Three Memoirists, One Big Book Giveaway
TRY SOME HOSPITALITY, I always say, and when I do, the students in my memoir class frequently look a little stunned. They’re not in the room to learn etiquette, after all, so why would I mention the h-word? Simple: You cannot write memoir without it. Or didn’t you know that? It’s one of the many tactics I describe in my new book, The Memoir Project: A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text for Writing & Life. A little more on hospitality, and a chance to win one of six copies in a giveaway this week with two memoirist “sisters:”
I’m talking about being hospitable to your work, and that begins with taking notes. To do so, you need to get in the habit of carrying an index card in each pocket. That way, you can capture what you see, hear and remember. This does not require an expensive digital recorder, leather notebook or Cartier pen. That’s showing off. Being hospitable begins with the tools you need for writing what you know—index cards, notebooks, pens—and then paying attention to the goods, the scenes from your life you will choose among to illustrate your argument.
Argument, you say? Hold the phone. Can we be hospitable and still argue?
We can, and we must.
Consider the work of the women with whom I am running this book giveaway, Katrina Kenison and Margaret Roach. Both accomplished memoirists, they each have an argument, both of which are revealed from the moment you read their books’ titles. Katrina’s great memoir, The Gift of An Ordinary Day, and Margaret’s gorgeous And I Shall Have Some Peace There, both argue for the ability to find happiness, peace, and even some great provocation, right in your own back yard. Just like Dorothy’s red shoes, these writers both argue in their books, you already possess what you need to thrive. The gift is to see it that way. Would you like to see their arguments in a beautiful format? Katrina’s video is a fine, joyful persuasion to embrace her train of thought; Margaret’s book trailer conveys her argument beautifully.
And what a fine argument it is.
How to learn to find an argument worth making amid the enormous story that is your life?
Well, I said be hospitable, but I’m not going to give it all away away here. For more, I hope you’ll read my new book.
How to Win 1 of 6 Copies of
The Memoir Project
MARGARET, KATRINA AND I are each giving away two copies of my new book The Memoir Project: A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text for Writing & Life, and all you have to do to win is comment, answering the question:
What memoir that you have read mattered to you, and why?
Copy and paste your comment onto all three of our blogs to triple your chances of winning—again, each of us has two copies to share, and we’ll all draw winners at random (using the tool at random dot org) after entries close at midnight Saturday, June 18.
- Here.
- On Margaret’s book blog.
- And on Katrina Kenison’s, author of “The Gift of an Ordinary Day,” whose message has been heard not just in print but by nearly 1.6 million YouTube viewers so far.
Now we are pretty flexible, we three, so even if you don’t want to name a book, or have a title but not a reason why, that’s OK. Simply say, “I want to win,” or “Count me in” or some such, and your entry will be official. But remember: copy and paste it on all three blogs at the links bulleted above. Good luck! (And we can’t wait to see the booklist you help generate with your replies.)
A memoir-type book that was really important to me is “Reading Between the LInes” by Betty Jane Wylie. She’s actually looking at the diaries of women and how they evolved over the centuries. It’s fascinating to see history through these intimate moments.
My favorite memoir in recent years is Amy Grant’s _Mosaic._ She really gets honest, sharing pictures of her life in different stages of her growing up years and her adulthood, the breakdown of a marriage and the struggles and joys of a second marriage, loss of loved ones to cancer, etc., and even just simple yet breathtaking experiences in life. I cried in some very unexpected places.
I enjoy reading the memoir genre, and as I’ve gone through the comments, realized that my, I read a lot of memoirs! As a parent of young children (years ago), I loved Mitten Strings for God and gave it as a gift to many of my friends. Gift From the Sea will always be a favorite and again, gifted to others often.
The Glass Castle hit me. I too came from a difficult background and rose to success, basically raising myself. I felt for the first time that it’s okay to admit my background, to “own” it and not to fear it.
And Joan Didion’s Year of Magical Thinking has stayed with me. Wonderful writing and a true story of life, in all its movements.
I would love to win your book. And even if I don’t, I’ll definitely be buying it!
Thank you!
The first memoir that came to mind was “The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller. She was my childhood hero. It’s a bit odd because she had just graduated college when she wrote it–but she’d already had such an unusual life. She describes what it’s like to be blind and deaf so well.
(Margaret, I haven’t read your memoir yet, but it’s in my TBR pile!)
I want to read this book because I’m a writer flailing about for something to write, having become disillusioned (if that’s the right word) with writing sf/fantasy. Thank you!
Oh, how i would love to win one of these books……….I love to read…….this is my kind of reading.
I liked Corrie Ten Boom’s memoir, because it is moving.
“The Liar’s Club” by Mary Karr, “The Glass Castle” by Jeanette Walls and “Autobiography of a Face” by Lucy Grealy – three very different women with very unusual lives who struggled with their circumstances but never let their imaginations and creativity die.
In one of those crystal clear moments of hindsight, I realized I attributed the wrong author to my memoir recommendation. It should be Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. My apologies…
Half Empty by David Rakoff… Simply amazing use of language – totally absorbing.
Out of Africa… because I found a kindred spirit there.
I would love to win Marion’s book. Since I began writing a blog, I’ve become more fascinated with writing and have found it is a new love that I wish to nuture. I am such a novice that a great map (e.g. Marion’s book) would be just what I need. My husband encourages me to write a memoir as do friends. At times I think that I don’t have anything interesting to say but that is just my self doubt until I jump into the act. “Madame Secretary” by Madeline Albright, was a very meaningful memoir because she is a hero to me. She accomplished so much from her personal drive, ambition and desire to have a meaningful life yet she started out with many disadvantages especially for a female of her time. She gives me hope and I admire her all around. I loved your book, Margaret, and recommended to friends. You picked me up and took me right into your life from the first chapter. I found it compelling and delightful. Reading has always been a beloved part of my life and I appreciate that you share books that you enjoy. Since I am a devoted gardener and reader, you’re my kind of gal. Keep up the great work.
Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is an amazing account of one family’s attempts to walk softly on the planet and to eat locally.
A Three Dog Life, by Abigail Thomas is a memoir of loss and of incredible courage.
Is anyone but me scribbling down lots of memoir titles so they can check them out??
The memoir that matters most to me is the one my husband, Charlie, is writing, tentatively titled “How Did I Ever Do All This?” He’s been participating for 3 “semesters” in a class here in our [new] home town and just yesterday, the 9 students participated in a public reading at our local library.
His piece was about his relationship with his father and how he transformed it from the abused son who grew big enough to stop it, the years & years of wary tolerance of each other that followed, to loving and acknowledging each other and being affectionate and comfortable together for the ten years after that remained of his dad’s life. He misses him from love, rather than anger and righteousness. It took my husband 2 years to write it.
I learn so much from his courage, his openness, and his totally present voice. His stories are shared with honest wonder.
What a treat to win Marion’s book so I will take my chances and give it a try. What comes to mind as a favorite memoir is of course The Gift Of An Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison but there are so many and each one is unique a special to me. I love all of Ruth Reichl’s books but first got hooked with Tender At The Bone. A very inspirational memoir written with the help of Kitty Crenshaw is The Hidden Life. The Glass Castle,The Gift Of The Sea, and let’s not forget At Home In The World by Joyce Maynard, and anything by Anne LaMottt So many lovely stories of courageous women who have paved the way and continue to inspire us yet to make our mark.
Count me in, I would love to win. I, too, loved The Glass Castle and Angela’s Ashes and others mentioned, but two of my recent favorites are Lucette Lagnado’s The Man the White Sharkskin Suit: A jewish family’s exodus from old Cairo to the new world – evoking Egypt in the 40’s and 50’s, especially interesting in light of the recent political changes in that country; and Mildred Armstrong Kalish’s Little Heathens: Hard times and high spirits on an Iowa farm during the great depression.
Memoirs are one of my favorite forms of reading enjoyment. I have read Margaret’s of course, but another one that really hit the spot this spring was The Chicken Chronicles, by the great Alice Walker. I felt right at home with her praise to her chickens! Another one I just finished is Reading Women: How the Great Books in Feminism Changed my Life by Stephanie Staal which takes me back to my wonderful Feminist Roots (I am a Second Wave Feminist – note the caps please!) I also adored Agatha Christie’s Autobiography. Like many who have posted here, I could go on and on! I like memoirs that challenge me, feed my curiosity, and leave me feeling better educated with a deeper understanding than when I started. OH, another one, lesser known, Betty Auchard’s Home for the Friendless, which follows her dynamic memoir of widowhood, Dancing in my Nightgown…
Oh so tough to name a favorite… I guess Linda Ellerbee’s Take Big Bites. Life, travel and a recipe for each chapter. Love it.
Dani Shapiro’s Devotion was heaven to me. Loved how she blended her story and her questioning spirituality. Gorgeous.
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky is a novel set in Paris in 1940 describing the lives, the human drama, the chaos caused by Nazi invasion, the flight from Paris, then German occupation. (I know you are thinking a novel? I’m asking for a memoir!) The novel was published 64 years after the author died in Auschwitz. It is a miracle that the book was ever published. The book has two Appendices. The first appendix includes the authors notes as she developed and wrote the book, notes on the situation in France. In the second appendix are letters written between 1936 – 1945; letters to her publishers, letters to people who help her avoid arrest, letters written by her husband after her arrest, letters concerning her two daughters welfare. The book ends with the Preface to the French Edition published by Editions Denoel in 2004. After her husband was arrested, her daughters were hidden and survived. Her oldest daughter, Denise, had put her mothers’ notebook in a suitcase as she and her sister fled Issy. That suitcase wasn’t opened for many, many years until the sisters agreed to entrust it to a French organization dedicated to documenting memories of the war. Denise decided to type what she thought were her mother’s notes or a diary, instead finding a novel describing this dark period of French history. This books cuts to the very core, one that I will never forget. I am so thankful that my grandparents immigrated to America from Germany in the late 1890’s and that none of us knew first hand either side of the horror that was Nazi Germany.
Count me in! :) Thanks for all of the memoirs in one neat little comment section. I’ll be off to the library soon with my list.