Review & Giveaway: "One Bird's Choice" by Iain Reid

Iain Reid left home at the age of 19 when he left for University, and he had no plans to return except for visits. However he finds himself underemployed in his late twenties and he moves from his apartment in Toronto back home to the family farm. He plans to stay only for a couple of months while he reviews books on a CBC radio station, but finds himself there for an entire year. One Bird's Choice is the story of the year that he spent living at home as an adult. He details his unsatisfying employment, his adventures on his parent's farm, and the bond that he forms with his elderly mom and dad while he lives under their roof for the second time around.

It was surprising how much I enjoyed this book considering the subject matter. Let's be honest- One Bird's Choice isn't about daring revelations, a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, or a pre-planned personal journey. Rather it is about the fact that life sometimes leads us to surprising places, and it's a book about the quiet pace of farm life. It's about the pleasure of a cold beer on a hot day and about rediscovering your parents when you are no longer a child. It's a book about a bird named Lucius who acts more like an adopted child then a pet. It's a quiet book, yet I felt as if I was there, on that farm in Ottawa. I loved Iain parent's- they were non-judgmental and loving towards Iain, but they were also not afraid to ask him to lend a hand.

I particularly enjoyed all of the Canadian aspects of the book. Iain mentions places like Toronto, Kingston, and of course, Ottawa, which are all places that I have had the pleasure of visiting. When he writes about rural Canada and its quirks I couldn't help but relate- I don't live in Ottawa but I do live in a rural part of Ontario and there are not that many differences between the two. Iain Reid incorporates this unique Canadian flare into most of this book.

If you're looking for a memoir filled with quiet reflections on life and its various twists and turns, or if you're looking for a book filled with observations of the things that make the everyday so great, then this book is for you. Iain Reid shows us that you can, indeed, go home again.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Challenges: 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

Thanks to the publicist I have one copy of One Bird's Choice by Iain Reid to give away. To enter:

1. *Mandatory Entry* Have you ever lived at home as an adult? Answer this question in the comments, or just tell me that you're interested in winning this book. Please leave me an e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win. No e-mail= no entry.

2. *Bonus Entry* Follow this blog through GFC and let me know in the comments that you follow. New and old followers are both eligible for this bonus entry.

3. *Bonus Entry* Spread the word about this contest in some way- Facebook it, Tweet about it, blog about it or add it to your sidebar. It doesn't matter what you choose to do but come back and leave a link to what you did!

This contest runs until March 18, 2011 at midnight EST and residents of both the US and Canada are eligible to enter. The winner will be contacted by e-mail. Good luck!