Monday, June 7, 2010

IF YOU KNEW SUZY: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

IF YOU KNEW SUZY
A Mother, A Daughter, A Reporter's Notebook
BY KATHERINE ROSMAN

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In lively, intimate prose, Wall Street Journal culture reporter Katherine Rosman reconnects with her late mother by reporting on the life she led outside of her roles as mom and wife.

Faced with the loss of her mother, Suzy, to cancer at sixty, Wall Street Journal reporter Katherine Rosman longs to find answers to the questions that we all wrestle with after losing someone we love. So she does what she does best: she opens her notebook and starts investigating.

Thumbing through her late mother's address book, Rosman begins to discover a woman whose life was intricately connected to a host of characters her daughter hardly knew. Her reporting skills at the ready, she embarks on a cross-country odyssey, tracking down total strangers from whom she hopes to learn about a woman she once thought she couldn't know better. Venturing into the heart of some colorful communities, Rosman interviews friends and acquaintances of her mother's, as well as people whose relationships with her were more complex though no less potent—among them a former golf caddie, a legendary Pilates instructor, an eBay glass collector, and an immigrant doctor at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. As Rosman attempts to fill in the blank spaces that may explain her mother's motivations and philosophies in building a life and in facing death, she comes to understand this woman as she never imagined she could.

Blending humor, honesty, and old-fashioned reporting, Rosman grapples with the bittersweet reality that sometimes we can't truly know someone until after she is gone. At once comforting, candid, and very funny, If You Knew Suzy is a heartfelt memoir against which readers can consider themselves and the lives of all those they love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Katherine Rosman is a reporter for the Wall Street Journal where she writes about pop culture. She has written about birthday-party Dora performers getting sued for intellectual property infringement, about elite book clubs with steep membership requirements, and kids who are jealous of the attention their parents devote to their BlackBerrys. Before joining the staff of the Journal in 2004, she contributed to the New Yorker, New York, Elle, The New York Observer, The Nation and, The New York Times. She is also the author of If You Knew Suzy: A Mother, a Daughter, a Reporter's Notebook . Rosman, a graduate of the University of Michigan, lives in New York with her husband and two children. Visit her web site, http://www.katierosman.com.

MY REVIEW:

IF YOU KNEW SUZY by Katherine Rosman is a moving memoir of her mother’s life that centers around her illness and death. Suzy was an athlete, a hard core Pilates follower, golfer, wife, mother, and daughter. She died after a grueling three year battle with lung cancer at the young age of 60. Although she had quit smoking years before and the cause of her cancer is never written, it is implied that it may have come from the chemically treated golf courses Suzy Rosin had played on for so many years. This is a very personal, maybe too personal, story. It give us a portrait of a woman fighting for her life. The reason I say it may be too personal is that due to the “research” Katherine did for this tribute to her mother, while also trying to find out why her mother confided certain fears to strangers, it is sometimes more like an investigative piece. But, it was in the long run, still a memoir and honor to, and for her, mother.

Rosman was very close with her mother as they would talk every day, and that makes the information that Katherine finds out about her mother in writing this even more surprising. Rosman is, after all, a journalist and she has a plan to focus on the parts of her mom's life that she didn't know much about, and to see if she can find out why her mother was so unwilling to face the reality of the cancer that killed her.

By taking her mother's handwritten address book, Rosman set out to call everyone who is even slightly associated with her mother. She interviewed people whose names she found listed there, as well as others who she came to know about through those people. With the interviews, Rosman finds out about several things she hadn’t known about her mother and actually explains to the reader about these subjects.

Readers will learn about Pilates and those people who Suzy knew through her dedication to this. We find how a preacher used his own grief to be able to help others showing a living example of kindness to strangers. Katherine also found out about the Augusta National and golf, while learning about the story of how her mother got her stepfather the chance to play at the celebrated golf course. She learned of a woman who was Suzy's caddie and later went on to a successful business career. These people Katherine learns about in this way make up some of the most fascinating parts of the memoir and show the ways that Suzy Rosin affected so many people.

IF YOU KNEW SUZY brings the reader to ask themselves whether they would want to be described in such a personal way, by anyone, to whoever might read the narrative. Did this book honor her mother's request for privacy? Although the book was a tribute to Katherine’s mother and let all the world know about her, I still question if I would want that done for me. In the end, however, it is a well written, tribute to a mother by a daughter who loved her very much.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KYLE AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS WONDERFUL

BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!



--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THIS REVIEW OR BOOK DESCRIPTION THAT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO READ THE BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY:
COMMENT ON SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU FOUND ABOUT KATHERINE ROSMAN FROM HER WEBSITE HERE.

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ANY OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY OF MINE YOU HAVE ENTERED. YOU CAN CHECK THE GIVEAWAY COLUMN ON THE RIGHT. IF YOU HAVEN'T ENTERED SOME, PLEASE GO AHEAD. EACH ENTRY YOU COMMENT SEPARATELY ABOUT WILL COUNT AS ONE MORE ENTRY TOWARD WINNING THE BOOK!

GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST,
JUNE 24!

GOOD LUCK

146 comments:

Unknown said...

The book sounds very interesting. How you truly can not know someone until after they are gone including family. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Unknown said...

I was intrigued when I read that the author went through her mother's address book and interviewed the people listed there. In doing so she discovered things about her mother she'd never known. It makes me think of the times when I was growing up and realized my mother had a life of her own!
This book sounds wonderful and very emotional.

Thank you for another great giveaway!

~ Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I found Katherine Rosman's writing career from her early days at Elle magazine as a Girl Friday through her reporting for the Wall Street Journal riveting. Many of the articles she's written and the investigating she's done sound very interesting to me!

Aimala127@gmail.com

traveler said...

Her career as a journalist has provided her with so many experiences and has allowed her to write this book about her mother. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

An extremely fascinating approach to writing a book. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I entered Bookin' with Bingo's giveaway for "The Lion"

Unknown said...

I entered Bingo's giveaway for "One More Theory About Happiness"!

Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I tweeted this giveaway:
http://twitter.com/Amestir/status/15645153894


Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I entered your giveaway for "Husband and Wife"


Aimala127@gmail.com

g.g. said...

I found out she went to the University of Michigan

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

g.g. said...

It must have been an amazing experience but a bittersweet one as well.

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT ocm

traveler said...

I entered One More Theory About Happiness. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Husband and Wife. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Lion. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Spent. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Secret Speech. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Fever Dream. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

StephTheBookworm said...

I'd love to read this. I love memoirs and stories about mothers and daughters.

stephaniet117 at yahoo dot com

StephTheBookworm said...

I entered The cradle.

StephTheBookworm said...

I entered The Boy Who Loved Tornadoes.

StephTheBookworm said...

I entered Husband and Wife.

StephTheBookworm said...

I entered Spent.

Linda Kish said...

I think it was a great way to get to know her mother more even though she is gone.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I entered the Deliver Us from Evil giveaway.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Katie is married with 2 children and exhausted.


lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Colleen Turner said...

I love how the author bio goes into depth with her working world but simply says "Katie is married and has two kids. She’s exhausted." when describing her personal life. That is really all that needs to be said about that, right!
Thanks,
candc320@gmamil.com

Colleen Turner said...

What an intriguing concept! To go searching for the hidden woman your mother was once she is deceased is such a unique concept. Most people are happy with the memories they have, but it sounds like the author wanted to know more of the woman who wasn't a mother or wife, just a woman. Sounds like there will probably be some tears along the way!
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Three Wishes giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered The Boy Who Loved Tornadoes giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the One More Theory About Happiness giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Short Life of Bree Tanner giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Spent giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

It was interesting that she learned about her mother through her investigative reporting after her mother's death.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for Spent.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Kathryn Rosman was a GalFriday at Elle.

CarolNWong@aol.com

Laura said...

Please enter me.
Laura
laura.leahj@gmail.com

Rebecca Orr said...

I entered the A Maze of Grace giveaway. bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

I entered the The Lost Girls giveaway. bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

I really enjoy memoirs when someone learns more about a person AFTER they are gone. I think that is makes it harder and easier at the same time. Harder because you can't just ask the person what you want to know, easier that they don't have to confront their demons {in the presence of their child} because they are gone. It sounds like an interesting novel. I am sure that I would like it. Thanks for the chance.
bekki1820cb at gmail

Anonymous said...

I love memoirs. This would be a different spin on a memoir. Sure would like to read this! When did this reporter find the time to write a book?
SusieQ @ Hinson

Jenna said...

Id like this book because its a memoir.. and I think it'd probably be a bit scary too, with all the realities that it brings to my life.

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

Ive entered on The Lost Girls

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

Im beyond interested in her other pieces.. I really want to read the ones on 9/11 grieving and the newcomer Manhattanite.

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

I entered The Autism Book

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

I entered Husband & Wife

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Team JC said...

I would love to read about her journey in getting to know more about her mother. Thanks for the chance!
schaefer7382 (at) aol (dot) com

Team JC said...

I entered the Low Country Summer Giveaway! Thanks!
schaefer7382 (at) aol (dot) com

Shirley said...

well I know My dauighter is terrified of losing me, she doesn't know how she'll make it with me gone she always says and not having me to talk to whenever she needs to talk. I'd like to read this book and for my daughter to read it too.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

according to the Reviews & Press her books gaotten a lot of praise.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100001087052807&v=wall&story_fbid=126386727402146&ref=mf
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/16480723660

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

ALIBI GIVEAWAY shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

FEVER DREAM AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

THE SHORT SECOND LIFE OF BREE TANNER GIVEAWAY
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

THE AUTISM BOOK GIVEAWAY
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

ONE MORE THEORY ABOUT HAPPINESS
shundelt@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I like to read her story about her life and her mother's passing

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/16481628853

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I thought this was sweet: read it on her blog. Before turning in the first draft of my book to my editor at Harper this past July, I ran it by three people to whom I gave some (but not absolute) veto power. They were my sister Lizzie, my stepfather, Bob, and my mom’s mom, Grandma Charlotte.
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000641625482&v=wall&story_fbid=131914600159946

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

ALIBI GIVEAWAY chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

FEVER DREAM AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

ONE MORE THEORY ABOUT HAPPINESS GIVEAWAY chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

+5 for swag bucks

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

THE SHORT SECOND LIFE OF BREE TANNER GIVEAWAY

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

THE AUTISM BOOK GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

MOMENT OF GLORY GIVEAWAY

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

THE BOURNE OBJECTIVE GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

PUT ON YOUR CROWN GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

PUT ON YOUR CROWN AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

THE LION GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

THE LOST GIRLS GIVEAWAY
CHIRTH7@YAHOO.COM

Unknown said...

A MAZE OF GRACE GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

THE AGE OF THE UNTHINKABLE GIVEAWAY chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

LIVE LONG, FINISH STRONG GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

WAR, AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

6 BOOK GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

THE SECRETS OF NEWBERRY GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

THE PASSAGE GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

WRONG GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Jeff H said...

+5 swag bucks jeff72768@yahoo.com

ossmcalc said...

When my mother died so suddenly from large cell lymphoma cancer, it has just left a large hole in my heart. She was my best friend, and I am still learning things about her that I had not known. I would really love to read this book and learn about the author's journey to learn more about her mother.

thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

As a sorority member in college, I found it interesting that she, who is also a fraternity and sorority alum, trolled eBay in an effort to keep their organizations’ pins out of the hands of non-members.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/16671125147

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I entered THE SHORT SECOND LIFE OF BREE TANNER GIVEAWAY as I am such a big fan of Stephenie Meyer and think that it would be interesting to see the introduction of Bree and the new army as a means of taking the story in another direction.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

Entry 1

I signed up for Swagbucks.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

Entry 5

I signed up for Swagbucks.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

Entry 4

I signed up for Swagbucks.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

Entry 3

I signed up for Swagbucks.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

Entry 2

I signed up for Swagbucks.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I entered the Moment of Glory Giveaway as I would really like to win it for my brother.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I entered the Prince of Mist audiobook giveaway. It sounds like a great mystery book that I think will be enhanced by listening to it in the audiobook form.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Unknown said...

I probably like most people feaqr losing my Mom. I love the idea of going through her phone book and finding others that knew her and had stories to tell, thats an amazing idea.

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

She's done lots of different jobs starting out, she must have been very motivated, I've been in the same job since out of school. Loyalty I guess. Because it sure has beome boring.

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

https://twitter.com/Christina101092/status/16769912590
posted on twitter
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100001144971475&v=wall&story_fbid=110280012353090
posted on facebook:
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

ALIBI GIVEAWAY
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

ONE MORE THEORY ABOUT HAPPINESS GIVEAWAY
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

FEVER DREAM AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

THE SHORT SECOND LIFE OF BREE TANNER GIVEAWAY
christina101092@yahoo.com

might have said this one already can't remember

Unknown said...

+5 for swag bucks
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

THE SHORT SECOND LIFE OF BREE TANNER GIVEAWAY
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

entered "MOMENT OF GLORY AUDIO BOOK
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

entered: "THE BOURNE OBJECTIVE: PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY"
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

entered: "THE LION: PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY" christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I entered: "PUT ON YOUR CROWN AUDIO BOOK:
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

entered: "PUT ON YOUR CROWN:

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

entered: "THE LOST GIRLS: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY"
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

entered: "A MAZE OF GRACE: PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY"
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

THE AUTISM BOOK GIVEAWAY
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

"THE AGE OF THE UNTHINKABLE: PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY"
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

ENTERED: "LIVE LONG, FINISH STRONG AUDIO BOOK: PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY"
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

ENTERED: "WAR AUDIO BOOK: PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY"
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

ENTERED "FATHER'S DAY GIVEAWAY"
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

ENTERED:"WRONG: PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY"
christina101092@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

Mother-Daughter relationships are always so difficult & complex as is my daughters' & mine. Thanks for the giveaway.
ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

rubynreba said...

Interesting how she went through her address book and called people in there. Like you, I don't know if I would want all of my personal life written about.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

She went to the University of Michigan and I know several people who also went there.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Unknown said...

"NOT MY BOY: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY FOR FATHER'S DAY"
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

"DEATH ECHO: PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY"
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

"THE PRINCE OF MIST: AUDIO BOOK PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY"
chirth7@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

I want to win this book for my wife. jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

I found all the old photos interesting. jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

https://twitter.com/jeff72768/status/16929141855

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

ALIBI GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

FEVER DREAM AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

ONE MORE THEORY ABOUT HAPPINESS GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

THE SHORT SECOND LIFE OF BREE TANNER GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

IF YOU KNEW SUZY GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

MOMENT OF GLORY GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

THE BOURNE OBJECTIVE GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

THE LION GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

PUT ON YOUR CROWN AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

PUT ON YOUR CROWN GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

THE LOST GIRLS GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

THE AGE OF THE UNTHINKABLE GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

A MAZE OF GRACE GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

WRONG GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

FATHER'S DAY 6 BOOK GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

WAR, AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Debbie F said...

I entered The Secrets of Newberry

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

Interesting that the author once worked at Elle magazine

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

this sounds intriguing. I would love to read this! Thanks

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I entered the Lost Girls

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY