Friday, Feb 19, 2010

Susan Jane Gilman EXTRAVAGANZA!

Didn’t Catch it in Hardback?

The good news is Susan Jane Gilman’s

Undress Me In The Temple of Heaven  is now available in paperback.

So, how do we celebrate?

Why… a giveaway, of course!

First… some cool book review goodies…

Author: Susan Jane Gilman
Publisher: Grand Central/Hachette
Website: www.susanjanegilman.com
ISBN #: 978-0-446-55543-2
Type: Non-Fiction/Memoir
Pages: 320 (Trade Paperback)
Purchase: $10.07 @ Amazon.Com (HERE)

The Review

I read Hypocrite in a White Pouffy Dress by Susan Jane Gilman in January 2009.  I liked that book, so much so that I gave it a 9 out of 10 rating.  Gilman’s writing in Hypocrite is very funny and I found the book to be touching and an overall good read.  Therefore, Gilman had to live up to that book in my mind, especially because of my appreciation for Hypocrite.  My expectations were high for Gilman. 

Undress Me In The Temple of Heaven has a different flavor than Hypocrite.  Whereas Hypocrite has a myriad of stories that span across Gilman’s life, Undress Me is a beginning to end story about her post-college travel to China with a college friend.  Keep in mind, this was 20+ years ago and China had just opened its doors to Westerners.  Add to this these two 21-22 year old gals from New York and it’s going to add up to some quirky adventures.  Which, it did.

This book took me a little time for me to warm up to.  It may be that I was expecting something more comical like Hypocrite.  But, once I got about 1/2 way into the book, I was really hooked on the story.  I wanted to know what happened to Susan and Claire (her friend).  By the end of the book, I couldn’t put it down until I had the ending under my belt. 

Another thing to state about this book is that I learned quite a bit about China that I never knew before.  She has a remarkable memory to be able to write this book 20+ years after the fact with such clarity.  My favorite scene is when she goes to the Great Wall of China (see below).  Also, the readers really get to know all of the characters in this story very well!  To me, that makes a story.  I regretfully cannot go too much more into the review without spoiling the story.  But, if you’re a Gilman fan, you’ll enjoy this read.

For a more detailed review of this book, click HERE.

Author: Susan Jane Gilman
Publisher: Grand Central/Hachette
Website: www.susanjanegilman.com
ISBN #: 978-0-446-67577-2
Type: Non-Fiction/Humor 
Pages: 205 (Trade Paperback)
Purchase: $10.36 @ Amazon.Com (HERE)

The Review

After reading Hypocrite In A White Pouffy Dress and Undress Me In The Temple of Heaven, my Susan Jane Gilman obsession would not be complete without reading Kiss My Tiara.  This book is for every feminist, sassy-mouth, liberated, and intelligent woman out there.  Gilman encourages her female readers not to subscribe to the world’s view of how we “should be.”  Based on her opinion of the superiority of the female mind, she concludes that women as the perfect choice to rule the world.  I can’t find any logical reason to argue with that!

And, just how do we do that?

We get comfortable in our own skin.  We find beauty in the creation that we are.  Gilman states, “And so we women end up believing on some level that we’re only beautiful if we’re under forty years old and 110 pounds.  We end up believing that, in order to be beautiful, we’ve gotta treat our bodies and faces like Humpty-Dumpty, delicately smashing them up and trying to put them back together again-except better this time.”

One of Gilman’s greatest suggestions in the book is…

“Do not calm down.  Practically every women’s magazine I know has advised women to reduce stress by lighting candles, meditating, taking bubble baths, and “visualizing a safe, nuturing place” whenever we get upset.”

-and-

“If we’re stirred up about something, chances are it’s because there’s a good reason.  Let’s blow out the candles, get up, get out, and take action.  Ultimately, it will keep us happier and healthier than any narcotizing soak with Mr. Bubble.”

Touche, Susan Jane Gilman, Touche!

It’s a women’s book of anthems of self-expression and self-acceptance.  I laughed out loud and decided to be more accepting of myself.

You Have A Chance to Win 1 of 5 Copies Of Undress Me In The Temple of Heaven
- or -
Be The Grand Prize Winner and Win a Copy of All of Susan Jane Gillman’s Books! 

FTC Disclosure: This book was provided to me from the publisher. All giveaway prizes are provided by the publisher. Clicking on the either the photo of the book cover or the link next to the purchase price stated above will bring you to my Amazon Affiliate page. No purchases are necessary.

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