Just Thinking....

Hysterical......

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:58:00 +0000

Notes From The Underwire!!!

You will LAUGH LAUGH LAUGH!!! Quinn Cummings' new book is just the thing for an uplifting romp through daily life! www.quinncummings.com for more with Quinn! (once you finish the book -I promise, you'll want more!)

My interview with Quinn is posted at www.readingwithrobin.com

A Royal Read!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:59:00 +0000

I laughed from page 1 and continued to smile and laugh all the way through! Queen Takes King by they very funny Gigi Levangie Grazer has such spot-on observations and fabulous ear for dialogue that I could not gobble this book up fast enough! What a summer treat! The transformation of Queen (Cynthia "don't call me Cindy!" Power) is what we root for as she learns who she (really) is. Jackson "Jacks" Power is a caricature of the mogul who still needs daddy's approval. Additional players add to this comedy and move the story along with twists and turns which make for a really enjoyable read!

Best Intentions...

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:51:00 +0000

....to read this book a while ago and then it got moved to a pile.... and we all (readers) know how that story goes. I read one of Emily's articles in More magazine and enjoyed it so much I checked out her site and found out about Best Intentions! So glad I did -what a wonderful storyteller! How well do ever know another person -even if it's someone you would "bet your life on?" I love a great story that centers around old college friends -the turns their lives take and what may or may not keep them together. The mystery kept me guessing the whole way through.....

Perfect Life

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:56:00 +0000

This book showed up in a pile of mail (as books often do!) at the radio station. What a pleasant surprise!Seeing blurbs by Tom Perrotta and Binnie Kirshenbaum didn't hurt so I packed it with the other books bound for my trip out West and thoroughly enjoyed Jessica Shattuck's second novel. I will now search for her first -The Hazards of Good Breeding. I enjoyed the writing style and the characters we come to know and perhaps understand that their choices aren't always what they appear. The summer reading list continues with Perfect Life!

Perfection!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:31:00 +0000

Wow...what a memoir! Have been thinking about this book since I finished the last word. What powerful work. A story that has become all too familiar in this day of disposable relationships but one that still managed to shock with the level of betrayal. A wake-up call to pay attention to that little voice that tries to get our attention -and is often ignored. Such an honest look at author, Julie Metz's, life will no doubt have others take a second look at their own. A must read! www.juliemetz.com

No Excuse NOT To Read This Book!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:27:00 +0000

I do not remember the last time I read a book start to finish without so much as an upward glance. (It might have been Are you there, God?) Julie Klam's memoir, Please Excuse My Daughter, is unputdownable! Groomed/doomed for princesshood made for many hours of therapy which Julie shares with the reader as if a BFF! She may have led a sheltered life but when the tides turn and self-reliance is necessary Ms.Klam comes through like the winner her loving family raised her to be! What a treat of a read!!! Just fabulous!! The music,movie references make me certain that I would see anything Julie writes, produces or directs! How wonderful to put into words where you've come from and to be able to pass along to future generations. Just like Dorothy ....it was there all along!!

So Happy I Read It!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:27:00 +0000

Maryann McFadden's second book, So Happy Together, is one of those books that not only entertains the reader but gives much to think about! The "sandwich generation"is featured in this lovingly written story about a family we really get to know. (and cheer for!) Sometimes taking the bumpy road is the most scenic! Put this one on your summer reading list!! www.maryannmcfadden.com

BFF!!! Best Friends Forever!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:29:00 +0000

Someone was going to grab this title and I'm glad it was Jennifer Weiner!! Friends come and go but BFFs are with us for the duration whether in our lives or our memories. In true "the grass is always greener" form, Addie and Valerie, have a past to put behind them as they become involved in a possible hit and run that happens at the high school reunion but dates back to the good 'ol days! You may want to look up that long lost girlfriend...or maybe just see if she's on Facebook! Some friendships are better left in the past. Not so for our heroines! http://www.jenniferweiner.com/ for more info.

Commencement!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:11:00 +0000

J. Courtney Sullivan's debut novel is just what I was looking for when I picked it up. A compulsively readable book. There is nothing like a great first novel!! I just loved it! The friendships we get to know and care about don't always take predictable paths . After all, these are Smith girls! This book left me thinking about some of my own college friendships, memories and the "what-might-have-beens!"

Something's Cooking.....

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:59:00 +0000

.....in THE SUMMER KITCHEN by Karen Weinreb! Nothing like a wonderful first novel and I'm happy to know that Karen is working on book #2! We meet Nora Banks presumably at the top of her game -marriage,great children -the ideal Bedford Hills life. Things often are not as they seem and we learn that Nora's life as she knows it is about to come to a screeching halt! It's interesting to see how friends in this insular community react and how things are stirred up when there is change! Enjoy!!
www.karenweinreb.com for more info!

Lamenting the end of a great read.....

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:06:00 +0000

Sally Koslow's The Late, Lamented Molly Marx sets itself apart from recent women's fiction. For starters the protagonist, Molly Marx, is deceased at the books' beginning. It totally works, yet I can't help but wish things hadn't worked out in this way for Molly- more importantly for her daughter. Luckily,that part of the novel isn't a big focus although as a mother I found myself thinking "that poor little girl!" Who doesn't wonder what might await us on "the other side." In Koslow's version there awaits "the Duration" and we are right there with Molly as she observes the goings on of the people she left behind. Accident?Murder? Something else? We are kept guessing until the very end!! Miss you,Molly!!

The Pazmanian Devil....

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:04:00 +0000

That's right...a "knock-out" move by the host, Robin Kall, of Reading With Robin ! Tune in Saturday morning to hear how she takes on the champ, Vinny Paz! We'll be talking FIGHT OR DIE - The Vinny Paz story! The new book by Vinny's buddy, Tommy Jon Caduto. That's this Saturday -June 20th from 7-8am on 920AM WHJJ. Also streaming live at www.readingwithrobin.blogspot.com

Come to see Vinny and Tommy on Father's Day at Barrington Books from 1-4pm
www.barringtonbooks.com for more info!

Mating Rituals....

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:38:00 +0000

......of the North American Wasp! Okay -the title alone....but wait! there's more.....
You will have a great time with this new novel by the very entertaining Lauren Lipton.
As heard on Reading With Robin this morning -this book is NOT predictable!! Enjoy!!
www.laurenlipton.com for more info.

What A Story!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Sun, 24 May 2009 12:33:00 +0000

Luckily, the sisters told theirs to Alice Hoffman!! This book is one of those sweet secrets -the promise of a fabulous book from its fairy tale beginning at The Plaza Hotel. The sisters live in a world all their own complete with secret language which is something every sisterhood does indeed have! The Story Sisters will leave you thinking about them long after the story has ended.....I LOVED it!!!

PROMom!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:57:00 +0000

Well..the big day is finally here. The sun is shining and looks like it will stay that way no matter what the weather team says! (that's another blog post!)
It will be interesting to see how the evening plays out as there was so much drama (prama!) surrounding this rite of passage. Perhaps the tension can be attributed to the stress of end -year finals, college decisions and the like. I'm more apt to believe that high school will always be....high school!
Said best most recently in the movie version of The Jane Austen Bookclub "....high school is NEVER over...." (emily blount's character)

Rita Lussier's Mother's Day Power Mom Piece

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Thu, 07 May 2009 01:24:00 +0000

Rita Lussier: A great gift for all you Power Moms
05/06/2009 01:00 AM EDT
You know how when you’re starting a big project at work, there’s usually a meeting to kick things off and you gather around a table with your colleagues to brainstorm ideas. Occasionally you might get stuck on something, so you poke your head into your boss’s office to ask a question or stop by a coworker’s desk to talk it over.
Best of all, when you’re done — and let’s assume everything went well — there’s that sense of completion. And if you did a great job there might be something more than satisfaction in it for you. A word or two of praise. A public acknowledgement. A raise. A promotion. That sort of thing.
Becoming a mother is, in some ways, like starting the most extensive and demanding project you’ll ever encounter. But here’s one huge difference: you’re not likely to have the kind of support you get in the workplace. There are no brainstorming meetings. Day-to-day camaraderie with your peers is difficult and often impossible. If you’re lucky, there might be times when you know you’ve done a good job — until the next moment with the next challenge and your child just keeps on growing, changing, demanding all you have and more.
That’s why, for all the moms out there, I’d like to recommend what I think is a perfect gift for Mother’s Day.
One of the latest of the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul books, Power Moms features 101 stories from stay-at-home and work-from-home mothers who are grappling with the choices, adjustments, sacrifices and changes that are inevitable when a family grows.
What’s a Power Mom?
That’s what I asked four of them who live right here in Rhode Island and contributed their stories to the book.
Robin Kall, an East Greenwich mother who hosts Reading with Robin Saturday mornings on WHJJ tells me: “We’ve always had Power Moms — they just weren’t celebrated as such. Being in the moment with your children — leaving memories of spending time together — these are Power Mom moments.”
“Power Moms,” according to Erin Goodman of Charlestown, “recognize that there’s no one ‘right way’ to be a mom and that it is possible to nurture yourself and pursue your dreams while nurturing your family.” In the book, she shares the soul-searching that accompanied her decision to go back to work.
Dr. Kimberly Beauchamp from North Kingstown, who’s working on a book about kids’ nutrition, adds “our power as mothers comes from discovering what works for us and our families, and is constantly evolving as we grow together.”
Lisa Tener, author and book coach who’s also from North Kingstown, agrees that “being a Power Mom is not what a woman does but that she is empowered to make choices that work for both her and her family.”
In the writing of these women and others in the book, mothers will find empathy, compassion, wisdom and reassurance. They’ll read about situations and feelings and choices that illustrate that, although they might often feel like they are, they’re definitely not in this alone.
Think of the book as a gift containing the comforting voices of colleagues who share the same profession working in houses and playgrounds and minivans and beaches and offices and soccer fields all over the world. And if that’s not the kind of chicken soup that can make any mom feel better, I don’t know what is.
Rita Lussier can be reached at ReetsAL@aol.com or by mail c/o Features Department, The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902.

Lisa Tener's Writing Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:50:00 +0000

Please follow this link
http://www.lisatener.com/blog/?p=621
for answers to the very thought provoking questions Lisa asked me!!

Enjoy!

In Studio / On-Air Party!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:22:00 +0000

The latest version! (chicken soup people not happy that there was an "X" through the chicken soup...go figure!)

Join us tomorrow morning on Reading With Robin 920AM from 7-8am (also streaming live at www.920whjj.com ) My guests will be (in no particular order!) Lisa Tener, Kimberly Beauchamp and Erin Barrette Goodman...fellow Power Moms and from Families First RI - Sarah Sinclair and Lisa Kirshenbaum! Wendy Walker -our fearless editor will phone in to join in the conversation!

Later on in the day please join us at NK Library 2pm to hear us talk about our stories -answer questions and books will be for sale to benefit Families First RI!

And it continues.....Sunday May 3rd we'll be at the Southern New England Women's Expo (www.southernnewenglandwomensexpo.com) Doors open at 10am. I have tickets for $2 off admission so if you'd like one please email me at robin@readingwithrobin.com and I'll put one aside for you! Lots of fun stuff going on all day....hope I get to see some of it!

Thanks for tuning in!!

Robin

Feast or Famine!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:52:00 +0000

When it comes to blog updates this is the way it seems to be for me. This is definitely "feast!"
Had such a great time last night at a RISD cupcake making class. Learned a few techniques but was really there to have a good time which is clearly evidenced by the lack of technique shown in my assortment of cupcakes. Had a little bit of help with "Elmo" but other than that it's all my own work! There was more frosting at our table than is really safe to have around but I did manage to hold out until they brought out THE CHOCOLATE KIND!!! All bets were then off, however, as there was no cold milk to go along with -it lost its appeal -but only slightly!
In all fairness to the woman who was attempting to control a group of women(about 16 of us!) after a long day and with just too much sugar around , she really had very little cupcake humor. Especially difficult (for me) was the explanation of how to properly hold the bag with the frosting..and the squeezing technique and the just right amount of pressure...you can see where this is going. Anyway - daughter appropriately mortified...others allowed a giggle or two. I mean, come on! One of my favorite parts was our instructor with an in-depth explanation about the proper and not-as-same-as-you'd-think...placement of eyes on Cookie Monster and Elmo! This said with a completely monotone delivery and way too straight of a face! again...come on!! A great time had by all!! And as you would think -a bit "hungover" this morning!!

RI Power Moms!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:03:00 +0000

A huge thank you to Charlie Hall , Rhode Island's own state jester!!! He got it just right - exactly what we were looking for to represent the RI contingent of the Chicken Soup for the Soul - Power Mom edition! (for more info on charlie please visit http://www.oceanstatefollies.com/
http://www.ricomedyfestival.com/ ) We will be at the North Kingston Library this saturday - May 2nd 2pm to read our stories, take questions and hopefully sell a lot of books to benefit Families First RI! Tune in this Saturday to Reading With Robin (http://www.920whjj.com/ -streaming live 7-8am!) to hear from the RI women who contributed to the story (Lisa Tener, Erin Goodman, Kimberly Beauchamp and ME!) Also-Wendy Walker (http://www.wendywalkerbooks.com/) who put this all together will be joining us as well as Lisa Kirshenbaum and Sarah Sinclair of Families First RI! Should be an action-packed morning!
We might even be filming it...stay tuned!!

Oh....and we'll also be at the 4th Annual (first time for us!) Southern New England Women's Expo this Sunday -May 3rd Crown Plaza Hotel in Warwick, RI from 10am until the event ends. Lots of fun give aways...prizes...copies of the book to benefit Families First and more!(it's always good to have "more", right?)

Hope to see you there!!

RI Power Moms Unite!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:25:00 +0000

The New Power Moms:
Making Choices that Work for Your Family

Saturday, May 2
2 p.m.
North Kingstown Library

Join us for a lively discussion as the four Rhode Island contributors to Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms; 101 Stories Celebrating the Power of Choice for Stay at Home and Work from Home Moms share their stories and invite you to share yours.

Books will be available for purchase and signing. Proceeds will benefit Families First, a grassroots non-profit that pairs new mothers with supportive mentors.

For more info. contact Erin Barrette Goodman at 401.714.3926 or erin@eringoodman.com.

Perfect Fifths With Megan!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:31:00 +0000

WORTH THE TRIP!!
FRIDAY NIGHT WE WENT TO STAMFORD B&N TO MEET MEGAN MCCAFFERTY AND ENJOYED THE READING AND ESPECIALLY THE VERY UNIQUE BARRY-O-KEE!!
BOOKS WERE SIGNED, PHOTOS TAKEN AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT'S NEXT FROM MEG!!

THANKS FOR THE PHOTOS -TO MEG'S HUSBAND!

I've Done It For Everyone Else!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:22:00 +0000

And now...tada!!....rearranging books at a local bookstore!
Chicken Soup For The Soul -Power Mom edition has been out for a month or so but last night was the first time (is that possible?) that I've been in a bookstore since its arrival! As I walked past one of the "seasonal" tables (mother's day?) I happened upon a bunch of copies!! Turn to page 329 and voila! It's RADIO MOM!!!
Please visit http://www.readingwithrobin.com/ and click on the Chicken Soup picture -you can purchase copies of this fabulous book and proceeds will benefit the 2009 ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk!!

Wings First

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:20:00 +0000

CHECK OUT MY BFF'S NEW JEWELRY LINE OF FABULOUS BRACELETS!!!

YOU CAN GET MORE INFO AT

WINGSFIRSTLLC@AOL.COM!!

Chicken Soup for the Soul POWER MOM Event!

noreply@blogger.com (Robin) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Come meet contributors to Chicken Soup for the Soul - Power Moms Including:Chicken Soup for the Soul Publisher Amy Newmark
Tuesday, April 21st Authors Jane Green, Elise Chidley and Wendy Walker 7:30 pm Photographer Susan Morrow New Canaan Library Cartoonist Tom Swick Sponsored by:Local moms Elizabeth Garrett, Victoria Marsh, Elm Street BooksKate Munno and Heather Pemberton Levy Dad contributor David White Radio Host Robin Kall and 14-year old Chloe Polikoff