Monday, March 2, 2009

BOOK GIVEAWAY CARNIVAL

MARCH MADNESS at BOOKIN' WITH BINGO
March Madness


The theme for this month on BOOKIN' WITH BINGO is my interpretation of MARCH MADNESS because each week there will be a giveaway based in someway around the letter "M".

Photobucket
Tracy over at bookroomreviews.com is hosting a Book Giveaway Carnival, from March 2nd to 8th... I am so excited to be able to participate, and I hope you like what's in my first
"M" Week Giveaway Bingo Book Bundle


My "M" theme this week centers around a wonderful book called MATRIMONY by Joshua Henkin. This week my book club will meet to discuss MATRIMONY and at Tuesday night's meeting, Joshua will be calling to answer our questions and discuss his best selling novel. I am posting my review here so bloggers can find out a little about MATRIMONY, the main part of the this week's giveaway.
Yes, the first "M" Week Giveaway Bingo Book Bundle will include:

--a copy of MATRIMONY by Joshua Henkin

--an advanced copy of M. J. Rose's THE MEMORIST
--a copy of SCAVENGER by David Morrell
--all wrapped up and sent in a Multi-Use Book Tote
I will pick a second place winner who will also receive a copy of MATRIMONY

To be one of the winners this week, here are the simple rules:
1.For ONE entry leave a comment about MATRIMONY after reading my review
2.For a SECOND entry become a follower of my blog, or tell if you already follow
3.For a THIRD entry leave a link about my giveaway in your blog
You MUST leave your email address in one of your comments so I can let you know when you win.
Sorry, entries only from USA and Canada, and no P. O. Boxes PLEASE
This Giveaway starts on Monday, March 2 and ends Sunday, March 8 at 6 PM

**MATRIMONY Coming Attractions:
**MATRIMONY Review by Bingo today
**Tuesday an Interview with Joshua Henkin, author of MATRIMONY
**Wednesday will be Book Club report and photos of MATRIMONY'S discussion with Joshua Henkin
and now.....finally:
BOOKIN' BINGO'S REVIEW OF
MATRIMONY BY JOSHUA HENKIN



Josh Henkin’s Julian Wainwright is the major character in what is a poignant depiction of Mia and Julian Wainwright’s marriage and all that entails. All of the emotional upheaval one might expect in a marriage filled with infidelity, suspicion, and loss, is found in Julian’s marriage to Mia. Julian’s plans for the perfect life change as he finds he must face reality. He learns what life gives each of us, and how it changes our plans, sometimes rather quickly, but more often than not, rather steadily, determines what really happens next in our well planned existence. These plans can produce positive as well as negative results.

At the age of 13, Julian meets author John Cheever and from that point on, all Julian wants to do is write. He attends Graymont College, known for its excellent writing program, where he becomes one of four freshmen who the story follows for the next few decades. One, of course is Mia Mendelsohn from Montreal. Theirs is a story book start with instant attraction and falling in love. Also in the group is Carter Heinz, a scholarship student all the way from California, who is probably THE most talented writer in the group, and also the poorest financially. Carter tries, but often just can’t control the jealousy he feels toward Julian, because of the wealth Julian is lucky to be born into. These feelings toward Julian cause Carter to almost miss an opportunity for a truly glorious friendship. Carter’s girlfriend, Pilar, completes the foursome. Pilar’s parents are lawyers and she wants to follow in their footsteps. The failures and successes of these two couples are chronicled so well by Henkin over the next few years.

While Julian struggles to be the writer he just knows he can be, they find out that Mia’s mother is ill. Things are set in motion as decisions seem to be made for them at this point. Mia’s mom has breast cancer and Mia decides she really wants to marry Julian before her mother dies. And so, having married right after graduation, Julian moves to follow Mia as she continues her education. Their travels take them from their New England college town to one in the Midwest as Mia’s postgraduate work is in the field of psychotherapy. While Mia is in school, Julian teaches some courses and continues to write. Eventually, they wind up in New York. With each move, and each year of marriage, Julian and Mia find old secrets coming out and their marriage is tested to the point of destruction.

Julian goes to Berkley to watch Carter graduate from Law School. Carter, who has founded a computer software start-up company, is now worth millions. Carter’s wife, and college sweetheart, have split up. So the two friends get together to talk about the good old days and Carter let’s a supposedly unintentional secret slip out. At this point, the path this story will take is up for grabs as to whether Julian and Mia will be able to get over this next hurdle. Along with that, Mia finds out she carries the same breast cancer gene that her mother did and the story goes once again in another direction as priorities change.

Henkin’s writing makes for a moving account set in just the right atmosphere that keeps readers involved with the story. The characters are real and the reader can relate to them, believe in them, and more importantly, care about them. What happens with the knowledge Julian learned and the battle Mia faces, is what brings this story to its stunning conclusion. MATRIMONY is an enjoyable read and beautifully written, relatable story.

Originally submitted to Curled Up With A Good Book, by K. H. (AKA Bingo)

NOW ENTER BELOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY CARNIVAL!


75 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure if this is where to leave a comment for the contest. But anyway, great review; I love books where "secrets" keep coming out!

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog. (forgot to put email on previous post also)

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

Janssen said...

I really want to read Matrimony. It sounded a little convoluted the first time I heard about it, but after reading Jellicoe Road which is CRAZY complicated, it doesn't scare me as much :)

Anonymous said...

Wow- I've been meaning to read this one for awhile now. Your review confirmed that I should. I hope I win your giveaway.

Anonymous said...

I have also added you to my google reader.

Erika Powell said...

It is really interesting that the book is told from Julian's point of view. Too often these stories only come from the women's perspective.

Erika Powell said...

I am already a follower

Bingo said...

Off to a good start this morning! Wish everyone luck! Thank you Rhapsody for pointing out it was hard to find where to enter. I redid it so hope it is easier for people to see now! I got hung up with my "M" March Madness theme and may have overshadowed things. Do come back as tomorrow I am posting coming attractions for great giveaways every week in March! Thanks!

Bingo said...

..And Erika, MATRIMONY starts with an M so I know I better go check my contest as I bet you have a new guess for #4 already! You are the clever one! Thanks for keeping at it! It has been so long I am not sure if there was a cut-off date but by tomorrow you will have all 5 so you surely will be declared the winner, no?

Sage Ravenwood said...

Anytime you get a chance to read what is hidden in the closet of someone's life, is a chance to get to know the characters themselves on a very intimate level. Please enter me for this drawing. Thanks! Indigo

ravensquietscreams@gmail.com

Sage Ravenwood said...

I'm following you through Google Reader. Thanks! Indigo

ravensquietscreams@gmail.com

Kaye said...

For some weird reason, I like stories where secrets are revealed. I am already a follower
Please enter me in the drawing.
florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com

Rue said...

I've heard some intriguing things about this book. It sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win.
ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Please put me in the contest! I've subscribed to your blog, which is a very nice one, btw. My email is skirkland@triad.rr.com. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a terrific book!

Erin Lowmaster said...

This sounds like a bit of a mystery! Count me in :)

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

sounds interesting via the man

Vera said...

'Matrimony' sounds so great! I always like books that explore personal relationships, and follow character through their ups and downs. I believe Nancy Pearl also reviewed this book.

Please enter me! vvperesk@gmail.com

techyone said...

Your review makes me want to read this book. Sounds great.

Carol M said...

I really like to read a book that makes you care about the characters. This sounds like a good one!
Carol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com

ikkinlala said...

I'd love a chance to read Matrimony - I've read several reviews of it now, and they all seem to be positive. I agree with Erika Lynn that it's interesting that it has a male perspective.

ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

Unknown said...

i love reading books where you don't know what to expect next! ezziriah (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

i follow your blog. I just followed you today. I like your blog and can't wait to get to know you better

KR said...

I love characters that are real. Please count me in!

Kelly said...

I have been wanting to read matrimony for awhile now. It sounds look an interesting read. http://myutopias.blogspot.com/2009/03/book-giveaway-contests.html

kmanfredini AT GMAIL DOT COM

toohotforturtle said...

I am interested in how the breast cancer genetic link is explored. As DNA testing becomes more common place, it is something that many have to deal with.

toohotforturtle said...

following

Anonymous said...

I love your dancing M - what a great idea for March! Count me in on for the giveaway of Matrimony. Thanks Bingo :D

BevE
merryweatherbookblog@gmail.com

wendy wallach said...

I would love to read this book because it sounds like the characters are interesting and can easily be compared to people i already know.

madamerkf at aol dot com

Meg89 said...

These look good, please enter me!

meh471 (AT) gmail (DOT) com

Qwill said...

I like a book where you feel like you get to know the characters. Makes me mentally mesmerized.

demmi said...

Matrimony seems like it would be a story many people could relate to con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

Ladytink_534 said...

Great review! I've heard a ton of things about this one and everyone seems to like it.

Ladytink_534 said...

How cute! I'd love to win your M giveaway :) I left a comment on Matrimony and I've been following you on Google Reader but now I'm also following you through Blogger.

Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

(neat new look by the way!)

sharon54220 said...

I've been wanting to read Matrimony for quite awhile. Great review.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I am also a subscriber on Google Reader.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Marie said...

It sounds like a rather complicated plot but then marriage is often times so complicated, and it's always fascinating to see into other people's lives -- it sounds like a great read!

vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu

YZgirl4 said...

Great review, definitely makes me want to read this! The character goes through so many challenges! These are the types of books I like



yzgirl4[at]verizon[dot]net

Sara said...

Matrimony seems interesting, and I'm glad it's enjoyable. I'm curious to see if Mr. Henkin can shed any light on the institution for me. I'm a follower. Thanks for the contest! Sararush (at) hotmail (dot) com.

Anonymous said...

Honestly, I just like the shoes on the front of the book.

The Great Catsby said...

We have linked back to your on our latest post as someone participating in the contest. Feel free to check it out! Hope it brings in a few more contestants for you.

Debbie said...

I tried to win Matrimony during the last book giveaway! I'd still love to have it.

Estela said...

I love that the story twists and turns in a recreation of the realities of life and its challenges!

easagredo at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Wow, this book sounds really good. I like books where there is a lot going on. It keeps me interested.

bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Follower:)

bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Theresa N. said...

Sounds think plenty of goings on in this story to keep my interest.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Moosekahl said...

Sounds like something fitting for my current spot in life. I've been through the marriage challengs but I'm currently in the middle of asking why do things "keep" happening one after the other in life and when will it "settle". I'll post a link your site as well and I've bookmarked you in my list. Count me in...

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a fun book
KawaiiNeko2008 (at) aol (dot) com

mel said...

I like that it seems to deal with so many real life issues, jealousy, illness, troubled marriage. . . I just hope it has a happy ending!

mdhohn(at)msn(dot)com

windycindy said...

I found this book cover to be quite intriguing!
The storyline and the characters seem rather interesting and I would appreciate being entered in your fabulous "Bingo" giveaway drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I am a fan/follower of your site!
Many thanks.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Neverwithoutabook said...

I'd love to win this giveaway. I've had Matrimony on my TBR for awhile now. I just became a follower, too!

kyrissaean(at)live(dot)ca

Anonymous said...

Great review. Makes me want to read the book. mdfitz85[at]yahoo[dot]com

Rashmi said...

I like how the book seems to stick to real-life scenarios and thus feels all the more realistic and true.

Thanks for this great giveaway!
callmeabookworm at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

having had a partner who cheated on me, i'd love to read this book. i'm curious to see what the conclusion is!

fertawert AT yahoo DOT com

Michelle Kuo said...

This book sounds really good! It sounds so realistic and after reading that review I really want to know how everything turns out for the four people. Plus, I know how troublesome it can be to have an ill family member because my mom has had breast cancer before.

michelle.kuool(at)yahoo(dot)com

Already a follower.

In my blog:
http://flyingsolooooo.blogspot.com/2009/03/book-giveaway-links-for-march.html

caseykelp said...

I like the fact that yes believe it or not that this is from the mans point of view...to many times we are all washed up in what happens or is happening to the woman we forget there is a man there to. Thank you for the giveaway

caseykelp said...

I am a follower.

Debs Desk said...

Please include me in your giveaway. Matrimony is on my wishlist and I have read some great reviews.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net

Debs Desk said...

Please include me in your drawing. I am a follower.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net

Jinxy and Me said...

This looks like a good one. Thanks for the review and giveaway. My e-mail address is in my Blogger profile.

Jinxy and Me said...

I'm a follower. My e-mail address is in my Blogger profile.

Bcteagirl said...

This sounds like an interesting book, it might offer me a bit of insight into just how hard it actually is to write a book!

nfmgirl said...

Sounds like a very "involved" book with lots of parallel storylines, and characters that you can really care about and whose lives you become immersed in. Please count me in. Thank you!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Toystory said...

Well, I just crawled out from under a rock -- I don't think matrimony has to be filled with all the things you described in your review. My marriage of 37 years has none of that. Guess I got lucky.... very very lucky.

loves6cats said...

Doesn't this sound like some people's lives. Exciting and interesting all rolled into one. I'm glad that my life is just plain and boring, though with hubby beside me after 20 years. Excellent review, sounds great. Thanks for the chance to enter.

Nicole said...

This looks like a good story. Your review definitely sparks my interest.

Colette S said...

I definitely would love to win this! It sounds like a good read.

Pamela S said...

I like books with convoluted plots and secrets to uncover. Thanks.

Molly C. said...

This book sounds really interesting. Marriage ia always a great topic for a book.

Heather B said...

Matrimony has been on my book list for awhile now would love to read it

Hoarders Extraordinaire said...

This has been on my TBR list for quite a while...it looks so good!

tbbycatt@gmail.com

http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com

Hoarders Extraordinaire said...

I'm a subscriber

tbbycatt@gmail.com

http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I love a spicy marriage read. Thank you for the giveaway! :) --Michelle, blogattoday (!~at} gmaildotcom

Bingo said...

Thank you to all who made this my largest number of entrants in a giveaway so far!

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