Anthology Books Giveaway Contest

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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!

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April 11, 2008 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear, Travel News 

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157 Responses to “Anthology Books Giveaway Contest”

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  1. Linda N says:
    April 11, 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 11, 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 11, 2008 at

    mystery novels

  4. Marilyn Wons says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    I bring true crime books - I love them

  5. margaret herrin says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    Thrillers.

  6. Desmond says:
    April 11, 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 11, 2008 at

    cozy mysteries

  8. jesy says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    Neato idea

  9. jan koontz says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    a book that will last for a long read

  10. Shannon Baas says:
    April 11, 2008 at

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

  11. Roseann Kies says:
    April 11, 2008 at

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

  12. Noreen says:
    April 11, 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 11, 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 11, 2008 at

    I like reading Humor books from any author!

  15. dorothy says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    most the time a thriller

  16. Aurae Beidler says:
    April 11, 2008 at

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

  17. Leigh Nichols says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    I LOVE Stephen King and Joe Hill books!!

  18. Vicky Boackle says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    i read fiction.

  19. Jennifer Barnett says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    I like to read mysteries while on vacation.

  20. Theresa N says:
    April 11, 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 11, 2008 at

    sci-fi

  22. jennifer handke says:
    April 11, 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 11, 2008 at

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

  24. Naomi says:
    April 11, 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 11, 2008 at

    History books about where I am going.

  26. Mary says:
    April 11, 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 11, 2008 at

    I always love true crime.

  28. Carol Harrity says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    Historical fiction is one favorite.

  29. susan varney says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    any romance novel

  30. Brittany Rebello says:
    April 11, 2008 at

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

  31. R Hicks says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    I CRAVE REFERENCE BOOKS AND AUTOBIOGRAPHIES

  32. Cindi says:
    April 11, 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 11, 2008 at

    I PREFER NON-FICTION OR A VERY FUNNY COMEDY

  34. Susan Chester says:
    April 11, 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 11, 2008 at

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

  36. Lori Kaveney says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    A really good mystery

  37. durbzblogz says:
    April 11, 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 11, 2008 at

    I like chick lit on vacation

  39. Desmond says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    Some good science fiction is nice…

  40. Laurie says:
    April 11, 2008 at

    A great graphic novel.

  41. Janice J says:
    April 11, 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 12, 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 12, 2008 at

    a great horror novel of course! =)

  44. Angela says:
    April 12, 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 12, 2008 at

    classic literature, contemporary, non-fiction, anything.

  46. Marilyn Wons says:
    April 12, 2008 at

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

  47. scarlette monahan says:
    April 12, 2008 at

    Thriller night

  48. Mary says:
    April 12, 2008 at

    Science fiction.

  50. susan varney says:
    April 12, 2008 at

    romance novels

  51. Kierra says:
    April 12, 2008 at

    books by Emile Zola, which are French literature

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

    I bring true crime books - I love them

  54. Kathy Walker says:
    April 12, 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 12, 2008 at

    love an asst

  56. DeeAnn says:
    April 12, 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 12, 2008 at

    James Pattersons,alex cross crime stories

  58. Steph says:
    April 12, 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 12, 2008 at

    Thrillers

  60. Regina says:
    April 12, 2008 at

    Mysteries.

  61. kitty says:
    April 12, 2008 at

    Mysteries

  62. Tammy says:
    April 12, 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 12, 2008 at

    I love mysteries and romance novels.

  64. Elizabeth M. says:
    April 12, 2008 at

    I love to bring chick lit with me!

  65. Julie Ford says:
    April 12, 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 12, 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 12, 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 12, 2008 at

    science fiction

  69. Jessica says:
    April 12, 2008 at

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

  70. Denise says:
    April 12, 2008 at

    I love true crime anytime.

  71. Annette says:
    April 12, 2008 at

    mystery and romance.

  72. Gretchen Taylor says:
    April 12, 2008 at

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

  73. Chris says:
    April 12, 2008 at

    history books

  74. Deborah Wellenstein says:
    April 12, 2008 at

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

  75. jennifer handke says:
    April 12, 2008 at

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

  76. Jennifer Jozwiak says:
    April 12, 2008 at

    I love mysteries for the beach

  77. Sarah Stern says:
    April 12, 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 13, 2008 at

    I love an autobiography. Thanks for great contest

  79. Mary Casper says:
    April 13, 2008 at

    mysteries

  80. jennifer handke says:
    April 13, 2008 at

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

  81. Sylvia Belle says:
    April 13, 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 13, 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 13, 2008 at

    a big fat one

  84. Amy Moore says:
    April 13, 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 13, 2008 at

    sci fi

  86. christopher h says:
    April 13, 2008 at

    anything by heinlein

  87. Susan Craig says:
    April 13, 2008 at

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

  88. amateurdelivre says:
    April 13, 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 13, 2008 at

    romance books

  90. Gretchen T says:
    April 13, 2008 at

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

  91. Dorothy Rozdilsky says:
    April 13, 2008 at

    Girl Private eye mysterys

  92. Catherine copeland says:
    April 13, 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 14, 2008 at

    I love true crime stories

  94. leloni says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    Usually true crime stories…

  95. Sylvia Belle says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    I love to read. True crime stories are great.

  96. Dawn says:
    April 14, 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 14, 2008 at

    Anything horror, monsters, murder, etc.

  98. Niki Moyer says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    Historical romance is my favorite

  99. Bobbye F says:
    April 14, 2008 at

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

  100. Tonya Keener says:
    April 14, 2008 at

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

  101. christopher h says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    trashy star trek books

  102. Tammy says:
    April 14, 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 14, 2008 at

    I love to read true crime stories!

  104. Marion Burgess says:
    April 14, 2008 at

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

  105. Melanie says:
    April 14, 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 14, 2008 at

    A good mystery.

  107. Barbara Fox says:
    April 14, 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 14, 2008 at

    true crime :)

  109. trudee carreiro says:
    April 14, 2008 at

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

  110. Kathy Scott says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    Mystery and romance.

  111. shawna says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    true crime and fiction girly books.

  112. Denise B. says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    Coupon books and area dining/shopping/attractions guides.

  113. Catherine copeland says:
    April 14, 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 14, 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 14, 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 14, 2008 at

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

  117. Shirley Younger says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    love romance and mystery

  118. Ruth Utterback says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    James Patterson or Nelson Demille books

  119. kiyana says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    I like Dean Koontz books

  120. Lara Aleff says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    I like to read mysteries!

  121. Janet says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    ty 4 the nice contest!

  122. Desmond says:
    April 14, 2008 at

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

  123. kerri says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    true crime and bios are my favorite

  124. William LuBien says:
    April 15, 2008 at

    I take technical, radio-related books.

  125. Leigh Nichols says:
    April 15, 2008 at

    GOT to have my Stephen King!! :)

  126. BobV says:
    April 15, 2008 at

    any mystery is great.

  127. Connie G says:
    April 15, 2008 at

    A good murder mystery.

  128. Ruth Utterback says:
    April 15, 2008 at

    James Patterson, Nelson Demille

  129. Catherine copeland says:
    April 15, 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 15, 2008 at

    I like Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

  131. Terri Wagner says:
    April 15, 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 15, 2008 at

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

  133. Dan Smith says:
    April 15, 2008 at

    I like biographies

  134. Susan Smith says:
    April 15, 2008 at

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

  135. Roger Deming says:
    April 15, 2008 at

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

  136. Veronica Garrett says:
    April 15, 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 15, 2008 at

    murder mysteries hands down

  138. Pamela Hansen says:
    April 15, 2008 at

    I love Danielle Steele books they keep me interested

  139. christopher h says:
    April 15, 2008 at

    really trashy space-opera type science fiction

  140. Rachel Fox says:
    April 15, 2008 at

    True Crime Dramas always keep me interested while on vacation!

  141. taryn says:
    April 15, 2008 at

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

  142. Brooke says:
    April 15, 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 15, 2008 at

    Everything, I just pick a book and take ie.

  145. Ed Nemmers says:
    April 15, 2008 at

    David Sedaris

  146. Carol Drury says:
    April 15, 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 15, 2008 at

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

  148. Tisa says:
    April 15, 2008 at

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

  149. Gretchen T says:
    April 15, 2008 at

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

  150. jason fiske says:
    April 15, 2008 at

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

  151. Terri Lannan says:
    April 15, 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 15, 2008 at

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

  153. Janet says:
    April 15, 2008 at

    christain romance

  154. Donna Kozar says:
    April 15, 2008 at

    I like political thrillers.

  155. Karin says:
    April 18, 2008 at

    Humorous books

  156. Valerie Frost says:
    April 1, 2009 at

    Novels, Dean Koontz, Nicholas Sparks, dog Stories,
    Old cassics, Albert Payson Terhune, Jim Kjelgaard

  157. Cara says:
    April 7, 2009 at

    short story collections, for variety

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