SPREAD

posted by mihow on February 9th, 2006

Tobyjoe and I launched a new site tonight. It’s called Spread. The goal is to mail out five free books a month. We’re hoping that people read them and then pass them on to others. We capped our quantity at five, but that may change depending on our funds, the demand—you know, stuff like that.

The Web site still needs A LOT of work but we wanted to get something up as I mailed out the first batch of books on Monday. If there are bugs, kindly report them.

We’re really excited about it. We hope that it acts as an open discussion for people who not only enjoy reading but are really into talking about it, too. Oh, and you get free stuff. Nothing beats free.

Come join us! The books are on us (but you’re welcome to buy your own if you’d like to join or start a discussion).

46 Responses to “SPREAD”

  1. Missy Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 03:11 AM

    I started re-reading The Feast Of Love! Good timing for me.

  2. kim Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 03:52 AM

    iieeeeek! so that’s what it is. that’s so cool. i’m excited. the book hasn’t gotten here yet but hopefully SOON! so what is it??? hint??? i’ll be gone for the weekend but i’ll let you know if it got here asap! :)

  3. sian Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 05:15 AM

    Hey guys, Is there a specific place on the site that I should “let you know” that I received my book, or is registering enough?

  4. Charlie Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 05:34 AM

    This is not a criticism, but I saw the image of “Spread” and thought it was going to be a site dedicated to pictures of fat butts.

  5. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 05:40 AM

    You and Toby have issues. He saw that, too. Shockinly, considering my life surrounds the ass, I didn’t see it until he pointed it out to me. So, maybe I’ll change it. Not that there is anything wrong with ass, but I can’t have people confusing an online book club with an online butt club. Not. Cool.

  6. kim Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 06:04 AM

    men… tsss. to me it looks like a smile, a mustache, wings, a hug… nothing even close to butt. those guys DO have issues. too funny :)

  7. kim Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 06:05 AM

    this discussion just totally made me think of that song “i like big butts, and i cannot lie…” and now it’s in my head – HA, happy friday!

  8. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 06:16 AM

    Weird, that line is a part of my profile information on Spread.

  9. kim Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 06:18 AM

    what line? the big butt one? i SWEAR i have not read your profile there [yet] – i SWEAR!

  10. kim Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 06:19 AM

    man, that’s SPOOKEY. i only know it from “friends” – awesome.

  11. greg Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 06:22 AM

    wow, my sister just sent that book to me for my birthday. not if i could only sit down and read it. neat idea michele/toby

  12. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 06:25 AM

    Get on it, Greg! The book is great. Plus, they speak of sex. You like sex, right?

    I’m totally going to have to redo this logo, now. Damn butt people.

  13. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 06:35 AM

    The greatest thing just happen down at the Starbucks near where I work. I was in there getting my coffee when a woman who I have come to know asked me of I was still designing Web sites. I took the opportunity to tell her about Spread. At that point, another employee came over and said, “I love book clubs! What’s this all about?” I told her and then another walked over. By the end of our conversation, I had three new future members.

    The one woman kept asking, “Yeah, but what’s the catch? I have to pay, right?”

    Nope. Free.

    I’m excited. I hope it spawns discussion.

    Similarly, if anyone has any book suggestions, let us know. We’re open.

  14. Debra Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 06:43 AM

    I haven’t gotten the package yet, but now I’m super excited! I placed an Amazon order Wednesday because I was all out of books I wanted to read. I put The Feast of Love on, but took it off when I realized I needed to get it down around $50.

  15. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 06:58 AM

    Oh no! You haven’t gotten it yet? That’s odd.

  16. Jonathan Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:07 AM

    The logo is a bit… goaste like

    btw, is it me, or is the clock 1hr ahead?

  17. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:07 AM

    You need to get laid.

    Our server is in another timezone.

  18. renyoj Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:16 AM

    I checked usps and it said from NY mail delivery could take 5 days. I wouldn’t worry yet.

  19. ian Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:23 AM

    i like the ass logo.

    btw, i stopped by to say that i saw spd and my face over at design meltdown. it was weird.

  20. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:24 AM

    huh? what is that?

  21. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:27 AM

    oh! I found it.

    design meltdown

  22. ian Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:27 AM

    just a site i stumbled upon.

    click me

  23. ian Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:28 AM

    so yeah, that was the first time i ever accidentally found myself without drugs.

  24. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:30 AM

    Super.

    Oh, FYI, the contender for Spread was “Stranger and Fiction.”

    I picked Spread over that (even though we liked it) because it won’t always be fiction plus people won’t always give books to strangers. :]

    Hopefully, Spread works even if the logo looks like an ass to some perverts.

  25. ian Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:34 AM

    somehow the viewer is the pervert and the creator is not?

  26. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:37 AM

    If I am, I am UNAWARE! You are all outwardly perverted. Notice, it was only boys (thus far) who have seen the ass.

    That could only mean one thing: You are all gay* and don’t know it.

    *not that there is anything wrong with that.

  27. Henry Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:42 AM

    If you want suggestions, I can come up with lots of them. It’s sort of my job.Jennifer Government

  28. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 07:43 AM

    Henry: Thanks. I will check that out.

  29. tobyjoe Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 08:00 AM

    I created a discussion thread: The Spread Logo over at Spread.

  30. Missy Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 08:28 AM

    You know, a lot of people read on the toilet.

  31. tobyjoe Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 08:29 AM

    You’re NOT helping, Missy. The logo talk is freaking michele out, and you KNOW how I feel about potty talk!

  32. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 08:31 AM

    I really, really can’t get away from the ass, can I? I am forever tainted.

    heh

    Tainted.

  33. greg Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 09:15 AM

    you taint that close, but you is right next door

  34. hthrs Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 09:17 AM

    i totally have a reccomendatation for a future book: My Year of Meats, by Ruth Ozeki? i think thats her name. i just read it. its great.cheesey ending but great nonetheless. oh and I THINK the logo looks beautiful, like antlers.

  35. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 09:18 AM

    Heather, I’ll pick it up today. Thank you!

    Maybe we should add a book suggestion area on the site.

  36. tobyjoe Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 09:24 AM

    we have forums. you just need to turn off comments here so people will write over there ;)

    coughheather!cough

  37. hthrs Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 11:08 AM

    sorry dad. ;)

  38. Jonathan Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 01:51 PM

    I’m pretty sure that My Year of Meats was part of the oprah book club. i had to read it for a postmodern lit class in college. i wasn’t a fan.

    you really need to change that logo before boingboing picks it up as part of their goatse tribute.

  39. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 03:47 PM

    Jon, with all due respect, shut up about the freaking goaste shit, Ok?

    Please. I genuinely hate that whole thing.

  40. mihow Says:
    February 10th, 2006 at 04:23 PM

    Sorry, that sounded rude. I just fear google. :/

  41. hthrs Says:
    February 11th, 2006 at 05:28 AM

    mom, whos this ‘jonathan’ person? and how does he know oprah? and whats (is) a goatse or goaste?

  42. mihow Says:
    February 11th, 2006 at 06:26 AM

    Ah, heather. Avoid the whole Goat thing entirely. It’s horrible.

    This Jonathan isn’t friends with Oprah. Although, I think it’d rule to see him on her show. OH yes, I do.

    I “de-assed” the logo over at Spread. No more ass. As Donald would say “ass-be-gone.” I hope.

  43. heyrocker Says:
    February 11th, 2006 at 09:28 AM

    Hey I tried to register at Spread and I got some kind of Ruby error and there was no site admin to email! So its broken or I am, or something.

  44. shugab Says:
    February 11th, 2006 at 09:44 AM

    totally could not join kept giving me some kind off friggin error. HELP! By the way love the butt logo!

  45. mihow Says:
    February 11th, 2006 at 10:56 AM

    Toby’s on it!

  46. tobyjoe Says:
    February 11th, 2006 at 10:59 AM

    All fixed. I uploaded a file before we left for brunch and it never quite made it up.

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