Saturday, May 15, 2010

LONELY: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
LONELY

BY EMILY WHITE

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Despite having a demanding job, good friends, and a supportive family, Emily White spent many of her evenings and weekends alone at home, trying to understand why she felt so disconnected from everyone. To keep up the façade of an active social life and to hide the painful truth, the successful young lawyer often lied to those around her—and to herself. She was suffering from severe loneliness.

In this insightful, soul-baring, and illuminating memoir, White reveals her battle to understand and overcome this crippling condition, and contends that chronic loneliness deserves the same attention as other mental difficulties such as depression. "Right now, loneliness is something few people are willing to admit to," she writes. "There's no need for this silence, no need for the shame and self-blame it creates. There's nothing wrong with loneliness, and we need to start acknowledging this through a wider and more open discussion of the state."

Interweaving her personal story with the latest in cutting-edge scientific research—as well as the incredibly moving accounts offered by numerous lonely men and women—White provides a deep and thorough portrait of this increasingly common but too often ignored affliction. By investigating the science of loneliness, challenging its stigma, encouraging other lonely people to talk about their experiences, and setting out one person's struggle, Lonely redefines how we look at loneliness and helps those who are afflicted understand their mood in an entirely new light, ultimately providing solace and hope.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Emily White is a former lawyer who now works as a writer and policy advisor. Her first book, Lonely: A Memoir, has been selected for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Series. Originally from Toronto, White now lives in St. John's, Newfoundland, on the far, far east coast of Canada.

REVIEW:

Emily White has written a memoir that I believe is unlike any other. In LONELY, White describes what it is like to live her life in a state of loneliness. Although she had grown up in a fairly typical family and went on to have a successful career, friends, and what looked to be a normal life, Emily White struggled with loneliness. Recognizing it for what it was, but unable to explain it or change it, she decided to investigate it. White found that loneliness really is an actual field of study and there is research to support that. By contacting doctors and searching the Internet and academic resources, she found out what the research that is out there has to say. She also interviewed many people about their battle with loneliness. She explains that loneliness is not to be confused with depression, and there are also different kinds of loneliness.

With that, however, do not think that this is a scientific study or self-help book. Writing about her own life and her research made this a unique and fascinating memoir. Emily writes about how she was lonely even though she had friends and writes about how her “normal” day would go but then when asked to socialize, she would find an excuse to avoid it in any way that she could. After a while, she actually retreated almost into seclusion making continued excuses to friends and family as to why she wasn’t available, or couldn’t say yes to an invitation. Her story does sometimes mirror the research she found in that her parents divorced at a time when her two older sisters were almost grown and soon after moved out as was normal to do at that stage of their life. She believes that was the beginning of her condition. Emily White clearly tells the story of her own withdrawal into isolation and her eventual return that includes a personal relationship. Writing about her life and her research made for a fascinating and unique memoir. She hopes it may serve to help others who are experiencing the same thing.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KYLE AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS FASCINATING
MEMOIR 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 BOOK FROM THE INFORMATION ABOVE THAT MADE YOU WANT TO ENTER TO WIN IT

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU FOUND ABOUT THE AUTHOR, EMILY WHITE, FROM THE HARPER COLLINS FUN STUFF SECTION OF THEIR 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 HOW YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG OR SUBSCRIBE. IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW YET, YOU CAN BY SUBSCRIBING VIA EMAIL, FOLLOW ON GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT, OR ON FACEBOOK WITH NETWORK IN LEFT HAND COLUMN TODAY..OR ALL THREE! EACH WAY YOU FOLLOW IS A SEPARATE ENTRY AND COMMENT. STILL LOOKING TO REACH 700 ON GOOGLE FRIENDS...LET ME KNOW IF THAT IS YOU


GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST,
MAY 31

GOOD LUCK!

95 comments:

Icedream said...

Tweeted about the giveaway at
http://twitter.com/BloggerIcedream/status/14020211625

waitmantwillie at hotmail dot com

Icedream said...

I found it interesting that White is advocating loneliness as a mental health issue. I agree but never thought about it in that context, I wonder if enough advocacy would merit it a formal diagnosis in the DSM.

waitmantwillie at hotmail com

Icedream said...

I love it when I find an author who is loving the same books as I do and I really enjoy Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie series too.

waitmantwillie at hotmail dot com

Icedream said...

I am a follower on GFC.

waitmantwillie at hotmail dot com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I find it interesting that the author equates severe lonliness to depression, in terms of mental health. I don't know if it would ever be considered though, because by definition, seperating oneself from peers, is a symptom of depression.I would really like to read this book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Suburban prep said...

I am a follower.

msgb245 at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

I found the point that White provides a deep and thorough portrait of this increasingly common but too often ignored affliction--sort of attention grabbing.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Laura said...

I am addicted to memoirs. I am a follower.
Laura
laura.leahj@gmail.com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am intrigued with this topic and the reaseach that the author did in order to write this book. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Tea said...

I would love to read this memoir. I never realized that there were different types of loneliness. I didn't know that a life of success, good family, good career, a person could still experience loneliness. I would love to read this memoir.

teakettle58(at)yahoo.com

traveler said...

This author loves any type of cat. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Tea said...

Emily White loves to wear worn out jeans. Jeans are comfortable, the older, the better. ::))

Tea said...

I follow through Google Friend.

Tea said...

I receive you through emails.

Tea said...

Have you on Facebook.

Lacey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lacey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lacey said...

http://twitter.com/HtxAstrosFan/status/14043865902

tweet

patientlywaitingbooks at gmail dot com

Lacey said...

I like the aspect of psychology this memoir has on the disorder. I'm interested in seeing what research she has in it.

patientlywaitingbooks at gmail dot com

Lacey said...

I am a follower through gfc

paitentlywaitingbooks at gmail dot com

Lacey said...

I find it interestign that emily is a environmental protection lawyer.

patientlywaitingbooks at gmail dot com

Carol N Wong said...

Her favorite pet is a cat.

Carol N Wong said...

Interesting that Emily White could be lonely even though she had a supportive family.

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book it is an important topic now.

Eileen-wiseowl
felinmanor@aol dot com

StephTheBookworm said...

I'm a Google friend connect follower.

stephaniet117 at yahoo dot com

StephTheBookworm said...

Wow, this sounds powerful, and like something I could relate to. I would love to read it.

Unknown said...

I think it is so interesting that Emily White had a successful career and friends and family yet she was lonely. I think this is difficult for people to understand and it certainly intrigues me. It's something I have often thought about, too, the idea that you can be in a room filled with friends, family, people who love you and yet feel utterly alone & lonely. I am anxious to read this memoir and what Emily White discovers. Please enter me in this giveaway!

Thank you!

~ Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I subscribe via email and through blogger dashboard!

Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I find it very interesting that Emily White's favorite TV show is 30 Rock, she obviously has a good sense of humor!

Aimala127@gmail.com

holdenj said...

I am a google friend connect follower.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I found that Emily is a tea drinker like myself.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I find the whole idea of her writing a memoir about being lonely interesting...after all, who really wants to admit that?
Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I find it really interesting that loneliness that she is saying loneliness is a mental health issue. I would be very interested in reading on this further. Please enter me in contest. Thank you. Tore923@aol.com

Linda Kish said...

GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I usually enjoy being alone but occasionally I probably feel lonely. I would like to understand more about the differences.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Elise said...

GFC Follower
caliblue7 at gmail dot com

Elise said...

I like how she was brave to write a book about her loneliness. It might push someone else to overcome their loneliness.
caliblue7 at gmail dot com

Check out my giveaways at Bookish Delights. One book giveaway is ending tonight(5/15)-3 bookshelf books(you choose which one you want)/3 winners. Your dream book giveaway ends later 6/5.
http://bookish-delights.blogspot.com/

Ann Diana Dinh, said...

Emily's favorite food is pasta!

behapppppppy(at)hotmail(dot)com

Ann Diana Dinh, said...

I'm a follower


behapppppppy(at)hotmail(dot)com

Ann Diana Dinh, said...

What I found interesting is that I can kind of connect with the whole idea of loneliness that she feels. I kind of want to know what she does and how she gets through it to help me.

behapppppppy(at)hotmail(dot)com

By Book or By Crook said...

I am an email subscriber

aksimmo at brainerd dot net

By Book or By Crook said...

I guess I just always thought loneliness was a part of depression, not a seperate diagnosis.

aksimmo at brainerd dot net

Unknown said...

I find being loney probably common in a lot of people, depression too. I suffer from drepression. I'd love to read this book. Sounds like a good read.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Her writing ritual is interesting. I think Mine would be coffee since I drink it day and night. lol
My writing rituals include…
tea, tea, and more tea.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/14102755327

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow via email.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I liked you on facebook

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Follow on network blog

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow you on twitter. Romantic73

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow via RSS

chirth7@yahoo.com

Also I just want to say your's is my favorite blog! You giveaway the best books out there. Love your reviews and author interviews too.

chirth7@yahoo.com

sharon54220 said...

I am a GFC follower and also on Facebook

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

Her choice of career as vet.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

First off I have to say that I'm a big memoir reader. Now, to answer the 1st question, I find it hard to believe that with her career and family that she ever found time to be lonely. I see myself in her to a point.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Shirley said...

I want this book because I lost my husband at an earlier age to brain cancer. I know what lonely feels like. I think I can realte to this book and would like to read it.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

My idea of a dream vacation is…
a house by the ocean with nothing to do but read and walk. That's nice I agree with that.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/14123696675
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm an email subscriber
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a GFC follower

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

Signed up through RSS

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I follow you on facebook
Shirely Williams H
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I follow you on twitter.
grandmamaof10
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I follow on network blog

shundelt@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'd like to read this book based on the title alone. My daughter would like this book. I'd like to enter for her.

grandmalarkin@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I found her choice of music interesting. I've never heard of it before.
The music I'm really into these days is…
Great Big Sea's traditional Newfoundland songbook.
grandmalarkin@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/GrandmaOma26/status/14124126071

grandmalarkin@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow on facebook

grandmalarkin@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a GFC follower.
grandmalarkin@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow through email.
grandmalarkin@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow you on twitter
grandmalarkin@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow through network blog
grandmalarkin@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow through RSS feed
grandmalarkin@yahoo.com

Cyndi said...

I'm also a fb follower

Cyndi said...

I'm an email follower at jonescyndi@yahoo.com

Cyndi said...

While I suffer from depression, I've also suffered from loneliness. To me, they are very different things. I think it's great that there is a field of study devoted to loneliness. I'd love to read this book and see how someone who suffers from loneliness has learned to get past it.

Debbie F said...

I follow on networked blogs

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I'm a GFC follower!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I think alot of people are lonely, but I also think that there are alot of people that are alone but are not lonely. I love having my time alone and I never feel lonely. I guess I'm lucky. Sounds interesting - count me in! Thanks

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Unknown said...

I would like to enter this giveaway..Very often people tend to mistake loneliness and depression for being one and the same and would be interesting to read how the author differentiates the two in her memoir...

archanaskorner(at)gmail(dot)com

MRWriter said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect.
AlexDean03@yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

I find it interesting that loneliness and depression are considered separate mental health issues but I wonder if loneliness often does lead into depression. Very interesting subject most people are unwilling to talk about openly.

DarcyO said...

This is such an intriguing topic. I'm interested in learning more about White's research.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I follow with GFC.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

Proud to be an American

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Team JC said...

Very interested in reading and finding out what she did to get herself through it. Thanks for the giveaway!
poolplayer712 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Team JC said...

I am getting your emails.
poolplayer712 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Team JC said...

I am following via GFC.
poolplayer712 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Nancye said...

This book encourages lonely people to connect with others who are also lonely.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Emily loves to cook and eat pasta.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follower on Networked Blogs

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

email subscriber

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follower GFC

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/15122952001

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY