Last month, I heard a young woman say, “You cannot become what you cannot see.” I thought of the well-known fairytale Cinderella after recently reading Rebecca Solnit’s updated take on the old classic. Solnit is a brilliant writer, philosopher, feminist and author of a number of books, including Men Explain Things to Me. She wanted her niece to grow up with the charm and transformation of the Cinderella story while working out a more palatable exit for Cinderella’s plight than the one we all … [Read more...] about Cinderella Liberator

THIS TENDER LAND  is part Coming of Age, Huck Finn, Grapes of Wrath and Wizard of Oz. The narrative starts at the Lincoln (Minnesota) Training School in 1932—The Great Depression.  WAIT!  Before your mind goes ballistic with “Who wants to read something juvenile and depressing?” I assure you this book is not that! Yes, you’ll be sad about some of it, but you’ll be more fascinated and inspired by most of it.  Even though the narrative begins in the Indian orphanage with some of the themes we’re … [Read more...] about This Tender Land

Richard Powers’ THE OVERSTORY is a tour de force.  It’s also a Pulitzer prize-winner which is being made into a movie. When I say a tour de force, I’m not kidding—it’s 502 pages long and it has a complex structure—but don’t be put off by that.  And don’t be put off by the fact that the characters are introduced in vignettes that might make you think you’ve come upon an anthology of short stories.  By the end of the book, you’ll know each of these characters intimately and you’ll be glad you do. … [Read more...] about The Overstory

Gobbled this book down in two days. Gave me such insight into other people. She's a remarkable writer who with wit and wisdom captures her journey from lonely, bulimic twenty-six year old (also at the top of her law school class) to confident adult, wife and mother. Relatable, insightful, and funny. … [Read more...] about Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life