Monday contest: Two marvelous memoirs
I have a hunch that in the coming weeks, you may find yourself dealing with families and . . . hotels. Am I right? The authors of these two new memoirs can relate.
You will not be able to put down Heads in Beds, a Kitchen Confidential-style memoir of the hospitality industry. After he worked in hotel jobs ranging from front desk agent to housekeeping manager to valet, Jacob Tomsky decided to give the low-down on what really goes on in hotels. Tomsky is a spirited writer and his story is both fun and fascinating. But you’ll also love the tips on avoiding a same-day cancellation penalty, finagling free snacks from the mini bar and getting upgrades from the front desk agent.
We interviewed Tomsky for our December issue. Read the interview here for more scoop on Heads in Beds.
In Elsewhere, Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Russo writes poignantly about his relationship with his mother. We interviewed Russo for the December issue, too. Here’s what he had to say about this project:
“My mother’s story seemed important both in terms of the private, intimate mother-son story and in terms of its broader cultural and political context. She was part of the World War II generation and what happened to her is very much an American story and a story about the changes that were taking place in America as she grew into her maturity.”
Read the full conversation here.
Both of these fabulous memoirs could be yours! Here’s how:
TO ENTER: Tell us about your favorite memoir in the comments.
CONTEST DETAILS: One winner will be chosen by random.org from among entries received by 4 pm CST on Friday, November 23. The winner will receive the two (2) memoirs pictured in this post. Prize must be shipped to a North American address, and Rhode Island residents are not eligible. (Full contest rules here.) Good luck!
—
ETA: Congrats to our winner, Terri, whose favorite memoir is “Dean Koontz’s marvelous story of his golden retriever, Trixie.”
Thanks to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
61 Responses to Monday contest: Two marvelous memoirs
My favorite memoir is ‘Breakfast with Tiffany,’ Ed Wintle’s tale of the coming-of-age of his teenaged niece, Tiffany, and of himself!
I am a sucker for hollywood memoirs and will read almost anyones. Then Again by Diane Keaton was a favorite.
I like anything by Ruth Reichl!
I really liked The Glass Castle.
Lots of favorites in memoirs but I guess my favorite is Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Wells (and her first one The Glass Castle)
I really enjoyed that one too. Can you imagine a 15 year old GIRL going out on her own back then espcially? Or even today!?
I just finished “This Life is in Your Hands: One Dream, Sixty Acres, and a Family Undone” by Melissa Coleman I really enjoyed it. Some other favs are Holy Ghost Girl: A Memoir by Donna M Johnson, A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel, Blood, Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton and Wild by Cheryl Strayed
I enjoyed Personal History
by Katharine Graham.
I really liked Molly Wizenberg’s _A Homemade Life_. She integrates love, grief, and recipes that meld seamlessly with her subjects. Well-written and life-affirming.
My favorite memoir is “The Road from Coorain” by Jill Ker Conway. It is a great and inspirational book.
I recently read Wild by Cheryl Strayed and loved it.
I really, really loved By The Iowa Sea by Joe Blair.
Mark Vonnegut’s “The Eden Express”
I liked Losing Mum and Pup by Christopher Buckley. The giveaway books sound great!
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
I love The Glass Castle:)
I loved Unbroken. A harrowing story but it helped put my insignificant daily worries into context.
Katie
I liked the book about Fran Drescher, Enter Whining. I love her character in The Nanny and her book was precious. I feel for the troubles she had with cancer and was glad she overcame it and many obstacles.
My favorite memoir, so far, is The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wahls. An amazing woman with a startling family.
The last memoir I read was Rod Stewart’s autobiography and it was good.
I also read an advance copy of With or Without You: A Memoir by Domenica Ruta. It is awesome and I think fans of Jeanette Walls will really like it. It should be published in February.
I don’t know what my all-time favorite is, but the most recent one that I read and really enjoyed was Mindy Kaling’s “Is Everyone Hanging out without Me”? Hilarious! The picture on the back cover is priceless.
My favorite was A Lucky Child by Thomas Buergenthal
I love A Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs. It’s about his relationship with his abusive father and is sometimes terrifying mixed with his dry humor. Also, the audiobook is great and he got Ingrid Michaelson to perform a song based on the memoir that is easily one of my favorites.
Angela’s Ashes was my favorite memoir; it made me cry, laugh, and do both at the same time. The feelings from that book stayed with me for a long time.
A memoir that was memorable and special was Stuffed by Patricia Volk.
november memoir favorite really contest
for its contents. This is a safe-cache copy of the original web site.