This Week in Books

Florinda raised the question last week of "Where do you get your books from?" That one question really got me thinking- how many programs to I participate in? There are so many great programs out there for Canadian book fanatics and I thought that I would take the time to link to all of them for in case someone else is interested in participating.



The first programs that I signed up for were from HarperCollins Canada. They used to give away ARC copies of select books every month in their Facebook Group but have since discontinued that program for economic reasons. They continue to offer select books free online courtesy of their "Browse Inside" feature. It's a great way to read both new and old favourites. I also participate in Harper Collins' First Look Program. Every month select ARC's are up for grabs, and you can sign up for any that interest you. The winners of the books are chosen by random draw. Some months there are a whole bunch that interest me, so I sign up for them all, and other months there's nothing that really interests me, but it is a great way to get in on upcoming Harper Collins releases. I get a book every other month or so on average from this program (this program is also available for Americans through http://www.harpercollins.com/). I also participate in HarperCollins' reading challenges. Although the books aren't free for the challenge, I enjoy reading books that I may not have otherwise have read, and by particpating you are entered for a chance to win a book from their next challenge.


Canadians can also participate in the Mini Book Expo for Bloggers. Although the site is on a temporary break as they gear up for their 2009 book releases, the rules are simple. There are a select number of titles and books available (usually one or two are released per day). If you see one that you would like to read and review, you can request it through the comments, and if you request it while there are still copies left, you will be sent the book. Bloggers can have up to two books requested at any given time. Once you review a book that you've been sent and send in the review, you are eligible to request another book. I've read lots of great titles from this program.


Simon and Schuster has a group on Facebook that offers a select number of titles per month. Leave a comment and send an e-mail as instructed and you'll have a chance to receive a copy of their featured book. I've also recently started participating in the Hachette Book Group's programs hosted at http://www.bookblogs.com/. I also just signed up for the Early Reviewer's Library Thing program, and although I have no received any books personally yet (I just signed up a couple of days ago) I have read on other blogs that people have received books from them.

It's important to remember, though, that most of these programs have a set of rules that need to be followed in order to participate. Most of the rules are simple: books received are not for re-sale, reviews need to be honest, and reviews need to be posted once the books have been read. These rules are in place so that people don't abuse the programs and the programs can continue. I enjoy receiving books from all of these places and discovering new authors. What about you? Where do you get your books from?

Mailbox Monday
(Hosted by The Printed Page)

What was in your mailbox this week?

Last week I received a copy of the recently released "Advice for Italian Boys" by Anne Giardini from HarperCollins Canada (thank-you!). Yesterday I received a copy of "Fifty is Not a Four-Letter Word" by Linda Kelsey from the Hachette Book Group (thanks!). I can't wait to read both of them!

Teaser Tuesday
(Hosted by Should Be Reading)

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

"Nicolo hears the doors to the stereo cabinet pulled open, the snick of the magnetic clasp being pulled apart, a reverberation of the doors of the veneered wooden cabinet as they reach the outerlimit of their hinges. The sound of hands fumbling with a record or tape."

From page 92 of "Advice for Italian Boys" by Anne Giardini

That's it for this week in books! What new books have you discovered this week? What are you reading now? What was in your mailbox?