Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen

A memoir told in the form of essays, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, is beautifully written and full of gratitude for lessons learned in a relatively quiet life. At first glance I thought the author arrogant with an attitude of "I'm here to tell you what life is all about," but that seemed to wear off as I read further and became more engaged. When we discussed it in book club, the consensus was that it was beautifully written but superficial. Evidently the author has had a life untouched by pain and sorrow. Pulitzer Prize winner Anna Quindlen is an excellent writer, but in this memoir she has left out life's blood and guts.