March 10, 2008
5 Minutes for Books — Talk of the Town
I don’t read much light, mindless fiction. I don’t look down on it–it’s just not my first-pick when it comes to fiction. I know that many of you don’t read a lot of my other preferences: memoir, soul-searching fiction, or heart-pumping thrillers.
I didn’t dismiss Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate because it was light fiction. It looked like story that I would enjoy. As I read this novel, the place and the characters stuck with me. I found myself thinking about them, and wanting to get back to the book to find out where the story was going to take them. You can’t ask anything more from a novel.
Talk of the Town takes place in Daily, Texas, the small-town home of American Megastar reality show finalist Amber Anderson. Show producer Manadalay Florentino is there trying to set up the surprise reveal, but the townspeople seem to be staying a step ahead of her. She feels like her career is riding on this event, but she is distracted by her fiancee who appears to be MIA and the mysterious out-of-towner, Carter Woods. The story is told alternating chapters from Mandalay’s point of view, with that of Daily resident Imogene Doll.
Imogene is a widow with plenty of life left in her. She still works at the local cafe and 
makes time to do an exercise tape with her two friends in the beauty shop/workout room connected to the cafe. She befriends Mandalay and gives her some insider’s help on Amber’s big reveal.
I read the last several chapters of the book in one sitting, because I had to find out if Amber Anderson was really the sweet gospel-singing innocent that America thought she was, or if she had changed. I needed to know if Carter was as charming as he appeared to be, or if he was up to no good. I wanted to know how Imogene was going to let the changes she had experienced that week change her life for good, and Mandalay–I had to see if Mandalay was going to change her own life for her own good.
There are some compelling questions in the reading guide available for discussion, and you can read an excerpt here.
If you’d like to win a copy, leave a comment on this post. The winner will be announced in next week’s column.
The winners of last week’s book are announced in a separate post HERE, because we have a bonus interview from the author, so click on over to find out even more about Walking on Eggshells.
Filed under * Feature Columns, 5 Minutes for Books, Books, Contests by Jennifer
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106 Comments on 5 Minutes for Books — Talk of the Town »
#1 - Nikki @ 12:17 am
This sounds like a really great read! I’d love to win a copy
.
#2 - Melissa @ 12:27 am
Love your site! I’d like to try my hand at winning a copy. Thanks!
#3 - Angie @ 4:33 am
I love to read books that “call” to me when I’m doing other things. It’s hard to finish a book like that though, I find myself missing the characters, and wishing I could follow them through more of their story. I’d love to win a copy of this book, it sounds like just the right fit for me.
#4 - Michelle @ 5:40 am
I am very intrigued and would love to be entered in the drawing.
#5 - Gloria @ 6:55 am
Please enter me into this contest, I would love to read this book
#6 - Ivan Girl @ 7:27 am
hullo!
I love books and read almost everything.
This book sounds very interesting.
Hope to get a copy.
Thanks.
ivan(dot)manalansan(at)gmail(dot)com
#7 - Lisa @ JujuBoo @ 8:27 am
I love the cover work. COunt me in.
#8 - Blessed @ 8:39 am
This book sounds interesting!
#9 - Meg @ 9:16 am
Sounds fun! Count me in.
#10 - Mama Zen @ 9:52 am
This sounds good!
#11 - Pam @ 10:10 am
This looks like a good read - I always try to have a few light reads ready to go if I have to travel for business or have a car trip planned!
#12 - Kristi @ 10:20 am
I love to read, so please enter me, thanks!
#13 - Charlotte @ 10:44 am
Sounds like a great book to read and I love to read. Count me in please!
#14 - Jessica Morris @ 10:50 am
sounds like a good book!!
#15 - Kellyn @ 10:50 am
I have heard of this book, and have been wanting to find it. Count me in! Thanks
#16 - Amy - Essential Family Living @ 10:52 am
This sounds like a wonderful book. Please include me in the drawing.
Thank you!
#17 - Kelly W @ 11:22 am
Sounds like a good story. Thanks!
#18 - Helen Keeler @ 11:27 am
Great prize. Please enter me.
#19 - Sara @ 11:31 am
THat sounds wonderful count me in!
#20 - randi @ 11:43 am
Wingate is a great author, I’d love to read this one. Thanks for a great giveaway.
#21 - Jen @ 12:14 pm
Sounds like a really great story!
#22 - Linda Pinto @ 12:18 pm
This sounds like a good read!
#23 - Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland @ 12:23 pm
Awesome giveaway! Thanks!
#24 - Marcia @ 12:37 pm
Looks like a great book!
#25 - Tonya @ 12:57 pm
I would love to own this.
#26 - Amy R. @ 1:00 pm
This book sounds interesting!
#27 - Cindi Hoppes @ 1:18 pm
Hello! I really enjoy reading. In fact, it is my #1 hobby. Please enter me in your drawing for this book. I do appreciate it.Thanks,Cindi
#28 - Belinda Parker @ 1:24 pm
Unlike most of my family I love reading. It’s my favorite past time. Please enter me in the drawing.
Thanks!
#29 - JenO @ 1:31 pm
Sounds like a great read, would love to have something to sit down with over spring break and unwind!
nifferjeno at gmail dot com
#30 - Chanin @ 1:45 pm
This book sounds great! It’s funny because my cousin’s name is Amber Anderson!!! How weird is that??
#31 - fan @ 2:02 pm
Sounds great count me in.
#32 - Michele @ 2:09 pm
Sounds wonderful…please enter me.
#33 - Becky @ 2:42 pm
This sounds like a must read book! I would love to win a copy!
#34 - CPA Mom @ 2:42 pm
that sounds like a fun book - perfect ancedote for tax season - count me in please!
#35 - herblady @ 2:49 pm
It sounds like a great read. Please count me in!
#36 - Gloria Walshver @ 2:50 pm
I love to read,I’d like to win this book.
#37 - Kay LeRoy @ 3:05 pm
I love reading all the time….I keep a book in every room. This book sounds wonderfully entertaining! I hope I win.
#38 - Anita Yancey @ 3:13 pm
Nice book, I think I would enjoy it very much. Enter me.
#39 - Teresa @ 3:20 pm
Sounds like a fun book to read! Count me in!
#40 - Melissa @ 3:31 pm
Sounds like a great book!
#41 - crystal adkins @ 4:55 pm
I am a huge fan of reading and review books daily! I would love to have this one added to my collection!
Hugs, Crystal
adkinsc123@lycos.com
#42 - Carey @ 4:57 pm
I would love to read this book, i saw it advertised in my magazine, thought it looked good.
#43 - Ashley @ 5:03 pm
I could use a good read!
#44 - Lesley @ 5:04 pm
Thanks for the review of the book. Sounds interesting.
Lesley
http://www.pillowcasegram.com
#45 - Krista @ 5:31 pm
This sounds like a fun book and I’m always up for new reading material!
#46 - Jennifer Barr @ 6:26 pm
cool
#47 - Jennifer Barr @ 6:27 pm
looks good
#48 - Debbie Yost @ 6:34 pm
Personally, I like the light fiction. It is my escape from all the stress in life. When I read, I want something fun or romantic. I’ve got 3 kids, the youngest with Down syndrome. I get enough soul searching with them. I find it interesting to see what other people enjoy to read though. One of my favorite books I read this year was The Memory Keepers Daughter. Now that’s NOT light, but it was very good!
#49 - debbie tyler @ 6:35 pm
I love to read and this sounds like a great book
#50 - S.B. @ 7:06 pm
Please enter me. I love to read.
#51 - Danielle S @ 10:08 pm
count me in! i love to read!
#52 - Unusually Unusual Mom @ 10:14 pm
Sounds like a fantastic book that would keep me up until the wee hours of the night! I’m in!
#53 - Jill @ 10:33 pm
love a good book, count me in!
#54 - Stacey @ 11:30 pm
Well done review and I would be thrilled to win a copy….else I’ll have to buy this one, it sounds like a must-read!
#55 - Valerie Mitchell @ 12:40 am
fabulous!
#56 - Alicia @ 3:36 am
As much as I love American Idol, how could I not enjoy this book?
#57 - Megan @ 4:11 am
This book sounds like it would be a really great read. Thanks for offering the giveaway.
#58 - Christine - From Dates to Diapers @ 5:19 am
This looks like a fun book to read!
#59 - Alexia @ 7:24 am
I would love to win a copy of this book!
#60 - Jodi @ 8:26 am
This sounds really interesting. I would love to win a copy of this!
#61 - Deborah @ 10:12 am
Simply adore your blog and love your giveaways. Drop my name in that hat and then promptly draw it, okay? If you do, you can contact me at dmj53(at)hotmail(dot)com and I’ll answer you back so quick your head will spin! Thanks!
#62 - Shelia Higgins @ 10:30 am
I would love to win a copy.
#63 - Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate | Contests 4 Moms @ 12:50 pm
[...] Where: 5 Minutes For Mom [...]
#64 - Stephanie @ 1:07 pm
I would love to win this book! Reading is my relaxation.
#65 - Teri @ 3:47 pm
I would love to win thinks! Thanks for the giveaway! Take care!
#66 - Kim @ 5:52 pm
Please enter me in the contest…
#67 - Christy Jan @ 7:17 pm
I’d love to be entered to win. Thanks!
#68 - Sarah @ 10:09 pm
I love to read!
#69 - Kristie Noguera @ 11:08 pm
Looks like a fun book.
#70 - Mommie @ 8:45 am
I’d love a copy of this!
Mommie
http://www.mommieshome.net
#71 - Timothy Sternberg @ 9:19 am
This sounds like a really great read!
#72 - Hetal Gandhi @ 9:40 am
I would love to read
#73 - Vickie @ 10:13 am
Please enter me. I would love to read this book. Thanks!
#74 - Shannon B. @ 10:18 am
Sounds like a book I would like. Please enter me!
#75 - Amanda A @ 11:23 am
Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for sponsoring the contest.
#76 - Margot @ 6:03 pm
This is already on my want list so it would be AWESOME to win it. Thanks so much for hosting.
#77 - Peter Orlowski @ 9:34 pm
Would like to win, Thanks!
#78 - Angie Wycherly @ 11:53 pm
count me in.
#79 - Carol Van Rooy @ 12:04 am
count me in as well.
#80 - Caryn Bailey @ 12:40 am
Sounds great!!!
#81 - Nicole Price @ 9:31 am
I love to read. Enter me too please.
#82 - Shelly @ 11:56 am
Sounds great- I love books and reality TV!
#83 - Edward Durbin @ 1:04 pm
Please enter me in the contest and Thank You…
#84 - Kathy Conley @ 1:40 pm
I want to read this one
#85 - Bebemiqui @ 6:52 pm
Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
#86 - Tara @ 7:20 pm
I’d like to win! taradawnrobertson at hotmail dot com
#87 - Ron Miller @ 7:15 am
sounds great!
#88 - Ginny @ 12:46 pm
Count me in, looks good.
#89 - Natalie @ 2:40 pm
That looks good!
#90 - Kelly Smith @ 3:14 pm
This would be a fantastic prize for me. I hope I win!
#91 - Michele Amos @ 5:25 pm
I love reading. Count me in!
#92 - stacy berg @ 5:40 pm
Talk to me and send me this book please!
#93 - Angi @ 9:49 pm
I so want to win this book!
#94 - Samantha Pruitt @ 3:16 am
this sounds like a great read!
#95 - Sylvia Porter @ 4:14 am
ooo, i’d love to have this!
#96 - Mom Of 3 Girls » Blog Archive » Contest round-up #28 @ 1:04 pm
[...] at 5 Minutes For Mom you could win a copy of the book Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate, a The SAK Dakota Hobo handbag (enter by March 15th), [...]
#97 - Pamela White @ 9:41 pm
Sounds like a fun read.
#98 - L McLendon @ 10:54 pm
Any read is a good read when you love books!
#99 - LauraK @ 12:22 am
I’d like to be entered! Looks like a good read - thanks.
#100 - Brooke @ 10:28 am
Looks like a fun book!! Please pick me.
#101 - kathy pease @ 3:01 pm
please enter me
ty
#102 - Nina @ 3:41 pm
I’d love to win this….thanks!
#103 - Rickey Moham Jr. @ 7:46 pm
WIN WIN WIN!!!
#104 - Charlene Kuser @ 11:35 pm
This sounds like a good read and now you have
got me hooked on these questions.Please enter me to win and thanks
#105 - Michelle Rosborough @ 10:35 am
Sounds like a great book.
#106 - Saturday Review of Books: March 15, 2008 at Semicolon @ 1:31 pm
[...] and Key)54. Becky (The Cage)55. Becky (The Dragons of Blueland)56. Becky (Elmer and the Dragon)57. 5 Min for Books (Talk of the Town)58. Girl Detective (On Chesil Beach)59. Girl Detective (Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name)60. [...]