If you want me to read your book

I know my column sells books. I'm not bragging or anything {she says while puffing out her chest}. I simply know my column sells books, because people tell me all the time that they've bought books based on my recommendation. Authors and publicists must realize reviewers sell books, because I get books sent to me all the time. I give each of these books at least two chapters to grab me. If a book doesn't grab me, I stuff it behind my office door and hope my husband never finds it (I'm always accusing my husband of being messy and it just wouldn't do for him to think I might be messy, too).

Usually, once a book is sent to me at the Gazette, it takes me about a month to actually pick it up and start reading it. The process goes something like this: I get a few emails from Joy at the paper. She's telling me to please come pick up my books. I write her back each time saying I'll be there any day. After about the third exchange with Joy, I get embarrassed and drag my three-year-old to the Gazette (I have to drag him because he's discovered the paper is not the "super-fun" place I've claimed it to be) to pick up the books. Then I drive back home and stack the books in a corner. Every once in awhile, I grab a book completely at random and read at least a couple chapters. I love when I love a book from the stack and feature it in my column. My most recent example of this is THE LOST RECIPE OF HAPPINESS.

Anyway, earlier this month, a publicist emailed me saying Joy had told him I was going to review his author's book. Hmmm. I didn't think Joy would make such a claim and I completely ignored the email. A few days later, the guy emailed again asking when would I be featuring his author's book. I was feeling feisty that day and emailed the guy back basically saying maybe never. He immediately emailed me back saying sorry for the confusion. That's when I thought what the hell. I looked through my stack, found the book and read the entire thing in one day. I may feature the book in a column, I may not. I'm still deciding. But my point is, this publicist was persistant. And the book was pretty good. And you, authors out there, are your own best publicist (unless you're Ben Esch...then Paul Michael Murphy is your best publicist).

If you want me to read your book, please send it to the Gazette. No need to email me, just put a note inside the front cover. I will NOT return the book and there's no guarantee I'll review it, but I'll be honored you thought of me. Seriously.
Gazette
Attn: Anita Miller, book columnist
30 S. Prospect St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903