Wednesday, July 3, 2013

RECIPE FOR A HAPPY LIFE
by Brenda Janowitz

My third novel, RECIPE FOR A HAPPY LIFE, came out yesterday.  And I'm feeling a million different emotions all at once: excitement, fear, happiness, joy, terror.... you name it.



It's not the first time that I've had a book come out.  In fact, RECIPE FOR A HAPPY LIFE is my third novel.  But there's something about putting your work out there into the universe for all to see.  

And judge.

I was recently chatting with a memoir writer about how we put ourselves out there as writers.  I was telling her that I found it brave, the way she was able to tell the truth.  But then I thought about it: isn't that what we do as fiction writers as well?  Sure, I won't have family members coming to me to complain about the way they were portrayed in my novel, but aren't we truth tellers, too?  Aren't we trying to tell the world what we think, how we think, and how we process it all?


RECIPE FOR A HAPPY LIFE is about three generations of women with a culture all their own.  When Hannah finds herself spending the summer with her glamorous grandmother, a widow six times over, at her sprawling beach-front Hamptons estate, she learns that there’s more than one recipe for happiness. 

A story of mothers and daughters, grandmothers and grandchildren, RECIPE FOR A HAPPY LIFE is a quirky story about correcting the mistakes from your past and trying to create a future for yourself. 
Julie Buxbaum called it "a great summer read" and Ellen Meister said it was a "wise, tender and poignant story." Melissa Senate said "this gem of a novel sneaks up on you with just how powerful it truly is."

It's the most personal book I've written to date.  It is, at its core, about how I see the world, what I think about relationships.  It reflects who I am now, the person I've become, and it's terrifying to think that I've put that out there, for all the world to see.

I just hope you will all enjoy it.





I’m the author of SCOT ON THE ROCKS and JACK WITH A TWIST. My third novel, RECIPE FOR A HAPPY LIFE, was published by St. Martin's on July 2, 2013. My work’s also appeared in the New York Post and Publisher’s Weekly. You can find me at brendajanowitz.com or on Twitter at @BrendaJanowitz.

18 comments:

  1. Kudos for your bravery and truth-telling, Brenda! Congratulations!

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  2. Congrats! I'm looking forward to reading it, and I know that terrifying feeling. I tell people it's like running naked across the Superdome and being displayed on the JumboTron!

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    1. Love that analogy! There *IS* something to it that's akin to being naked!

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  3. So excited for readers to discover this wonderful book!

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  4. I just ordered it ~ can't wait to read it! I love the cover!

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    1. Oh, hooray! I'm so delighted to hear that. I really hope you'll enjoy it.

      And I love the cover, too!!

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  5. Happy pub day, Brenda. Hope you're enjoying yourself.

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    1. Thanks so much, Karin! Yes, bookstore hopping with friends, wine at lunch, a giant brownie cake after dinner-- you could definitely say I've been enjoying myself!!

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  6. I'm SO excited for you, Brenda! And I can't wait to read it!!Here's hoping Recipe for a Happy Life sells a bazillion copies!

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    1. Thanks so much, Laura! Your support has been so wonderful-- thank you for being you!

      I hope it sells a bazillion copies, too. :)

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  7. I love the cover of this book, so simple and yet so striking. The story sounds very good, I love stories of women and family. Looking forward to this one!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Anita!! I love the cover, too.

      I really hope you'll enjoy it!

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  8. Truth be told this is a great post, Brenda. We invest so much of ourselves in our stories that the whole process is one big roller coaster. Wishing you an amazing ride! Can't wait for readers to discover you.

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  9. I've been a fan forever, but something about the opening of this book struck me...and now in your comments, I realize it's because I had a glamorous grandma of my own... Now I can truly relate to this fictional world of your that speaks so much truth! And now I can relax and dive back in. thanks!

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  10. Wonderful! This book went straight to my heart, with a character whose journey to happiness touched me in all the right ways. Brava Brenda Janowitz, for weaving such a wise, tender and poignant story about the intersecting lives of three generations of women. A beautiful testament to love!

    Irene (Seward Alaska Fishing)

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  11. I thoroughly enjoyed the book! I am passing on the title to all my friends as well. Can't wait to read some of your previous novels now...

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