Plenty of Candles, Lots of Cake

BOOK: Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake

AUTHOR: Anna Quindlen

GRADE: B+

New York Times bestselling author, Anna Quindlen has hit the mark again with her heartwarming and hilarious memoir on life, family and aging in today’s world. Nothing – and I mean nothing – is off limits with Quindlen and she tackles every topic with equal wit, humor and aplomb. Those, like myself, in their twenties might not relate to her musing on the peculiarities of the gaining process, but everyone is sure to enjoy her play on words. There’s a reason (or many, many reasons) why this woman is a best selling author: the way she weaves words into beautiful and captivating sentences is nothing short of incredible. As far as I’m concerned, she could have written a book on nuclear physics and it would still come off as wonderfully poetic.

At 60 years of age, Quindlen discusses the trials and joys of each passing year, takes on conventional myths about aging and declares with admirable optimism her excitement over the years to come. While it’s no doubt that those of the older generations will garner more enjoyment (I can hear my mom laughing as she reads it now), all will find it a worthy read from a wonderfully talented author for sure. 

Debating Same-Sex Marriage

BOOK: Debating Same-Sex Marriage

AUTHOR(s): John Corvine and Maggie Gallagher

GRADE: B-

In “Debating Same-Sex Marriage,” John Corvino and Maggie Gallagher have done the nearly impossible: they’ve taken a fiery hot button topic and presented a debate that is thorough, civil and wholeheartedly respectful of the other’s viewpoints. You would be hard pressed to find two people who disagree more vehemently; yet their arguments never cross over into name-calling, generalizations or whole-hearted condemnation. I was wowed by the authors’ ability to stay on topic and debate such a heated subject matter so tactfully. Regardless of where you stand on the debate line, “Debating Same-Sex Marriage” is serious food for thought.

“Debating Same-Sex Marriage’s” format is quite interesting – and massively effective. Each of the authors offers up an essay outlining theirs views first. Then, they each have a chance to offer a rebuttal to the other’s essay. The result is that each point made by Corvino is addressed by Gallagher and vise versa. It’s like witnessing a live debate between these two lively characters. Excellent indeed.

While my personal views did not change in light of Gallagher’s arguments, I did find myself contemplating ideas I had not previously thought of. I highly recommend this to all – if only for a manual on how to respectful debate a member of the opposing viewpoint. Well done!