I thought it would be fun to post some of the books I've been enjoying lately.

March ‘06

I'm re-reading AN ELEGANT MADNESS by Venetia Murray , a must, read for Regency lovers. She's captured the wit and style of the era making this an entertaining as well as informative research book (my favorites).

If you are a suspense/sci-fi/good fiction fan, check out Robert Sydney's THE BRIGHT SPOT . Robert is really Richmond writer Dennis Danvers. It's one of those name things, you know—but his writing is sharper than ever.

I'm currently mentoring a high school senior and I advised her to read Stephen King's ON WRITING . On NPR's “Writer's Almanac” (I have it delivered to my computer every morning), one of the featured writers of the day claimed King would be the only Twentieth Century writer who would be remembered. I don't know if that is true or not but I know his advice on the writing business is spot on.

I also suggested my Mentoree read Anne Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD . I re-read it too just for the sheer joy of it. I heard Anne speak this past month at the Womankind Conference here in Richmond , VA. I have several tapes of her speeches so I'm a big fan, but even after all the reading and listening, she still amazed me with pieces of wisdom. One thing she said that evening is that the opposite of Faith is not Fear. It's Certainty. And I had one of those “got it” moments. No more explaining, no more struggling—just pure faith and leave the certainty at home. (It never travels well anyway.)

HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo . I read it! Finally! And laughed. Good stuff. Especially if you have single daughters in your life (or single friends, or are single yourself . . .) Anyway, are you starting to see the non-fiction trend in my reading? I usually do the last three months of a deadline. .

READY OR NOT, HERE LIFE COMES by Mel Levine, M.D. Okay, you have me. You now know my secret passion. I love reading books on developmental psychology, education, and relationships. You understand why I enjoy relationship books, but the others--? I'm always trying to figure folks out. Levine's book is excellent if you are raising teens and twenty-somethings (not that I have any control once the children are passed twenty, but there is always the hope my advice will be solicited. I also want to ensure I have wise words to share.)

Cathy Maxwell is the author of

IN THE BED OF A DUKE (May 2006) and
THE PRICE OF INDISCRETION - Avon Books August 2005