I'm thrilled to be spotlighting Chris Bohjalian's incredible new book, Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands, and giving away a few copies, today...
Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands
by Chris Bohjalian
July 8, 2014
Doubleday
A heartbreaking, wildly inventive, and moving novel narrated by a teenage runaway, from the bestselling author ofMidwives and The Sandcastle Girls.
Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands is the story of Emily Shepard, a homeless girl living in an igloo made of garbage bags in Burlington. Nearly a year ago, a power plant in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont had a meltdown, and both of Emily's parents were killed. Devastatingly, her father was in charge of the plant, and the meltdown may have been his fault—was he drunk when it happened? Thousands of people are forced to leave their homes in the Kingdom; rivers and forests are destroyed; and Emily feels certain that as the daughter of the most hated man in America, she is in danger. So instead of following the social workers and her classmates after the meltdown, Emily takes off on her own for Burlington, where she survives by stealing, sleeping on the floor of a drug dealer's house, inventing a new identity for herself, and befriending a young homeless kid named Cameron. But Emily can't outrun her past, can't escape her grief, can't hide forever-and so she comes up with the only plan that she can.
Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands is the story of Emily Shepard, a homeless girl living in an igloo made of garbage bags in Burlington. Nearly a year ago, a power plant in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont had a meltdown, and both of Emily's parents were killed. Devastatingly, her father was in charge of the plant, and the meltdown may have been his fault—was he drunk when it happened? Thousands of people are forced to leave their homes in the Kingdom; rivers and forests are destroyed; and Emily feels certain that as the daughter of the most hated man in America, she is in danger. So instead of following the social workers and her classmates after the meltdown, Emily takes off on her own for Burlington, where she survives by stealing, sleeping on the floor of a drug dealer's house, inventing a new identity for herself, and befriending a young homeless kid named Cameron. But Emily can't outrun her past, can't escape her grief, can't hide forever-and so she comes up with the only plan that she can.
PRAISE FOR CLOSE YOUR EYES, HOLD HANDS
An Indiebound Indie Next Selection
A Library Reads Top Ten Books of the Month
A Library Reads Top Ten Books of the Month
“I have a new favorite Chris Bohjalian novel. Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands is a book I wish I'd been smart enough to write: a masterpiece of narrative voice, of emotion, and of how -- as Emily Dickinson might say -- the sparest of words can hold a wealth of pain. If you need any proof that fiction can scare us, move us, and break our hearts simultaneously -- look no further."
-- Jodi Picoult, bestselling author
"Suspenseful, provocative, often terrifying yet compassionate . . . all while creating one of the most memorable teenage protagonists in recent fiction . . . Moving, hopeful and grounded in the everyday, and as heartbreaking as the inspiration for the novel's title.” – Elizabeth Hand, The Washington Post
"Readers of any age who love John Green’s novels might also find Shepard’s story, sobering as it is, an awesome one.” – Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Bohjalian once again reveals an uncanny talent for crafting a young female protagonist who is fatally flawed, but nevertheless immensely likable . . . resonates with a message of hope, truth and the fragility of life.” – Karen Ann Cullotta, Bookpage
Amazon / B&N / IndieBound
Chris Bohjalian is the author of seventeen books, including Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands, arriving July 8, 2014 from Doubleday.
His other books include such New York Times bestsellers as The Light in the Ruins, The Sandcastle Girls, The Night Strangers, Secrets of Eden, Skeletons at the Feast, The Double Bind, Before Your Know Kindness, and Midwives.
His other books include such New York Times bestsellers as The Light in the Ruins, The Sandcastle Girls, The Night Strangers, Secrets of Eden, Skeletons at the Feast, The Double Bind, Before Your Know Kindness, and Midwives.
Win a brand new copy of
Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands!
The awesome peeps at Doubleday have offered up two brand new copies of this book for two winners.
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-ends 8/3/14
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6 comments:
I've heard so much about this author and his books and yet, for some reason, I haven't read any of them yet. This could be my chance, thanks.
I have heard of some of his books, but I have never read any. This really sounds very good. I love to read new authors.
would love to read such a moving story!
The plot sounds amazing & the trailer looks amazing, too! This really different from what I've been reading lately & this looks packed w/ suspense. Would you call this a bit of mystery also?
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.I believe Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands has a unique premise for a novel. Chis Bohjalian is known for his great storytelling, putting those two things together is why I would love the chance to win a copy!
This book sounds wonderful. I'm always interested in books that feature a character that has ran away. It sounds like a very moving and exciting story!
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