What can I say, there’s just something about us humans that love a good laugh [ahem, at somebody elses expense of course]. Merrymakers have been enjoying the celebration of pranks for centuries and there are many theories out there about where the unofficial holiday took birth. April fool-like shenanigans resemble soirees like the Roman festival of Hilaria, the Holi celebrations in India and the Medieval Feast of Fools (still celebrated in Spanish speaking countries). But my favorite theory is that our modern day hoopla-holiday came from- wait for it- Canterbury Tales. Yeah, you read that right. In Chaucer’s 1392 classic, the “Nun’s Priest’s Tale” is set Syn March bigan thritty dayes and two”. Best scholarly assumptions are that there is a copying error in the extant manuscripts and that Chaucer actually wrote, “Syn March was gon”, meaning that the passage originally meant 32 days after April, i.e. 2 May. Readers apparently misunderstood this line to mean “March 32″, i.e. April 1 and in Chaucer’s tale, the vain cock Chauntecleer is tricked by a fox. Anywho- that might not be the best answer as to where this pesky month-opener came from (Britannica’s stab at it suggests it may have originated in France when the Gregorian calendar, which moved New Year’s Day from March 25 to January 1, was adopted in 1582. Those who continued to celebrate the end of New Year Week on April 1 were referred to as fools).
*** YET THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOOOOO PRANK***
We have several copies of most of these books and will be giving 2 or more books to each winner!!! You must subscribe to our blog to win (U.S only).
Check out the other awesome giveaways taking place now!!!
Happy April Fool’s Day! I’m a fool for books. Thanks for the fantastic giveaway.
They all look like such great books, and I absolutely love getting new books. I see some that I would really love to read.
That’s a wonderful collection of books. Looks like something for everyone.
What a wonderful pick of books to read, I would love to read Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee and Macadoo of the Maury River by GiGi Amateau, thank you for participating in this giveaway.
You are correct-we only like to laugh at someone else’s expense. Fortunately, I’ve never been the target of an April Fool’s Day prank
Wow! I didn’t know all those theories about April Fools Day! It’s funny that you used the word “shenanigans” because I’ve started to see that word being used a lot lately and it’s kind of a unique word! Thanks for sharing the April Fools info!
I love your blog, it’s awesome!!
Thanks for the giveaway!!
I applaud your article, “Sex Won’t Kill Young Adult Heroines.” While I don’t think every story has to include sex to be worth reading, it’s ludicrous to tiptoe around the subject the way some religiously-motivated critics and readers might prefer. No protagonist over the age of 14 is going to seem authentic without at least some curiosity about love and sex, and anyone over 18 who isn’t interested or even tempted to lose his/her virginity is an aberration from reality. The only exceptions might be a character who was molested or raped or who is autosexual or asexual, but even then sexuality would likely be a topic of concern or reflection in at least some aspects of the story.
I’m glad to have signed up for your blog, and thanks for participating in the giveaway!
I liked your article, “Sex Won’t Kill Young Adult Heroines,” because I agree that it’s ludicrous to make modern protagonists chaste well into their late teens or early 20s. Authors who bow to the wants or expectations of religious or other moral watchdogs aren’t doing their stories any favors.
I enjoyed visiting your blog and look forward to reading more. Thanks for participating in the Giveaway Hop.
This is a fantastic giveaway!! I would love to win!!!
Thank you! And nice picks.
This is a wonderful giveaway. Many of these books have been on my TBR list for awhile. Others are new to me, but look fabulous. Thanks so much for providing such a great giveaway for your followers.
This is an amazing giveaway. Thank you so much!!!
WOW!! Now that’s an awesome group of books to win! So many books that I am dying to read!! Thank you so much for a chance to win and for being a part of this fun and awesome blog hop!!
Man, this is a good lot! Exactly what I need! I’ve been in such a reading rut lately… I’ve been spoiled reading through all of Robin Hobbs and Brent Weeks… Everything else just seems flat on comparison! Hopefully this prize is mine and one of these will get me back on track reading!
well i don’t even no what to say i am so speech less to the fact you are giving away all those books!! that is a crazy giveaway i sure would love to win of course i am sure we all would!! i have read alot of your reviews and i really like your sight and am glad i found it thank you so much
Would you believe that I don’t think that I have read ANY of those books? Unbelievable…I need to start reading more!
I have read a couple of these books, but I am excited to read the rest of them at some point! Thanks so much for this amazing giveaway!!!
Unbelieveable selection of books, you are so generous! Thanks so much for the great giveaway. I notice one of you is reading Bitterblue- that’s by far one of my favorite YA books of all time!
I really hope it came from The Canterbury Tales! That would be hilarious!
Thanks for sharing where it came from though because I wasn’t sure! =)
My favorite reading quote
Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.”
- Mason Cooley
Wow!! You’re giving away so many awesome books!! I’ve really been wanting to read Unhinged, The Dream Thieves and Chaos of Stars! Thanks for the chance to win!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Wow! What a giveaway! Thank you for the chance to win! There are many books on there on my wish list and some new ones too! Just found your blog and plan to return! Thanks again!
Totally awesome prizes! I love these kinds of books, so thank you for the chance! I am sure glad it’s not a joke! teehee
This is a great collection of books. I have really enjoyed the books by Pittacus Lore and looks like I have some new authors to try.
Thanks so much for the great giveaway!!
What a collection of books that you have to giveaway. I can always use more books. I don’t think I could ever have to many.
This is a great giveaway. Hope you had a fun “fools” day.
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I had no idea of the history of ‘fools’, very interesting.
Thanks for the bit of history on the origin of April Fool’s Day. I like looking at where holiday traditions come from. I’ve even written a few articles on the origins of Groundhog Day and Easter. Never heard anything about April Fool’s day though, so it was cool to learn.
Oh my word, Bitter Kingdom!! I NEED to get around to that book because I LOVE that series to pieces! So many books
0_0 Nice giveaway! I love reading small facts on random topics, I always learn something new!