Monday, February 11, 2008

The Sky Isn't Visible From Here

I've always been a fan of fiction.

Since birth.

After all, that's what most of us first learn books to be...tales of fairies, Loraxes, Fudge, and Ramona. And that's what my bookshelves knew. And so that's what I read. Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of words of fiction.

Sure, there were random non-fiction bits throw in, for school and all, but it seems I've always liked the pretend better. So much so that at age 30, I actually broke up with a guy because he said fiction novels were stupid. (Because although he was incredibly cute, he was stupid, obviously.)

But then someone turned me on to the genre of the personal essay and the memoir novel. And I fell in love. And in a round about way, that's what initiated my interest into reading others' blogs. Because in many ways and forms, that's exactly what they are. Just out there for anyone to read, relate to, or not.

Then sometimes, someone takes it to the next level.

I'd say Felicia Sullivan has done exactly that with her new novel The Sky Isn't Visible From Here as she recounts growing up as the adult in a Brooklyn household with a powerfully addicted mother. What's even more moving, even more than the incredible details she includes, is the way she soberly connects these formative years into the life she pieces together for herself seventeen years later. The way that the children that we were, become the women that we are. It's so honest. So honest that even though my childhood in central Texas couldn't have been more different, I completely understand where she's coming from and how we get there.

It's that good.

Her broken heart is quiet and strong. Her details are specific and bizarre. Her story is completely touching and inspiring. In fact, in reading it, I'm celebrating her victories with her and I'm thinking, I'd completely be her friend in real life. In fact, if she had a blog, I'd read it. And then I realized, of course she does. Because she's brilliant. So you can read that too. You can also read an excerpt of The Sky Isn't Visible from Here on the Huffington Post.

And you can purchase the book here.

Or you can win a copy of it here. Right here. By leaving a comment before Wed. Feb. 13th, midnight EST. And as always, I seriously hope you win.

38 comments:

Julie said...

Sounds good! Enter me please!

Unknown said...

This time I'll enter first, buy later... maybe I'll be lucky this time.

smallspiralnotebook said...

We must have been woven from the same tapestry! For the longest time, I only loved fiction. I tore apart books and read them voraciously. However, over the past few years, I'm finding that a love for a certain kind of writing is limiting and I'm missing a whole world of non fiction, journalism, poetry - other kinds of writing, which can be as equally riveting, heroic and powerful.

Thank you for your very beautiful review. I feel so grateful that many have embraced the book and understand how painful it was for me to write - to articulate this story as objectively and artfully as possible.

My very, very warm thanks!!!

And BRILLIANT. Wow. I'm going to save this to my favorites and read it every time I have a crap day!

Warmly, Felicia
www.feliciasullivan.com

Superdumb Supervillain said...

Looks like a really interesting memoir. I would definitely like to check it out.

Bree said...

This book sounds great! I'd love to read it!

Anonymous said...

Author visit! Author visit! So cool! And another New Yorker, too.

It sounds fabulous! I love stories of triumph and finding the beauty in the journey!

Note: I love that the greatest compliment a woman can pay another is, "I would be friends with her." It's like saying, "I would give you a piece of my heart if you wanted it."

Corina said...

Ohhhh sounds soo good!!! Please enter me, great giveaway!

MamaGames - Alexa C. said...

I LOVE memoirs! Thanks for the contest.

Jenny said...

From the way you have described this book, it sounds wonderful! I love to read. It's my way to "wind down" at teh end of the day.

Danielle said...

Sounds like a good one!
dansan826 at yahoo.com

smallspiralnotebook said...

Super Zoe,

You betcha! If anyone has questions for me or about the book, please don't hesitate to ask! I'll be popping in and out all day.

Thanks again!
Warmly, Felicia

PS said...

Looks like a great read! Thanks!

Mary512 said...

Thanks for the entry!

bethany said...

I love to read! I've never heard of this one...would be great to win!

Unknown said...

I'd love a good memoir. Thanks.

megret7 said...

I would love to read this...I bet my hubby would, too! ( meg.wilson@gmail.com )

windycindy said...

Hi, Please enter me in this wonderful book giveaway drawing. Your commentary makes it seem like a super book to read. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Michelle said...

Wow...this sounds like an amazing read.

Bebemiqui said...

Count me in! bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

Gloria said...

I would love to read this book! Please enter me into your contest :)

Anonymous said...

This sounds really interesting; I'd like to read it!

noreen said...

wonderful book

Tarasview said...

oh yes please!

Becky said...

I am always up for a good book.

Karin said...

Please enter me to win this book. Thank you!

Tidy Bowl said...

I love good books! Count me in!
melinda(at)melindamusil(dot)com

Girl con Queso said...

Felicia, your book is fantastic. Well done you.

Rashmi said...

Sounds like a great read! Count me in.

I've also posted this at my book review/contest blog - A Book Blogger's Diary

Hope that's ok with you. Thanks!

~ aBookworm

Anonymous said...

I'm convinced it's a great book. Please include me in your giveaway.
njones127 at tampabay dot rr dot com

gjgille said...

I would love a chance of reading this book!

phxbne said...

Your review has me intrigued!

Rockin' Mama said...

Sounds great!!!

megan said...

Sounds good! I'd love to win.

Anonymous said...

Oh! Please, enter my name, too! I'd love to win this book!

dbstout(at)juno(dot)com

tetewa said...

Enjoyed the review of this one, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com

Taryn said...

Sounds great!

KCG said...

Pick me, pick me!

Katie B said...

Sounds like a great read. Thanks!