Reading Lips

“Sternbach shares the stories of all kinds of kisses: the first kiss that didn’t even happen; the kiss at the end of a rousingly successful catering event that eventually led her to her life partner; a tragic blind-date kiss that ended in pain; an ever-so-tender goodbye kiss to a deceased cousin; the stolen kiss from the lifeguard at Bible camp. Interconnected essays form a charming and engrossing memoir. After all, ‘a kiss is still a kiss.’”—Nancy Simpson, The Book Vault, Oskaloosa, IA

“I marked every page where she made a personal connection with me, and my ARC is literally stuffed with post-its. From The Borrowers and Carole King, Datsun 280Z’s, bras flying from the flagposts at summer camp - it was like my life was rushing back into focus. We’re the generation of girls who fought over our favorite Beatle—and still do!...And then there is the shadow that cancer has cast over our lives. We’ve all been touched, whether it’s a mother or a sister or a friend. Like I said in a tweet, Claudia seems like the sister I never had. My own personal book club will love this book.”— Margie White, Just the Bookstore

“Sternbach…is an impressive stylist and a candid guide through her life. Although the reality of kissing serves as the connecting thread, each essay is grounded in one of a wide variety of complementary topics, such as the first love as an adolescent, best friends, parents, sisters, birthdays, tennis, summer camp, air travel, marriage, divorce, cancer, rape and death—among others. Sternbach has carefully considered how to make a life story interesting through unusual yet approachable formatting, and she throws humor, sarcasm and self-deprecation into the mix….A memorable, laugh-out-loud, cry-out-loud essay collection for both genders and all ages.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Reading Lips: a Memoir of Kisses rings true and sweet as a music box. In a sea of memoirs based on big marketing hooks, Sternbach’s subtle theme is refreshing and, you come to realize, profound. Flawless pitch and balance. Guileless, unaffected writing. A book club’s dream date. I loved this perfect little opal earring of a book.” — Joni Rodgers