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Barbara Falconer Newhall

Veteran journalist Barbara Falconer Newhall riffs on life as she knows it.

  • A CASE OF THE HUMAN CONDITION
  • MY EVER-CHANGING FAMILY
  • WRITING & READING
  • MY ROCKY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
  • WIDOWED
  • FUNNY BUTTON

On Writing & Reading

Here you'll find author profiles as well as mini – and not-so-mini – book reviews. I’m a writer who loves to talk about writing, so if you like to write I hope you’ll stop by now and then for some writing tips and to chat about the writing life.

‘Wrestling with God’: A Gift for the Believers on Your List — And the Skeptics

November 29, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

wrestling-with-god-A Gift for the Believers on Your List -- And the Skeptics

“Wrestling with God” is great gift for the believers on your list — also the skeptics, atheists and spiritual-but-not-religious.  Read more.

Widowed: My Husband Is the Hero of My Next Book

November 8, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

widowed My husband is the hero of my next book man-with-toddler-on-shoulers

My husband is the hero of my next book. I wanted it all — family and career. And Jon made it possible. Read more.

I’m a Grammar Geek: I Don’t Get Nauseous. I’ve Never Received a Kudo. And I Never, Ever Lay on My Yoga Mat

October 25, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

stack-of-yoga-mats

I’m a grammar geek and I’m old: I don’t get nauseous. I’ve never received a kudo. And I never, ever lay on my yoga mat.  Read more.

Linguist Anne Curzan: Grammar That’s Funner Than Ever

September 13, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

says-who-book-cover-curzan

A kindly University of Michigan linguist, Anne Curzan, makes grammar funner than ever with her new guide to usage, “Says Who.”  Read more.

My Pal the Recycling Bin

July 26, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

recycling-can

For years, my pal the recycling bin had been there for me and my empty olive jars and soda cans — until one day I let it be tossed into a collection truck with the other recyclables.  Read more.

I Write. Therefore, I Procrastinate. Why?

July 18, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

i-write-therefore-i-procrastinate-why barbara-falconer-newhall-at-a-writing-retreat

I write. Therefore, I procrastinate. Why? Could the thing I have in mind to write be too big, too gleaming, too unattainable?  Read more.

The Fine Art of Writerly Procrastination

July 12, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

barbara-falconer-newhall-columnist-oakland-tribune

Without an editor to set a deadline for me, the days pass merrily along as I practice the fine art of writerly procrastination.  Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

The Cataract Chronicles: I’ll Be Seeing Me

Author Barbara Falconer Newhall takes a photo of herself without glasses before cataract surgery to see what she'll look like. Photo by Barbara Newhall

One of the perks of having lots of years under your belt is that one fine day you get to have your cataracts done — and you get your old face back. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

CATEGORIES

  • A Case of the Human Condition
  • My Ever-Changing Family
  • On Writing & Reading
  • My Rocky Spiritual Journey

 
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TO MY READERS

Please feel free to share links to my posts with one and all and to quote briefly from them in your own writing, remembering, of course, to attribute the quote to me and to provide a link back to this site.

My Oakland Tribune columns, btw, are reprinted by permission of the Trib. With the exception of review copies of books, I do not accept ads or freebies of any kind. Click on the "Contact" button if you have questions. Enjoy!

 

DON’T MISS!

a stack of copies of "Go Set a Watchman" by Harper Lee in a bookstore. photo by barbara newhall

Atticus Finch — Meet Mother Emanuel

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Buzz Saw Bliss — Sheltering at Home Day 3

toddlers-1941

We Humans Are Ineffable

near-empty-store-shelf

I Finally Got to Go Shopping. Here’s How That Worked Out. Sheltering at Home Week 19

MORE DON'T MISS!

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