Lionel Shriver is one of the few authors I can say left an indelible and immediate mark on my reading as an adult. I remember
Photo by Jerry Bauer
first seeing her book,We Need To Talk About Kevin, in an airport book store. I don’t remember where I was on my way too or from, but I remember thinking that it looked like a really interesting book on a subject that had been dominating the headlines in recent years. Surprisingly, with the way I buy books, I didn’t get it at the time, but the description stayed with me and in January of 2008 I made it my selection for book club.
All of us reading the book were stunned by many things, from the thoughtful and smart writing, to the carefully considered viewpoints and the controversial subject matter- this book offered so much in the way of food for thought that it has stayed with me over the years. So much so that when Mari and Alyce wanted to read Lionel Shriver books for That’s How I Blog! I quickly said yes to both. Mari and I will discuss Double Fault on March 16 and Alyce and I will discuss The Post Birthday World on May 18.
From New York Times bestselling author Lionel Shriver (The Post-Birthday World, We Need to Talk About Kevin), comes a searing, deeply humane novel about a crumbling marriage resurrected in the face of illness, and a family’s struggle to come to terms with disease, dying, and the obscene cost of medical care in modern America.
So now the challenge part- and where you come in! This is all so very exciting because Lionel Shriver has a new book coming out on March 9, called So Much For That, and in anticipation of that book Erica (from The Olive Reader) and I are running a small but fun challenge to help you read more Lionel Shriver and get excited (not that you weren’t already) about the new book.
Just read one book (or more!) by Lionel Shriver by March 9th. Erica and I will be giving away two copies each of each of Lionel’s back list books (listed below). All you have to do to win one of these books simply tell us why you want to read her book, or in some cases more of her books. Erica and I will calculate winners separately so you can enter here and over at her post as well to increase your chances. We’re so sweet! If you tweet or blog about it, leave another comment with the link and we’ll count that too. We will accept entries until Feb 1!
We’ll all post our reviews on March 9, and anyone posting, commenting, etc will be entered to win a copy of So Much for That (more details as we get closer to the date.)
- The Post Birthday World
- We Need to Talk About Kevin
- Double Fault
- Checker and the Derailleurs
- Female of the Species
- Game Control
- A Perfectly Good Family
I will be reading Double Fault for That’s How I Blog on March 16th! What will you read?
All books won in this challenge/giveaway will be sent by the publisher, Harper Collins. Yes this is an attempt at shameless publicity and promotion of Lionel Shriver, but she is a great writer and I enjoy her books, so sue me. No animals or people will be harmed in the making of this challenge/post.
Other reviews and posts:
I’ve already read TPBW and WNTTAK – two of my all-time favorites – and I don’t think I can commit to reading another Lionel Shriver by 3/9 (the date of my THIB interview!). But can I enter the contest if I don’t read something else by her by then? Do my earlier 2 suffice??
.-= Gayle´s last blog .."Us: Americans Talk About Love" by John Bowe =-.
What were you interested in reading? This contest is for her backlist titles. We are running a separate one for SO MUCH FOR THAT.
Ah, got it. Thanks!
.-= Gayle´s last blog .."Between Here and April" by Deborah Copaken Kogan =-.
Tweeted! http://twitter.com/gweiswasser/statuses/8334606023
.-= Gayle´s last blog .."Us: Americans Talk About Love" by John Bowe =-.
I also read We Need to Talk About Kevin and thought it was amazing! The story wasn’t perfect, but as far as books go, it probably packed one of the biggest punches and has stayed with me longer and with more detail than any other book. I can’t wait to read both The Post Birthday World and Double Fault.
.-= trish´s last blog ..Review – What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman =-.
The Post Birthday World is one of my all-time favorite books ever. I found it ironic, touching and hilarious, all rolled into one. I have Kevin at home on my shelves. I think I can handle reading it before March 9th. You can count me in!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..When Teachers Talk – Rosalyn S. Schnall =-.
I thought We Need to Talk about Kevin was a revealing and truly original look at a tough subject-school shootings. I posted my thoughts on that book. And I admire her for having the courage to start using a male name when her work was not getting picked up. It worked for her-a sad commentary on today’s post feminist world. I’ve wanted to read more of her ever since reading that first one. I rely on my public library for books but will definitely get another of her books and read it as soon as possible. So Much For That is on my next Waiting on Wednesday post so I would love to win a copy. Please enter me, thank you.
.-= Sandra´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
Hi Sandra, This contest isn’t for SO MUCH FOR THAT. It’s for one of Lionel’s other back list titles. Let me know if you still want to participate.
I’m really impressed by the diversity in the books above. I have had no exposure to Lionel Shriver’s writing before, so I would love to participate in this challenge. A Perfectly Good Family appeals to me, but it sounds like The Post Bithday World and Double Fault are well-liked; I honestly don’t know where to start. Please enter me in the giveaway, I would love to read any of the books listed. Thank you.
I read Kevin a while back and really enjoyed it. I have been meaning to pick up the Post Birthday World!!! Sounds like a fun challenge and some great reading to look forward to!
.-= Staci´s last blog ..Library Loot- January 27 =-.
I loved the two books I read by Lionel Shriver and I am definitely up for reading more. Especially the new one!
.-= Lenore´s last blog ..Book Review: The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris =-.
I was very much affected by We Need to Talk About Kevin. While I would love to be a part of this challenge, I am just not sure that I have the time. I will anxiously wait, however, for everyone’s review of her books!
.-= Molly´s last blog ..BTT – Twisty =-.
I’m in. I think I’m going to read The Post-Birthday World.The fact that it’s being compared to Sliding Doors is interesting. I think sometimes we all wonder how our lives would have turned out if we made a few different decisions.
.-= Vasilly´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: The Best YA Books You Haven’t Read =-.
We need to talk about Kevin was a tough subject which was handled well. It is a sensitive issue as well and violence directed to young people by young people is an emotional issue as well. I havent read anything else but would love to if I get a chance. Since the possibility of buying her books is very remote in this part of the world, will just wait for the reviews.
I will have to see how much time I have available. If I can I’ll try to squeeze in another book before March 9th. Obviously I’ll be reading The Post-Birthday World in May.
As a side note, I had no idea that Lionel Shriver was a woman until reading this post. I then popped over to Wikipedia to read about how she changed her name when she was 15. Pretty cool!
.-= Alyce´s last blog ..My Favorite Reads – January 28 =-.
I really need to read “We Need To Talk About Kevin,” because I have heard so stinking much about it. For this challenge, however, I’m probably going to be reading “Double Fault” (for THIB), and “So Much For That” because I just picked up an ARC of it tonight.
.-= Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..The Boneman’s Daughters – Mini Review =-.
I want to read Game Control! I have never read her books, but I have long wanted to, partly because of fantastic things like what you just wrote about her Game Control seems like it would fit in with much of my themed reading this year so I’d really like to read it!
.-= Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last blog ..On Being a Public Reader =-.
This is perfect for me, as I haven’t read a one of her books! I’m in!
.-= Michele @ Reader’s Respite´s last blog ..Remembering Salinger…. =-.
tweeted: http://twitter.com/CouponGirlKate/status/8431002582