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April Fool by John Neufeld - Book Giveaway

Wednesday, 22 October 2008, 15:00 | Category : Book Review and Giveaway, fiction
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We’re not all pleasant people; we have flaws, some of us more than others.  Sometimes we do or think despicable things.  This may not be the best way to conduct life, but it does make for an interesting character for a book.  In April Fool, George Willets is at a point in his life where maybe he’s just a wee bit too comfortable.  His daily routine with his wife is just that - routine.  The boredom he endures begins to be too much for him; so when he meets the perfect woman, he feels his luck is about to change.  It may be changing, but whether or not it’s for the better is what makes this book a great read.

Author John Neufeld does an excellent job at taking a distasteful personality and turning him into someone a reader wants to spend time with and learn about.  This is a difficult task for any writer; despite George’s behavior and his desire to consider murder an option for getting out of a rut, I still somehow rooted for George and hoped he’d find the error of his ways.  The book was entertaining and a pleasure to read, filled with humor, suspense, and politically incorrect characters.  I doubt there was a noble one in the bunch, which made it all the more interesting.

John Neufeld has written over 20 novels for adults and young readers, and has been nominated for an Edgar, been twice included in the Sunday New York Times’ Best Books of the Year, and has been published in several countries as well.  I’m happy to tell you I have a copy of April Fool to give to one carp(e) libris reviews reader.

3 Ways to Win:

1.) Have you known people with major character flaws?  Of course you have! But did you like them anyway?  Do share.  Be thoughtful with your comment! Winners are randomly chosen, but if the name drawn doesn’t respond, I choose the next winner by comment.

2.) Email subscribers are entered into this and all future giveaways, for as long as their subscription is active. Simply place your email address in the little white box at the top of my sidebar on the right. (Please make sure to verify your Feedburner subscription by responding to the email they send you. If you don’t receive it, check your junk mail. Only verified subscriptions are entered for all the giveaways.)

3.) Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post. Come back and leave me a Comment with a link to your blog post.

Do all three, and you’ve got three entries to win! You have until midnight EST on Saturday, October 25, 2008, to enter.

75 Comments for “April Fool by John Neufeld - Book Giveaway”

  1. 1Anne

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 16:52

    My best friend, whom I’ve known for over 20 years, is a major exagerator (sp) ……..the plane she was on almost crashed………she was deathly ill……..

    The plane was fine and she is fine, but I still love her as she loves me despite my flaws!

  2. 2Elaine R

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 17:44

    A now ex-friend of mine stretched the truth continually and finally she was caught telling a huge lie and the friendship was over.

  3. 3Katherine Frazier

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 18:06

    I have a couple of male friends that are stuck in ruts right now with their lives, this book might be a good read for them.

  4. 4ky2here

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 18:41

    Two of my closest friends are dears but they’re not routinely honest. I still love them but I take everything they say with a grain of salt.

  5. 5Donna

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 18:50

    I had an ex- sister-in-law who appeared to be a congenital liar. She was friendly enough, but always wanted to know my personal business and was quite a gossip as well. No, I didn’t care for her because I couldn’t trust her. Thanks for the contest.

  6. 6rebecca snodgrass

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 18:56

    Yes, i have known people like that. I pretty much like everybody.

  7. 7Kathy Scott

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 19:01

    My mother died on April 1st, and people thought I was kidding.

  8. 8Zoe Lee

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 19:03

    I had the worst roommate who was a hypocrite, which to me is one of the most major flaws. Ugh. Interesting it was, but dreadful at the end of the day.

  9. 9David Bertolo

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 19:35

    In reality everyone including me has at least one major character flaw. No one is perfect except God. Either except people for who they are or become a hermit.

  10. 10Melissa B.

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 20:12

    I know several people like that. But, what am I gonna do, kick them out of my life? They’re family.

  11. 11Linda

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 20:39

    Crying wolf is sometimes not a good idea.

  12. 12Carolsue

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 21:07

    The most character-flawed person I’ve ever met is my sister’s ex. We never liked him before, during or after. He lied about everything, no matter how insignificant it was. Worst part, I think he actually believed his lies!

  13. 13becky

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 21:34

    have known alot in real life and in internet world- one that is funny is a lady who is an actress- well she is a frickin cow and she tells people she is 21-28(and how petite she is) when everyone knows that she is in her late 30s if not early 40s but tells people she is 21-28 depending on the situation- major drama queen and drama whore..yep she gets extra parts but what gets her the job is her big boobs cause is not talented at all.
    There are alot of the above on the internet though drama queens and liars..
    in real life I steer clear and know stay away but yes there are some that need the attention 24-7- tell the truth folks, eventually it catches up with you.

  14. 14Tonya Froemel

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 21:47

    My best friend in high school was a major drama queen and a compulsive liar. This is not the best combination, but it did make for interesting sleepovers.

  15. 15Lis

    wrote on 22 October 2008 at 21:58

    i know someone who talks a LOT. and i mean a LOT! she cannot stop speaking ever! and every time we’re in a car she’ll find some song she likes, and there are a lot of those, and she’ll sing extremely loudly. at first i found it kind of annoying but then i just got used to it. she’s one of my best friends i don’t really think it’s a character flaw anymore, that’s just how she is :D

  16. 16marleen davis

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 1:42

    I think everyone has a flaw or two, but they’re generally not major. Some people have a propensity to lie however. I’ve know people that lie so much they can’t seem to help themselves and that can be really annoying. I think that that character flaw is really a sign of insecurity.

  17. 17Susan C

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 7:42

    My boyfriend’s brother talks constantly about the same thing. For example; we were at a family reunion dinner and he monopolized the conversation with his tale of woe about a computer problem. Nobody else could get a word in edgewise. He is the most self-centered man! And yes, I sort of like him, but can tolerate him only for a few minutes.

    Susan Cs last blog post..Vacation update!

  18. 18adrienne Gordon

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 9:16

    everyone i meet :)

  19. 19beth shepherd

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 10:35

    Thank you for having this. My wonderful husband has a character flaw of leaving this sandwich crumbs on the counter every morning. I still love him tho :) Thank you!
    tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

  20. 20Deborah Wellenstein

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 11:22

    Yes, I have liked people with major character flaws’ usually to my detriment!

  21. 21susan varney

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 12:25

    yes i have and yes i still got around most of it

  22. 22Clifton Wade

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 13:24

    Character flaws is what makes us human and individuals. Thank you for this great contest. My disabled but wonderful wife of more than 38 years just loves to read!

  23. 23Barbara Fox

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 14:38

    My husband has some major character flaws, but I still love him.

  24. 24Angela J

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 15:39

    Yes, of course, just don’t want to mention any names!

  25. 25Joyce Jacobs

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 17:30

    I have a friend who is such a complete rascal, but he’s one of those people you can’t help but like. He’s often unreliable, not always truthful, but….like a puppy…immensely lovable.

  26. 26Francine Anchondo

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 17:34

    I have friend that likes to tell lies nothing serious but she has a habit of making up stories. She still is a great person.

  27. 27ruth

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 18:10

    I have a brother with major character flaws but I still see him and communicate with him, but our sister has nothing at all to do with him since she holds him responsible for many unpleasant encounters. I see my sister occasionally or less and I know she thinks I have a great many character flaws.

  28. 28Desmond

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 18:10

    Sure I have, but good old friends are worth keeping whether you like them or not.

  29. 29Millicent C.

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 18:10

    My sister has to be the center of attention… the woman who never wanted kids announced that she was preggo a week after I had my first son… so they are 9 months and 2 weeks apart. The funniest part.. her sister is JUST LIKE HER and she cant stand the girl lol.. its too funny!

    Millicent C.s last blog post..Yall have to check this giveaway out!

  30. 30Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 18:24

    My stepsister has major character flaws and we were really close until a major fallout we had a little over a year ago, and haven’t spoken since. I liked her alot actually up until then. Now she is preggos and I hope she gets life figured out, if thats possible for her. Thanks for the great giveaway.

  31. 31Baba

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 18:59

    Yes, I know people with character flaws, but we all have one or more. This sounds like an interesting suspensful book. I would love to win and read it. I am ready for a new book right now.

    Babas last blog post..Prospects

  32. 32Kayce C

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 19:20

    I have more than my share, so yes. I like most everyone.

  33. 33djp

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 20:41

    i attract this type of people, and other people can
    not put up with them

  34. 34Ruby

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 20:43

    I had a wonderful friend who I loved very much, but she was sooo loud and brassy. When we went out, people would stare at us, but I loved her. She was one of my dearest friends, and when she moved out of state, I cried and I miss her very much.

  35. 35Terri D

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 22:08

    I’ve known many people with character flaws and sometimes the flaws are what made them interesting to be around.

  36. 36Michele

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 22:15

    Yes, I know people like that…too many! A friend of mine tends to be a bit stingy…like not wanting to share a handful of almonds with me while I spent a week at her house as I was eating all her snack for the week (Yes, I’m only talking a handful out of a huge jar full!).

    Thanks so much!
    Michele R.(CA)
    luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com

  37. 37cindy a

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 22:47

    Yes, i do know people like that. those that have to make every conversation turn to about them but I still love to sit and chat with them. takes all the pressure off me to keep the conversation going LOL

  38. 38Kimberly V.

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 23:14

    I am an e-mail subscriber to your blog.

    I know MANY people with “flaws” (myself included). One such person is my friend Donna. She’s ALWAYS had to be the center of attention no matter what was going on and she is very much a “Drama Queen”. For example, if you say “I have a bad cold” she’ll reply “I have the flu”. If you say “I won $5 in the Lottery” she’ll say “I won $5,000 in the Lottery”. If you say “I just adopted a new puppy” she’ll say “We spent A LOT of money on a purebread dog”. See what I mean?

    I have learned to just take it with a grain of salt. Ha Ha.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

  39. 39Thomas Gibson

    wrote on 23 October 2008 at 23:46

    I am related to people that have more than 5 major flaws. I have learned to accept people for the way they are and mot try to change people.

  40. 40Mollie G.

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 0:20

    This isn’t really anonymous enough to talk about MY relatives — but my husband talks about working with his uncle for three or four years, and this guy apparently was really “stuck” at an emotional age of about thirteen or fourteen — VERY amusing sometimes, but VERY difficult to work with sometimes, too — in the car, his foot on the accelerator would be constantly speeding up or slowing down; and buying supplies at the hardware store was like watching a big kid in a candy factory! NEVER boring, often tiring…

  41. 41flared0ne

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 0:26

    My wife’s sister’s husband reminds me of Red Skelton, kinda big and rumpled, and goofy looking, and very funny — except if he’s not making jokes, he’s talking about him, his work, his farm, his animals, his weather, his stuff, his problems, his experience of life in general — and I understand that’s where he is, and what he HAS to talk about, but it SOOoo makes me want to sing out “but I wanta talk about ME!”

  42. 42jessiejaws

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 0:53

    Someone with character flaws? That would be my husband. Do I like him anyway? Absolutely, because he still loves me in spite of my character flaws!

  43. 43Cindi

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 1:04

    Hi, I am equally guilty of having character flaws! Hopefully, I had friends who were were brave enough to tell me about them. When I was younger, I let friends(?)take advantage of me. I tried to be too nice. Another thing I can’t take is someone who talks only about their lives and don’t act interested in what is going on in mine! I have been blessed with mostly wonderful friends who really don’t have major character flaws. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks…..Cindi

  44. 44Jackie B.

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 8:43

    I think we have all known many with major character flaws. The last job I worked at had a couple of hypocrites for bosses. I tried overlooking it most of the time but now that I am gone from there I realize just how much it bothered me. Now I work for myself and my boss still has a couple of character flaws but I get along with her very well! HA!

  45. 45Jackie B.

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 8:51

    I am also a subscriber!

  46. 46Elaina

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 8:53

    I have a friend with the major character flaw of being self-absorbed. She makes every single thing about her, and she doesn’t listen to anyone else. She dominates conversation, and she interrupts when anyone else is talking. I love her dearly despite her flaws. I wonder what major character flaw she’d say I have.

    Elainas last blog post..This Full House Giveaway

  47. 47RebekahC

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 10:23

    I think we’ve all known people with some degree of character flaws, selves included. It’s human nature, and anyone who thinks they are without and perfect have another think coming.

    I personally tend to be a negative “the cup’s half empty” kind of girl when really I should be a positive “the cup’s half full” kind. I don’t mean to be negative, and really half the time in the light that I look a things I’m not blatently trying to point out the negative but it comes out that way and tends to bring others (my husband especially) down if I’m not careful.

    I’d love to enter your drawing for this book. Thanks
    RebekahC
    littleminx at cox dot net
    http://www.readysetreadreviews.blogspot.com

    RebekahCs last blog post..Teen FIRST Blog Tour: Ripple Effect (Time Thriller Trilogy, Book One) by Paul McCusker

  48. 48RebekahC

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 10:24

    P.S. I’m a subscriber!
    Thanks
    RebekahC
    littleminx at cox dot net
    http://www.readysetreadreviews.blogspot.com

    RebekahCs last blog post..Teen FIRST Blog Tour: Ripple Effect (Time Thriller Trilogy, Book One) by Paul McCusker

  49. 49David Holder

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 10:38

    All of us have at least one character flaw. After all we are all human.

  50. 50Jo

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 11:44

    I know a few people who are constantly running late and I still like them anyway.

  51. 51sarah

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 15:38

    I had a girlfriend who was completely self absorbed and selfish and I loved her anyway. She actually just recently ended our friendship though.. because we were out at a bar on my birthday and I spent too much time talking to some of my other friends and not talking to her. Oh well. This kind of goes into the ‘her loss’ category.

  52. 52Elizabeth.

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 16:26

    I had a friend who was constantly complaining about everything.She was the weirdest person I’ve ever met and I’ve come to see that she’s a paranoid schizophrenic though she doesn’t know this. She had a heart of gold but she was constantly thinking someone was singling her or her family out in every situation and she overreacted to the tiniest things in life. It was incredibly tiring and draining to be friends with her and when she moved away, it was actually a relief.

  53. 53SYLVIA BELLE

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 17:25

    We all have falts and I love our friends and family anyway.

  54. 54Aliya Daya

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 20:20

    Hmmm… How shall I enter this contest without losing friends? LOL! Well, I had this former co-worker who was a gossip, exagerator and constantly tried to “one-up” you on everything! Every morning she would come to my corner of the company cube-farm and update me on everything that had happened to her the day before… and what had happened to her friends and/or family (people I did not even know!). It was constant and a complete waste of at least 20 minutes, when I did not really care. But, she was overall a nice person and decent human being, so I tolerated her rambling (often pasting a fake smile and nodding while I made a mental “to do” list for the day in my head). I felt kinda bad for her as she seemed lonely. Thanks for running this contest! The book sounds to be a fascinating read.

  55. 55katherine wierzbinski

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 20:27

    My mother had MANY< MANY flaws and yes, I still liked her.

  56. 56barbie

    wrote on 24 October 2008 at 20:41

    I think you can “like” them, but not necessarily want to be friends with them. It would depend on the particular flaw, because we all have them.

  57. 57Giveaway City

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 0:47

    Hey I am already a subscriber, please count me in for April Fool

  58. 58Cindy

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 1:30

    I have met people with many flaws. But I still liked them anyways, because everyone has flaws. Me included. But anyways, this book seems like a nice read.

  59. 59Betty C

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 2:26

    I had a co-worker who was very opinionated. We soon learned not to voice an opinion about anything except what to have for lunch - lol
    When she got started she wouldn’t allow anyone else to state an opinion. In fact, she would tell us to be quiet and not interrupt. Eventually her attitude caused her to be dismissed.
    In spite of all that I did like her (as long as we weren’t talking about anything that got her going).

  60. 60Ed Nemmers

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 8:19

    My friend still wears blue eye shadow.

  61. 61kathy pease

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 9:21

    i had a neighbor once who borrowed everything under the sun but i was bad at saying no..when she once asked to borrow some of my lingere that went too far but i let her and told her to keep it..i didnt like her i dont like people that use people :(

  62. 62Tammy

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 10:25

    LoL! Of course — most of my family have major character flaws but I not only Love them, I like them too!

  63. 63Deborah Rose

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 11:18

    Sure; none of us is perfect, but that doesn’t make all of us incapable of being liked. The one character flaw I can’t ignore is extreme selfishness. And, the older I get, the less I tolerate it in folks.

  64. 64dorothy l

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 12:33

    of course that is what makes people interesting

  65. 65djgroz

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 13:56

    I have a friend who is a know it all, but she still is my favorite friend

  66. 66sarah woods

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 17:41

    Character Flaws are like wrinkles; you still try to conceal and correct however, they still are visible. Thanks SW

  67. 67Janet

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 18:55

    I have my share of flaws!

  68. 68Becky Grayson

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 19:11

    I have a wonderful friend who is very selfish but I still love her. Sometimes I can’t stand to be around her so I take a small break but she is so fun that I keep going back.

  69. 69Jennifer S.

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 20:05

    My husband has OCD when it comes to organization. Everything must be exactly where it belongs, and everything is neat and labeled. If you’re not watching, he’ll put things away that you are using. Fortunately, I love him anyway and I just try and deal with this part of him.

  70. 70Gaye McGill

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 20:15

    My friend had a really rough time growing up and a disasterous first marriage. In her 30s she married a great guy who made good money and “spoiled her rotten”. She offended people by telling them how much everything cost - her house, her car, her clothes, etc. But really, it was because she had never had anything before and was just amazed by her good fortune.

  71. 71Angelia McDonald

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 22:16

    I younger sister is a bit dramatic, and can make a mountain out of a mole hill, but I would not trade one thing about her for some other personality. She is my sister but also a best friend the whole hill of her.

  72. 72Buddy Garrett

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 22:26

    Yes I have and yes I do.

  73. 73Kathleen

    wrote on 25 October 2008 at 23:38

    I know someone that always has to be in control. His children don’t want to be around him but we love his good heart.

  74. 74Lily Kwan

    wrote on 26 October 2008 at 0:47

    I’m too picky to like people with major character flaws.

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