Book Openers

As a little kid I always had my nose in a book. And now that I'm thoroughly grown up, I still do. Below you'll find author profiles (lots of memoirists) as well as mini – and not-so-mini – book reviews.

Older, but Wiser? Or, When Life Gives You Lemons, Freeze Them

July 5, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Older, but wiser? Maybe. We elders can’t give you wisdom, but we can give you some tips, like when life gives you lemons, freeze them. Read more.

Beware. The Decluttering Craze Could Leave You Holding the Designer Handbag.

March 12, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Everybody’s decluttering, including my friends and family, and sometimes other people’s unwanted stuff ends up on my doorstep. Read more.

A Book of Poetry for Kids — Including a Poem From Me

August 14, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Poetry for kids that inspires gratitude, by Emily Dickinson, Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro, Kenn Nesbitt and — me. Read more.

A Book of Essays From Cartoonist Cathy Guisewite — Did She Write It or Did I? Sheltering at Home Week 26

September 12, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Cathy Guisewite’s thoughts about life in “Fifty Things That Aren’t My Fault” look a lot like the thoughts running around in my own brain. Read more.

Bay Area Authors: Your Chance to Meet Some Cool Ones (and Me)

April 4, 2018 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Want to have some fun with interesting company, sip a cocktail, bid on a silent auction to benefit our Walnut Creek libraries and meet some cool Bay Area authors — like Don Lattin, Joyce Maynard and, um, me? Read more.

WNBA — 100 Years of Advocating for Women, Writing and Books

October 30, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

By Barbara Falconer Newhall Join me on Nov. 5 at Book Passage Corte Madera for a lively panel on women in the world of books. One hundred years ago, before women had even won the right to vote, an organization called Women’s National Book Association — the WNBA — was founded to support women writers, […]

Ann Patchett — My Brand-New Favorite Author

October 26, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

I’ve got a new favorite author. It’s Ann Patchett. Step aside Marilynne Robinson and Annie Dillard, Leo Tolstoy and Richard Ford. You, too, Philip Roth. Read more.