I received a review copy of a book from HarperCollins called Something Like Beautiful: One Single Mother's Story, by Asha Bandele. I'd like to pass it along to an EDIWTB reader.
From Amazon:
From the author of The Prisoner's Wife, a poetic, passionate, and powerful memoir about the hard realities of single motherhood
When Asha Bandele, a young poet, fell in love with a prisoner serving a twenty-to-life sentence and became pregnant with his daughter, she had reason to hope they would live together as a family. Rashid was a model prisoner, and expected to be paroled soon. But soon after Nisa was born, Asha's dreams were shattered. Rashid was denied parole, and told he'd be deported to his native Guyana once released. Asha became a statistic: a single, black mother in New York City.
On the outside, Asha kept it together. She had a great job at a high-profile magazine and a beautiful daughter whom she adored. But inside, she was falling apart. She began drinking and smoking and eventually stumbled into another relationship, one that opened new wounds. This lyrical, astonishingly honest memoir tells of her descent into depression when her life should have been filled with love and joy. Something Like Beautiful is not only Asha's story, but the story of thousands of women who struggle daily with little help and much against them, and who believe they have no right to acknowledge their pain. Ultimately, drawing inspiration from her daughter, Asha takes account of her life and envisions for herself what she believes is possible for all mothers who thought there was no way out--and then discovered there was.
The Washington Post reviewed Something Like Beautiful today - you can read it here.
If you'd like to read Something Like Beautiful, leave me a comment here with your email address. I will pick a name at random on Tuesday. January 27.
Sorry but What does EDIWTB mean?
I love reading memoirs and this one sounds good. Do enter me if international.
Posted by: violet | January 23, 2009 at 01:29 AM
I'd love to read this!
bookingmama(at)comcast(dot)net
Posted by: Julie P. | January 23, 2009 at 07:12 AM
I'd love to read and review this book.
ramyasbookshelf(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by: Ramya | January 23, 2009 at 09:24 AM
I'd love a chance to read this book. Thanks!
Posted by: Amy Weiswasser | January 23, 2009 at 10:46 AM
My book club is looking for a good memoir for the summer. I'd love to preview this for them.
Posted by: Lisa | January 23, 2009 at 11:09 AM
This looks very interesting. I'd love to read it.
thereedfamily[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Posted by: Ti | January 23, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Love memoirs - especially about strong female people!
Posted by: Robin | January 23, 2009 at 03:07 PM
This looks like a great read & I'm intrigued. Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
Posted by: Lisa C. | January 23, 2009 at 09:25 PM
Recently I've been looking for books by West Indian writers. I'd love to read this memoir!
Posted by: Kori | January 23, 2009 at 10:09 PM
This book looks great; I'd love to win it.
Posted by: nomadreader | January 23, 2009 at 10:41 PM
This looks excellent. Please put my name in the hat. Thanks!
Posted by: Sarah | January 23, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Hi Gayle,
I love trying on another's shoes and this book would provide so much insight into a life I am not familiar with!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com
Posted by: Darby Lohrding | January 24, 2009 at 12:03 AM
I would love to read this book. I enjoy reading memoirs and this sounds like a good one!
Posted by: Jessica | January 24, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I'm looking for a memoir for my book club and this sounds perfect! A powerful story.
You give me such great ideas for reading - I refer to your site often.
Posted by: mari partyka | January 25, 2009 at 09:32 PM