And it’s Friday once again! Doesn’t it seem like several years since last Friday? I went to check the calendar on something recently, trying to remember when it happened, and it turns out that a phone call that felt like over a month ago… actually happened last week. With all the rapid changes and unforeseen circumstances hitting us hard these days, be sure to take some time for yourself, relax as best you can, and breathe deep.

(And wash your hands. Then moisturize them, because with all this soap and sanitizer, we’re all starting to look like we’re wearing alligator gloves.)

Randy Susan Meyers is our #read99women guest today, recommending a read that sounds perfect for these trying times. But first things first, before we get to the book: the bio.

Randy Susan Meyers' internationally bestselling novels are informed by years working with families impacted by violence. Her fifth novel, Waisted, tackles the personal and political: body image. Parade Magazine, Pop Sugar, BookBub, Women.com, Get Literary, and Brit.Com chose Waisted as a Top 2019 Summer Read. Three of Meyer's novels were chosen as a "Must Read Book" by the Massachusetts Council of the Book, an affiliate of the Library of Congress. They wrote, "The clear and distinctive voice of Randy Susan Meyers will have you enraptured and wanting more." She lives in Boston with her husband, where she teaches writing seminars at Boston's Grub Street Writers' Center.

Randy Susan Meyers

“I adore Lorna Landvik, on the page and in person. I still remember the first time I discovered her —with PATTY JANE'S HOUSE OF CURL—as one of my peak read moments. Lorna's latest, CHRONICLES OF A RADICAL HAG (WITH RECIPES) is a complete and utter delight—I loved this story of an older female journalist's life being rediscovered by a troubled teenage boy. The novel is not only utterly engaging, but also presents a story of how a small community meshes and supports each other despite their political differences. This is a novel we need right now, and one that provides page-turning pleasure. We discover this columnist's life through her columns— being republished while she is in the hospital—and the views of those reading them for the first time. Landvik provides a time-span of history and the life of a woman ahead of her time. I loved it, and from the reviews below, I’m not the only one.”

"At a time when local newspapers are nearing extinction, and reporters are deemed enemies of the people, Landvik’s smart and lovely paean to journalists is a welcome reminder of the important role they play in the lives of those who depend on newspapers for more than just information."—Booklist

"Landvik’s heartwarming novel is packed with big-hearted people tenderly and hilariously learning to appreciate the past and each other by visiting the planet of the town’s octogenarian columnist and coming away the richer for it."—Star Tribune

"This is a real tribute to all of the small-town, warmhearted, big-mouthed ‘radical hags’ out there, and a truly fun read for them, too."—The Washington Post

"Chronicles of a Radical Hag (with Recipes) uncovers secrets, cures heartaches, changes assumptions and offers opportunities."—Hutchinson Leader