Giveaway: The Obvious Game by Rita Arens

By Mir
January 28, 2013
Category Contests

So let’s start this one with the full disclosure, which is that not only did I receive an advance copy of The Obvious Game to read, but its author, Rita Arens, is a longtime colleague of mine (and also the person responsible for getting some of my own work printed in a book for the first time, many moons ago). (You should definitely pick up that anthology if you want to read about how horrified my daughter was when she found out about the, ahem, miracle of life. Anyway!) In short: I am predisposed to find Rita groovy.

That said, you know I’m not going to hype a book here if I didn’t love it, and folks, I loved this book. It’s everything I feel like great Young Adult fiction is—an interesting story that doesn’t talk down to the readers or simplify or whitewash the hard stuff, characters you want to reach out and comfort, and some hard lessons along the way.

The Obvious Game is not a light and fluffy read; this is not a book for younger readers, nor for anyone who will find discussion of serious illness too upsetting. What’s the phrase? “This book deals with mature subject matter.” So yes, it’s serious, and often sad, but ultimately both very real and hopeful. I enjoyed reading it as an adult, and will happily pass it on to my teenage daughter. Growing up is hard, and so much of that is captured here, beautifully.

This is Rita’s debut novel, by the way. Exciting! Want to win it? (Why do I even ask that; of course you do.) First, go review the contest rules and regulations, then come on back here and leave a comment on this post by 8:00 a.m. Eastern time (that’s 5:00 a.m. Pacific) on Friday, February 1st, 2013 for a chance to win. I’ll let my random number plug-in picker thingie (technical name: There Is No Technical Name) select a winner, and those of you who don’t win should buy a copy anyway because it’s awesome.

Ready? Go!

105 Comments

  1. Liza on January 28, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    Pretty please!

  2. Christina on January 28, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    Sounds good to me!

  3. Teme on January 28, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    Sounds great … adding to to-read list no matter what happens.

  4. Leslie on January 28, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    Ooh please with pretty sparkly snowflake hearts!

  5. Dawn on January 28, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    Wow I’ve never been a number this low before; maybe it will be lucky!!

  6. Beth B. on January 28, 2013 at 4:50 pm

    Would love to win!! Thanks!

  7. Cindy on January 28, 2013 at 4:51 pm

    Sounds totally readable and sharable. I’m still kindle resistant (even though I kind of really want one) because I love books so much, the physical part of books ALMOST as much as the content. And the best part of a “real” book is that you can pass it on.

  8. Lou on January 28, 2013 at 4:55 pm

    I would love to read this and pass it on to a teenager. : )

  9. Emily on January 28, 2013 at 4:57 pm

    I’d love to win this, thanks Mir!

  10. Cheri on January 28, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    Love her Surrender, Dorothy blog so I’m definitely a fan of Rita Aren’s writing. Would love to win this 🙂

  11. Melisa on January 28, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    Yes, please!

  12. Patty on January 28, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    Hoping to win!

  13. Heidi on January 28, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    Random number thingy – pick me please!

  14. Linda Sherwood on January 28, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    Please. I love YA. 🙂

  15. Elizabeth Fox on January 28, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    Pick me please!

  16. Michele on January 28, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    I have two teenagers – would love to win!

  17. Shannon Crandall on January 28, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    I would love to read an actual book with pages again. I’d sniff it first, of course.

  18. dallimomma on January 28, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    I would like to win this book. Thanks for asking!

  19. ccr in MA on January 28, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    Sound enticing!

  20. Cheri on January 28, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    Always wanting great recommendations and if I don’t win it, I’ll probably get it anyway so I can recommend my book club read it.

  21. Sabrina D. on January 28, 2013 at 5:47 pm

    Would love this just for me…

  22. Dawn on January 28, 2013 at 5:50 pm

    Sounds grrrrrrrrreat! 😉

  23. Marsha on January 28, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    Would love to win!

  24. Gwen on January 28, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    I love to read! Can’t wait.

  25. Louise on January 28, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    Lucky number 22?

  26. Tonya on January 28, 2013 at 6:14 pm

    We could use some new YA fiction in this house.

  27. RachelJ on January 28, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    Sounds like an interesting novel.

  28. Kat on January 28, 2013 at 6:30 pm

    I could add it to my classroom library!

  29. Crisanne on January 28, 2013 at 6:43 pm

    Sounds fantastic!

  30. Sonia on January 28, 2013 at 7:13 pm

    I desperately need a new book to read. Thanks for the opportunity to get one for free!
    Sonia

  31. Lucinda on January 28, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    I’ve read a lot of Rita’s posts on BlogHer. How exciting. Her first book! Congratulations to her.

  32. Janie on January 28, 2013 at 7:33 pm

    I do love a good read, and young adult fiction writers have recently brought me some of my all-time favorite books. Hope I win!! If not I will buy it! 🙂

  33. Kelly on January 28, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    This would be lovely to win! I love reading.

  34. Sue on January 28, 2013 at 8:07 pm

    For my granddaughter and me!!!

  35. Amy on January 28, 2013 at 8:18 pm

    I want to win!

  36. Katie K. on January 28, 2013 at 8:24 pm

    My daughter and I would both love to win this!

  37. Groovecatmom on January 28, 2013 at 8:42 pm

    Pick me please!

  38. beth s on January 28, 2013 at 8:43 pm

    need a good non-kindle book for when i let me battery die again!

  39. KristenM on January 28, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    Would love to read it. For free, especially.

  40. Jessica on January 28, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    I’ve been reading her blog for years, too, and I was waiting for this! 🙂 (Well, not this giveaway on your blog, but rather this book release.)

  41. ingrid on January 28, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    Pick meeeee!

  42. Dianna on January 28, 2013 at 9:25 pm

    This sounds like a good read.

  43. Emily on January 28, 2013 at 9:25 pm

    Me please! I need a new book to read!

  44. Ellen on January 28, 2013 at 9:42 pm

    My daughters would love it!!

  45. Kim on January 28, 2013 at 9:56 pm

    Sounds like a great read!

  46. Susan Brandenburg on January 28, 2013 at 10:08 pm

    Yes please! I love a good read.

  47. addy on January 28, 2013 at 11:03 pm

    Well, you should try living around here. We have parts of two different sets of dishes.Cuz, somebody always making trouble and glassware gets broken.

  48. Michele on January 28, 2013 at 11:51 pm

    Rita is awesome! And you are pretty.

  49. Kris on January 29, 2013 at 1:20 am

    Please!!

  50. Valerie on January 29, 2013 at 4:15 am

    I’d love to read this and then donate it to my school library!

  51. Laurel on January 29, 2013 at 6:40 am

    Books and free. Good and better.

  52. Dana on January 29, 2013 at 7:31 am

    I would love to win a copy of this! So happy for Rita that she got it published!

  53. sara on January 29, 2013 at 7:43 am

    Thanks for the chance!

  54. Rebekah on January 29, 2013 at 8:05 am

    Thanks Mir!

  55. Jess on January 29, 2013 at 8:12 am

    Pick me!

  56. Kris on January 29, 2013 at 8:13 am

    Cool! Thanks.

  57. Liska on January 29, 2013 at 8:22 am

    Would love to read this! Thanks!

  58. Cindy on January 29, 2013 at 8:38 am

    I would love to read this! Thank you!

  59. Rachel G on January 29, 2013 at 9:03 am

    thanks for the chance to win!

  60. Elizabeth on January 29, 2013 at 9:08 am

    Sounds like a great read!

  61. Christine on January 29, 2013 at 9:14 am

    Sounds great – always looking for new reads!

  62. Virginia on January 29, 2013 at 9:25 am

    Pick me !

  63. DawnA on January 29, 2013 at 9:49 am

    Yes please.

  64. Sam on January 29, 2013 at 9:58 am

    First time entering a giveaway here….and it probably won’t be the last. Thanks for the opportunity!

  65. Samantha on January 29, 2013 at 9:58 am

    Thanks for another great give-away!!

  66. Alison on January 29, 2013 at 10:12 am

    Reading is fundamental!

  67. Karen. on January 29, 2013 at 10:15 am

    I really like YA fic. Neat. I hope this book is a success for your friend.

  68. Brigitte on January 29, 2013 at 10:27 am

    While I think I’d have to hide it from my daughter for about 4 more years, I’d read it myself right away!

  69. janet on January 29, 2013 at 10:49 am

    This would be great for our small town library.

  70. Kristine on January 29, 2013 at 10:51 am

    I’d love to read it!!! Especially if you say it’s so good 🙂

  71. Emily on January 29, 2013 at 10:52 am

    I’m intrigued. Sounds like a great book!

  72. NTE on January 29, 2013 at 11:00 am

    Sounds great – it’ll go on my TBR pile (mountain) either way 🙂

  73. Kyallee on January 29, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    I’m always looking for a good read — thanks for the recommendation!

  74. Diane on January 29, 2013 at 12:33 pm

    My daughter would love this!

  75. Elizabeth on January 29, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    you are a good friend 🙂

  76. the Iowa Expat on January 29, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    A book to be gifted? Count me in!!

  77. Amy on January 29, 2013 at 2:16 pm

    I hope I win!!

  78. Gina on January 29, 2013 at 2:26 pm

    My boyfriend’s daughter is a voracious reader. I think she’d love this one.

  79. Theresa on January 29, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    sounds like a great book!

  80. KarenP on January 29, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    Oh,yes please.

  81. Karen on January 29, 2013 at 7:41 pm

    I’d be interested in this one.

  82. Lara on January 29, 2013 at 10:27 pm

    Sounds like some interesting reading for my niece and I. Thanks for the opportunity.

  83. Jen on January 29, 2013 at 10:38 pm

    Great giveaway! Thanks for introducing us to this book and author!

  84. Steph on January 29, 2013 at 11:41 pm

    Me please! !!

  85. Heather on January 30, 2013 at 5:38 am

    I think YA fiction is some of the best stuff being written these days. Definitely excited to check this out! Thanks Mir!

  86. Michelle on January 30, 2013 at 8:02 am

    I’m always looking for new reads, thanks!

  87. Jill H on January 30, 2013 at 11:32 am

    Yes please! I need a new book to read during these grey, cold winter months 🙂

  88. NancyAP on January 30, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    Ohhh, I love YA. Would love to win this. Thanks Mir!

  89. Brandy C on January 30, 2013 at 1:48 pm

    Looking for a good book. Hope I win Thanks!

  90. Brandi on January 30, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    It’d be great to send to my baby cousin!

  91. Laurie on January 30, 2013 at 9:42 pm

    thanks for the book recommendation … and for the chance to win ~

  92. dma on January 30, 2013 at 11:46 pm

    Sounds good.

  93. Nani on January 31, 2013 at 10:43 am

    Would love to read it!

  94. Carolyn on January 31, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    Looks good, thanks!

  95. MamaChristy on January 31, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    Sweet! I’d love to win!

  96. Pam on January 31, 2013 at 6:48 pm

    Would love to enjoy this. Will look it up!

  97. Miss Britt on January 31, 2013 at 6:55 pm

    I didn’t realize this was out!! If I don’t win it, I’m buying it!

  98. Nancy on January 31, 2013 at 6:56 pm

    Me! I love YA books 🙂

  99. Steph T on January 31, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    I could use something new to read…BADLY and, I’d love to win! I’ve never won a contest from a blog before! Wooohooo! Random number generator thingy, pick me! 🙂

  100. Southern Gal on January 31, 2013 at 8:10 pm

    I love a good book!

  101. Pauline on January 31, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    I’m ready for a new book. Thanks~!

  102. jenn on January 31, 2013 at 10:11 pm

    Would love to win a copy – for me and my teenager 🙂

  103. M on February 1, 2013 at 12:04 am

    Please.

  104. Steph on February 1, 2013 at 6:51 am

    Looks great!

  105. Lexi on February 1, 2013 at 7:24 am

    Squeaking in before 8! Thanks, Mir!

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