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    Anthology Books Giveaway Contest

    By MudslideMama | April 11, 2008

    My fellow traveling mamas and I not only love to travel and write (and oh yeah, our kids. We love our kids, can’t forget that bit), but we also love to read about other peoples’ travel tales. Reading about other places isn’t the same as experiencing them personally, of course, but a well-crafted story can come close; that’s one reason that collecting submissions for our anthology is so fun. Another reason is simply the joy of discovering great short stories, which are essentially what any collection of tales are, no matter the theme. A favorite anthology for many is the whole Chicken Soup for the (fill in the blank) series, while I especially enjoy McSweeney’s anthologies.Boooooks!

    A lot of new writers get their first break in Dave Egger’s publishing house, and well-established authors have contributed to his anthologies as well. Dave Eggers is probably a pretty good guy. Besides assisting new writers launch their professional careers, he teaches writing at a nonprofit tutoring center called 826 Valencia (he’s in San Francisco, but there are others under the 826 mantle in Seattle, Chicago, LA and New York). This week, we have a great contest giveaway in the form of five McSweeney’s books. Yeah, FIVE! And before you ask, yes, they’re new. I pinky-swear I didn’t read them first.

    The McSweeney’s Anthology Books Giveaway Contest includes:

    1) The Better of McSweeney’s, an anthology that includes short tales by David Foster Wallace, Zadie Smith, Ian Smith, and many others.

    2) Timothy McSweeney’s at War for the Foreseeable Future and He’s Never Been so Scared, an anthology including contributions by T.C. Boyle, Wells Tower and more.

    McSweeney\'s 253) McSweeney’s 25, a classy hardcover book with short stories by Joyce Carole Oates, Steven Millhauser, Padget Powell and other writers.

    4) Created in Darkness by Troubled Americans: The Best of McSweeney’s Humor Category, which includes contributions by Tim Carvell, Jon Hodgman, Michael Ian Black, and many other hilarious authors.

    5) Comedy by the Numbers, a collection subtitled “The 169 Secrets of Humor and Popularity.”

    That’s quite a celebration of the written word! Anyone who has thought about starting a collection of anthologies would do well to start with these quintessentially 21st century post-modern short stories. Like all short story collections, they’re great to bring on road trips or vacations, since they can be read in short bursts. How do you win this great collection of anthologies? It’s easy: Just leave a comment below telling us what kind of books you like to take on vacations with you - genre, author, whatever. The contest is open to US residents only, and no relatives of the Traveling Mamas should enter. Contest will close at Tuesday night at 12:01 AM, April 15, 2008. We’ll announce the winner Wednesday, April 16. Have fun!

    Topics: The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear, Travel News |

    155 Responses to “Anthology Books Giveaway Contest”

    1. Linda N Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I have a small problem concentrating on a book when I’m in a new location. Too many distractions. So I only bring books I have already started, and am totally involved in.

    2. Brian B Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      Travel guides, obviously. I also like short story or essay collections for flights/airports. They’re easy to pick-up and put down.

    3. Linda Howard Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      mystery novels

    4. Marilyn Wons Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I bring true crime books - I love them

    5. margaret herrin Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      Thrillers.

    6. Desmond Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I usually take short story anthologies wherever I go, because they’re meant to be consumed in small portions anyway.

    7. valerie mabrey Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      cozy mysteries

    8. jesy Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      Neato idea

    9. jan koontz Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      a book that will last for a long read

    10. Shannon Baas Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I like a variety of books, but usually take a short one along.

    11. Roseann Kies Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I love biographies and learning how people became what they are today!!!

    12. Noreen Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I love to take something light or friviolus, a cheesy romance or sometimes I bring an old favorite pride and predjudice since it is easier to put down

    13. Lindsie Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      That’s a hard one because a good book I can’t put down and end up spending the whole vacation reading instead of doing vacation things! A book of short stories would be great to cure this!

    14. Miranda Allen Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I like reading Humor books from any author!

    15. dorothy Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      most the time a thriller

    16. Aurae Beidler Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I usually bring a thriller or murder mystery, like James Patterson.

    17. Leigh Nichols Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I LOVE Stephen King and Joe Hill books!!

    18. Vicky Boackle Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      i read fiction.

    19. Jennifer Barnett Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I like to read mysteries while on vacation.

    20. Theresa N Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      A good biography,or romance, or mystery,
      as long as it’s good I not real choosey about the genre.

    21. christopher h Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      sci-fi

    22. jennifer handke Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      My favs have always been suspense/horror books… Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Richard Layman, but every once in a while, a good bodice-busting romance is good to perk up your marriage with.

    23. Linda Moeller Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I’d take a couple Janet Evanovich romance/mystery novels. Probably from the Stephanie Plum series.

    24. Naomi Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      Actually, anthologies like these would be great. I find it hard to read in more than short bursts these days with a needy 4 year old and clutchy 8 month old…

    25. Katherine Frazier Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      History books about where I am going.

    26. Mary Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I like the books by Dean Koontz. On my last trip in February I purchased Seize the Night by Dean Koontz while in the airport in Charlotte, NC. It has become one of my favorites that he has written. I love suspense novels and fictional crime novels.

    27. Denise Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I always love true crime.

    28. Carol Harrity Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      Historical fiction is one favorite.

    29. susan varney Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      any romance novel

    30. Brittany Rebello Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I like to take mystery books with me simply because they keep me entertained on the plane ;)

    31. R Hicks Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I CRAVE REFERENCE BOOKS AND AUTOBIOGRAPHIES

    32. Cindi Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      Hello, I take a lot of magazines because I usually am very far behind in reading them! I take a good mystery book with me. The story line causes me to get involved that the travel part of the vacation goes much quicker. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks very much…..Cindi

    33. John Sweeney Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I PREFER NON-FICTION OR A VERY FUNNY COMEDY

    34. Susan Chester Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I like very light reading when I am on vacation. I always take inexpensive paperbacks that I don’t have to worry about.

    35. bob keck Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I really like sarcastic humorists like david sedaris or augusten burroughs.

    36. Lori Kaveney Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      A really good mystery

    37. durbzblogz Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      Can’t enter the competition because I live in South Africa, but I’ll chip in anyway - I like crime (serial killer stuff) and courtroom dramas, plenty of magazines and newspapers. I’m paranoid about not having anything to read, so I usually have about four or five books on me - oh and a Rough Guide to ? and heaps or maps so I don’t get lost.

    38. C Duran Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      I like chick lit on vacation

    39. Desmond Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      Some good science fiction is nice…

    40. Laurie Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      A great graphic novel.

    41. Janice J Says:
      April 11th, 2008 at

      When we are on the road I read anything I have about the area, so we won’t miss seeing something special, when we stop I read my mystery novels.

    42. James L. Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I like reading adventure novels while I’m on vacation as well as travel guides of the cities I’m visiting.

    43. Stephen Saunders Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      a great horror novel of course! =)

    44. Angela Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I have a thing for children’s fantasy novels… good stories.. no adult drama.. just my idea of relaxing

      I blogged you on Prize-a-Tron!
      http://www.prizeatron.com

    45. Krystal D. Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      classic literature, contemporary, non-fiction, anything.

    46. Marilyn Wons Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I love Sidney Sheldon - I would take his books - they are fast reads

    47. scarlette monahan Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      Thriller night

    48. Mary Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      Science fiction.

    49. Mike Weisberg Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      sci fi

    50. susan varney Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      romance novels

    51. Kierra Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      books by Emile Zola, which are French literature

    52. Nora Scott-Platt Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I like mysteries, biographies and reference books along with historical romance books, travel guides and any information I can get my hands on.

    53. gerald estep Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I bring true crime books - I love them

    54. Kathy Walker Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I LOVE to read…and vacation is one time I can do this and not feel guilty…after all…its Mama’s vacation too!!!! I love all books…but I usually like James Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark…ect…

    55. sandy Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      love an asst

    56. DeeAnn Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I’m a big sci-fi fan and I usually have one stuffed away in my bag somewhere. Even though I’m on vacation, I like to get a little bit further away from reality. Beam me up Scotty!

    57. Ruth Utterback Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      James Pattersons,alex cross crime stories

    58. Steph Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I take whatever is hot at the time. No Country For Old Men, The Ruins, stuff like that.

    59. Dan Smith Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      Thrillers

    60. Regina Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      Mysteries.

    61. kitty Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      Mysteries

    62. Tammy Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I like to take Harlequin Romances with me when I travel. Very light reading, a little bit of escapism, and easy to travel with.

    63. Belinda Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I love mysteries and romance novels.

    64. Elizabeth M. Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I love to bring chick lit with me!

    65. Julie Ford Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I like period/historical romance, something from a number of book club recommendations I watch for, or biographies. Thanks for the chance to win!!

    66. Melissa D Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I love trashy celebrity bios, and I read them on vacation because I don’t care who sees me reading them!

    67. Jennifer Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      On vacation I’m all about chick lit. I save the heavy stuff for riding the subway to work.

    68. christopher h Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      science fiction

    69. Jessica Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I love short stories, especially anything in the horror genre. Non-fiction also is great.

    70. Denise Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I love true crime anytime.

    71. Annette Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      mystery and romance.

    72. Gretchen Taylor Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      A good “beach” book and a couple of mysteries. Always more than one!

    73. Chris Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      history books

    74. Deborah Wellenstein Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I have always loved post-apocalyptic fiction! Strange, I know!

    75. jennifer handke Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      Anything, Any type, Anywhere… I even read cereal boxes if I’m out of books.

    76. Jennifer Jozwiak Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      I love mysteries for the beach

    77. Sarah Stern Says:
      April 12th, 2008 at

      When I travel I let it all hang out and read the trashiest, fluffiest stuff I can find. Chick lit is great for this, as are potboiler pageturners. But the very best of all are stacks of magazines from the airport newsstand.

    78. Sharon Jones Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      I love an autobiography. Thanks for great contest

    79. Mary Casper Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      mysteries

    80. jennifer handke Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      I love them all, but on vacation, something short, sweet, doesn’t require too much brain power.

    81. Sylvia Belle Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      I like to listen to mysteries while I drive, on airplanes lite reading and at the destination it depends upon the kind of vacation.

    82. Caroline Pelchat Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      I love to read and eat up books constantly. Anthologies give you an idea of what writers you may enjoy to read more from. When I vacation I bring the book I am currently reading and 2 or 3 more of different genres. Mystery/Crime is my favorite, but comedy, love, horror, classical can be found in my book bag at any time.

    83. jan koontz Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      a big fat one

    84. Amy Moore Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      I read ANYTHING I can get my hands on. Whether its mystery, fiction, do it yourself, or the back of a cereal box.

    85. Anthony Hedden Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      sci fi

    86. christopher h Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      anything by heinlein

    87. Susan Craig Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      anything by Terry Pratchett. Also, extra books - the worst thing is to run out!

    88. amateurdelivre Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      I can never pick just one - it just depends on what I am in the mood for. But, I ALWAYS bring a lot of books, that’s for sure:)
      amateurdelivre at gmail dot com

    89. lisa Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      romance books

    90. Gretchen T Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      Several books go into the bag. Non fiction, fiction, mystery, a bit of it all.

    91. Dorothy Rozdilsky Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      Girl Private eye mysterys

    92. Catherine copeland Says:
      April 13th, 2008 at

      my favorite author is Ann Rule. I just love her. I take her books along with me often when I travel

    93. Angela Thompson Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      I love true crime stories

    94. leloni Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      Usually true crime stories…

    95. Sylvia Belle Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      I love to read. True crime stories are great.

    96. Dawn Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      Terry Prachett for the plane and hanging about waiting (always happens at some point). Then SciFi or shorts-yes would be thrilled to snag the anthologies). Recently a return to Ivan Doig (would sell my soul to write like that).

    97. sarah Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      Anything horror, monsters, murder, etc.

    98. Niki Moyer Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      Historical romance is my favorite

    99. Bobbye F Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      Travel books that tell me about where and what I am seeing while on vacation!

    100. Tonya Keener Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      I would give my right arm to win this….. but I don’t have to right? !!!!!!

    101. christopher h Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      trashy star trek books

    102. Tammy Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      I like to take Harlequin Romances with me when I travel. Very light reading, a little bit of escapism, and easy to travel with.

    103. Rachel Fox Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      I love to read true crime stories!

    104. Marion Burgess Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      I love to read medical thrillers like ones written by Tess Gerritsen.

    105. Melanie Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      I prefer to take big, thick epic novels so that I can afford to take the time to get good and lost in the storyline.

    106. Connie G Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      A good mystery.

    107. Barbara Fox Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      I love to go on vacation with Janet Evanovich — books that is! Nice light read that keeps me in a good mood.

    108. kathy pease Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      true crime :)

    109. trudee carreiro Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      mystery books james patterson, jaonne fluke, laura levine, ect

    110. Kathy Scott Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      Mystery and romance.

    111. shawna Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      true crime and fiction girly books.

    112. Denise B. Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      Coupon books and area dining/shopping/attractions guides.

    113. Catherine copeland Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      i love true crime books and I love ann rule. I really enjoy a good book not just on vacation but any free time

    114. jen g. Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      On a long road trip especially, I like to read books like Travels with Charley (J.Steinbeck) and Traveling Mercies (A.Lamott) that are basically thoughts of their experiences as they “travel.” Otherwise, I love historical fiction novels, too!

    115. Angela J Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      Varies from month to month, year to year, depends on what I’m in the mood to read at a given time.

    116. Shelly Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      Usually mysteries to keep me absorbed on a long plane flight.

    117. Shirley Younger Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      love romance and mystery

    118. Ruth Utterback Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      James Patterson or Nelson Demille books

    119. kiyana Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      I like Dean Koontz books

    120. Lara Aleff Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      I like to read mysteries!

    121. Janet Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      ty 4 the nice contest!

    122. Desmond Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      Humor collections are good, too…P. J. O’Rourke or Christopher Buckley, for instance.

    123. kerri Says:
      April 14th, 2008 at

      true crime and bios are my favorite

    124. William LuBien Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I take technical, radio-related books.

    125. Leigh Nichols Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      GOT to have my Stephen King!! :)

    126. BobV Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      any mystery is great.

    127. Connie G Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      A good murder mystery.

    128. Ruth Utterback Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      James Patterson, Nelson Demille

    129. Catherine copeland Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      i love love love ann rule. she is an awsome author. i love biographies, true crime, and political books. It makes getting there an education

    130. Elizabeth M. Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I like Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

    131. Terri Wagner Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I love to bring a good mystery or detective novel. Patricia Cornwell and James Patterson are 2 of my favorites.

    132. Tammy Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I like to take a Harlequin Romance with me when I travel.

    133. Dan Smith Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I like biographies

    134. Susan Smith Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I like to take the lastest bestseller with me when I go on vacation

    135. Roger Deming Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      sounds like some great books to read. would love to get them.

    136. Veronica Garrett Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I only take one or two books alone, ones I am interested in reading either good mysteries or non fiction biographies.

    137. Tonya Keener Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      murder mysteries hands down

    138. Pamela Hansen Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I love Danielle Steele books they keep me interested

    139. christopher h Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      really trashy space-opera type science fiction

    140. Rachel Fox Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      True Crime Dramas always keep me interested while on vacation!

    141. taryn Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I love chickie books for vacations. Nicholas Sparks, Karen Kingsbury, etc :)

    142. Brooke Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I like to take one or two BIG FAT classics that I haven’t read before - like Brothers Karamazov, Anna Karenina, or Remembrance of Things Past.

      Please pick me! I’ve really wanted to check these out!

    143. michelle rosborough Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      Everything, I just pick a book and take ie.

    144. Timothy Sternberg Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      Travel guides.

    145. Ed Nemmers Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      David Sedaris

    146. Carol Drury Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      no favorite authors except I do like JD ROBB but anything with a corpse will do just fine and I love English murders especially well!

    147. sarah woods Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      Love the travel and the art book. many Thanks Sarah W.

    148. Tisa Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I love both historical, art & travel books when I travel! ~ :) Thanks!

    149. Gretchen T Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      Anything that isn’t work related…. mystery, classic, short story.

    150. jason fiske Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      There is a spot in my bookshelf for these. It’s a waitin.

    151. Terri Lannan Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I like romantic suspense books. Although, a coworker recently got me into this vampire romance series as well.

    152. C Duran Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I love to read Jane Green novels when I’m on vacation.

    153. Janet Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      christain romance

    154. Donna Kozar Says:
      April 15th, 2008 at

      I like political thrillers.

    155. Karin Says:
      April 18th, 2008 at

      Humorous books

    Comments

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