Monday Give Away

There’s been a bit of a give away gap– apologies! To make it up to you, I have a particularly good one for you today: a hardcover copy of Ann Leary’s The Children.

Here’s the official blurb:

the-children From New York Times bestselling author Ann Leary comes the captivating story of a wealthy, but unconventional New England family, told from the perspective of a reclusive 29-year-old who has a secret (and famous) life on the Internet.

Charlotte Maynard rarely leaves her mother’s home, the sprawling Connecticut lake house that belonged to her late stepfather, Whit Whitman, and the generations of Whitmans before him. While Charlotte and her sister, Sally, grew up at “Lakeside,” their stepbrothers, Spin and Perry, were welcomed as weekend guests. Now the grown boys own the estate, which Joan occupies by their grace―and a provision in the family trust. When Spin, the youngest and favorite of all the children, brings his fiancé home for the summer, the entire family is intrigued. The beautiful and accomplished Laurel Atwood breathes new life into this often comically rarefied world. But as the wedding draws near, and flaws surface in the family’s polite veneer, an array of simmering resentments and unfortunate truths is exposed.

With remarkable wit and insight, Ann Leary pulls back the curtain on one blended family, as they are forced to grapple with the assets and liabilities – both material and psychological – left behind by their wonderfully flawed patriarch.

What could be more appropriate for Thanksgiving week than a book about a dysfunctional family?

For a chance to win a hardcover copy of Ann Leary’s The Children, here’s your question:

— What’s your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? (Edible or otherwise.)

Happy holiday, all! Winners will be announced on Wednesday.

15 Comments

  1. Daniele K on November 21, 2016 at 1:34 pm

    Growing up we had the big meal at lunch time. Then the older folks would often play 42 (domino game) and watch football or peruse the Black Friday ads while the younger people went to a movie. My favorite part was earing little turkey sandwiches on leftover rolls after the movie.

  2. Rebecca on November 21, 2016 at 1:49 pm

    Pumpkin pie. No matter what else is at dinner there is always pumpkin pie. Last year I made a joke, non pie, dessert, and my dad was crushed. Luckily I had secret pie ready to serve, or I may have been disowned…or at least, not allowed to make dessert any more.

  3. Courtney F. on November 21, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    Getting to eat off the “good china.” I will always remember going down to the cupboard where it was kept, and getting out my mother’s Noritake service (with its very 70’s design–a spray of goldenrod and wildflowers with a single ladybug perched on one of the stems), carefully unpacking it all, and helping lay the full place settings with all their specialized, anachronistic paraphrenalia.

  4. Lauren Ashley on November 21, 2016 at 2:59 pm

    My mother makes homemade mini cheesecakes that are to die for. I look forward to them every year!

  5. Denise on November 21, 2016 at 4:18 pm

    Going to Taco Fiesta with the family! Having a burrito & splurging on chips and guacamole is truly a Southern California Thanksgiving ~ and then having a slice (or two) of pumpkin pie at home. YUM!

  6. Katie malik on November 21, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    When i was young it was watching or going to the Dallas Cowboys football game! Now it is getting together with my kids.

  7. Carla on November 21, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    We make colorful origami cranes, write what we are thankful for in each of them and hang them from our dining room chandelier

  8. Christine on November 21, 2016 at 7:25 pm

    We don’t do a turkey (not very many of us so not worth the effort) so every year we try something a little different – seafood, duck.

  9. Jenny Collins Belk on November 21, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    I’m hearing great things about this book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. Love the storyline.

  10. Pat Dupuy on November 21, 2016 at 8:35 pm

    We pretty much organize a potluck with whatever family is around.

  11. Debbie Mitchell on November 21, 2016 at 9:13 pm

    We make a cranberry salad using fresh cranberries like my Granny Ruth used to make.

  12. Connie Lee on November 21, 2016 at 11:17 pm

    It’s just the three of us to cook for and we love hamburger steak, gravy, mashed potatoes, peas, and apple pie. This has been what we have been having for dinner for several years now.

  13. Sheila on November 22, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    Stuffing and gravy, and sandwiches with mayo and cranberry sauce the next few days!!!

  14. Maria on November 22, 2016 at 9:10 pm

    My favorite tradition is after the meal when everyone sits around the table talking and laughing.

  15. Eve on November 23, 2016 at 5:20 am

    Stuffing/Dressing! I look forward to it every Thanksgiving. I could eat a whole plate of just that!

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