It’s the full-time job of a writer to keep reading, so I just finished two delicious books to send your way with a chance to win and a 100 percent guarantee that either is worth buying anyway. Leave a comment below to enter the giveaway. But let me whet your appetite first:
Eve: A Novel of the First Woman – You will love this sumptuous tale of Eden’s Eve and her troublesome family. Ever since I read The Red Tent I’ve been convinced that bible stories could bear retelling from a woman’s point of view, because then they become stories I want to read. Author Elissa Elliott made this tale real and recognizable to any woman. I’m no biblical historian, thank heaven, so nothing stopped me from appreciating the sheer magic of the fiction. This is Elissa’s first book, and writer-to-writer I just can’t imagine how she made the whole thing up. Let this inspire your deep wondering about who we really are. I have a hardcover copy to give away.
Mating Rituals of the North American WASP – Now for a different slice of the apple. Here’s a love story spun in a wickedly comic way by Lauren Lipton about a girl who wakes up married to a guy she doesn’t even know, gets engaged to another she hardly ever sees, and dates someone she can’t even stand. I know, it sounds dangerously close to reality, but unlike my life story, this one will be a movie. Funny, smart, likable and the perfect fit for any summer tote bag. Let this inspire a day at the beach, the pool or the hammock. I have a paperback copy to give away.
Leave a comment including a way to reach you through your blog or email. I’ll draw the winners (and I’ll decide what you win) after this Friday at 6 p.m. PDT.
***
Our hard-working winners: Latisha for Eve and Kristin H. for Mating Rituals. Good job!
Calling all summer readers! There are more words of wisdom in store at the Mother’s Summer Reading Salon with Mojo Mom Amy Tiemann and me on Tuesday, June 23, 7 p.m. at Sierra Madre Books. Learn how a little light reading can change your direction this summer.
both books sound delish.
ashlea
aleayoung2@gmail.com
Comment by Ashlea — June 2, 2009 @ 6:02 am
I want your job!
Comment by Shalet — June 2, 2009 @ 6:38 am
These sound like the perfect summer read. I’ll bookmark them for the next trip to the bookstore…
Comment by Christiane — June 2, 2009 @ 7:46 am
I grew up on the Old Testament stories and loved The Red Tent. Very intrigued by what a rewrite of the Genesis story from Eve’s point of view might be like.
Comment by Marianne — June 2, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Oohh – I want to read Eve! I read the review last week. And I loved The Red Tent. The other sounds like fun too.
renae@cobbland.com
Comment by Renae C. — June 2, 2009 @ 11:59 am
I don’t read a lot of fiction, but your reviews make the books look so tempting!
-Jill D. in SLO
yogajill@charter.net
Comment by Anonymous — June 2, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
Those books sound great. I know I’ve heard of the Eve one. I did like The Red Tent and I adore feminist revision of traditional tales. 🙂
rowena.murillo@gmail.com
Comment by Rowena — June 2, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
I just like getting mail 🙂
Comment by The Sirens — June 2, 2009 @ 3:43 pm
thanks for the recommendations. they reminded me of those long delicious summer days as a kid when time was spent devouring an entire book in a day.
Comment by valerie — June 2, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
Thank you for the lovely review, Karen.
I wish I’d thought to write the Eve book—what a brilliant concept!
Comment by Lauren Lipton — June 2, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
I, too, loved The Red Tent … so I think I will love Eve. Hope you pick me!! : )
Comment by Shawn — June 2, 2009 @ 4:41 pm
Count me in, please!
I still feel a little messy about my relationship with the Bible. I would love to read this! It’s on the list now, for sure!
Thanks, Karen!!
journeywildly@gmail.com
Comment by Cam@Journey Wildly — June 2, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
Reading is an ordinary luxury. So simple and grand. I enjoyed the Red Tent. I love her-storical novels.
Comment by crispina — June 2, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
I want The Mating Rituals of the North American WASP because I’m “funny, smart, likable and the perfect fit for any summer tote bag.” Ok, maybe I can’t fit in a tote bag, but I really really want that book.
Pick me! Pick me!
Comment by Kristin H. — June 2, 2009 @ 7:21 pm
Both books have been added to my dream and get-away list! The Red Tent impacted my life forever about pregnancy, birth, and female relationships! Can’t wait to read Eve! Thanks for the opportunity.
susiedubeck@yahoo.com
Comment by ~susie — June 2, 2009 @ 7:38 pm
both sound great…
shirley.bittner@yahoo.com
Comment by Anonymous — June 2, 2009 @ 8:17 pm
Add me, please!
jcszeto@aol.com
Comment by Tedd and Joanna Szeto — June 2, 2009 @ 8:38 pm
Thanks so much for the recommendations! lerickson99@earthlink.net
Comment by mommymystic — June 2, 2009 @ 8:55 pm
ooooh new books to read on my new screen porch – just don’t send them til I’m done moving 😉
hahamommy@gmail.com
Comment by hahamommy — June 2, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
best advice i’ve ever gotten and here you are giving it again. (reader and writer two sides of the same thing you said).
keep us reading!
latishaspring@hotmail.com
Comment by latisha — June 2, 2009 @ 10:46 pm
they both sound like great books!
cyndib_2001@yahoo.com
Comment by ladybug-zen — June 2, 2009 @ 11:29 pm
I devoured the Red Tent last year. As a Birthing From Within Mentor it was so amazing to read, since we actually have an event every two years called the Red Tent, complete with an actual tent.
I would love, love, love to read Eve! I love anything historical and as a Women's Studies graduate, I'm really fascinated by women's stories in biblical literature.
An island girl in Canada could use a good read!
catherine@beautifulbirth.ca
Comment by beautiful birth — June 3, 2009 @ 1:00 am
what great premises on either book!
pambach@yahoo.com
Comment by knitbizzz — June 3, 2009 @ 2:20 am
i just saw that eve book at the library and debated it….now that you've said it's good i'm going back! 🙂
Comment by Phyllis Sommer — June 3, 2009 @ 2:25 am
I love a good story that can carry me away from the laundry for a while. I'd love to win one, but if I don't, I think I'll use Phyllis' idea and go to the library.
Comment by RocketMom Cheryl — June 3, 2009 @ 4:17 am
They both sound delightful, and I'm in another reading groove these days.
Cheers!
alexis@littlelogbook.com
Comment by Alexis Ahrens — June 3, 2009 @ 5:11 am
thanks you darling one for the book suggestions. you inspire.
Comment by Bridge — June 3, 2009 @ 5:41 am
It must be a "terrible" life you lead to have to read, read, read all of the time…
Thanks for the lovely reviews. Always love to know what other readers are devouring!
Comment by Jennifer — June 3, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
… I like them apples 🙂
laughing_pebble@yahoo.com
Comment by mama p — June 3, 2009 @ 7:02 pm
I haven't been receiving your blog entries by e-mail. I guess they stopped a couple weeks ago! Wonder why . . . Anyway, I'm glad I thought to check in. Please enter me in your contest: seewhykinsman@hotmail.com; my blog is seewhykinsman.blogspot.com
Thanks!
Connie Mishali
Comment by Connie — June 3, 2009 @ 8:12 pm
Cool!
I'm just now starting to put together my summer reading list. (And striving to hard to get away from anything remotely self-help related!)
Comment by Anonymous — June 3, 2009 @ 9:37 pm
I enjoyed the Red Tent also, it had such powerful words for women, thanks for the "Eve" recommendation and for all of your powerful words. Nina; kornchik@sbcglobal.net
Comment by Nina — June 4, 2009 @ 5:03 am
Thanks so much for some reading ideas. I loved the Red Tent and will be looking for your suggestions. I am so happy to always find you here dear one.
Comment by Bridge — June 4, 2009 @ 5:25 am
I love reading .. thanks for the suggestions.
Comment by Sandra — June 4, 2009 @ 9:44 am
I loved the Red Tent – shred it with all of the ladies in my life who I loved – and now I have the only copy that has been well read, and touched by all.
Cat
Comment by Cat — June 4, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
Thanks for the chance!
Comment by Brooke — June 5, 2009 @ 11:23 am
I keep hearing good things about that Eve book. Thanks for a chance at either one!
J @ mommyhungry.blogspot.com
Comment by J — June 5, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
Book recommendations are welcomed. One can live vicariously through another or savor the experience for the self and know the feeling of truth beyond words. Truly appreciate the nature of this blog.
Comment by Liara Covert — June 7, 2009 @ 3:28 am
Just wanted to leave a quick note as thanks for these two recommendations. I would not probably have thought to read the one about Eve, but I really enjoyed The Red Tent too.
I just put them both on hold at the library.
Comment by Wendy — June 11, 2009 @ 9:54 pm