Downriver by Jeanne Leiby - Review and Giveaway

Downriver by Jeanne Leiby is a collection of hard-edged stories placed in the setting of downriver Detroit, Michigan. Each of the 15 stories gives a glimpse into industrial-gray neighborhoods filled with hardworking people struggling to survive. The true-to-life characters all hold onto a hope of something better in their future while striving to make sense of their imperfect present.

One thing I appreciate about Leiby's style is her ability to allow the characters to be flawed. There's no powdered makeup and extra lip gloss on them. They are what they are, and we see the sides to them they'd probably rather hide, and this is what gives her stories a unique voice. Secrets are exposed, secrets I doubt the characters even admit to themselves. Despite their flaws, or maybe because of them, the characters are likable, and one can relate to their views of a difficult world. Like Detroit itself, they struggle to be something better and oftentimes fail.

There is no better time for a book like Downriver, since the city of Detroit often finds itself in the news, trying to stay afloat while it wrestles with a tough economic situation. Leiby's stories put a human face to the articles we see in the evening paper and will change the way we read the headlines.

If you'd like to win a free copy of Downriver, please leave a comment on this post telling me what intrigues you about the book. Subscribers to carp(e) libris are automatically entered to win this and every book given away at this site. Leaving a comment here gives subscribers a second entry. A winner will be randomly drawn on Friday, February 1, 2008, at 12:00 p.m. EST and announced as soon as I have contacted the winner.

Downriver is published by Carolina Wren Press.

The Meat and Spirit Plan by Selah Saterstrom - Book Giveaway

The Meat and Spirit Plan is an abstract novel brilliantly written by Selah Saterstrom, author of The Pink Institution. The nameless main character gives her story in edgy snapshots, which catches you up in the rhythm of an often disturbing and bumpy ride. The style reminds one of the free flowing way our deepest thoughts run when residing somewhere between wakefulness and sleep.

The Meat and Spirit Plan shows one girl's entry into womanhood through a series of damaging relationships and her eventual reliance on drugs. The main character struggles to surface in this fiercely written story, and whether you've lived similar experiences or not, you'll find yourself identifying with her over and over again.

Coffee House Press went to great lengths to produce a book that has a look and feel equal to the one-of-a-kind writing style of Saterstrom, and I have one of these books to give away. There are three ways to win. Leave a comment telling me what intrigues you about this book, subscribe to carp(e) libris in the left-hand column of this page, or do both to double your chances. Once you're subscribed, you're automatically entered into all the book giveaways here at carp(e) libris. One winner will be chosen at random on Monday, January 14th 2007, at noon EST.

Delta Pearls by Judith Bader Jones - Review and Giveaway

One of the most interesting things about a collection of short stories by the same author is following the progression of skill and tone. Since most of these collections are written over a greater period of time, I often find myself reading a short story and wondering what was happening in the author's life to inspire a plot, a character, a voice. This is certainly the case in Delta Pearls, a book by Judith Bader Jones, published by Sweetgum Press.

Winner of the 2007 William Rockhill Nelson Award in fiction, Delta Pearls is a book of shorts set in the Missouri Delta. The stories are written in a variety of time periods, and every one shares the spirit of the South. If Hallmark commercials get you teary, then several of these tales will have you reaching for the box of tissues also. Most of the stories have a positive heartwarming feel, but my favorites were more bittersweet. In fact, I daresay my favorites were most likely those which were gleaned from the author's personal experience; there were several that stood out above and beyond the others, with extra heart and soul woven in.

My favorite story of all? A Family Gathering. If Bader Jones chooses to write a full novel, she could expand on the characters in this book and easily keep the readers' attention.

The great news is I have an extra copy here to give away! If you're subscribed to carp(e) libris, you're already entered to win. If you haven't yet subscribed, please do so in the bar on the left for your chance at a copy of Delta Pearls. As long as you're subscribed, you're automatically entered into all my book giveaways. For a second entry, please leave me a comment at this post telling me what intrigues you about Delta Pearls. If you post a link to this drawing on your blog, I'll even throw in a third entry! Just be sure to let me know in the comments, or email me at themommyspot(at)gmail(dot)com. A winner will be chosen Monday, January 7th, 12:00 noon EST. I'll notify the winner by email, so please make sure themommyspot(at)gmail(dot)com is in your address book.

"Rio San Pedro" by Henry Hollenbaugh (Book Giveaway)

"Rio San Pedro", published by Alondra Press, is the adventurous memoir of an American alligator hunter living in the Guatemalan rain forests during the 1950's. Henry Hollenbaugh finds himself illegally hunting the "alligator" (Central American crocodile) to support himself while living in the remote jungles surrounding the San Pedro River. The book takes you along on dangerous hunting excursions down the treacherous river and shows the difficulties of living as the only foreigner among villagers who have never left their surroundings.

Arquimides, Hollenbaugh's oarsman and companion during alligator hunting season, is an endearing character who shares interesting local folklore and gossip. These portions, along with the explanations of alligator hunting and daily life in the Guatemalan jungle, are among the best parts of the book. While the writing style is a bit heavy on punctuation, and the writer displays a bitterness towards many villagers and women in general, the adventures and the unique location of the story kept me turning the pages until I'd finished the book in just a couple of days.

If you love adventure and travel or you enjoy a good hunting story with lots of atmosphere, you're sure to find satisfaction in reading "Rio San Pedro".

If you'd like to enter to win your own copy of "Rio San Pedro", simply subscribe to my newsletter in the upper left-hand corner of this blog. As long as you remain subscribed, you're entered to win every book giveaway featured on this blog!

Once you're subscribed, if you want to have your name entered into the drawing twice, leave a comment on this post telling me what interests you most about this book.

The drawing for this book will be held on December 31st, 2007, by noon EST.