Olivia Newport wall of booksA person can only have so many books in the house, depending of course on the house and how many other people you have to make room for. Eventually, there comes a time when you have to pull a book off the shelf and consider whether it’s time to send it off to its next life on someone else’s shelf.

Some books I must keep and I don’t feel obliged to explain to a single person why I will not give them away even though I haven’t opened them in, say, 28 years. Other books may be happier in new homes, whether through direct personal gifting or via the local thrift store. It’s for their own good, really, that I give them away to a home that will love and appreciate them.

The most fun books to give away, I’ve discovered, are copies of one I wrote! It’s been a blast these last few weeks to see The Pursuit of Lucy Banning reach eager readers’ hands. In my overexcitement, it may be slightly tempting to go around slapping books down in front of people and forcing them to look at the beautiful cover. Have you seen that dress?Olivia Newport The Pursuit of Lucy Banning

The book is not for everyone. (A few reviews remind me of that.) But lots of people have enjoyed the book. (Happily, the rest of the reviews remind me of that.)

I want to give a book away to someone who really wants it. I’m offering a book drawing from now through midnight on June 6. That’s a week from this posting. Answer this question in the comments to enter to win a copy of the first book the Avenue of Dreams series.

Fill my head with stories! I don’t want to miss anything!

What historical place have you visited that made you want to learn more about the events that made the place famous?