People Tell Me Things (GIVEAWAY)

The first thing anybody should know about me is that people like me. People tell me things that I really should not know. Not just friends, even though I don't think that is so strange... you expect friends to tell you really random and bizarre things. It's one of the perks of having friends, knowing that you aren't the only crazy person like yourself out there. But absolute strangers will come up to me to tell me about all kinds of things in their lives. Every single day of my life I am told things that I not only don't want to know, but things that I absolutely should never know about a person. Ever. I don't even care WHO you are, there are things that nobody should know about you. But I know them, and that makes me feel dirty some times.

So.. it's book time.

People Tell Me Things by David Finkle

In PEOPLE TELL ME THINGS all of the stories feature the narrator who is the friend, lover, confidante, good listener, etc. In his position he is often asked to lunch where he learns about the exploits of friends like Peter in the title story PEOPLE TELL ME THINGS. Peter has been cheating on his wife and has been caught because a woman (he was not sleeping with) lost her earring in his pants. And Bonnie, Peter’s wife, who discovered the earring, knew the real story of how it happened, but took the opportunity to leave him anyway.



When people aren’t availing themselves of their confidante’s empathy and discretion, he talks about some of his desires. He wants to be represented as a character in a novel in HEY, THAT’S ME UP THERE ON THE PRINTED PAGE!. An affair with a married man ironically is the action that gets him there. In MEMORIAL he reads about Noah Goodman’s death in the obituaries. He and Goodman were lovers for a considerable period of time. The nature of their relationship, how they parted, and the memorial service at his passing is a bitter-sweet ending to the collection.


Finkle’s characters and their relationships are at once messy and glorious. And the magic of Manhattan shines through–where everyday people mix with the famous and the infamous, sometimes for just a moment, with an impact that lasts a lifetime.

Here's what I absolutely loved about the book: I think I would fit in with David and his friends. A lot of them reminded me of people I knew in my own life and I absolutely loved that. I often find myself being that person in the middle of things and hearing every side and then having to keep it all straight in my head. I would by lying if I said I didn't write things down just so I could keep it all straight. It's a precarious position to be in sometimes.

What I didn't love... is that while I understand that each story is meant to have a different narrator, it never really felt like it. And then when I really think about the title of the book, I really feel like I would have enjoyed it more had it all been the same narrator- it would have seemed even more incredible that one person is being told all of this. Does that make sense? The disadvantage by having different narrators is that it comes off feeling more, "so what- everybody has at least one story, but who has that many stories?"

I will tell you that it is a fast read with chapters being relatively short. This would be a great book to through in your purse or murse (I know there has to be at least one man reading this post carrying a purse) to read a quick chapter. I will agree that it's insightful and funny as well. The other added bonus is being able to read these things as an unbiased account of something and be able to see how ridiculous people are sometimes.

You know I would never ask you to rely on just my review, so I encourage you to see what others are saying, HERE. One lucky reader will also be able to win their own copy (US/Canada only, please). To win...

MANDATORY

*Be a follower of my blog via GFC and leave a comment on this post (with your email!)

EXTRA ENTRIES (leave a comment for each one)

*Share this on Facebook (send me link)

*Tweet the giveaway (send me link)

*Blog about this giveaway (send me link)

This giveaway will end on Monday, November 21.

You Are Not So Smart (GIVEAWAY)

Are you a nerd? Do you like knowing lots of information that is maybe useless to other people? Do you like to feel super dumb and confused after reading a book?

Then this book is absolutely for you. Hands down.

You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney

An entertaining illumination of the stupid beliefs that make us feel wise. You believe you are a rational, logical being who sees the world as it really is, but journalist David McRaney is here to tell you that you’re as deluded as the rest of us. But that’s OK- delusions keep us sane. You Are Not So Smart is a celebration of self-delusion. It’s like a psychology class, with all the boring parts taken out, and with no homework. Based on the popular blog of the same name, You Are Not So Smart collects more than 46 of the lies we tell ourselves everyday, including:


•Dunbar’s Number – Humans evolved to live in bands of roughly 150 individuals, the brain cannot handle more than that number. If you have more than 150 Facebook friends, they are surely not all real friends.
•Hindsight bias – When we learn something new, we reassure ourselves that we knew it all along.
•Confirmation bias – Our brains resist new ideas, instead paying attention only to findings that reinforce our preconceived notions.
•Brand loyalty – We reach for the same brand not because we trust its quality but because we want to reassure ourselves that we made a smart choice the last time we bought it.


Packed with interesting sidebars and quick guides on cognition and common fallacies, You Are Not So Smart is a fascinating synthesis of cutting-edge psychology research to turn our minds inside out.

I will tell you that I finished this book in four days. DAYS, people because I have discovered that I am quite possibly, the dumbest person on Earth. Not only were so many of these chapters completely over my head, but the ones that weren't I just could not really grasp. And I found myself insisting I didn't do any of these things, which apparently means I do do them yet my brain is trying to trick me into think I'm smart because it doesn't want to not smart. Do you get that? I think I'm stupid. Or maybe I'm really super smart but my brain is telling me I'm stupid so the world doesn't know that I'm really super smart.

I have no idea what to think.

But it was an absolutely fascinating read because in the 48 chapters, it will take down every belief you have and make you wonder why you have it. Why you really have it. I learned a lot about the brain for one thing. I learned about all kinds of bizarre experiments done on the brain and absolutely fascinating results of them. And not going to lie- but the whole time I'm reading this book I am thinking of an episode of The Ricky Gervais Show where Ricky is asking Karl if he controls his brain or his brain is controlling him. The episode is hilarious but now after this book I feel like I sound like Karl trying to rationalize any of it.

This book is a really interesting read and pretty much any nerdy/geeky/info-maniac person would really enjoy it. Matt said it would make for good bathroom reading since the chapters are short. And the fact that Matt even picked up the book, let alone read a few chapters, is HUGE. Absolutely HUGE because Matt doesn't read. He doesn't read my notes, my texts, instructions, nothing- but he read about half of this book. While using the bathroom. So David McRaney? Congratulations on that accomplishment alone! But this would be an interesting study for a psychology student because a lot of the information provided would be a gold mine for papers.

I am actually the first person on this tour (view schedule here) but I encourage you to check back to see what the other readers are saying. In the meantime, check out David's blog, which was actually a pretty entertaining way to kill an hour.

The best part? I have a copy of the book to giveaway to one of my US/Canada readers! Here's what you need to do to win it!

MANDATORY

*Be a follower of my blog via GFC and leave a comment on this post (with your email!)

EXTRA ENTRIES (leave a comment for each one)

*Share this on Facebook (send me link)

*Tweet the giveaway (send me link)

*"Like" TLC Book Tours on Facebook

*Blog about this giveaway (send me link)

Little Goblins Ten (GIVEAWAY)

Oh man am I excited to review a children's book for you. Mostly because I love children's books sometimes more than my own kids do and this one is perfect for Halloween!

Little Goblins Ten by Pamela Jane

First off, have you ever read the children's book Over the Meadow? Because this follows that basically. According to Amazon this is geared towards 4-8 year olds but honestly my 3 year old loved it because it's a counting book and he's big into learning how to count right now.

Some of the creatures in the book are goblins, monsters, ghosts, dragons, etc and while some kids might be scared of it, it's presented in a very non scary way. My daughter Olivia, age 6, is scared of everything. She has nightmares and has a very active imagination so when I paged through the book first I was kind of worried if we'd be set for another stretch of sleepless nights. But no, I read the story and at first she was scared and I was able to steer her from the scary aspect of monsters and ghosts by saying, "Look Olivia! They love their mommy too." and turn it into a "they are different from us but that's OK" conversation. So that was actually kind of a great side benefit. The story is definitely a fun read and offers lots of opportunities to have your kids count the creatures, find things in the pictures, etc.

I totally loved the story and the illustrations are so great. The other cool thing is that Pamela Jane has another story out that I really want to get for my kids and it's called A Vampire Is Coming To Dinner.

Here's the synopsis: Read along as the narrator of this story comes up with some practical rules for dealing with a vampire. But rules are meant to be broken, aren't they? From feeding the vampire garlic to filling the house with mirrors, the narrator is doing just that! With ten full-page gatefolds and a pop at the end of the book, kids will love seeing which rules are being followed and which aren't! If you're expecting a vampire (invited or not) this is your chance to get ready for a night of pranks and surprises. It is best to be prepared. "...a ghoulishly good time."— Publishers Weekly


Honestly? I think this would be a really fun book for the kids, so maybe this will be a little treat I pull out for them at Halloween.
 
I encourage you to check out Pamela Jane's website too! She is also a frequent contributor to Women's Memoirs and is the creator of Austencats- a website for Janeites and cat lovers.
 
Would you like to win your own copy of Little Goblins Ten? All you have to do is be a follower via GFC and leave me a comment on this post. I will announce a winner on Friday!

Red Right Return and GIVEAWAY!

I love reviewing books but I love it even more when I get to give a copy away to one of my readers.

Red Right Return- John H. Cunningham


Buck Reilly wants only three things out of life: A plane to fly, a treasure to find, and a beautiful woman to rescue. He’ll get his chance at all three in the first of John H. Cunningham’s new thriller series, RED RIGHT RETURN. Set against the stunning scenery and freaky fabulousness of the Florida Keys, Cunningham joins the ranks of Carl Hiaasen, Randy Wayne White and Papa himself in a rich new series for thrill seekers everywhere.



But Buck Reilly’s no ordinary hero. A product of his times and ours, too, he’s laying low and trying to fly under the radar in the aftermath of economic catastrophe. Back in his bad old days on Wall Street, Buck ran e-Antiquity, plundering the world’s treasures, (and a few of his investors’ pockets) for some pretty handsome profit. He wasn’t a bad guy back then; he just didn’t know any better. But life turned ugly when the market crashed, the company cratered and the FBI investigated the bankruptcy. When his marriage ended and his parents were killed in a car crash, Buck found out for certain that business wasn’t just business anymore.

These days, Buck’s a lot like the rest of us—trying to make ends meet and hoping for better times. He operates The Last Resort Charter and Salvage Company, flying a 1946 amphibious Grumman WidgeonSantero priests, the underbelly of the Havana underworld and a pissed-off FBI agent, Buck has nothing but ingenuity, guts and his ancient flying boat to save his skin, and the lives he put in peril.

Super good book. It's a short read at only 280 pages that I basically zipped right through because I read a lot faster than I already do on my Nook. This book is also one you can't put down because for this being Cunningham's first novel, it is full of twists and turns that you would expect out of a thriller mystery. A few of the things I absolutely loved about the book- the setting. I'm a fan of Florida and I've always wanted to get to Key West. Buck. At times I wanted to be annoyed with Buck but I just couldn't. He's written as an every day guy who's made some bad decisions but would like to just move on with life and hope for the best. How he keeps getting himself more and more tangled into the web of Santeria, Cuba, and a failed missionary trip is beyond me. But it was enjoyable to read because just when you think he's figured it out, there are a few more curveballs that don't make any sense. Though I suspected who the bad guy was in the end, I was nowhere CLOSE as to why. And that was kind of fun because that doesn't happen so often. The only thing I felt disappointed about was the ending. I understand why it was ended at that moment, it totally opens it up for a sequel, but I wish that I had more closure as a reader. No doubt this author will come up with an equally good book the next time around, that's for sure. It's really refreshing to read an author who actually knows the information because you can feel the difference when you read it next to an author who's only simply researched it.


So overall, it was a good book and a fast read. If you like a mystery/thriller then this would definitely be for you. And I'm lucky enough to give one of my readers an ebook version of Red Right Return AND a $10 Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ibooks/itunes giftcard. Couly you BE any luckier?

All you need to do to enter is leave a comment with your email on this post. AND be a member of my blog through GFC. I will draw a winner on Tuesday, September 7!

Good luck!

Centuries of June + GIVEAWAY

*I know it's a Dear Sara Friday, but I'm skipping it so I could get last minute stuff for my vacation... deal with it lovers*

Centuries of June- Keith Donohue

Set in the bathroom of an old house just before dawn on a night in June, Centuries of June is a black comedy about a man who is attempting to tell the story of how he ended up on the floor with a hole in his head. But he keeps getting interrupted by a series of suspects—eight women lying in the bedroom just down the hall. Each woman tells a story drawn from five centuries of American myth and legend in a wild medley of styles and voices.



Centuries of June is a romp through history, a madcap murder mystery, an existential ghost story, and a stunning tour de force at once ingenious, sexy, inspiring, and ultimately deeply moving.

First off, I want to say I think this book hits almost every book genre within it's pages. You've got mystery, you've got sci-fi/fantasy, you have romance, historical, etc. It hits them all in a really interestingly told story that bops between characters. The characters being the man who starts the book on the floor with a hole in his head, and then all of these women. Each character has a very different voice because they are from different centuries but are all inexplicably tied to this man.



Very entertaining, very interesting, extremely well written.

You know I never ask you to rely on just my thoughts, but I encourage you to see what other tour bloggers are saying about this book HERE. You can visit Keith's website, Facebook, or Twitter as well!

And guess what? I have one copy to giveaway! YAY! Leave a comment with your email on this post and I will draw a winner (US/Canada only) on Sunday!

Happy reading!

Shut Your Eyes Tight and GIVEAWAY!

It's been awhile since I've read a legit thriller and GOOD LORD this one was good. And creepy.

Shut Your Eyes Tight- John Verdon

When he was the NYPD’s top homicide investigator, Dave Gurney was never comfortable with the label the press gave him: super detective. He was simply a man who, when faced with a puzzle, wanted to know. He was called to the investigative hunt by the presumptuous arrogance of murderers – by their smug belief that they could kill without leaving a trace. There was always a trace, Gurney believed.

Except what if one day there wasn’t?

Dave Gurney, a few months past the Mellery case that pulled him out of retirement and then nearly killed him, is trying once again to adjust to his country house’s bucolic rhythms when he receives a call about a case so seductively bewildering that the thought of not looking into it seems unimaginable—even if his beloved wife, Madeleine, would rather he do anything but.


The facts of what has occurred are horrible: a blushing bride, newly wed to an eminent psychiatrist and just minutes from hearing her congratulatory toast, is found decapitated, her head apparently severed by a machete. Though police investigators believe that a Mexican gardener killed the young woman in a fit of jealous fury, the victim’s mother—a chilly high-society beauty—is having none of it. Reluctantly drawn in, Dave is quickly buffeted by a series of revelations that transform the bizarrely monstrous into the monstrously bizarre.


Underneath it all may exist one of the darkest criminal schemes imaginable. And as Gurney begins deciphering its grotesque outlines, some of his most cherished assumptions about himself are challenged, causing him to stare into an abyss so deep that it threatens to swallow not just him but Madeleine, too.


Desperate to protect Madeleine and bring an end to the madness, Gurney ultimately discovers that the killer has left a trace after all. Unfortunately, the revelation may come too late to save his own life.

I will say that I'm pretty good at figuring out who actually did it, and I nailed it this time, but the reasoning behind... holy good lord it was creepy. And kind of frightening. Which made this book hard to put down and kept you on the edge of your seat. I realized shortly after starting it that this is the second in a Dave Gurney series (Think of a Number was the first) but it didn't matter, I didn't feel like I missed any key information to keep me out of the loop on this story since there wasn't much carry over from that investigation to this one.

But this story touches on some unique topics, primarily serial sex offenders... mostly women. It's interesting that the story is based around this since it's not something you hear a lot about in your news coverage but it's obviously a very real thing.

In some stories there is always at least one character that I'm never really excited about and wish they were left out all together, but not this one. Every character in this book had their own thing going for them and I never got bored with any story line or dialogue, which is maybe part of the reason I was on edge and devoured this book. John Verdon did such a great job weaving such a bizarre story line together that you don't know where it's been or where it's going, but you know it'll come together for a great moment at the end. And I have to be honest, when that moment came- I didn't realize it would happen then. I thought for sure some more information would come to light first. But I was wrong and I was glad. This was a great book.

Fortunately for you, the publisher is offering my readers a copy of the book for their very own! Leave me a comment on this post (US/Canada only) with your email address if you'd like a chance to win! I will draw for a winner on Wednesday, July 20 so you need to hurry!

See what other bloggers are saying about this book HERE.

The Note

About a month ago I was contacted by the publishers of a book I did a review for and asked if I would be interested in reviewing a new gift book called The Note by Mike O'Mary as part of The Note Project. I'm a sucker for gift books and the premise of this book is one that pretty much hits home for me.

The book is the story of a note that the author received from his sister, well into adulthood and how that made him feel. It also highlights the power of someone showing appreciation towards a person for something that made a difference to you.

Pretty much everyone who knows me knows in real life knows I'm always sending cards... sometimes for no reason. I value all that my friends and family do for me and I want to make sure they know that. The really interesting thing about this book is that it outlines all of the reasons or excuses that a person would have to not write a simple note, and outlines why you should ignore those and write the note anyways.

The best part? Is that for all of you who maybe are technically challenged in writing a heartfelt appreciation note are in luck. The author gives you steps and a basic format to follow.

You officially have no more excuses, people.

And I want to talk about The Note Project a little bit too. The whole point is to inspire one million people to write notes of appreciation. To a teacher that made a difference to you, to a family member you have a special memory of, to a friend who means a lot to you, to anyone for anything. I personally love this idea because as it is highlighted in the book, you might think a person knows that you appreciate them... but what if they don't? What if they never really know why they were so special to you? It takes literally two minutes to write a heartfelt note and put it in the mail. I am going to be doing a guest post on The Note Project blog in June about a note I received from someone and what that meant to me. I'm sure this person didn't think of how I would feel when I read it or what a difference it would make on my own life.

Now.. I have a challenge for you, an opportunity for you, and a deal to sweeten it all. :)

1. The challenge:  I challenge you to write ONE note to a person who made a difference in your life for any reason.

2. The opportunity: Mike O'Mary, the author of The Note has graciously offered one of my blog followers a chance to win a Note Project Starter Kit. The kit includes a copy of The Note, a DVD video based on the book, and a set of three thank you cards to get your appreciation notes out.

*All you have you to do is leave a comment on this post saying you are interested in the giveaway and I will draw a name on Monday during my weightloss check in vlog.

3. The deal: I am going to offer you all 10% on your total order in my Etsy shop with the coupon code "SARASBLOG". Go to http://scrapinsara.etsy.com/ , pick out some new cards to write notes on, and use the coupon code.

We can't possibly make this any easier on you. Do it. And, as a reminder? Do you have friends who are mom's? Send them a Mother's Day card. Mother's Day isn't just for your mom. Every mom should be appreciated.

I'm going to leave with a quote that is featured in the book that I spent some time thinking about:

At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. - Albert Schweitzer

Book Review: MY HORIZONTAL LIFE by Chelsea Handler + Truth or Dare (aka Sara TMI)= full circle with a giveaway/contest

Side note: Winnahs to my GIVEAWAY were posted yesterday. Click here to determine if you are a WINNAH or a looooooser. (I love you either way.)

That's right bitches. I have a FABULOUS book for you to read, plus I'm going to give you a heads up on a really fun contest/giveaway going on, and I'm going to give you some Sara TMI so I can win said giveaway and bring it all FULL CIRCLE.

(This is why I'm hot, yo)

For those of you who don't know me in real life (and by this I mean full on, like we hang out, you've witnessed me in action, or have heard me talk a million miles a second about the asshole who just did whatever to me, literally 5 minutes before meeting you for lunch, etc) don't know how much I love Chelsea Handler. Like I want to be her. I want her to be my friend. I want her to be my bestie. Or at least stalk me. Because I would totally be ok with her showing up in my bushes.

This book is FABULOUS. I borrowed it from my friend Lisa's friend Stephanie who I know, but not like super well and frankly- I think if one more crazy joins their group worlds will collide. Nobody would make it out alive. I have to say that this book makes me love Chelsea even more. She's a complete slut and I love it. Like if I were going to be a slut, this is how I'd like to do it. I want a run in with a midget, a gay friend who's hepped up on drugs at the family wedding, a guy coming out in full hardcore sex gear WITH a whip, etc. Yes, this is all in the book.

"He was all emotion all the time, constantly talking about his feelings and his profound love for her. He was minutes from getting his first period. He wrote poems too. It's my personal belief that if men are writing poems, they're making up for something else like a big hair back, or one ball. Not that one ball is a bad thing. Especially since I don't know any females who are dying to their their hands on a set of balls. The way I see it, the less balls, the better."-Chelsea Handler

This is what I had envisioned my 20's would be like. Clearly, I was off. By a husband, house, two kids, and two cats. But I highly recommend this book. The first chapter alone is so hysterical and I decided right then and there (in the back of the tire store my brother works at since I *finally* got new tires...lamest birthday present EVER) that I have clearly taken the wrong path in my life. I could have been her. Shit- I still could be. She's gotta die sometime, right? I'm ready to fill that void when she does. Chelsea's agent- holla. ;)

Anyways. My chicky Danon over at The Insatiable Host is having a giveaway but is making into a Truth or Dare deal. I am lucky because I was the first (and let's be real- you can't be surprised I'm #1) so I have a TRUTH to answer: When was your first time doin the nasty...How old, where, who...deets peeps...deets!!(better make it good - even if it was not!)

Bitch, please. EASY.

October 1999. I was 17. He was 20. It was at his house (which was his parents house. Yes I know how lame this was. Don't judge. I was 17 and thought I was hot shit.) We had been dating since May. We got engaged in August (again...don't judge. I was stupid and my parents hated him so OBVIOUSLY I was going to say yes). He convinced me that because we were going to get married, we may as well have sex. Because being engaged and married are practically the same thing apparently. He told me it was his first time which I thought was weird considering he was 20 and had a lot of other girlfriends before me but whatever. He had a BAG of condoms in his dresser (which yay for being prepared but who the hell is THAT prepared). We lit a candle that smelled horrid. We listened to Nine Inch Nails' The Great Below. It was late afternoon but dark in his room because the curtains were closed.

It was, literally, only 2, maybe 3 minutes long. Like he got in, lots of pain but I knew this after reading the ton of stuff the doctor gave me when my mother got me birth control when I started dating him because she was thinking ahead. (Go mom!) But yeah- it hurt worse than I thought it would. THEN...his brother (a year younger than me) started banging on the door. His parents were home, drunk (again), and so yeah. That was that. I had to hustle to get myself put together and then realized that it hurt to sit. It hurt to stand and walk. So the guy, ever the gentleman, told me to "walk it off" and so we walked around the neighborhood. Which I'm sure I looked real cool hobbling along.

But that was that. I do remember thinking on my drive home, "What the fuck is the big deal with sex? That sucked." And with him it never got any better. For awhile I thought maybe he really was a virgin because it wasn't as fun for me as you see in shows. So then I thought maybe I had some deformity. We broke up at the end of 2001 because it just wasn't going to work out. I had a not so great relationship after him and then I met Matt. And even though after boyfriend #1 and I broke up I started to think that he lied about that (among a lot of other things) but then when I met Matt- I thought "holy jesus--- sex isn't so bad afterall". Maybe that's why I married Matt. Maybe I thought I hit the pinnacle of greatness. Who knows.

Things I learned:

-do not have sex with younger siblings in the same building.

- do not have sex for the first time without advil, lubrication, and some kind of pantyliner. Because you will bleed.

- if you are a slut- just be honest and tell your partner. If you have to lie because you think it'd be bad, then maybe you shouldn't be having sex like a rabbit in heat with everything that walks passed you.

-engaged and married are not the same things. Not even if you are carrying wedding planning magazines in your bag to school and flaunting a ring that the girl after you wore and you're pretty sure belonged to somebody before you.

-communication is KEY to having sex.

SO. Go visit my girl Danon over at The Insatiable Host and tell her I sent you. Specifically mention that I sent you. Also- she runs a panty pyramid. (snicker...) I just joined and so you should join. And then we can all prance around in our new panties and admire the giftbasket I am going to win. And tell dirty stories. Oooh..this is going to be fun.

Book Review: BURIED ALIVE by Roy Hallums

It's time for a book review and I know I usually do these on Sundays but yesterday wasn't such a terrific day so I'll post it this morning so it's up and crossed off my list. BUT, please come back later this evening (between 8-9 pm, central time) to check out my MAY-JAH giveaway.

This book was one that I picked to review through Book Sneeze and honestly- it's been sitting on my desk for awhile. I was hesitant to actually read it because if you remember correctly, I don't like the kidnapped thing because hello- it's probably the biggest fear of mine.

So this weekend I settled in to start this and I could NOT put it down. It's a true story of an American who, while working in Iraq as a contractor, was kidnapped and tortured by Iraqi insurgents and held for over 300 days. 300 days, people. Imagine being blindfolded, rationing out small portions of mostly rotted food for a every three day span (if you were lucky), being beaten, having to make videos to plea for your life, and little to no communication with other hostages for over 300 days. If that isn't a description of hell I don't know what would be.

What I really enjoyed about this book (well there were several) was that through the whole thing, Roy had a sense of humor. His extensive military training (he was retired from the military but knew if his captors knew that he'd be dead) probably helped him quite a bit. He seemed level headed enough to be able to take mental notes of everything, to keep track of time by paying attention to the Islamic prayers he heard, and was smart enough to figure out what he should/shouldn't do to make it out of there alive.

I will confess right here and now that I don't pay attention to the news coverage. I know this may seem idealic and naive, but to me, I know it's something I can't fix. Me watching the constant barrage of news coverage is not going to make a difference. And because I don't watch it- I really have no clue about the war, why there is a war, why people are kidnapped, etc. This book really enlightened me. Am I going to watch the news now? Probably not. Am I going to click on a news link about hostages? Yes. I most likely will. Because I can't even imagine what that is like.

What also surprised me was how really unintelligent these people are (meaning the kidnappers and radical groups). I mean one could argue that they have some intelligence if they are kidnapping people in the hopes for ransom payouts in order to fund their insurgency. Sure. I'd give you that. Two points crazy people. BUT, the book really highlighted that despite what you see/read on the news, they are highly unorganized. They couldn't find their ass from their elbow. And despite all of this- it leaves me baffled that the United States, supposedly this really smart (debatable) and powerful country can't beat them. What gives?!

The other thing that I know is probably more true than we'd like is how uncooperative the US Government was to Roy Hallums' family. Really, FBI? You can't just give them an update? You can't just say, "We have no fucking clue where he is. Sorry" ?? I'm probably going to get red flagged but I'm sorry. I just think there needs to be a little more bedside manner instead of all of the red tape.

It was a good book. I really enjoyed it and I recommend anyone to read it. I think the most heartbreaking line in the whole book was Roy describing that since the war began, 50 American contractors have been kidnapped. He was the only one rescued.

SO--- anyone who wants this book, please leave me a comment with your email address and I will put your name into a drawing. Winners announced this Friday, March 5. :)