Monday, April 02, 2007

The Birth House by Ami McKay (and a surprise)



Books Completed: 45
Completion Date: March 2007
Publication Year: 2006
Pages: 400
Reread for a class at school

The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare, the first daughter to be born in five generations of Rares. As a child in an isolated village in Nova Scotia, she is drawn to Miss Babineau, an outspoken Acadian midwife with a gift for healing. Dora becomes Miss B.’s apprentice, and together they help the women of Scots Bay through infertility, difficult labours, breech births, unwanted pregnancies and even unfulfilling sex lives. Filled with details as compelling as they are surprising, The Birth House is an unforgettable tale of the struggles women have faced to have control of their own bodies and to keep the best parts of tradition alive in the world of modern medicine.
This was a reread. Ami McKay is a local author, so my Women Writers class decided to add this book to the course list this year. The offical release of the paperback was also done at my university, so that was pretty cool. Sadly, I missed it, but I had intended to be there. Anyways, I was really bad and only went to the first class we discussed the book because I hate it when books I love get over analyzed. I can never look at a book the same way again. It was great to reread it, though. I still strongly recommend this book, and she has made an appearance on the Ten Books That Bloggers Cannot Live Without. She is not a top book, but her book is still circulating around, and many people have not had the chance to read it.

To read my original review of this book, you can see the review here.

So, because Ami McKay is a local, because I know that some people want to read it and have not yet, and because it is buy a friend a book week, I am going to buy someone Ami McKay's book. Join in even if you have read it, if too many people have read it for it to be a good idea for a give away, I will change the book, but the idea is for it to be the book I give away. Everyone knows the drill, just comment on this post and I will draw a name at the end of the week.

25 comments:

  1. Your blog is a treat to read!LH

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  2. Anonymous9:58 AM

    Cool! I've heard many good things about this book and would love to receive a copy!
    Stephanie
    www.thewrittenword.wordpress.com

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  3. This book sounds interesting. Thanks for the review!

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  4. What a treat - your blog and the giveaway! Thanks! I'd love a chance to win.

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  5. You know I loved this book, girl!

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  6. Another great review! I would love to win this book - thanks for doing the giveaway!

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  7. Ah...I'm not expecting you to send anything across the Border!! I just wanted to say Hi!! Hope things are getting better for ya!!

    I read both yours and Chris' review on this book. Sounds like a winner!

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  8. Anonymous4:39 PM

    Oh how I would love to win this book! It's one that I keep checking out from the library and fail to have read each time it's due. Thanks for having this contest!

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  9. Location does not matter because there is this place called The Book Depository and it ships anywhere for free, so I am not concerned with where people live! It will just mean that people will get the UK version of the book. It has pretty much the same cover, though.

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  10. I've been wanting to read this book since I first heard about it!

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  11. Kailana, I was anxious to read your review because this is a book I've been wanting to read. And then I was that you were giving it away. My heart did a somersault. Please add me to your drawing. Thanks so much.

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  12. I meant to tell you that I was doing a drawing to. Come by and enter.

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  13. You have such fun stuff over here, and you read a lot!
    That is a book I've been wanting to read too. Thanks

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  14. The Birth House has been on my wish list for quite a while, so throw my name in the drawing hat, please! I'm with you on over-analyzing; it can really ruin a good read.

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  15. This is one of those TBR wishlist items of mine...please count me in! I'm doing the BAFAB thing too.

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  16. Hi, Kailana! I'd like to enter in the drawing too. I haven't read Birth House, but it's on my wish list of books I'd someday like to read. :-)

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  17. sounds like an interesting book :D You're such a good girl Kailana, reading Canadian authors... put me to shame ^^;

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  18. Great review! I hope I win :)

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  19. Anonymous7:15 AM

    Hi! I'd love to be entered into your contest for this book. It's been on my wish list for a while now. Thanks for the chance.

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  20. I have been wanting to read this book for a while now. Thanks for doing a giveaway!

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  21. Anonymous10:11 AM

    Count me in. I'd love to win a copy. Great Blog.

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  22. Anonymous8:16 AM

    You might be interested to know that Ami McKay will be answering questions about The Birth House on the book forum I run on 22nd August 2007. If you'd like to post a question, please visit Babbling Books at: http://onlinebookclub.myfreeforum.org/
    Many thanks
    Glynis

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  23. For anyone who has aspirations of someday being a writer, my writing pal just down the street, er — Highway 3 — has interviewed Ami McKay, author of The Birth House. Fascinating and informative!

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  24. Anonymous6:10 AM

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  25. Anonymous4:08 PM

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Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

I am so sorry, but I turned anonymous commenting off. I have had it from the very beginning, but that is how the spam is getting by my spam filter at the moment. If it is a big deal I will turn it back on and moderate all comments. I also changed moderation from older than 14 days to older than 7.