When I set out to learn about my mother's bridge club, the Jewish octogenarians behind the matching outfits and accessories, I never expected to fall in love with them. This is the story of the ladies, their game, their gen, and the ragged path that led me back to my mother.
Congratulations to my dear friend and client GEORGE HODGMAN on his NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE nomination. New York Times Bestseller Bettyville available in paperback March.
Are you the kind of person who prepares his acceptance speech or wings it?
Filed under: Authors, Bestseller, Books, Memoir, Uncategorized | Tagged: george hodgman, national book critics circle, penguin random house |
Betsy Lerner 
Oh, I wing it all the time. I suppose you could call it preparation, but that’s really not what it is.
You don’t usually need an acceptance speech for also rans. Bag of hay and back to the stables
This looks like a great read ! Congratulations Mr Hodgnan.
PS I can’t wait to read The Bridge Ladies too !
If you asked anyone who knows me, they’d be certain I’d wing it. But, in bold contrast to every other aspect of my life — my house, my car (God…), my schedule — I’m pathologically anal when it comes to organizing in relation to my work! (The Bridge Ladies sounds like a HOOT! Can’t wait!!!)
acceptance speech? congratulations to everyone else, i wouldn’t have done it without you. collection boxes are at the rear of the hall, near the exits.
First, congratulations to George Hodgman! Wow, to be nominated for a National Book Critics award. I don’t think this is an easy award and just the fact of a nomination is as good as winning to me!
Ah, Bridge Ladies. (although seeing pink out here is as unlikely as seeing this site plastered with unicorns and rainbows.) Congratulations on that too!
Any speeches – not of the award type,unfortunately – have been a mix of wing it and planned. Strangely for me, as of late, they have been at…funerals. IMO, there are three kinds of speeches you want to get right. Weddings. Funerals. Awards. There are people sitting out there, listening to you, and you don’t want to step in it during those important moments. I prefer to have notes – and then if I think of something that fits with the prepared portion, I’ll throw it in.
Congratulations! Another one for the tbr list.
Believe me, you don’t want to hear me speak. I am on a perpetual crusade, and that makes me the most charming person you’ve ever seen, or the heaviest wall of bricks to fall on your head. There’s no in between. I’m better suited for the folding chairs against the back wall, sipping fizzy drinks, where my dress matches the wallpaper.
Love the news about “Bettyville,” which I adored. Love the revamped blog. And, love reading more about “The Bridge Ladies!”
FAR too many good feelings for a Tuesday morning. I need to go lie down.
I use every effort not to emulate Jane Austen’s character, Mr. Collins. Composing elegant compliments and phrases as inventory for unverified future events won’t coordinate with the genuine shock I want to experience from receiving any sort of desired acceptance. I’m a glutton for happy surprises.
Congratulations to George H. I knew I wanted to read his book after I heard his interview on NPR. Small town Midwest, those are my people. As for speeches, so far only corporate presentations and eulogies for me, and for both I was painfully prepared. I don’t see any awards in my future, so there’s no sleep lost there.
I am happy for those who earn the opportunity to give an acceptance speech. Should I get that chance, I will prepare, and try to keep it light and short.