Live and Let Love: Notes from Extraordinary Women on the Layers, the Laughter, and the Litter of Love

by Andrea J. Buchanan, Lee Woodruff (Contributor)

An award-winning actress. A soldier’s wife. A cancer survivor. A college student. What these women—what all of us—have in common is a need for to give it, to receive it, to express its many aspects. Now Andrea Buchanan, who Cosmopolitan called the “girl power guru,” follows her first collection, Note to Self, with a new compilation of thought-provoking, illuminating, often poignant essays on love written by some of America’s most fascinating and vibrant women. Join author and cancer survivor Kelly Corrigan, describing why her most romantic fantasy now involves sitting on the sofa opening the mail; journalist Giselle Fernandez, sharing why, even though the journey can sometimes end painfully, an adventure in love should never be passed up; Afghanistan war widow Marie Tillman on learning to open her heart again after the devastating loss of her husband, Pat; celebrity stylist Tameka Raymond on the challenges of marrying the rap star Usher in the glare of the public eye; and college student Jaclyn Katz on how her “perfect” traditional family fell apart, and her mother’s brother and his partner gave her back the stability that could have been lost forever. These courageous women have portrayed their own innermost emotions and laid bare their own experiences for readers to learn from, laugh at, and lean on.

277 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2011

About the author

Andrea J. Buchanan is a New York Times bestselling author whose latest book is THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING, which was a finalist for the 2019 PEN/E.O. Wilson Award for Literary Science Writing. Her other work includes the multimedia young adult novel GIFT, the internationally bestselling THE DARING BOOK FOR GIRLS, her essay collection on early motherhood MOTHER SHOCK: LOVING EVERY (OTHER) MINUTE OF IT, and seven other books. Before becoming a writer, Andi trained as a pianist, earning a bachelor of music degree in piano performance from the Boston Conservatory of Music and a master's in piano performance from the San Francisco Conservatory. Her last recital was at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall. She lives with her family in Philadelphia.

Reviews

[Murlene Leech]

Excellent, enjoyable short essays.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real stories on people you know threw the media or other ways..On love life and heartbreaks..Enjoyed wods of wisdom from Lee WoodRuff( she is a coauthor of The New York Times bestseller in an Instant and the Perfectly Imperfect- A life in Progress.)She is married to ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff.....some of you might Kmow he was hurt by a roadside bomb reporting on a story at war..Crisis has a way of working on any marriage..These are her words: Time,Life, routine and details become the sandpaer,the emory board that can wear love down in a marriage,leaving a couple shaking ther head and wondering how it slipped away.I just really like the way she puts this down.{I also enjoyed this one} Laughter is the Key,Laugh together,Laugh often,laugh when you want to cry, and laugh at yourself.It's much harder fot the heart to break when your laughing out loud.These are just a few lines to what she has to say..Everyone has a past and everyone has a story..These stories these women tell are heart opening.....

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Live and Let Love is an anthology by many women writers and their life experiences. It was captivating, courageous and even entertaining. In this anthology, many precious moments were held and most of the stories took place in the past. Each story is equally powerful and good as the last one. Start anywhere and you will find an inspiring story.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of short story length, samey anecdotes by women so 'famous' that I have not heard of any of them, about loves in their lives. A bit sentimental and a bit boring after reading five on the trot. The End. I am not finishing the book.

[Patrice · Rating 2 out of 5]

A variety of stories from women and their loves - some are unique!

[Cathey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting short love stories...several were very touching.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting stories, though I was expecting some rather more unconventional stuff. Worth reading, but not life-changing.

[JoAnn Shook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful stories of love & relationships! Favorite was the last chapter by Bob Woodward's wife!