Updated at bottom
One of my favorite book bloggers is Nymeth, of Things Mean A Lot. I discovered her blog last year when she reviewed One for Sorrow, and have consistently returned ever since because the way she writes about the books she’s read is really lovely, and almost always spot on when something she’s written has compelled me to seek a book out. Today she posted a review of The Love We Share Without Knowing, which is, as usual, lovely writing. Here’s a clip:
This novel is filled with things like shape-shifting foxes, old Japanese curses, ghosts, and blind men regaining their sight. But above all it’s filled with beautiful, melancholy stories about grief and loss, love, longing and loneliness, intimacy and connections or the lack thereof. About being alive and feeling all the things that it implies, or not feeling them and wanting to feel them so desperately. About trying to find a place, real or imaginary, that feels like home.
I don’t even know if I should be trying to pinpoint what The Love We Share Without Knowing is about. It’s just a really beautiful book. It’s so human, so full of warmth, so quietly perceptive. It broke my heart and it put it back together again. Not many books achieve this, but Christopher Barzak has done it twice now. When I finished this book, I wanted to laugh and cry; I was both immensely sad and very glad to be alive.
It’s the sort of thing a writer is pleased to hear from readers, obviously, and I’m grateful that something I’ve made can have this effect on others. I know how difficult it is to find books that move me in particular ways. My favorite sort are the kind that do make me want to laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time, a blend of levity and gravity. In any case, Nymeth has proposed to her readers that she will send them chocolates and bookmarks (and if envelopes could hold puppies, then puppies, too) if they’ll read and blog about The Love We Share Without Knowing in the next couple of months. She’s giving a free copy away next week, I believe, if I read correctly, and you can enter to win it.
In that same spirit, I’ve decided to offer up some free copies of the book as well. If you’d be interested in reading The Love We Share Without Knowing and then blogging about it or reviewing it somewhere afterward, drop me a line at the e-mail address listed in the sidebar of this site, and I’ll send the first ten people who do contact me a free copy. Deal?
Update: The tenth emailer is in and the giveaway over. Thanks for all the interest. I look forward to reading all of your reviews of the book, whether it be on your blogs, Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever you post your thoughts on books. Thanks, all.
Christopher Barzak 
Eep! You read my blog!
Thank you for this. I am indeed giving away a copy of the book next week, and I’ll help spread the word about your lovely offer among book bloggers. More people should be reading your books.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Nymeth. I hope more people will be reading them in the future!
What a great opportunity! I read your first book last year and loved it! I’d love to have the opportunity to review this one as well 🙂
Becky
I remember, Becky, and thanks again! Please send me your address again to my hotmail e-mail address, and I’ll send you a book straightaway.
Chris
You obviously have exquisite taste if you read Nymeth’s blog. I tell her often, because it is so true, that her reviews are in themselves works of art. She’s to blame for many a sagging bookshelf in my home! I truly cannot wait to pick up of a copy of The Love We Share Without Knowing, which, by the way, has to be one of the loveliest titles for a book ever.
Thank you so much for the kind words about the title, Debi. I hope the book lives up to it! And yes, I have even more books than I would normally because of Nymeth’s reviews!
That is, by far, the best description of your novel that I’ve read. I wish I’d written it. I’ll have to start reading Nymeth’s blog.
I’m not a exclusively a book blogger, but I’ll review The Love We Share Without Knowing for my next post. Sorry I’ve been remiss (the things I forget or don’t think about these days).
Thanks, Lucy! And I think you’ll enjoy Nymeth’s reviews. She’s great.
haha, Nymeth is great, huh? 🙂 She told me the other day that I should read you, but my library didn’t have the book! I wouldn’t mind reading this one, though.
Hi Kailana, I have one spot open for a free copy still if you’d like to have one to review. Email me your address and I’ll send you one. 🙂
oh, I hope my comment did not get slurped up somehow. if you can’t find it email me terra @ talesfromthenightstand.com and I will send again.
Ok, it appears my first comment did not infact post, maybe it got hit by a spam blocker because I added links but I wanted you to be able to visit my blogs. I would love to read your new book, review it and share it with another reader on my site. I am also going to look into One for Sorrow, I am sad to say I have not read it, but something tells me I should. I am glad I found this site. I love to read and read more than I sleep…
Hi Terra, I’d love to read your reviews of my books. If you’d like one of the free copies, please email me your address and I’ll send you one! Thanks!
Your book sounds incredible Christopher and I love the title so much!!! Plus Nymeth’s heartfelt endorsement is enough for me! I’ve ordered it 🙂
Aww, thank you so much, Amy! I hope you enjoy it!
Nymeth certainly added a hefty amount of books in my shelves with her insightful reviews. And I won One for Sorrow last year during one of her giveaways. Short of saying she introduced you to me and now I have something good to look forward to with the publication of your second book.
I do hope your books become available here in the Philippines. While I’ve yet to see a copy of One for Sorrow here, I’m hopeful that my favorite bookstore will carry your titles soon.
I hope my books become available in the Philippines, too, Lightheaded! Thanks for the kind words!
Hey Chris!
I already blogged about it awhile ago:)
Did you read it?
Hi Tressa! Thank you so much! I did read it, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it and that it carried some memories of Japan for you, too. 🙂
Nymeth’s blog is indeed a wonderful one. She’s among my favorites and one that I visit daily. And like you and Debi, my TBR pile has grown tremendously because of her!! I’ve had One for Sorrow on my wishlist for awhile now and after reading her review of this one too, it looks like I have to bump you up to the top of my list!
Thanks, Chris! I hope you enjoy the books! It gives me great satisfaction to know that people are reading them and finding something worthwhile in them.
A writer who is loved by Nymeth and who participates in the blogging community? Wow, I’m intrigued. I’ haven’t read anything of yours yet, but I’ll be ordering The Love We Share Without Knowing next week! 🙂
Thanks, Joanna. Hope you aren’t disappointed! 😉
I just read Nymeth’s review and loved it, I am putting this book on my list of books to be read.
Thank you, Madeleine! I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read it!
I completelely agree with you regarding Nymeth’s reviews.. books that she’s reviewed are constantly filling up my wishlist.. I have your book on my TBR pile and her review has made me pick it up right away!:)
Thanks, Ramya! I hope you enjoy it as much as Nymeth did!
Pingback: Rambling « Stuff as Dreams are Made on