I don't have a lot of patience for memoirs right now, but I enjoyed this one. The format was very readable with short segments under a chapter's main topic. Kind of perfect for reading with a short attention span without feeling disjointed every 5 pages. ( )

This is a series of essays that go through Laura Lippman's life as she goes through menopause, divorce, first jobs, the newspaper business, writing, late life motherhood, and other relatable topics.

I had the best time reading these essays. I could relate so much to many of them especially the menopause ones. I laughed so hard when she talked about going to the cheapest dentist she could find to get her teeth removed. I also chuckled over the menopause essays and through other events in her life that I have had similar experiences.

She expressed many truths in these essays. We don't talk about much of what she talked about here. We should. We need to get away from societal expectations over so many things. She is funny and snarky. She tells it like it is. We could be friends. ( )

Started this and I didn't get into it. ( )

New York Times bestselling crime novelist, Laura Lippman, dazzles in this sparkling essay collection. Readers will finally get to meet the woman behind the novels in this unabashedly poignant collection of personal essays. From motherhood to her early career in journalism to love and loss and Twitter - many facets of Lippman's life are candidly broached, often with humorous and astute observations. Essays can go from laugh out loud funny to achingly sad in a heartbeat - but the tone always remains insightful and optimistic. Brilliantly narrated by the essayist herself, Lippman is great at controlling the levity and seriousness that each essay demands. A wonderful balance of essays- readers will feel like they get far more than a glimpse into the life of crime writing legend. Not just for fans of the author, these essays broach far more than her work and should have a wide appeal ( )

Shortly after the release of her first book starting Tess Monahan, Baltimore Blues, I had the pleasure of meeting her at ALA. She was gracious and kind, handing out signed book. I took it home, read it and loved it. She has been on my must read list ever since, though I admit to being a few behind.

I was so curious to see what she would choose to write about in her life, a chance to see into a favorite author. Get to know her a little better. I was not disappointed. She writes about a wide range of topics, such as her first job, her dad, mean girls, issues with weight and self image. How it is to be sixty and raising her nine year old daughter. I can't even imagine that, or rather I can but it makes me tired just thinking about it. More power to her!

She writes with humor, honest about her faults and foibles and is at times self deprecating in things she wished she had or could do better, or differently. Finishing, I took a moment to wonder about what I would write about in my life if I would write such a book. I'm not, however s popular author so I doubt anyone besides my friends or family would care. Definitely not a bestseller.

ARC from Edelweiss. ( )