Whenever I’m feeling a little blue, I know that I can always count on an Elinor Lipman novel to lift me out of the doldrums. This was confirmed when I read her most recent novel, The Family Man. This book is classic Lipman: likable— albeit flawed—characters, an airy, lighthearted plot, smart social satire, and dialog crisp and sparkling as a fine champagne. The Family Man . . . more »

For many people, October marks the start of fall. The trees slip into their beautiful array of colored foliage, and while temperatures slowly dip, even here in Santa Clara County, we contemplate the task of packing away our summer apparel. During this month we begin the transition from summer into winter, shifting from outdoor activities to indoors. For book group members, October is also a . . . more »