I am trainable, despite all evidence to the contrary. If I try a book giveaway featuring a book I didn't like, and I get no takers, I will not try it again. I will, on the other hand, try a giveaway with a book I DID like, because that method succeeded last time. Trial and error, folks. If an amoeba can do it, why can't I?
I can't remember where I read about "If I Lie," a debut novel by Corrine Jackson, but I was intrigued enough to buy it. When I read the cover flap, however, my heart sank a little. Let's see, girl with a Marine boyfriend, caught kissing another boy while Carey is posted overseas, accused by everyone in her miltary town of cheating, but she's not cheating, but explaining why she's not cheating would reqire revealing a secret she's promised her boyfriend she would keep... Oy. Is this really going to be the focal point of the book - this "mystery" even an amoeba could figure out before opening to Page One?
But, fortunately, it's not. The Big Reveal comes fairly early on, and then the book gets down to its real business, which is the subject of honor - some of it in the military sense, some of it not. What is betrayal, what is honor, and can the same person be capable of both? Take Quinn's mother, for example. What is Quinn to make of her having left Quinn and her father years ago, without a second glance, to take up with Quinn's father's brother, of all people, but then to stick by Quinn's uncle through his long and awful battle with cancer? And what about George, the cranky old man Quinn's gotten to know through her work with the Veterans History Project, who has imparted to her as much as he could of his vast knowledge of photography, but who also took it upon himself to invite Quinn's estranged mother to her birthday party? And what about Quinn herself, who has fallen in love with Carey's best friend but can't tell him the reasons why they either can, or can't, be together?
The giveaway contest will run from now through next Saturday, the 22nd, at midnight. Here are the rules: leave a comment describing the most honorable thing you have ever seen a stranger - not a public figure - do. That's it. So, I guess, there's only one rule, if you want to get technical. At the end of the contest, I'll choose my favorite comment, and I will send the poster of that comment my like-new, hardcover copy of "If I Lie." So, come on! Start it up!
My husband found a guy bleeding to death in a restroom. He tried to commit suicide. Without gloves on he saves the man from bleeding to death.
ReplyDeleteHi Stacey, thanks so much for your comment, and your husband's act was truly extraordinary. Just a reminder to anyone else entering the contest, though: I did specify an act by a stranger, so a family member would not qualify.
DeleteWhen I was in high school, I went on a two week retreat at the college I would later attend. I didn't know anyone, and was rather shy. But I was always an observer of people. About halfway through the retreat, a girl that had a reputation for being standoff-ish and angry was having a breakdown. She was sitting by herself under a tree, crying like her heart was broken. Before I could decide to go talk to her and risk being yelled at, another kid did. And she yelled at him--cussed him out at a Christian retreat. He ignored her, and sat down next to her and waited her out. Eventually, she quit cussing and started sobbing, and talking.
ReplyDeleteI never found out what exactly was going on with her that caused the breakdown, but I did notice them together, and how she seemed to be better when he was there, willing to listen.
It really struck me that this random stranger was willing to stop what he was doing and get yelled at, because she was hurting and needed a friend.
Wow, it's really sad that I don't see many acts of heroism. :( Hmm, I think it might be when I was a graduate assistant, and one of the undergraduate students (who was studying to be a social worker) helped a hoarder clean out her house. This student walked through sewage and pests just to help someone out--and even suffered from a few rashes afterward. This girl wasn't getting paid--she just did it out of the kindness of her own heart.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen many honorable acts, but one memory comes to mind.. at the grocery store, this frail woman starts puting food back because her card was declined. The woman behind her in line stepped forward, swiped her card and said, "no worries!" as she paid for the woman's food.
ReplyDeleteI saw something very similar to that happen as well!
DeleteMy dad found an elderly gentlemen had fallen in the street. My dad helped him get back to his house and get help. I was quite proud of my dad. :)
ReplyDeleteHeroic acts and acts of honor aren't the same thing, are they? Heroism is rare, but I see honorable acts all the time. People returning things that are lost, paying for things they could have gotten away with not paying, refusing awards they haven't earned, helping strangers in need, even when it inconveniences them, being kind to children and animals even when they think no one is looking. It's a long list of things strangers (and not strangers) will do for honor. My favorite is rescuing animals. I've seen people do it a lot.
ReplyDeleteA few months ago, my dad and mum went to see a movie. Whilst they were watching the movie, a lady had a seizure, her body became limp and she vomited; she had no control, she was passed out and not aware of what she was doing. Her friend rushed out, got assitance and an Ambulance was called. When help arrived, she was put on a stretcher and my dad had to help move her. It might sound simple but just imagine: you don't know this lady, she's a complete stranger yet you help move her out of the way and assist when possible. I call that honorable.
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