Leigh Newman

“Oh, the wild joys of living!” wrote Robert Browning. “The leaping from rock to rock ..the cool silver shock of the plunge in a pool’s living waters.” The famous poet didn’t have access to the wild joys of cannonballing off a diving board in a kidney-shaped vat of chlorine. And yet, it’s doubtful that a plunge into chemically tinted water is any less wild or joyful. Everybody loves a pool, be it natural or backyard, kiddie or Olympic.In these three newly published novels, characters swim, sun, e…

Every Christmas, my far-flung family gathers for a week at our parents’ cabin. The cabin is remote, rustic, and made of real logs. The family comes from places as distant as Alaska, California, New York, and Idaho. There used to be five of us. Now with kids, spouses, and a few ex-spouses, we are 12. Plus three dogs.The days are simple. We sit around by the fire, eat, sit around the fire, eat, sit around by the fire, and maybe, just before dark, squeeze in a walk through the woods. In regular lif…

A few years ago, I began to suspect that my kids did not love going on vacation with me. Perhaps because our ideas of vacation differed. Some of our more memorable trips—for me, anyway—have involved: backpacking through Cambodia (in August), hiking up the base camp of Mont-Blanc (and getting lost), and driving through the Costa Rican jungle, stopping to sleep on the floor in strangers’ homes because, as it turns out, there are no hotels in that area of the jungle, or official roads.My feeling i…

Spring has arrived and with it a glimpse of sunshine that invites you to enjoy some much-needed relaxation. We have compiled a list for you of unforgettable novels written by unforgettable women, thrillers that chill, smart love stories, memoirs too powerful to put down, and sagas that sweep you away. Read them in the backyard, read them on the back deck—or just read them under the covers instead of getting to work in your flower bed.

The author of Hello Beautiful, the 100th Oprah’s Book Club pick, sat down for an exclusive interview with us.

Susan Cain, author of Bittersweet, the 99th Oprah’s Book Club pick, wrote her groundbreaking book about life’s joyful and troubling times using inspiration from authors who addressed the same issues. We’re sharing those works here. Expect some classics and some surprises.

Some are big; some are small. Some are hard to consider; others, easy.

A few fresh book-group ideas for revamping your gatherings, starting one of your own, or joining one that surprises—and delights.

The holiday season is here–and with it comes festive gatherings with friends and family. Arm yourself with conversation ideas that spread a joy and kindness, so you’re prepared for any social situation that comes your way.1. “Take your time. I’m not in a rush.“This one is great for the grocery store, the takeout burrito restaurant, or anywhere else that involves really tired people trying their best, even as they fumble and flail. For example, the woman in front of you pays the cashier but then…

As life goes on, it may finally dawn on you: You’re not going to win the Olympic gold in figure skating or discover a new species of toucan in the Brazilian rainforest. But there are other valid insane dreams, says Leigh Newman, that you absolutely must pursue.1. The dream of the (tiny little) thing you were meant to do.Look, we all know what I was meant to do: Sing jazz in a Paris club (except that I can’t sing) or write a novel (except I tried that—it didn’t work) or become a large-animal coun…