On our recent trip to Asia I barely scratched the surface of omotenashi, the Japanese spirit of hospitality, but I did have the opportunity to participate in a tea ceremony which gave me a glimpse. As I lay awake that night combatting jet lag, I began to see parallels between the author/reader relationship and the […]
The following article was originally published on BooksByWomen.org. A friend suggested recently I write an essay about how one went about being taken seriously as a female writer over fifty. My first reaction to this suggestion was actually surprise, and my second was wonder …. maybe she didn’t take me seriously? I sat back in my […]
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston I listened to the audio version and the narrator was great. It is written in a smart, sassy voice and the collection of characters are vivid, colorful and complex. Although I knew it was coming, I enjoyed reading Alex’s realization of his love for Henry. I am […]
Finding Mrs. Ford by Deborah Goodrich Royce I was lucky to be an early reader of this fantastic page turner. Entertaining, suspenseful and vibrant settings. You won’t be able to put it down!
Little Sister: A Memoir by Patricia Walsh Chadwick Patricia Chadwick’s memoir is not only a fascinating story, but it is written with forgiveness and perspective. It is a mature woman’s assessment of her early years and in that I found it so refreshing and inspiring. What’s more, the idea of a sequestered Catholic cult having […]
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne I actually listened on audible, the narrator was fantastic. The seven year stages of life and the way thing cycle forward and back in a person’s life is so beautifully told. The way the world changes and doesn’t change. I loved this tale from beginning to end. Such […]
Waisted by Randy Susan Meyers This story goes deep into the modern woman’s psyche around body image and weight. It is an important book that at once is a battle cry as well as a testament to the fact that we are not alone in our crazy thoughts and obsessions. It tackles important issues around […]
Calypso by David Sedaris Laughing out loud funny, yet we see what that veil of laughter serves to protect. The poignancy of the dark moments and insecurities. I related to so many insights in this book. Highly recommend!
Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir by Ruth Reichl I really enjoyed the insider’s view of Gourmet magazine and the Condé Nast empire. All the while Ruth Reichl’s observations are honest and peppered with tastes and scents and the appreciation for fine food. There is so much to enjoy about this book!
Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday I enjoyed the novel as a whole very much, but was most engaged by the first section. Beautiful writing, ingenuity of structure, and intelligence leaping off the page
