Our recent internet breakdown means I almost missed Buy a Friend a Book Week - but not quite. I'd like to give a copy of one of the best books I read in 2007 to the person whose name is drawn out of the hat, so to enter, please just leave your name in the comments on this post and we'll have the draw next Saturday (January 12th.). Everyone is welcome to have a go, whether you're a regular visitor here or just happen to have stumbled on the site, and no matter where in the world you are - all four prizes last year went across the Atlantic!
The book I have in mind this time is, I think, quite outstanding. Once I'd read it I passed it on to two stern critics - my husband and my mother - both of whom shared my opinion. I won't reveal the title yet as it should be a surprise for the winner, but here are a few of my notes on it to keep you guessing: "sensitive, intense, poetic, taut, clear-sighted, evocative of William Trevor and Bruce Chatwin...".
Good luck!
Oh, yes please.......if I win, would you put a slice of Christmas cake in the package as well!?!?
Posted by: Curzon Tussaud | 06 January 2008 at 12:26 PM
Curiosity sufficiently peaked, please add my name, Karen! In desperate need of a good read....
Posted by: a simple yarn | 06 January 2008 at 01:14 PM
Sounds great! Put my name in the draw, please.
sherry
Posted by: sherry | 06 January 2008 at 01:40 PM
Please put my name in the hat - nothing ventured......
And thanks again for the blog, I visit every day.
Posted by: Lizzie | 06 January 2008 at 01:41 PM
can I be included too? Many thanks and Happy New Year!
Posted by: Penny Hodgkinson | 06 January 2008 at 01:47 PM
I should love to be included, please!
Margaret P
Posted by: Margaret Powling | 06 January 2008 at 02:05 PM
Sounds fabulous. Put me in the bag please!
Posted by: Ros | 06 January 2008 at 02:47 PM
How intriguing ... I can't guess what it is, but I'd love to be included in the draw, please.
Posted by: Angela Young | 06 January 2008 at 03:00 PM
Happy New Year
Would love to be included in this draw! Thanks and what a way to start 2008!! Thanks
Posted by: Mosi | 06 January 2008 at 03:16 PM
Our internet has been down too for several days - so a belated new year wishes to you as well. And why not enter too while I post here too - the book sound intriguing.
Posted by: Carol | 06 January 2008 at 03:57 PM
Me too, please! Thanks!
Posted by: adele geras | 06 January 2008 at 05:48 PM
Oh dear...you certainly do know how to bait and cast...I'm hooked.;-)Teresa
Posted by: Teresa | 06 January 2008 at 05:54 PM
Please include me!
Posted by: Andrea Sachs | 06 January 2008 at 05:56 PM
Me too, please!
Posted by: rosie | 06 January 2008 at 06:02 PM
Ooh please include me and a Happy New Year too!
Posted by: Alison Morris | 06 January 2008 at 06:54 PM
Please add my name to the hat.
Happy New Year and thanks from all my family for the delicious Christmas pudding recipe.
Posted by: Maureen | 06 January 2008 at 07:06 PM
It sounds too good to be true, but I would love a good read for the New Year. Many thanks for a wonderful and generous treat!
Posted by: Sally Anne | 06 January 2008 at 07:21 PM
I'll win one of these someday!
Posted by: Simon | 06 January 2008 at 08:44 PM
Me me me please Karen!
Posted by: Laura | 06 January 2008 at 09:08 PM
Hello, What a wonderfully thoughtful giveaway. Please enter me in your contest. I appreciate it.....Cindi
Posted by: Cindi Hoppes | 06 January 2008 at 09:47 PM
Count me in too please.
Posted by: Scarlettina | 06 January 2008 at 10:14 PM
And me too, please!
Posted by: Barbara MacLeod | 06 January 2008 at 10:41 PM
A new book to start the year! That would be fabulous! Wish me luck!
Posted by: Peg | 06 January 2008 at 11:39 PM
Happy New Year - and oh please..... count me in too!!
Posted by: Carole | 06 January 2008 at 11:51 PM
24 already!! Well, I want to toss my name in the hat as well. A portion of your hint convinced me:
"...evocative of William Trevor and Bruce Chatwin..."
On one of these Buy A Friend A Book weeks, I should send you one - haven't time to think about it right now, am supposed to be packing (I always save this til the very last minute!!).
Posted by: Nancy | 07 January 2008 at 01:23 AM
I can't guess ... but I love William Trevor, so please include me - happy new year and thanks!
Posted by: m | 07 January 2008 at 01:47 AM
Now I am curious…
BTW, I know I've seen that double "f" logo before, but can't remember where. What is it?
Posted by: Francesca | 07 January 2008 at 02:07 AM
I'm a regular visitor but first time commenter, and I'd love to be included in the draw. Thanks ever so much!
Posted by: Caroline | 07 January 2008 at 03:58 AM
I really enjoy your blog---the
photos, etc. thanks for doing it.
I just gave my daughter in law
the Art of Domesticity which I learned about through your blog.
I'm from Arkansas and I ordered
it through your blog--and Amazon
U.k. I've never been to Scotland,
but your pictures are building in
me a desire to visit!
Posted by: mona lee | 07 January 2008 at 04:05 AM
Haven't guessed yet, but v intrigued - please throw my name into that hat!
Posted by: Donnafugata | 07 January 2008 at 06:09 AM
I'd love to be added to this, please.
Posted by: Carol | 07 January 2008 at 06:20 AM
If I may please?
Posted by: sussexyorkie | 07 January 2008 at 08:09 AM
Put my name in the hat too please!
Posted by: Bea | 07 January 2008 at 09:20 AM
Throw me in that hat please.
Posted by: Claire | 07 January 2008 at 10:08 AM
Thank you for your blog; it's a daily read for me. So I have to put my name in the hat too since I'm sure to enjoy a book you pick (if I win that is.) Mary H.
Posted by: Mary | 07 January 2008 at 10:39 AM
Hi - Happy New Year. Please add my name in the draw and thank you,it sounds a good book.
Posted by: BooksPlease | 07 January 2008 at 01:04 PM
Another name for the draw - Thanks Karen!
Posted by: Kelly | 07 January 2008 at 01:07 PM
Yes, please!
Posted by: Pip | 07 January 2008 at 01:28 PM
I'm curious--and trust your taste. Please enter my name. Thanks.
Posted by: Karen Beadling | 07 January 2008 at 03:05 PM
Me too, please!
Posted by: tara | 07 January 2008 at 03:21 PM
yes pleasey!
Posted by: clem | 07 January 2008 at 03:40 PM
Sounds interesting - please add my name to the hat. I'm a regular visitor and thoroughly enjoy your blog, especially your photos - thank you!
Posted by: judith | 07 January 2008 at 03:42 PM
Nothing like the possibility of a book evocative of Chatwin to convince a lurker to emerge... please add my name to the drawing.
Posted by: MzTallulah | 07 January 2008 at 04:45 PM
Mummy, I think you should give the classic of Belgian symbolism instead.
Posted by: Alice | 07 January 2008 at 04:53 PM
I'd love to give it a try!
Posted by: Ginny | 07 January 2008 at 06:51 PM
Karen, please add my name to the sorting hat!
Posted by: Lisa W | 07 January 2008 at 07:39 PM
Ooops, forgot about this for my own blog... must remember to add it tomorrow.
Posted by: natalie | 07 January 2008 at 08:04 PM
Add me to the contest if it's not too late though I'm a very slow reader.
Posted by: lissa | 07 January 2008 at 09:23 PM
I stumbled upon your blog by chance. Good for me!
Consider me for the giveaway!
Posted by: gautami tripathy | 08 January 2008 at 05:27 AM
please could I enter too - intrigued about the book perhaps Penelope Fitzgerald? I also read your blog most days and enjoy it and many links enormously
Posted by: jilly | 08 January 2008 at 07:41 AM
I'll try again, hoping for symbolist poetry if Alice hasn't snaffled it yet!
Dark Puss
Posted by: Peter the flautist | 08 January 2008 at 08:38 AM
Oh, yes please, count me in. If you think it's a good book, I am sure it will be so!
Posted by: sabine | 08 January 2008 at 10:20 AM
Please count me in- i am bored, bored, bored! with my books, and have taken to reading knitting books again.
Posted by: sarah | 08 January 2008 at 11:24 AM
Oh, why not have a go . . . I'm curious! Do include me! Thanks.
Posted by: Deirdre | 08 January 2008 at 12:38 PM
This is such fun. Can I recommend a book while I am here? "How Can We Keep From Singing" by Joan Oliver Goldsmith. Even if you don't care to sing, reading a book by someone who is so enthusiastic is still something of a treat.
Posted by: Karen | 08 January 2008 at 03:39 PM
I did just stumble across your site over the Christmas holiday while on an online hunt for book recommendations. Please add me to your growing list.
Posted by: emilysmother | 09 January 2008 at 03:58 AM
Please add my name to your very long list. Many thanks!
Posted by: Deb | 09 January 2008 at 10:09 AM
pretty please put my name in too please!
Posted by: michelle sires | 09 January 2008 at 10:43 AM
Throw me in the hat! What a lovely idea!
Posted by: Roobeedoo | 09 January 2008 at 11:25 AM
Please add my name to your growing list. I look forward to visiting your blog every day. Happy New Year.
Posted by: lucette | 09 January 2008 at 02:51 PM
Number 61 barely stands a chance but I cna't pass this BAFAB.
Posted by: Wanda J | 10 January 2008 at 05:52 AM
me too (sorry if this is a repeat post)
Posted by: deeni | 10 January 2008 at 08:08 AM
Count me in! at the very least I'd love to know what book you have in mind.
Posted by: Erika Tsugawa | 10 January 2008 at 04:58 PM
Count me in too! I'm very curious to see what you picked and to see if my guess is correct!
Posted by: Beth | 11 January 2008 at 01:29 AM
Yes please!
Posted by: Peta | 11 January 2008 at 11:59 AM
I would my name to go into the draw.
Many Thanks,
Posted by: Jennifer Dee | 11 January 2008 at 12:10 PM
Yes, please! :0)
Posted by: Charity | 11 January 2008 at 03:51 PM
Sounds wonderfuly. Put my name into the draw! Thanks!
Posted by: Kathleen | 11 January 2008 at 05:12 PM
Please, put my name in the hat as well!
Posted by: Lene | 11 January 2008 at 06:50 PM
Enter me too, please!
Posted by: Rosemary | 11 January 2008 at 09:06 PM