My husband will tell you that I’m obsessed with the thought of head lice. He’s right. Now let me be clear: I don’t relish being obsessed with the little critters; being obsessed with head lice is like being obsessed with cellulite—nobody enjoys thinking about it all the time. Had I the ability to … [Read more...]
A Mother’s Life With A Daughter’s Anorexia: An Interview With Author Clare B. Dunkle
Award-winning author Clare B. Dunkle was high on life. She lived overseas in beautiful Germany, her career as a children’s book novelist was taking off and, most importantly, her daughters were happy, healthy and teeming with exuberance. But almost without warning, Clare’s life crumpled when not … [Read more...]
Book Review: “The Secrets Of Midwives” By Sally Hepworth
A good friend and I were chatting the other day about whether, in a few hundred years, women’s bodies will adapt to our radically changing lifestyles. She and I had waited until our thirties to have children and we both experienced serious difficulties with fertility. Our ovaries didn’t care that we … [Read more...]
Book Review: “Every Fifteen Minutes” By Lisa Scottoline
My 16-year-old niece mentioned to me the other day that she is thinking about taking a summer job. She’s been offered a nanny position and is contemplating whether or not the long hours and lack of freedom will be worth the money. We discussed the pros and cons and when she mentioned that the job … [Read more...]
Book Review: “The Day We Met” By Rowan Coleman
My niece is 17 years old yet my sister remembers her birth with acute accuracy. It was the most horrible experience of her life, she claims. Now obviously the end result is the best thing that’s ever happened to her, but the process of getting there? Sheesh. My sister never intended on having a … [Read more...]
Book Review: “Find Me” By Laura Van Den Berg
When I was in my twenties, I had a roommate who told me that I was a magnet for weirdness. “Stuff happens to you that doesn’t happen to other people,” he said. I don’t know if that claim is exactly true, but I have experienced my share of unusual situations. For example: I’ve ripped a muscle in my … [Read more...]
Book Review: “Monday’s Lie” By Jamie Mason
I can say (with a fair amount of certainty) that most women I know want to be a perfect mom. Let me clarify what I mean by “perfect.” I’m not talking about the type of mom who wears a permanent smile, keeps an immaculate house and has a full cookie jar at all times. As if. The kind of “perfect … [Read more...]
Book Review: “The Girl On The Train” By Paula Hawkins
I watch people with the same kind of fascinated horror that I view a car wreck. I don’t intend to stare, but I just can’t seem to tear my eyes away from the catastrophe that is in front of me. Perhaps it’s human nature; I am naturally drawn to the drama of others because it reminds me that my life, … [Read more...]
Book Review: “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah
Image via My husband asked me the other day if I had changed the password on his phone. My negative reply caused us to pause for a moment before turning to our daughter. Let’s just say that she needs to practise her poker face. His new password? Her thumbprint. She’s ten. It frightens me that … [Read more...]
Book Review: “All the Bright Places” By Jennifer Niven
There’s a lookout tower in Dorset, Ontario, that owns me. It’s a hundred-foot tall steel structure that provides a beautiful view of the surrounding lakes. Or so I’ve been told. It’s one of those scenic towers with grated steps. You know the kind: climbing it involves watching the safe, firm land … [Read more...]