Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.

Friday, March 19, 2010

This One is Mine - New Book Giveaway!


This One is Mine
by Maria Semple


Violet Parry is living the quintessential life of luxury in the Hollywood Hills with David, her rock-and-roll manager husband, and her darling toddler, Dot. She has the perfect life--except that she's deeply unhappy. David expects the world of Violet but gives little of himself in return. When she meets Teddy, a roguish small-time bass player, Violet comes alive, and soon she's risking everything for the chance to find herself again. Also in the picture are David's hilariously high-strung sister, Sally, on the prowl for a successful husband, and Jeremy, the ESPN sportscaster savant who falls into her trap.


I hope you utilize this great reading group guide:

1. In many ways, this is a very “LA” story. To what extent do you think the characters’ attitudes and actions are shaped by Los Angeles? Could you see this story taking place anywhere else?

2. How does the title, “This One Is Mine,” interplay with the story? The poem at the beginning of the book opens with the image of a slave block. Are any of the characters in the book “enslaved” in a way?

3. In the first chapter, David is upset with Violet for what he perceives to be her lack of interest in maintaining the household. Is his anger justified?

4. What does Violet find sad about Los Angeles? Where do you think this sadness stems from?

5. What do you think about Sally’s friendship with Maryam? Why does Maryam put up with her?

6. Why do you think Violet is drawn to Teddy? What makes her risk “losing everything,” as David puts it?

7. Los Angeles could be said to be a city of ambition. How do the characters’ ambitions relate to one another’s? What fuels those ambitions, and when do they get out of control?

8. In some ways, Sally seems to want everything that Violet has: a successful husband, financial security, a nice house, and classy friends. Do you think Sally would be happy if she suddenly had everything she wanted? What similarities to you see in Sally and Violet?

9. Conversely, do you see any similarities between David and Jeremy?

10. Teddy seems to have a set of problems that make Violet’s (and everyone else’s) pale in comparison. Do you think Violet is drawn to him because of or in spite of these traits?

11. What do you think of Sally and Jeremy’s relationship? Do you think there is a way that it could have worked out?

12. Why is Violet happy when Sally tells her that she never really liked her?

13. At the end of the book, Violet, Sally, and David all go to visit Teddy in the hospital. In what ways did Teddy’s entrance in their lives bring them all together? How would this story have turned out differently if Violet had never met him at the health fair?

14. In Leo Tolstoy’s classic, Anna Karenina, Anna is miserable in a loveless marriage and recklessly succumbs to her desire for the dashing Vronsky. What similarities do you see between Tolstoy’s novel and This One Is Mine?

15. What other books did this one remind you of? What was similar or different about them?

You can connect with Maria on Facebook.
http://www.mariasemple.com/index.html

Listen to Blogtalk radio interview with Maria

Giveaway

I have three copies of this paperback book to giveaway courtesy of Hachette Books. For your first entry (MUST DO THIS ONE FOR ANY OTHER ENTRIES TO COUNT) I found this to be an interesting cover - what did you think of when you saw it? Oh - and leave your email address.

For additional entries you can sign up to follow (old followers let me know), Twitter or post it on your blog. Each entry must have it's own comment. (Four entries total.)

This giveaway if for U.S./Canada only - no PO boxes and will end Apr 10!

60 comments:

enyl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
enyl said...

On first glance I thought of a chocolate cupcake,on second glance I determined that it was a piece of chocolatein a cupcake holder.

I'm thinking that the character is claiming something that she desires, perhaps an indulgence for herself--possibly indulging her self is an act of selfishness.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

GFC follower.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

Following on twitter.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

Tweeted.
twitter.com@enylstil#forme
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

Simply Stacie said...

First thought was mmmmm chocolate!

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Simply Stacie said...

old follower

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

scottsgal said...

I always do a double take at chocolate but reading the premise of this book - not sure what that means to the storyline except maybe the forbidden
msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

already a follower
msboatgal at aol.com

Edna said...

my first impression of the book cover is the chocolate and what that has to do with the book, make my mouth water. LOL


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Colleen Turner said...

I like the cover, because, when thinking about something being just for you, you think of it being sweet, small and contained (maybe something you can hide). The sweet on the cover makes me think of that.
Thanks,
Colleen
candc320@gmail.com

Edna said...

I am an old follower on google


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Colleen Turner said...

Hi!
I am going to sign up to follow you through google connect and Facebook if able.
Thanks,
Colleen

Edna said...

I have your link on my blog http://edna-myfavoritethings.blogspot.com/





mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

The Book Chick said...

I love how simple the cover is. In fact, that's what drew me to it in the first place! Never underestimate the power of a good-looking cover!

jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

The Book Chick said...

I am an "old" follower!

jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

The Book Chick said...

I tweeted! Well, retweeted. My twitter info is @jonitabookchick.

jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

LuAnn said...

This book sounds so much like a friend of mine ... I just have to read it!

reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com

LuAnn said...

I'm an {old} follower!

reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com

Benita said...

My first thought was a cupcake, my second, chocolate, and my third, who wouldn't claim chocolate or sweets for themselves?

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I'm an old follower.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Martha Lawson said...

This is a very eye-catching cover! My first thought was it's probably a cookbook of some kind!!

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

I am an old follower!

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Go on and enter me, babe! I blogged about this at Win a Book (thanks for the e-mail), of course.

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Okay... what I thought of the cover? Mmm. I want one.

Seriously.

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

And of course I'm an old follower!

rubynreba said...

My first thought was how pretty the cover was - so simple but striking. It really made me wonder what the book was about.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I am an old follower.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Teresa said...

I am not sure....It doesn't seem to fit with the synopsis
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

Teresa said...

I am an old follower
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

HockeyGoddess said...

I love the cover...it of course made me want a little treat, but it was bright and cute and most definitely would catch my attention in a book store!

I stumbled onto your blog from another blog and I think it's great. I'm working up the nerve to start my own book-related blog, but for now I'm just checking out all of the wonderful blogs out there!

Please enter me in your contest. My email is booklover@myself.com.

Thanks & keep up the fun blogging:)

Pam said...

I looked at this cover, saw the chocolate and thought "I have to read this book!" It looks scrumptious!
\
melacan at hotmail odt com

traveler said...

The cover is very appealing and attractive in a clean and crisp way. Thanks for this giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Katrina said...

It is definitely interesting....I don't know if I like it but it did catch my eye

ykatrina at hotmail dot com

Katrina said...

I follow

ykatrina at hotmail dot com

ossmcalc said...

The cover reminded me that this piece is probably the best looking piece of chocolate in the bunch - something sinful and indulgent.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I am one of your old followers.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/10860493340

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Debbie F said...

At first I thought it was a cook book.

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I follow on google reader!
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

i'm a subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Karin said...

Makes me think there will be some recipes in the book when I see a fancy chocolate like that on the cover--

karin56381 (at) gmail.com

Cheryl said...

When I saw the cover I thought "oh chocolate, yum!". Please enter me.
cherylbaryl@Hotmail.com

Cheryl said...

I left a comment and I am a follower
cherylbaryl@Hotmail.com

Linda Kish said...

I thought of something simple yet indulgent at the same time.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

nfmgirl said...

I like this cover best. I don't care for the other one that I've seen.

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Sophia said...

At first glance, I immediately thought of those teenage girl books. Well, more specifically, I thought of the cover of "This Lullaby" by Sarah Dessen. Even thought the covers don't look alike, I thought of that book somehow. Anyway, my thoughts were off on the actual content of this book but this book sounds awesome! Thanks for the opportunity and I hope I win!


mashimaro401[at]yahoo[dot]com

suzie said...

I like the simplicity of the cover
9oofus(at)gmail(dot)com

suzie said...

old follower
9oofus(at)gmail(dot)com

suzie said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/suzquiz/status/11733705832
9oofus(at)gmail(dot)com

suzie said...

blogged
http://suzquiz.blogspot.com/2010/04/booksandneedlepoint-book-giveway.html
9oofus(at)gmail(dot)com

Anita Yancey said...

I think the cover is pretty, the way it's laid out and the colors they used. But it makes me want to go get something to eat. Love to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

Old Follower!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

ossmcalc said...

When I first saw this cover, I thought about how my dad would pick out the best looking dessert before they were served, and then put his finger in one and say, "This one is mine."

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I am a follower of your blog.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/11811803975

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Darcie K. said...

I love the cover. Simple and clean.
dmkayes@gmail.com

CherylS22 said...

I like the cover. Knowing the main character is Violet, the purple flower is appropriate. But, I have no idea what the truffle means!

Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

GFC follower
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

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