Tuesday, June 14, 2011

WHERE'S MY WAND by Eric Poole




Winner: Lizett34
Please email me your address at stephanieelliot@gmail.com so you can get your book!





What’s a Blast-O-Books Giveaway without some Memoir in the mix? We’ve got Eric Poole’s Where’s My Wand? One Boy’s Magical Triumph Over Alienation and Shag Carpeting coming your way today, and already I’m loving the first few pages because yes, I have a bit of shag carpeting in our new home. We actually call it the ‘70s Black Porn Rug for those of you who haven’t personal gyrated on it. I loathe it and cannot wait to get rid of it.

(I’ll note here, it’s not really from the ‘70s and it’s not really Porn carpet. It’s actually probably really nice, but it’s just not my style, and I don't gyrate on it. And I haven't put a black light against it either. I don't want to know what's been there before.)

Back to the book: Where’s My Wand is for any of you who have ever read and loved David Sedaris or Augusten Burroughs. People magazine has said this:

Poole’s memoir of growing up gay and Baptist in the seventies would be worth reading if it were just gut-splittingly funny. But Wand is also a deeply moving account of a boy’s attempt to control his world with his own brand of magic.”

And for you Brady Bunch fans, Florence Henderson wishes she could have had Eric for a Brady Boy! I have no idea why, or what she would have done to him, but, well, I guess that would have really made for some exciting Brady Bunch episodes, don’t you all think? “Bobby, Peter! What ARE you doing with Eric’s WAND???!!!” Hahah, Yes, I continue to CRACK MYSELF UP!

Book Blurb:
From the age of eight through early adolescence, Poole sought refuge from his obsessive-compulsive mother, sadistic teachers, and sneering schoolyard thugs in the Scotchgarded basement of his family’s suburban St. Louis tract house. There, emulating his favorite TV character, Endora from Bewitched, he wrapped himself in a makeshift caftan and cast magical spells in an effort to maintain control over the rapidly shifting ground beneath his feet. But when a series of tragic events tested Eric’s longstanding belief that magic can vanquish evil, he began to question the efficacy of his incantations, embarking on a spiritual journey that led him to discover the magic that comes only from within.

TO WIN:
So, if you’re looking for a little bit of ‘70s, a little bit of closet-gayness, and a whole lotta magic, tell me something you like about the seventies. And if you WEREN’T ALIVE DURING THE SEVENTIES, GO ASK A FAMILY MEMBER! Or just tell me you’re still a baby, and make me cringe!

Really though, I was barely part of the seventies, and only 11 by the time I got out of that decade, so I’m really not that much ahead of all you young ones! But I do remember those flare jeans. Maybe it’s because they have already been around two or three times since then. OK, I’ll tell you something! I remember they had these RECORD STORES, that sold RECORDS. Like vinyl. The stores were called The Record Bar. And my sister and I had gift certificates to get a record album. I chose a K-Town one. With like Knock-Knock-Knock on Wood, and I Will Survive on the album. Kind of like a mixed tape type of record album. Totally ‘70s right?

And my sister picked up this one with a black dude on it. It was called, Off The Wall. His name was Michael Jackson. I looked at her and said, clear as day, and I regret this to this day. I said, “Stacy, I don’t know if you’re going to like that record album.” Want to know why I said that to her? My preconceived idea that the singer was black so he wasn’t going to be good! HOW HORRIBLE AND WRONG WAS I? Thank GOD she bought the album anyway! Long live Michael Jackson! So there! There is my seventies story! Tell me one of yours to enter to win Where’s My Wand by Eric Poole!

Thanks for reading and being a part of June Blast-O-Books.

I also blog at SheKnows.com Real Moms Guide.

Don't forget to enter yesterday’s book, The D Word! I will most likely be choosing all the winners for the week over the weekend so do check back then! AS LONG AS A WINNER's NAME is NOT posted at the top of the blog post, then that means a winner has NOT yet been chosen so you can still enter to win that book but ONLY ONE TIME per book entry PLEASE!

If you're new here, check out the rules and other stuff for the June Blast-O-Books there under that highlighted link back there, or feel free to leave me a comment always and I'll answer it in the thread, or email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com. It is always at my discretion to change things up, and because of some regulations, I guess I must say that the books I review are given to me by either the authors or publishers or publicists, and I am never paid for my reviews, and they are my own personal reviews, and you know what, because I'm here telling you this anyway, I will also tell you that I never review a book I don't like, because you know what, why waste my time, life is too short to read a crappy book! There. There's my new mantra!


85 comments:

Dolly said...

The 70's were my time! I was just a kid in the 60's, but I graduated in 79. I think what I liked best was the TV shows! I still like them even now - their awfullness! (the clothes were NOT great, believe me, your memory is warped, Stephanie!)

Carly said...

Oh my gosh! I love Sedaris & Burroughs! I'm excited about this one.

I was born at the very end of the 70s but I know the best thing---the music! My favorite band ever, Fleetwood Mac, released Rumours in the 70s. Awesome. :)

Bridget said...

I got married in the 70's. Got to love the bell bottom pants, short dresses and platform shoes.
Iambtinrb

Karen said...

The 70s brought us Saturday Night Fever, "wings" (hair) ala Farrah Fawcett, Magnum P.I., and the only haircut that I ever had that made me doubt my mother's love for me...the "shag." Ick. ktmixon315 (P.S. I was 8-17 in the 70s...but I always claimed the 80s as my era...graduated in 1981 from high school). :)

Philadelphia said...

I wasn't born until 1984... But this book sounds awesome!

Books & Reviews said...

My brother and I look at photos of our mom from the 70s and she totally rocked the hip huggers and bell bottoms! I love the way she looked!

Dawn said...

Born in the early 70's, but I absolutely loved my Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader outfit. What I wouldn't give to have it now, or at least a picture of me in it! Its what I aspired to be, didn't work out though :(

Nanette said...

Manic...you always find/have the most interesting books to give away! Thanks again for doing the June Blast-O-Books! Anyway, the best thing (I can remember) about the 70's is, of course, the MUSIC! More specifically the Bee Gees...and the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Ohhhh Yeahhhh!! I was 10 when my aunt took me to that movie...AW LAWD!! She didn't realize how "racey" it would be for a 10 year old....And I'll never forget that either. I think it was a DRIVE-IN movie, too. Remember those?!? LOL!! Anyway, my other fave would be "Charlie's Angels" and that famous Farrah Fawcett hairdo. I always wanted hair like that!! Ahhh....the memories! Sigh...Nan

Anonymous said...

Born in 1974, the 70s are my age of innocence. Also, 1978, the year I didn't ride Dumbo at Disney World. This shaped my whole life. I learned early, if you want something, get it yourself. Flash to 1984 at the Worlds Fair, I saw the stamp exhibit and frightened a few people. I don't know what the problem was, I wasn't lost, I knew exactly where I was. TaraUB in IN

Logan Collins said...

Born in 86..so still a baby. It's always nice to hear that certainly don't feel that way! I love watching my parents dance together to music from the 70s.

LizzybethDJ said...

Things I miss about the 70's... music - classic rock and, to my husband's horror, even disco
I also miss my childhood innocence.
I don't miss the hair or the clothes!

Kayo said...

I was around 11 yrs old. My first record I bought was Shaun Cassidy's Da Doo Run Run. When I got it home, it skipped. We took it back, and the new one skipped as well. We tried a third time, and then gave up. Shaun Cassidy really disappointed me.
Many years later I dated two different Shawns, and married one of them.

Brantly's Mom said...

I was conceived and born in 1980 so I just missed the 70's :)

Ally said...

I wasn't born until the 80's, but my mom loved the 70's. When I was younger I loved playing with her old clothes. I think I used her bell bottoms every year for halloween.

Emma S. said...

This book sounds so good! I love Sedaris and secretly believe he's my gay soul mate. I was born in 86, so I wasn't around during the 70s. But, my parents got married in the 70s, and I absolutely adore my mom's 70s china.

kathygold9778 said...

My 70's story.....hmm...I was born in 1978! Does that qualify me? LOL!

I love memoirs and I this sounds especcially good. Thanks for all your great give-a-ways!

kathygold9778

Katy F said...

My favorite thing about the 70's would have to be the TV Shows...they don't make them like they used to.

Crystal said...

Born in '88. But we sure do love disco music at family weddings/quinceañeras!!

Was YMCA released in the 70s? I remember going to a birthday party for one of my best friends (and one of the coolest girls in school) back when I was in 4th/5th grade. Not sure why, but the 70s sure did make their reappearance at my elementary school. We were all into tie-dye shirts and flared jeans....anywho it was her birthday and the party was at her house. YMCA started playing, and while I knew the moves to the chorus, I didn't know there were moves to the verses too!! So that night I learned ALL the moves to YMCA and had my first virgin margarita. (now you see why she was the cool one; she had a cool mom!)

and if YMCA wasn't released in the 70s....well damn. LOL!

Crystal717

Carie Casey said...

I was born in the late 70's so I don't remember anything. I with a few others and loved the music. I lurve the beegee's.

Carie

Melissa said...

I was born in 1978, so I was lucky enough to live two years in in that decade. ;-)

Melissa Rem

Juliet Farmer said...

i love the music of the 70s--reminds me of my childhood. also love how we could play outside from dawn to dusk with no worries.

Lindsay Elizabeth said...

I apologize for the cringe, as I was an 80's baby... BUT my favorite part about the 70's is looking at all the pictures of my mom when she was living through the 70's..they never cease to entertain me!

Leah B said...

I was a '79 baby ..so there is not much I can say about the 70's. However, I do remember dancing around our living room with my older sister to the Bee Gees on the ... reel to reel!

absolutahnie said...

my mom took my 14 year old self to see my first R rated movie - saturday night fever...to this day she's still the coolest mom on earth! i love that memory!

Amy Nichole G said...

So I wasn't alive in the 70s, but the things I like best from that decade were the clothes and music!

Amy Nichole G

Emily said...

I wasn't born until 81, but my parents were married in the 70s, and will celebrate their 36th anniversary this August. If not for them, I wouldn't be here, and neither would my fantastic brother and sister. So I guess I'd say August 16, 1975 is my favorite part of the 70s! ;)


Emily116

Ready To Be A Momma said...

Sorry to make you cringe, but I missed out on the 70s. I wasn't born til the mid 80s. :)
qweska8402

Megan said...

I named my dog, Rumour, after the Fleetwood Mac album-so amazing. I won't tell you how old I am though...since I wasn't born until a bit later

Melissa said...

I love gay boys. Therefore, I would love to read this. I love the music of the 70's. "Right Back Where We Started From" by Maxine Nightingale is my theme song. I also love Queen, some of Billy Joel's classic stuff, etc. Also, I want to thank the 70's for giving us "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," a movie that I got to experience a lot of in the 90's, along with all the fun that came with it.

Melissa A from CLC

CAnative said...

Platform Shoes!!! Love them.

Nicole

Dani In Chicago said...

I was born in 71, and I'm so grateful to have lived through the 70s and 80s! What great decades! I remember 8 track tapes, the Bee Gees begin huge, rollerskating, the Brady Bunch, All in the Family.

Sometimes I wish I can go back in a time machine!

dani patarazzi

DaphneSFL said...

I miss the music, the shoes, the clothes, my albums, the tv shows, the awesome bell bottom jeans I had with butterflies on the butt, my pink bike with a white wicker basket and flowers on it, Old Chicago (why oh why did they get rid of Old Chicago???), Santa's Village..I could go on and on.

Denise said...

This book sounds great, I love Burroughs! I wasn't born yet (sorry!), but my favorite thing that came out of the 70's is The Godfather.

Heidi @ Decor & More said...

Great question! Wow, it would have to be my Shaun Cassidy poster, but Charlie's Angels rocked, too. My friends and I pretended to be Angels and I was Jill. Ha!
Thanks, MM. :)

Heidi @ Decor & More said...

Great question! Wow, it would have to be my Shaun Cassidy poster, but Charlie's Angels rocked, too. My friends and I pretended to be Angels and I was Jill. Ha!
Thanks, MM. :)

Krystal said...

I wasn't born in the 70's so I don't have much reference, but I do love the Rumors album from Fleetwood Mac!
kndyer

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

My 70's story is about my name...I was born in 1972 and my parents were going to name me "Mlaka Tamu" because their neighbors thought it was a cool name--it means "angel of God" in Swahili. At the last minute, my mother finally had a moment of clarity and named me "Tanya Mlaka." I hate explaining it, but at least it is not my first name. Sounds totally 70's to me!

buttah said...

I remember STANDING in the backseat of my mom's Maverick car...I was born in '77 so I SHOULD HAVE BEEN in a CARSEAT!! But what the hell were those in the '70s??? Ha! My sister and I used to also lay across the back dash of that car too on long trips. And I also remember vinyl records, and getting up to change the channel on the tv, and shag carpet. OH and Land of the Lost tv show...and Banana Splits...those were my favs!!

Erin T. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Erin T. said...

Ok - I was only 4 when the 70's ended so my "memories" of that delicious decade are limited to photos of my dad with his afro, beard and "birth control" glasses, my mother's gorgeous plaid pants, and the powder blue leisure suit my older brother wore to my Aunt's wedding!

This story sort of resonates with me though as my younger brother is gay. I know he struggled as a teen with his identity, and that he's very happy where he is today. I give credit to my parents that they were, and are, very supportive of him and his choices. I can only imagine how he'd be now if he was not allowed to be his true self.

Anonymous said...

I loved 70s TV. The Brady Bunch, The Love Boat and Fantasy Island were my favorite things to watch as a kid in the 70s.

-Donna W.

Unknown said...

LOL I love 70's hairstyles. :)

holly wohle said...

I was born in the 80's but I love the syle of the 70's. I have my kitchen decked out in the merrie mushroom style that was popular with Sears in the 70's. It's really hard to find all the pieces but i'm pretty close to all of them. The music is great as well!

holly wohle

Jenn3128 said...

I was young, but at least alive in the late 70's. My mom has a picture of us hanging down at the pool with all the neighbors...I guess I miss that kind of comradery. (To actually know ones neighbors, what a concept)!

Lilianarenee said...

Not around in the 70's but I do love the pictures of my Grandparents! Its obviously a part of them that I never saw and I am so interested them.

Jeryl M. said...

I like the music of the 70's. You could actually understand what people were singing.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

your invisible pixie said...

I wasn't born until the mid-80's but I LOVE the music from the 70s! :)

Jessica said...

I wasn't born until 1988. My mom liked the clothes best.

Thanks!
-Jessica

Ronit said...

I was born in 1970 but I have fond memories of my tennis shoe roller skates!

Lizett34 said...

I was not around in the 70's but if I had to pick something I would pick the music!

Mom Blogs said...

Wasn't born til the 80's, but I love reading about the 70's. Count me in.

Hally said...

I was born in the 70's, so I have only a few memories, but one of them is a little record player..Fisher Price maybe? That played REAL records. In particular it (I) loved John Denver sings with the Muppets, and StrawBerry Shortcakes read along. :)

Anonymous said...

All the memories - the toys, the fashions, the hairstyles - it seems like all of the men had mustaches, the tv shows, the music - growing up with my 3 siblings (and the surprise #4 arriving in '76)- I was in my pre and early teens during that decade - JillFay

Christine in NJ said...

LOVE the 70's music! And thanks to the Sirus in my van I enjoy it whenever my kids are NOT around! I was a kid... 14 when I left that era so I have sooooo many fond memories of that time! I still have my pink vinyl 45 case filled with records!

Okay - off to drive my kids somewhere and I am going to FORCE them to listen to some good 70's music! HAHA

Thanks MaNiC for another great giveaway!
Christine

Bev Victoria said...

I went to high school in the 70's, and Saturday Night Live is one of the things I remember best. With the original cast, and if you didn't watch it on Saturday, you didn't know what anyone was talking about on Monday morning. Oh yeah, the music. Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, to name a few.

MonaLisa said...

I was born in 71. The music is the best part. The BeeGees and then all my brother's massive record collection that he let me listen to. Molly Hatchett, Fleetwood Mac, Heart (which I listened to a lot later in the 80's too). I didn't like the short haircut my mom gave me, but loved my wings in the late 70's. Too much polyester was inflicted on me^ in the 70's to like the clothes.

ludy2288 said...

I wasn't born yet, but I do love looking through my mom's pictures from the 70s, all the bell bottoms, feathery hair, and crochet tops

equinn726 said...

I was born in the later part of the 70's and as a little little kid, I remember the music (classic rock) and my parents having people over for drinks and dinner on our back patio with my mother in her white bell bottom pants & cute little platforms.

Sounds like a great book - I love memiors!

Joelle said...

Well from the stories I have heard from my parents, I think what I loved the most was the cute short dresses, bell bottoms and platform shoes.

Anonymous said...

I was born mid-70s so my memories are foggy of that decade. I still love the music though...sadly that includes John Denver!

~Colbey J

Kristi said...

I was born in 68. The 70's were playing outside until the street lights came on, being friends with everyone in the neighborhood. Getting grounded by your neighbors, 8 track tapes, disco, block parties, etc.

I wish our kids could have the kind of childhood we had.

michelle m said...

I was "young" but totally LOVED Shaun Cassidy!

AisforRandom said...

I like "that 70's show"

Nancye said...

I was actually born in 1970, so I was just a little kid then. I do remember the flowery clothes, long hair, and cool music! It was a fun time to grow up!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Kristi said...

Shag carpet... I mean, when does it ever not make you smile!

Kristi Hooke

Joani said...

OMG I loved the seventies, landlubber hip hugger bellbottoms, Long maxi skirts, Long maxi coats, the new 8 track tapes, rock concerts, Stones, Faces, Dead, The Band. Oh for the good old days

Terri said...

I was only around for the last half of the 70's, and I don't remember anything decade-specific, so my favorite thing about the 70's is that I was born smack-dab in the middle of them!

Terri M.

Lesley Davis, Esq said...

I was born in '77 so I'm guessing the thing I loved most about the 70's was a clean diaper & full boobs ; ) sounds like a great book!

Kimmi said...

Disco music. Yeah, I've had a shake my booty moment (hides head in shame).

BrendaL71 said...

Hi, Manic Mommy, I was a little bit younger than you when the decade ended but I have to say I really think I blocked out a large part of that era. I don't think there was anything I really liked but I remember the plastic on the furniture and the light/white lipstick my aunts and mom used to wear.

BRN2SHOP9 said...

I don't have a 70's story. :(

EBrowning said...

I was born in '78 so I don't have many memories of the 70's...but wasn't Grease made sometime during that period? I love that movie! :-)

Bethy said...

I just love the 70's...plain and simple...everything about that era. I was born in 1971, so I didn't get to enjoy the 70's in the fashion I would have liked too. But, I feel like it is an era I would have thrived in! Elvis, Sonny and Cher, Fleetwood Mac, Linda Ronstadt, Meatloaf....the MUSIC was FAB-U-LOUS!!

Nicole Marie said...

Not gonna lie... I wasn't even close to being alive during the 70s. My mom was, though, and she told me one of her favorite memories from then:

When she was around 8 years old her sister left her as collateral at the gas station when she realized she forgot her wallet at home :)

NicoleMG from CT

The Jagow Family said...

Hmmm, the 70's...I was born in '73 and I don't remember a ton. But from the pictures the outfits were CRAZY....and the furniture was yuck (yuck green with floral patterns....oh goodness). Oh wait, you wanted to know my favorite thing about the 70's...moving to Minnesota (from Iowa), Minnesota is my home and where my memories are.

Susan @ The Book Bag said...

I would have to say that the 70s produced some great music. My husband played records from the 70s when my kids were little and now that is the music that they go back to as adults. Nothing better!

Thanks for the awesome Blast-o-Books Giveaway! You are awesome!

Amy R. said...

Sorry.. I was born in the 80's so the only thing I like from the 70's would be the TV shows.

The Poty's said...

Well, I was born in 1979 and most of my friends are born after that so I always get teased that I'm from the 70's. That's the best I got!

Mom'sLove said...

born in 71! Loved Olivia Newton John! Let's Get Physical!
Whooo
Amanda

Anonymous said...

Loved the music, loved the TV shows, loved how the world seemed to be a better/simpler place (in hindsight anyway!).

SPepper22

Liz said...

I'm an '80s baby, but while on bedrest I took in a few classic John Travolta movies, including Saturday Night Fever - I loved it!!!

Ann Summerville said...

This sounds like a hilarious read.
Ann
cozyintexas@yahoo.com

IandSsmom said...

The thing I like best about the '70's is that I was born in 'em!!! 1974!!! I just love a good memoir and this one sound fun!!!
shannonjean14(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'm an early eighties kid but I really refer to myself as a nineties kid as I was too young to remember anything from the early 80's. I do recall seeing pics of my mom in bell bottoms and when they came back in style I remember asking why she didn't keep them - they would have been vintage and a cool trend!

Rebecca E

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

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