World Book Night 2012. Boy, do I have Good Omens for you.

Hello, and welcome to World Book Night 2012.
Last year, we had a free prize draw on this blog for people to win a copy of 'Stuart: A Life Backwards' by Alexander Masters. It wasn't the most popular book in the world, I admit. In fact, I didn't manage to ever complete it myself. Oddly enough, though, the only person I DO know that managed to finish it AND to enjoy it was a colleague's young son. Oh well, it takes all sorts, I suppose.
This year, I thought I'd go for something a little lighter in tone. Well, as light as Armageddon could actually be. Mind you, since this particular Armageddon was written by Terry Pratchett* & Neil Gaiman, it's obviously going to be more than leaning towards 'rib-tickling' Yes, this year, I will be giving out 24 copies of the novel, 'Good Omens'.
If you haven't read any Pratchett before, then this would be the ideal place to start, especially if you have been put off by the scale of his Discworld series.

Last Saturday, I went to my library to collect my box of books and went home, eager to open it up and see what they looked like.

Oooo - all that awesomeness in a box!

After that, I had to open them up and scribble a few details in - one of the cool things that World Book Night does is to allow you the opportunity to track where the books go - even if it means they end up on the other side of the world! Part of the idea is that you pass the book on once you have read it. On the other hand, if you like it that much that you want to keep it for yourself - and why not? - then nobody is going to think the worst of you if you allocate it a permanent place on your bookshelf. Also inside the front is a list of all of the books being given away this year - take a good look, it's going to be worth your while, I promise.

If you're interested, you can always pop along to the World Book Night site to find out a bit more.

Now the important bit.
I need to be giving away all 24 copies of this most excellent book, though it may grieve me so to be parted from them. I am doing this in three ways. Firstly, I have earmarked five copies for very close friends and family. Secondly, I will be sat in a cafe in Eastbourne next Saturday from 11am, waiting for fourteen lucky people to turn up and bribe m... >sigh< OK, ask me for a free copy of 'Good Omens'. If you're in the area, then why not drop by Central Eating (240, Terminus Road, Eastbourne BN21 3DE), have a drink and a bite to eat and maybe even get yourself something to read while you treat your tastebuds.

Why, yes, it IS popular.. why do you ask?

That leaves us with five copies of 'Good Omens' left over.
For you. Yes, that's right, for readers of Julie's Gems, because we love you that much. We will be sending a copy each to five lucky readers, wherever they may be in the world, be it Australia, China, Venezuela or the darkest depths of Essex.
What do you have to do to get yourself such a desirable tome? Not a lot, really. You don't have to pay us anything, there aren't any tricky questions and you certainly don't have to cough up cash for the postage. All you have to do is send us an email, telling us that you rather fancy owning a copy of this book. Here's the email address.

juliesgemsuk@hotmail.co.uk

Still not sure if you want to go for it? How about if I tell you that there are some nice little bonus features that you won't find in the original novel. Firstly, there are a couple of interviews with the authors, where they chat about each other. Then, too, there is a snippet of a book by a man that is name-checked in Good Omens more than once.

Incredible, eh? I bet you're really champing at the bit now

WAIT!!

It gets better!
Not only will five lucky people be receiving a copy of Good Omens, but one especially fortunate person will also be receiving a copy of one of the other books being given away. Thanks to my friend, Wolf, we also have a copy of Audrey Niffenegger's 'The Time Traveler's Wife' (sic) to add to the pile.

Just to recap, then, we have five copies of Good Omens to give away, one of which will also be accompanied by a copy of The Time Traveler's Wife, to be sent anywhere in the world, free of charge. All you have to do is send us an email at juliesgemsuk@hotmail.co.uk. Alternatively, you could just comment below, but please bear in mind that we need to have an email address so we can contact the winners. Don't let that put you off making a comment though, we LOVE feedback!
One final word; the prize draw will close on Sunday, May 6th 2012. This means you have two weeks to drop us a line.

Good luck to everyone!

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*Yes, I know it's Sir Terry Pratchett, but the man hadn't yet been knighted at the time of writing Good Omens.