Books On The Bedside Table

After a series of false starts that left me wondering when, if ever, I would again feel the exquisite agony of a brilliant book coming to an end, I struck gold with four consecutive winners.

I lost a lot of beauty sleep, but they were (nearly) worth every wrinkle.  Enjoy.  

Bring Up The Bodies by Hillary Mantel.
The magic of Hilary Mantel is that she makes history utterly contemporary and - incredibly - suspenseful.  We know the ending, but can't stop turning the pages to find out, What next?

In Wolf Hall, the Man-Booker Prize-winning first installment in her phenomenal trilogy, Mantel chronicles the rise and rise of Thomas Cromwell, a man of low birth and obscure background, who transforms himself into Henry VIII's most trusted advisor by negotiating his marriage to Anne Boleyn, and, consequently, England's separation from Rome.

As Bring Up The Bodies opens, Anne has failed to deliver the male heir she's promised Henry and her witty barbs, once charming, have begun to chafe.  Henry is now in the market for a more fertile and complacent companion, and, once again, Cromwell must clear the way for the king's remarriage.  Spanning nine pivotal months, the book concentrates on the three weeks during which Anne falls definitely out of favor and is arrested, tried and executed.  Cromwell survives the woman whose fortunes raised his own, but realizes it's only a matter of time before his own head is on a stake.

If, like me, you can't get enough, listen to this author interview.  The wait for book three is excruciating.

Note: if you were off-put by pronoun confusion in Wolf Hall (I often found myself rereading passages to confirm who was speaking or being referred to), good news - Mantel has addressed this issue.  The pages of Bringing Up The Bodies will fly through your fingers.

The Hare With Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal
To the bookseller who warned that the first 175 pages might be a slog, as it was all a bit academic: (a) I don't know what you were talking about, and (b) nothing could have put me off after reading the opening chapter.  Pitch perfect.  It's hardly fair that, as one of the worlds leading contemporary ceramicists, writing isn't even his day job.

In this epic memoir, Edmund de Waal tells his family's history by tracing the origin and progression of his unique inheritance: a collection of 264 Japanese netsuke carvings.  His appearance at the Sydney Writers' Festival (listen here) had the audience (and this at-home listener) in tears.  Unforgettable.

The Stranger's Child by Alan Hollinghurst.
You could be forgiven for coming away from The Stranger's Child with the understanding that everyone in early 20th century England was secretly gay.   That said, I was mesmerized by Hollinghurst's extraordinary capacity for conjuring so perfectly the internal dialogue of every character, and the shifting nuances of every one of their social encounters, as the narrative changed perspective and period.  Incredibly powerful writing, and a compelling storyline.  I was under the doona with a flashlight, way, way past my bedtime.

All That I Am by Anna Funder
Is it right to issue a review before actually finishing the book?  I am applying the love-at-first-sight rule and, saying, YES.  I stumbled into this one - it was a gift and I deliberately didn't read the jacket notes.  So glad that I did.  I'll do you the same favor by not commenting on the text, but simply urge you to pick it up.  I am 1/3 of the way through and could barely put it down to t y p e t  h  i  s   ....

Reading: Challenging Times & Tricky Topics

Recommending parenting books is a loaded business.  

In the interest of full disclosure, allow me to say that as I write this, one of my two children is confined to his bedroom for poor behavior. 

That said, with the prospect of change churning our emotional seas, I find myself revisiting some trusted sources.  They have, at various times, provided information, reassurance, perspective, strategies and the occasional, much needed laugh.  

I thought  they were worth sharing, because these volumes always deliver, even when I can't.

Good luck to all of us!

What is 'spirited', you ask?

Well, if you find yourself wondering how all the other mothers are able to drink their coffee while you are busy trying to stop your little darling from scaling walls, digging trenches or hot-wiring the car; if your child can't bear seams on her socks, itchy tags on her neck or strobe lighting; if your child is simply more  - more passionate, turbulent, energetic, precocious, particular, sensitive, intuitive or just plain full-on - than other kids, this book may be for you!

Pure gold.

A great one if you live with somebody who needs prompting to see the bright side.  

We now say goodnight with a cuddle while listing ten good things that happened that day.  The eight-year-old has figured out that he can score an extra two pages of story time in exchange for an additional ten positive things, for a total of twenty.  It's a win-win.

Oh, if only I could swallow this whole.  When I remember what to do, it works a charm.  

By the same brilliant ladies.  Siblings Without Rivalry won't necessarily stop the kids from fighting over the remote, but it provides fascinating insight into family dynamics that can help you minimize the bigger conflicts and make everyone feel appreciated for who they are, without comparison or favor.  Big ticket stuff.

When I grow up, I want to be Lauren Child.  Or Clarice Bean.  I'm not picky, either will do.  

Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now! is not a parenting book but a book for parents and kids alike.

In this installment of the Clarice Bean series, Clarice's best friend, Betty Moody, unexpectedly moves away when her mother takes a job overseas.  Eventually, after a bit of sadness and a few twists and turns, it all works out.  Told with candor, humor, feeling and astounding powers of syntax, Lauren Child does it again.  Brilliant.  We'll be revisiting this one as the time for good-byes draws near.

As a friend's mother likes to say, Feelings aren't right or wrong - they just are.  With clever cartoons and few words, Aliki subtly points out that how we act on those feelings - good and bad - is our choice, without ever being preachy or goody-two-shoes about it.  Genius.

If you laugh so hard that you snort while reading about manners, have you missed the point?  

If so, I am a lost cause.  Where Aliki uses subtlety, Munro uses a sledgehammer - of humor.  The Pigs and the Toucheys are now part of the family vernacular.  If only we didn't have so much cause to invoke their names!  

Lifetimes is elegant and powerful in its simplicity.  Every living thing has a beginning and an ending, with lifetimes in between.  And it's the living - no matter how long or short - that counts.  

Though not a parenting book per se, Lifetimes has helped us navigate some difficult conversations.  Stunning illustrations help convey the beauty and universality of life and death.  Perfectly pitched for children and adults alike, struggling to understand.

Best. Cookbook. Ever.

I love Asian.  I love fresh.  I love flavor.  I love Bill (see here, here and here).  But, above all, I love easy.

That last part is a bit of a revelation.

I have been known to go to great (read: ridiculous) lengths in my quest to replicate the food I love.

No more.

Three dinners, averaging 30 minutes effort each (tops), no crazy ingredient sourcing and two new family favorites later, this is it.

Bill's Everyday Asian.

Never. Looking. Back.

Hot tip: try Spa-style Poached Chicken With Sesame Bean Salad - my tough-to-please little one gave it two thumbs up, and both boys raved about Hoisin Chicken With A Celery Salad (okay, we substituted carrot sticks, but the chicken was a hit).

More Books In The Car

We arrived at school this morning seven whole minutes before the teachers opened the doors.

It was a good thing, too, because we weren't going anywhere.

Wolves were attacking Susan and Lucy.

Having exhausted our local library's supply of in-drive entertainment, I recently became worried that a second mortgage would be needed to feed our daily audio book habit.

(Most books on cd- in Australia - run between $20-30; make that $120, if you seek a Harry Potter installment.)

And then I discovered audible.com, a branch of Amazon.

For the princely sum of $7, I was able to download The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (the BBC dramatized version) to my iPod, plug it into the car's auxiliary audio jack, and away we went.

A thrilling tale, détente in the back seat, and no messy mid-drive disk changing, all for the price of a piece of cake.

And just in time for the holidays, should you be mounting an expedition.

Too sweet.

Book Group

If there is one thing I love more than reading, it's talking.

And if there is one thing I love more than talking, it's eating and drinking.

If you do all four with a bunch of friends, it is called Book Group.

And for most of my adult life I've been in one.

In my twenties, Book Group took place on a week night, straight after work. We rotated the venue among our apartments and shared houses, and everyone brought ready-made nibbles (the ubiquitous hummus and pita bread; hastily chopped veggies and peel-back-the-lid-dip) for a make-shift dinner. Generous glasses of cheap red wine and cigarettes played a prominent role.

In my early thirties, Book Group was still on a week night, but now we rotated houses and the change in venue gave members a chance to play hostess, with newly developed culinary skills and wedding booty (from the registry, not the bedroom) on full display. Sauvignon Blanc, Yes; cigarettes and carbs, No.

Now, as I hurtle towards forty, Book Group has become a daytime affair, energy and partners available for an early-evening-hand-off being in short supply. The wine has given way to coffee (it would be a worry if we were reaching for the corkscrew at ten in the morning), and I, for one, have waved the white flag in the battle against carbs, serving no fewer than three types of cake the last time I hosted.

After many years of eating, drinking and discussing, a few thoughts on successful Book Groups come to mind.

I offer them here, along with profound thanks to all the lovely women I've laughed and read with.

With the right set of friends, Book Group can be about so much more than books.

Happy Book Grouping.

1. Who

Books Groups work best when they are comprised of people who love to read. I once joined a newly formed group only to find that two of the four participants couldn't come up with a book recommendation. One actually suggested we broaden our scope to include magazines. That group didn't last long.

2. Size

Like a dinner party, I think that eight in attendance is the perfect number for a robust discussion. Of course, if you have the right people, four can be enough for a robust discussion, but eight guarantees enough points of view for variety, and not so many that people have to fight to be heard. In order to achieve a critical mass at meetings, a membership of ten to twelve is prudent - sick children, work commitments, and car repairs have a habit of preventing full attendance.

3. Frequency

It is no fun to turn up to Book Group and discover that no one (maybe including you) has read the book. Okay, it probably will be fun, given that you are getting together with friends (not to mention the food and drink), but it will not be Book Group. Therefore, meeting at realistic intervals is key. Six weeks between meetings generally allows everyone enough time to source and read the selection.

4. Choosing

Not every book lends itself to a meaty group discussion. If you are looking for options selected for that very quality, try the ABC's First Tuesday Book Club, hosted by Jennifer Byrne or National Public Radio's Diane Rehm Reader's Review. And, of course, there is always Oprah.

5. Hosting

Keep it simple. Recent meetings have spanned the spectrum from a sit-down lunch to a packet of Tim Tams. Do whatever feels right to you, but I can honestly say that the food won't make or break the discussion. (I believe I mentioned a conspicuous number of cakes above; this is a case of Do As I Say, Not As I Do. I am crazy when it comes to cake and my illness should be neither encouraged nor replicated.)

6. Cost

Books in Australia are pricey. Here are some ideas for keeping costs down:

• Adopt a no-hardback policy.
• Visit the library. Some libraries offer book groups the option of borrowing rather than buying by maintaining multiple copies of popular choices. The key with borrowing en masse seems to lie in reserving your group's selection early, as this ensures the greatest degree of choice.
• Share. A benefit of the six-week interval is that it allows faster readers to to lend or borrow, reducing the overall number of books you need to buy.
• If you are ordering books online, some distributors offer group discounts.
• Some book shops offer group discounts.

image via apartment therapy

Books In The Car

For a harmonious car ride, there are three things that I must never, ever leave the house without:

1. Two separate drink bottles. (The only thing my children share is DNA, and that wasn't voluntary.)

2. Snacks. (See the Meal Policy).

3. An audio book.

About a year ago, our dear friend, Melinda, having read of our love for the Famous Five, sent us four volumes on cd. We decided to listen to them in the car on our way home from school the day they arrived.

Their effect was immediate and radical.

Audio books have done for our travel time what books at the table did for dinnertime:

They have transformed a period that was otherwise rife with conflict ("He's touching me!"), misbehavior ("He hit me!" "I hit him because he was touching me!"), threats ("If I have to pull this car over...."), and yelling ("STOP TOUCHING EACH OTHER!") into a time that is (mostly) peaceful, entertaining, and downright enjoyable. For all of us.

I have just returned home from the library armed with Books 3, 4 & 5 of The Spiderwick Chronicles on cd, and I do not know who will be more excited to launch into the next installment after school pick-up - me or the boys.

On Saturday, we spent several long minutes sitting in a parked car outside a birthday party venue. All three of us were poised on the edge of our seats, bodies leaning in towards the stereo, eyes wide and shoulders tense, as we listened to the end of yet another cliff-hanging chapter in this best-selling series.

We simply could not bring ourselves to get out before the chapter finished, and when the party ended, the boys clambered into the car with a sense of anticipation that was inspired as much by the continuation of the story as it was by the traditional investigation of the goodie bag.

Along with our daily travel, our approach to road trips has done an about-face.

When we first got a portable DVD player, in preparation for a 10 hour car ride, it seemed like manna from heaven and I marveled over the effect it had on our wee passengers.

The only sound coming from the back seat, other than the low drone of video dialogue and periodic requests for a disc change, was silence. Perfect, I thought.

We quickly established the habit of turning the DVD player on for any trip lasting more than two hours and, before long, road trips, like long-haul flights, meant movies on-tap, guzzled down, guilt-free.

Anything to make the time pass and emerge on the other side relatively intact.

This Christmas, however, we undertook the same 10 hour journey and, this time, the DVD player stayed packed away until the final forty minutes of the drive.

Again, the crew in the back seat was mostly silent, but so was the crew in the front.

And it was a silence of an entirely different quality:

Engaged. Alert. Intent. Rapt.

Unlike many a past journey, we did not simply endure it - we enjoyed it.

And we emerged not just intact, but the better for it.

Here are a few selections from our car library, beginning with some for the younger set and working our way up the maturity ladder. I must point out that we have been going through a particularly heavy Roald Dahl phase, hence his over representation below. But he is so good.

Henrietta by Martine Murray

You may have to go to your local library (with fingers crossed) to get a copy of Henrietta on cd, as it proved to be elusive in my internet search, but if you can find it, you are in for a treat. Henrietta has an imagination and turn of phrase that will have even the hardest-boiled second grader giggling. "Sheeza-mageeza" is now a part of the family lexicon, having replaced another phrase that produced permanent frown lines every time I heard it, and for that alone, I am eternally indebted to author Martine Murray. Henrietta: she really is A Real Go Getter.

Charlie And Lola by Lauren Child

I normally associate the magic of Lauren Child's books with her brilliant collages, so it was a complete surprise to discover how well her stories worked as audio-only. DB is a particular fan, and now that I have finally stopped pointing out how well the two siblings get on, WB is allowing himself to go back to enjoying it, too. (I am still hoping the example seeps in by osmosis.)

Winnie The Pooh A. A. Milne ready by Stephen Fry, Judi Dench and various artists

Although I normally associate Winnie The Pooh with very small people (perhaps because it has been so abused as a nursery motif), the humor is actually quite sophisticated and while it tickles my seven-year-old, his five-year-old brother's laugh usually comes one tell-tale moment behind. Still, even if you are not in on every joke, the narration is beautiful and soothing. A good choice for days when a calming effect is needed.

Fantastic Mr. Fox, by Roald Dahl, read by Lionel Jeffries OR by the author

Narration is so very, very important when it comes to audio books and, curiously, I find that the author is not always the best man (or woman) for the job. We have two copies of Fantastic Mr. Fox on cd and while I find the Lionel Jeffries version more enthralling, I do love listening to the Roald Dahl version to hear where he choses to put emphasis. But I am a bit of a nerd that way.

Charlotte's Web read by E.B. White

The best thing about Charlotte's Web on cd? My children will never have to hear me choke out the part where Charlotte dies, between sobs, again. The second best thing? The cadence of E.B. White's voice and his New England accent. The third best thing? The afterword by George Plimpton in the anniversary edition, in which he quotes Eudora Welty's review, proclaiming Charlotte's Web as "just about perfect." I couldn't agree more.

The BFG by Roald Dahl, read by Natasha Richardson

To have Natasha Richardson read you your bedtime stories must have been quite an experience. She is magnificent as The BFG. More brilliant, original language. More brilliant, original Roald Dahl.

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory read by Eric Idle

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory is a perennial favorite, but I have never enjoyed it so much as when read by Eric Idle. You will be giggling and salivating by turns. Good for a road-trip, when snack rules are relaxed and lollies are on hand....

Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone

It is impossible to imagine anyone other than Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter. Impossible. We have played this set of cds (9 hours + in total) over and over again, and we will never tire of it. At least, I won't.

Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Toni DiTerlizzi

As mentioned above, we have been on the edge of our seats. The quality of the prose doesn't compare with some of the selections listed above, but it is a rollicking good tale told a clippy pace. If you hate to cut the engine because you need to hear what comes next, you know something is going right.

image from jasonhall.com

Books On My Bedside Table

The Kitchen Diaries by Nigel Slater

Technically, The Kitchen Diaries does not belong in this post as it never made its way to my bedside table.

There are two reasons for this: (1) it is very dangerous to read about brownies and double ginger cake after 10 p.m., and (2) CB has banned Nigel from the bedrooom. Regular readers, familiar with my feelings for Nigel, will understand why.

Nonetheless, this summer I was often found stretched out on the sofa or hunched over the kitchen table, absorbed in this cookbook as though it was the latest who-done-it. Compelling reading for anyone interested in simple, intelligent cookery that follows the seasons. Acknowledged by Nigel himself to be his favorite among the many books he's written. What better endorsement could you want?

Piano Lessons by Anna Goldsworthy

I never took piano lessons. I spent a single school term faking the flute by pretending to blow into it while moving my fingers in sync with the girl sitting next me, in an effort to conceal the fact that I never practiced nor learned to read the music. That is the sum of my musical career.

It could not have less in common with that of pianist, writer and Adelaide-native Anna Goldsworthy.

This memoir - part coming of age story and part tribute to her extraordinary teacher, Mrs. Sivan - chronicles her path from child student to professional musician and intructor.

Witty, honest, and affectionate without being sentimental, her story and characters ring true on every page. Mrs. Sivan is larger than life and her lessons, dominated by dramatic soliloquies on music and passion, are inspiring but it is Goldsworthy's skill as a writer that leaves me in awe. A great one for teachers, students, non-conformists and lovers of music.

My Life In France by Julia Child

As someone once said, Julia Child wasn't always Julia Child.

In this warm and entertaining memoir, Julia tells the story of how she first discovered food, France, and her life's passion. It is also an endearing portrait of her nearly fifty-year marriage to Paul Child. Told with humility and joy, Julia's irrepressible enthusiasm and 'can do' attitude - often in the face of heartbreak and disappointment - leap off the page. It's no wonder she managed to single-handedly revolutionize American cooking.

Bird By Bird: Some Instructions On Writing And Life by Annie Lamott

If there is anyone funnier or in possession of more hard-won wisdom than Annie Lamott, I'd like to know. Aspiring writers: if you are looking for advice, inspiration, consolation, a teacher, or just a good kick up the pants, this is for you. A re-read and perennial favorite.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

I am probably the last person in the English speaking world to read The Lovely Bones.

A friend loaned it to me with the highest recommendation last year, and for some reason I couldn't bring myself to open it.

Perhaps it was the premise: a young girl is raped and murdered, then goes on to observe, from heaven, as her family unravels and her killer eludes police. What's not to like, right?

And then I heard this interview between Teri Gross and Alice Sebold, and it immediately became required reading.

Once picked up, it was not put down. Except to drive. Children were neglected. Everyone lived on cold cereal for three days running. I told myself that I was obligated to read it without interruption because the sooner I finished it, the sooner we could resume normal life. Glad that's over.

It's Not About The Bike by Lance Armstrong

I admit it: I went into this book thinking I would hate it.

I could not care less about cycling and had zero interest in Lance Armstrong. I was only reading it out of obligation to my book group.

I was hooked by page three.

Inspiring, well-paced, suspenseful, and a complete surprise. Love him or hate him, Lance Armstrong is a compelling character and co-author Sally Jenkins can tell a story. Astounding.

New York

Are you going to see the tree in Rockefeller Center? 

Skate in the rink?  

Attend the Nutcracker?

Marvel at the magnificent window displays?

If you are making a holiday pilgrimage to NYC, here are some favorites from our bookshelf, to help generate excitement, find your way around, and preserve the experience.

Merry Christmas, New York.

This Is New York by Miroslav Sasek.  Absolutely brilliant and chock-full of amazing facts.  Did you know that New York City has the world's largest police force and that a fire truck zooms off to answer a call every 6 seconds?!  The illustrations make me want to plonk on a pork-pie hat, some plaid trousers (two inches too short) and start singin' show tunes.  An absolute must.

My New York by Kathy Jacobsen.  An artist and her daughter move to New York City.  To help her daughter get to know their new home town, the mother draws an illustrated map and tells her daughter that they can go anywhere she likes as long as she can figure out how to get them there.  We have visited nearly every sight in the book and, thank to Kathy Jacobsen, have blown the kitty riding Bubbles, the black stallion with the lion saddle, on the Central Park carousel.  Worth every penny.

Next Stop Grand Central.   Written and illustrated by the incredible Maira Kalman.  What more can I say?  An amazing collection of interesting facts and wry humor - clearly, Ms. Kalman shares my love of imagining the lives of fellow travelers.  When you pull into the station, don't forget to visit the Whispering Gallery, or to look UP - other than the clock, the ceiling is my favorite bit.

Eloise by Kay Thompson.  What would New York be without The Plaza and it's most famous resident?  Makes me want to order room service and ride the elevator up and down.  And up and down.  And up and down.

Alphabet City by Stephen T. Johnson.  I don't know for a fact that the city in Alphabet City is New York, but that's how I always imagine it.  Phenomenal illustrations and a fun "spot the letter" game for kids who know their ABCs.  

New York New York: The Big Apple From A to Z by Laura Kraus Melmed.  Another alphabet theme, this time featuring New York landmarks.  I get a buzz whenever my two correctly identify the buildings - it means my propaganda campaign is working....

A Walk In New York - a boy and his dad spend the day in the city.  Of course, they get hot dogs from a vendor.  Please have one with ketchup and mustard for me.   

New York's 50 Best Places To Take Children.  Our copy is dogged eared, filled with notes, stained with ketchup and has been there and back many times over.  Coving both iconic institutions (eg Museum of Natural History, Central Park) and off-the-beaten track finds (a magic shop where a personal show comes for free, or where to find the best milkshake and grilled cheese sandwich), this book is for you.  The book is cleverly organized by attraction and cross referenced by neighborhood, so you can plan your exploration very efficiently.  Indispensable.

City Walks With Kids New York.  Another great resource, this clever box of cards enables you to take only the relevant bits, so you don't need to lug around a whole book.  Each one comes complete with neighborhood maps, listings of neighborhood attractions (complete with relevant details) and public transport info.

image by R. Nichols, via Habitually Chic

More Books: For The Grown-Ups

In the hallway of my Aunt Jane's home hangs a pastel drawing of a book that looks like a slice of pie.  Below the pie is a caption that I always remember : 

You Are What You Read.

Here is a slice from my bedside table.  

Bon Apetit!

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

First page, one sentence in, I knew I was holding something extraordinary.  An elderly country preacher, with a young wife and son, comes to the end of his life and begins a series of letters addressed to his child - the only legacy he has to offer.  Poignant.  Exquisite.  Magnificent.  

Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel

16th century Tudor England.  Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage to Katherine of Aragon in order to marry Ann Boleyn.  Thomas Cromwell rises from obscurity, and personal tragedy, to become the king's advisor and the ultimate political operative.  "Pitting himself against parliament, the political establishment and the papacy, he is prepared to reshape England to his own and Henry's desires."  Deft and nuanced and dense.  I am two-thirds of the way through, and will be re-reading it immediately.  Masterful.

Year Of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

When the Plague comes to a remote village in 17th century England, and its inhabitants take the brave step of quarantining themselves to contain the disease. Told through the eyes of Anna, a young widow and mother who struggles to maintain her humanity against a backdrop of violence, ignorance, and unimaginable loss.  It is also a story of grace, friendship, and beauty.  Brooks' research and power of imagination are marvelous.  One of my favorites.

Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama 

This is not a political memoir.  It is a classic, and surprisingly candid, coming-of-age story.  Told by a gifted narrator, who could easily have made his living as a writer rather than as President, this book deserves a place in the pantheon of American literature.  

Perfume by Patrick Suskind

Chilling.  Original.  A completely absorbing study of evil, beauty, desire, murder and scent in 18th century France.  Simultaneously repellent and captivating.  You won't be able to turn away, as much as you might like to.  Brilliant.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston

Published in 1937, this masterpiece tells the story of Janie Crawford, a beautiful, independent black woman and her journey to know, and live for, herself.  Bitter-sweet, wise, specific and universal.  This is essential reading for every woman.  And man.

American Wife: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld

If you've ever wondered how Laura Bush could live with W. and live with herself, here is a satisfying, fictionalized answer.  Highly entertaining, this novel paints endearing and plausible portraits of a marriage and its two parties, who wind up living their private life in the public eye.  Perfect for the beach or a long flight.