I'm thrilled to announce that Pamela Schoenewaldt, author of the debut novel, When We Were Strangers, will join us on Book Club Girl on Air on Monday, March 7th!
"If you leave Opi, you'll die with strangers," Irma Vitale's mother always warned. Even after her beloved mother's passing, 20-year-old Irma longs to stay in her Abruzzo mountain village, plying her needle. But too poor and plain to marry and subject to growing danger in her own home, she risks rough passage to America and workhouse servitude to achieve her dream of making dresses for gentlewomen.
In the raw immigrant quarters and with the help of an entrepreneurial Irish serving girl, ribbon-decked Polish ragman and austere Alsatian dressmaker, Irma begins to stitch together a new life . . . until her peace and self are shattered in the charred remains of the Great Chicago Fire. Enduring a painful recovery, Irma reaches deep within to find that she has even more to offer the world than her remarkable ability with a needle and thread.
A moving, powerful, and evocative debut novel, When We Were Strangers heralds the arrival of superb new voice in American fiction. Nancy E. Turner, author of These is My Words says of the novel “The people are as real as your own family, and the tale realistic enough to be any American’s."
Browse inside When Were Strangers, check out the reading group guide and Pamela Schoenewaldt's blog. I have 10 copies of When We Were Strangers to give away to the first 10 people who comment that they'd like to participate in the show on March 7th. Set your reminder for the show here.
I'm so excited about this book, I would love to participate. Thanks.
Posted by: Martha | February 16, 2011 at 07:43 AM
I'd love to read & review this book. It sounds awesome!
Posted by: Lisa | February 16, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Thanks for this lovely book. I would participate.
Posted by: anne | February 16, 2011 at 08:50 AM
I'd love to participate.
Thanks!
Posted by: Carol | February 16, 2011 at 09:34 AM
I'd love to participate. Great book. thanks.
Posted by: pearl | February 16, 2011 at 09:48 AM
I would love to participate! This has book has been on my GoodReads for a while. Thanks so much!
Posted by: Melissa C. | February 16, 2011 at 09:57 AM
I've been reading great reviews on this book. Please enter me, thanks.
Posted by: Adriane | February 16, 2011 at 10:58 AM
I just suggested this book for my book club and can not wait to read it! We are going to meet up and all participate on the 7th!
Posted by: Shannon Mulligan-Mayernik | February 16, 2011 at 03:40 PM
Great reviews on this book! Want to participate! Telling all my friends in Charlotte, NC to follow bookclubgirl too!!
Posted by: kathy | February 16, 2011 at 04:46 PM
Sounds interesting.
Posted by: Kelly | February 16, 2011 at 05:19 PM
I think I'm too late, but it sounds like a great read! I'll try to tune in anyway.
Posted by: Kate | February 16, 2011 at 05:44 PM
I'm so excited to read this book! Looking forward to it!
Posted by: Shannon | February 16, 2011 at 05:51 PM
I would love to win this book - please include me in the running:)
Renee
Posted by: Renee | February 16, 2011 at 08:50 PM
I would LOVE to win this book too and participate in the discussion on March 7. What fun!
Posted by: Kim Alvarez | February 16, 2011 at 09:19 PM