In this remarkable book, Anna Quindlen, one of America’s favorite novelists and a Pulitzer Prize– winning columnist, once again gives us wisdom, opinions, insights, and reflections about current events and modern life. “Always insightful, rooted in everyday experience and common sense...Quindlen is so good that even when you disagree with what she says, you still love the way she says it,” said People magazine about her number one New York Times bestseller Thinking Out Loud, and the same can be said about Loud and Clear. With her trademark insight and her special ability to convey the impact public events have on ordinary lives, Quindlen here combines commentary on American society and the world at large with reflections on being a woman, a writer, and a mother. In these pieces, first written for Newsweek and The New York Times, Loud and Clear takes on topics ranging from social change to raising children, from the political and emotional aftermath of September 11 to personal values, from the impact on individuals of global events to the growth that can be gained by spending summer days staring into the middle distance. Grounding the public in the private, connecting people to each other and to the greater world, Quindlen encourages us to develop authentic lives, even as she serves as a catalyst for political and social change. “Anna Quindlen’s beat is life, and she’s one hell of a terrific reporter,” said Susan Isaacs, and Quindlen’s unique qualities of understanding and discernment, everywhere evident in her previous bestsellers, including A Short Guide to a Happy Life and Living Out Loud, can be found on every page of this provocative and inspiring book.
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"I love this book. No real start or finish, just moments in time captured by Anna. It's a personal book of hers - not fictional. She has a nice cadence that feels like nurturing story-telling for adults. I recommend it to Mums, because a good part of it is about her life as a mother - either working or working from home or deciding how to work while being a Mum. Everything you think about in a coherent fashion - she really embraces the internal dialogue."
— Tam (4 out of 5 stars)
" Thoughtful, engaging essays about real life for everyday people "
— Jennifer, 2/3/2014" I enjoy her columns on parenting, even though I don't always agree with her. A nice collection of essays. "
— Megan, 1/28/2014" I read anything and everything that Anna Quindlen writes. She is so down-to-earth and clear about her experiences. I can relate on almost every level. Fantastic! "
— Cindy, 1/17/2014" For a little chuckle, a nod and a sigh "
— Annie, 1/12/2014" I really enjoy Quindlen's novels but I LOVE her essays. This is a really good collection, particularly the essays about September 11. "
— Heather, 1/5/2014" A little uneven, to be expected in this sort of compilation, but I find her view on most matters worth the read, and she can write beautifully. "
— Barbara, 1/2/2014" Quindlen is one of my favorite writers, and this volume doesn't disappoint. "
— Bree, 12/26/2013" I wanted to read this book after hearing some great quotes from her about motherhood, but Anna Quindlen's ideas are a little too feminist for me. I couldn't finish the book. "
— Mindy, 12/14/2013" could not get into reading a collection of her columns "
— Bridget, 11/30/2013" That Anna is so super smart. "
— Jenna, 11/23/2013" Anna Quindlen is impressive! She is bold, she is sensible, she is compassionate, she is positive, and she offers a fresh and brave perspective. Her voice and heart combine with such a warm astuteness that she always garners my respect while also stirring my approach. "
— Katrinka, 11/21/2013" collection of non-fiction essays summarizing life as she lives and sees it.... "
— Brad, 11/21/2013" Full of wisdom and insightful observations covering a vast array of topics from terriorism to mothering. "
— Jeanne, 11/8/2013" Intelligent, wise essays that made me nod my head vigorously - Yes! - and fell like marching, for something. "
— Laurie, 6/30/2013" Great collection of essays by Anna Quindlen. I laughed and cried repeatedly. This is fabulous - get this book! "
— Lhymowitz, 6/29/2013" This book made me proud to be a feminist. So many changes i the lives of women that are just taken for granted and did not exist in my day. ///quindleb us the voice for many of us who feel her feelings but cannot express them so well "
— Tamra, 4/10/2013" Lots of wisdom and unbiased opinions put very succinctly. Entertaining, as well as thought provoking. "
— Ginny, 3/19/2013" I used this book in my Honors Composition II class. It contains articles from Quindlen's time at Newsweek. "
— Tammy, 10/15/2012" Every new mom should read Quindlen's non-fiction. "
— Jennifer, 7/17/2012" Very funny reading. The author provides thought and laughter provoking insights into some of the more intriguing issues in society. "
— Joni, 10/10/2011" Of-course I enjoyed this collection of columns because I agree with nearly everything AQ writes. "
— Cathy, 11/20/2010" collection of non-fiction essays summarizing life as she lives and sees it.... "
— Brad, 9/12/2010" Anna Quindlen is my personal role model as writer. Elegant, lithe prose wrapped around profound ideas. I'd read many of these pieces as columns, but it was nice to revisit them again, especially since many of them--although written 15 years ago--were fresh and important. "
— Nancy, 8/31/2010" Every new mom should read Quindlen's non-fiction. "
— Jennifer, 8/30/2010" Am I allowed to put audio books on here? Well, I'm putting this one on here....<br/><br/>Some of Anna Quindlen's essays are incredibly compelling to me -- her essays on September 11 are heartfelt and touching. Other essays seem preachy and overly dramatic. "
— Rebecca, 8/21/2010" <br/> <br/>This is the first non-fiction i read of Quindlen, I love her style and subject matter. "
— Grace, 8/9/2010" A collection from her columns, about what she cares about the most from the 90's and early 2000's. <br/> <br/> "
— Kathleen, 5/7/2010" Good read, because I agree with most everything she says! "
— Dianne, 4/16/2010" Quindlen is one of my favorite writers, and this volume doesn't disappoint. "
— Bree, 4/2/2010" I really enjoy Quindlen's novels but I LOVE her essays. This is a really good collection, particularly the essays about September 11. "
— Heather, 3/29/2010" Came highly recommended, but I didn't dig it at all. "
— V, 3/2/2010" This book made me proud to be a feminist. So many changes i the lives of women that are just taken for granted and did not exist in my day. ///quindleb us the voice for many of us who feel her feelings but cannot express them so well "
— Tamra, 2/22/2010" America's resident sane person-so bright and true "
— Cathy, 12/3/2009Anna Quindlen is the author of many acclaimed books, including the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Rise and Shine and One True Thing, an Oprah Book Club Selection, among others.
Kathe Mazur has narrated many audiobooks, winning the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2014, being named a finalist for the Audie Award in 2013 and 2015, and winning several AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actress, she can be seen as DDA Hobbs on The Closer and in the upcoming Major Crimes. She has worked extensively in film, theater, and television, including appearances on Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, House, Brothers and Sisters, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, ER, Monk, and many others.