Literary Quote of the Month

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies," said Jojen. "The man who never reads lives only one." - George R.R. Martin, A Dance With Dragons

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Giveaway: Do Over! by Robin Hemley

Giveaway : Do-Over by Robin Hemley

If you had it all to do over again, would you? OK, how about just 'parts' of it?! Well, that's just what Robin Hemley does...

The Giveaway has ended.... Congratulations to Heidi, Gaby, & Rebecca! They each won a copy of Do-Over! And Thank you to EVERYONE who entered the giveaway!

About the Book...

Robin Hemley's childhood made a wedgie of his memory, leaving him sore and embarrassed for over forty years. He was the most pitiful kindergartner, the least spirited summer camper, and dateless for prom. In fact, there's nary an event from his youth that couldn't use improvement. If only he could do them all over a few decades later, with an adult's wisdom, perspective, and giant-like height...

In the spirit of cult film classics like Billy Madison and Wet Hot American Summer, in DO-OVER! Hemley reencounters paper mache, revisits his childhood home, and finally attends the prom--bringing readers the thrill of recapturing a misspent youth and discovering what's most important: simple pleasures, second chances, and the forgotten joys of recess.

Robin Hemly, 48 and a father of three girls, had some regrets growing up... In second grade he had one simple line to say and he blew it! In summer camp he was a failure (not athletic enough) and was always the last one picked for teams, He didn't go to his prom at 16 because he was too shy to ask out Lizzie Clark, and the list goes on. He didn't consider himself a failure, but inside he still felt like the kid who forgot his lines in second grade. He thought if he could go back and redo some of these 'failures', maybe he could unburden himself and live a happier life "internally". So he makes a list.... A Do Over list...

What a fun read too! Especially the interactions he has with the children he encounters as he tries to 'fit in'! It's interesting to see how the he handles his do-overs with an adult perspective, and touching how he even gets advice from one of his young daughters, Olivia, of the finer points of dodgeball... The writing is entertaining, funny and well worth the time. The story held my interest! I rooted for him, maybe because as he succeeded I felt like I succeeded too! Because I'm sure we all have things we'd like to do-over... I know I do! And I want to thank Anna B. of Hachette Book Group for sending me a copy to review! Thank you I really enjoyed it!

Now About the Giveaway...

NOW for the Giveaway! I have 3 copies of Do-Over! for a giveaway to my readers courtesy of Anna B. of Hachette Book Group. Thank you Anna for the opportunity to share this wonderful book!

To Enter this giveaway...

*For one entry leave me a comment with your email address!

*For another entry, follow my blog and leave a comment to let me know you just became a follower. (if you already are a follower you will get an extra entry!)

*Blog or tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link.

* For an extra entry, share with us something you'd like to "do over" from your childhood!

I know I'd like to do over the day I got sent to the corner in first grade when Mrs. B. thought I was rocking JoAnne's chair back & forth when we were all suppose to be listening to her. ( it was actually JoAnne rocking back & forth on her own and I just happen to place my hand on the back of her chair) Talk about humiliating. I was so shy I didn't say anything, I just walked into that corner and stood there for what seemed hours...and I'd have to think now what to do, but it sure is a vivid memory! :D

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only.(No PO boxes). The books will be shipped to the winners directly from the publishers. Contest ends 11:59pm EST on August 22nd. I will randomly pick the winners the next day and email them! (please check your email.. winner must reply to me within 3 days! Thanks!) Good Luck!

34 comments:

Debbie F said...

I would love this book. Thanks
Debbie F
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

Most of the things I want to do over I really don't want to talk about - but believe me - there's lots of them!
DebbieF
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I follow - Google Reader
Debbie F
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Heidi V said...

I think I would enjoy this read!

Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I'd love to be entered.

-lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

As for something I'd like to do over when I was younger...I'm sure there is a lot, but let's see...sometimes I guess I wish that I'd tried out for more things in school. I'd probably still be embarrased, but maybe tell a guy that I liked him.

-lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

Anonymous said...

+1 I love time travel books! tashiluvsu@live.com
+2 already a follower
+1 I'd go back and make people stop teasing me for being a nerd/short once and for all
haha it's funny that I really like those things about myself now

~Tashi

DarcyO said...

Thanks for the great review. I'd love to read this one!

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I follow.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

stpand said...

please enter me

Unknown said...

*I'm already a follower.

*I would have let my sister stand up for herself in the 3rd grade. There are times I feel that she is still looking for me to be the one to get suspended for fighting her battles.

*witch_baby[at]ymail.com

Mozi Esme said...

This looks like a fun book!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower.

jbb141@yahoo.com

Wanda said...

The book sounds hilarious! Just my kind of book! Please enter my name in your draw. Thanks!
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

blogged:

http://bridgethegapx.blogspot.com/2009/07/more-contests.html

-lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

Dawn M. said...

I've been wanting to read this one for a long time. Would love the chance to win it. Count me in! :0)

I subscribe with google reader.

If I could do everything over, I would be more myself and not worry so much about what the other kids thought of me. I stressed way too much about that.

Thanks!
librarygrinch at gmail dot com

FoundProdigalDaughter said...

that looks like a great book!

nbarteaux(at)gmail(dot)com

FoundProdigalDaughter said...

following :)

nbarteaux(at)gmail(dot)com

Tegan said...

Folowing

Teggiey_boo_19@hotmail.com

Debs Desk said...

Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Debs Desk said...

I am a follower.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Anonymous said...

A great idea for a book. Thanks for offering it.
cabadov(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I think if I was to redo anything from my school days, I'd probably grab some courage to sing the solo in the school choir (instead of just being in the choir).
cabadov(at)hotmail(dot)com

Winning Readings said...

No need to enter me - just letting you know I've posted about this on Winning Readings:

http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/08/do-over.html

Rebecca N. said...

This sounds like such a cool book! I would love, love, love to win this! Thanks for the great giveaway!
imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

I follow on twitter and tweeted!
http://twitter.com/Sparkleglow/status/3180385608
imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

One of the many things I wish I could relive from being a child is going butterfly catching with my mother.
imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Gaby317 said...

Please count me in. This looks fun

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

Gaby317 said...

i follow

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

Gaby317 said...

One thing that I wish I could do over is to have become closer friends with my two younger brothers. I hadn't spent much time with them - and instead focused on school, classmates, books, etc. Although we're friends now, it would have been sweeter to have known them well those years as well and to have been more of a big sister.

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

Jonelle said...

This book sounds like something I would love!!

Jonelle said...

As a school teacher, there are many years I want to "re-do". During the summer, I always think of ways to teach a lesson better, but my students have moved on to the next!!

Anonymous said...

This book looks like so much fun. Please include me in the draw.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sara said...

I thought this book migh be a little ridiculous, but your review persuaded me.

I'm already a follower.

If I could do over anything, I'd like to be nicer to my sister. I was awful, and she was such as sweet kid.

Thanks!
Skkmiller (at) live (dot) com

FSB Media Book Blogger Directory
my read shelf:
Suzanne's book recommendations, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)
First To Read
Reviews Published
Professional Reader
Challenge Participant