If you wanted to journal the life and influence of your mother, how would you go about imprinting those memories?
Wall Street Journal reporter Katherine Rosman decided to carry on the memory of her mother, Suzy, by penning a memoir centered around her: If You Knew Suzy.
Suzy Rosin was a multi-faceted lady. An avid shopper of both wearable fashion and designer glassware, a semi-professional golfer, and a Pilates instructor extraordinaire are just a few of the hats Suzy wore.
The impressions she left on her daughters, Katherine and Lizzie, were evident and obvious….but the impression and impact she left on others? Those twists and turns were yet to be discovered.
As Katherine began to research her mother’s history and investigate her past, she came across numerous individuals who had been influenced, touched, and inspired by her mom in various capacities. She began to learn things about her own mother that she never knew. Though it was unfortunate that she was learning many of these secrets after her mother’s death from cancer, finding out about these relationships and connections drew her closer to her mom and gave her a new and renewed respect for her — despite her presence being already gone.
There is humor within this memoir — as is evident in the therapy for the two sisters that they labeled PMS (postmortem shopping) and the hilarious and often quirky Ebay habits Suzy held.
But there are also very real, very vivid pictures of what it’s like to go through the suffering and pain of losing someone to cancer. The ICU is described as a surrealistic microcosm. The ever-present struggle to maintain an open dialogue and frank relationship with doctors and specialists is raw and realistic.
This memoir celebrates the life of and questions the untimely death of a very dear mother. It is poetically written and, for me, was difficult to put down.
You can purchase this new memoir, If You Knew Suzy, at bookstores near you for $25.99…or order it directly from HarperCollins.
Win it! Thanks to HarperCollins, one of you can win your own copy of If You Knew Suzy by Katherine Rosman.
Here’s how to enter:
1) MANDATORY: Tell me, in a comment below, another title from HarperCollins you’d love to read.
2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.
3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.
4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered!
I’ll close the contest next Thursday, May 20th, 2010 at 11pm EST. Sorry; US addresses only. Good luck!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Congratulations to the winner, commenter #13, Liza!
FTC info — Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes; however, my review was honest and my opinions are my own. I only received the product itself; I received no other monetary compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
dianad (2 years ago)
Act like a Lady, Think Like a Man sounded like a book that would be insightful. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway
dianad (2 years ago)
I am an email subscriber. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway
Barbara Camp (2 years ago)
If you have to Cry go Outside, would be the next book I would read. My mother in law has alzheimers. the book you are featuring would make a great scrapbook idea for her legacy.
Barbara Camp (2 years ago)
I read your blog on google reader.
Diane Baum (2 years ago)
I fyou have to Cry go Outside-My younger (41 Year old brother ) has dementia.
Diane Baum (2 years ago)
subacribed to your newletter via google
Ps. The woman who wrote this book is originally from my hometown. And spoke at a bookstore recently- very moving.
Mozi Esmes Mom (2 years ago)
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/05/if-you-knew-suzy.html
And another title I’d love is Pinkalicious!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Benita (2 years ago)
I’d like to read Red November.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Benita (2 years ago)
Email subscriber.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Kristen (2 years ago)
I want to read “So Much For That” by Lionel Shriver.
renee (2 years ago)
I would love to read The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong.
renee (2 years ago)
email subscriber
Liza (2 years ago)
You know, I’ve never read “To Kill a Mockingbird”? That would be my choice.
Thanks for the chance to win!
–Liza
ejm6x (at) yahoo (dot) com
busiemommie (2 years ago)
I’d like to get the book Cosmic Adventure for my son.
busiemommie (2 years ago)
I subscribe via email
erma (2 years ago)
I’d also like the Dragon Haven.
Ed Nemmers (2 years ago)
“Jesus, Interrupted” by Bart D. Ehrman is my choice!
Amy (2 years ago)
I checked the HarperCollins Top 10 and heck, I still want to read TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.
Thanks for the giveaway!
susan smoaks (2 years ago)
i would like to also read # The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls
By L. J. Smith
susan smoaks (2 years ago)
subscriber
susan smoaks (2 years ago)
fb fan tony l smoaks
Breanne (2 years ago)
I’d like to read Sailors to the End: The Deadly Fire on the USS Forrestal and the Heroes Who Fought It
susan (2 years ago)
I would love to read “Ten things I love about you” It would be uplifting!
tina reynolds (2 years ago)
I really likeAct Like a Lady, Think Like a Man
tina reynolds (2 years ago)
i subscribe thanks
tina reynolds (2 years ago)
i am a facebook fan (mrstinareynolds)
Betty C (2 years ago)
I want to read Don’t Cry Now by Joy Fielding.
Nancy (2 years ago)
From their publication list I’d also like to read Guardian of Lies by Steve Martini.
Nancy (2 years ago)
I am an e-mail subscriber.
Gianna (2 years ago)
Mariel’s Kitchen
By Mariel Hemingway
Sand (2 years ago)
I’d love to read Somewhere Inside
By Laura Ling, Lisa Ling.
Lily Kwan (2 years ago)
The Complete Book of Spirits
by Anthony Dias Blue looks very interesting!
Lily Kwan (2 years ago)
I subscribed by email.
Lily Kwan (2 years ago)
I follow you on Facebook.
Veronica Garrett (2 years ago)
I would like to read Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn.
LAMusing (2 years ago)
I’d like to read Miss Dahl’s Voluptuous Delights