I was completely swept up in this Malcolm Gladwell book.  I kept turning to whoever was around me saying, “Wow, this is utterly fascinating.  Did you know?” That’s the effect Gladwell has on his readers as he pulls headlines from the media and re-examines historical events that you thought you knew something about (or actually knew nothing about) only to find that there’s a whole new way of looking at those things that are not only completely fascinating but also food for thought on how to … [Read more...] about Talking to Strangers

Semicolon is one of the most surprising, enlightening, and inspiring books I’ve read recently. Only a dork would love a little book about the history of a punctuation mark, but this dork will gladly defend this book till the cows come home.  I’m not going to give all the juicy stuff away as I want you to enjoy every page. You simply MUST read it. And I will say that reading this book just might make you a better person. … [Read more...] about Semicolon

When I first read Cheryl Strayed’s book Wild, I knew that I had to add it to my repertoire of “in character” portrayals.  It was one of the most rewarding books I’ve ever brought to life. Her experience was so far from anything I could imagine doing—hiking the Pacific Crest Trail for months?  No. way. Then when I got turned on to Strayed’s Tiny Beautiful Things, I was absolutely stunned by her insights into people, her openness and willingness to be completely vulnerable in her stories, and her … [Read more...] about Lives of Girls and Women

My daughter calls me in the middle of the day on a Tuesday. It’s February and she’s away at college. A phone call from her at this time of day when I usually think of her in class is a little jarring. I pick up. Right away I can tell from her voice that something is off. It comes tumbling out. She’s just broken up with her boyfriend and is feeling REALLY sad. Plus, she laments, classes are REALLY tough and she’s feeling A LOT of stress.  I immediately tell her I’m so sorry, although I’ve … [Read more...] about The Book of Delights