Rated of 5
by Carole V. (west linn, oregon) lots of candles, plenty of cake
This insightful book of life's lessons, is really a series of essays in book form. That is not a bad thing; rather makes it easier to pick a chapter that may touch you on any given day. She writes with such understanding of our feelings in this late middle life, that this may be a generational book. It may be a little dry, but the thoughts and feelings that she puts on paper will amaze you.
Rated of 5
by Mary G. (River Forest, IL) Anna Quindlen makes a great girlfriend
I'm no fan of books on how to live our lives...but I loved this one! Though Quindlen is in the same age group as my own children, we connect well across the coffee cups. And that's how it felt reading her book - we were sitting with our coffee cups, sharing our views on women and aging, not always agreeing on how we handle the challenges, but sometimes enriching our own outlooks with new viewpoints (yes, I carried on my silent side of the conversation while reading). I'd never thought of the trick of looking at young beauties as new gifts, just out of the box, seeing myself I am an honored keepsake; never appreciated my faulty memory as enhancing the joy of re-reads. I could have signed my own name to her chapter on faith - though many would not agree. But that's the wonder of this book. Anna (I can call her that, she's my coffee buddy) never pushes her own philosophies on the listener, only shares them and invites us to accept, reject, or re-mold. She writes an entire chapter on the worth of girlfriends - wonder if she knows she's one of mine now, wonder if she heard my own whispering during our time together?
Rated of 5
by Christine P. (San Francisco, CA) Anna Quindlen Gets It!
Anna Quindlen puts into words what it is to be me, a woman of a certain age (50s). This book of essays connects the issues that are important to women like me. Marriage, friendship, parenting, the care of aging parents and solitude are just a few of the topics that will either make you laugh or cry or more than likely do both. The essays are meant to be savored and mulled over until you read the next one. They will get in you touch with a part of yourself that you may have thought has gone missing. It’s definitely not a book to be gobbled down in one sitting. In the end, Anna Quindlen’s list of hopes will make you want to read this book again and again.
Rated of 5
by Cynthia S. (Rensselaer, NY) Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake
Anna Quindlen's memoir reflects on many topics: childhood, maturation, marriage, parenting, religion,faith, loss etc. Reading this little gem makes the reader aware of the many blessings that we have and experiences we have had as we journey through life.Many are similar to those experienced by Quindlen. One statement I particularly liked was about time passing, we have aged but at what age are we old? Old is whatever age you haven't reached yet. This book gives the readers lots to ponder. It would be great for a book club discussion.
Rated of 5
by Bob S. (lawrenceburg, IN) An exploration of women that men need
The book is autobiographical with all of Quindlen's usual qualities: insight, fun, self-effacing humor, and, at times, a well aimed shot at silliness. I thinks it's an important book for men to read, too, since looking at the world through each others' eyes is so important in a world often with lots of answers but no humble questions. Too many men are making decisions about women's lives when they've obviously never lived inside a woman's body and mind--it's created much pain in churches, governmental agencies, and in schools. Quindlen's searching examination of her own adventures is touching, loving, and joyful. Her wisdom is obvious.
Rated of 5
by Patty, (Carroll County Public Library, MD) A Happy Reunion
Reading Anna Quindlen's memoir was like being reunited with an old friend after many years of being apart. If you were a loyal fan of her columns in THE NEW YORK TIMES or NEWSWEEK as I was, you will appreciate that the book reads like those columns: full of heart and deep understanding of the human experience. If you only know her from her novels, you are in for a treat. She writes of her life in relation to issues like women in the workforce or raising children or mortality with the respect of one who loves her life and isn’t afraid to say so. Her desire to age gracefully will resonate with anyone who is thinking about it and wondering what will come next. I am so glad the last chapter of this book is titled, “To Be Continued.” I will be waiting.
Fearless, gripping, at once darkly funny and tender, spanning three continents and numerous lives, Americanah is a richly told story set in today's globalized world.
The story of an American family, middle class in middle America, ordinary in every way but one. But that exception is the beating heart of this extraordinary novel.
First time novelist Vaddey Ratner captured my heart and senses in this novel based on her childhood in Cambodia. Her story transcends any news story...
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From the first page, I was drawn in by the lyrical writing of the author and mesmerized as the narrator, eight year old Raami, remembered the years...
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Trite but true, all good things must come to an end. I so wanted to keep reading the wonderful prose, the settings that let one think they are part...
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Kenn Nesbitt is new Children's Poet Laureate(Jun 12 2013) Kenn Nesbitt has been named the new Children's Poet Laureate: Consultant in Children's Poetry to the Poetry Foundation, which noted that the two-year position...
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of 5
by Carole V. (west linn, oregon) 
of 5
by Mary G. (River Forest, IL) 
