Who doesn't enjoy shiny, shiny giveaways? CODEX BORN releases today!: seanan

Who doesn't enjoy shiny, shiny giveaways? CODEX BORN releases today!

My dearly beloved friend Jim Hines (http://www.jimchines.com/) has a new book out today: Codex Born, the sequel to Libriomancer. The magic of books has never been so real, or so incredibly dangerous.

I really, really loved this book, which I felt expanded and improved upon the world of the original, so when Jim asked if I would be willing to host a giveaway, I was happy to oblige. This is that giveaway. The rules:

1. Leave a comment on this post, naming the first book that really changed your life.
2. Identify your location in the world (US, non-US).
3. If non-US, confirm that you are willing to pay postage (for we are poor writers).

The winner will be chosen by RNG on Friday, August 9th, and Jim himself will be sending a signed copy of Codex Born to the winner. If you're not familiar with the series, you're in luck: book one, Libriomancer, is out today in paperback, so you can get all caught up.

Books! Magic! Awesomeness!

GAME ON!

ETA: Guys, I know it's tempting to discuss people's awesome taste in books with them, but please DO NOT REPLY to comments on RNG giveaway posts! It confuses the RNG, and has resulted in people NOT getting the prizes that they should have received!

aliciaaudrey

August 6 2013, 23:29:50 UTC 3 years ago

New comment

Robin McKinley's "The Blue Sword"

It was the first real adult(ish--I think it's often found in both YA and adult fantasy sections) fantasy I read. It inspired in me a lifelong love of the genre. I believe I stole it off my mother's bookshelf. I stole lots of books off her bookshelf and read bits in snatches, but I recall the Blue Sword being the first one I made off with and then kept. I still re-read it on occasion. It's like wrapping myself in a warm fuzzy blanket.

August 6 2013, 23:30:45 UTC 3 years ago

Oh and I'm US. I forgot to put that in the original post (and I know editing posts is bad--sorry.)

jenjen4280

August 6 2013, 23:34:04 UTC 3 years ago

1. Thendara House by Marion Zimmer Bradley
2. US

liadan_m

August 6 2013, 23:47:48 UTC 3 years ago

First book that changed my life? Dragonsinger, by Anne McCaffrey. Not only did it teach me the very initial basics of how to sing properly, it said that the music hunger was *real* and *acceptable*.

I'm US based. And seriously looking forward to Codex.

tibicina

August 6 2013, 23:55:16 UTC 3 years ago

If we're really going for the /first/ book, then probably Harold and the Purple Crayon. (But honestly, that's really hard to choose.)

I'm in the US.

ext_2101704

August 7 2013, 00:25:33 UTC 3 years ago

I'd have to say that the first book that ever changed my life was Nor Crystal Tears by Alan Dean Foster. It was lodged in a box of dad's old books and this bored kid decided to see what the pretty green book was about. My first real foray into sff and I've been hooked ever since. Thanks dad!

silfea464

August 7 2013, 00:36:05 UTC 3 years ago

Alanna the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
Florida USA

logan_w

August 7 2013, 00:39:48 UTC 3 years ago

The Hobbit, when I was about 7-8.
I'm in the US.

arib

August 7 2013, 00:45:37 UTC 3 years ago

1. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler was the first book that I read as a kid that prompted a serious emotional response, and made me wish I could move into the Met.
2. I'm in the US.

Drevlow Nate

August 7 2013, 00:51:08 UTC 3 years ago

The Gunslinger Stephen king

US

vincentursus

August 7 2013, 00:55:12 UTC 3 years ago

The Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology.

And I can use my sister's mailing address in the continental US.

Deleted comment

grinsinchi

August 7 2013, 01:00:10 UTC 3 years ago

The one I clearly remember now is Dune. I bought actual hardcover copies through #6...at least 2 past when they sucked ;-)

But boy, did I believe!

US-based

t

erinwrites

August 7 2013, 01:37:05 UTC 3 years ago

First book to change my life: A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle

I'm in the US.

:D

greatmarron

August 7 2013, 02:15:10 UTC 3 years ago

Sabriel by Garth Nix
MD, USA

squidkiller

August 7 2013, 02:35:12 UTC 3 years ago

Things Invisible to See, by Nancy Willard. I had no clue you could do that with writing.
Wichita, KS

memoryanddream

August 7 2013, 03:11:10 UTC 3 years ago

1. Just one?? Hrm..the first thing that comes to mind is A Wrinkle In Time because the concept of folding space to cross vast distances without having to traverse the space in between was mind-blowing to me. I think it began my interest in the more abstract thinking. I was probably about 9 or so when I read it and it fascinated me.

2. USA

Thanks for the chance to win! Seems like an interesting read!

alicebentley

August 7 2013, 03:11:47 UTC 3 years ago

The very first? All Cats Go To Heaven by Beth Brown. Just a story, not a novel, but I was very young and reading it was every sort of revelation at once. The feeling of alienation even when everyone wishes you well (the kitty lost her ninth life but landed up in Dog Heaven by mistake). The astonishment that words on the page could mean seeing things, and hearing things, and feeling things. The delight that, after the Happy Ending (still so very important then (I think I was five)) you could start! over! again!

I live in the US on a heavily forested island in Puget Sound.

anthimerian

August 7 2013, 03:14:34 UTC 3 years ago

That would be Bunnicula, by James Howe. It was the book that hooked me on reading, mysteries, and odd interpretations of vampires.

The SECOND book that changed my life was Dragonsong, without which I would not be the geek I am today.

US resident.

sneakybea

August 7 2013, 03:27:16 UTC 3 years ago

Well, I think Freaky Friday was the first book with chapters I read, so maybe I should pick that one. But really, I think it was a a biography on Elizabeth Cady Stanton, called Oh, Lizzie! or something like that. I read it when I was about 10 or so, and it started a lifelong fascination with history and feminism in general and the suffragists in particular. Thanks for the great giveaway, and I am in the US!

thedragonweaver

August 7 2013, 04:27:29 UTC 3 years ago

First book that really changed my life? Oy, that's hard—I've been an avid reader since sub-5 and an avaricious reader, too, so sometimes it's hard to keep track!

Instead, I'll list the book that I had to reread immediately upon completion when I was a full-fledged adult, the first time I did that since my mom mentioned that it was a little odd to reread without interspersing something else: The Curse of Chalion, by Lois McMaster Bujold. It was the depiction of sainthood that hooked me.

US resident.

roozle

August 7 2013, 04:29:47 UTC 3 years ago

Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase, Carolyn Keene
yup, in the United States

fluffworld

August 7 2013, 04:48:51 UTC 3 years ago

Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett.
Living in Aus, happy to pay postage for the shiny shiny awesome.

amdsmrnitesdrm

August 7 2013, 05:28:33 UTC 3 years ago

The first book that changed my life was "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh. " It was the first book I ever enjoyed reading. That book is a huge part of who I've grown to be.
My location is in Washington state.

gelsey

August 7 2013, 05:55:03 UTC 3 years ago

It was probably Black Beauty. It was the first book I remember that actually made me cry. I read it rsther sooner than most, given I read ahead of the curve.

I'm in TN, USA.

I loved the first book, Libriomancer. I'm very excited for this one.

tsgeisel

August 7 2013, 06:44:59 UTC 3 years ago

Hrm...probably Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury. And I'm in the US.

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