Monday, April 6, 2009

Review: Ballad of West Tenth Street and Giveaway!!

I have been very fortunate lately to be able to read some great books. The one I am about to review is no exception. The Ballad of West Tenth Street by Marjorie Kernan is a debut novel that grabbed me from the minute I picked it up.

It follows the family of the late rock star, Ree Hollander, his wife Sadie, and children Gretchen, Ondine (Deen) and Hamish (Hames), making their way through the life that their father left behind after a drug overdose. Sadie, a devoted mother, is also quite devoted to her vodka. Gretchen is fighting a battle with some inner demons and has been taken to an institution. Deen and Hames, who are both quite musically gifted are given reign of the house and are free to roam New York on their own.

There are several other characters who are introduced along the way. Brian Brain, a band mate of Ree’s, Cap’n Meat, a bum who lives on the streets of New York with his cat Titus, and the Colonel, a southern gentleman who welcomes the whole lot into his life are just a few of these memorable and lovable characters.

This book took a hold of me from the start and didn’t let go. I finished it wanting more – I definitely didn’t want it to end!!! I felt like I was a part of these kids’ lives, a part of the family, seeing their struggles and going through their trials with them. These people are all so good-hearted, but in a totally realistic way – like they could be your neighbors and friends. I love it when you feel a connection to the characters and the story, there really is nothing better.

I definitely recommend this thoughtful and captivating novel to everyone. In fact, I'm gonna do one better. How about a giveaway?!?!?! I'm gonna give away my gently used copy of this fabulous novel to one lucky reader. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, WITH your email address!!! Yup, that's it! So, leave me a comment, leave my your email address, and I'll pick a winner. Last day to enter is Wednesday, April 15, and I'll announce a winner on Thursday April 16. And, why don't we open up the contest to anyone, how does that sound? Good luck!!!! (p.s. If you don't leave your email address or a way for me to contact you, then your comment will be deleted and you won't be entered. Sorry!!)

Thank you so much to Danny at Harper Perennial for sending me this book to review for my blog!!

45 comments:

bermudaonion said...

Sounds good - count me in. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

LisaMM said...

I have this one already so don't enter my name in the contest. I skimmed your review because I haven't started it yet, but I'm very happy to hear you liked it! Might have to move it up a couple places in the TBR!

Bridget said...

No need to enter me either. Just posted this on Win A Book.

mindy said...

sounds like a great read thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net

Unknown said...

I'd like to read this.

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

scottsgal said...

This sounds great - please enter me for this one!

msboatgal at aol.com

Unknown said...

This is the first time I've heard of this book and it sounds wonderful. Please enter me!

jgbeads AT gmail DOT com

KR said...

I'd love to read this.

Thanks!

mj.coward{at}gmail.com

Lady Roxi said...

Love to have this.

Thanks,

darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

Considering how highly you recommended it, please enter me! It really sounds great. I love when a book is so good I don't want it to end. Thanks for the giveaway.

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a good read! Thanks.

Nicole (Linus's Blanket) said...

My friend lives on West 10th Street. I would love to read this.

nicole(at)linussblanket.com

Pissenlit said...

Sounds great! I'd love to be entered!

un_pissenlit (at) hotmail (dot) com

Jake L said...

sounds like a good read, please include me in this giveaway contest.

thanks,
jakewoodworth(AT)gmail.com

nfmgirl said...

I'd love a chance to win! Please count me in. Thank you!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a captivating book. Please enter me into the giveaway.

bsyb100 at gmail dot com

VioletReads said...

Sounds like something worth checking out! Thanks for sharing!

violetreads at gmail

Llehn said...

Oooooo ... this sounds intriguing! Count me in! Thanks!

Lesley
lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

gautami tripathy said...

I too like the review! Please do count me in!

gautami.tripathy[at]gmail.com

Vanessa said...

haha... I love the character's names in this book. I would love to read it. Your review was great!

gypsyrover21(at)yahoo(dot)ca

Liyana said...

I'd love to enter this. (:

loony_balooga_91@hotmail.com

Kat Bryan said...

Interesting review that makes me want to read the book.

malleycc said...

Sounds like a good book. I would love to win.

KT said...

I love your website. So much in fact, I tagged you! Have fun :)

Teenage Librarian said...

Sounds really awesome.

courtneypricer AT gmail DOT com

Amber said...

This almost sounds like it could be based on a true story.
Thanks for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

The title of this book is really interesting. Please do enter me.

Leslie S. said...

I really want to read this book after reading your review,sounds like my kind of book.Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Oh cool. Please count me in. Thanks!

tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com

Blodeuedd said...

I am in when it's open to all :D

blodeuedd1 (at) gmail (dot) com

traveler said...

Thanks for this enthralling novel giveaway.
rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Robin Lemke said...

Thank you for the recommendation. I heard about the giveaway on Teddy Rose's blog and had been eyeing this book at B&N, so here I am!

My addy is: mysteryrobin @ gmail dot com

LuAnn said...

Sounds like a great book! Add my name to the drawing, please!

Debs Desk said...

Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net

Amy said...

count me in! amlygo at cox.net

Sandra K321 said...

Please enter me for the book. It sounds like a different story line than usual.
seknobloch (at) gmail (dot) com

Sheri S. said...

Please count me in - I featured this book in one of my Friday Finds because it sounds so great. Thanks!

bookopolis at live dot com

Unknown said...

I live on an island in Maine and I grew up in New York City. I have not been back in a year and I really really miss it. I saw this book in a bookstore today and read the jacket and had such a longing both to read the book and to be in the city. I would love to have yours. Thanks. jessburton@gmail.com

jwx4 said...

I'd like to read this one. Enter me, please.
jwx4(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Sounds like a good book. Enter me to win please. Thanks!
hlbsurfin(at)gmail(dot)com

Selinda said...

Thanks!

selinda_mccumbers at yahoo.com

Anita Yancey said...

Sounds interesting. Love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

doreen lamoureux said...

I would love to enter this giveaway.

thebun@personainternet.com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win a copy of this book.

Book Sp(l)ot said...

wherever it was I saw this posted had it ending today and it sounds great so I'm still going to try to enter...

book.splot AT gmail DOT com