Hi Ladies!

I meant to post these questions this weekend but I (ahem) couldn't stop reading the book! Three nights in a row I found myself blinking at the clock in disbelief at the hour and then shuffling off to bed thinking about these characters. And Meryl! (Looking at me talking about her like she's an old friend) How could I not think about her, and all of her mesmerizing films? Which leads me into my first question:

1. It's impossible to discuss a book like this without asking the obvious question: what is your favorite Meryl Streep movie?  I turned 34 this summer which means (odly enough) Meryl had an entire body of work finished before I was ever able to appreciate her as an actress. And while I know many of her earlier films and have seen a number of them, its the newer ones that I'm most familiar with. My husband and I still laugh at a line from JULIE AND JULIA (I'm too embarrased to recite it here so all I'll say is that involves a hot noodle). And then there's IT'S COMPLICATED. A brilliant statement on marriage and new beginnings and finding yourself after losing everything. But what about you? Which of Meryl's films gets you annimated? Which one have you memorized lines from?

2. I love novels told by different narrators (I just wrote one as a matter of fact!) so this was right up my alley. Of the three women, Isabel, June, and Kat, who did you connect with most? Do any of their circumstances resonate with you? Why? I was intrigued by June in particular, wondering what it would be like to have a child that didn't know his father.

3. This question comes from Mia's list at the end of the book. Being such a foodie myself I thought it was wonderful. So please indulge me this one time for borrowing one of hers: "Isabel wants to use a "magic" ravioli recipe to help reignite a spark between herself and her husban, Edward. Do you have a special dish, place, song, or something that you think of as "magic" for you and somone you love?" For me it's reading to my children. My mother read to me as a child (into my teens as a matter of fact) and I was determined to do the same for my children. Whenever I've had a rough day with them or they're feeling unhappy or ill, we cuddle up in my bed and read. And it is magic. A good story can cure anything, I think.

4. The Prologue!!! There is a big debate in writing circles about Prologue's and whether they're necessary. Some people love them. Some people hate them. There's all sorts of arbitrary rules about when to use them and whatnot. As a writer I realize most readers don't care one way or another. They just want a good story and if a Prologue helps then so be it. I for one love a good Prologue. And this one got my attention straight away. Who was Lolly talking to on the phone? Any ideas? (Those of you who've finished the book have to bite your tongue here) Any guesses as to how that mystery will affec the story later on? Go ahead and share.

I could go on and on (you should see the questions that I've scratched down in my notebook) but I think this is a good start. Since it's already the 10th, I'll be posting the questions for Week Two on Friday so we don't get behind schedule.

I can't wait to hear what you have to say. In my opinion there's nothing more fun than talking books!

Warmly,

Ariel