Saturday

GIVEAWAY: Unbearable Lightness

Portia de Rossi weighed only 82 pounds when she collapsed on the set of the Hollywood film in which she was playing her first leading role. This should have been the culmination of all her years of hard work—first as a child model in Australia, then as a cast member of one of the hottest shows on American television. On the outside she was thin and blond, glamorous and successful. On the inside, she was literally dying.

In this searing, unflinchingly honest book, Portia de Rossi captures the complex emotional truth of what it is like when food, weight, and body image take priority over every other human impulse or action. She recounts the elaborate rituals around eating that came to dominate hours of every day, from keeping her daily calorie intake below 300 to eating precisely measured amounts of food out of specific bowls and only with certain utensils. When this wasn’t enough, she resorted to purging and compulsive physical exercise, driving her body and spirit to the breaking point.

Even as she rose to fame as a cast member of the hit television shows Ally McBeal and Arrested Development, Portia alternately starved herself and binged, all the while terrified that the truth of her sexuality would be exposed in the tabloids. She reveals the heartache and fear that accompany a life lived in the closet, a sense of isolation that was only magnified by her unrelenting desire to be ever thinner. With the storytelling skills of a great novelist and the eye for detail of a poet, Portia makes transparent as never before the behaviors and emotions of someone living with an eating disorder.

From her lowest point, Portia began the painful climb back to a life of health and honesty, falling in love with and eventually marrying Ellen DeGeneres, and emerging as an outspoken and articulate advocate for gay rights and women’s health issues.

In this remarkable and beautifully written work, Portia shines a bright light on a dark subject. A crucial book for all those who might sometimes feel at war with themselves or their bodies, Unbearable Lightness is a story that inspires hope and nourishes the spirit.  [via GoodReads]


GIVEAWAY:  I have 1 copy up for grabs! 

As always, leave a comment for one entry. If you'd like extra entries just say so in your comment or separate comments (extra entries for followers, Twitter, sidebars, Facebook, my spiffy All About {n} button, etc.) Make sure to leave an e-mail address, especially if you are leaving a comment under Anonymous.

Rules: This contest is open internationally! Winners will be drawn Saturday, December 18.

136 comments:

Rebecca Rasmussen said...

I have been really tempted to pick up this book. I'll try to win it, but after that, the wallet is coming out. Great review :) I think most people have been at war with their bodies, at least a little bit...

Unknown said...

I've heard so much about this book. Saw Ellen DeGeneres on a show recently talking about her partner's book. Count me in for this one too and if I don't win it, I'm off to the bookstore to get myself a copy. :P

AmburHostyn said...

Oh wow...I remember hearing that Portia had a book that was coming out a while ago, I hadn't actually heard the title until now though. It sounds heartwrenching, and I am definitely going to be reading it in the near future, whether I win it or not :)

Thanks for the giveaway and for sharing this book with me :)

Ambur
ambiepie_6(at)hotmail(dot)com

AmburHostyn said...

I'm a GFC follower(.ambur.)

Ambur
ambiepie_6(at)hotmail(dot)com

AmburHostyn said...

I'm a twitter follower (@AmburHostyn)

Ambur
ambiepie_6(at)hotmail(dot)com

AmburHostyn said...

I'm a networked blogs follower (Ambur Hostyn)

Ambur
ambiepie_6(at)hotmail(dot)com

AmburHostyn said...

I also have your button on my sidebar: http://burningximpossiblyxbright.blogspot.com/

Ambur
ambiepie_6(at)hotmail(dot)com

Natasha said...

I really want this book. I work at a book store and see it everyday! I would love to get a copy!


natashajennex(at)gmail.com

JWZ1978 said...

This book intrigues me for a number of reasons...it's on my library list, but I'd love to win a copy!

Vidisha said...

Thanks for the giveaway!!

vidisha
vidishamun@gmail.com

Vidisha said...

Follower

vidisha
vidishamun@gmail.com

Jessi E. said...

Please enter me! I've seen this book around, and it sounds really interesting.

GFC follower

Twitter follower @elliottreview

All About {n} button - http://elliottreview.blogspot.com - right side bar

Thanks!
jlelliott08 AT gmail DOT com

Megan said...

I REALLY want to read this book.

I follow you with GFC,
on Twitter (mekyser),
on Facebook (megan kyser),
on Goodreads (megan kyser), and I have your button on my blog.
http://amethystdaydreams.blogspot.com/

megankyser at gmail dot com

Zoë said...

I'd love a chance to read this, I am a follower also :)

Mystica said...

Please count me in for this book. I have heard quite a bit about this book.

mystica123athotmaildotcom

Mystica said...

I follow you on GFC


mystica123athotmaildotcom

Jenn said...

I love reading memoirs and autobiographies, I am on a big kick right now. I would love to win this book, thanks for hosting this giveaway!

I am a follower!

sleepingbette[at]yahoo[dot]com

buddyt said...

When she was introduced to Ally MacBeale, Portia was one of my favorite characters. I was quite surprised when I later read about her problems.

This sounds like a very honest and painfull book andI would dearly like to read it.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

I follow via GFC (buddyt)

Thanks

Carol T

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

EVA SB said...

I've read several reviews of this book and would really like to read it.

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/EVA_n_essence/status/8766138053828608
I posted to my sidebar
http://evasblackspot.blogspot.com
I posted your button on my blog
http://evasblackspot.blogspot.com

eva.s.black[@]gmail[.]com

JHS said...

I definitely want to read this one.

GFC follower.
Twitter follower.
RSS reader.
Goodreads friend.
FB networked blogs follower.

JHS
Colloquium

jhsmail at comcast dot net

Elysium said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

Haven't heard of this before but I remember reading about when she collapsed.

crimson_haze(at)hotmail(dot)com

Seesen said...

Thanks for the giveaway, I´m in!
GFC follower (seesen9)
twitter follower (@seesen9)
have your button here (http://thelovetoread.blogspot.com)

seesen9(at)gmail(dot)com

debbie said...

I saw her doing interviews about the book. I had no idea this was happening. I would love to read it.
I am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower. :)

Michelle
michelle_thebookjunkie@hotmail.com

Chrystal said...

Oooo I have been eyeing this one in the stores, but reminded myself I need to buy Christmas presents before books for myself. LOL SO maybe I'll have a chance at winning it instead!

Thanks for the great giveaways!
chrystal(dot)mclean(at)yahoo(dot)ca

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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Casey said...

I've been thinking about picking this one up too! I really want to read it!

Casey
caseyrandom@gmail.com

Casey said...

and I'm a follower

caseyrandom@gmail.com

alittlebookish said...

Wow, this sounds great. Sign me up. I am also a follower of yours :)

Jessica ( frellathon ) said...

Super giveaway. I'd love a chance.

frellathon(at)gmail(dot)com

I follow

Alicia said...

This book sounds so amazing, especially after her Oprah interview!

adw7984 at gmail dot com

PoCoKat said...

Saw her on Oprah and Ellen...would love to win.

littleone AT shaw DoT ca

PoCoKat said...

I follow on GFC.

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

imeldaconoy said...

Great contest. Read so many good things about the book.

I follow you with GFC,
on Twitter (@gconoy),
on Facebook (gertrud conoy).

hrududu AT hrududu DOT de

Pamela Keener said...

I'd love to win this giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Mervi said...

I would like to win this book. Thanks for the chance!

I'm a GFC follower.

musmekipi at gmail dot com

Colleen Turner said...

I remember seeing Portia De Rossi on Ally McBeal and thinking she was absolutely gorgeous (if not more than a little thin). I had no idea she had all these issues going on! I would love to read this.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a Networked Blogs follower (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a goodreads friend (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Body image has become such a major problem in this country. Children are starting earlier and earlier to diet and comment on other's figures. The 'ideal' model body is unrealistically thin and unrealistic. What a shame girls and women starve themselves literally to death, just to reach or maintain an unreal and unhealthy weight and image. Unfortunately, Portia had even more issues to deal with.
This should be a very interesting read.

librarypat AT comcast DOT net

Anonymous said...

I am a GFC Follower.

librarypat AT comcast DOT net

Anonymous said...

I subscribe by email at the address below.

librarypat AT comcast DOT net

Ruthie said...

Sounds really good.

ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

Anonymous said...

I friended you on Facebook.

librarypat AT comcast DOT net

Judit said...

This book sounds interesting! Thank you for the review. I'd love to be entered :)

judittten at gmail dot com

Judit said...

I'm GFC follower

judittten at gmail dot com

Judit said...

I follow you on Twitter (@judittten)

judittten at gmail dot com

Judit said...

I have your button on my humble blog :)

http://loveinbooks.blogspot.com/

judittten at gmail dot com

Kate said...

I'm a GFC follower. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

lvtink21@wi.rr.com

Charleydog said...

How could a person have the will power to lose so much weight.

Please enter my name in the giveaway for the book. Thanks!

pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

Misha said...

I have heard some really positive things about this book. Its on my wishlist.

Misha
mishamary@gmail.com

Misha said...

GFC Follower

Misha
mishamary@gmail.com

Misha said...

Blog button - Right sidebar under blogroll
http://books-love-affair.blogspot.com/

mishamary@gmail.com

Misha said...

I am a twitter follower @Misha_1989

Misha
mishamary@gmail.com

Misha said...

I am a FB Friend @Misha Mathew

Misha
mishamary@gmail.com

Misha said...

Goodreads friend

Misha
mishamary@gmail.com

k_sunshine1977 said...

even though this is such a heartwrenching subject, i've really been looking forward to reading this book. i'll just have the tissues handy...

k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com

k_sunshine1977 said...

i friended you on goodreads (kisah)

k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com

k_sunshine1977 said...

i'm your friend on facebook (kisah j)

k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com

k_sunshine1977 said...

i am a gfc follower

k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com

Katie said...

Wow, lots of people are interested in this book. I am so excited to read this one!. I'm an old follower. Ps. Love the christmas change to your header! (cute!!!!)

Katie
kate182(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

Jen Bigheart said...

Old follower...

I saw Portia on Oprah and was enthralled with her story! Thx for the giveaway!

Jen @ I Read Banned Books

jenbigheart@yahoo.com

Patricia's Particularity said...

Great Giveaway! Enter Please!!

- GFC Follower
- Botton on sidebar (http://patriciasparticularity.blogspot.com/)
- Twitter Follower (@PelicanJL)

PelicanJL(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lucia said...

I'd love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

(I'm a GFC follower :) )

Lucia
fernandezalmiron(AT)gmail(DOT)com

jpetroroy said...

Please enter me. I'm very intrigued by her story
jpetroroy at gmail dot com

Terra Heck said...

I'd like to read this raw and intriguing book. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

follow your blog
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

follow you on twitter, partymix25
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jasmine1485 said...

I've heard a lot about this book and I'd love to read it, especially after seeing Portia interviewed about it. Thanks for the chance to win it!

kate1485 at hotmail.com

Jasmine1485 said...

I'm following via GFC as Jasmine1485

Kate1485 at hotmail.com

Syki said...

Hi, thank you for this giveaway!

+1 Follower of your blog
+1 All About {n} button on my site
http://knizni-doupe.blogspot.com/
+1 Twitter follower (@Syki)
+1 I retweeted your tweets about giveaways
+1 I have connected my Twitter with my FB account, so all my friends can see status about this giveaway

sykorova@gmail.com

Take care <3

FairyWhispers said...

am a follower via GFC

FairyWhispers

maidenhealer@hotmail.com

the Moorhouse's said...

sounds like a really good memoir

Kulsuma said...

Sounds fantastic! I'd love to read it-
i'm a follower.

k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

Sharli said...

I'd love to read this!

Extra entries:
- Follower
- Button on my sidebar
- Sidebar link
- FB link: http://www.facebook.com/entrelibros.blog/posts/150541834993737

Thanks for the giveaway!
entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

xlacrimax said...

Thank you for the giveaway!
xlacrimax[at]gmail.com

Booksnyc said...

I saw her discussing this book on OPrah and was so moved by how she described being gripped by her eating disorder - sounds like it affected you too.

thanks for hosting this!

booksncity@gmail.com

Booksnyc said...

I am a GFC follower

booksncity@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Thanks so much! I'm an old GFC follower.

texas_gal45(at)hotmail(dot)com

rubynreba said...

I've heard great things about this book and would love to read it.

I follow on GFC

pbclark(at)netins(dot)nt

Jules@MoonCatFarms said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jules@MoonCatFarms said...

I've been wanting to read this since I saw her do an interview on Oprah. It sounds like such a good book.

Thanks!
Jules
mooncatfarms at yahoo dot com

+1 GFC follower

Heidi V said...

Thanks for bring this book to light for me it sounds really interesting...also for the chance to win!

heidivargas [at] live dot com

Anonymous said...

Nice giveaway! I wanna read this!

jusiplabninsky at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow on Twitter as ninskylabjusip

jusiplabninsky at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow via GFC. :D

jusiplabninsky at yahoo dot com

natalie23 said...

Thanks for makig this international, I would really like to win this book.

natalie23(AT)hotmail(DOT)co(DOT)uk

natalie23 said...

I follow on GFC as natalie23

natalie23(AT)hotmail(DOT)co(DOT)uk

Aik said...

I'd love to win this book!

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Blog follower

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Twitter follower @aikchien

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Facebook fan [Aik Chien]

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Goodreads friend [Aik Chien]

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Subscribed via Google reader

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

I have the All About {n} button on my sidebar

http://the-bookaholics.blogspot.com/

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/13511688833736705

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Shared on FB:

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=148707588515192&id=1467072730

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Blogged:

http://the-bookaholics.blogspot.com/p/contests-giveaways.html

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a compelling memoir. Please enter me.

+1 email subscriber

+1 Twitter follower(@Kulmona)

+1 GFC follower(MonaG)

monagargATyahooDOTcom

Zoë said...

I realize I forgot to include my e-mail, it is strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol said...

Thanks for the chance to win this book!!!



Jessy.wicked[at]gmail[dot]com

Carol said...

I'm GFC Follower!

Carol said...

I'm suscribe by e-mail ^^


Jessy.wicked[at]gmail[dot]com

Carlos Antunes said...

Count me in, please.

And +1 for following.

dr.strangelove.vs.citizen.kane
@
gmail.com

Tara said...

This book looks so great!

TaraTagli at gmail dot com

Tara said...

I follow you on Twitter!

@TaraLin

TaraTagli at gmail dot com

nfmgirl said...

This sounds great! Please count me in.

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I follow

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I follow on Twitter

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Myranda said...

Please enter me in!

+1 follower

horselovercutie@yahoo.com

Mil said...

On this one as well, please!

goncalo(dot)mil(at)gmail(dot)com

Caty said...

Count me in.
:)

catarina.magoito AT gmail.com

PinkStuff28 said...

Please enter me !

raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com

PinkStuff28 said...

GFC follower(PinkStuff28)

raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com

PinkStuff28 said...

Twitter follower (@raluk15)


raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com

PinkStuff28 said...

email subscriber !

raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com

PinkStuff28 said...

button on sidebar : http://booktopiasign.blogspot.com/

raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com

PinkStuff28 said...

added you as a friend on facebook (Jenny Misty)

raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com

PinkStuff28 said...

added you as a freind on goodreads (rallz)

raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

Please enter me, would love to read this book!

Thank you,

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

Follow you via GFC

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

Follow you on Twitter (@Stella_ExLibris)

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

Follow you on Facebook(Stella Ex Libris)

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

Follow you on Goodreads (Stella Ex Libris)

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

Have your button on my sidebar

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

Have your button on my sidebar

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

Jennifer said...

Thanks for giveaway.
pinkpeonyblossom at gmail dot com

Jennifer said...

GFC follower (jennifer)
pinkpeonyblossom at gmail dot com

Chel said...

Thanks a lot for the giveaway!

ana13kl AT gmail DOT com

Chel said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/rachellemv/status/16099239520112640

ana13kl AT gmail DOT com

Chel said...

Blog button on sidebar: http://reluctant-reader.blogspot.com/

ana13kl AT gmail dot com

Chel said...

I'm also a GFC follower.

ana13kl AT gmail DOT com

Jafa said...

Great offer!
:)

jafantunes AT sapo.pt

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