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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
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Writing Retreat Report — I Got Some Work Done. Thanks for Holding Me Accountable

June 1, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Oakland-Tribune-column-Barbara-Falconer-Newhall

On my retreat I discovered that those columns I wrote as a young mom back in the 20th century have a lot to say to the 21st century.  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-cover-subtitle

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.

It’s Time to Forget the Coronavirus for a Few Hours a Day — And Find Some Normalcy. Sheltering in Place Day 12

March 29, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

donald-trump-forget-the-coronavirus-and-donald-trump

Sheltering at Home Day 12. It’s time to forget the coronavirus for a few hours a day — try to — and get back to work on my next book. Read more.

Cathy Guisewite: I Can’t Wait to Spend Time With This Funny, Wise Lady

April 6, 2019 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

cartoonist Cathy Guisewite's new book, "Fifty Thing That Aren't My Fault," arrived in my mailbox yesterday. Can't wait to read it. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Cathy Guisewite, cartoonist and author of “Fifty Things That Aren’t My Fault,” writes the way I want to write: with humor and grace. Read more.

I’m Back! The Writer in Me Is Back With a Book Pitch

March 26, 2019 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

The Douro River from a Viking Cruise ship. After travels, writer me is back at work on a book pitch.

I’m back at the keyboard and hard at work on the book pitch for my project. What do you think? Read more.

Ann Patchett — My Brand-New Favorite Author

October 26, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

detail of cover of Ann Patchett's audio book "Truth and Beauty."

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.

At the Feet of Annie Dillard, Memoirist, Essayist, Observer of the Real

April 6, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

A well-read copy of"The Abundance" by Annie Dillard. Photo by Barbara Newhall

What draws me to author Annie Dillard — what makes me want to turn off the TV and grab one of her books — is her eagle-sharp eye for the world as it truly is. Read more.

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ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Weight Lifting Can Kill You — Shall I Email the News to My Weight-Lifting Son?

Peter Newhall, a young man in his 30s, bench presses at a gym. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Weight lifting can kill you. Death by dead lift and dumbbell can sneak up on you long after you’ve put the weights back in the squat rack. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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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 page from the Bleichrode prayer book published in Berlin, 1923, showing the first lines of the Mourner's Kaddish in Hebrew script. Photos by BF Newhall

An Episcopalian Says Kaddish for Her Jewish Aunt

scary-mask

Halloween — A Day for the Dead

A storybook Tudor house for sale in Minneapolis.

I Brake for Floor Plans — I Like to See How Those Other People Live

Author Jana Riess in a pink sweater. Photo by Barbara Newhall

They’re Saying Nice Things About “Wrestling with God”

MORE DON'T MISS!

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