Book Talk: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress

Rhoda Janzen's Mennonite in a Little Black Dress is a hilarious and warm memoir of the time after her husband leaves her for another man. In the same week she is in a horrific car accident and she decides to return home to her Mennonite family to regroup. I love all the references to a deeply religious upbringing but she is never mean-spirited or condescending about faith. The author is apparently a very accomplished poet and if I can write half as well as she does I will be happy.

Book Talk: How Did You Get This Number

How Did You Get This Number is the sophomore effort of author Sloane Crosley. Her autobiographical essays about life and love (mostly set in New York City) are fresh and insightful, causing me to want her life and to be her friend. These essays talk about growing up, learning disabilities, dating, shopping and even Sarah Palin in a way that makes you think "that's hilarious" and "I've totally been there" at the same time. Her vignette about her ex-boyfriend Ben is especially moving.