Book Beginnings (And My First EVER Giveaway)

August 31, 2012 by pictureperfectcooking

Welcome to a very special edition of Book Beginnings for me. I usually post a book review every other Friday to link up at Rose City Reader, but thanks to a giveaway hosted by Ms. Rose City, I have a very special book to tell you about today. I won a copy of “even if I am.” by Chasity Glass a couple of weeks ago and I just have to tell you about it. Here is the first line:

"People are really romantic about the beginning of things."

How true is that? Whether it is an actual romance, a new job, or a new home, most people are hopeful and romantic at the beginning of any big new endeavor. To be honest, if I had really paid attention to what this book was about, I might not have even entered the giveaway, but I am so glad I did. Someone very close to Ms. Glass is diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and this is their story dealing with this hideous disease and their lives around it.

My mother died two and a half years ago from ovarian cancer and she was at stage 3 when she was diagnosed three years before that. She was my best friend and I am still dealing with the grief and disbelief that she is no longer here on earth with me. Reading this story brought back so many memories, both good and bad, and moved me to tears multiple times. Ms. Glass’s writing is so honest and funny and poignant…I could just go on and on. I also loved the fact that a lot of the book is actual e-mails that Ms. Glass and her love sent back and forth to one another. It makes it seem like you are right there with them and can feel the growing love that they have for each other.

This book is wonderful and I highly recommend it, but be aware that it is a very honest portrayal of dealing with cancer and everything that comes along with it. Ms. Glass, I commend you for telling such an honest and loving story. Great job!

Now, for the giveaway! I am so thrilled and honored to have this opportunity. Ms. Glass and her people are giving away another 3 copies of “even if I am.” to my readers. Isn’t that awesome! This is my first giveaway EVER, so here goes…today is August 31st so everyone that comments between today and Wednesday, September 5th will be entered in a drawing for these books. I will randomly pick three people to receive the freebies and announce them on next Friday’s Book Beginnings post. Please, please comment because you might win a wonderful book that I hope you will love as much as I did. Also, make sure you leave an e-mail address so I have a way to contact you if you win. Good luck!!

Posted in Books | Tagged Book Beginnings, Books, Chasity Glass, Even If I Am., Rose City Reader | 16 Comments

16 Responses

on August 31, 2012 at 7:23 am | Reply laurelrainsnow

This one sounds like an emotional, yet inspirational read. Thanks for sharing.

Here’s MY FRIDAY MEMES POST
on August 31, 2012 at 10:31 am | Reply Sandy Nachlinger

Thanks so much for introducing me to this author and her book. My mom died from ovarian cancer too, so I understand how devastating that disease is. Although this book might be hard to read, it sounds like it would be a positive story too.
My beginning is from The Roots of the Olive Tree.
Email: sannach@gmail.com
on August 31, 2012 at 11:09 am | Reply Chris

Sounds like a rough read. That opening is very true, though. That’s why fairy tales and romantic comedies always end with a wedding.

Here’s my Book Beginning Post.
on August 31, 2012 at 11:19 am | Reply Rebecca

That book sounds like a wonderful read
Rebeccaann@bellsouth.net
on August 31, 2012 at 12:37 pm | Reply Li @ rulethewaves.net

That’s so true. Sounds like an interesting but tough read. Thanks for sharing it and for dropping by my blog earlier =)
on August 31, 2012 at 1:25 pm | Reply Amberber

I hope it’s a good read. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
on August 31, 2012 at 4:12 pm | Reply Chasity Glass

Thank you for your thoughtful book review, and sharing the story of your mother. My heart goes out to you.
on August 31, 2012 at 5:36 pm | Reply kesha

Thank you for the book review and for sharing about your Mother. Congratulations on your first giveaway!
on August 31, 2012 at 6:13 pm | Reply KenzieB

I like it. Thanks for sharing!

Here’s my Book Beginning:
http://thereadingkorner.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-sneak-like-beginning-book-beginnings.html
on August 31, 2012 at 6:50 pm | Reply Jo @ Mixed Book Bag

My Mother died a year ago from cancer that was diagnosed too late. She was 91 but if it had been caught early she could have had even more years. Just reading your post brought tears. Thanks for sharing.
- on August 31, 2012 at 8:19 pm | Reply pictureperfectcooking
  
  I am so sorry about your mom. Mine was only 52 when she was diagnosed and was 3 days shy of her 56th birthday when she passed.
on August 31, 2012 at 11:41 pm | Reply rosecityreader

Wow! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Of course I had no idea that this book would touch you so personally when I hosted the giveaway, but I am glad it turned out to be a good experience.

Good luck with your first giveaway! Don’t enter me, obviously, since we would enter a never ending giveaway swirl. But I hope you get many people interested and spread the word for this book.
on September 1, 2012 at 2:16 am | Reply Barbara

I am sorry for your loss. We experienced a very similar loss; knowing doesn’t make it any easier but being there from beginning to end enabled our loved one to love everyday and say what he wanted to tell us all.
on September 1, 2012 at 3:54 am | Reply mostraum

I don’t know if I’ll read it, but it has a lovely beginning.
on September 5, 2012 at 12:09 pm | Reply Angela- The Southern Fried Bride

Congrats on your first giveaway! What a wonderful, uplifting book I would love to win!
on September 5, 2012 at 2:17 pm | Reply Trisha

What an inspirational book to read and win!