It’s not too late to vote for your favorite book published in 2011 (and enter to win 10 free books)! Even though that contest is still going strong, we’re going to give away two more books on the blog this week.
As Megan Fishmann writes in the December issue of BookPage, Ann Beattie’s Mrs. Nixon is “part historical biography, part imaginative fiction, part writing manual . . . Beattie creates introspective, revealing narratives of how Pat Nixon might have reacted to a specific incident, or what she might have thought during a specific event. She weaves in actual dialogue from the former president and his wife, so at times, the reader cannot tell what is real, or what is imagined by the author.” (By the way, we gave you a head’s up about this book back in August, so it may sound familiar!)
Another favorite book featured in the December issue of BookPage (in fact it’s the Top Pick in Nonfiction) is An Autobiography by Agatha Christie. Here’s a preview from Catherine Hollis’ review: “Reading Agatha Christie’s autobiography is like sitting down to tea with an especially chatty, good-natured auntie; one would never suspect her of slipping arsenic in your drink. The Queen of Crime, it turns out, was also a gifted and engaging memoirist, and readers who missed out on the 1977 publication of An Autobiography will be delighted with its reissue, timed to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Dame Christie’s birth.”
Interested? Here’s how you can win these books . . .
TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the name of a book or author that you’re thankful for.
CONTEST DETAILS: One winner will be chosen by random.org from among entries received by 6 pm CST on November 25. The winner will receive copies of Mrs. Nixon by Ann Beattie and An Autobiography by Agatha Christie. This prize must be shipped to a North American address.
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ETA: Congratulations to our winner, Ruth! She’s thankful for Louise Penny and P.D. James: “Love both of these ladies a lot for a good read.”
Thank you to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
I am thankful for A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini along with the Kite Runner for opening my eyes to a part of the world that I was totally ignorant about.
I am thankful author Ann Pattchet …her imaginative creative writing keeps me entertained!
I am thankful for City of Promise by Beverly Swerling for opening my eyes to a wonderful series and author I had somehow overlooked!
Hard to choose: maybe today, grateful for Stewart O’Nan, and his Songs of the Missing, and Emily Alone – for his humanity and imagination.
I am always thankful for books. But the most recent book I am thankful for is “Night Circus”. I don’t believe in magic but it is a Magical book.
Thinking of Thanksgiving, Blood, Bones and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton comes to mind.
I am thankful that we have so many choices about what we read and how we choose to read/experience it. Richard Paul Evans is one of the many authors that I’m thankful for.
I am thankful for Agatha Christie, actually. In my high school days, she totally hooked me on mystery fiction with her complex characters and perfect plot lines. I would have to say that Ms. Christie is the one author wholly responsible for my addiction to fiction!
I am thankful for all books written by Helene Hanff. She was a gifted, funny, sincere writer who had very little but gave so much.
I’m thankful for Sue Grafton. When I need to be entertained and just enjoy a good read – I can count her.
I am thankful for all the books written by Jacqueline Winspear. Simply special.
An author whose books make me thankful and appreciative are Jennifer Donnelly.
I’m thankful for J.K. Rowling, who got a whole generation to put down the video games and read – even if just for a little while.
Robert Massie-can’t wait to read his new book on Catherine the Great
I am always thankful for books by Louise
Penny and PD James. Love both of these
ladies a lot for a good read.
I am thankful for……Robyn Carr and her wonderful Virgin River books. Romance and women’s fiction combine in this heartwarming series. Thanks for the contest!
I am thankful for the books by Junot Diaz!
I am thankful for authors Nora Roberts & Sandra Brown. They just cannot write fast enough for me! I love how they both make characters come to life, and when you are through with the book, it feels as if you are saying goodbye to old friends.
Speaking of Agatha Christie, I’m grateful for her “And Then There Were None.” I think I’ll reread that one over Thanksgiving!
I’m thankful that I’m having so much trouble paring my list to one author: Tracy Chevalier. Her stories transport me to other eras with the smoothest of writing amid complex times.
I am thankful for Pat Conroy who can write about anything and make it beautiful! I am also thankful for J. K. Rowling who got millions of kids reading but also got my husband back in to the reading habit/addiction!
I am thankful that we are able to make choices about the authors we read. Because I read almost anything I was not able to choose just one or two authors–there are just too many good authors.
I am thankful for books,but especially that I may pick and choose,my favorite is Sue Grafton.She keeps going,making me more grateful…
For Agatha Christie for turning me to mysteries and suspense at an early age,I’m grateful . For all the wonderful authors of any type of book,grateful to you all…For all the love,suspense,traveling I’ve gotten by reading you all.
I am thankful for Crime and Punishment for its insights into politics and psychology and its message that redemption (taken in its religious sense or not) is available to everyone. I am thankful to Cry the Beloved Country for demonstrating, at least within the pages of the book, that the power of love is real. I could go on and on, there are so many great books.
The Sound and the Fury, William Faulker. Kept me sane as a teenager.
I am just thankful for books!
Thankful for my two favorite mystery writers, Donna Leon and Craig Johnson.
I am thankful for Octavia Butler and her books that provoked me to think beyond the moment and the obvious.
There are so many excellent authors out there and I love reading all types of books. Always have. Picking any one or two is near impossible for me. I’m always looking forward to new books coming out. Recently, I’ve enjoyed non-fiction probably as much as fiction.
I’m thankful for Jane Austen and L.M. Montgomery. These two authors never fail to cheer me, comfort me and make me laugh!!
I am grateful for an English mystery author by the name of Reginald Hill.
I am thankful for Maurice Sendak, who writes books that my kid loves, and that don’t drive me batty to have to read over and over again
Jon Krakauer, an amazing author with an incredible gift for writing.
As so many have said, I am always thankful for books. There are so many books to be thankful for this year too! One of the best, in terms of eye-opening, was Tomatoland by Barry Estabrook. I’ll not be eating a supermarket tomato again after reading that!
I’m thankful for Shirley Rousseau Murphy. Her Joe Grey mysteries and her fantasy book, THE CATSWOLD PORTAL, are delightful!!
OMG! I love the two books you’re giving away. I loved the Nixons. And when I met Jeff Lindsay, author of the DEXTER books, he told me to read ‘Christie’. I’m crossing my fingers for a win!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!
I am thankful for all of Jodi Picoult’s books. She writes about social hot topic issues that are timely and thought-provoking. I’ve read all of her books and am anxiously awaiting her next.
I am thankful for Anne Rice, who has not only been my favorite author for many years, she is also tirelessly interactive with her fans and cares what we think and have to say. Thank you, Anne!
I am thankful for Anna Quindlen,fiction &non fiction.
It is difficult to be thankful for only one book considering how they give you the freedom to imagine and experience in a very intimate way, a lesson—a story. But, for the purpose of your question, I am particularly thankful for the book, “The Romantic” by Barbara Gowdy. Reading it during a difficult time in my relationship, the book was a form of empathy and grace.
I am also thankful for B. Gowdy’s advice on writing when I met her at a reading party of her book, “The White Bone.” She was neither elitist, nor condescending as some published writers are. She was genuine and earnest in her advice and I think back to it often when I write.
I am thankful for Jeffrey Eugenides, and his latest book, The Marriage Plot.
I’m thankful for J.K. Rowling. Myself and my two kids, 21 and 18 just loved this series of books. They have been read over and over again thru the years. I am also thankful for all of Jodi Picoult’s books.
I am grateful for books in general, otherwise I would not have a sense of myself as being OK. I heard the biography of Agatha
Christie reviewed on NPR when it first came out. When the war was going terribly in 2006, it was a description of Agatha that kept me together, even though I couldn’t relate to the locals in my city. So I would like to read it now that I am seeing and reading again.