Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Tuesday Intro: Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake

Introduction: Life in the Fifties 
It's odd when I think of the arc of my life, from child, to young woman, to aging adult. First I was who I was. Then I didn't know who I was. Then I invented someone and became her. Then I began to like what I'd invented. And finally I was what I was again.
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake
by Anna Quindlen

This is a first. I downloaded Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake on audio (read by the author) yesterday morning and by late afternoon was at the bookstore buying a print copy - one day, one book, two purchases. It really seemed like Anna Quinden was speaking to me. After just one chapter, there were so many passages to be reread and reflected upon that owning a print copy seemed the only choice. I suspect every woman who has reached her 50th birthday will need a copy of this book, too!

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening paragraph(s). Feel free to grab the banner and play along.

40 comments:

  1. There was an excerpt from this book a couple of weeks ago in the Sunday Parade magazine, and I saved it - to read it over again & also to remind myself to look for the book.

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    1. Lisa May - I'm surprised I missed that excerpt, but our weekends have been pretty crazy for the last month or so. This book is definitely a keeper!

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  2. Wow, are we on the same wavelength or what? I ordered this from the library a few weeks ago and picked it up and started it yesterday.

    I haven't read any Anna Quinlen books so wanted to see whether I liked her. So far so good--sort of a battle hymn of those of us who came of age in the 70s.

    I can relate to the arc as well.

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    1. JaneGS - I absolutely love Quindlen's nonfiction and have enjoyed quite a few of her novels, too. There is so much I can relate to and love in this memoir... such a great book!

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  3. I thoroughly enjoyed this book...glad you liked it, too.

    Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - So many of my blogging friends have loved this, and now I know why.

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  4. It isn't that far away for me. I'm going to blink and it will be here. I will take your lead, and get it in print. Someday. Before I turn 50.

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    1. Sandy - This is a tough call because I love hearing Quindlen reading her own memoir, yet I need to have those passages in my hand to reread again and again. Maybe one day there will be a print/audio combo package. I seem to be experiencing more books that way lately.

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  5. I'm on my library's waiting list to read this memoir. It sounds terrific!

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    1. DCMetroreader - It's wonderful! Hope you don't have to wait too much longer.

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  6. I haven't read this book yet but i always liked Anna Quindlen's column so I'm interested in reading her memoir. And now, your enthusiasm for it and connection to the book piques my interest more.

    Happy Reading!

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    1. Amy - I've always enjoyed Quindlen's column, too. This memoir is even better!

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  7. I laughed when I read the title of your post, JoAnn! My 50th is approaching but it doesn't bother me in the slightest. Well, perhaps that's not quite true...I was dusting recently and looked down into a mirrored tray. When did my neck start looking like that? Oh well...laughing works wonders!

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    1. Darlene - I passed the 50 mark a couple years ago, and lived to tell about it. Your comment reminds me of how much I loved Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck. She narrates the audio herself...it's priceless!

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  8. 50 is on my horizon, too! I enjoyed the Anna Quindlen novel I read last summer (so much so I can't remember the title!) but I'd certainly read more by her.

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    1. Vintage Reading - Anna Quindlen has long been a favorite. If you're nearing 'that age', this book seems perfect so far.

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  9. I'm one of those women, and I've always liked her writing, so I'm going to look for this.

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    1. Audrey - I'm enjoying this book so much! Listening in the car, then rereading favorite passages in the evening is just perfect.

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  10. I marked my copy up as well, because that is exactly how I felt. I could so relate to most of what she had to say.

    so...of course, I loved the intro. This one is a keeper.

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    1. Diane - Yours was on of the first reviews I read of this book... just knew it would 'speak' to me, too!

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  11. I have been thinking about purchasing this book too!

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    1. Nise' - I'm sure you won't regret the purchase - it's wonderful!

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  12. Well, you have me wanting to use my credit at audible for this!

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    1. Staci - That's a tough call... you may end up wanting a print copy, too!

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  13. Wow, that is a real testimony to the book. I'm going to pick it up, even though I'm not quite at 50. Here's Mine

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    1. Paulita - Hope you get to read this one soon. Even though you're not 50 yet, there will still be common ground.

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  14. I'm past 50 and this sounds like a must read. Thanks for the tip and for stopping by today.

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    1. Kaye - The more I read/listen, the more I love this book!

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  15. I gave my mom this book for her birthday/Mother's Day and now wish I had bought a copy for myself, too. I guess there's nothing stopping me from doing that anyway, is there? I love Quindlen's books (fiction and non) and I just turned 50 this past December, so I'm pretty sure it will speak to me. I have the audio on my Nano (from the library), but will wait until I have the printed version, so I can read along and mark passages.

    BTW, you can listen to an interview with Quindlen on NPR here. I'm saving this until I've read the book.

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    1. Les - My mom will definitely enjoy this one, too! I've read many of Quindlen's books over the years, too, and am just now realizing how much we have in common. Thanks for the interview link (think I saw it at Nan's, too?). Will listen after I've finished. I have a couple of years on you;-)

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  16. Sounds like a great read and listen. I must look for a copy of this... thanks for the age-related advice! ;)

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    1. Arti - I've read and listened to so many great books this year. Have tried to be much more selective in my choices and it's really paying off.

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  17. I'm looking forward to your review. It must be good to buy it twice in one day :)

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    1. Stacy - I still can't believe I did that!

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  18. I didn't have any interest in this book but now I want to read it!

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    1. Vasilly - I think you need to be of a 'certain age' to appreciate this one ;-)

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  19. I read the quotes from this novel on my nook this morning and thought how much I would enjoy owning a copy. I loved what she said about the body being a car to drive our character, and while she loves a red convertible or Bentley as much as the next person what we really need is four tires and an engine. Wonderful stuff! (Tell that to Hollywood, right?!)

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    1. Bellezza - I loved that quote, too, and so many others that I've lost count! There is sure to be a reread, or two, in my future. Treat yourself to a copy - you deserve it!

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  20. I have this one on my shelf and can't wait to read it!

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    1. Kathleen - I loved this one... think you're in for a treat!

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