They’re at it again! Hachette Audio is giving away THREE copies of Susan Jane Gilman’s Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven. This abridged audiobook is read by the author herself … listen to an excerpt.
Here’s a tease from the publisher:
In 1986, Susie and her friend Chloe, fresh-faced graduates from Brown University, were inspired by a placemat entitled “Pancakes of Many Nations” to depart on an epic trip around the world, starting with Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China, then only recently opened to the rest of the world. As the two ventured into what turned out to be a strange and alien land, they encountered places far different from anything they had ever experienced, from the horrors of an open-ditch toilet in the back of a weird hybrid tenement hotel, to a magical boat ride through a fantastic landscape of wind-carved mountains. At every turn, they stumbled upon unforgettable people, including an earnest local who called himself George and loved everything American from hamburgers to Stevie Wonder, a heroic German exchange student named Eckehardt Grimm, and a young waitress named Lisa in an unlikely restaurant in the middle of rural China that specialized in food for weary travelers, such as pancakes and pizza, “just like their mama make.”
Armed only with Nietzsche’s greatest works and a copy of Linda Goodman’s Love Signs, Susie and Chloe were utterly unprepared for their expedition, and their experience alternated between culture shock and exotic adventure, until a near-tragedy turned the trip into a true-life international thriller. Recounted in Susan Jane Gilman’s inspired and unmistakable voice, this adventure is an unforgettable voyage into a peculiarly modern heart of darkness.
I’m definitely an armchair traveler these days; I’m looking forward to living vicariously through this memoir … are you?
To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below, recommending another personal memoir to me, one you enjoyed or would like to read. I’ll build my reading/listening list, and you’ll have a chance at one of the audiobooks. On Monday April 13 I’ll pull the names of three winners from all entries received by midnight on April 12. Open to residents of the US and Canada only; no P.O. Boxes.
update: congratulations to the winners! This post is now closed to comments.
Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net
One memoir that I would like to read (eventually!!) is “Why We Suck” by Denis Leary…I understand it is biting and cynical
Thanks for the contest!!
Anna
I enjoyed A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers (my review). I also thought that Jesus Land by Julia Scheeres was a good memoir, although the topic matter was pretty depressing (my review).
My favorite memoirs of the past year include Beautiful Boy, by David Sheff and My Father’s Paradise by Ariel Sabar. And after hearing Susan speak this weekend I would so love to hear her read the whole book!
I read a memoir years ago and I had all of my girls read it while they were growing up. It’s called, Ryan White In My Own Words. Ryan was a hemophiliac and got AIDS as a result of the blood product he used.
Its a first hand account of his life and I believe its one that everyone should read.
Thanks
I’d recommend DON’T LETS GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT, and the follow-up, SCRIBBLING THE CAT, both by Alexandra Fuller. They are definitely unique (and very, very good).
I’m a huge audio book fan so I’d definitely love to win this. Thanks for the contest.
I LOVE memoirs and audiobooks, so I am really excited for this giveaway!
Another travel memoir I loved was Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman.
I loved “The Color of Water” by James McBride.
Thanks for the contest!
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls. I know, it was a made-for-tv movie not long ago – but the book is better. The story is one of angst and shame turned into pride and acceptance. We are who we are, not who people think we should be.
I’ve begun traveling on the road and am looking for quality audio books – this looks like a winner!
Two memoirs I loved were The Road from Coorain and True North, both by Jill Ker Conway. Beautiful writing. I actually read this posting by you yesterday and tried and tried to think of the titles but couldn’t. Suddenly, today, there the title of one of them was, right in the front of my brain. The brain’s kind of wacky, isn’t it? Thanks for the giveaway!
audacity of hope
I’ve enjoyed Jen Lancaster’s books, especially Bitter Is The New Black.
Thanks!
would love to read the book
Home Before Dark by Susan Cheever is one I read and enjoyed.
Thank you!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
THE GURU LOOKED GOOD by Marta Szabo is my recommendation.
Thanks for having this giveaway.
roylsue(at)telpage(dot)net
The glass castle was a rewarding experience. This audiobool sounds equally engaging.
Eileen
wiseowlreviews@aol.com