Kisses, even the ones that don t happen, can be the trace of what s constant when life changes. In childhood, when what seems to define everything is competition for style, for knowing, for experience a kiss is the first first. When a girl s father moves out and chooses a new family, a kiss on the head from him may be the trace of constancy that she wants most. Later, such things take on a different flavor. Sometimes the kiss she wants doesn t come. Sometimes the one she wouldn t have is forced upon her. From time to time, the one she has kissed before is lost to her. Some kisses are final. When things are most hectic a kiss can be a celebration. And when circumstances grow threatening to a woman, her family, her sister a kiss becomes the reassertion of the most vital connections. The rich story in these essays rings with good humor and with moving wistfulness. Throughout, Sternbach maintains a perfect balance between them as her story moves from the bittersweet desires of childhood on through loss and love. Reading Lips is the tale of one woman who is just trying to get life right.
Reading Lips: A Memoir of Kisses
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A woman's life recalled through kisses: the blissful, the unwelcome, and those she longed for that never came."—People Magazine
"Moving....what makes this book so easy to love is its offbeat execution...her breezy prose has a natural, effortless quality that is surely the result of great care."—Newest.net
“Small moments and large tragedies are handled with unselfconscious delicacy and humor in this sweet read.”—Library Journal’s Booksmack
“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
“Excellent memoir, ‘Reading Lips,’ reveals a life, one kiss at a time”—Good Times, Santa Cruz
"Tells of the kisses that shaped her life and uses them to tell of her search to get life right in a sharp, funny memoir, ideal for other women seeking the same thing."—bookviews.com
"Witty, insightful, and full of promise. Sternbach goes through her own tragedies and has seen fit to share them with us in a way that makes life seem like an adventure; something to be taken advantage of and embraced. This book is recommended for women, but men could learn a thing or two as well."—Tulsa Books Examiner
"Moving....what makes this book so easy to love is its offbeat execution...her breezy prose has a natural, effortless quality that is surely the result of great care."—Newest.net
“Small moments and large tragedies are handled with unselfconscious delicacy and humor in this sweet read.”—Library Journal’s Booksmack
“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
“Excellent memoir, ‘Reading Lips,’ reveals a life, one kiss at a time”—Good Times, Santa Cruz
"Tells of the kisses that shaped her life and uses them to tell of her search to get life right in a sharp, funny memoir, ideal for other women seeking the same thing."—bookviews.com
"Witty, insightful, and full of promise. Sternbach goes through her own tragedies and has seen fit to share them with us in a way that makes life seem like an adventure; something to be taken advantage of and embraced. This book is recommended for women, but men could learn a thing or two as well."—Tulsa Books Examiner
About the Author
Claudia Sternbach is a writer who is equally at home on both coasts. She has one foot in Manhattan where her daughter resides and the other in Northern California where her husband is planted as firmly as the redwoods. She is the author of another memoir, Now Breathe (1999, Whiteaker Press), has been published in several anthologies as well as in major newspapers, and is the Editor in Chief of Memoir (and), a literary journal.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Reading Lips is a wonderful personal journey for all ages to enjoy.
Her writing style is so enjoyable taking you right into her life with ease.
As the reader, I couldn't wait to find out the ending of each event.
Thank you for sharing such tender moments.
Her writing style is so enjoyable taking you right into her life with ease.
As the reader, I couldn't wait to find out the ending of each event.
Thank you for sharing such tender moments.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By bonus
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved this book. I read it in one sitting because I could not put it down. You were with Claudia as she told each story. You felt her pain and cried and you could smile and laugh at her adventures. I loved it and recommend it to everyone.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By N. Wills
Format:Paperback
This is one of those stories, that really touches your heart. You follow Claudia on her growth through life. Some of it was very hilarious, such as her sisters walking in on her while she is practicing to kiss on her arm in preparation of kissing Jimmy. Other times, the kisses are bittersweet.
There are so many different types of kisses and you experience Claudia's life through each one. It's definitely a unique way of looking at life, one kiss at a time. You experience the anticipation of a great kiss, the let down of a bad kiss, and the sorrow of a goodbye kiss.
In conjunction with FCC regulations, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.
There are so many different types of kisses and you experience Claudia's life through each one. It's definitely a unique way of looking at life, one kiss at a time. You experience the anticipation of a great kiss, the let down of a bad kiss, and the sorrow of a goodbye kiss.
In conjunction with FCC regulations, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Kiss and Tell
Notice how many of the reviewers talk about being unable to put this book down? There's a reason--it picks up energy and speed like a little locomotive. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Susan Z. Bono
5.0 out of 5 stars
A blessing of a book!
I took up this book expecting kisses and a touch of romance, and I found a book about life. It turns out that kisses, like love, reach into all our stories and emotions, from pain... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Thad Nodine
4.0 out of 5 stars
Such a small book so many stories
This is a very sweet and easy read. It isn't all about kisses but more about the authors life. It spans childhood through her adult hood. Read more
Published 23 months ago by L. Phipps
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Kiss is never "just" a Kiss
Each human, each life, each story, each book...each kiss is unique and different. To be able to recall your life based upon kisses is a wondrous thing! Read more
Published 24 months ago by McGuffy Ann
4.0 out of 5 stars
Remember your life through it's kisses
Have you ever read a book that just flowed effortlessly from the pages and was just a comfortable fit? Reading Lips was such a book for me. Ms. Read more
Published on May 13, 2011 by K. Herbrand
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!
I really enjoyed Claudia's writing style - so easy to read - and such great, personal stories. You really felt like you were experiencing them right along with her. Read more
Published on May 6, 2011 by Gail
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witty and Wise
Reading Lips is a wise and witty account of Ms. Sternbach's experiences from the 50's through the present. Read more
Published on April 20, 2011 by becky peters
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witty stories of a life in kisses
Reading Lips by Claudia Sternbach is the story of a woman's life through kisses. Sternbach who told the story of her battle with cancer in Now Breathe is a remarkable author who... Read more
Published on April 19, 2011 by Christina Lockstein
5.0 out of 5 stars
fine relationship memoir
The essays are somewhat related by the memoirs of kissing connections, but in fact more tied together by relationships. Read more
Published on April 9, 2011 by Harriet Klausner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reading Lips
I read both of Ms. Sternbach's books in one weekend, couldn't put them down. I love her writing style. A delightful read!
Published on March 25, 2011 by norway girl
