GIVEAWAY: A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES

Christmas hustle and bustle got you harried?  Want to win something? For yourself?  You don't have to tell... just leave a comment below and  you'll be entered to win a copy of A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES, out in paperback this December 27.  Easier than reciting a magic spell!

Here's a bit about the book:

- Set in real, storied and historic places on the campus of Oxford University, England.
- It debuted at # 2 on the New York Times bestseller list and was published in 34 countries.
- Warner Brothers has acquired screen rights to A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES and its sequels.
- A second installment in the All Souls Trilogy, Shadow of Night, is due out in summer 2012.
- Read about the author and her works here: http://deborahharkness.com/discovery-of-witches/

THIS GIVEAWAY IS OVER.  CONGRATULATIONS TO JENNIFER.

Here's a bit about the giveaway:
- To enter, leave a comment on this post with A) Your First Name & B) Your Email in the following format  [email (at) domain (dot) com.
- Winner will be chosen via random.org.  Entries must be posted on December 30, no later than 5:00pm EST.
- Prize is one paperback copy of A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness.
- Prize will be mailed directly to the winner from the publisher.

Good luck!!

REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY: AGATHA CHRISTIE

An Autobiography

As much as I love biographies, I'm often hesitant about autobiographies.  Everyone has an interesting story -- that doesn't meant they know how to tell it.  There is no doubt Dame Agatha Christie knew how to tell a story.  Hundreds of them.  But her best may be her own.

She begins at the beginning (sort of) and tells a roughly chronological series of events.  In fact, her fanciful meanderings are part of what makes the book so endearing.  Her descriptions of late Victorian / early Edwardian society are not only priceless anthropologically, but an absolute joy to read.  The tone is light and joyful, as a small child might tell her grandmother about the fairies at the bottom of the garden.  Indeed, her young life was rather ethereal.  One of those English upbringings that one wonders if it actually ever existed.  Imagination was encouraged to run rampant and adventure was to be met head-on. 

Her observations on life itself, too, are absolute gems.  One could extract an entire philosophy from her thoughts.   While recalling her studies in Paris, she muses, "It seems to me that teaching can only be satisfactory if it awakens some response in you.  Mere information is no good, it gives you nothing more than you had before."  Or her recollections of Christmas as a child.  "After the pleasurable inertia of Christmas afternoon - pleasurable, that is, for the elders: the younger ones read books, looked at their presents, ate more chocolates and so on -- there was a terrific tea with a great idea Christmas cake as well as everything else, and finally a supper of cold turkey and hot mince pies.  About nine o'clock there was the Christmas tree, with more presents hanging on it.  A splendid day, and one to be remembered till next year, when Christmas came again."  These and other memories of dances, parties, traveling to Egypt with her husband archaeologist and trips with grandchildren are an entirely enjoyable read.  In fact, one doesn't need to be a fan of Agatha Christie or even mysteries to enjoy it.  

My review copy does not include the audio disc of Agatha's actual voice dictating her memoir.  I can only imagine it, too, is nostalgic and lovely.

In honor of this reissue from HarperCollins, we have teamed up to host a giveaway in honor of Dame Christie.  

I've got a great little prize pack:  A copy of Cards on the Table, a delightful little Hercule Poirot murder mystery surrounding a game of bridge in a strange scenario; a pack of Agatha Christie bookmarks; and a black and red Agatha Christie totebag.  (This image is not to scale -- obviously.)

So, do you want to win?  Leave a comment below with your NAME, EMAIL (at) DOT COM, and why you think you would be a good detective.  This giveaway is open to anyone with a US mailing address.  Have your comment posted before Friday, November 18, 2011 at 10:00 p.m. EST to be entered.  Winning entry will be chosen by Random.org.  

A huge thanks to Danielle at HarperCollins for the great gifts and the review copy of An Autobiography. 

_____________________________

ISBN: 9780062073594

ISBN10: 0062073591

Imprint: Harper 

On Sale: 11/22/2011

Format: Hardcover

Trimsize: 6 x 9

Pages: 544; $29.99; Ages: 18 and Up

GIVEAWAY: THE MEMOIRS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES by Sir A.C. Doyle

I don't suppose it's entirely fair for me to be reviewing a classic.  It's fairly certain that the tales of Sherlock and Watson are good.  As one who grew up on them and the Granada series (Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock), it's hard to imagine my literary memory without them.   Rereading them was a joy.  I'd forgotten how lithe and modern the writing was.  Doyle also creates such vivid characters.  Each of their voices is different.  It's no wonder than 120 years later, people are writing new stories, blockbuster films are being made and critically-accliamed television shows keep people riveted to their sets.  Not to mention, scores of people making the pilgrimage to 221B Baker Street itself (yes, I admit, I went.  And it was wonderful).  

At Sherlock's house.

Penguin Classics has reprinted this collection of stories, which includes: "Silver Blaze", " The Yellow Face", "The Stockbroker's Clerk", "The Gloria Scott", "The Musgrave Ritual", "The Reigate Squires", "The Crooked Man", "The Resident Patient", "The Greek Interpreter", "The Naval Treaty", and "The Final Problem."  You can see Doyle's growing impatience with Sherlock as he reaches fatal finale at Reichenbach Falls. Not to worry, though.  It seems Sherlock isn't going anywhere for some time.  I'm pretty protective of Sherlock, but it seems in general his inspiration has brought about some fabulous story-telling.  

To win a copy of this book is elementary.  Please leave a comment below.  Include your first name, your email (at) com address, and phrase about why you love Sherlock.  US only, please.  Winner will be chosen at random on Sept 27 2011, at 11:59PM EST.  

WIN BIG -- It's Happy Haul-idays from Chronicle Books!

It's SO easy to win.  Read about the list of items I've put together.  Leave a comment below.  If Chronicle Books picks your comment, we BOTH win up to $500 worth of great stuff in the list below!  Even if you don't win, you can always visit their website to purchase the items you just can't live without.  As a fan and customer of Chronicle Books for years, I have no qualms about recommending their products.

Since I have both a film criticism and a book criticism blog, I am combining the two interests into one enormous and amazing list which I'll call STORIES & STORYTELLERS.



For the Cinephile...

Secret Lives of Great Filmmakers, By Robert Schnakenberg $16.95
What Your Teachers Never Told You About the World's Greatest Directors

Readers will discover that:
• Charlie Chaplin's corpse was stolen and held for a 400,000£ ransom.
• Akira Kurosawa dreamed of making the ultimate Godzilla film.
• Alfred Hitchcock "lost" his belly button during abdominal surgery—and often shocked his leading ladies by flashing his curiously smooth tummy.


(I might be able to finish one of these...)
TCM Classic Movie Crossword Puzzles, By Turner Classic Movies $9.95

Foreword by Robert Osborne 7 x 9 in; 96 pp

Art of the Modern Movie Poster - International Postwar Style and Design $75.00

By Judith Salavetz, Spencer Drate, and Sam Sarowitz With text by Dave Kehr

11 x 13 in; 516 pp ; 1500 color images; b/w photos throughout

Critically authoritative, visually stunning, and physically massive, Art of the Modern Movie Poster is the first and last word on post-WWII film poster design.

Hollywood Glamour Pack, includes $27.95

Leading Men 7 x 9 in; 240 pp; 200 color and b/w photographs, paperback

Leading Ladies 7 x 9 in; 240 pp; 200 b/w and color photographs, paperback
Full of surprising trivia, film stills, posters, and stunning photos, Leading Men and Leading Ladies pays tribute to the most charismatic, enduring, and elegant actors of their time.

(A flip-book, one of four "scenes" available.)
Petit Cinéma: Bridge $4.95

From the collection of Gaumont Cinémathèque and The Museum of Modern Art 

4 x 2-1/4 in; 120 pp ; b/w photographs throughout, paperback

Picture Show $19.95

Classic Movie Posters from the TCM Archives
By Dianna Edwards, Foreword by Robert Osborne

9 x 12 in; 168 pp ; 150 color images

Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters $40.00

Defending the Earth with Ultraman, Godzilla, and Friends in the Golden Age of Japanese Science Fiction Film, By August Ragone

8-1/2 x 10-1/2 in; 208 pp ; 200 b/w and color images, hardcover

Moleskine Passions Film Journal $19.95

5 x 8-1/4 in; 240 pp; hardcover

King Kong Journal $10.95

5-9/16 x 8-3/8 in; 96 pp ; debossed cover with tip-on, 2-color throughout, hardcover

Cinescopes $14.95

What Your Favorite Movies Reveal About You By Risa Williams and Ezra Werb

5-1/2 x 7-1/2 in; 176 pp; paperback

The Action Hero's Handbook $14.95

How to Catch a Great White Shark, Perform the Jedi Mind Trick, Track a Fugitive, and Dozens of Other TV and Movie Skills
By David Borgenicht and Joe Borgenicht

5 x 7 in; 192 pp; paperback

The Action Heroine's Handbook $14.95

How to Win a Catfight, Drink Someone Under the Table, Choke a Man with Your Bare Thighs, and Dozens of Other TV and Movie Skills
By Jennifer Worick and Joe Borgenicht

5 x 7 in; 192 pp; paperback

Movies to Check Out $10.95

By the Imagineering Company

4-3/4 x 6-5/8 in; 128 pp; hardcover 

For the Bibliophile...

Lethal Vintage - A Sunny McCoskey Napa Valley Mystery $23.95

By Nadia Gordon

Lethal Vintage offers a look at what goes on in the mansions above the vines.

Ramayana - Divine Loophole $29.95

By Sanjay Patel

8-3/4 x 8 in; 208 pp; full-color images throughout
Pixar animator Sanjay Patel lends a lush, whimsical illustration style and lighthearted voice to one of Hindu mythology's best-loved and most enduring tales.

(Awesomest party game EVER)

Dracula's Heir - An Interactive Mystery $24.95

By Sam Stall 10 x 8 in; 88 pp ; interactive removable features, hardcover

As with The Crimes of Dr. Watson, Dracula's Heir features an original novella plus several removable clues, including a private journal, a death certificate, a newspaper, and more. Once you've solved the mystery, you can open the final signature (sealed at the printer) to test your sleuthing skills.

(I kinda want to try this now... )

The Englishman Who Posted Himself and Other Curious Objects $24.95 

By John Tingey

6 x 9 in; 176 pp ; 125 color and 15 b/w images, hardcover

Mysterio's Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring - A Compendium of Astonishing Illusions $24.95

By Gabe Fajuri

7-1/4 x 9 in; 368 pp; hardcover  

(For lovers of THE KINGDOM OF OHIO)

Lost States - True Stories of Texlahoma, Transylvania, and Other States That Never Made It $24.95

By Michael Trinklein

8 x 10 in; 160 pp; hardcover

And for the Bravest of All: The Writer...

Copywriting - Successful Writing for Design, Advertising, and Marketing $24.95

By Mark Shaw

7 x 10 in; 208 pp ; 100 illustrations, paperback

You Know You're a Writer When . . . $9.95

By Adair Lara

4 x 6 in; 96 pp; hardcover

(I know I could use this on my desk at times)

The Writer's Toolbox - Creative Games and Exercises for Inspiring the "Write" Side of Your Brain $24.95

By Jamie Cat Callan

6-3/4 x 9-1/4 x 2 in; hinged box, 64-page, 2-color booklet, 60 cards, 60 wooden sticks, 4 spinning palettes

Like anything on this list?  Have people on your gift list that you'd like to surprise?  Just leave a comment below!