Lots Of Cake, Plenty Of Candles by Anna Quindlen
Bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner Anna Quindlen now takes a realistic look at her 60th year in this memoir. Within, she talks of the past (growing up, parents, boys, dating, marriage, children..), the present (the importance of friends, not getting so worked up anymore, faith, loss) and the future (decluttering life, enjoying the moments…)
Anna talks to you in her memoir like she is talking to a friend hashing over the good, the bad, and the ugly while sitting in a sunny chair on her porch sitting ice-cold tea and the sampling of the occasional short bread.
I have not read a lot of Anna Quindlen. In fact, off-hand, I think other than this one, I have only read Every Last One (which is freaking me out now, as I just tried to search my blog for this review and can not find it. I know I listened to it on audio and now wonder if I forgot to review it last year. :shock:) However, I know Anna Quindlen can write, and I know her name as an author upon hearing it.
While I am no where hear the 60th birthday mark, I was still intrigued by a life memoir by a woman who is known for writing about realistic life opportunities in ways that make you think and care. I knew that writing a non fiction for Anna, would be an honest, even if it was brutally so, look at the life lessons she has carried.
I for one felt I too would get something out of listening to this book.
I used to think that surrounding myself with trusting girlfriends was just my own personal way of dealing with so much loss in my life. I like, and need “Go To Girls”. Listening to Anna, I am realizing that my need to hang out with my friends is not a unique thing, but really – a girl thing. As Anna points out, as we get older our girlfriends become all the more important to talk about everything, and to talk about nothing. I like that.
From dating to marrying to children of our own, Anna Quindlen covers all the topics with a matter of fact and confident tone. I enjoyed listening to her life lessons, smiling and laughing at times.
All in all, this book is not just for nearing or over that 60 years old mark. It is a read for any woman who feels they have lived much, but have more left to do. 😀
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I purchased this one from audible.com
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Posted on May 12, 2012, in audio review and tagged Audio, Review. Bookmark the permalink. 18 Comments.
Sounds heartfelt and real. I love it when I read about other people that have “real” lives and the struggles (and joy) that comes with it. 🙂
I found a photo editing site that I used to make a header for my new blog.
http;//www.picture2life.com
It would have been fairly simple IF I had done that sort of thing before. 🙂
I have combined all of my blogs into 1 to make my life S.I.M.P.L.E. 🙂
Shannon
http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com
I am glad you found A place to make your header Shannon! Now I have to go check it out!
I cannot wait to read this book. It sounds perfect for me.
It is a smooth audio Kathy, written in little topics, Anna gives out the lessons she has learned through the years. 🙂 I think we can all take something away from it.
Love Anna Quindlen so glad to hear that you enjoyed this one! She’s one of those authors that’s always good, but I haven’t read anything by her lately. Need to get this one! Thanks for reminding me! 🙂
I seen the reviews on line so had to move this one forward. Well worth my audible credit. 🙂
I just loved this book. I’m not a huge fan of her fiction, but I love her essays.
I have only dabbled in the one fiction read (Every Last One), now I am curious, does she have more books on essays?
i’ve only read one of her books – i think it was called black & blue, about domestic violence – this one sounds like one i would enjoy much more!
That’s an older title right? Seems like I tried that one a long time ago and coudn’t get into it… now I am curious if it is the same one… it was an Oprah book and I have never had luck with Oprah books. 😛
I’ve got this one ordered at the library… just waiting my turn for the audiobook. I haven’t read any of Quindlen’s novels but I used to read her newspaper column all the time so I think I’ll enjoy the essays.
I think you will like this one too Leslie, and of course – YAY For audio!!!!
I loved this book…and have enjoyed several of her novels. I might even venture to say that I’ve read them all, but I’d have to actually look at a list…I could have missed one.
Yes, reading this memoir was like sitting with her and sipping iced tea. A great experience.
I think she has advice for all ages Laurel. I imagine the book was just as good as the audio. Both would have come across well.:)
I was just reading about this book in BookPage this weekend and thought it sounded good. I have read a couple of Quindlan’s novels and one of her previous memoirs. I love memoirs, so I think I would like this one. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Sue
I think you will like this one too Sue. She is matter of fact, her life was pretty average and she has learned along the way.
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