I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that TNBBC is able to offer you this next novel
as part of our Author/Reader Discussion series!!
World, I give you
D.R. Haney's 2009 debut novel Banned for Life
In order to stimulate discussion
We will be giving away 20 (yes, you read that right) copies of his novel.
*This giveaway will be opened internationally for 3 copies*
Here's the Goodreads description:
"For almost two decades, rumors have swirled around Jim Cassady, the quasi-legendary punk-rock frontman who disappeared without a trace after his girlfriend’s apparent suicide. Though largely written off as dead, some claim to have had brushes with Cassady, now said to be homeless and bumming change on the streets of his native Los Angeles. Intrigued, Jason Maddox, a would-be filmmaker and Cassady fan, decides to investigate. But the man he eventually finds and befriends is damaged in ways he could never have imagined, and Jason’s own life begins to unravel as he tries to save the hapless Jim Cassady from himself. A mystery wrapped in a rollercoaster account of the American pop-culture underbelly, Banned for Life has been cited as a "cult-favorite" by the New York Journal of Books, with a reputation that continues to expand."
Here's my description (and why I am so excited to share it with you!):
"Every once in a while, I read a book that I think everyone else should read. A book that lovers of all genres can enjoy. A book that I wish I could buy for every single non-reader out there to prove to them what they are missing. [Banned for Life] is one of those books...once I started, I knew I was not going to want it to end. It called to me every time I put it down. It begged. It screamed. I savored every moment of it, and I dreaded reading that final sentence."
This contest will run through February 8th.
Winners will be announced here and via email on February 9th.
Here's how to enter:
1 - The narrator in this book has his life changed by a song. Comment here by telling us about a time when your life was changed by a song, or a concert, or an artist.
2 - State that you agree to participate in the group read book discussion that will run for the entire month of March over at TNBBC on Goodreads. D.R. Haney has agreed to participate in the discussion and will be available to answer any questions you may have for him.
*If you are chosen as a winner, by accepting the copy you are agreeing to read the book and join the group discussion at TNBBC on Goodreads (the thread for the discussion will be emailed to you before March 1st).
Good luck!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRight before the 1 year anniversary of my mother's death this past Christmas I discovered the song I Have Been There by Mark Schultz and it pulled me through a very sad time. I listened to it over and over (well still do)! I was so happy to have found it when I really needed it!
ReplyDeleteI would love to participate in the discussion!
I'm a memeber on the Goodreads group and am in the US.
shannonjean14(at)gmail(dot)com
Great question. I have had so many songs affect my life, but I think the one that I would have to pick "By Heart, By Soul" by Avalon. It has become my theme in my walk of faith, but can also be applied to the relationships in my life. It makes me think a little more, do a little more, love a little more. I would love to participate in the discussion! It is always fun to hear/read about what influences people. I am a member of the TNBBC group and in the U.S.
Deletedsafford001@gmail.com
when i became a young adult i discovered the Strokes I love the song Under Control its me my personality,I needed that song to discover myself and I'm glad i heard it! I am a part of TNBBC on GoodReads and I plan to participate in the discussions
ReplyDeleteI live in Iraq si i would like to win one of the international books (fingers crossed)
soadhachami(at)yahoo(dot)com
Well, there were few songs (in Hindi) that helped me heal out of a broken heart many years ago. The singer was Jagjit Singh, who used to sing Ghazals and it felt like he could understand my pain.
ReplyDeleteI agree to read and discuss if I won the book.
I am International.
Pragya
pragyasharma_100@yahoo.co.in
Thrilled that this is open internationally!
ReplyDeleteHeaven Knows played on the radio whilst I was in a cab and I struggled to blink back tears. At the time, my boyfriend had silently disappeared for a month. Months (and plenty of unanswered text messages) later, he sent me a message to say he wanted only to focus on his job and family situation. The song has become a sort of mantra for me, whenever I feel sad or when I can't rationalise why he left without any room for discussion. It reminds me that love is also about letting go and there's a chance he might come back someday.
I agree to read the book and participate in the group discussion.
accisse7(at)googlemail(dot)com
I think the band that most changed my life was Owl City. Now I think the band is kind of lame, but at the time I discovered them, my boyfriend of almost 4 years broke up with me and moved to Montana. I thought I would never be happy again but thanks to Owl City's quirky songs and upbeat music, I was slowly cheered up.
ReplyDeleteI agree to read and join the discussion.
I'm in the U.S
Kelly
kellybearxo17@comcast.net
The synopsis of the book sounds like something I never would pick up and read on my own, but it sounds so interesting!! I am definitely intrigued.
ReplyDeleteFor a time, I was battling depression without much help and a husband that didn't understand it and as a result had no idea how to provide support. During that time, on my way to and from work there were two artists that I switched back and forth - Angela Aki and Metallica. One day I'd have one CD in for the drive, the next day I'd swap it out. It'd be whatever the mood struck me. I know those are pretty much polar opposites as far as genres go, but they helped me get through a tough time where my head wasn't really in the right place and I was having some medical issues on top of it all. Singing along and just listening was a huge stress reliever for me.
I will participate in the discussion for sure, and I'm in the US.
kaenix@gmail.com
After I broke up with my boyfriend, I listened to Bulletproof by La Roux and immediately felt reassured, powerful, strong, and like I could get through anything. I must have listened to that song 10x a day that fall! I am a member of TNBBC and Good Reads and I cant wait to read the book and participate in the discussion! I live in the US.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
mfreeman130@gmail.com
So many songs have changed my life, in big ways and little. Caribbean Blue, by Enya, was played at my wedding by a string quartet doing an arrangement me and my fiance collaborated on together - that was pretty special.
ReplyDeleteIf given a copy, I agree to read it and participate in the discussion. I am a US resident.
-Leslie
lesliemcwilkins@yahoo.com
I'd love to be able to have one of these copies. D.R. Haney has been on my "mean to read" mental list for some time. And I will certainly participate in the book club discussion.
ReplyDeleteThe best music moment of my life was when I finally got to see Oasis live in 2008, after loving them since 1996. Growing up, I lived in an area where they never toured, so it took awhile before I was able to travel to see them. Glad I caught them when I did -- they broke up the next year.
I'm in US and my address is sarahabein AT gmail DOT com
My sophomore year of college I was given a mix CD (which I still have to this day) with various artists and music. 1 of the songs on the CD was Soulshine by Gov’t Mule. I instantly loved the song and the raspy voice of Warren Haynes. At the time I did not realize how important this song was until I it became a sort of theme song to my life. It helped me to define where the true essence of a human being lies and formulate my own definitions for the trials and tribulations of my life. Since discovering the song I have gone through and accomplished many things. I spent 4 months in Italy, moved to a different state to pursue my dreams and start fresh as an adult, survived multiple family and friends addiction, loss, made some life altering decisions, and dedicated a series of paintings to visualize all I have learned as information was waiting to bust out of my head and hands. The song reminds me that when all else fails you have to look inside yourself for solutions and strength. Everything that happens in life becomes a part of your story…. Your soul.
ReplyDeleteI agree to read the book if I win a free book or buy it myself. I am also so excited to get the chance to discuss with the author!
meghanrm@gmail.com
This looks like a really interesting read. I'm thrilled there is a give away for international readers, of which I am one. I would happily particpate in a discussion.
ReplyDeleteWhile songs and music always make you feel 10 feet tall or that you are able to dig out of a problem, I would say the artist(s) that changed and shaped my life would be the Beatles. I saw them on their first American tour in 1964 at Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Colorado. I was 4. To remember a concert from that age has to mean it was impressionable. That group changed and shaped a whole generation, including me.
I'm a US resident living in New Zealand. hstout9601@xtra.co.nz
Thank you,
Hope
As a kid, I was always fascinated by musical instruments. By the age of 5, I could proficiently play tunes on the piano, and, as I matured, I picked up guitar and percussion instruments as well. I always got in trouble during lessons because I would make changes to the pieces I was learning to make them sound "better". Despite my musical interests, I never considered making my living through music. While in high school, my english class watched the Alfred Hitchcock film "Vertigo". This was the first time that I really took notice of music in film. It dawned on me that someone had to write all of that music before it could be recorded for the movie. In that moment, I decided that I was destined, much to my parents dismay, to become a composer. All these years later, I still hold a soft spot for that movie and Bernard Herrmann's music.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be a part of the discussion of this novel! You can reach me at ethanschneider135@yahoo.com
-Ethan
http://e135-abookaweek.blogspot.com/
I have two daughters of my own and now understand my mother now more than I ever have. I heard the Sind LIKE MY MOTHER DOES by Lauren Alaina and got really teary eyed because it's as if she was singing about us. The sing brought me down memory lane from when I was born to who I've become.
ReplyDeleteI promise to participate in the group discussion and a US resident.
Mbmalayeri@sbcglobal.net
I was going to the bank with my boss and he put Offsprings "Self Esteem" on. I listened to the words and I started to cry. I realized that was how my boyfriend was treating me and I was letting him. A week later I broke up with him. I have learned I can take care of myself and it's better to be alone, than be with someone who can make you feel so bad about yourself.
ReplyDeleteI agree to read the book and participate in the discussion.
I'm in the US and my address is weesop68@aol.com
I think the song that changed my life the most was "How Soon is Now" by The Smiths. I was a 12 or 13 at the time, and I was amazed that there was this whole new area of music coming from Britain that I was unfamiliar with.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I'll read the book. I'm a member of Goodreads and will participate in the discussion.
I'm in the U.S.
Email is dogboijoe@gmail.com
I had been working as a statistician. I needed a break and flew across the country to see my favorite band, DeVotchKa, perform at the El Rey in Los Angeles. The day I came back, my employer canned me. I then became a librarian. Who knows what would have happened had I not gone to that concert?
ReplyDeleteI agree to read the book and take part in the discussion. jdunkle@strasburglibrary.org
Thanks,
Jon
I wish I could tell you the name of this song, but I can't. My co-workers listen to 70's rock stations and for the most part I tune it out. This job has been a long ride with no breaks, and this morning a song came on that was just like this whole experience. The words were about some old rock star who found that living his dream was even worse then the life he'd had before. I get so tired sometimes and the tone of the song reached me in a way nothing had for a long time. I wonder if I'll ever hear it again.
ReplyDeleteI agree to read the book and participate in the discussion. I'm a US resident and my email is salida_del_sol7@yahoo.com.
A song and piece of music that profoundly affects me is 'Song of Democracy' - words by Walt Whitman, music by Howard Hanson. I was 17 the first time I played this music as part of a high school honor orchestra. The work was performed with the combined honor orchestra, honor band and honor choir. Over 300 14-18 year old musicians combined to create a moment that was pure and spiritual. It was 1968 and the United States was full of protest and in mourning from the loss of both Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King. The words - "Sail, sail thy best ship of Democracy" - seemed to speak to my heart. It led me to read "Leaves of Grass" and find the words: "I am of the old and young, of the foolish and the wise . . ." I am now soon to be 60 and with the world still in chaos find this music wonderfully iconoclastic. It still speaks to me about what we wish we were and what we strive to be both as citizens and human beings.
ReplyDeleteI am excited to read a book that leads you wish to you could give it to every person to read. I agree to read the book and participate in the discussion. I am a US resident and a member of TNBBC.
hyddyr@comcast.net
One song that has a lot of meaning to me .Is I will always love you.The whitney version.My father was dying and that song was always on,it meant to me that even after he was gone ,he would still be around.
ReplyDeleteI will partipate in the discussion.My e-mail is colleen_bernardo@comcast.nt
Thanks to everyone for commenting for a copy of BANNED FOR LIFE.
ReplyDeleteI've got great news for you...It looks as though you've all won a copy!!!!!
An email is coming to you... be sure to reply with your address (some of you did not tell me if you are international, so I'll need that info first - I'll ask for it in the email) so we can get it out to you asap!!!