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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Review: Sounds Like Crazy + giveaway!

Title: Sounds Like Crazy
Author: Shana Mahaffey



Pages: 367
Published: October 2009
Genre: Fiction
Source: Author/TLC Book Tour








Before we begin, I would like to introduce you to Holly Miller....watch this and then proceed.



My Thoughts: Where do I start???? Do I start with the crazy sounding premise of this story??? You watched the video, you saw how touched in the head Holly appeared right??? Multiple personality disorder??? Or just unhinged??? Well, I think Holly is a bit of both, because how long could you stay sane while you have five other individuals who reside inside of your head?? This book is pure genius....there wasn't a time that I doubted that Holly suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder (new term for multiple personality disorder). There are many humorous moments in this book, but there is always that dark tint to the humor which makes you feel for the life that Holly is living. I have to tell you that I broke down in the middle of the book and then big time towards the end. This story has so many layers within the pages, and the author has expertly crafted how much information she gives you and what she wants you to do with it. You get to really understand Holly and believe it or not, her Committee- faceless Boy, Silent One, Sarge, Ruffles, and Betty-Jane. Having these voices in her head drives Holly crazy, but she fears what her life would be like if they were to ever leave. My heart breaks for those that have had such traumatic events happen to them, that their psyche breaks off into compartments in order to keep the person safe. Holly's journey to try to integrate the voices back into just her makes for a very compelling read and one that you should not miss.  I'm going to be a bit unconventional here and suggest to those that decide to read, Sounds Like Crazy, that you start with the conversation guide. After I finished, I then of course read the discussion guide. I truly wished I'd read this before I started, as I feel (in my humble opinion) that it enriches your reading experience. Don't worry there are no spoilers in the guide! This book has easily become a best read for me for 2010....and I highly recommend this book to my fellow readers!!!!!



Thank you to TLC for asking me to be a part of this book tour.
Check out the other tour stops here.



And because Shana absolutely rocks (in my book) she has offered a signed copy direct from her as a giveway!!! You know the drill---leave me your email address somewhere in the comments if you would like the chance to win this book. Last day for entries will be April 30th @ 11:59 pm. Winner will be notified May 1st! Good luck and thanks for stopping by!!!!! EDITED: US residents only (sorry for forgetting to include that!)

21 comments:

  1. hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh wow wow wow.....this sounds really good!!!! love the synopsis!!! and u know me...but here it is...lol... bmwgirl@cox.net :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  2. Would like to be counted in for this giveaway. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

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  3. A best read in 2010, wow, high praise there :) And it does sound like something to check out

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  4. Hey Staci :) I'd love the chance to read this one! I work with a lot of people with DID at the hospital and this sounds like it would be a really interesting read!! chrisa511(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Oh my - I have not heard of this one before, but I was just thinking of the book/movie Sybil the other day!

    While the number 1 spot rarely wins, I will go ahead and enter my name in the contest :)

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

    Mstermind1@gmail.com

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  6. That sounds like a very interesting read. The Video really kind of sold it!

    thehistorychic (at) gmail (dot) com

    Thanks for the review :)

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  7. Wow, Staci! High praise indeed. I will definitely be getting my hands on this one...thank you!

    Can't decide if I should enter, because I'm so tempted to go buy it immediately. :)

    rdagmstevens (at) frontiernet (dot) net

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  8. Wow, I loved the video and think the book sounds amazing! Please enter me! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

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  9. Staci, Thank you so much for the glowing review. I'm blushing here in my kitchen! And, I know what kind of book I like to read, and as such, used that as a guide for how to unfold a story. The props for that awesome video go to Ma Raab, independent German film maker extraordinaire!

    Blodeuedd, See above comment about blushing in my kitchen :-)

    Chris, I've heard from many sufferers of DID as well as people who treat them that the book is astonishingly accurate in it's portrayal of the condition. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

    Molly, the one line description of Sounds Like Crazy is: "Think Sybil meets the Simpsons." Holly (the main character) is an Emmy award winning voiceover artist.

    Julie, Mystica, and all the contestants: Good Luck!

    Staci, thank you again!!

    Cheers,

    Shana (author of Sounds Like Crazy)

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  10. This sounds like a great book! I would like to enter!
    cherylbaryl@Hotmail.com

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  11. I see you really liked this one a lot, Staci. Very high praise indeed. It has to be at least 30 years since I read about Sybil but I still think about her. And now this new character is Sybil Meets the Simpsons. Wow! How long will this one stay with me?

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  12. I feel crazy enough dealing with my one personality, can't imagine what it would be like with more. :)

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. Wow, what an incredible story! I would love the opportunity to win this book and give it a read. pizzo underscore kathleen at yahoo dot com

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  14. wow, sounds crazy! but in a good way.

    kaye
    theriverdaughter@gmail.com

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  15. I love reading the words "This book has easily become a best read for me for 2010....and I highly recommend this book to my fellow readers" I know this is a must read for me! Thank.

    nisethusfarATyahooDOTcom

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  16. Just checking in again with you guys.

    Felix and bermudaonion, I'm glad you love the video. A good friend and film maker in Germany did the clip and I think he really captured Holly's predicament.

    Debbie, Cheryl, Janel, Kathleen, and Kaye, glad you enjoyed the review (of course I did too!!) and good luck in the drawing.

    Margot, yes, you now get DID/MPD with a bit of a twist--main character is an Emmy award winning voiceover artist. I hope this book also sticks with you, in a good way of course.

    Thanks again Staci and all of you. Have fun reading about Holly and her committee.

    Cheers,

    Shana (author of Sounds Like Crazy!)

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  17. And Janel, having more than one personality has it's pluses and minuses as you will see :-)

    Cheers to all again!

    Shana

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  18. I'm impressed that this is one of your best reads of the year, and I will trust your recommendation enough to add it to my wish list and toss my hat in the ring for the contest.

    akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  19. Oh, this sounds so good! I don't know if Canadians can enter the giveaway, but if so please count me in! :)

    infiniteshelf at gmail dot com

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  20. Please count me in on this one! Thanks

    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

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  21. I'm STOKED that you loved it as much as I did! And I'm kind of glad it made you cry, because it made me cry too. :)

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