A Short (Incomplete) History of Germany (Hudson, NY)

The first volume of A Short History of Germany, published in 1937, which I pulled from the shelf of a used book store. The second volume, even if it takes readers up to 1936, must be blissfully unaware of how badly things turned out.

Girl Walks Out of a Bar (East Village, Manhattan)

Lisa F. Smith, my colleague and friend (right), had a righteously fun book party to celebrate the publication of her memoir Girl Walks Out of a Bar, which she wrote in our writing workshop led by Jennifer Belle. The party was held in The Writers Room, of which Donna Brodie (center) is executive director.

Jennifer, left, gave an amazing toast in which she praised Lisa for her beautiful, candid writing about recovery from addiction.

Lisa's personal story is inspiring--and humorously told, and I recommend everyone interested in a) lawyers who work in high-pressure environments b) people who learn to grapple with life's challenges or c) having a good laugh buy Lisa's book!

Take a Book / Leave a Book (Village of East Davenport, Iowa)

Books and Booker

Corey Booker, the Mayor of Newark, has an unadorned office. Among the few personal items on display are a copy of his oath of office and a stack of religious tomes.