My trip to England two years ago was magnificent, until I had a tantrum in the middle of a street. My sister, niece, aunt and I had looked forward to the trip for months. We had never been to London before, so we didn’t want to miss a thing: Westminster Abbey, the Globe Theatre, St. Paul’s … [Read more...]
Book Review: “The Girl Who Wrote In Silk” By Kelli Estes
I have a confession to make: I am super envious of anyone with a beautiful singing voice. I would love to be a singer… not a performer mind you, but someone who sings well. That way I could belt out tunes in the shower or harmonize with the car radio without completely embarrassing my child. I … [Read more...]
Book Review: “Pieces Of My Mother: A Memoir” By Melissa Cistaro
I was a tad annoyed last month when my husband gave me a Fitbit for our anniversary. It’s not that I didn’t appreciate the thought, or the gift for that matter. The size of the box had suggested jewelry, which got my heart racing, but the contents encouraged exercise. Well, rats. I’m “blessed” … [Read more...]
Book Review: “Under A Dark Summer Sky” By Vanessa Lafaye
I’m so happy summer has arrived that I noticed myself skipping the other day. I’m not a cold weather gal and this past winter was a test on my sanity. I broke it up by two trips to the sunny south, which gave me the motivation to carry on until the spring thaw. If you live in a cold climate like I … [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: “The Dream Lover” By Elizabeth Berg
I should have known better than to browse through Facebook on Sunday. Like other women who have lost their mothers, I welcome Mother’s Day with cautious optimism. I look forward to expressions of love from my daughter and husband (it really is nice to be appreciated, isn’t it?), yet I battle the … [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: “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...]