Mariana Cotromanes

The Clover House by Henriette Lazaridis Power is a novel thick with heritage, history, and complicated relationships.  The story alternates between Calliope (Callie) Notaris Brown-- in her thirties in the present-- and her...

Being released today, SOMEDAY, SOMEDAY MAYBE by Lauren Graham (beloved actress from "Gilmore Girls" and "Parenthood") is a witty and revealing read, and an enjoyable work of contemporary fiction.

Recently I've noticed an upswing in Facebook statuses among my friends asking for book recommendations, and luckily over the last few months I've read some amazing novels (and aren't their covers great too?!).  Here are five of my favorites I highly recommend:

In From the Kitchen of Half Truth by Maria Goodin (to be released April 1st), Meg May struggles to remember aspects of her early childhood.  Her memories are muddled further by outlandish stories her mother has told her: that she was so sweet she would dip Meg’s toes in coffee; and that she once ate so many ...

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald

Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of infamous “Jazz Age” writer F.Scott Fitzgerald, was an exuberant woman—intelligent, witty, and impulsive—who shared the spotlight with her husband, making her a historical ...

Recently I decided to read a book that had been on my Goodreads "to-read" list since before its publication this summer.  At least on a conscious level the timing of reading "The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D" was coincidental-- but perhaps subconsciously, it was not.  Sometimes books fall into our hands at just the right time, and for a reason.

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I put the 2013 Guide to Literary Agents by Chuck Sambuchino  among the ranks of Anne Lamott...

Between the television series "Once Upon a Time," the movie "Mirror, Mirror," and other Hollywood adaptations of the Brothers Grimm's fairy tales, this book (released Nov. 8th) comes along at the perfect time.  Fans of those interpretations will appreciate Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New ...

One month ago I attended my very first writers conference: the inaugural Chicago Writers Conference.  It was held in the beautiful Tribune Tower on energetic Michigan Avenue.  So full of energy and literary accomplishment, it was th...

Seeing your baby reach 12 months is certainly cause for celebration! It means you've shared countless memories, and that your baby's met several milestones: teething, crawling, rolling over, first words... It's an amazing time.  I knew when August 17th came around this year, I would want to throw a big blow-out party to honor our daughter--- and that's exactly what we did.

It's been a busy summer between family events and baby milestones (she's got a couple teeth in, and she'll be walking any day now!).  I'm grateful I've also had time to get in some good reading. 

Here is a book I read recently and loved, as well as a book I can't wait to get my hands on in the fall wh...

I Couldn’t Love You More by Jillian Medoff is a story told with honesty, sharp prose, humor, care, and has lovably flawed characters.  This is the type of story that stays with you for weeks after finishing. 

“Are you mom enough?” This is the unfair, inflammatory question on the cover of Time magazine, along with the image of a mother breastfeeding her almost 4-year-old son. The articles within discuss extended breastfeeding and attachment parenting. 

I’ve always admired my grandmother (or, Yiayia, as I call her-- it's Greek for grandmother).  She is beautiful, kind, and thoughtful.  And I think that if she were a mother from my generation, she’d be a little bit crunchy! Here are four fun reasons why my (maternal) grandmother is pretty darn amazing:

Late next month I'll be sharing my review of I COULDN'T LOVE YOU MORE, by the talented and well-respected author Jill Medoff.  And you have a chance to win a copy! 

To enter the drawing (for U.S. residents only), just become a member of the site and leave a comment b...