O, The Oprah Magazine articles from November 2003

O, The Oprah Magazine archives from November 2003

We hear you!: Readers shout out ole! for Salma Hayek, protest our gluten intolerance, are moved by Susanne Ruppert's battle with chronic pain, and more ....(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... Oprah's interview with the remarkably gutsy and wise Salma Hayek ["The Passions of Salma Hayek," September] may have been the best O interview yet. Hayek's fire for life and her commitment to excellence are contagious, and reading her...

We hear you!: Readers shout out ole! for Salma Hayek, protest our gluten intolerance, are moved by Susanne Ruppert's battle with chronic pain, and more ....(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... "The Passions of Salma Hayek" spoke to me. As a 30-year-old woman at a crossroads in my career, I found Hayek's insights so relevant to my life. The interview helped me realize that I needed to chase my own dream, not a dream someone else has...

We hear you!: Readers shout out ole! for Salma Hayek, protest our gluten intolerance, are moved by Susanne Ruppert's battle with chronic pain, and more ....(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... The article about including difficult people in your circle of friends [Satellite Sisters. September] had a subtitle making a joke about moms of gluten-free kids that was distasteful. My daughter and I both have a gluten intolerance (also known...

We hear you!: Readers shout out ole! for Salma Hayek, protest our gluten intolerance, are moved by Susanne Ruppert's battle with chronic pain, and more ....(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... Susanne Ruppert's beautifully written essay on her constant, intractable migraines, "Living with pain" [September], made vivid a kind of burden often ignored by the media. With such attention paid to this problem, we may be able to take steps...

We hear you!: Readers shout out ole! for Salma Hayek, protest our gluten intolerance, are moved by Susanne Ruppert's battle with chronic pain, and more ....(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... I want to thank Susanne Ruppert for her candid, hopeful depiction of chronic pain She is an example of what it means to heal in the active sense of the word. For many of us, healing--whether from addiction, depression, or a physical...

We hear you!: Readers shout out ole! for Salma Hayek, protest our gluten intolerance, are moved by Susanne Ruppert's battle with chronic pain, and more ....(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... Suze Orman's assertion that "people who are lousy with credit are lousy with relationships" [Financial Freedom, September] ignores the fact that people often have a poor credit rating because of uncontrollable circumstances. Somebody laid off...

We hear you!: Readers shout out ole! for Salma Hayek, protest our gluten intolerance, are moved by Susanne Ruppert's battle with chronic pain, and more ....(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... Thank you for Janet McDonald's "Coming Home" [September]. I was born in New Jersey, right across the harbor from the towers, and I watched excitedly as they were built. Though I moved to California while I was still a child and have lived here...

We hear you!: Readers shout out ole! for Salma Hayek, protest our gluten intolerance, are moved by Susanne Ruppert's battle with chronic pain, and more ....(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... Richard Panek's "Keep the Home Fires Burning" [September] brought a smile to my face. His thoughts on the intimacy of secrets exchanged and lives shared reminded me of similar experiences I've had not only with my husband but with my daughter...

We hear you!: Readers shout out ole! for Salma Hayek, protest our gluten intolerance, are moved by Susanne Ruppert's battle with chronic pain, and more ....(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... I loved the Gretchen Reynolds article on Hell's Backbone Grill ["Om on the Range," September], a restaurant my husband and I discovered on a trip to southern Utah this past spring. We cannot wait to go back. More important, thank you for...

We hear you!: Readers shout out ole! for Salma Hayek, protest our gluten intolerance, are moved by Susanne Ruppert's battle with chronic pain, and more ....(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... I am a teacher who works in a windowless classroom, and I post your monthly "Breathing Space" pictures on my walls. The photographs give me and my students our nature fix. And as someone in an often overwhelming job, I'm reminded by the photos...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2003... The Christopher Bucklow print featured in "Spiritual Energy" [July] should have been credited to Blind Spot and Paul Kasmin Gallery in New York.

The most inviting time of the year.(Here We Go)
November 1, 2003... Look who's coming to dinner! This month, pull up a chair and be my guest for a big serving of all things entertaining--from creating your own great gathering ("The Party-Thrower's Guide to... Everything," page 246) to cracking the dress code...

November: "never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.".(Calendar)
November 1, 2003... 2 SUNDAY "Isn't everyone a part of everyone else?" -Budd Schulberg, screenwriter and author. 3 MONDAY 4 TUESDAY Create a circle of caring around a friend who's ill or feeling low. Take turns phoning, visiting, running...

Faded photos are a thing of the past; now you can restore the color in your old photos with the new Epson Perfection[R] 1670 photo scanner.(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Restoring old and faded photos is a great way to reconnect with the past, and stay connected for generations to come. The new Epson Perfection 1670 photo restoration scanner provides easy, affordable color restoration to renew photographs--as...

Dr. Phil: "you are not in control, and you must regain control"; Phillip C. McGraw, PhD on dealing with an invasive in-law ... keeping a wayward son in line ... and getting over betrayal.(Tell it Like it is)
November 1, 2003... My husband says his mother should have the same rights as mine. Is it unfair if I call my own mother once a day but not my mother-in-law? Is it selfish for a daughter-in-law not to want her mother-in-law in the delivery room? I'm a private...

Suze Orman: "create a realistic estimate of what you'll spend"; liveable plans for retirement ... family loans and tough love ... a list of must-have documents for aging parents ... and rules for investing.(Financial Freedom)
November 1, 2003... I recently retired because I was sick of working, and my husband is thinking of doing the same thing. I'm 56 and he's 54. We have savings of more than $500,000, and we have no debt. Our monthly expenses will not exceed $1,000. Most of our money...

Twelve steps to wealth: step 11: investing in the market.
November 1, 2003... I thought it would be helpful to share my rules of thumb for who should invest and who should not. First let's review the basic reason any of us might consider investing: Over the long term (and, my friends, I mean 10, 20, or 30 years) stocks...

Live your best life.
November 1, 2003... "Ubuntu is very difficult to render into a Western language. It speaks of the very essence of being human... You share what you have. It is to say, 'My humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in yours.' We belong in a bundle of life....

Wanda Sykes's aha! Moment: take my life. Please just when she hit rock bottom, the comedienne got freedom, courage, and a half hour of killer material.(Turning Point)
November 1, 2003... IN 1998 I EXPERIENCED THE HIGHest point of my career and the lowest point of my personal life at the same time. I was a writer and performer for The Chris Rock Show in New York City and was preparing for my first special on Comedy Central. The...

Travel.(Lybl)
November 1, 2003... I'm planning my first trip to Europe. The guidebooks are good for facts and figures, but what should I read to get a sense of atmosphere? There was a cold night smell in the chapel. But it was a holy smell, it was not unlike the smell of...

Read this--now.(Enlightenment)
November 1, 2003... In his just-published book, 365 Nirvana Here and Now (Thorsons/Element), Josh Baran delivers a daily wake-up call from the world's great thinkers, celebrated and obscure. Here are a few of our favorites: "Forget mistakes. Forget failures....

Reality theater: the Exonerated--a stunning, must-see drama about innocent people rescued from death row, soon playing near you.(Use your Life)
November 1, 2003... SUNNY JACOBS'S SON WAS 9 and her infant daughter was still nursing when the 28-year-old and her common-law husband were sentenced to death for murdering two Florida policemen in 1976. The real murderer testified against them, then recanted six...

What's playing in Joan Baez's ear? The legendary folksinger responds to music that goes straight to the heart, gut, and other places.(Music)
November 1, 2003... Although Joan Baez says "I have a background in silence"--she was raised as a Quaker and more recently has found solace in meditation--she is most known for her music and her political activism. she chose each song for Dark Chords on a Big...

A new addiction: Ginny o's cheese rings.(Good to Eat)
November 1, 2003... Here's a twist on cheese straws, a classic Southern party staple. Ginny Johnson's great-grandmother created the recipe in the 1850s, and today Ginny bakes each bag to order herself. So good, your guests will form a fellowship of the ring....

Chocolate of the month.(Good to Eat)
November 1, 2003... "Bite into one of my chocolates, and life gets a little better," says chocolatier R. Lolita Richardson. After trying her white truffle honey, we agree. Though Lolita's ginger champagne or passion fruit chocolate truffles won't make your...

Anticipation list: what we're looking forward to this month.(LYBL)
November 1, 2003... Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, and Laura Linney in one movie? We're already in line for Love Actually. Think Harry meets Sally meets Four Weddings and a Funeral. Screenwriter Richard Curtis, who also wrote...

TV guest critic.(LYBL)
November 1, 2003... Isaac Mizrahi, clothing designer and host of The Isaac Mizrahi Show (Oxygen), knows fabulous when he sees it. We asked him to assess the best-dressed on TV. Tube Tops "Sex and the City is king. [Designer] Patricia Field dresses those women...

Why are people mean? Someone insults you (and your little dog, too). You can retaliate, whimper--or exercise your own vast power. Martha Beck shows you how to rewrite your own character.
November 1, 2003... THE FIRST TIME I SAW A T-SHIRT THAT SAID "MEAN PEOple suck," I thought, Now, there is a heartfelt sentiment, succinctly expressed. I only wished I'd been the author. I mention this because recently I've encountered several mean people, and...

O, come all ye obnoxious: every party has one: a mandatory invitee whose bad behavior can be counted on to sink a holiday gathering. Question: how do you neutralize an impossible guest? The satellite sisters offer solutions on a silver platter.(Satellite Sisters)
November 1, 2003... Lian Dolan, 38, learned her party-planning skills from her mother, who taught her that there is no such thing as too much ice. She recently inherited the mantle of the family Thanksgiving and the gravy boat to go with it. I use a technique I...

River view, fear optional: one day what she saw from her window thrilled her; with the next day's news, it scared her. That's when Sharon Salzberg discovered the uses of anxiety.(Healing)
November 1, 2003... LAST YEAR I MANAGED TO PROCURE THAT most rare and precious commodity: a sublet in New York City that was both magnificent and affordable. This beautiful loft was owned by Fred, a friend who had gone off to England for an extended meditation...

Who moved my glove? Missing since last year: five mittens, three hats, one multicolored scarf. Julie Morgenstern lends a hand to straightening out your winter closet.(Getting Organized)
November 1, 2003... THE FIRST COLD SNAP BRINGS THE PROMISE of hot chocolate, cross-country skiing, and snow days. It also delivers a seasonal conundrum--how to manage winter gear. Boots and heavy coats overwhelm our entryways, outerwear in all shapes and sizes...

The charm of you: it's frothy, elusive, and leaves its subjects feeling lighter than air (and a little bit in love). Peter Smith explains what makes some people so darned irresistible.(Relationships)
November 1, 2003... YOU SHOW UP AT AN ENORMOUS dinner party, a buffet for 75. Your hostess greets you at the door with effusive warmth, inquires about a mutual acquaintance she met years earlier (now, how in the world did she remember the guy's name?), then makes...

Sparky speaks! "A few things i think are just great."--Oprah.(The Olist)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... "For those of us who are a little nutty when it comes to our dogs: A wireless mike on his collar beams his every yip, bark, snarl, and whine to the handheld box. Then the box's 'animal emotion analysis system' translates, telling you if your...

Welcome to the fold.(filing equipment)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... "File these under 'beauty meets function': a great way to pay bills and get your life organized." (Files, $54 for large, $40 for small, 4B; 866-611-2211) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Toile-y, madly, deeply.(fabric-covered nesting trays )(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... "It's easy to imagine these girly, fabric-covered nesting trays on a dresser, jewelry sitting within. But they could also doll up a sterile home-office desk, paper clips sitting within." (Nesting trays, $50 for large, $40 for small, Gracious...

We're on the same wavelength.(remote controls)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... "Pare down your clicker collection with the Sony Universal RM-AV3000 remote. It handles up to 18 devices of most brands." (Remote, $199, Sony; sonystyle.com) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Apple of my eye.(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... "Chunks of heaven with a hit of lavender to make things interesting. Add granola and ice cream, and you've got pie a la mode." (Lavender applesauce, $15 for two jars, Miss Rona's; 866-LAVENDR; miss ronaslavender.com) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Coat check: the drama of long. The crispness of plaid. The incredible lightness of pastels and whites. Winter coats don't have to be dark and basic, as four women found out.(Style Fashion)
November 1, 2003... ALLISON EPSTEIN, owner of Wallcandy Arts (peel-and-stick wall decorations), 33 STYLE PROFILE Comfy. Since Allison is her own boss, she gets to wear sweatpants and tank tops and bring her poodle, Leo, to work: "One reason I started my...

Good timing: cool white bands and silver cases. Oversize faces in yummy colors. This season, being punctual could be fun.(Fashion watches)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... YOUR BIG MOMENT Wanted large watches that don't look clunky on a woman's wrist Found: these bold, lucid timepieces. Their sleekness fits right in with the season's ubiquitous menswear fabrics, but bright colors make them playful,...

Itsy-bitsy kits: these tiny cases hold everything from essential oils to baby-size brushes to all the makeup you need for a night on the town.(Beauty Girls' Toys)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 1. One look at the Elizabeth Arden Magic Wand Color Kit ($25), and we were bewitched by four eye shadows in shades from the palest banana yellow to the richest sage, three lipsticks (from bronze to deep burgundy), a sparkly lip gloss, and a...

Fragrance: what you love, and why; your perfume says a lot about how you see yourself as a woman. And according to an exclusive o survey, that changes every decade. Christine Fellingham interprets the data to help you find your next new favorite scent.(Beauty Report)
November 1, 2003... SCENT IS TO BEAUTY WHAT shoes are to fashion--mind candy, a pure positive. Even if you're having a frighteningly bad skin and hair day, your fragrance can spike your sensuality quotient without so much as a glance in a mirror. But there's...

DOCKERS[R] do your thing!(Advertisement)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... ~ This past summer, the DOCKERS[R] brand asked you to tell us how you do your thing! what makes you tick, what puts a smile on your face--what makes you, YOU. Thousands logged on to www.dockers.com to share their thoughts. Your answers?...

Bantam books.(Holiday Gift Guide)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Join the click with thepurplebook[R], the definitive guide to exceptional online shopping--the one book that selects over 1,600 of the best shopping sites for product variety, customer services, and ease of use. From shoes, gifts, and travel...

Wolff tanning beds.(Holiday Gift Guide)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Tan at home for as low as $25 per month and create a tanning paradise in your own home. You'll love the selection of top-performing tanning beds including the Sunstar[R], Sunvision[R], and Sunquest[R] Wolff System[R] series. Home delivery and...

Pajama Gram.(Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Give the relaxing gift any woman will love--a PajamaGram. The PajamaGram Company offers wonderful sleepwear styles, each delivered in a keepsake hatbox complete with bath tea, gift card and "Do Not Disturb" sign. To order, visit...

Emperor clocks.(Holiday Gift Guide)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Eva: an extraordinary design inspired by an extraordinary woman. Solid cherry with brass finial, dial, bezel and feet, the Eva is named after Eva Mason, longtime Emperor Clock craftswoman. For a special price of $79.50, call 1.800.642.0011...

Furever friends.(Holiday Gift Guide)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Whether you pig-out or eat like a bird, our hardcover cookbook with 577 people-tested, purely-pleasing recipes makes the perfect gift! $23.95 plus shipping and handling. To place your order, contact FurEver Friends Inc. at 1.877.387.3837 or log...

Silver Queen.(Holiday Gift Guide)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The Silver Queen carries over 200,000 pieces of sterling, silver plated, and stainless flatware as well as casual and fine china, crystal stemware, wedding and baby gifts. A perfect gift is the sterling silver handled petit four server, in...

Ask val: questions about dry skin? You've come to the right place. O's beauty director, Valerie Monroe, gives you the straight story.(Beauty)
November 1, 2003... Which is better: cream, oil, or lotion? The best way to treat dry skin is to seal in moisture by forming a protective layer over it, says Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, co-director of laser surgery at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser...

I could have danced all night.(Body Wise)
November 1, 2003... You hardly need a podiatrist to tell you that a teetery stiletto with a toe you could spear a bluefish on should not be the shoe of choice for holiday partying. Not healthy for your feet, knees, or back. But "Sensible" doesn't have to mean...

Here's to your health! The LLuminari challenge, part 11: relapse recovery oops--a diet disaster; a case of the lazies, or worse, an injury or crisis ... and your whole health routine is thrown out of whack. Our experts get you up and running.(Body Wise)
November 1, 2003... HEALTHY HABITS CAN TURN EVEN the most staunchly math avoidant into dedicated number crunchers. There are laps, reps, calories, and heartbeats to add up, not to mention pounds (ideally to subtract). Certainly anyone following O's yearlong health...

The way to eat: cutting through the hype, the fads, and the nutri-nonsense, David L Katz, MD, gives you all you need to know to step up to the plate.(Body wise)
November 1, 2003... What's the real truth about "noncaloric" cooking sprays? Is it possible that using a product like PAM in excess could sabotage even the most conscientious dieter's efforts? -LISA GILBERT, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA You almost save me the...

Tied to the cause.(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Marg Helgenberger makes a personal statement of support in the fight against breast cancer by wearing the 2003 Ford breast cancer awareness scarf. This limited-edition silk scarf, designed by Lilly Pulitzer, is now available in-store, on-line,...

Aerosoles: treats you to massages and yoga.(What's Going on)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The footwear company known for comfortable style gets into the yoga spirit this Fall. Shop at select New York City Aerosoles locations and receive a free yoga class pass with any purchase over $75. Plus, enjoy time with a massage therapist in...

Avon: takes beauty on the road.(What's Going on)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The Avon Let's Talk Beauty Tour, in partnership with Q-tips[R], is traveling nationwide offering women complimentary makeovers, minimanicures, and an opportunity to sample Avon's top beauty brands, all while helping Avon Kiss Good-Bye to Breast...

Chanel: offers you expert advice.(What's Going on)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... CHANEL invites you to Marshall Field's State Street for expert beauty advice! A CHANEL Specialiste will address your individual skin care concerns and find a foundation just right for you. Book your complimentary consultation today at...

Dyson: makes a clean sweep.(What's Going on)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The DC07 is the first vacuum cleaner that doesn't lose suction. Unlike others that clog when you use them, Dyson cleans each room as well as the last. For more information, visit www.dyson.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Epson: perfects your pictures.(What's Going on)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The Epson Perfection[R] 1670 photo scanner is the easy and affordable way to restore faded color photos. A great gift idea for only $129. Call 1-800-GO-EPSON or visit www.epson.com. Also, check out the Epson advertorial in this issue of O, The...

Garnier: rewards your beauty.(What's Going on)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Natural beauty awaits you... everyday from Garnier haircolor! Purchase Nutrisse or Lumia haircolor and earn loyalty points to receive special gifts, exclusive offers, tips, and the chance to win luxurious getaways! Log onto...

Schwab learning: gets kids reading.(What's Going on)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Download a copy of "25 Fun Ways to Encourage Reading," a free booklet full of fun activities parents can use to motivate their children to read. Get your copy today at www.schwablearning.org/hearst.

The secret ingredient: as buried secrets go, this one was low-key, splashy, and delicious. But what the heck was that taste, anyway? It's on the tip of Gerri Hirshey's tongue.(Dish Fulfillment)
November 1, 2003... PEOPLE GET A LITTLE WACKY AT funerals, and I am no exception. During the service for my father, whom I adored, I thought suddenly--shamefully--of salad dressing. His dressing. I never asked him for his secret one last time, though he said he...

Gerri Hirshey's salad dressing.
November 1, 2003... 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 garlic clove, finely minced 1/3 cup red wine vinegar 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce,* or to taste Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste In the bowl of a mini food processor,...

The problem club goes gift shopping; you need a present for a friend. Do you go for the $70 slippers or the $7 swizzle sticks? The astrology reading or the dog collar? Five old pals who delight in dilemmas consider all the angles, including what Jackie O. would have done.(Friends)
November 1, 2003... IF THERE IS ANYTHING MORE COMplicated than giving, it's getting. In a dining room littered with dogs gnawing steak bones, the Problem Club members have gotten together to discuss Pearson's latest wedding crisis: registering for gifts. "I...

The group stripped bare; take some high-powered businesswomen. Place in a room, once a month, for 17 years. Stir in one therapist ... and watch what happens.(Friends)
November 1, 2003... WE CAME TOGETHER BY ACCIDENT: nine women, all part of a national women's organization, to plan a panel discussion on aging. We ranged from our late 30s to our early 60s, and we got so involved in talking about the topic that I can't remember if...

Thought this might interest you?! Your mother sends you articles about local bear sightings and premature quintuplets. Your father mails bulletins on faulty toaster ovens and the cost of home heating. Julie Klam and Jancee Dunn examine the dear, perplexing phenomenon of the family clipping service.(Family)
November 1, 2003... IT USUALLY STARTS WHEN YOUR PARENTS RETIRE. The clippings arrive in the mail--articles about 401(k)s, the dangers of Botox, the energy rating of your air conditioner. These well-meaning bulletins, carefully cut from newspapers and magazines,...

Avon: walks for a cure.(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... JOIN THE AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER WEEKEND FUNDRAISING EVENTS, 100% of the net proceeds support breast cancer awareness, screening and diagnosis, treatment and support services, with a focus on reaching the medically underserved, as well as...

Live your best life tour 2003; leaves a lasting impression.(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... THIS PAST SPRING, FOUR CITIES PLAYED HOST TO THE 2003 LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE TOUR. Women gathered from across the country to develop personal mission statements and learn to live their best lives. To bring this mission to those in need, the 2003...

Pria: celebrates women in sports.(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... THE WOMEN'S SPORTS FOUNDATION AND POWERBAR[R] PRIA ARE JOINING FORCES TO HELP EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEALTHY, ACTIVE WOMEN. Make a donation to the WSF and Pria will match it up to $50! Visit www.powerbar.com/livesmart for more details.

VIACTIV: gives back for strong bones.(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... NOW YOU CAN FEEL EVEN BETTER ABOUT TAKING VIACTIV[R] SOFT CALCIUM CHEWS. This month, VIACTIV[R] generously donated $2,000 to The National Osteoporosis Foundation, the leading national voluntary health organization solely dedicated to lifelong...

Photo op.(Reading Room)
November 1, 2003... For 60 years and counting, from the trenches of World War II to the back lots of Hollywood and the recording studios of Los Angeles, photographer Phil Stern has made a career of capturing unguarded tender moments on film, Phil Stern: A Life's...

Obsessed: Steve Martin's new book is a quietly wonderful delight.(Reading Room)
November 1, 2003... Daniel Pecan Cambridge, the natty, batty, selfaggrandizing hero of Steve Martin's novel The Pleasure of My Company (Hyperion), lives in Santa Monica with his obsessions: a fear of crossing at the curb (requiring ingenious evasions), a "counting...

Draw, she said.(Reading Room)
November 1, 2003... Mary Blair was a study in contrasts: A creative pioneer, she became one of the very few women to succeed at the Disney cartoon studio of the 1940s and '50s; a happy homemaker who became a mother at age 36; a creator of lighthearted,...

Rewriting his future: in a moving novel, Tobias Wolff chronicles a young man's social and literary apprenticeship.(Reading Room)
November 1, 2003... TOBIAS WOLFF'S BOOKS--THIS BOY'S LIFE. THE BARRACKS THIEF--prove him a writer of beautiful clarity and close, loving attention to his characters. In his fiction and nonfiction alike, what he examines is ultimately himself and the circumstances...

Wit and wisdom: from Amy Tan and Phillip Lopate, essays with the charm and intimacy of the best memoirs.(Reading Room)
November 1, 2003... HOW DO YOU GET TO KNOW A WRITER, especially one as curmudgeonly as Phillip Lopate, grand master of the personal essay, or as slyly self-revealing as novelist Amy Tan? In the absence of a formal memoir, you could read their quirky, confidential...

Geniuses in love and war: a new biography brilliantly captures the dark poetry of Sylvia Plath's married life.(Reading Room)
November 1, 2003... What a match they were: Sylvia Plath, the American poet and novelist who made an art of savagely exposing the female psyche, and Ted Hughes, the seductive wild man of British letters. Their passion for each other--sexual, emotional, and...

Without you, i'm everything; the turbulent fates of eerily enmeshed sisters.(Reading Room)
November 1, 2003... In 1926 twin girls, Rebecca and Linda Carey--beautiful, fair haired, speaking their own private language, and rumored to have an African-American grandmother--are brought to live in a Pennsylvania orphanage. Their arrival sets off the chain of...

Mettle to the pedal: Lance Armstrong, wonder man, tells what he's learned from life's steepest uphill climbs.(Reading Room)
November 1, 2003... Not long after Lance Armstrong found out he had advanced testicular cancer that had metastasized to his abdomen, lungs, and brain, he received an e-mail from another cancer patient, a military guy stationed in Asia. "You don't know it yet," the...

The truest eye: the legendary Toni Morrison sits down with Pam Houston to discuss the beginning (Ohio), the middle (her revolutionary first novels), and her latest (the magisterial Love).(Books Conversation with the writer)
November 1, 2003... WE FEEL LUCKY IF, DURING THE COURSE OF OUR LIVES, we have a chance to sit and talk with one of our heroes. But when our hero not only lives up to but surpasses our expectations, we feel something closer to chosen, even blessed. Such were my...

Emma Thompson's storybook life: the actress serves up a great booklist--from Beatrix Potter to Virginia Woolf.(Books that Made a Difference)
November 1, 2003... WHEN I GOT THE DIRECTIVE TO CHOOSE seven books, I practically had a nervous breakdown. I'm an addictive reader, and I just couldn't manage to limit myself. Finally, I thought to attach each selection to a particular time in my life. Even though...

The tale of Mr. Tod.(Books that Made a Difference)
November 1, 2003... I've rediscovered this book because I've been reading it to my daughter. It's fantastically unpleasant, involving, as it does, the kidnapping of baby rabbits with a view to eating them. The rabbits who go to rescue the bunnies at Mr. Tod's sit...

The Valley of Fear.(Books that Made a Difference)
November 1, 2003... When I was to years old, my grandfather gave me the complete works of Doyle, so I grew up passionate about Sherlock Holmes. Through these books--The Valley of Fear is one of his lesser-known novels--I became hooked on narrative. And Doyle was...

Naked lunch.(Books that Made a Difference)
November 1, 2003... My third choice, which covers from 14 to 21 years, was a tricky one. I remember where I was when I read it: in my father's study, in a big chair, with my jaw on my lap. At that stage, I was steeped in Victorian culture (I suppose my greatest...

Three guineas.(Books that Made a Difference)
November 1, 2003... Woolf wrote this after receiving requests for one guinea from three charitable organizations. It's largely about education--women's education--and the fact that it really wasn't believed in. Woolf's position was that it was important, and...

Season of blood.(Books that Made a Difference)
November 1, 2003... This is about the 1994 massacre in Rwanda. It's the response of a profoundly civilized man to one of the largest and least talked about genocides of the last century. I've always been interested in human rights, and Keane presents very simply...