We Came Here to Shine by Susie Orman Schnall Love this novel’s well researched setting. The World’s Fair, New York, burgeoning science and synchronized swimming. Max and Vivi are great characters, bold and ambitious. The book highlights the importance of female friendship in a male dominated society. This is the first novel I have read […]
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell I am a sucker for anything to do with boarding school life, first of all. Second, this book kept showing up places which I took that as a sign it was meant to be my next read. From page one I was addicted and couldn’t stop reading My […]
This essay was originally published on Medium.com. Because when we built the house, the room behind the kitchen represented the structure’s fulcrum. Because I became enamored with the bright layout in a design magazine (or maybe it was Pinterest or Housz) representing a bespoke moment of well-rendered functionality, a desktop that at first glance was […]
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams It was refreshing to read the arc of a strong female protagonist who has to deal with baggage, both family baggage and societal baggage. I also loved that the happily ever after trope is turned on its head and redefined by Queenie, a character I found myself enthusiastically rooting for. This […]
This post was originally published on Medium.com. My children are my best teachers. Having been in quarantine, in isolation, and cohabitating with them now for what is going on four months, I truly appreciate their perspective and ability to suspend judgment over what has been a very difficult period. My son was quick to […]
Tinkers by Paul Harding A beautiful exploration of paternal love. The writing and language is so moving as is the ethereal dreamlike quality of what it must feel like as a life comes to its end. This book is beautiful in its imagery, in its description of the mechanical workings of timepieces, in the exploration […]
Biased by Jennifer L Eberhardt This was a profound book that hit me in the gut. I listened to the audiobook and found myself rewinding several times. Jennifer Eberhardt leads the reader (or listener) through the neurological reasons many people have that “first reaction” before laying out the problematic consequences of the brain’s wiring. So […]
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman Even though the opening lines disclose a love affair is on the horizon, Aciman’s slow build to its consummation is both suspenseful and titillating in the best sense of the words. The first person interior monologue of the protagonist renders true yet illuminating. When a book allows […]
Untamed by Glennon Doyle This book is a series of short, first-person essays documenting Doyle’s transformation from being “caged” to untamed. Her articulation of society’s cages was clear and simple and in sometimes obvious, but nonetheless, revelatory. Possibly a case of this memoir finding me at the right time, but it struck a very poignant […]
All Adults Here by Emma Straub I really enjoyed this book. Astrid, one of the main characters was nostalgically reminiscent of Olive Kitteridge. I also really enjoyed the dynamic portrayed between her three adult children – their squabbles and loyalties. I am an only child and have three adult children sheltering in place with me […]
