Thursday, March 10, 2011

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!

28 comments:

  1. Yes, I've lived at home as an adult. I moved home after college, but didn't stay too long. This is because my parents told me that I was an adult and would have to pay them weekly for room and board. Wise parents! I quickly found an apartment to share with a friend.
    cynthia29907@gmail.com and would be so happy to read this book.

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  2. Dont count me in as I am overseas. Here 99percent of people live at home unless you move out to get married or go overseas! And even after marriage lots and lots of people still continue to live with parents - it is sometimes an economic necessity sometimes practical necessity.

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  3. Yes, I lived at home for about 8 months after I moved back from across the country during my divorce. The next time I live with my mother, I expect it to be her living with ME, because she needs assistance. But we both hope that will be decades from now!

    +1 I follow

    +1 Blogged:
    http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2011/03/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-3-5-11.html

    nfmgirl AT gmail DoT com

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  4. I lived at home until I was 21. I was newly married and has a baby and my parents let us stay with them until we could get a head start and get on our feet. We did have to pay a little rent though.

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

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  5. I follow via GFC :)

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

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  6. Tweeted:

    http://twitter.com/#!/enterthedrew/status/45845232000053248

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

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  7. Yes I lived at home when we relocated to the DC area for 6 months with my boyfriend - weird, awkward and was ready to get out and find our own place!

    kdurham2@gmail.com

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  8. I never did live at home after I married. I would enjoy this unique book. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. This book sounds fascinating and special. I would enjoy it greatly. Way back I married young and left home never to return. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  10. No I have never lived at home as an adult.

    pocokat at Gmail DOT com

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  11. I've been on my own since I was 17 and got pregnant with my son.
    My hubby lived at home as an adult, before we met, up until we moved in together.

    freda.mans[at]gmail.com

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  12. GFC follower

    freda.mans[at]gmail.com

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  13. tweet; http://twitter.com/#!/fredalicious/status/45897867407261696

    freda.mans[at]gmail.com

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  14. Very nice review! I lived at home for three months after being away at college for two years. It was awkward and felt like a giant step backwards; I couldn't wait to get out!!

    Thank you so much for the lovely review and for being on the tour. We really appreciate it.

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  15. Yes! Stayed home until I was 29 (!) and now that I am married, we have had to live with my mom-in-law for the last two years...it's been interesting...

    Count me in on the giveaway!
    Thanks:)
    Renee.Soriano@caltech.edu

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  16. Just shared on FB:)
    Thanks again,
    Renee

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  17. I haven't lived at home since I first moved out. Itt would drive me nuts to have to share a space with my parents now!

    dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. I follow with GFC

    dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. I've never lived at home as an adult.

    strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. I follow via GFC

    strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. I'm not entering because my tbr stack is far too high! But this does sound interesting. I have one 20 year old living at home right now and I know how unsettled he is.

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  22. I'm currently living at home as an adult. My parents are pretty easy to get along with (and I do pay rent), but I'm hoping to move on soon.

    ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

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  23. no, i've never lived at home since college...although i do enjoy visiting often :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  24. i'm a follower (and subscriber, too)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  25. Yes, I lived at home since i've been an adult. Thankful that they were there for me.

    kyfaithw@aol.com

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  26. Sometimes quiet memoirs are what you need, and this sounds like a perfect choice for when I'm in that mood. I'll add it to the TBR, thanks for the review!

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