Tune in to hear my conversation with the authors of this summer's biggest books!

Love that Bryant Park!! 

Ronni Sunshine left London for Hollywood to become a beautiful, charismatic star of the silver screen. But at home, she was a narcissistic, disinterested mother who alienated her three daughters.
 
As soon as possible, tomboy Nell fled her mother’s overbearing presence to work on a farm and find her own way in the world as a single mother. The target of her mother’s criticism, Meredith never felt good enough, thin enough, pretty enough. Her life took her to London—and into the arms of a man whom she may not even love. And Lizzy, the youngest, more like Ronni than any of them, seemed to have it easy, using her drive and ambition to build a culinary career to rival her mother’s fame, while her marriage crumbled around her.

Brilliantly wrought, incisive, and stirring, The Heirs tells the story of an upper-crust Manhattan family coming undone after the death of their patriarch
 
Six months after Rupert Falkes dies, leaving a grieving widow and five adult sons, an unknown woman sues his estate, claiming she had two sons by him.  The Falkes brothers are pitched into turmoil, at once missing their father and feeling betrayed by him.  In disconcerting contrast, their mother, Eleanor, is cool and calm, showing preternatural composure. 
 
Eleanor and Rupert had made an admirable life together -- Eleanor with her sly wit and generosity, Rupert with his ambition and English charm -- and they were proud of their handsome, talented sons: Harry, a brash law professor; Will, a savvy Hollywood agent; Sam, an astute doctor and scientific researcher; Jack, a jazz trumpet prodigy; Tom, a public-spirited federal prosecutor. The brothers see their identity and success as inextricably tied to family loyalty – a loyalty they always believed their father shared. Struggling to reclaim their identity, the brothers find Eleanor’s sympathy toward the woman and her sons confounding. Widowhood has let her cast off the rigid propriety of her stifling upbringing, and the brothers begin to question whether they knew either of their parents at all.

A young woman finds the most powerful love of her life when she gives birth at an institution for unwed mothers in 1883 Philadelphia. She is told she must give up her daughter to avoid lifelong poverty and shame. But she chooses to keep her.
 
Pregnant, left behind by her lover, and banished from her Quaker home and teaching position, Lilli de Jong enters a home for wronged women to deliver her child. She is stunned at how much her infant needs her and at how quickly their bond overtakes her heart. Mothers in her position face disabling prejudice, which is why most give up their newborns. But Lilli can’t accept such an outcome. Instead, she braves moral condemnation and financial ruin in a quest to keep herself and her baby alive.

On the eve of her daughter Alia’s wedding, Salma reads the girl’s future in a cup of coffee dregs. She sees an unsettled life for Alia and her children; she also sees travel, and luck. While she chooses to keep her predictions to herself that day, they will all soon come to pass when the family is uprooted in the wake of the Six-Day War of 1967.  

Marin Bishop has always played by the rules, and it's paid off: at twenty-eight she has a handsome fiancé, a prestigious Manhattan legal career, and the hard-won admiration of her father. But one moment of weakness leaves Marin unemployed and alone, all in a single day. Then a woman claiming to be Marin's half-sister shows up, and it's all Marin can do not to break down completely. Seeking escape, Marin agrees to a road trip to meet the grandmother she never knew she had. As the summer unfolds at her grandmother's quaint beachside B&B, it becomes clear that the truth of her half-sister is just the beginning of revelations that will change Marin's life forever. THE FOREVER SUMMER is a delicious page-turner and a provocative exploration of what happens when our notions of love, truth, and family are put to the ultimate test.

You’ve had a kid or two . . . or three. Now, every time you look in the mirror you ask yourself, “Who the hell is that tired, washed out woman looking back at me?” What happened to the stylish, stiletto-wearing woman who prided herself on living the fabulous life? It’s time to reclaim your pre-baby body, mind, and mojo. No more sulking, stressing, or resenting other moms who have it more together than you and wondering how they do it. Motherhood is a B#tch! tells you how YOU can do it.

Artfully capturing yoga's vibrant spirit, Yoga Bodies presents full-color yoga-pose portraits of more than 80 practitioners of all ages, shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and skill levels—real people with real stories to share about how yoga has changed their lives for the better. Some humorous, some heartfelt, others profound, the stories entertain as they enlighten, while the portraits—which joyously challenge the "yoga body" stereotype—celebrate the glorious diversity of the human form. Handsomely jacketed and richly visual inside and out, Yoga Bodies is a coffee table–worthy contemplation, a meaningful gift, and a source of endless inspiration for anyone seeking fresh perspectives on how to live well.

After the death of her best friend, the loss of her life’s savings, and the collapse of her once-happy marriage, Meredith Maran—whom Anne Lamott calls “insightful, funny, and human”—leaves her San Francisco freelance writer’s life for a 9-to-5 job in Los Angeles. Determined to rebuild not only her savings but herself while relishing the joys of life in La-La land, Maran writes “a poignant story, a funny story, a moving story, and above all an American story of what it means to be a woman of a certain age in our time” (Christina Baker Kline, number-one New York Times–bestselling author of Orphan Train).

There are three kinds of guys: forks, knives, and spoons. That is the final lesson that Amy York’s father sends her off to college with, never suspecting just how far his daughter will take it. Clinging to the Utensil Classification System as her guide, Amy tries to convince her skeptical roommate, Veronica Warren, of its usefulness as they navigate the heartbreaks and soul mates of college and beyond.

By peeling back the curtain of her syndicated advice column, Amy Dickinson reveals much of the inspiration and motivation that has fueled her calling. Through a series of linked essays, this moving narrative picks up where her earlier memoir left off.

Brilliant heart surgeon Suzette Kendall is stunned when Hyland, her husband of fifteen years, admits his yearning for a child. From the beginning they’d decided that having children was not an option, as Suzette feared passing along the genes that landed her mother in a mental institution. But Hyland proposes a different idea: a baby via surrogate.

Suzette agrees, and what follows is a whirlwind of candidate selection, hospital visits, and Suzette’s doubts over whether she’s made the right decision. A young woman named Dorothy Muscarello is chosen as the one who will help make this family complete. For Dorrie, surrogacy (and the money that comes with it) are her opportunity to leave behind a troubled past and create a future for herself—one full of possibility. But this situation also forces all three of them—Dorrie, Suzette, and Hyland—to face a devastating uncertainty that will reverberate in the years to come.

An extraordinary, propulsive novel based on the true story of a family of Polish Jews who are separated at the start of the Second World War, determined to survive—and to reunite

It is the spring of 1939 and three generations of the Kurc family are doing their best to live normal lives, even as the shadow of war grows closer. The talk around the family Seder table is of new babies and budding romance, not of the increasing hardships threatening Jews in their hometown of Radom, Poland. But soon the horrors overtaking Europe will become inescapable and the Kurcs will be flung to the far corners of the world, each desperately trying to navigate his or her own path to safety.

My (not so) Perfect Life

Part love story, part workplace drama, this sharply observed novel is a witty critique of the false judgments we make in a social-media-obsessed world. New York Times bestselling author Sophie Kinsella has written her most timely novel yet.

Everywhere Katie Brenner looks, someone else is living the life she longs for, particularly her boss, Demeter Farlowe. Demeter is brilliant and creative, lives with her perfect family in a posh townhouse, and wears the coolest clothes. Katie’s life, meanwhile, is a daily struggle—from her dismal rental to her oddball flatmates to the tense office politics she’s trying to negotiate. No wonder Katie takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts, especially as she's desperate to make her dad proud.

Always a Bridesmaid...For Hire

In the tradition of Sloane Crosley, Mindy Kaling, and Katie Heaney, a hilarious and insightful memoir about one New York City Millennial’s journey to find herself, her dream career, and true love, all while juggling a truly unique job as the world's only professional bridesmaid.

After moving to New York City in her mid-twenties to pursue her dream of writing—and not living on the “Upper East Side” of her parents’ house anymore—Jen Glantz looked forward to a future of happy hours and Sunday brunches with her besties.

What she got instead were a string of phone calls that began with, "Jen, I have something exciting to tell you!" and ended with, "I'd be honored if you would be my bridesmaid." At first she was delighted, but it wasn’t long before she realized two things: all of her assets were tied up in bridesmaid dresses, and she herself was no closer to finding The One. She couldn't do much about the second thing (though her mother would beg to differ), but she could about the first.

A story from debut author Abby Fabiaschi that is "as absorbing as it is illuminating, and as witty as it is heartbreaking."

Maddy is a devoted stay-at-home wife and mother, host of excellent parties, giver of thoughtful gifts, and bestower of a searingly perceptive piece of advice or two. She is the cornerstone of her family, a true matriarch...until she commits suicide, leaving her husband Brady and teenage daughter Eve heartbroken and reeling, wondering what happened. How could the exuberant, exacting woman they loved disappear so abruptly, seemingly without reason, from their lives? How they can possibly continue without her? As they sift through details of her last days, trying to understand the woman they thought they knew, Brady and Eve are forced to come to terms with unsettling truths.

ulia and Evan fall in love as undergraduates at Yale. For Evan, a scholarship student from a rural Canadian town, Yale is a whole new world, and Julia--blond, beautiful, and rich--fits perfectly into the future he's envisioned for himself. After graduation, and on the eve of the great financial meltdown of 2008, they move together to New York City, where Evan lands a job at a hedge fund. But Julia, whose privileged upbringing grants her an easy but wholly unsatisfying job with a nonprofit, feels increasingly shut out of Evan's secretive world.

When a small vial arrives in her mailbox from "Lewis Carroll," Ayelet Waldman is at a low point. Her mood storms have become intolerably severe; she has tried nearly every medication possible; her husband and children are suffering with her. So she opens the vial, places two drops on her tongue, and joins the ranks of an underground but increasingly vocal group of scientists and civilians successfully using therapeutic microdoses of LSD. As Waldman charts her experience over the course of a month--bursts of productivity, sleepless nights, a newfound sense of equanimity--she also explores the history and mythology of LSD, the cutting-edge research into the drug, and the byzantine policies that control it. Drawing on her experience as a federal public defender, and as the mother of teenagers, and her research into the therapeutic value of psychedelics, Waldman has produced a book that is eye-opening, often hilarious, and utterly enthralling.

Tune in to hear my interview with Mackenzie Dawson who is the New York Post's new books editor! Here we are chatting 2017 titles. 

One admission can change your life...forever.

When ambitious grad student Kate Pearson’s handsome French “almost fiancé” ditches her, she definitely does not roll with the punches, despite the best efforts of family and friends. It seems that nothing will get Kate out of pajamas and back into the world.

Miraculously, one cringe-worthy job interview leads to a position in the admissions department at the revered Hudson Day School. Kate’s instantly thrown into a highly competitive and occasionally absurd culture, where she interviews all types of children: suitable, wildly unsuitable, charming, loathsome, ingratiating, or spoiled beyond all measure. And then there are the Park Avenue parents who refuse to take no for an answer.

Reading With Robin and Tina Jordan chatting about some of the most anticipated books for 2017

Annabel Monaghan is wry and humorous, truthful and self-deprecating. Her writing combines the brilliance of Nora Ephron's wit and Erma Bombeck's madcap housewifery, with a dash of Liz Gilbert's heartfelt girlfriend truth." Lee Woodruff, New York Times bestselling author of Perfectly Imperfect In a perfect world, mothers would unionize. The next best thing - they'd treat themselves to a break and read this book.

In this radiant homage to the resiliency, strength, and power of women, Wally Lamb—author of numerous New York Times bestselling novels including She’s Come Undone, I Know This Much is True, and We Are Water—weaves an evocative, deeply affecting tapestry of one Baby Boomer's life and the trio of unforgettable women who have changed it.

This is a memoir not to be missed! I loved it from the very first word. Visit Jason Diamond to see where he'll be appearing. Then go - and you're welcome. 

Filled with humor, John Hughes films, and all the longing of home this writer takes us on his journey will great passion and more than a few drinks. For readers, writers, and movie-goers alike! 

I always look forward to reading Brenda Janowitz's book columns on Popsugar and then chatting with her about them.

Here are here must-reads of 2016! 

Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the U.S. yet less than half of those who suffer ever receive treatment. Kat Kinsman is Senior Food and Drinks Editor at Time Inc.'s all-breakfasts site, Extra Crispy, and one of the nation's most respected food writers and personalities. 
Hi, Anxiety follows all of the quirky and unexpected turns Kat's life has taken as she carved a path through the forest of mental illness.

A Must-Read!

"Funny, honest, and moving...everything we need to know to prepare not just for our children's futures, but our own." Jill Smokler, New York Times bestselling author of Confessions of a Scary Mommy and founder of top parenting website scary mommy.com

Dr. Craig Malkin, author of the internationally acclaimed book, Rethinking Narcissism, is a clinical psychologist and Lecturer for Harvard Medical School with two decades of experience helping individuals, couples, and families. His articles, advice, and insights on relationships have appeared in newspapers and magazines such as Time, The New York Times, The Sunday Times, Psychology Today, Women’s Health, Huffington Post and Happen Magazine, as well as countless other popular print and online media outlets. He’s also been a featured multiple times on NPR, CBS Radio, the Oprah Winfrey Network channel, appeared on various local morning shows, and been a guest on many radio stations here and abroad. Dr. Malkin is president and director of the Cambridge, Massachusetts–based YM Psychotherapy and Consultation, Inc., which provides psychotherapy and evidence-based couples workshops. He lives in Boston with his wife and twin girls.

Link for the free online test is www.thenarcissismtest.com

Entertainment Weekly's Tina Jordan and I talk about what we're reading this summer. I love catching up with Tina!

17th Annual Book and Author Luncheon
July 13, 2016 11:30AM
The Dunes Club
Narragansett, RI
Tickets, $50 (click here for info)

for more information, call Tracy Kubricky at 401/287/4392

This incredible memoir by Ariel Leve is not to be missed. I barely put it down and was thrilled to continue the conversation with the author. Enjoy!

This is an oldie (ish) and a greatie! One of my all time favorites, Jodi Picoult , and I chat about Leaving Time. This is one of my favoite Picoult books ever!

This is one of the best memoirs I’ve read in a long time. Anyone who has ever struggled with any type of addiction or has someone close to them who has, will connect with this well paced and wonderfully written book by Lisa F. Smith. I had a great time chatting with Lisa and am thrilled that she’ll be joining me at Point Street Reading Series on Tuesday, August 16th!

We are giving away 2 copies of A Girl Walks Into A Bar. To enter please comment below and visit Lisa’s Facebook page (you can even “like” it!). US residents only and the winners will be notified on this post on 6/10.

If I had a literary bucket list, Kathy L. Murphy would be on it. And now she’d be crossed off (that sounds wrong!) because after all of these years, here we are chatting about our mutual passion. Can you guess what it is? Enjoy! I know I did.

The author of The Yonahlossee Riding School For Girls is back with another winner! The After Party by Anton DiSclafani has everything I love in a terrific book: colorful characters, a compelling storyline and a sense of humor about it all. To be read with a tall glass of something awesome!

If you haven’t watched Laura Miller‘s awesome videos yet you’ve got some catching up to do. Warning * they are as addictive as the gorgeous recipes she has created in her new cookbook.

Raw. Vegan. Not Gross. is filled with beautifully photographed meals, sweets and Laura enjoying it all. Her playful energy shines through and the stories she shares are personal and relatable. Whether she’s wearing bananas on her head or eggplants around her neck, her message is clear. Have fun!

The Assistants by Camille Perri is one of the best debuts I have ever read! This book is getting rave reviews everywhere and I love talking to the authors of my favorite books. Visit Reading With Robin to win a copy of The Assistants!

Love chatting with Emily Liebert about everything including books! Here we are talking about her latest novel, Some Women and of course everything else.

Talk about being on the same page with someone. That someone is Brenda Janowitz! Whether we are chatting about her latest novel The Dinner Party or her Popsugar book picks the fun never ends. The Dinner Party is one of those novels that had me caring about its cast of characters and thinking about this family long after the final cup of wine is poured. Clever, smart and funny - what more can you ask for? Dayenu (look it up)

We have copies to share - go to the Reading With Robin Facebook page and answer the 4 Questions giveaway. US Residents only and winners will be announced on the Facebook page 4/26. Good luck!

Debut novelist alert! One of my favorite things to do in my lit-life is to learn about new writers and celebrate books that I love. A winning combo is a debut novelist with a fabulous book and that's what I am sharing with you right  now. Visit Lynda Cohen Loigman's site to learn more. This book is SO good!

*The Two-Family House is the RWR Book Club pick for 4/21. Join us on the Facebook page at 8pm Eastern to chat with Lynda and book club members. It's a lot of fun - bring your own wine!

Can happiness be catastrophic? Tune in to find out. Loved catching up with author Catherine Newman.

I had the best time with this interview. Gina Barreca is my kind of Loud,Smart Woman!

Do not miss this book and while you're at it, get a few for your friends. Books make the best gifts and Gina will even send out signed book plates. Special!

It just keeps getting better! Tune in to hear my conversation with author Barbara Bradley Taggerty - boy did we laugh! From dogs to DC, RVs and back again. This is one of those books that you'll read and want to go back to again...and share with your friends. Loved it!!

I have 2 copies to share. US residents only and the giveaway ends on 3/28. To enter please comment below with your midlife ideas -whatever that means.

I love chatting with Brenda Janowitz! Here are her top Popsugar spring picks!

**Look out for Brenda's latest -The Dinner Party out April 12th!!

I loved chatting with Meredith about one of my favorite lit topics -memoir!
So many of my favorites are included in this fabulous collection.

To enter to win a copy please comment below - whose memoir would YOU like to read?
US Residents only. Winners will be selected 2/10. Good luck!