how she got the idea for this book and what made her choose this particular disease. Hmmmm, maybe I should check out her blog! Or maybe she wants to comment here.

In the interests of maintaining my good karma and in the bloggy spirit of paying it forward, I'm giving away a copy of "Driving Sideways." Not MY copy--that's autographed by the author, but a copy nonetheless. So if you're interested, leave me a comment. I'll use a random number generator to pick a winner (unlike my last method of simply playing favorites). So comment--maybe you too can be a winner. I bet I could totally get a meet-and-greet set up with Leif Garrett too if you're interested!

Comments

[Cheri @ Blog This Mom!]

7 out of 10 spices want me to win.

[Melanie]

Oooh! A new author! I love finding new people to read. Thanks for the chance. If I win, maybe you, me and my new BFF Jamie can get together and you can give it to me in person!

[Kalynne Pudner]

Good lord; is Leif Garrett still alive?

I can't wait to read DRIVING SIDEWAYS, especially after having spent a few days this winter driving through Wyoming and Montana (blogged under titles with wording "Go West, Middle-Aged Woman" if you're interested)...not to mention having gone to college in Wisconsin (doesn't Leigh start out in Wisconsin)? So I can relate, don'cha know.

[Chatty]

oooh. I love books, and I love to enter contests, so count me in. I never win, but that never stops me ; )
A Leif Garrett meet and greet, eh? Now, if you had said David Cassidy or Micky Dolenz, I'd be camped out on your doorstep, but chacon a son gout...

[Domestically Challenged]

Oooooh, count me in - I'm a book magpie!
x

[suburbancorrespondent]

So you're the one who keeps snatching all the prizes from me....thanks a lot!

[debbie]

Have you seen a picture of Leif Garrett (yeah, I totally "cut and pasted" that...trust your spelling!!) lately?? Holy Mother of Good God Almighty and great balls o'fire...the man is positively bald!!!
For those of us 'around' his age...damn...he looks bad...we look awsome!!
Stick my name and number and what-not into the caldron for the book...I'm always in for some "chick-lit".
(and...just for the record...I took my Japanese mother-in-law on my HONEYMOON to Las Vegas AND San Fransisco....I should get a few extra points for THAT. Think about it, okay?? Yeah, I don't ever have to do anything else good for MY halos in heaven...I've earned mine already!!!)

[Reluctant Blogger]

Leif Garrett - haha I;d forgotten him.

I used to say "I never win anything" but I did recently so perhaps I will again!

I loved the photos in your last post by the way. He's such a cool dude your son.

[kcinnova]

This book sounds like it is right up my alley (or highway), so please put my name/number into that generator!

Leif Garrett?? I never really went for the blonds, so he didn't catch my interest, much. However, I did enjoy the look back! (I prefer to remember him with HAIR.)

[dougalfish]

My 'to read' pile is getting a little low so I would love a chance to enter :=0)

[Jeanette from Texas]

I need a good summer read. Take me away from the Halo noise please.

[Jess]

Hey, so happy you liked it!!

I just so happened to answer the PKD question here: http://www.viewfromthecloud.com/

Thanks Jen!

[melissa]

Dang, you are a lucky duck! That book sounds terrific--if I don't win it, I'll go get it at the book store:)

[Suzanne]

Sounds like a great summer read. I LOVE some funny. Leif Garrett....oh what ever happened to him? John Stamos seemed to push on, but poor ol' Leif, he was a casualty of the Teen/Tiger Beat era....

[Katherine]

Sounds like a great book. I'd love to win it.

[The Mom Bomb]

I was a Parker Stevenson girl myself, although apparently now he's also bald.

[Janet]

LOVE the flip flops, the old rutted road and "Hall and Oates’s Greatest Hits"? Gotta read this!

[The Girl Next Door]

OOOH count me in count me in (but I never win anything!) And if I don't win, I know what my next read will be!!

For me it was, is and always will be BRUCE (Springsteen, did you really have to ask?!)

[JCK]

Have you SEEN Leif Garrett these days!!? Meet and greet...sorry, I'll pass.

I'm completely IN for the book. Sounds really good.

And that cross-country trip with in-laws...GOD, you must have just been young and brave.

OK, LMAO - just saw Suburban Correspondent's comments on Leif Garrett!

[Karen]

I loved me some Leif Garrett!
Oh and I want that book, put me in the random number thingee-ma-bob please!

[gary]

oh yeah, Leif Garret--I think only girls liked him, just like David Cassady and Andy Gibb.

[Sharon]

Hadn't thought of Leif Garret in years! Please sign me up for the chance to win! Thanks.

[Heather]

I'm in. And if I win, I'll pay it forward as well.

[Heidi]

I remember liking Leif for a very short period a long long time ago.
Since I didn't win over at Suzy's, I will try here.
I wanted to visit anyways!

[Megan]

I put this book on my "to read" list.

[MereCat]

I already have the book so don't put me in the drawing, but I just wanted to say that your post makes me itchy to get started reading!

[Just Jamie]

I'm sucking up to you right now, can you feel the love? I've taken back my bedside table with a fresh stack of good-old fashioned BOOKS and I'm in love, again. This one would sure fit in nicely with friends on my nightstand....

;)

[CC]

Dude. Prizes. Me. Must. Win. Not. Lucky. Please. Feel. Sorry. For. Me. I. Still. Have. 2. Plus. More. Weeks. Of. School. Whereas. The. South. Has. Been. Out. For. Weeks. Already.

[Jennifer H]

That books sounds interesting. (There's a road trip!)

[Heidi]

Pick me! Pick me! Pick me! Yes???

Heidi

[ms_teacher]

comment :)

Srsly, loved Leif also.

[myra]

thanks for that book idea. whether or not i win, i'll definitely read it!

[Ann]

Well I will play! I've been thinking about picking up this book, it looks wonderful. Btw, I adored Leif in my day. That HAIR!

[standing still]

Oh the feathered hair and bedroom eyes of every jr. high girl I knew. Leif. Oh, Leif.

[Kellan]

I can't believe there are 12K entries on Pioneer Woman's contest - WOW! Good luck!

Have a good Wednesday - Kellan

[Kellan]

I can't believe there are 12K entries on Pioneer Woman's contest - WOW! Good luck!

Have a good Wednesday - Kellan

[Melanie Beanpaste]

I like books, but I am blog contest poison. Not a big winnah!

[Val]

*waving hand frantically* pick me! pick me!

Thanks for the info on a new author. It's summertime and the reading is good!

[heidi]

count me in! found you via jess's blog and love yours! :)

[HRH]

Will Leif come over to my house if I win? No, really I would love a copy of the book. Sounds like a good read.

[Minnesota Matron]

Must check today's post to see if you've already picked that winner. . . I once had to review a friend's horrible book. I lied for her.

[kate]

i heart leif garrett.

[Grandy]

Ooohh I've taken a road trip through all those states and DEFINITELY get the different character flavor. :)

[bichonpawz / Jeanne]

Count me in! I love to read and love to find a new author!! Susan Sarandon can wear ANYTHING on the red carpet and still look good. I hate her.

[Yaya]

I really love to have this book. Pleaseee...I live in Indonesia and I cannot find the book here :(

http://yayajanuary.blogspot.com/
yayajanuary@yahoo.com

[Q]

Leif Garrett is as handsome as ever. His mug shot just makes him look angry, and he was, at himself, for letting soooo many people down, including himself.

A receding hairline doesn't matter. He finally looks like the grown man he is. Still has the beautiful blue-greens, the lovely nose, the smile that melts, and the heart of gold.

I'd chat with the fellow about his upcoming projects at a meet and greet anytime, but he hasn't done those lately except for the Original Idols concerts he did with his friend, Ian Mitchell of the Bay City Rollers in 2007. With his mom's illness, he's pulled himself out. Still, he's been on several tv shows, looks just great to me!

Peace!Q

[Q]

Leif Garrett is as handsome as ever. His mug shot just makes him look angry, and he was, at himself, for letting soooo many people down, including himself.

A receding hairline doesn't matter. He finally looks like the grown man he is. Still has the beautiful blue-greens, the lovely nose, the smile that melts, and the heart of gold.

I'd chat with the fellow about his upcoming projects at a meet and greet anytime, but he hasn't done those lately except for the Original Idols concerts he did with his friend, Ian Mitchell of the Bay City Rollers in 2007. With his mom's illness, he's pulled himself out. Still, he's been on several tv shows, looks just great to me!

Peace!Q