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Review (Better Late Than Never): The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg

December 28, 2012 by 4 Comments
the middle steins

I feel like a ninny.  Two months ago I read one of the best books I've read in years and I neglected to write about it.  I've thought about the review several times but got distracted, I suppose. However, the book has not left my mind.  It was the kind of relatable read that left a long-lasting impression on me. Then today I came across this fantastic review in the New York Times, and not only was I reminded that I missed an opportunity to promote something I genuinely loved, but I'm also thrilled for its author, Jami Attenberg.  I've actually … [Read more...]

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Twitter Party to Chat about Minivans, Costco and Midlife Crises

June 5, 2012 by 1 Comment
Dan Gets a Minivan

Join me  to chat about minivans, Costco, Midlife crises and more (that you never saw coming) as we celebrate Father's Day and the launch of DAN GETS A MINIVAN: LIFE AT THE INTERSECTION OF DUDE AND DAD, the newest book by Dan Zevin. Monday, June 11th, 2012 Join @theculturemom, BruceSallan and @DanZevin at 9pm EST, 6pm PST. Sponsored by our friends at @MamaDramaNY. Hashtag: #MiniVanDan From instituting date night to joining Costco, from finding a nanny to using the word 'playdate' with a straight face, ...he's got every base about … [Read more...]

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Two Book Reviews: Cutting For Stone and A Reliable Wife

February 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Cutting For Stone

I usually like to record my thoughts about books that I read on this site and the last two are worth reporting on. So, without further ado, they are A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick and Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.  I highly recommend one, the other not so much.   I'll start with the one I adored. I knew nothing about Cutting for Stone before I started it, I just knew that it was very, very long, over 700 pages and I was wondering how I'd get through such a ong book.  Once I got into it, the length became no problem.  As a … [Read more...]

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Holiday Gift Suggestion: StinkyKids, Dolls with Purpose

November 11, 2011 by 1 Comment
DSC00582

Today my daughter and I attended a very special event at the Madame Alexander Doll Company in Harlem.  I was a HUGE doll fan when I was a child and knew I'd be in element.  I stopped by the Madame Alexander booth at Toy Fair earlier this year and knew about the quality of dolls that they produce.  I was told the event was to promote a new line called the StinkyKids, and I had a feeling that this would be an event for both my daughter and I. So, you can only imagine my delight when we walked into a mini showroom, with thousands of dolls from their … [Read more...]

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The Book Corner: My Tween Daughter’s Picks

November 3, 2011 by 1 Comment
Dork Diaries

When it comes to reading, my tween aged daughter (age 8)  takes after me.  I was a book worm when I was younger, so now she's a book worm.  After we say good night, she reads into the wee hours.  I don't want to know what time her light goes off.  It's been so interesting to see her book choices develop as a tween and how they compare to my own choices, either now or back then.  She's slightly selective based on the cover of a book, which I'm constantly trying to convince her not to be, but I must admit that even as an adult, a cover can be … [Read more...]

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Review: Why I Recommend “The Help” (the film)

August 11, 2011 by 1 Comment
The Help

I've been quiet this week for a reason but it's kind of ironic.  I've been hanging out with 3,000 other bloggers at a conference called BlogHer in San Diego but I've hardly blogged.  I have so many posts to write post BlogHer, but I feel compelled to write about The Help, since it premiered in the theaters today.  I attended an advance screening hosted by Dream Works, which was a highlight of the weekend, and also a rest from the craziness. I had a feeling I'd like this movie.  I read the book by Kathryn Stockett last year and finished it in 2 or … [Read more...]

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Summer Travel Read: Those Who Saved Us

July 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment
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Do you ever buy a book that appeals to you immensely but sits inside a drawer of your night table for months until you pull it out, remembering how wonderful the back copy and cover looked in the book store when you bought it?  I suppose it was a year ago that I picked up Those Who Saved Us by Jenna Blum.  Maybe not quite so long, but it bothered me for a long time that I wasn't reading it.  I knew in my heart it was a book that would hold meaning for me on so many levels.  Like the author, I helped interview Holocaust survivors with the Shoah … [Read more...]

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Summer Travel Read: Visit from the Goon Squad

July 24, 2011 by 1 Comment
Goon Squad

I always take several novels when we go on holiday.  It used to be impossible to get much reading done, but now that the kids are slightly older, it's getting easier.  One of the novels I took on our recent trip was A Visit from the Goon Squad, the 2011 Pulitzer Prize winner, by Jennifer Egan.  My book club actually chose it for our next meeting in September (August is a vacation month for most people), but it was pure coincidence that they chose it as I was already midway through the book when they made the selection.  As much as I enjoyed the book, … [Read more...]

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FREE NYC: B&N and Books for Kids Storytime Fitness Event

July 23, 2011 by 1 Comment
Barnes & Noble Books for Kids

How can you combine reading, advocacy, kids and fun?  The Culture Mom is about giving back, and this is a perfect example, especially when your kids are involved., and this event is a terrific example. Barnes and Noble and Book for Kids, a non-profit organization that promotes literacy among children, with a special emphasis on low-income and at-risk preschool-aged kids, would like to invite you to attend A Storytime Fitness Event, a fun-filled day of readings, fitness, and games at Barnes and Noble on the Upper East Side, TOMORROW on Sunday, … [Read more...]

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Bella’s Chinese New Year: A Cultural Literary Experience for Your Child

July 22, 2011 by 6 Comments
Bella

When my virtual friend, Stacey Zolt Hara, asked me to review her new children's book, I was honored.  Stacey is one of my favorite tweeters, as she's always tweeting about travel, something she clearly lives for and loves as much as I do.  She is constantly retweeting my articles as we clearly have a lot in common, particularly the fact that we are moms with a zest for life who want to show our kids the world and, in turn, we see it through their own eyes. Her book is called, Bella's Chinese New Year, and I suspect it is based on the real life … [Read more...]

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