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12:48
Wed 29 Sep 10
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Vladimir
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Welcome to the October 2010 "How to Get the Right Book" book giveaway competition on Curious Book Fans site
Task: We are curious to know your best tips on how to get your friends and family to buy you the books you actually want instead of the ones they think you do? Please post examples of the worst book presents you've had – the things that just showed people didn't know or understand you – and the best ones that really surprised you.
An interesting book may be yours just in time for biggest gift giving ocassion of the year…
The best post will get the main prize:
Why Can't Elephants Jump?: And 101 Other Tantalising Science Questions by New Scientist
Five more lucky winners will get one of the books from the list below. Please feel free to say which book would you prefer from the list below in case you are the one of the lucky winners.
Rules and prizes:
- The main prize will be given to the most original and entertaining post on how to get your friends and family to buy you the books you actually want instead of the ones they think you do. Please post examples of the worst book presents you've had – the things that just showed people didn't know or understand you – and the best ones that really surprised you. The decision will be made by the site editor.
- The main prize is a book:
Why Can't Elephants Jump?: And 101 Other Tantalising Science Questions by New Scientist, Profile Books, Oct 2010
What's the storage capacity of the human brain in gigabytes? What's the farthest point on land from the sea? Why is frozen milk yellow? And why do flamingos stand on one leg? This book compiles readers' answers to these questions in the "Last Word" column of "New Scientist". The latest book in the series – over 2 million copies sold!
- Five more winners will be decided by the lucky draw. They will receive a chosen book from this list:
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1. Dr. Yes by Bateman (Headline, Sep 2010)
 The latest instalment in the wickedly funny ‘Mystery Man’ series sees the Small Shopkeeper With No Name (and No Customers), trying to unravel a murder mystery that brings him face to face with the most gruesome serial killer since the last one.
"Bateman is a terrific guide to post-Troubles Belfast and is also very funny, though if he keeps losing names at this rate he'll soon be called Anon…" – Ian Rankin
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2. Simon's Cat: Beyond the Fence by Simon Tofield (Canongate Books, Oct 2010)
With over 35 million hits on YouTube in little over a year, Simon’s Cat is a genuine word-of-mouth phenomenon. Fans from all over the world have fallen for this adorable but anarchic feline who will do just about anything to be fed.
This autumn, Simon Tofield’s beautiful drawings and warm humour come alive on the page while cat embark on a series of adventures beyond the garden fence…
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3. Serial Killers – Philosophy for Everyone (Wiley-Blackwell, Sep 2010) (2 copies to be won!)
Serial Killers – Philosophy for Everyone investigates our profound intrigue with mass-murderers. Exploring existential, ethical and political questions through an examination of real and fictional serial killers, philosophy comes alive via an exploration of grisly death.
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4. What the Hell are You Doing?: The Essential David Shrigley by David Shrigley (Canongate Books, Sep 2010)
"Shrigley’s comedy appears to confirm the belief of great humourists (from Laurence Sterne to Woody Allen) that laughter is synonymous with hope. In the arena of contemporary art, Shrigley’s work maintains a dualism, which is rare, rewarding and ultimately generous."
Frieze
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- No cash alternative to the prize will be available and all prizes are non-transferable .
- The competition is open to UK citizens only.
- Only one entry will be accepted per person registered on Curious Book Fans Forum.
- The closing date for entry is midnight on Sunday 31th October.
- Winners will be notified via email by Wednesday 3rd November.
- Winners' names will be published on Curious Book Fans Forum and within the regular newsletter.
- Thanks to publishers Profile Books, Headline, Wiley-Blackwell and Canongate Books for donation of the prizes!
Good luck!
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13:13
Wed 29 Sep 10
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Vladimir
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It's so easy to tell when somebody really thought hard about a book they chose for you and even easier to tell when they didn't. We've all had ill-thought out book gifts. Have you been left wondering in which parallel universe your auntie thinks you could cater for a dinner party with only a toaster and a microwave? Or questioned whether your cousin actually knows who Katie Price is and how they could ever think you wanted one of her ghost written loads of tosh? Or did your brother ignore the fact you've not been able to afford to go away without having to camp and then gave you a book on exclusive luxury hotels? What were the bad book choices that had you wondering if your friends and relatives really had a clue who you were?
The flip side of this is that every once in a while someone really gets it right and gives you something that shows that they not only love you dearly but they also understand what makes you tick. Whilst all the badly chosen books gather dust or head for the charity shops, which were the ones that really stopped you in your tracks and made you realise someone looked inside your head and chose the perfect book?
And if you doubt the mind-reading abilities of your gift givers, what's the best way to subtly (or not so subtly) point them in the right direction to ensure you get exactly what you want? Post your tips in the forum. Is it a letter to Santa up the chimney that works for you – or a comprehensive Amazon 'wish list' that's circulated to everyone you know and managed with the efficiency of a Wedding Register…
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14:56
Mon 4 Oct 10
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eilidhcatriona
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The best way to get friends and family to buy you books you want: supply a list! That's what I usually do – I give my dad a list of books/CDs/DVDs that I'd like, and leave it to him to pick a couple of things from it, and pass it to my brother if he asks what I'd like (which means if he's remembered my birthday or that it's Christmas!). I actually can't remember any occasion of recieving a book that didn't interest me.
My best book surprise was when a friend gave me a copy of Winter In Madrid by C.J. Sansom – it was a bit out of the blue, I didn't expect it and I'm not sure I had even heard of it, she hadn't read it, but she knew how much I love reading and as we had studied Spanish together at uni and she knew my interest in recent Spanish history, she thought it would interest me. She was right – it's a great book, and I really enjoyed it.
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13:29
Wed 6 Oct 10
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Flanders39
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Hi, the best way to ensure you get anything you want, not just a book, is to point at the item, either in the flesh or in a mag or on the screen and say 'That would make a great present for me'.
I learned that tip off my other half when I asked him why men don't respond to hints. He said that if we say 'oh, thats nice' men will just think idly, 'hmmm yes/no it is/isn't' whereas actually saying' that would make a great present for me' triggers their brain into storing the info in the 'wtf shall I get her for Christmas/Birthday section of the brain'.
Try it, try it on anyone, see their eyes widen as the info floods in their head.
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10:11
Fri 8 Oct 10
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keletubbie
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Arise the humble book token!
Most of my friends and family know that I like books very much, but a greater gift would be the funding to swish around a bookshop looking for my own books. I find that if I ask for a particular book, I will receive multiple copies of it anyway :(
Alternativeey, begin practising a false smile that doesn't scream 'read it', 'already got it' or 'if we run out of loo roll over Christmas'…
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meet friends /family for lunch in a supermarket…chat books/films over lunch , and idly suggest a quick browse..can get an idea of their wants too…..Mind , it might go horribly wrong …and nan might insist on buying you the books you`re hinting at then and there… Thanks for girl who played with fire n hornets nest xxxxx
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22:53
Mon 18 Oct 10
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Snowdrop223
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An up-to-date Amazon Wish List is the only way to get the books you want. Also, the main advantage I have found in using it is that there is still an element of surprise when you receive your gift, as you generally forget just what you have put on there.
My worst book gift was 'Shopaholic' by Sophie Kinsella. Yes I like reading and I love shopping, but I hate Chick Lit!!
My best book gift was 'Running With Scissors' by Augusten Burroughs. My best friend bought it for me because she knew I would think it as funny as she did. She was right, I love that book!
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23:15
Fri 29 Oct 10
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kattqueen
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As my father-in-law (a real book lover) does, make a book list and give out a copy when asked.
Easy, peasy, no bother, no fuss and saves a lot of wandering about bookstores umming and ahhing and him getting a lot of books he has no interest in. Everyones happy!
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23:27
Sat 30 Oct 10
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ness13
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I've tried dropping heavy hints and that never seems to work, as no-one has ever bought me a book. I'm still searching for someone who will! However, I do make it known that I love shopping for books and manage to drop the concept of book tokens into the conversation as much as I can!
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10:55
Sun 31 Oct 10
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Longtall
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It really is as most contributors have already said – make a list. I do have a wish list on Amazon, but it kind of incorporates everybody elses wish list as well – I just see books that I think look good and immediately put them in the Amazon list so that I don't forget about them and then ponder for ages at some point a few months later trying to remember what on earth it was! Then, alot of the time, i've forgotten why I put them in in the first place. My Amazon list also includes lots of childrens books – we often do a 'try before you buy' and get books out of the library and if they are really good fun/enjoyable reads – then I will put them in that list as well.
Books I don't partiuclarly like receiving are those that are bought for me as a gift, but are for 'general' use – eg. Halliwells film guide, dictionary, various cook books, gardening books – I could go on, but you get the picture. I like the books, just don't think it appropriate that they are 'gifts'!
So, I echo everyone else really – a list or a 'smack you in the face in the shop' hint – along the lines of 'I want this book, you can buy it for me for Christmas!'
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13:44
Sun 31 Oct 10
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mysticwen
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i send a santa letter to my friends and family saying what a very good girl i have been and if they think so to suprise me with my favourite read of the moment – which will be a treasured gift and very much appreciated. then asking for their return santa wish.
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10:10
Mon 1 Nov 10
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Vladimir
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This competition is closed now. Winners will be announced soon.
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10:49
Mon 1 Nov 10
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Vladimir
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15:38
Mon 1 Nov 10
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keletubbie
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Yay – I won! Should we expect an e-mail? 
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