We're pleased to have Rachel J. Lithgow at CLC today to talk about her book, My Year of Really Bad Dates. Melissa is excited to read this one soon as it sounds like it will be really interesting and entertaining. Thanks to BookSparks, we have one copy for a lucky reader!
Rachel J. Lithgow is a historian and museum professional with thirty years of experience running large cultural institutions. Her work and writing have appeared in dozens of publications around the world, including The New York Times, The Daily News, Time, The Advocate, The Jerusalem Post, The Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Times of Israel, eJP, The New York Observer, and the Buffalo News. Rachel has two children and splits her time between Long Beach, Long Island, and Hell’s Kitchen in New York City.
After two life-shaking events, Rachel Lithgow leaves a thirty-year career to write full time and pursue a relationship with a man she recently met online. But then he announces he’s joining a cult and moving to Phoenix with a blonde real estate agent.
What follows is a year of terrible dates, a few great experiences, and a lot of pinot noir. This is the story of how Rachel learned that patterns can be changed, that asking for help is sometimes necessary, and that there’s only one way to repair her brokenness: by facing trauma and demons head-on.
Through a unique mix of humor, self-deprecation, and gritty vulnerability, My Year of Really Bad Dates tackles divorce, dating, single motherhood, PTSD, grief, loss, and starting over in midlife.
"This book is an absolute delight. Rachel Lithgow is a master storyteller, and what a gift it is getting to be by her side as she navigates a midlife divorce and the ensuing attempt to find love and connection again . . ."
—Catherine Burns, former Artistic Director of The Moth
"From the opening sentence, I knew Rachel Lithgow is a hilarious new voice in women’s fiction. This book is part memoir, part life lessons, and part How-NOT-To instruction manual on love & dating. The stories of sex, heartache, love, betrayal, and ultimately hope will keep you laughing and crying, then laughing again. This is a MUST read!"
—Randi Mayem Singer, screenwriter of Mrs. Doubtfire
In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like for you?
In a word? Rocky. But honestly, my brain is often ahead of everything else around me, so it makes sense that it felt rocky and long. The reality is that I left my job in 2021 to write full-time, and I've written 3 full manuscripts, got an agent, and am publishing my first book 4 years later, so though it feels rocky, it's not so bad in the grand scheme of the publishing game. I have learned a lot, however, and I'm very grateful to She Writes and the Stable Book Group for making an impossibly complicated industry manageable.
In a word? Rocky. But honestly, my brain is often ahead of everything else around me, so it makes sense that it felt rocky and long. The reality is that I left my job in 2021 to write full-time, and I've written 3 full manuscripts, got an agent, and am publishing my first book 4 years later, so though it feels rocky, it's not so bad in the grand scheme of the publishing game. I have learned a lot, however, and I'm very grateful to She Writes and the Stable Book Group for making an impossibly complicated industry manageable.
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
The nicest thing that I've been hearing is that the writing feels intimate, like sitting at a table with a cocktail or a coffee with a good friend. That was exactly what I was going for in tone, so I'm glad that people feel that when they read it.
If My Year of Really Bad Dates were made into a movie, which celebrity would you cast as yourself?
Haha. I love this question! My ego wishes I were Scarlett Johansson, but the reality is that I'm much more a character actor than leading lady material. I am a huge fan of Debi Mazar; her attitude, her humor, her quick wit, and her vulnerability with toughness make her a better choice! Plus, she's gorgeous.
Which TV series are you currently binge watching?
OMG, the Murdaugh Murders on Hulu. Patricia Arquette is magical, isn't she?
If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you'd take us to see?
I would take you to LB Social, which makes the best cocktails in Long Beach and also the best food. Of course, to the beach with my puggle Dexter. He loves it so very much, and watching him run on the beach would bring even the coldest human a lot of joy.
What is something you are currently thankful for?
That I don't only love my kids, but that I like them now that they are fully formed almost adults.
Thanks to Rachel for chatting with us and to BookSparks for sharing her book with our readers.
How to win: Use Gleam to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Gleam on our blog, enter the giveaway here.
My Year of Really Bad Dates (1 print copy)
Giveaway ends November 18th at midnight EST.
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8 comments:
I have never had a really bad date.
I married my HS Sweetheart so I've only dated my husband!
I've never had a bad date.
n/a
Took a blind date to a Chinese buffet. Bad choice. The date was on virtual silence mode as she was too consumed in consuming. 😂😂😂
I went on a blind date to a drive-in with another couple. Big, huge mistake! I will refrain from publishing the details. Just-ugh!
She ordered every expensive item on the menu.
I waited at the cafe ,but he didn't show up.
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