Whew - what a story!

The Miller brothers have written a fast-paced, funny, caffeine-infused book chronicling the miraculous and epic twelve-month journey that resulted in the film, Touching Home. Logan and Noah never doubted their father's life had meaning. They also knew that it was up to them to tell that story.

This book, Either You're In or You're In The Way, has a lot going on that made it intriguing for me. First, I'm a sucker for stories about outsiders (especially working class heroes) who manage to break into closed systems on their own terms. In this case, without film school pedigrees or famous relatives, but armed with grit and a shared delusion (their term), Noah and Logan  overcome the barriers surrounding the Hollywood film industry.

As the older sister to identical twin sisters, I could also relate to those instances in the narrative when Noah and Logan give a nod to the synergistic and kinetic energy that exists in their relationship. So much so, that I wonder if a single person could have pulled off what they did together -- or even a non-twin pair of siblings.

There's also the Ed Harris factor. Who among us doesn't acknowledge the place Harris has as one of our nation's very best actors? I was on edge page after page, thinking Ed Harris better come through for these guys!

Much of the book takes place in California, with the actual film shot in northern California. Since I live in this area, I enjoyed reading about the specific locations and all the logistical considerations. I could truly understand the huge gamble they took in planning an outdoor shooting schedule in December.

Maybe it's not surprising that the Miller brothers give a shout out to independent booksellers in the acknowledgements section of their book, given that as independent filmmakers they are fellow travelers in a David versus Goliath dynamic. But, I've never seen this before. These young men "get it."

The film Touching Home is about to be released here in the U.S. This is definitely a book you'll want to read before you see the movie.

I'm going to give away a copy of Either You're In or You're In The Way. Just leave a comment that answers this question: Have you ever thought about making your own movie or writing a book?

Leave a second comment if you follow this blog for an extra entry and be sure to leave your email so I can contact you. I'll select from the comments using random.org on Monday April 5th at or very near midnight. U.S. only.

Note: I received a review paperback copy of this book from the publisher.

March Madness Book Giveaway!

OK, the two books I've selected to giveaway have nothing to do with college basketball but it is March. And, who reads this blog that isn't at least a little mad about reading?



Here's your chance to win one of these books. I've read both (and they are great books) so they are technically 'used' books but you'll find them to be 'like new.' I'm very gentle with my books!

All you need to do is leave a comment telling me which one you'd like. Leave a second comment if you follow this blog for an extra entry. Also, be sure to include your email address.

I'll select the winners (using random.org) around midnight on March 31st. U.S. residents only this time.

Good luck!

Winter Garden Giveaway

Kristin Hannah, bestselling author of Firefly Lane and True Colors has a new book, Winter Garden.

Description (from publisher)

Sometimes when you open the door to your mother’s past, you find your own future…

Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her children and manage the family apple orchard; the other followed a dream and traveled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But when their beloved father falls ill, these two estranged women will find themselves together again, standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, who even now, offers no comfort to her daughters. On his deathbed, their father extracts one last promise from the women in his life.

It begins with a story that is unlike anything the sisters have heard before—a captivating, mysterious love story that spans sixty-five years and moves from frozen, war torn Leningrad to modern-day Alaska. The vividly imagined tale brings these three women together in a way that none could have expected. Meredith and Nina will finally learn the secret of their mother’s past and uncover a truth so terrible it will shake the foundation of their family and change who they think they are.

"This tearjerker weaves a convincing historical novel and contemporary family drama..."

- Library Journal

Read an excerpt of Winter Garden here.

Giveaway details:

The publisher is generously providing two copies of Winter Garden to give away.

To enter this contest do any or all of the following:

1. Leave a comment on this post. Include an email address in at least one of your comments. I have to be able to contact you if you win! (1 entry)

2. Blog about this giveaway. Leave a separate comment with a link to your post. (1 entry)

3. Follow me on blogger or subscribe via email (current followers/subscribers are eligible too). Leave a separate comment for this. (1 entry)

4. Tweet this post on Twitter. Leave me a separate comment with your twitter user name. (1 entry)

Note: Giveaway reserved for residents within the U.S. and Canada.

The winners will be selected from the comments using random.org.

The deadline for entry is midnight, February 25, 2010.

Good luck!

Bookmark love - giveaway!

Mini Valentines Hearts Bookmark Pair
Copper and Silverplate

I bought some of these handmade copper book marks for Christmas & loved them. Here's the description from Esty:

These two hearts clips are sweet little bookmarks or can be used to adorn a greeting card, clip a family picture to a thank you card, jazz up an invitation...they are festive, pretty decorations for any paper item you may be using. They are hand-formed from copper and silverplated wire, then run through the rolling mill to flatten, both for beauty and funtionality. This small, flat pagemarker will not indent the pages of your card or photo, or ruin a card being sent in the mail. They measure about .1" by .1"

So nice for Valentine's Day:)

How can you go wrong? Be sure to check out all of ialuna's designs: Here's the link. I have stars, guitar and fish -- all super cute.

Win a book & a bookmark

Giveaway: In recognition of Valentine's Day and because it is my first giveaway, I'm giving away a new, hardcover copy of a book I loved, A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas. And, a beautiful bookmark from ialuna (Ivy) to go with it. You choose the design (star, heart, etc) you'd like to receive.

“A Three Dog Life is, I think, the best memoir I have ever read. It’s sad, terrifying, and scorchingly honest. It’s also a testament to the power of love, suggesting that even when love isn’t enough…somehow, it is. This book is a punch to the heart. Read it.”
—Stephen King


“Abigail Thomas navigates a life redefined by ambiguous loss—a beloved husband who ‘is there and not there.’ She makes sense of mangled senses where a new logic is encoded; she lets mystery stand where translation is not possible. Her many gifts as a writer and deeply generous person show us what is possible when two brave people examine a reconfigured life—one that conjures the uncanny, spotlights the power of art, and amplifies the meaning and reach of love.”
—Amy Hempel

To enter:

1) leave a comment and let me know which bookmark design you'd like. Leave your email address too.

2) become a follower of my blog for an extra entry (if you're already a follower you'll get an extra entry too)

3) post about this giveaway for yet another entry

Enter by Sat. Feb. 7 midnight.