Breezy and funny but thought-provoking too. An essay collection may not seem like the most obvious beach read, but this delightful little book is the perfect thing for the beach, or the plane, or the car this summer. Anne Leary brings her unique humor to topics we will all find familiar. She opens herself and her family up just enough to remind us that we are all facing the same daily joys and absurdities and challenges. She’s like a friend over coffee or a college roommate on the phone decades later—you’re never sure where the conversation will go next, but you’re glad to be along for the ride.
I’ve Tried Being Nice: Essay by Ann Leary, (List Price: $28.99, Marysue Rucci Books, 9781982120344, June 2024)
Reviewed by Amanda Grell, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas