Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake

I found Anna Quindlen's memoir a good read, a bit different than her other works, but just as interesting. Thinking of retirement and eventual dying, putting her ideas and memories down on paper was a request from her daughter. The author is always quite good with details, and this book is no different. I would like a copy of this book in my bookcase, for it is a book with history, social and cultural norms, and a way to look at the middle class in America. Family is important to her, and it is apparent in her writings. This is a book, not for the divorced, single mothers, or without children, you may not "get" this memoir, but for the rest of us, it documents much of what we struggle with, joys and emotional upheavals thrown in for good measure.

I highly recommend this book for yourself, but also for a gift. What a delightful Mother's Day book this would be. "Lots of Candles" is a refreshing look at family life, stability and personal growth in n era of constant change. ( )

Listening to Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake was like spending time with an old friend. I've been an Anna Quindlen fan for years - from her Life in the 30's columns back the 80's through her most recent novel. This memoir is especially relevant to women over fifty and includes reflections on aging, family life, friends, faith, career, and more. I loved each and every one of them!

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake also has the distinction of being the first book I have ever knowingly purchased twice on the same day. After downloading the audiobook, I drove off to collect my daughter (with all her belongings) at college and bring her home the summer. Before reaching my destination, I stopped at a Barnes & Noble along the way to purchase a hardcover copy. There were so many passages I wanted to go back and reread, I needed a print copy, too. A favorite book of 2012!

My rating: 5 stars ( )

I have been a fan of Anna Quindlen since first discovering her in Living Out Loud where she shared her experiences of entering adulthood, marriage, children and just living. This collection of essays celebrates a little bit of a lot of living and does not disappoint. ( )

THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE AUDIOBOOK

First off, I have to say I was unprepared for Anna Quindlen’s voice. I think that, somehow, I had decided she sounded like Hope Davis (since Ms. Davis read Quindlen’s excellent novel Every Last One.) This made no sense of my part, but I was quite taken aback when she started narrating and I realized she had a kind of gravelly Noo Yawk (or Philly?) kind of voice. I just wasn’t expecting it, and it took me almost a full chapter to get over it and listen without thinking “Wow … this is what Anna Quindlen sounds like?” Of course, I might be the only one with this reaction but I had to mention it.

Anyway, with that out of the way, let me tell you about this book, which is basically musings on aging and reaching your mid-50s and beyond. It is basically a “here’s what I’ve learned over the years” book, but Quindlen is so gifted at talking like regular folks or your best girlfriends that the book never feels preachy or saccharine. Instead, she strikes just the right notes of “Jeez, we were dumb when we were young, weren’t we?” and “I’ve still not figured it out but I’m not stressing about it anymore.” Relating her own life experiences and roles (sibling in a Catholic home, student at an all-women’s college, “token” girl reporter for the New York Times, serious journalist, married woman for 35+ years, mother of three, novelist), Quindlen somehow manages to take her unique experiences and make them feel almost universal. Even though I’m not in my 50s yet, I could understand where Quindlen was coming from and loved hearing her views on the aging process. If you’re the target audience for this one, then I think it is a no brainer—find it and read it. If you’re not quite there yet, I still think you’ll find much of value in the book but, like wine, it will get better with age. ( )

A book that I wasn't thrilled to start yet I finished in just a couple days. It was a thinker book with questions I'd myself like how old would I be if I did not know how old I was? Also what today would you tell your 22 year old self? This book was also a point of discussion with my husband, regarding faith and girlfriends or the lack of either. ( )