Sunday, May 18, 2014

ARE YOU LISTENING? CHESTNUT STREET: A REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

WELCOME TO BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S" 
ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY" 
I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE TODAY'S 
AUDIO BOOK CHOICE.....
*******************************************
GIVEAWAY ENDED
CHESTNUT STREET
BY MAEVE BINCHY

ABOUT THE AUDIO BOOK:
Maeve Binchy imagined a street in Dublin with many characters coming and going, and every once in a while she would write about one of these people. She would then put it in a drawer; “for the future,” she would say. The future is now.

Across town from St. Jarlath’s Crescent, featured in Minding Frankie, is Chestnut Street, where neighbors come and go. Behind their closed doors we encounter very different people with different life circumstances, occupations, and sensibilities. Some of the unforgettable characters lovingly brought to life by Binchy are Bucket Maguire, the window cleaner, who must do more than he bargained for to protect his son; Nessa Byrne, whose aunt visits from  America every summer and turns the house—and Nessa’s world—upside down; Lilian, the generous girl with the big heart and a fiancé whom no one approves of; Melly, whose gossip about the neighbors helps Madame Magic, a self-styled fortune-teller, get everyone on the right track; Dolly, who discovers more about her perfect mother than she ever wanted to know; and Molly, who learns the cure for sleeplessness from her pen pal from Chicago . . . 

Chestnut Street is written with the humor and understanding that are earmarks of Maeve Binchy’s extraordinary work and, once again, she warms our hearts with her storytelling.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Maeve Binchy is the author of numerous best-selling books, including her most recent novels, A Week in Winter, Minding Frankie, Heart and Soul, and Whitethorn Woods, as well as Circle of Friends and Tara Road, which was an Oprah’s Book Club selection. Married to Gordon Snell, she lived in Dalkey, Ireland, until her death in July 2012.

SOME OTHER BOOKS BY MAEVE BINCHY:

PRAISE FOR CHESTNUT STREET:
“Has everything that makes Binchy special, in small delicious bites; her ability to capture human nature, describe individual life arcs, and breathe life into characters and settings really shines in these stories. . . . Chestnut Street is fictional, but the characters are very real. It’s Binchy’s gift, this ability to tell stories through characters we recognize, can relate to, want to know. . . We believe in her world, and the people she populates it with. They may be very Irish, and often concern themselves with Irish issues—but at heart, the problems are human and universal.” —Bobbi Dumas, NPR

“Gives us one last extraordinary look at ordinary people as they struggle with family relationships, romances gone awry, and the possibility for a better future. . . . One finds here insightful observations about human nature—all with Binchy’s thoughtful and loving touch that will be sorely missed.” —Publishers Weekly

“Binchy was well-known for creating realistic characters who interact in ordinary ways, in ordinary places. . . . Her many fans are sure to line up to read this.” —Booklist


“A posthumous collection of loosely linked stories from the much cherished Irish writer who died in 2012. . . . For Binchy aficionados, a late indulgence.” —Kirkus Reviews

MY THOUGHTS/REVIEW:
The grand works of Maeve Binchey are something I have enjoyed over many years. With her death, I knew she would be missed by many including me. Then with delight, along came CHESTNUT STREET, a collection of 36 short stories centered around the inhabitants on a street in Dublin. The stories are told by characters, usually female, who you will immediately recognize as those only Maeve Binchey could create. Some are people readers will like and others not so much. However, each character is well developed thus providing character studies that will draw readers in and leave them wishing for longer stories when they conclude. The nice thing about a collection like this is that there is always another story waiting for you. When I did finish all of CHESTNUT STREET I then was forced to realize how there isn't more to read now...or ever, from Ms. Binchey. I at least have her other books to reread and enjoy whenever I am looking for an honest, well written story by an author many of us miss already.
GIVEAWAY

 THANKS TO RICHARD AND THE FINE FOLKS AT
RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, I HAVE ONE COPY
OF THIS FINE AUDIO BOOK TO GIVE
  AWAY TO ONE LUCKY WINNER!
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY
HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT CHESTNUT STREET THAT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS AUDIO BOOK

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

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING ON MAEVE BICHEY'S WEBSITE BY GOING HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY YOU HAVE ENTERED ON MY BLOG. IF YOU ENTERED MORE THAN ONE, YOU CAN COMMENT ON EACH ON SEPARATELY AND GAIN MORE ENTRIES THAT WAY 

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU CAN COMMENT SEPARATELY AND EACH WILL COUNT AS AN ENTRY
 
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
 6 PM, EST, MAY 30
GOOD LUCK!

72 comments:

debbie said...

Since this is her last book, I would really like to read all the short stories.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Carol N Wong said...

I am so happy that you have this giveaway! I was looking for a book to read in a bookstore and my husband picked "A Circle of Friens". He sais this looks like something that you would like! I loved it and we later went to the movie. (He is not a reader unless it is in Chinese characters. I am slowly reading myself through her books so I would love to win this one.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I read the part that she wrote about growing up.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered for "A Dollhouse to Die For".

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered for "Death of A Mad Hatter".

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered for "The Pickled Piper".

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow with an e-mail subscription.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow with Facebook.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow with a RSS feed on my Yahoo page.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow with Google Friends Connect.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow with Networked Blogs
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot) com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow with Twitter.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

+ 5 May FB Bonus Entry #1

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Carol N Wong said...

+ 5 May FB Bonus Entry #2

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Carol N Wong said...

+ 5 May FB Bonus Entry #3

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Carol N Wong said...

+ 5 May FB Bonus Entry #4

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Carol N Wong said...

+ 5 May FB Bonus Entry #5

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Linda Kish said...

This sounds like the perfect last book for her. I do I like short stories. I feel like I would be getting to know my neighbors.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

In reading 'About Maeve' she sounds like she had a wonderful life.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am an email subscriber

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a bloglovin' follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 May facebook

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 May facebook
2
lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 May facebook
3
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Linda Kish said...

+5 May facebook
4
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Linda Kish said...

+5 May facebook
5
lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered A DOLLHOUSE TO DIE FOR

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Linda Kish said...

Entered A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY

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Tina said...

Oh....you've hit me with three arrows: I love Maeve Binchy, I love audio books, and I love short stories. Please enter me

tbranco24 AT gmail DOT com

Linda Kish said...

Entered DEATH OF A MAD HATTER

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Tina said...

I learned from Binchy's webpage that she also was a journalist.

tbranco24 AT gmail DOT com

Linda Kish said...

Entered THE PICKLED PIPER

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Tina said...

I follow via GFC

tbranco24 AT gmail dot com

Tina said...

Email follower

tbranco24 AT gmail Dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered PETALS ON THE WIND

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Tina said...

Follow via Feedly

tbranco24 AT gmail Dot com

Tina said...

Entered "Cookbook Conspiracy" giveaway

tbranco24 AT gmail dot com

Tina said...

+5 May Facebook -1

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Tina said...

+5 May Facebook -2

tbranco24 AT gmail Dot com

Tina said...

+5 May Facebook -3

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Tina said...

+5 May Facebook -4

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Tina said...

+5 May Facebook -5

tbranco24 AT gmail Dot com

Tina said...

Entered Pickled Pepper

tbranco24 AT gmail dot com

petite said...

Love this book. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I am a follower. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Cookbook Conspiracy. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Dollhouse. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Pickled. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered mad hatter. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Maeve Binchy was a wonderful author. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Entered Petals. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Great giveaway. so special. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

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

traveler said...

I entered A Dollhouse to die for. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Cookbook Conspiracy. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Death of a Mad hatter. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Pickled Piper. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Petals on the Wind. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Maeve Bincy's novels are unforgettable. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Becky said...

I totally enjoyed her other books that were written as short stories. I just finished listening to A Week In the Woods. Waiting for this one from my public library. Thank you for featuring this one!

Becky said...

I follow your blog through Bloglovim'

holdenj said...

It would be fun to get the chance to enjoy some more Irish stories by Binchy. Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Sue Farrell said...

I have always enjoyed Binchy's writing and short stories are just perfect for fitting a little big of enjoyment into a busy day.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I am an email subscriber.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I follow on twitter as @Suekey12.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I follow on Networked Blogs as Suzan Morrow Farrell.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I follow on GFC as Suekey.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I follow on facebook as Suzan Morrow Farrell.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Patricia said...

I love that these stories take place all on the same street.

patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

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