On Reading: Slipping Away
The On Reading column doesn't usually feature a giveaway, but when Erica Bauermeister saw my review of her book The School of Essential Ingredients, she offered up a giveaway.
When I was reading this book, the following passage screamed out to me to be included in this column which features instructive or reflective posts On Reading every Sunday:
Lillian had been four years old when her father left them, and her mother, stunned, had slid into books like a seal into water. 
Lillian had watched her mother submerge and disappear sensing instinctively even at her young age the impersonal nature of a choice made simply for survival, and adapting to the niche she would now inhabit, as a watcher from the shore of her mother's ocean.
In this new life, Lillian's mother's face became a series of book covers, held in place where eyes, nose, or mouth might normally appear. Lillian soon learned that the book covers could forecast moods much like facial expressions, for Lillian's mother swam deeply into the books she read, until the personality of the protagonist surrounded her like a perfume applied by an indiscriminate hand. Lillian was never sure who would greet her at the breakfast table, no matter that the bathrobe, the hair, the feet were always the same. It was like having a magician for a mother, although Lillian always suspected that the magicians she saw at birthday parties went home and turned back into portly men with three children and grass that needed mowing. Lillian's mother simply finished one book and turned to the next.
Excerpted with permission from the author from The School of Essential Ingredients (pages 7 – 8 ) by Erica Bauermeister, published by Putnam.
The winner of this contest will receive an exclusive not-available-for-purchase (here) Australian edition of the book. Same text — different cover.
Erica Bauermeister is the author of the novel The School of Essential Ingredients. She lives in Seattle with her family and is working on novel #2. To learn more, go to www.ericabauermeister.com.
To enter the 2009 Mothers Day Giveaway of The School of Essential Ingredients, leave a comment below.
- All Mother's Day Giveaways are open to U.S. shipping addresses only.
- The giveaway will close on April 30, and the winner will be announced on May 1.
- For information on how to enter the grand prize to win a copy of each book in the Mother's Day Giveaway worth over $225, see the instructions on the main post.
- Check out the list of all Mother's Day giveaways. Enter to win each book by leaving a comment on that post.
Filed under Fiction, Guest Contributor by 
Comments on On Reading: Slipping Away
Alicia @ Experiencing Each Moment @ 12:08 pm
This book sound powerful.
amber d. @ 12:22 pm
I read a review of this book in our newspaper and thought it sounded great. I would love to win a copy!
Thanks!
Gerry Dee @ 12:25 pm
I would luv to immerse myself in this book.
Just Mom @ 12:53 pm
This is the second reveiw I have read of this book and they have both been enticing! Please enter me in the giveaway and thanks for hosting!
nfmgirl @ 1:13 pm
This is on my "must read" list. Please count me in. I'm dying to get it. Thank you!
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Angela Calvert @ 1:54 pm
I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
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Beverlydru @ 2:21 pm
This book sounds terrific. Thanks for the change to win.
Sharon Walling @ 3:46 pm
I would really like to win this book. Please enter me.
Thanks
sharon54220@gmail.com
courtney from mommie blogs @ 4:02 pm
I am finally jumping back into reading again. the baby fog is lifting. Please enter me!
Amy @ Hope Is the Word @ 4:33 pm
I've read a lot of good reviews of this book. I'd love a copy!
Angie @ 4:49 pm
I would love to be able to read this!
edj @ 5:21 pm
Oh I remember your review of this book and how fascinating it sounded. I really hope I win!
Sue W. @ 5:48 pm
I would really enjoy winning the School of Essential Ingredients. This is a recipe for a good book.
Kim @ 6:17 pm
I'd LOVE to win this one!
Susan @ 6:55 pm
What a great book! Would love to read it.
Tina S. @ 9:31 pm
I think I could slip away into this book, enter me please:)
Carey @ 9:36 pm
Looks good!
Kim @ 9:37 pm
Sounds like an interesting book. Different. I like different
rita @ 10:45 pm
An amazing giveaway!
Holly @ 11:37 pm
I've wanted to read this. Terrific giveaway!!
Shelly T. @ 12:16 am
I would love to have my own copy of this book!
Thanks for the chance to win.
Sarah @ 12:24 am
Sounds good, I would love to win this!
Djp @ 6:01 am
sign me up please
Amy @ 8:02 am
This book sounds amazing! That is such a great passage; it's got me hooked!
Krista @ 8:52 am
Sounds interesting.
gahome2mom @ 10:18 am
Slipping Away sounds like a very interesting book to read. Thanks.
gahome2mom at gmail dt com
randi oaklief @ 10:22 am
It sounds fascinating, I'd love to read it! Thanks
cris @ 10:32 am
Thanks for the giveaway!
Michael Capp @ 10:57 am
I'd love to win!
corrie clemens @ 11:06 am
i want to win, i like to read alot.
Cheryl F. (The Lucky Ladybug) @ 2:37 pm
I'd love to read this
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
stephanie @ 2:49 pm
Interesting!
Barbara @ 4:56 pm
Looking forward to this one.
Martha C @ 5:43 pm
This sounds intriguing. To have the time!!
Jeane Howell @ 5:56 pm
This would be a very good book to read I think.
Amber G @ 7:21 pm
I would love to win please!
Denise @ 8:46 pm
This sounds pretty interesting.
MRS.MOMMYY @ 9:17 pm
would love to read
Catherine @ 10:35 pm
Thanx for the contest
Angie Gulley @ 11:01 pm
please enter me. thank you.
Tisa @ 11:38 pm
Sounds like an interesting book – count me in please! ~
Thanks!
renee @ 12:44 am
enter me please and thanks
Annmarie @ 6:54 am
Wow! This book seems to have so much emotion to it. Would love to read it!
Kristi @ 12:48 pm
Please enter me in this giveaway!
thanks!
Anita Yancey @ 12:54 pm
Sounds interesting. Love to read it. Please enter me.
Sherry @ 7:08 pm
Sound like a great read, thanks for the chance to win.
Kim V @ 7:31 pm
Thanks for the giveaway!
kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
Ginny @ 9:24 pm
Looks very good!
Heather Goldsmith @ 10:32 pm
Somehow this made me feel a little guilty because I read so much. Ah, a mother's guilt, the gift that keeps on giving. I do feel strongly that children who see their parents read will see the enjoyment a person can get from a book. I's really like to read this one. Wish me luck!
Serena @ 5:03 am
This sounds like a really intriguing book. I'd love to read it!
Michele @ 12:07 pm
I've read a few great reviews on this book…it sounds great. Count me in!
sarah @ 3:27 pm
enter me!
Gary Osborn @ 7:22 pm
Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!
Tiffany @ 8:36 pm
I've heard good things about this one. Please enter me. Thanks!
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Susan C @ 12:05 am
I would love to read this after reading your review!
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Ashley @ 12:58 am
i have never heard of this book but it sounds like a great one. i might have to go check it out now that i've read your review
KarenPr @ 2:01 pm
Book sounds great, please enter me.
Carole @ 5:25 pm
Sounds Awesome!! Please enter me!
Just Mom @ 6:42 pm
Please enter me in the contest and thanks for hosting!
Christina @ 7:37 pm
Being an avid reader myself, I can identify with the mother in this book!
jan koontz @ 11:57 am
this prize is just to cool
Nicole C. @ 1:53 pm
I would love to read tis book!!
Jessica @ 6:53 pm
this book sounds fabulous!
Sue W. @ 7:34 pm
Now this book really sound fascinating. I would truly love to win it and read it.
Mariah @ 9:47 am
This sounds like an excellent book!!
Mariah
penguinqueen(at)hotmail(dot)com
Jennifer Hedden @ 3:36 pm
great prize
gahome2mom @ 10:26 pm
Another interesting book?
Kathy Scott @ 12:35 pm
I am looking for some good summer reading.
Andria @ 9:59 pm
I would love a chance to win. Thank you.
Kristinia aka Loving Heart Mommy @ 2:43 am
Great selection of books!
LivingforGod @ 5:34 am
Interesting. Please count me in. Thanks!
Karen Gonyea @ 9:32 am
Count me in
Vasilly @ 3:35 pm
This book sounds great! I keep seeing it everyone on the web.
Gabriel J. @ 8:42 pm
Great book, great contest, make me a winner!
Jacqueline O. @ 9:31 pm
Sounds like a great book!!! Hope I win one.
Marianna @ 11:14 pm
Thanks for the chance to win!
Krystal @ 12:48 am
Sounds interesting, I would love to win this book.
christopher h @ 1:24 am
sounds quite good
Jessica Shurtleff @ 6:46 am
I'd love to win this book.
Erma H @ 7:35 am
I would love the chance to win, thanks.
Amy Bradshaw @ 1:36 pm
Looks like a wonderful read! Love to be entered.
Amy
MovieMomma@gmail.com
shawna @ 2:31 pm
Sounds like a good read!
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I would love to read this book!!!!
Susan Smith @ 3:28 pm
Sounds like a good book
Lisa Taylor @ 6:12 pm
I'd love to read this book
Renee G @ 9:17 pm
This sounds great.
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Sheila H @ 9:22 pm
Sounds great! Thanks for the chance!!
Rebecca @ 9:53 pm
Hmmm. Again, a lovely-sounding book.
Rebecca @ 9:54 pm
I am a subscriber with google reader
Sally @ 11:25 pm
This sounds like a great book.
Denise @ 1:46 am
This sounds like a good one!
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Kathy D @ 10:37 am
Sounds like a great book would like to learn what I should be going because I am sure I am not
Lily Kwan @ 10:57 am
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Gianna @ 1:39 pm
Please enter me
mindy @ 3:26 pm
very nice thanks for the giveaway
Karen @ 5:03 pm
I read this book and really enjoyed it! I borrowed my copy from the library, however, so now would love to win my own copy.
kate @ 9:42 pm
I could use a good read!
Karen E @ 11:50 pm
I ordered this for my library and can't keep it on the shelves! I would love to read it!
Mollie G. @ 11:52 pm
A book for anyone who has ever totally lost track of time while reading!!
flared0ne @ 11:54 pm
Except for the implied "personality changes", this person described is scarily me. I can get so "sucked under" as to have to be reminded "Hey, it's 4:00AM, you planning on getting any sleep today?"