The Joy of the Book Club

The Joy of the Book Club

In my wayward youth, I belonged to a few book clubs. They varied tremendously and served different purposes throughout the years. In New York, my book club read the classics, and I found it an easy, low-stress way to make up for the gaps in my education.* During the...

MODERN GIRLS: Here, There, Everywhere

As of tomorrow, MODERN GIRLS has been out in the world for two weeks now, and I still don’t know how to react to the compliments. This is what I say to people who gush over me and the book: “Aw, thank you! I really appreciate that. I’m so glad you...

What Hath the UPS Man Wrought?

Yesterday afternoon, I saw that lovely brown truck pulling up to the house. Out came our delivery person, with two boxes in his hand. Could it be? I take them to the table. In three weeks, these beauties will grace bookstores. But for now, I’m simply relieved:...

Swedish Meatballs and Me

While most of the U.S. population thinks “Swedish,” and they imagine Muppets, meatballs, and Ikea, I hope they will now think “literature.” Because I’m thrilled that I had an essay translated into Swedish—my first translation! I was...