8/28/13

Barnard Alumna Book Club Keynote!

Exciting news! MENTORS, MUSES & MONSTERS was chosen as the book by an alum that incoming Barnard freshmen would read over the summer for the Barnard Alumna Book Club, and I'll be giving the keynote address at this gathering tomorrow during freshman orientation, Thurs. Aug 29th. I'll be joined after my talk by Sigrid Nunez. We'll chat about her time at Barnard studying with Elizabeth Hardwick and about her essay on Susan Sontag in the anthology, which became the memoir, Sempre Susan.  Several years ago, Sigrid's novel, The Last of Her Kind, was chosen for this event. Mary Gordon is the third Barnard alum whose work is in the collection, and Caryl Phillips, who taught at Barnard for many years, also has an essay in it on growing up to become a writer. I'm thrilled to join this wonderful roster of alums whose books have been selected, which also includes Jeanette Walls, Anna Quindlen, and Lily Koppel.  

4/22/13

Philip Roth On a Mentor

Despite his famed retirement, Philip Roth's eulogy for a childhood mentor appeared in The New York Times yesterday, and I encourage you to read it here
.