Review: "Room" by Emma Donoghue

It happens all of the time. I read a book that's been getting a lot of hype or that has been nominated for an award and I can't help being disappointed. Usually the problem is that I slog through complicated wording or an uninteresting plot and wonder what the people who decided that this book was worthy of an award were thinking.

Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction, Room by Emma Donoghue was blessedly an exception to my past experiences. It tells the story of Jack and his Ma, imprisoned in an 11 x 11 ft. garden shed in the backyard of Old Nick. Ma was only 19 and a college student when she was abducted from a parking lot. When she woke she was imprisoned inside this tiny room, with only a skylight for light and limited resources. Two years after her abduction she gives birth to Jack, who becomes the light in her very dark life. As the book opens, Jack is turning 5. Ma knows that she cannot continue to let this bright and cheerful little boy stay imprisoned in Room forever- his curiosity is growing, as is her desperation to escape. What follows is the heartwrenching story of how a mother and her son survive odds that seem insurmountable.

I absolutely adored this book. Sometimes when I'm reading something that isn't quite coming together for me I find myself counting the pages to see how many more I have to read until I'm done. I didn't care how many pages were in Room. I would have happily read this book for another 321 pages. Some people have mentioned that they would have preferred this book to have been written from Ma's perspective. I can certainly see how this could have been interesting, but writing it in the voice of 5-year-old Jack brought something entirely unique to the pages. Donoghue capture's the voice and thoughts of a 5-year-old child perfectly. Jack has names for everything within Room. There's Meltedy Spoon, which was left too close to a hot burner on the stove one time and looks funny. There's Rug, rolled up on the floor. There's Skylight and Roof and Bed and Duvet. What made making Jack the narrator especially fitting is the fact that for Jack, he's not in captivity. He's never known the outside world, and in fact he is convinced that he and Ma and Old Nick are the only "real" people on the planet. As far as he knows, everything else that exists only exists on television. He's got his Ma, and Sundaytreat, and lots to do, and he's truly happy.

In an effort to prevent spoiling this novel for anyone who hasn't yet had the chance to read it, I'm not going to go into further detail, although I would like to. I will say that I didn't know how Donoghue would be able to end the novel in a way that would both make sense and satisfy the reader, but she did. The ending was perfect. I'll also say that this novel will stick with you long after you read it. I finished it yesterday morning, but I lay in bed last night just thinking about it. It's not something that I normally do, especially if a novel is mediocre at best. Even if this isn't a genre that you normally read, I strongly encourage you to give Room a chance.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Recommended to: Just about anyone
Challenges: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, 2010 Support Your Local Library Challenge, The Canadian Book Challenge 4

Guest Post With Karen White and Giveaway

Please join me in welcoming Karen White, the author of many wonderful novels including the soon-to-be-re-released Falling Home (my review) to The Book Chick today. Today she shares with us one of her definitions of the word "home":

Home is Where the Person Who Does Your Laundry Lives

"My oldest child, Meghan, started her freshman year in college—a six hour drive away from us here in Atlanta—this past August. Since birth, she’s been my independent, “do it myself” child so I never really envisioned her clinging to the car bumper as we drove away after move-in weekend. She did not disappoint. She even made sure to tell us that we probably wouldn’t be hearing from her until Thanksgiving. Not exactly what a mother wants to hear, but some small part of me did applaud her independent spirit. There’s a reason why people who know us both call her “Mini Me.” Just never within her hearing, of course.

The first chink in her armor occurred on Saturday of the move-in weekend. We were on our 50th trip to Target to pick up a shoe rack that actually fits inside the tiny wall compartment that’s supposedly a closet when Meghan remembered that we hadn’t purchased any of her laundry supplies yet. I suppressed a shout of glee as we headed to the appropriate aisle.

You see, doing laundry for my family has been the bane of my existence for about eighteen years. In the wide scope of things, I don’t have it that bad: I’ve got a really large laundry room, a state-of-the-art HE washer and dryer, and the laundry room is even located upstairs where all the bedrooms are so there’s no hoisting up and down the stairs. If I didn’t always have a pressing book deadline, I might even enjoy the eight to ten hours every week that I spend in there. Yes, my children are old enough to do their laundry, but since I don’t cook, I figured I couldn’t bail on the laundry, too.

So when Meghan headed off to school, I’d begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel with my laundry duties finally waning. Truly, laundry had always been something I did out of necessity, never once suspecting that anybody actually noticed.
Which is why it was a huge surprise to see Meghan picking out the exact same products I used: the detergent, the bleach with the ocean scent, the lavender fabric softener sheets. When her father pointed out that their store brands that were a lot less expensive (since paying that first tuition bill, my husband has become a lot more cost conscious than before) Meghan nonchalantly mentioned that she wanted her sheets and clothes to smell just like they did at home.

What? She noticed that? Without question, I pulled the old familiar standards from the shelves and loaded the cart and happily shelled out the money for my daughter’s piece of home away from home. I remembered, too, doing the same thing and how I would dream of coming home for holidays and burying my face in my pillow to sniff deeply and feel home. Even after I got married and had my own house and family, I continued to use the same detergent as my mother.

In my new book, FALLING HOME, I explore the concept of home, and what it means to each of us. Cassie Madison, estranged from her family for fifteen years, returns as a stranger to the small Georgia town where she’d been raised, only to find out that home is a place that lives in your heart, waiting with open arms to be rediscovered. It’s what I call my “Steel Magnolias” book, covering the whole spectrum of emotions. It also explores the correct use of “butter my butt and call me a biscuit,” but that’s for another blog.

For the record, Meghan texts, emails, or calls at least twice a day—a lot more communication than I had with her while she was actually living in the same house. She’s coming home for her fall break in two weeks. I’ll make sure that she’ll have freshly laundered sheets on her bed, and will pretend to listen when she claims that I probably won’t hear from her again until Christmas."

Thank-you so much to Karen for taking the time to stop by today! Now, courtesy of Joan Schulhafer Publishing and Media Consulting I have two copies of Falling Home by Karen White to give away.

To enter:

1. *Mandatory Entry* Do you still live in/close to the place that you grew up? If not, do you ever think about "returning home"? Please include your e-mail address with your response. No e-mail = no entry.

2. *Bonus Entry* Become a follower of this blog through Google Friend Connect and leave me a comment to let me know that you follow. Already a follower? Leave me a separate comment to let me know that you already do.

3. *Bonus Entry* Spread the word about this contest in any way that you choose. Facebook it, Tweet it, post it on your blog or sidebar. Just leave me a separate comment to let me know how you did it.

This contest is open to Canadian and US mailing addresses only, and runs until November 17, 2010. Winners will be notified by e-mail. Good luck!

Review: "Falling Home" by Karen White

Cassie hasn't returned home in 15 years- not to see her sister, not to see her father, and not to see her childhood home. She keeps herself cocooned in New York, unable to face the event that made her want to leave Walton, Georgia in the first place. When Cassie gets the dreaded phone call- her father is dying and has requested her presence at his bedside- she decides to return home one last time.

When she arrives back in Walton, not much has changed and she is reassured that her decision to leave was for the best. If it wasn't for the fact that she has grown to adore the nieces and nephew that she has never met, as well as the fact that her father has left her the house in its entirety, she would have been on the first plane back to New York. The longer that she stays, the more of her past becomes resolved, but will Cassie start to see things clearly for the first time in a long time, or will her past drive her away again?


Falling Home was originally Karen White's third novel, but when the rights were returned to her (after the book went out of print), she and her current publisher decided to republish it. They gave it a new cover (see right for the original one- I definitely like the redesigned cover better), and Karen White gave it a rewrite. She didn't change the story, but made it tighter and added two new points of view. This gives those who didn't get a chance to read it the first time around a second opportunity to do so.

I've only had the chance at this point to read one other novel by Karen White (On Folly Beach), but I thoroughly enjoyed this one as well. Her signature writing style shone through, and just when I thought that I had it all figured out, she'd throw a twist in there and I'd have to figure it out all over again. Even though I figured out most of the surprises before the characters did, I still enjoyed trying to figure everything out as I read.

The characters in Falling Home are exceptionally well-developed. Cassie, stubborn and afraid to face her past, was a character that you wanted to hug and slap upside the head simultaneously. My favourite character was Maddie, Cassie's niece. My heart ached for her. Being a teenager is never easy, and Maddie has added burdens placed on her that make it even more difficult. Adding some Southern humour into the mix was Sam, another character that you want to invite home to dinner. His scenes with Andrew were especially hilarious.

If you enjoy Southern fiction, or stories about sisters and the unique bond that they share, you'll love Falling Home. Please come back tomorrow when Karen White will be guest posting and I will be giving you a chance to win a copy of this endearing novel.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Recommended to: Fans of Southern fiction, stories about sisters
Challenges: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge

Thank-you to Joan Schulhafer Publishing and Media Consulting for sending this review copy.

Mailbox Monday

Originally hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page, Mailbox Monday is on tour! This month it is being hosted by Avis at she reads and reads. Mailbox Monday is the place where we can share which new books found their way into our mailboxes last week. Be warned: Mailbox Monday can lead to overflowing TBR piles and huge wish lists!

Last week four new books found their way into my home, all of them review books. The first to arrive was Falling Home by Karen White, courtesy of the publicist. I'm almost done this one, so expect a review, guest post, and giveaway to be posted this week!

Next to arrive was Infinite Quest by John Edwards, courtesy of the publicist. I'm not normally a fan of self-help books, and to be honest I'm not even a big fan of John Edwards (only because he doesn't frequent the shows that I watch), but I read a sample from this book and was hooked. I think that he'll have a lot of practical advice in his latest book.

Next in the mailbox was a copy of Hollywood Ending by Lucie Simone, courtesy of the publicist, for an upcoming book tour. I love the cover of this one- it looks almost optimistic.

The final arrival this week was a copy of The Tapestry of Love by Rosie Thornton, courtesy of the author. I'm looking forward to reading this one, especially as it has been getting some positive feedback from other readers.

That was it for my mailbox for last week- what was in yours?

Review: "Some Great Thing" by Lawrence Hill

Before there was the award-winning The Book of Negroes, there was Some Great Thing, Lawrence Hill's debut novel. Recently re-released, Some Great Thing tells the story of Mahatma Grafton, a young, arrogant black man who tries his hand at writing for the newspaper The Winnipeg Herald. Lawrence moves back home to live with his father, Ben, while he takes a stab at journalism, but he ends up getting far more than he bargained for as he discovers that his hometown is brimming with racial tensions as well as tensions related to the issue of French-language rights in Manitoba.

While dealing with his boss' unusal take on ethics, as well as his smarmy competition, Mahatma must decide if it is more important for him to get ahead at his job or if he should remain true to himself instead.

Some Great Thing reflects on a time period in Canada that was rife with unrest. The subject matter certainly doesn't shy away from the controversial issues that were prominent in the 1980's. Hostile Anglo-French relations are covered, as well as the racial issues still prominent at the time. In spite of the fact that the subject matter is not always pleasant and is often deeply controversial, Hill writes with humour and an abundance of wit, making his debut novel a fast-paced, compulsive read.

Especially noteworthy is the fact that Hill created a large cast of characters that seemed to jump off the page. They are all flawed and human, yet incredibly endearing. I wanted to have most of them over for dinner. My favourite was Ben, Mahatma's elderly father, a gentle man with deep convictions and a love for his son. I loved the fact that he slept better when his son was home- that's fatherly love. I also loved YoYo, the journalist from Cameroon who was visiting Canada for a year and found everything about Canada fascinating. Chuck, one of Mahatma's most genuine friends at the newspaper, had a wisdom and raw honesty that I could almost feel.

I savoured the final pages of this clever novel with a smile on my face, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a book that isn't afraid to tackle difficult issues with sensitivity, wit and charm.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Recommended to: Fans of fiction, Canadian fiction fans, those interested in books concerning race relations
Challenges: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, The Canadian Book Challenge 4

Thank-you to HarperCollins Canada for providing this review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Giveaway Reminders

There is still time to enter my two current giveaways. So, if you missed them the first time around, here they are:

Win a full-sized Petite Marie Organics Scar Eraser! Open to US and Canadian residents, ends October 22, 2010 at midnight EST.

Help me to celebrate the fact that I have 250 Google Friend Connect followers, and enter to win a book of your choice under $20 from the Book Depository. A second winner will win a book of choice under $10 if I reach 300 followers. Open to anywhere the Book Depository ships to (internationally) and ends November 3, 2010 at midnight EST.

On a completely unrelated topic, this post marks my 500th blog post. Yay!!!

Guest Post by Heather Wardell, author of "Planning to Live"

Please join me in welcoming Heather Wardell, author of the recently released Planning to Live (my review), to The Book Chick today. Today she shares with us some of her tips for assessing creativity:

"I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o'clock sharp." (W. Somerset Maugham)

I love this quote. Creativity isn't some mystical fairy dancing around tantalizingly out of my reach and refusing to alight on my work. Creativity shows up when I show up.

Still, sometimes it seems like I show up and show up and the creativity just doesn't, so I'll share a few creativity-enhancement ideas I've learned over my years of writing. They're not writing-specific, so try them out in whatever creative endeavor you choose.

(And don't tell me you're not creative. You are. We all are.)

1. Don't judge your ideas too soon.

The beginning of my writing process involves seventy or more pages of ramblings about how the book could work and what I like and don't like about the concept. For each of my last few books, this file contains
at least one statement like, "This isn't hanging together as well as the previous book did." Of course not. It was a gangly newborn. But once I gave the book the time it needed to gel, it ended up being the one that made the next book seem weak.

No judging right away, and definitely no comparing your baby idea to someone else's full-grown one. Your little misshapen idea might be brilliant, but you'll never know if you don't give it room to grow.

Yes, eventually you'll have to put aside the ideas that aren't working right now, but set them aside gently. Don't squish them. Even if they're not what you need at the moment, they're still tiny bits of creativity and deserve respect and care.
2. Trust the 'oogh'.

The 'oogh' is my term for a faintly sick feeling I get under my ribs if I'm heading in the wrong direction. I'll be typing away in my ramblings file about how, for example, the main character in my novel "Go Small or Go Home" is an artist who creates huge paintings, and the oogh will make an appearance. It's an immediate signal to reconsider where I'm headed. (I did, and the main character ended up making miniature scenes, which was a far better fit with her character traits.)

The oogh might well feel different for you, but no matter how it manifests I think it's always subtle. It doesn't shout. You can go off in the wrong direction if you choose, but I have never yet regretted following the oogh's suggestions.
There's some part of me that is creative beyond my wildest imagination. There's some part of YOU that is too. And I think that's the part that delivers the oogh when you're heading away from the best creative ideas. Listen to it. Trust it.
I even go so far as listening to it when I'm not writing. I reach for a blue shirt and get the oogh? I'll switch to purple if it prefers that. I'm aware this sounds insane (and might be insane) but it doesn't cause me any harm and if it lets my creativity be happy then I'll wear purple.

3. Fly free.

Especially while creating the first version, don't hold back or try to direct the path. This goes with trusting the oogh: do whatever seems to be the best thing at the time. If it's not going to work out, you'll know eventually and you can change direction, but don't try to fit your work into a neat little box at the beginning. I have, and I find that it needs far more air and space to breathe than it can find in a "painting using only blue" or "perfect sequel to book X" box.
4. Accept the unexpected.

I plan my books before writing them. I didn't, with the first one, but I've learned that pre-planning makes the first draft much easier for me. However, I don't plan every last detail, for two reasons: I did it once and found that I didn't want to write the book any more because I knew exactly what would happen, and one of the neatest things for me in writing is saying to myself, "Wow, I didn't see that coming."

In "Go Small or Go Home", my massage therapist main character and her hockey star client go out for dinner. A sports bar makes sense, right? That's what I'd planned. But when I got to that spot, I got the oogh. So I went off to the ramblings file to figure out why, then realized he'd be recognized there and hounded for his then-poor performance. No, he'd rather go to a classy restaurant.

The oogh vanished as I realized he wanted to go to the restaurant founded in "Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo". That one change had huge ripples through the book, as the sexy restaurant owner wound up creating a subplot for himself, and even into my future writing as all of those people met up again in a book I'm now planning to release next year.

I had no intent of doing any of that. But the oogh knew.

I have even, on occasion, planned for the unexpected. Again in "Go Small or Go Home", the main character is working on her art hobby after a particularly painful event. I knew the piece she made had to be dramatic and meaningful, but I couldn't figure out in the planning stages what it should be. I deliberately left it unplanned, and when I got there in the first draft I honestly feel like something inside me stepped up and created the piece for me.

I remember letting my mind go blank, just as the character lets hers, watching my fingers move across the keyboard as hers moved across the artwork. It was terrifying, but also utterly amazing, and that scene still stands out for me as a result.

Whatever's inside us that wants to create is so willing to help us. We need to get out of the way and let it do its thing.

5. Have fun.

Art and music and writing and drama and crafting and home decorating and anything else creative... these things are fun. Or they should be.

My most enjoyable writing experiences were five years ago during the first draft of my first book, "Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo". I'd come home from work, grab something for dinner (and I do mean
grab), and hurry out onto the balcony with my laptop to sit in the warm spring air and see what those crazy people in my book were going to do next. I knew nothing of outlining or planning a book, and that draft shows it. But it also has a lilt to it. You can almost hear me giggling at what poured out of my fingers and onto the keyboard.
I have come close since but have never matched the pure joy of those days. Deciding to sell my writing added some wonderful things to my life but it did take away that delight. Now I'm letting myself have fun again. Little things, like codenaming my books Aardvark or Dinosaur, and big things, like letting myself run with a strange but entertaining plot twist.

Take your creative pursuit seriously, certainly, but not so seriously that there's no fun in it. Play with it. You are your first and best audience, so entertain that audience until it cries from laughter!

I'd love to hear from you, readers. What's your favorite tip for awakening your creativity?

Happy Canadian Library Month!

When I went into my local library this afternoon to pick up a book that I had reserved (Room by Emma Donoghue), I was given a re-usable black and red library tote and a ballot to enter a draw to win a Kobo e-Reader. October is Canadian library month, and October 17-23 is Ontario Public Library Week, and my library is celebrating!

Allow me to join in the celebration by adding my thank-you to my local library. They order tons of interesting and current titles, they offer free Internet, free computer games for the youngsters, story time, a summer reading program, and of course, tons and tons of free books! In the four years that I've lived here, the library has provided my boys and I with countless hours of reading entertainment. If I have a free afternoon, the boys and I go and visit for an hour. The boys play in their fantastic children's reading room and I catch up with a magazine or a good book. This year I've only read 25 library titles, but with at a conservative estimate of $20 a book, they've saved me $500 this year alone, not counting all of the children and YA titles that we've borrowed.

So, thank-you, Norfolk Public Library. Your friendly staff make the library a pleasure to visit, and I'll never get sick of wiling away an hour or two there!

Q&A With Anne Fortier, Author of "Juliet"

Please join me in welcoming Anne Fortier, the author of Juliet (my review), to The Book Chick today! Despite her busy publicity and writing schedule, she kindly took the time to answer a few questions for me.

The Book Chick: Juliet must have required an incredible amount of research to write. Is that level of research something that you would consider doing again for a future novel?

Anne Fortier: There is no getting around the research, when you are writing an historical novel. The further back in time you go – the more difficult the research. But I quite like digging into the sources, because I learn a lot, and what I discover often inspires me. I think it would be very hard to be an author if one didn’t like to do research; I suppose you would have to set the story in your own everyday surroundings, or create a futuristic world out of your own imagination. I know I will be doing a lot of research for my next book as well, but I am quite looking forward to it.

TBC: Juliet offers us an alternate version of the events that led to the creation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Is the account entirely fictional, or are there parts of that story that are based on fact?  

AF: The medieval Siena stage setting, if you will, is all based on fact, while the individual characters are my invention. It is true that the Tolomei and Salimbeni families had a feud, and that the Salimbenis had a reputation for being arrogant and ambitious, but there is no evidence of a tragic love affair involving any of their children. Mind you, that sort of thing would never end up in history books … undoubtedly there were many love tragedies back then – but we will never know.

TBC: The cover of your book is visually stunning and I'm sure that it will entice many readers to choose your book at the bookstore. Did you envision the cover while writing the book? If so, was the end result what you had pictured?

AF: I didn’t actually have a cover in mind while I was reading the book, but afterwards, when the publisher asked my opinion, I told them I envisioned something dark and medieval … perhaps a narrow alley with moonlight shadows. However, I do love the rose very much, and agree that it is a very fitting symbol for Romeo & Juliet. Of course, the book is coming out with very different covers all over the world, but hopefully, “by any other cover, the book will smell as sweet … “

TBC: What is a typical day of your life like when you're busy working on a novel?

AF: I usually start the day by reading what I wrote the day before over breakfast, and then take a shower while musing on the paragraph to come. If I have a few good pages by lunch time I may stop there and tend to other things, because I find that often, when I write all afternoon as well, the writing becomes loose. So, I usually obey the Cinderella Principle: Stop while you’re hot. When I was younger, I used to think that I wrote much better at night; now I rarely write beyond five in the afternoon, unless I am home alone, in which case I don’t stir from that computer, even to shower …

TBC: What books are on your nightstand right now?

AF: Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann, which I read to my baby daughter; a book with facial exercises; Elizabeth Gaskell’s Wives and Daughters, which I am currently reading; and The Cult of the Presidency by Gene Healy, which I am planning to read next.
 
Thank-you so much to Anne for stopping by! She is touring several other blogs right now, so be sure to check her other interviews out as well.

Mailbox Monday

Welcome to Mailbox Monday! Originally created by Marcia at The Printed Page, MM is currently on tour. This month our host is Avis at she reads and reads. Each week we share which books we found in our mailboxes, but be warned: MM can lead to towering TBR piles and out-of-control wish lists!

I thought that last week would be a bookless week for me, but on Friday I got a suprise (unsolicited) package! When I first received it, I'll be honest and say that I wasn't quite sure how this particular publisher got my address (I later figured out that I have worked with the publicist previously). I'm not complaining- if anyone else wants to send me surprise books, feel free! I'll even send you my wish list... This is what I got:

Foxybaby by Elizabeth Jolley

Description (from Goodreads): Elizabeth Jolley's celebrated novel is set in a Summer School amid an isolated and surreal landscape where nothing is quite as it appears. Miss Alma Porch, writer and tutor, travels to the School to present the outline of her unwritten novel, "Foxybaby", to the Creative Drama Students. In the process, real and invented words collide.

The Sugar Mother by Elizabeth Jolley

I'm intrigued by both of these titles and although I do have a few review books to get to first, I hope to read them soon.

That's it for my mailbox! What was in yours?

Sunday Salon

Following the recent tragic suicides of teenagers Tyler Clementi, Seth Walsh, Asher Brown, Billy Lucas, and Phoebe Prince, shows such as CNN and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, as well as magazines such as People, have been bringing the issue of bullying to people's attention.

I've watched the coverage with rapt attention. Bullying is something that is close to my heart (more on that in a moment) and I fear that my three children, currently aged 11, 5, and 3, will be exposed to bullies as they continue in school. In fact, I know that my eldest son has has some issues with one school bully in particular, although thankfully only on an occasional basis.

I was a victim of bullying in my younger years. When I was in the sixth grade, one popular girl in particular decided that I would be the perfect target. She rallied several other girls, some popular and some wishing to be popular, and convinced them that being friends with me would social suicide. An overweight and bookish child, I was no match for this popular princess. The teasing about my weight was merciless. Since I attended a private school, the class was small, and none of the girls would play with me. At recess and lunch they would all, every one of them, gallop away to play and they would leave me sad and alone. When I developed earlier than they did, they wrote nasty notes about me to one another, some of which I had the misfortune to find. This group of girls had popular boys ask me "out" and then laugh hysterically when I accepted. "Why would a boy ever want to go out with you?" they taunted. To them I was worthless. I would come home crying almost every night. To have no friends at school was devastating for me. The taunting, teasing, and bullying continued until the end of eighth grade, when my parents decided to send me to a different high school than everyone else in an attempt to stop the bullying. They had gone to the teachers and the principal, but nobody was ever able to do much about it. At one point the whole class had to write me letters of apology after one particularly nasty stunt, but that only made things worse when the teachers weren't looking.

The bullying that I received in grade school stayed with me, long after these girls went to a different high school. Even though they no longer taunted me (because they weren't around me), the damage had been done. My self-esteem stayed at an all-time low for many, many years. I just couldn't see myself as being worth anything. In high school I dated boys just to try to feel accepted. Even though it pains me to admit it, I even slept with a couple of them just to try to hang on to them. I thought that if they wanted me, even for the wrong reasons, I would be accepted. I was looking for self-worth.

I later found out that the ringleader of the group of girls who bullied me was going through some things at home during that time. Although I don't feel that that excuses her behaviour, it certainly explains why she was so determined to lash out at me. Even now, at the age of 28, I still feel the effects of that bullying on days when my self-esteem is at an all-time low. I look in the mirror and I think that I'm not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough. I am so incredibly grateful for my husband, who truly loves me exactly the way that I am, and has helped me to begin to overcome many of my self-esteem issues, although it has been a long journey.

I fear my own children becoming the victim of bullies. Although our county has a firm anti-bullying program in place (principals must address issues of bullying within one school day, bus drivers must report all bullying incidents), and an anti-bullying task force works with the children on a regular basis to encourage tolerance, I fear that bullying will never be completely eradicated. I hope that we all, as parents, as caregivers, as teachers, and as community leaders, can continue to instill in our children tolerance for those who are of a different race, religion, sexual orientation, or weight. The effects of bullying can last well beyond those formative childhood and teenage years, as evidenced by the tragic deaths of the young teenagers mentioned above. My thoughts are with their families.

Review: "Russell Wiley Is Out To Lunch: A Novel" by Richard Hine

Russell Wiley is a media executive for the Daily Chronicle newspaper, the fourth largest newspaper in a world where there is only room for three. The newspaper is quickly going the way of paper money, and Russell is having problems getting new advertisers interested in placing ads. Meanwhile, his home life is going the same way as the newspaper. His wife, Sam, isn't interested in having sex with him and he obsessively counts the days between their infrequent carnal encounters. Add a whole lot of office drama into the mix, as well as a consultant who is more interested in passing others' work off as his own, and Russell Wiley has a recipe for disaster.

When Russell makes a multi-million dollar mistake at the office, he knows that it's just a matter of time before his ship sinks. He realizes that he needs to make some big changes if he is to salvage the remains of his career and his love life. Filled with witty observations and wry humour, Russell Wiley is Out To Lunch is a must-read for anyone who has ever wiled away hours in an office.

Russell Wiley is Out To Lunch is a delightful read, chronicling the decline of the newspaper industry with wit and charm. It was fun to reflect on things that used to play so prominently in our lives that have been replace by the bigger and better in the interest of progress. Newspapers used to be a fixture in our lives, delivered in the mornings and read over breakfast, and now we seem to get the majority of our news online and on our electronic devices. This book also offers commentary on office life- the drama that can surround us, not to mention the joys of working with people who are determined to pass others' work off as their own.

Russell Wiley was a thoroughly likable character. His marriage is rapidly going down the tubes, his work life is teetering on the brink of disaster, and yet he manages to conduct himself with dignity. When he develops a crush on his co-worker he doesn't cross the line into inappropriate behaviour and that endeared him to me even further.

Russell Wiley is Out To Lunch is a must-read for anyone who has ever worked in an office, had someone pass off your work as their own, or been discouraged by their company's inability to move forward into new technology. It is also a great read for anyone who is just looking for a laugh.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Recommended to: Fiction fans, especially those who enjoy a book set in an office
Challenges: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, New Author Challenge 2010

I received a copy of this book for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: "Mini Shopaholic" by Sophie Kinsella

Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) is back! She's still married to handsome Luke, and now she has two-year-old daughter Minnie to contend with. Becky, Luke, and Minnie live with Becky's parents- they haven't had much luck in the house purchasing department.

When the financial world takes a turn for the worst, Becky and Luke's world seems a little more shaky. Everyone is looking for ways to cut costs. Two-year-old Minnie, however, is not looking for ways to cut costs. Her favourite word is "mine" followed closely by "Visa" and "Starbucks". Minnie wreaks havoc wherever she goes, and Becky has no choice but to face the fact that Minnie may be "a little" spoiled. In the midst of trying to get Minnie's behaviour under control, Becky decides to throw Luke a huge surprise party. But with her spending limited, will she be forced to accept help from the one person that Luke wants help from the least?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Becky's latest adventures. The Shopaholic series has always been fun to read and a great escape from the everyday. I did find that a few things about this book bothered me a little. Becky keeps constant secrets from Luke, whether they are about shopping, her job, or what she does in her spare time and I found myself wondering how strong a marriage can be when one partner seems to have an aversion to the truth. I know that Becky has been like this in her previous books as well, and that when her secrets catch up to her they certainly create some interesting entertainment, but for some reason that has started to bother me a little. The other thing that bothered me was the fact that Becky seemed, for the most part, oblivious to how bratty Minnie was behaving. Rather than being embarrased and correcting her behaviour, she seems content to overlook it.

The Shopaholic books are a great diversion from the everyday, and as such I don't expect them to be much more than entertainment. As long as I start one with accurate expectations, I always enjoy them. Kinsella has set up the last chapters of Mini Shopaholic to lead perfectly to a sequel, so I expect that Becky's not quite done with her adventures yet.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Recommended to: Fans of the Shopaholic series and light women's fiction
Challenges: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, RYOB Challenge 2010, 2010 Chick Lit Challenge

Review: "Planning to Live" by Heather Wardell

30-something Rhiannon is on a strict diet, determined to lose 40 pounds before her best friend's August wedding. Despite her determination not to stray from the plan, the pounds refuse to fall off and Rhiannon leaves Christmas dinner at her parent's house instead of being tempted by all of her favourite foods. The driving conditions are icy and the next things she knows Rhiannon's car has veered off of the road into a tree. Her foot is trapped and bleeding, and her cell phone is out of reach, so Rhiannon has no choice but to patiently await rescue.

As the weather gets colder and a rescue seems less and less likely, Rhiannon starts writing good-bye letters to her friends and family. While writing she realizes that despite her careful planning and goal-setting she's never really lived her life to the fullest. Will she be rescued in time? Will she really learn to live?

Planning to Live is the latest release from Canadian author Heather Wardell. It took on a decidedly more somber tone than the previous book that I read, Seven Exes Are Eight Too Many, however I appreciated Wardell's careful examination of an overweight woman terrified of failure. I especially appreciated the authenticity of Rhiannon's voice. Wardell truly captured the ongoing internal dialogue of a woman who has let a few extra pounds come between her and living life to the fullest. As a woman who has gone through life carrying those extra pounds myself I found myself nodding along as Rhiannon explored how the opinions of others has easily directed her own actions in the past.

This isn't one of your whiny "oh-I'm-so-fat" books, though. Wardell also examines how Rhiannon is afraid to love again following the brutal murder of her fiance over a year ago. She writes about Rhiannon's emotional paralysis, and occasional inability to move forward in her life. After everything that she had endured in the past couple of years- her fiance's death, nasty comments about her weight, deliberate sabotage by disgruntled fellow employees- I truly rooted for a happy ending to Rhiannon's story.

Interesting and articulate, with the main character posessing a voice both authentic and believable, Planning to Live is a book that I recommend to readers looking for women's fiction with heart.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Recommended to: Women's fiction readers
Challenges: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, The Canadian Book Challenge 4

Mailbox Monday

First of all, happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends! Hubby, kiddos, and I spent the weekend bouncing from one household to the next, celebrating Turkey Day. We enjoyed the extra time with our family, and we're looking forward to spending today doing a whole lot of nothing (Edited to add: Nevermind doing nothing! Hubby developed a wicked eye infection overnight and we spent the morning at the Urgent Care clinic and at the pharmacy. We're home now, with eye drops and antibiotics and hoping that it clears up soon.)

Now, welcome to Mailbox Monday! Originally created by Marcia at The Printed Page, Mailbox Monday is on tour and is being hosted this month by Avis at She Reads and Reads. Each week we share what we found in our mailboxes, but be warned: MM can lead to towering TBR piles and out-of-control wishlists!

Two new books found their way into my mailbox last week, one contest win and one review copy.

First to arrive was a copy of A Scattered Life by Karen McQuestion, a win courtesy of The Divining Wand.

Next to arrive was a copy of Moonlight in Odessa by Janet Skielson Charles. Not only was it signed and sent all the way from France, but I even got a copy with a UK cover! Given my love of all things from across the pond, I was thrilled.

That's what was in my mailbox last week and I can't wait to read both of these. What books did you find in yours?

Review: "Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen

Described as "an epic of contemporary love and marriage", Franzen's latest novel, Freedom, follows the Berglund family, dad Walter, mom Patty, daughter Jessica and son Joey, as they contemplate their past and move towards their future. A former athlete, until a fall broke not only her body but her dreams of playing as a career, Patty struggles with being a suburban mother and housewife, especially when the object of her teenage desire still plagues her thoughts. Walter is a nature-lover at heart but somehow has found himself employed by the coal industry. Jessica is content to get her education and experience first-time love, and Joey has gotten himself deeply involved with the highly unsuitable neighbor next door. The Berglunds all continue to make mistakes and make progress as they explore the meaning of the word "freedom".

I need to start by saying that I read this despite Oprah's recommendation. I know that having an Oprah seal of approval on a book is huge, leading to big sales and unimaginable publicity, but I tend not to read a book when she's recommended it. Nothing against Oprah, but who is she to tell me what to read? (Uh-oh, my teenage rebellion is coming out a little here. I thought that I was done with that!). I primarily read it for two reasons. 1. I have read many good reviews written by bloggers whose opinions I respect. 2. I followed the controversy surrounding Franzen's review in the New York Times, when Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Weiner (correctly) pointed out the NYT penchant for "white male literary darlings". Since I found the controvery interesting, I thought that by reading the book I would be able to have an intelligent opinion on the whole thing. Since I have read all of Jennifer Weiner's work, as well as one of Picoult's, I felt that I would have to give Franzen's Freedom a read to decide if I thought that it was worthy of the hype.

I didn't love this book at all. I won't be spilling its praises the next time I'm talking books. I won't be telling everyone how reading this novel changed my outlook on life. Frankly, I just didn't get it. Perhaps this makes me ignorant. Perhaps I'm best sticking to those kinds of books that I enjoy the most, but this just wasn't the one for me. I found the female characters, especially Patty, unrealistic. At no point was I thinking "Wow. Franzen really gets women". Quite the opposite. I found Freedom boring. And long. I think that he could have said the same thing in a quite a few less pages. For the most part I found the characters unlikable, which didn't help me to relate to them. Patty was whiny, Walter had very little visable backbone, and Joey acted like a spoiled brat.

I can't say that Freedom was all bad. The first chapter was entirely engaging. The writing was above average, and I found the dialogue believable (one of my pet peeves is bad dialogue). Although I pretty much disliked the first three quarters of the novel, I did enjoy the last quarter. I found that the characters underwent transformations that made them entirely more likable and relatable. Oh, and there was one particularly great quote towards the end:

"Every year at tax time, it seems as if the year just past was shorter than the year before it; the years are becoming so similar to one another." (p. 535)

Overall this wasn't the novel for me, personally. In my opinion, it is not entirely worthy of the hype. There are hundreds who disagree with me on this one, and there are those that feel much the same way as I did. I would venture to say that this is one that you need to read for yourself and form your own opinion about, because the opinions are going to be drastically varied.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Recommended to: Fans of Franzen's previous fiction
Challenges: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, New Author Challenge 2010, 2010 Support Your Local Library Challenge

Review: "Take a Chance on Me" by Jill Mansell

Cleo still lives in the small town that she grew up in, called Channings Hill. She's a limo driver for a local company and enjoys her job most of the time, and she has gotten used to the fact that in a small town like hers, everything is everybody's business.

Cleo enjoys a spectacularly flawed track record with men, but is lucky to have a friend like her neighbor Ash. Everything changes for Cleo when Johnny LaVenture, her childhood nemesis turned successful artist, moves back into town. Still hurt by a childhood episode, she is shocked when she finds herself falling for the charming Johnny. When Cleo's sister Abbie finds out that her husband has a long-lost child, and when Ash falls in love with the new cook in the village pub, there's lots of interesting fodder for the town gossips.

Jill Mansell has mastered the formula for writing fantastic chick lit. Her general recipe? Take an interesting woman, have her fall in love with the wrong/unattainable/difficult man, add in a few hilarious scenes as well as interesting secondary characters and secondary situations, and voila! Highly readable chick lit. Mansell never fails to amuse and interest me with her quirky fiction offerings, unlike some other chick lit authors, which for me can be hit or miss. I have yet to be disappointed by one of her books.

Take a Chance on Me is certainly no exception to this rule. I loved it from the beginning to the end, and I especially loved the characters of Cleo, the limo driver (I actually have my licence to drive a limo, so I found all of her experiences rather entertaining), Johnny, the brooding and handsome artist, Abbie, Cleo's sister with the seemingly perfect marriage, and Ash, a fantastic radio deejay with crippling shyness. Mansell takes a multitude of interesting scenarios and combines them in a way that actually makes sense. The humour present in the pages in interspersed with reflection on life's complications and how we can choose to deal with them, which makes this book a must-read for chick lit fans.

Take a Chance on Me is perfect for those looking for entertaining, funny, and well-written chick lit to read while curled up and enjoying the cooler fall weather.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Recommended to: Fans of chick lit or Brit chick lit
Challenges: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, 2010 Chick Lit Challenge

Thank-you to Sourcebooks who sent me this review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

250 Follower Giveaway!

I'm thrilled! This morning I visited my blog and saw that I now had 250 wonderful followers! I'm so grateful to each and every one of you who visit my blog regularly, leave comments, or enter contests- your participation makes blogging a lot more fun for me. I started blogging on February 18, 2008 and am amazed how much my blog has grown since then. I've met some wonderful bloggers (whose well-written reviews have caused me to buy more books than I care to admit to), I work with some fantastic publishers, publicists, and authors, and I've read and reviewed a ton of books. I now have an out-of-control TBR pile and a better idea of what I enjoy as a reader.

So, I want to thank YOU, fellow bloggers and readers, by hosting a giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a book of their choice under $20 from The Book Depository. This contest is open to anywhere that The Book Depository ships to.

But wait, there's more! If I reach 300 followers before the end of this giveaway, a second winner will win a book of their choice under $10! So, not only will you get a bonus entry for spreading the word about this contest, but you may have a better chance of winning a book!

The Rules:

1. 1 winner will win a book of their choice under $20 USD available from The Book Depository. The winner is limited to choosing 1 book under $20. If a total of 300 followers are reached before the end of the contest, a 2nd winner will win a book of choice under $10 USD. If a total of 300 followers is not reached, no 2nd prize will be awarded.

2. This contest is open to residents of anywhere The Book Depository ships to.

3. The winner of the contest needs to be a verifiable follower through Google Friend Connect.

4. Winner will be notified by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond.

5. Contest closes on November 3, 2010 at midnight EST.

To Enter:

1. *Mandatory Entry* To enter, just tell me which book is number one on your wishlist right now. You do not have to choose this book as your prize if you are delcared the winner. You must be a Google Friend Connect follower of this blog for your entry to be considered valid. Please include your e-mail address with your comment.

2. *Bonus Entry* Spread the word about this contest for one bonus entry! Facebook it, Tweet it, blog about it, whatever you wish to do. Please leave me a separate comment letting me know how you spread the word.

That's it! Good luck and thanks for being a follower of The Book Chick.

Review: "Star Island" by Carl Hiaasen

Cherry Pye (formerly known as Cheryl Bunterman) is a disaster-bound Hollywood starlet (think Britney or Lindsay) whose only concerns are where she's going to get her next drug fix, where the vodka is hidden, or whether or not her current bodyguard will sleep with her. Her mother refuses to acknowledge the fact that her daughter has serious issues because she fears that her gravy-train will stop (umm...hello Dina Lohan?), and instead blames her daughter's frequent hospital visits on her "sensitive stomach". The Bunterman's hire Ann DeLuisa, an actress who looks passably like Cherry, to attend events as Cherry, but one day it all goes horribly wrong. Ann is kidnapped by an obsessed paparazzo named Bang Abbott, who actually thinks that he's kidnapping the object of his affections.

What follows is their adventure- as Ann tries to become free, the Bunterman's try to prevent the story from hitting the tabloids, and Cherry continues to drug herself into a stupor. Their adventures are alternately laugh-out-loud funny and a sad reflection on the behaviour of celebrities today.

This is the first novel by Carl Hiassen that I've read, and can I admit without being booed that I borrowed it from the library after reading a great review in People magazine? Even though Hiassen has authored several books, this is the first one that I've even heard of. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. His portrayal of Cherry Pye, spoiled, self-obsessed, and destructive, is spot- on and beyond hilarious. Sadly, I think that there's a grain of truth in there as well- too often young celebrities head down a dangerous path and are coddled on their way to the bottom. His other characters were quirky and well-developed. Chemo is a bodyguard who possesses a weed whacker for an arm, and who isn't afraid to use it. Bang Abbott is an unwashed, unscrupulous paparazzo that you can't help but feel a little sorry for. Skink is a former governor who wears shotgun shells in his hair. Janet Bunterman, Cherry's mother, was one of my favourite characters, if only because I couldn't believe half of what came out of her mouth. She was so obsessed with her daughter's continued fame (and money-making abilities) that she would make any excuse for her behaviour. Ann, Cherry's double, was the only normal one in the bunch, and that's not saying much.

Hiassen's talent certainly lies in creating both quirky and utterly bizarre characters that you root for despite yourself. His plot was tightly woven and entertaining, making Star Island a quick and thoroughly enjoyable peek at the celebrity culture that so many of us find so fascinating.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Recommended to: Fiction fans, fans of celebrity culture
Challenges: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, New Author Challenge 2010, 2010 Support Your Local Library Challenge

Review: "Juliet" by Anne Fortier

When Julie Jacobs' aunt, the only mother that she has ever known, dies she leaves behind a key to a safety deposit box located in Siena, Italy, and a note alluding to the fact that the things locked away in the deposit box are the key to an old family treasure. Julie leaves behind her twin sister, whom she has never gotten along with, and her Americanized name, and leaves immediately for Italy.

Once she arrives in Italy and she begins the formidable task of uncovering the secrets that her late mother had hidden, Julia (now Giulietta) finds out that there is a possibility that she is related to the family of Juliet, whose star-crossed love with Romeo was the basis for Shakespeare's famous play. Once she comes to the realization that all is not what it initially appers to be in Siena, she is in too far to stop and becomes a part of an elaborate plot to right wrongs that were done long ago.

I'll admit two things right away. First, it took me about 100 pages to really get into the plot. There is a lot of backstory and explaination involved, and at points I was tempted to stop and pick it up again at a later time. Second, I found the parallels between the modern day Julie and the historical Giulietta quite annoying at first- one of my bookish pet peeves is when a modern story and a historical story, both being told in the same book, practically mirror one another. It makes me wish that the author would pick one story and tell it, because there is no point in telling two virtually identical stories.

I have a third confession to make. I'm really glad that I stuck this one out despite my initial misgivings. Once I had truly gotten into the story it flew by, and the parallels that I found annoying at first became more relevant as the story proceeded.

What strikes me as most memorable about this story is the fact that while it is unapologetically fictional, Anne Fortier creates a backstory about the inspiration for Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet that is entirely believable. Fortier's attention to detail is commendable, and that made Juliet a pleasure to read. When I was done reading the book I had to turn to the "Author's Note" to confirm that the story I had read was, in fact, fictional. Fortier, along with her mother, had certainly done her homework, and the majority of the places and people mentioned in the book were factual, but the overall story remained fiction. Fortier also mentions that Shakespeare's version of Romeo & Juliet was not the first one, and that he had merely based his work on plays by earlier authors.

Rich in detail, thoroughly researched, and filled with fascinating characters, Juliet was a pleasure to read. I highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction, historical romanctic fiction, or those with an interest in Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet.

Browse inside Juliet
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Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5
Challenges: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, New Author Challenge 2010, The Canadian Book Challenge 4

Thank-you to HarperCollins Canada for sending me this review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Mailbox Monday

Welcome to Mailbox Monday! Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page, but is currently on tour. This month MM is being hosted by she reads and reads. Each week we share which books made their way into our mailboxes, but be warned: MM can lead to towering TBR piles and out-of-control wish lists!

Last week brought quite the eclectic mix of books into my house.

First to arrive was Gladdy's Wake by B.K. Anderson, courtesy of Second Story Press.

Next to arrive (same day, different courier) was What I Thought I Knew by Eve Alice Cohen, a memoir for an upcoming blog tour. I was so excited about this one that I have read it already. It's short, but powerful.

Also in my mailbox last week was Mini Shopaholic, Sophie Kinsella's latest in the series. I was particularly excited about this contest win from Chick Lit Central: The Blog. I can depend on Kinsella for light, entertaining reading. I would have started reading this one on the weekend, but my copy of Jonathan Franzen's Freedom came in for me at the library and I only have it for a short time, so I thought that I would tackle it first.

Perfection by Julie Metz also found its way into my home last week. This is also for an upcoming blog tour, and I can't wait to dig in. I love memoirs, especially ones by "real" people, rather than ones by celebrities.

My final mailbox arrival for last week was a copy of The I Hate To Cook Book by Peg Bracken, a contest win courtesy of A Sea of Books.

But wait! I'm not done yet! My sister-in-laws and I try to get out for a girl's night every month or so. It's a great way to get caught up with each other's lives and we always try to do something extra fun. This month we decided to visit one of my favourite places- the Chapters store in Ancaster, Ontario. I love the layout of the store- open and easy to browse through, and despite the fact that it is only one story, there are a ton of interesting books there! I could have easily spent $1000, but decided not to because my hubby probably would have had a fit if I kicked him out of the bedroom to make room for my new books. Instead I only bought three, all on the 3/$10 table. It was a hard choice, but I came home with:

10 Reasons Not to Fall in Love by Linda Green
Tales From the Crib by Jennifer Coburn
Just the Three of Us by Clare Dowling

That's it for my mailbox for last week- what was in yours?

Product Review & Giveaway: Petite Marie Organics

Yesterday I reviewed Julie Gabriel's newest book, Green Beauty Recipes (my review). Today I'll be reviewing one of the products from her all-natural beauty line, Petite Marie Organics.

Allow me to start by saying that the products made by Petite Marie Organics come in recyclable containers, are eco-friendly, cruelty-free, vegan, and have a low carbon footprint. Now that's what I call "green beauty"! You can take comfort in the fact that by using these products you are minimizing your personal impact on the environment.

I was sent the exfoliating cleanser to try (please note that the product that I linked to is not exactly the same as the one that I received). My skin is an at awkward place right now. It's in the early stages of "aging", but at the same time I do get periodic breakouts, which are embarrassing. On top of all that, my skin is combination skin, meaning that some of the products that I use on my face are too harsh for some spots on my skin, and not effective on others. I've tried many cleansers before, and have not been overly satisfied with any of them. One of the most recent ones that I tried actually led me to getting more breakouts, rather than decreasing their frequency! Understandably I was excited to try this one.

My first thoughts? Wow! This product feels like it is sucking the oil right out of my skin! The first time that I used it I had just developed a small pimple on my chin. I used Petite Marie Organics Exfoliating Cleanser and by the next morning the pimple had disappeared. In fact, since I have started using this product (about 4 weeks ago) I have only experienced one small breakout, and that was probably because I forgot to take my makeup off after a night out. I am beyond impressed with the quality and effectiveness of this product. Best results occur when this product is used along with the appropriate toner and moisturizer, but I experienced great results using it on its own.

If you are scent sensitive it is important to note that this product contains tea-tree oil, so it does have a fairly distinctive smell.

In addition to supplying me with a product to try, Julie Gabriel supplied me with a product to give away to one of my lucky readers! One lucky person will win Petite Marie Organics Scar Eraser, which helps to fade scars and blemishes. Here is the description of this product from the website:

"A daily topical treatment serum to help fade post-acne marks, acne scars, and skin discolorations.

A source of fruit AHA acids, the Scar Eraser stimulates the eradication of unevenly pigmented skin layers, minimizes post-acne marks, reduces uneven skin tone, and leaves skin glowing and younger-looking."

To win:

1. Leave me a comment to let me know that you would like to win this product. Please include your e-mail address so that I can contact you for your address if you are the winner. No e-mail= no entry!

2. *Bonus Entry* Visit the Petite Marie Organics website and tell me in a separate comment which product you would be most interested in trying.

3. *Bonus Entry* Become a follower of this blog through Google Friend Connect and let me know in a separate comment that you are now a follower.

4. *Bonus Entry* Spread the word about this contest- Facebook it, add it to your sidebar, blog about it, Tweet about it, whatever! Leave me a comment to let me know what you did to spread the word.

Since I will be personally shipping this product, entries are limited to those who have a Canadian or US mailing address. It will run until October 22, 2010 at midnight, and winners will be contacted by e-mail.