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Book Review: Leftovers by Arthur Wooten & Giveaway

April 23, 2012 by Darlene

What I love about reading and blogging is finding new authors and Arthur Wooten, the author of Leftovers, is one of them. What a fantastic gem this book is! It took me back to an era when Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland were popular, when gas was 21 cents a gallon and cigarettes 30 cents, and when Tupperware was all the rage! (I remember Tupperware parties and truth be told we still have quite a bit of Tupperware in our cupboards – lol). I loved this journey back in time and the people I got to meet!

Vivian fantasizes about being the perfect housewife. The reason it’s a fantasy is because Vivian is the worst housekeeper and cook there is. Truth be told after an incident as a kid she’s pretty scared of that lumbering gas stove in her kitchen. When her husband who married her for the money he thought she’d inherit tells her he’s leaving her, she’s shocked. She literally falls apart – the bills are piling up, the power is turned off, and finally Vivian’s house is taken from her.

Lucky for Vivian she has a couple of good friends in Babs and her brother Stew because they take her in. Stew is in heaven as he’s been harboring a crush on Vivian for years. If only she’d notice him as more than Bab’s brother and a friend. When Vivian is unable to find a job Babs suggests selling Tupperware as she does. Vivian is terrified of speaking in front of a group of people but she realizes she has no choice.

Turns out Vivian is a natural born seller and has a knack with people – they like her. Once she gains confidence she goes at it with a vengeance. She becomes a top seller in a short time and gets to go a convention that ends up being the catalyst to her transformation. The creator of the Tupperware Home Party, Brownie Wise, decides to take Vivian under her wing. Vivian gets a makeover, new clothes, and a car. On top of it she becomes the media spokeswoman for Tupperware. Life as Vivian knew it is never the same. The only thing she didn’t bank on was losing the two most important people in her life on her rise to stardom.

Vivian is a great character. She’s so hopeless that she’s funny. She can’t park a car if her life depends on it, she dresses like a slob, and obviously she can’t keep a husband. Yet, as she says, Tupperware changes her life and it does. Vivian gains the confidence to succeed and be her own woman – to make it on her own. Keep in mind this is the 1950’s when it was less common for women to be so successful. It was great to see Vivian find herself and realize that despite a bad childhood and marriage, she was strong enough to take care of herself. Every time she stepped further up the ladder of self confidence I cheered her on and it was great to see her grow so much from where she had started.

Arthur has a wonderful writing style. While really the story is a serious one – a woman trying to find her way – he writes in a way that lightens it up and makes it funny and serious all at the same time. I was hooked on the story from the beginning because you just can’t help but be sucked into Vivian’s crazy life and I couldn’t put it down. I’ll say that I enjoyed it so much that I went and bought three more of Arthur’s books for my Kindle. Leftovers is a wonderful story of a woman who was truly lost for most of her life but finds herself in an unexpected way by sheer determination and selling Tupperware. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to my friends!

Be sure to pop by Arthur’s website to check out Leftovers as well as his other novels. You can also visit Arthur on his blog or find him on Facebook and Twitter.  You can buy your own copy of Leftovers here at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, or for your Kindle (at only $2.99 – a steal!).

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one paperback copy (or if you prefer a Kindle copy) of Leftovers by Arthur Wooten up for grabs.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word!

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, May 5/12.  Good luck to all!

Source: Review copy was provided by the author. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2012 - 100+ Books, 2012 ARC's, 2012 Book Reviews, 2012 eBooks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diane@BibliophilebytheSea says

    April 23, 2012 at 4:56 am

    Hi Dar…I was thinking Leftovers, by Perrotta when I saw the title…LOL

    Hope all is well and that you have a good week.

  2. zibilee says

    April 23, 2012 at 7:19 am

    This sounds so unique and kind of fun! I bet it would make for a really good relaxing read for when things are stressful. I loved reading your thoughts on it! I would love the chance to read this one, Dar, so please do enter me in your giveaway as well!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  3. Ellie says

    April 23, 2012 at 7:31 am

    This lovely and unique book sounds special. Your wonderful review captivated me. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  4. Anne says

    April 23, 2012 at 7:38 am

    What a great book. Just ideal. Loved learning about the author and his writing. I subscribe via e-mail.

  5. Mary says

    April 23, 2012 at 7:56 am

    You’ve piqued my interest. Adding it to my wish list (don’t enter my name in the giveaway though).

  6. Bridget O'Neill says

    April 23, 2012 at 9:11 am

    Sounds like my kind of book!

    I am an email subscriber.

  7. Lisa Garrett says

    April 23, 2012 at 9:34 am

    Love your review and your enthusiasm for this book. I will put it on my TBR list.

  8. Lisa Garrett says

    April 23, 2012 at 9:34 am

    I follow via email and GFC.

  9. Lisa Garrett says

    April 23, 2012 at 9:35 am

    tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/194449143685591041

  10. Emily Drake says

    April 23, 2012 at 9:38 am

    Please enter me 🙂

  11. Emily Drake says

    April 23, 2012 at 9:38 am

    I follow via google reader

  12. Bookworm says

    April 23, 2012 at 9:45 am

    This sounds so cute and what a fun cover. Please enter me, thank u. I’m a follower.
    naidascrochet@ yahoodotcom

  13. Margie says

    April 23, 2012 at 10:11 am

    This sounds like a fun, nostalgic book. Thanks for the giveaway.

  14. Margie says

    April 23, 2012 at 10:12 am

    I follow your blog by email subscription, GFC, and Facebook.

  15. pamela james says

    April 23, 2012 at 10:17 am

    This sounds like a fun book to read-I remember the tupperware parties that my mom and her friends used to have-what fun!

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  16. pamela james says

    April 23, 2012 at 10:17 am

    gfc follower
    pjames330 at aol dot com

  17. pamela james says

    April 23, 2012 at 10:19 am

    https://twitter.com/#!/pj436/status/194460314425765888

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  18. karenk says

    April 23, 2012 at 10:29 am

    I love the cover art on this novel.

    Thanks for the chance to read it.

  19. karenk says

    April 23, 2012 at 10:29 am

    i’m a follower, too 🙂

  20. Carl says

    April 23, 2012 at 10:57 am

    This does sound like a fun book to read and with interesting characters as well. Please enter my name for the chance to win a copy.

    I follow this blog by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

    I also tweeted aboutthe giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/carlrscott/status/194469365037547520

    Thanks!

  21. MonieG says

    April 23, 2012 at 10:57 am

    This sounds like a fun book.

    I follow with GFC.

    I blogged about it here: http://www.readingwithmonie.com/2008/08/book-giveaways.html

  22. blodeuedd says

    April 23, 2012 at 11:19 am

    Sounds different 🙂 And yes I do got tupperware to, lol

  23. Vicki says

    April 23, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    Hi Dar~ When I saw the title of your post in my email,I got really excited because I thought this was about Leftovers by Tom Perrotta, which has been on my WL for a while. But…after seeing what the book really is, I got extra excited because I love finding new authors and this book looks like such a fun read!!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

  24. Vicki says

    April 23, 2012 at 12:32 pm

    I follow your blog via GFC, Networked Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, & email.

  25. Vicki says

    April 23, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    TWEET: https://twitter.com/#!/irbratb/status/194493935207452672

  26. Karen B says

    April 23, 2012 at 12:38 pm

    Sounds like a fun read – and I remember having some of those tupperware parties!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  27. Karen B says

    April 23, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    Email subscriber, GFC, FB, Networked blogs.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  28. Carol Wong says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    I love to read stories set in the 1950s. That stove brings back memories. In 1971,I tried to bake a cake on my honeymoon. The stove blew up and we checked out!!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  29. Carol Wong says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    I am a long time follower of your blog.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  30. Carol Wong says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    I tweeted:

    http://t.co/c8J3lurA

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  31. Maureen says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    It looks like a good story.
    I follow on GFC
    Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/MaureenCE/status/194503910310940672

  32. rhonda says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:25 pm

    another book for tbr pile..I follow on twitter fb follower. Rhondareads will tweet.email subscriber

  33. Karen W says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    I love this cover it is gorgeous!!
    Thanks for the giveaway
    I am a follower

  34. Rachel W. says

    April 23, 2012 at 2:54 pm

    I’m a follower- thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

  35. Tanya Quilts in CO says

    April 23, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    I still love Tupperware! I also subscribe to your blog…

  36. Staci@LifeintheThumb says

    April 23, 2012 at 8:15 pm

    Sounds like a great story and probably one that I wouldn’t read because I’m such a cover snob. That’s why it’s wonderful that you read some of these books that others would pass on….great review!

  37. Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic says

    April 24, 2012 at 1:04 am

    Oh this sounds cute. The cover is different.

  38. Anna says

    April 24, 2012 at 11:11 am

    I don’t normally read books like this, but you’ve made the character and the setting sound so wonderful. Great review!

  39. bn100 says

    April 24, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    I enjoyed the review. The book sounds fun.

  40. bn100 says

    April 24, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    I follow the blog.

  41. Linda Kish says

    April 24, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    I would love to win a copy of this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  42. Linda Kish says

    April 24, 2012 at 6:32 pm

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  43. Jenners says

    April 24, 2012 at 7:32 pm

    Maybe I should look into selling Tupperware!! Lord knows I’m not a great housekeeper!

  44. Susan @ The Book Bag says

    April 25, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    Thanks for bringing this book to my attention – it sounds great – and I love the cover!

    I am a GFC follower – thanks!!

  45. Margaret says

    April 25, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    +1 A story set in this era sounds really good!

    +2 blog follower

    +3 tweeted

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  46. rhonda says

    April 25, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    Would love to read this email subscrir twitter follower will tweet at rhonda reads..gfc follower. Thanks for giveaway.

  47. Jennygirl says

    April 26, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    lol I’m also a bit afraid of my stove from time to time also 🙂
    Thanks for the recommendation and contest Darlene.
    Is this based on a real person? It sure seems like it.

    jennygirl73[at]gmail[dot]com

  48. Jeanne B. T. says

    April 27, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    Sounds like a fun read. Please enter me in this giveaway.
    🙂 Jeanne B. T.

  49. Jeanne B. T. says

    April 27, 2012 at 11:51 pm

    GFC @Jeanne

  50. Jeanne B. T. says

    April 27, 2012 at 11:54 pm

    Tweeted about giveaway @momma8385 – https://twitter.com/#!/momma8385/status/196114485298208768

  51. Diane B. says

    May 6, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    I’m a follower and i tweeted. https://twitter.com/#!/Dyniy/status/199224624175775744

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