Thank God for a Book Giveaway, December 1st, 2008 (Day 11)
By APOOO • Dec 1st, 2008 • Category: Thank God for a Book Giveaway •
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We’re at the halfway mark for the Thank God for a Book Giveaway. 10 books down; 10 books to go. Week Two winners will be announced later…this evening. In the meantime, without further ado, I present to you, today’s book giveaway. Actually, in observance of World AIDS Day, today’s books deal with that topic. Two books are showcased, but you, the reader, can decide which book you would like to win. Just leave a note in the comment section.
Murder on the Down Low by Pamela Samuels-Young. I must admit that the title intially turned me off and kept me from picking up this book. (Sorry, there are only so many Down Low storylines I want to read during my lifetime…lol.) Fortunately, a number of APOOO members read it and the word of mouth was favorable…so I finally picked it up and I’m glad I did. While it’s a fictitious tale, it’s also a book with a message, especially for African-American women. Sometimes, the buck does stop with us. One of my favorite passages to ponder from the book was:
The guy on the down low is just one small part of a much bigger problem. We live in a culture of sexual promiscuity and HIV is happily thriving in it. The biggest problem for the black community is that we’re the perfect hiding place for the disease.
We’re less likely to get tested so we unknowingly spread the disease to others. We have less access to medical care, so we don’t get the early treatment that could save our lives. Many of our young black men view themselves as invincible, so they don’t feel the need to use protection. And our women don’t feel empowered enough to demand that they do. And just like everybody else, we’re out there engaging in casual sex simply because it feels good.
And the most influential body in our community, the black church, has its head buried in the sand while the disease ravages our community.
If you really want to make a difference when you speak about the subject, help women understand that HIV doesn’t pick you because you’re gay or because you’re a bad person. It picks you because you’re available.
The Naked Truth by Marvelyn Brown. The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful and HIV Positive by Marvelyn Brown is the inside story of a young woman’s life and how it was changed by personal choices and behavior. For more details regarding this book, CLICK HERE to read the review from APOOO member, Angelia Menchan.
No matter which book you decide to choose…both of them are very good reads and worth your time.
Now, how TO ENTER TO WIN.
If you would like to win a copy of Murder on the Down Low by Pamela Samuels-Young or The Naked Truth by MarvelynBrown, leave a comment on this post, along with your email address, by midnight EST, Sunday, December 7th. You can increase your chances of winning, by entering more than one comment, but each additional comment must be meaningful and different. Also, if you post about this giveaway on your own blog and link back to APOOO, you get two more entry points. This contest is open to US and Canadian residents. I will use random.org to choose the winner. The winner will only be notified via the Web site, so you will need to come back to the Web site to see if you have won. The winner will be announced on Monday, December 8.
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APOOO is an online author and reader community dedicated to advancing African American literature. Our mission is to expose readers of all ages to a good book in any genre; to support African American authors, books, literary events and bookclubs; to provide marketing resources, tools and tips to authors; and, to promote literacy within the African American community.
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I have never read anything by this author; however, I have heard nothing but good reviews about this book. I wonder what I have been missing out on
I have heard alot about both books lately. I was jsut telling my husband last night that I was interested in getting The Naked Truth by MarvelynBrown. I like that the books tied in with Worlds Aid Day…pretty sneaky sis(does any one else remember that line from the old Connect Four commercials..LOL I think of the weirdest things)
Sounds interesting…put me down!
OHHH! And is this something suitable for teens?? We are trying to get some info together for the girls I mentor. They need all they can to learn about AIDS! *Sigh*
Donnica, which book…there’s two above.
Donnica, yes The Naked Truth is suitable for teens, in fact it’s written with them in mind.
Secrets
Due to Societies Ignorance
Secrets
Are being kept
Someone
Among us has HIV/AIDS
But
Due to Societies Ignorance
They
Cannot openly ‘Tell It’
It’s
A
Secret
They’re dying to share
But
Due to Societies Ignorance
And
For peace of mind
And
Safely
They dare not ‘Tell It’
Secrets
@ 2007 Lisa M. Sullivan
All Rights Reserved…
I’ve yet to read the first book ‘Murder on the Down Low’ but the second one I’ve read and shared (gave a few copies away)
I
I’d like to check out The Naked Truth after seeing the author briefly on The Early Show this morning.
Oh, Yas, I forgot to say “Nice tie-in with World AIDS Day”.
You’re a marketer extraordinaire!
Kudos to ya, sis!
What a great passage as a teaser Yas. I would love to win the Naked Truth. Murder on the Down Low is on my December list. Yes ladies, we must love and empower ourselves and not live for the moment or try to win a man’s (and I use that word lightly, because a real man takes care of business) love.
Dera´s last blog post..My name is Dera and I am a bookaholic
Read EVERY REASONABLE DOUBT by Pamela Samuels Young. Enjoyed it. Interested in winning MURDER ON THE DOWN LOW.
Ms. Toni´s last blog post..OOSA Online Book Club gave 4 stars to: Desperate Hoodwives
WOW.. great tie in with AIDS Awareness.. I haven’t read anything by these authors and I am very interested in reading them all
Very interesting. I look forward to reading both of these.
I never read anything by the other, but the book sounds very interesting
I would love to enter for a chance to win a copy of the book; Murder on the Down low.
I have read some reviews on this books, but have never got around to purchasing a copy of it. It is one of my wishlist items on one of my many bookclub subscribtions. lol
Yes this was the perfect idea for a give away to observe World Aids day. Hover I already own a copy of Miss Marvelyn Brown’s book. So Murder on the Down Low would be the choice for me.
I haven’t read either book…..would love to add to my collection.
Thanks for the chance to win. Wondering why I’m not getting emails though.
Kathy Colo Spgs
I heard an interview with Marvelyn Brown on the Michael Baisden show about this time last year, or maybe early this year. Anyway, hats off to Ms. Brown who is very confident and very open, intent upon helping other young people to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
PatriciaW´s last blog post..Catching Up and Book Giveaway
I looked at The Naked Truth on amazon.com and it had so many good reviews it needs to be added to my TBR list.
SL–I love the poem thanks so much for sharing!
Patricia–did you record your interview…I would love to hear it!
Ms. Mary–yes the Naked Truth is a very enlightening and empowering book.
Thanks to all for noticing that I tied into World AIDS Day…I was surprised that I had read two good books this year that fit the theme…one fiction and one non-fiction.
Great books but my choice for this blog would be Murder on the Down Low
My comment regarding World Aids Day – is something that I read recently in “Conception” when the unborn was talking to her potential mother – that she needed to understand/ be aware the choices that are available to you – so a choice is not made for you.
I’m interested in The Naked Truth. Already read Murder and yes, it was excellent.
I’d like to read both of them.
Mahogany@taconic.net
Dawnny´s last blog post..December Book Selection Suggestions????
I Must say that I am very impressed with the book that Miss Marvelyn Brown has put out. I just started it yesterday and should be finished by lunchtime today. The story is truly an eye opening experience. Hats off to you “Shari” (wink) it took “COURAGE”. I havr only eighteen pages left and the anticipation is getting the best of me. I am at work and don’t want to pull it out until my first fifteen minute break. lol
When I looked up the author online I just realized who she is. I seen her everywhere before she wrote the book, but I never made the connection until I seen a picture and went to her website.