Did you forget that I am, at heart, a Reader? I wouldn't blame you if you did. I haven't done proper a book review in almost a year and aside from my Spring read-along with Stacy on War & Peace I haven't delved into the innards of what I am reading and shared it here in forever. And I'm not presenting any such insight here today either. But I wanted to show that I am still excited about reading and how all of you in the book blogging community keep me inspired to discover new worlds.
I haven't been out and about much lately because work and the real world have occupied most of my time. For which I am sorry but that is the way it is. And I know the same has either already been or will be true for you towards me some day and that is OK. But here and there, in the last month or so, I have had the incredible luck to happen across posts giving me the opportunity for free books. All of which I actually won. This never happens. I don't win anything. Ever! Woo-hoo for Mrs. Bumble!!!
First up was a debut novel A Truth Worth Tellin' by Toni Teepell. A few months ago on Kaye's blog, Pudgy Penguin Perusals, I saw a wonderful guest post by the author about her personal inspiration behind this novel about living with a parent suffering from schizophrenia and I could not resist leaving a comment for the giveaway because it was so fascinating to me. And I was one of 3 winners randomly selected. Even better than that, beloved blogger Margot of Joyfully Retired also was selected and the two of us are trying to coordinate some time to read this together and share our thoughts with all of you. Stay tuned!
Next up was a happenstance revisit to one of the first book blogs I ever did see - author Karen Harrington's terrific Scobberlotch. I had lost her for a long while and then came to find her again through other blogs coincidentally on the day she decided to give away copies of her debut book Janeology in honor of her birthday which I have had on my To Read shelf for almost 2 years now. This is a fictional work exploring the psyche behind what just might drive a mother to drown her own child. Karen writes beautifully on her blog and I love her introspective windows to her world. When her book arrives I will devour every word I am sure.
Every now and then it is all about timing. And I hit the Say Anything site just right one day when Dee decided to give away her copy of the memoir Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent. Dee, who usually exhibits interviews with all kinds of bloggers to introduce us to new people, wrote this great review of a book that displays the workings of fate in the lives of two men brought together by a special lady. I was touched by the impact it had on Dee who asked for commenters to share a person who made a difference in their life. Only two of us responded to her post and the other person had already read the book. Good news for me!
Finally, sometimes it is just meant to be. Susan from Bear Swamp Reflections did a bit of housecleaning and decided to just up and give away some of her books to whomever claimed them. Susan had left a comment on this here blog mere days before in response to a post I did about non-fiction, recommending this super cool memoir to me called Mostly True - A Memoir of Family, Food and Baseball. Molly O'Neill has been a food columnist and critic for Boston and New York newspapers and is the sister of former NY Yankee outfielder Paul O'Neill. Here she speaks of growing up surrounded by boys and how they each came to find their own way within the influences of their family. This book had been on my radar and then got lost in the shuffle. Susan brought it back to my attention and then a week later she was putting it out there for any of her readers to claim. So I did. And I can't wait to dive in.
Every few days over the last week I have been coming home to care packages containing these books inside with lovely notes from the kindly donors. This is so exciting to me - having never been a "winner" before. I feel so lucky to have an avalanche of good tidings. I will try to share my reading experiences of each here for all of you to see. Since this isn't a pure "book blog" there isn't always a time for me to share all my book reviews here. But please know that I always review each book I encounter on Goodreads - you can connect with me via the widget on our sidebar to the right. Happy reading to all of you and thank you to all the book bloggers for keeping me well stocked - this community never stops giving.
14 comments:
These look awesome, especially Same Kind of Different as Me.
There is a reader mom at school that swears the book Same Kind of Different is the best book she has ever read. And Molly, you are always a winner, whether your number comes up on the giveaways or not!
Same Kind of Different As Me is a beautiful and wonderful book! :))
I also loved Same Kind of Different As Me. I listened to an audio CD of it rather than actually reading it, which I think made it better somehow. I cannot wait for the movie version to release in the next few years. :o)
Getting books in the mail is just the best ever!! They all look good! Now you need to play the lotto!!
One definition of happiness is a box of books in the mail. Today, my copies of SWIMMING WITH WINGS by Lee Libro and EVENINGS ON DARK ISLAND by Rhett DeVane and Larry Rock arrived.
You, I see, have a nice avalanche of interesting books. I really enjoyed JANEOLOGY, so will be interested in reading your thoughts about it down the road.
Malcolm
How exciting! I love when I win books! I hope you enjoy Janeology and all of the others.
Congratulations! What a fun haul (and I second Sandy--you are always a winner to me). Had absolutely NO idea that Molly O'Neill was related to Paul. So cool.
Happy reading!
Fun books, Molly, and congratulations on being a winner! I love, love, loved Same Kind of Different as Me (it's one of those books I've bought probably 5 times and given away copies as gifts) and also really enjoyed the Molly O'Neill book. Have you read any Anita Shreve? I just read my first, one called Light on Snow. It was excellent. I thought of you after I read it and wanted to make sure to mention it to you. I have read several that you have recommended and we seem to enjoy some of the same books (Faulkner notwithstanding ;)) Happy reading.
Wow! That is a good windfall you've received.
Speaking of nonfiction, I am currently reading Devil in the White City for book club. I'm finding it fascinating and am learning a lot.
Happy reading!
I hope you and Margot enjoy A Truth Worth Tellin' as much as I did. Lynn commented on Light on Snow by Shreve and I second that recommendation - excellent book!!
Molly - you ARE a winner. In this case you're a book-winner. I like when you review books but if you did them all the time, I don't know how that would fit with you. I like your blog because it's a mix of a lot of things. I should check your book reviews on GoodReads. I definitely don't spend enough time there.
Isn't it great going to your mailbox and finding free books? Happy reading!
Ha! I just now saw this post...how did I miss it? Anyway, I'm glad you got your book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did, not so much for the sports, but for the local hometown flavor.
You are, and always will be, a winner in my book, dear Molly!
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