Today’s post by Tanis Rideout, author of ABOVE ALL THINGS
The talented and generous team at Amy Einhorn Books has provided a copy of ABOVE ALL THINGS for one lucky winner. As usual, simply leave a comment on this post and you’ll be entered.
Tanis Rideout
UPDATE: the winner for this giveaway is Carol. She has been notified by email. Thanks to everyone who entered! And don’t forget to visit again soon.
My first novel, Above All Things, is based on the 1924 British expedition to Mt. Everest an historical event and so is filled with true things. Most of them are not about me, but life has a way of creeping into my writing – in big ways and small ways. The way someone looks, a certain nervous tic, the details of an event or room. In order to make George and Ruth’s relationship spring to life I borrowed from my own.
In the novel, George and Ruth recall their first meeting quite differently. Ruth believes it is when her father invites George to stay with their family in Italy and remembers in detail how George first looked, what he said. George, though, recalls meeting her earlier at a New Years Eve Party. “We’ve met before,” George insists, citing the dinner party, which Ruth remembers attending but she is unable to recall George’s presence at all.
My husband and I agree on our first meeting (though perhaps we’d been in the same room together before) – a reading at a local book store, an introduction by mutual friends – but like George and Ruth, we disagree on what it was that I was wearing. “You wore a red dress,” George says – echoing my husband’s insistence. And I agree with Ruth: “But I hadn’t.”
I don’t recall owning any red dress – though years later I bought one to wear on our anniversary. Both my husband and I are sure we are correct. It has become part of our relationship’s history, a running joke, one that we both believe the other is the punch line of.
I gave this story to George and Ruth for a couple of reasons – to lend their meeting, their first getting to know each other an aura of authenticity – we attach a great deal of importance to how we meet people, particularly lovers. But I also gave them this story to highlight just how much it is possible for us to misremember, mistake and mis-tell of our own lives. One of us, my husband or me, is correct, that much is true. One of us isn’t. It changes nothing about our relationship, but makes me wonder what else might be misremembered or misconstrued. This innocent discrepancy seems hugely important in telling a story, like George and Ruth’s, that is very much about how we narrate and tell our own stories, to ourselves and to others.
“Tell me the story of Everest,” she said, a fervent smile sweeping across her face, creasing the corners of her eyes. “Tell me about this mountain that’s stealing you away from me.” 
About Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon is the co-founder of She Reads, novelist, blogger, storyteller, and life-long reader. She lives in Texas with her husband and four young sons (aka The Wild Rumpus). Ariel believes that Story is the shortest distance to the human heart.
I am really interested to read this book, and am drawn in by the historical details of the plot as well as well as the intertwining of personal events adding more authenticity and depth to the characters. Thank you for the chance to win.
Sounds like a great story about an interesting subject. Would love the chance to read it.
Thanks
Love this story — and that it made it into Ms. Rideout’s novel. And I have to say, Ms. Rideout’s comment “… but makes me wonder what else might be misremembered or misconstrued.” makes me shiver, happily — fascinating take I hadn’t considered. Hers has been one of the top 2013 releases I’m dying to read — such a fabulous setting!
Thanks for the chance to have a copy- sounds like a great story! One that I would love to read!
What an interesting topic – i would love to read this book!
Fascinating premise. Sounds like another wonderful read.
this book sounds so good! i hope i win!
Love historical fiction…can’t wait…
Thanks so much for the chance to win such fascinating book!
Sounds like a lovely love story. Please enter my name!
This sounds like an intriguing story. Thanks for a chance to win.
Sounds like a wonderful read – I would love to win a copy.
I love when authors weave in fun little details like how people met many years ago.
I love any book based during the War years, so this again will be one I will want to read!! Sounds fantastic!!! Shannon Brown
The love story based on historic events should be a thrilling one that brings out facts as well as a relationship that has some “mis-remembered, mistakes, and miss-tells” that can bring conflict, humor and redemption in the story. Can’t wait to read this book.
I really like books seeped in history, and I love the story about the red dress. What a little detail, yet both people are absolutely sure they’re right.
I really want to read this book. I find the Inter-War period fascinaing
Wow. Sounds great!
Sounds intriguing… love historical fiction. Putting it on my “must read” list
Love novels. This one looks excellent!
This sounds like a book I would love to read. Thanks for the opportunity.
I wonder how many people have had to miss out on the love of their life because of prejudice–and how different this world would be if we all had open minds.
I would definitely read this book!
This sounds like a very interesting story. One that I would love to read.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
It sounds good and to be introduced to a new author is a bonus.
This book sounds really interesting. I would love a chance to win.
I am not a avid reader, but this book sounds like one I would sink my teeth into
I love books that pull me away from my life, and this novel looks intriguing.
Hearing the background of how/why a book was written makes it so much more intriguing! I’d love to win this book!
I have loved everything Everest every since reading Into Thin Air. The fact that people would leave their warm comfy homes to risk their lives on Everest fascinates me. I also remember when Mallory’s body was found on Everest. Gruesome pictures are all over the internet. Why would he would he leave his wife and risk his life to conquer Everest. I can’t to read this book and find out!
This looks like a great book, would love to win a copy of it!
Loved the description of the book….can’t wait to read it!
Sounds like a great read. thanks for the giveaway! Emma
Sounds like a great ready. I enjoy historical fiction.
My husband and I love telling the story of our first meeting. We agree on the particulars, if not the details. And I absolutely love to read historical fiction. I am intrigued.
I’m always looking for new, intriguing books to share with a couple of reading groups. This fits the criteria!
Sounds like another great read that a book group would enjoy. Hooray for good writers and readers!
thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel
would really like to win a copy…most definitely a good read…thanks for the opportunity.
I am just learning that I enjoy reading books with a bit of history in them this particular one sounds super ~ I hope to locate this book our small library just cannot host all of the good reads * sigh but I will try
thanks for the opportunity
Sonja
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
This sounds very familiar…I will have to read this book!
Thanks for the opportunity to win it!
So many books…so little time.
Susan G.
I’m looking forward to reading this book. It sounds interesting.
This sounds like a wonderful book. I would love to win it! Thank you for giving a copy away.
Since I must now use a walker, I’ve found the best way to travel is a good book. This sounds like a great trip!
Would love to read the book and win it! Always look forward to reading!
Interestly enough this book was mentioned in an article from USA Today and sent to me by a fellow book club member. Would love to read it.
My husband and I often remember details differently, and I chuckled to myself as I read the author’s background of the story! This sounds like a fascinating book. Thank you for writing it and for the chance to win a copy!
I love books and I can’t wait to read this one! Sounds very interesting.
Sounds like a great book. Would like to win.