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

Monday, August 17, 2009

Giveaway & Review : Up for Renewal by Cathy Alter

Up for Renewal... Opening yourself up for change in the magazine aisle!

Hi Everyone! And the winner is.... Victoria! Congrats! I'll post all the great magazine advice titles everyone came up with soon with a link here so you can read them all! So you'll have to come back to check them all out- they are all GREAT! And a BIG Thank you to EVERYone who joined in on the fun!

Up For Renewal, What magazines taught me about love, sex, and starting over by Cathy Alter. "By age thirty-seven, Cathy Alter had made a mess of her life. With a failed marriage already under her belt, she was continuing down the path of poor decisions, one paved with a steady stream of junk food, unpaid bills, questionable friends, and highly inappropriate men. So she sat down and asked her-self what she truly wanted. A decent guy. A nicer home. More protein. When she took a closer look at her wants, she noticed something that seemed very familiar—with the addition of exclamation points, her list could easily be transformed into the cover lines on every women’s magazine: Find the love you deserve! Paint to the rescue! Eggs-actly perfect meals! ...So Cathy gave over her life to the glossies for the next twelve months, resolving to follow their advice without question. By the end of her subscriptions, she would get rid of upper-arm jiggle, crawl out of debt, host the perfect dinner party, run a mile without puking, engage in better bathtub booty, ask for a raise, and rehaul her apartment."

Up for Renewal was funny & charming! And I really enjoyed it! With Cathy's life so out of control it didn't seem such a stretch to let all the magazines screaming advice on the rack to take over her life, so that's what she did- for one year she followed the advice from these magazines without question and the result was a funny, unbelievably honest look at how she changed her life with the flip of a page.

Each month was a different 'goal'. She started out slow & easy - eating healthier was her first month. She wasn't overweight, but had a lot of bad habits including junk food. So brown bagging it to work would be healthier and save her some money. Real Simple magazine had an tutorial on sandwich wrapping (an actual tutorial!?) and which was the best wrap to use... then she tackles "keep fear from running your life" , fashion month, sex month, cooking month and in the middle of all this change she finds a "healthy" relationship and begins to apply her new found magazine advice to her relationship with Karl - from moving in together to dealing with his mother. Some of her 'experiments' were a riot! And some were very heartwarming. Her sarcasm and wit make for a great story. She is the real "Bridget Jones Diary"!

Along the way, she questioned whether these women's magazines were really designed to make women feel bad about themselves by always making us feel like we'd never have the perfect "_____" (you fill in the blank), but ultimately her verdict was that these magazines "were just the vehicles (ambulances during some months) she took to the road to self-discovery." She, like each of us, is the person who ultimately makes the positive changes in our own life.

It's funny that since I've read this book I really pay attention to all the magazine covers to see what advice they are offering 'this month'... Do you ever buy a magazine for the advice on the cover? When you don't subscribe to a magazine, isn't that the reason why you buy one off the stand- something in that issue is calling your name. Advice, recipes, paint choice it's all there! If you'd like to learn more about Cathy Alters and her book Up for Renewal, check out her Home Page! Would you like to read the first chapter? Here's the Excerpt!

Now about the giveaway! Courtesy of Minjae O., Cathy Alters PR consultant, I had the privilege of receiving a copy of Up for Renewal for review! PLUS, Minjae generously sent me another copy so I could give it away to one of my readers! Since I'm sending it along to one lucky person, I am opening this giveaway up to my international readers too! So if I can mail a book to you thru the post office you are eligible to enter!

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!)

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

*For a bonus entry write your own magazine advice headline and leave it in a comment! (Such as... "Make your skin glow with mayonnaise and water") Remember we're having fun here, don't be shy!

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents, plus anywhere I can mail a book thru the post office! (No P.O. Boxes, please) Contest ends 11:59 pm EST on Sept. 5th. I'll randomly pick the winner the next day and email that person. Please check your email... winner must reply to me!

Good luck everyone!

*P.S. Not part of the giveaway, but just wanted to let my Kindle readers know, this book is Kindle Ready!

111 comments:

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Please enter my name in the giveaway!

meah56@gmail.com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I've been a follower since your interview on Kindle Chronicles!

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I blogged in my sidebar giveaways section

meah56@gmail.com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

My headline would be:

"Read smarter - Get a Kindle!"

meah56@gmail.com

Literary Feline said...

I go through magazine phases, where I read a certain kind of magazine more than another. Right now I'm going through a book magazine phase. :-)

I'm not very good with headliners, but I'll give it a try:

How Harry Potter Changed My Life

Okay, so not very original. LOL

literaryfeline AT gmail DOT com

Suzanne Yester said...

Hi Mary & Literary Feline! That's the spirit! I love the headlines! I don't think my "mayonnaise & water"headline was all that, but this is suppose to be just some fun among us girls!

Thanks for joining in!
Suzanne

D Swizzle said...

danielleeloko78@aol.com

"how to snag the man of your dreams with only a pickle and ruby-red lipstick!"

man, that one was inappropriate...lol.

im a follower!

Suzanne Yester said...

Loved it Dannie! I know we're going to have fun with this!

Veronika said...

I just left a comment but it didn´t post.....so if it does post....then please disregard this one.

Um, I am a follower already. I re-tweeted and my advice headliner thing would be:

10 questions to ask a potential fb bf:

#1: what do you mean exactly, by "casual clothing"?

oh, email: tatianalensky at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Heidi V said...

This sounds like a good read!

Thanks!
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Sue said...

This one looks like a fun read! Thanks for sharing it.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

sharon54220 said...

I would definitely love to be entered. Memoirs are one of my most favorite genres to read.

Thanks for the chance.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I am also a follower.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

For a column, hmmm.

Never give up on your dreams, you can do what ever you put your mind to.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

This does sound like a lot of fun. No need to enter me, though. On MY list of things I need is a MUCH smaller TBR pile!

Thanks for the e-mail. I've got this listed at Win a Book. Because I have no problem making other people's TBR pile as big as mine!

Unknown said...

Looks like a good book, please enter me into this drawing.

Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

Unknown said...

I'm also a follower via Blogger.

Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

Kristen said...

Please enter me.

whitreidsmama at yahoo dot com

Kristen said...

I'm also a follower.

Mozi Esme said...

Very interesting - I'd love to read this!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Beth (BBRB) said...

This looks fun! Please enter me!

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Beth (BBRB) said...

I'm a follower.

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Chris said...

Hahaha. I always read the advice on magazine covers, but I never buy them.

danunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com

Book Bird Dog said...

I'm already a follower.

My email: harvee44@yahoo.com


Advice: Biofriendly cleaners for the home and kitchen: vinegar and water!

Lisa said...

What a great concept--I'd love to read about how it worked out!

Lisa said...

Just became a follower.

Unknown said...

I've also blogged about this giveaway here.

Thanks,
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

Michelle said...

Hi Suzanne. Came here after you left a comment on my blog, and so I'm now becoming a new follower! =)

This book sounds like a fun one to read! Would be interesting to see what kind of path I would go down if I were to take all magazine advice literally. Especially this one:

"A cartwheel every hour keeps away body odour."

Cheers
Michelle
mich_yms AT hotmail DOT com

Ally in WA said...

I'd love a chance to win a copy of this book. It looks like a fun read. Thanks for the insightful review. I appreciate how you stir up such interest!

rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

Ally in WA said...

I already follow you. (rubymoon)


rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

Ally in WA said...

How about:

"I lifted full milk jugs to tone my upper arm flab--one woman's story"


rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. :)

lovestoread0708(at)yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I am already a follower

lovestoread0708(at)yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

"Don't eat an apple a day, that way you get to see your sexy doctor!"

lovestoread0708(at)yahoo.com

Tiina said...

I'd love to read this book. Please enter me! My e-mail is: abookblogofonesown(at)yahoo(at)co(at)uk

Greetings,
Tiina

mrsshukra said...

I would like to be entered!

delilah0810(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

Already follow you!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

cheryl c said...

What a cute and different idea for a book! It sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the chance to win it.

castings[at]mindspring[dot]com

cheryl c said...

already a follower :-)

cheryl c said...

magazine advice headline...

How Reading Romance Novels Improves Your Sex Life" ;-)

Yvette Kelly said...

I would love to read this book.Will take me right down memory lane and what saved me was being able to laugh at myself.That and all my friends laughing at me and me laughing at them.actually so much laughing we never did sort out our lives...

please enter me
yk AT toptruecrimebooks DOT come

Amber said...

This looks like a fun book that I would love to win!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber said...

This looks like a fun book that I would love to win!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Melissa said...

hello :) please cont me in, I would love to read this, thanks!

JanuaryWish at verizon dot net

throuthehaze said...

count me in please
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

follower
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Hello - please count me in!

dancealert(at)aol(dot)com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I have been follower!

dancealert(at)aol(dot)com

hippmom said...

This book looks great! I am a blog follower. My headline is:

Munch Your way To A Thinner You


At least that's the kind of article I want to read!


Thanks for the cahnces to win.

angelahipp (at) charter (dot) net

Esme said...

do sign me up please.

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Esme said...

I follow

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Esme said...

cococroissantsUp for renewal http://bit.ly/3d7UGs

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Esme said...

My Mag Header: Getting it Right

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot 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

Unknown said...

I'm a big magazine winner so I love the idea of this book!

Please include me in your giveaway!

Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I'm a new follower!

Aimala127@gmail.com

Ali said...

I'm 37...have a lot of parallels with the author - sounds like a pretty funny/introspective read!
Thank you for the giveaway!
gibbylet21 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Rue said...

Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the chance to win!
ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Ooh, I really like the sound of this.

michelle_thebookjunkie@hotmail.com

And I'm already a follower. :D

Unknown said...

What a fun book! Thoroughly enjoyed your review - thank you. I'd love to read this one! aitmama (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

follower already

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/aitmama/status/3517708885

Marie said...

This looks like a great read!

marielay@gmail.com

Park Avenue Princess said...

Please enter me! Thanks for this awesome giveaway!

I hope you'll come by and see me as well! I have 15 giveaways going on right now!

Park Avenue Princess said...

Whoops forgot my email address!

IAmHiMaintenance at aol dot com!

Park Avenue Princess said...

I am already a follower here and on google!

xoxo Amy (Park-Avenue Princess)

IAmHiMaintenance at aol dot com

Unknown said...

I blogged this giveaway
(http://homeofaimala.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaways.html)

Thank you!
Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Renee G said...

Would love to read this.

rsgrandinetti@yahoo(Dot)com

Kaye said...

This sounds like a great read. Count me in.

florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Kaye said...

I'm a follower

florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Kaye said...

What a fun idea making a headline. Mine would be"

"Although adorable, penguins make stinky pets!"

florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Cherie J said...

Sounds good! Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Strangelove said...

Great offer!
:)
carlos_durao AT hotmail DOT com

Strangelove said...

And for a title:

Hit your landlord in the head with a pineapple. The splatter will make your hair shine!

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks!

Amanda
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I'm a follower.

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

I swear I must have subscribed to at least 20 different women's magazines in my lifetime. I think this book was made for me. :) Please enter me in your giveaway!

Thanks!

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

I am also a follower. :)

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

My magazine advice headline:

Obedience School Dating Tips: Real Techniques that work on Fido that CAN Work on YOUR MAN!

Thanks again!

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

Blogged about your giveaway here:

http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaway-sunday-mini-post-today.html

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I also Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/fitz12383/status/3665157886

Amanda
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

Victoria said...

Sounds good!

Thank you!

victoriah40@gmail.com

Victoria said...

I'm a follower!

victoriah40@gmail.com

Pam said...

This sounds like fun!

melacan at hotmail dot com

Pam said...

Egg White Facials - the Low Cholesterol Way to Younger, Firmer, Tighter Skin

melacan at hotmail dot com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

simplystacieblog (at) gmail (dot) com

Simply Stacie said...

I follow.

simplystacieblog (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

The Book Chick said...

Please enter me into your giveaway!

jonitathebookchick@gmail.com

The Book Chick said...

I'm a brand spanking new follower!

jonitathebookchick@gmail.com

The Book Chick said...

"Sending kids back to school reduces insanity levels in moms by 50%"

There's my headline! Counting the days until my little guys are back in that have they call school!!!!

jonitathebookchick@gmail.com

Edu Chico said...

I'm in!
educhico AT gmail DOT com

Edu Chico said...

Headline: "You can become a perfect 1950's housewife by eating at your mother-in-law's everyday"

educhico AT gmail DOT com

Jafantunes said...

I'll take my chances!
:)
o_rei_de_havana[@]hotmail[.]com

Jafantunes said...

And for a headline:

THE WORLD SEEMS GREY TO YOU? TAKE AN UMBRELLA!

:)
o_rei_de_havana[@]hotmail[.]com

Maria D said...

+1 (email)

dr.strangelove.vs.citizen.kane
@
gmail.com

Maria D said...

+1 (headline)

Permanent stain removal: Go naked!

Caty said...

I will try any book.
And if it is not so good I will offer it to a friend, hoping he will like it even mer.
So, thank you!

catarina[dot]magoito[at]gmail[dot]com

Caty said...

And a headline:

The secret to be a happy housewife is divorce!

catarina[dot]magoito[at]gmail[dot]com

Susy said...

39.5susy AT gmail DOT com
I don't have much luck, but this would be the perfect opportunity to change that!
:)

Mil said...

Well, what a great chance!
Thank you for this!

goncalo.mil{@}gmail.com

J Dias said...

Free books is a dream for all us readers!
:)

joanapatriciadias[at]gmail[dot]com

Tanita said...

tanitalves AT sapo DOT pt

Well, this seems like a great book.
Thanks for the chance!

Jennifer said...

This sounds like a delightful read, please enter me. Thanks!
knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Jennifer said...

I am indeed a happy follower.
knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Sarah Z said...

I would like to run a mile without puking! Sounds like a fun read!
Thanks
Sarah
believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

Len Edgerly said...

I'm subscribed!

If I win, I'll give this book to one of the women in my life (and sneak a peek myself).

My magazine headline: How Commenting on Blogs Saved My Marriage...

LenEdgerly AT GeeeeMail DOT com

Nikola said...

Ooh, awesome, I want in!!

+1 I'm already a follower
+1 I tweeted (http://twitter.com/rblprince89)
+1 Magazine Headline: IF MADONNA CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU: 10 GREAT TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID ADMITTING YOU'VE GOT BOTOX

My email is rebelprince89@live.com

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