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Pitching My Tent: On Marriage, Motherhood, Friendship, and Other Leaps of Faith
A charming and affecting book of reflections on the milestones, revelations and balancing acts of life as a wife, mother, friend and member of a religious community Before The Red Tent and Good Harbor, Anita Diamant was a columnist. Pitching My Tent collects the finest of her pieces, all freshly revised, updated, and enriched with new material, forming a cohesive and compelling narrative. Organized into six parts, the shape of the book reflects the general shape of adult life, chronicling its emotional and practical turning points. There are sections on marriage and the nature of family; on the ties that bind mother and child; on the demands and rewards of friendship; on the challenges of balancing Jewish and secular calendars; on midlife; and on what it means to embrace Judaism in today's culture. Personal without being confessional, devotional but also genuinely funny, Pitching My Tent displays the wit, warmth, honesty, and wisdom that always delight Diamant's readers.
223 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2003
12 people are currently reading
551 people want to read
About the author
Anita Diamant
30 books4,802 followersAnita Diamant is the author of thirteen books -- including THE RED TENT. Based on the biblical story of Dinah, THE RED TENT became a word-of-mouth bestseller in the US and around the world, where it has been published in more than 25 countries.
Her new book, a work of nonfiction. PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE. A NEW CHAPTER IN THE FIGHT FOR MENSTRUAL JUSTICE will be published in May 2021., As different as they are, this book returns to some of the themes of THE RED TENT -- including the meaning and experience of menstruation.
Anita has written four other novels: GOOD HARBOR, THE LAST DAYS OF DOGTOWN, DAY AFTER NIGHT, and THE BOSTON GIRL. She is also the author of six non-fiction guides to contemporary Jewish life, which have become classic reference books: THE JEWISH WEDDING NOW, THE JEWISH BABY BOOK, LIVING A JEWISH LIFE, CHOOSING A JEWISH LIFE, HOW TO RAISE A JEWISH CHILD, and SAYING KADDISH..
An award-winning journalist, Diamant's articles have appeared in the Boston Globe, Real Simple, Parenting Magazine, Hadassah, Boston Magazine and Yankee Magazine. PITCHING MY TENT, a collection personal essays, is drawn from twenty years worth of newspaper and magazine columns.
Her new book, a work of nonfiction. PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE. A NEW CHAPTER IN THE FIGHT FOR MENSTRUAL JUSTICE will be published in May 2021., As different as they are, this book returns to some of the themes of THE RED TENT -- including the meaning and experience of menstruation.
Anita has written four other novels: GOOD HARBOR, THE LAST DAYS OF DOGTOWN, DAY AFTER NIGHT, and THE BOSTON GIRL. She is also the author of six non-fiction guides to contemporary Jewish life, which have become classic reference books: THE JEWISH WEDDING NOW, THE JEWISH BABY BOOK, LIVING A JEWISH LIFE, CHOOSING A JEWISH LIFE, HOW TO RAISE A JEWISH CHILD, and SAYING KADDISH..
An award-winning journalist, Diamant's articles have appeared in the Boston Globe, Real Simple, Parenting Magazine, Hadassah, Boston Magazine and Yankee Magazine. PITCHING MY TENT, a collection personal essays, is drawn from twenty years worth of newspaper and magazine columns.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 5, 2013
This is actually more of a 3.5 star book (I'm rounding up because 3 stars is just too low). Nice collection of essays. Some were beautiful. I especially enjoyed "Fireflies" which compared romantic love to married love. Poetically written and so TRUE. Another favorite was "Vigil" about the ICU waiting room. That one really resonated for me. "Midlife, The Beginning" and "My Teacher" were also solid. I found myself craving raspberries after reading Diamant's rhapsody "Heaven on Earth". She is so right about raspberries. Why don't I eat them more often?
Much of this books focuses on her religion and how it relates to her everyday life. I know very little about Judaism and so felt that I learned a bit from this book. It also felt very mysterious to me. Different traditions, different vocabulary, different outlook on so many things. You would think it would make it hard to relate (and in a few cases/essays it did) but overall her truths felt like my truths and I appreciated much of what she had to say.
Much of this books focuses on her religion and how it relates to her everyday life. I know very little about Judaism and so felt that I learned a bit from this book. It also felt very mysterious to me. Different traditions, different vocabulary, different outlook on so many things. You would think it would make it hard to relate (and in a few cases/essays it did) but overall her truths felt like my truths and I appreciated much of what she had to say.
March 24, 2016
Delightful essays and musings about life that are sometimes poignant and often funny. Diamant is an award-winning journalist and author who has that keen eye for the small things in life that resonates with readers. For instance, raspberries: "Tiny beaded lanterns, the color of a heart newly fallen in love--the architecture of the raspberry is precise and geometric, yet tender. There is even a specific, funny name for its succulent subdivisions: druplets." 180
I also appreciate the fact that she writes so honestly about herself, especially her discovery of her roots in Reformed Judaism and what having a spiritual community has done for her life. "Community is the place with dozen familiar faces (some with names attached) that always smile back. It is where I am told what a great kid I have been by strangers and comforted on the anniversary of my father's death by acquaintances. It is where I feel connected to people I don't even like, but who are part of my life by virtue of membership and affiliation and accident." 218 We all need a community to belong somewhere.
Some of the short essays are exquisite; all are worth reading.
I also appreciate the fact that she writes so honestly about herself, especially her discovery of her roots in Reformed Judaism and what having a spiritual community has done for her life. "Community is the place with dozen familiar faces (some with names attached) that always smile back. It is where I am told what a great kid I have been by strangers and comforted on the anniversary of my father's death by acquaintances. It is where I feel connected to people I don't even like, but who are part of my life by virtue of membership and affiliation and accident." 218 We all need a community to belong somewhere.
Some of the short essays are exquisite; all are worth reading.
February 9, 2009
I like this author's writing, but I'm not a fan of her outlook on life. Reading the favorite columns that she has written over the years would have been more interesting if I viewed life in a similar way. I found myself not agreeing with her, philosophically, on many points. I didn't enjoy it so I decided to stop where I was and move on to another book.
August 29, 2019
This isn't a novel. It's a book of Anita Diamant's reflections about marriage, motherhood, friendship and religion. Very easy to read. The other book of hers that I read ages ago was "The Red Tent" which was excellent.
July 21, 2011
I'm neither married nor a mother nor religious, but there is a comfort and warmth to Diamant's writing that touched me. She tells her own stories, because stories are meant to be told. She hasn't got the slightest intention of preaching or telling her reader(s) to live her kind of life. But she's living it and it hasn't been all smooth. But there has been joy and sharing and a growing capacity to have fun in unexpected ways. That's really what she wanted to tell us.
January 26, 2008
Gah! Really made me wish I was Jewish.
March 14, 2019
If you've read The Red Tent (and if you haven't, why not??) then you know Anita Diamant. In this collection of essays on "marriage, motherhood, friendship, and other leaps of faith," Pitching My Tent chronicles adult life and its many milestones, as well as offering a primer of sorts on the Jewish faith, its holidays and traditions. "The Mother's Bat Mitzvah Speech" is especially endearing.
April 2, 2019
I find sometimes that those who write regular essays and columns for newspapers don't translate well to a book of those essays. Maybe because their regular work is time-based - poignant in the moment, sometimes less so, or harder to understand context, looking back five, ten, or twenty years. Some lovely bits, but mostly didn't captivate me.
December 8, 2022
This is is my second read of this excellent set of essays by Anita Diamant. I read it initially as a younger woman. I find the essays are just as meaningful now to my older self; however, they touch a different part of me.
Diamant is a powerful writer of both fiction and nonfiction. Don't miss her.
Diamant is a powerful writer of both fiction and nonfiction. Don't miss her.
July 30, 2023
I read this book for the 52 books in 52 weeks reading challenge. I used the 2023 reading challenge prompt read a book with an auther with the same name as you. This is a collection of short non fiction essays. It is a quick read. Some are funny. others are relateable. I enjoyed it over all.
November 23, 2019
Essays originally written for a weekly newspaper column. My favorite: "Nagging".
March 17, 2020
I found these short articles very entertaining & thoughtful A wonderful, quick read.
December 24, 2023
Really enjoyed her essays. Very light and comforting.
August 24, 2025
musings of a liberal Jewish woman from 20 years ago, some of it felt a bit dated.
March 2, 2010
"Despite their ephemerality and downy sensuality...I have never heard raspberries called an aphrodisiac. They do not make you want to do anything but eat more raspberries. Which makes them truly paradisical."
This quote, from an essay on how awesome raspberries are, encompasses Anita Diamant's attitude to writing, life, and the nature of joy. Lush, fleeting, a pleasure in itself, that's the way things are.
I. loved. this. book. A collection of very short essays on - in this order -1)romantic love and marriage(with the keen observation that its so important not to sleep alone), 2)her daughter Emilia (hehe. but alot about watching someone grow up and wishing them well), 3) friendship, 4) Jewish holiday celebrations (hooray for the Sukkah!), 5) aging, 6) the joys and complications of being Jewish. They went by too fast, really. Diamant has a good sense of humor and relatability -- she never puts anyone down or holds up her own experiences as definitive and universal, but somehow they work on a really gut level. She just seems to have a faith and hope in the goodness and richness of life and the power that our families and friends and traditions and histories have to sustain us through the hard times -- which she doesn't mince words about. Birth and children are ever-present in her essays -- but so is death and loss. Sometimes there is no silver lining. Sometimes we just have to keep going. She's not a hippy optimist by any stretch, but she's not a calculating rationalist either, and her gentle realism is refreshing.
Some great observations.
"Despite the endless political posturing about the importance of marriage and family values, everything around us venerates romantic love, which is self-centered and deliciously anti-social." (This seems like a big duh I had never quite put together before)
On Rosh Hashanah "It is the birthday of the world every minute.Tonight we come to remember and rejoice. My cantor opens her mouth to sing and we catch fire."
On being a part of a congregation "I can always throw up my hands and go somewhere else, but that would only mean I'd have to find myself a parallel universe with its own cast of characters and confrontations. So Beth El will remain my spiritual home, my sacred mess."
On holidays: "Holidays drop an anchor in time... Holidays grab time by its invisible hand and invite it to the table, where it seems almost palpable."
and "Hope - no less than monotheism itself - is a normative and non-negotiable pillar of the Jewish mandate."
I read a couple books this fall that really called into sharp relief the harsh differences between Judaism and Christianity, and Catholicism in particular. While it's good to learn about those, and think about the differences, there's also a big swath of common ground that this book reminded me of, as well as a lot of particularly Jewish lessons and attitudes that resonate with and fascinate me. Diamant stressed, without ever actually saying it (secret, this book wasn't structured around Judaism entirely, but as a religious person it was unapologetically interwoven into her view of the world), that Judaism is a very earthly and even somewhat earthy religion, that faith in other people and in our own world is essential, and that there is a real positive power to continuing to wrestle with and fill in the blanks of and apply faith to contemporary life (yeah midrash! et. al.). So thanks, Anita. I didn't quite know how much I needed this.
This quote, from an essay on how awesome raspberries are, encompasses Anita Diamant's attitude to writing, life, and the nature of joy. Lush, fleeting, a pleasure in itself, that's the way things are.
I. loved. this. book. A collection of very short essays on - in this order -1)romantic love and marriage(with the keen observation that its so important not to sleep alone), 2)her daughter Emilia (hehe. but alot about watching someone grow up and wishing them well), 3) friendship, 4) Jewish holiday celebrations (hooray for the Sukkah!), 5) aging, 6) the joys and complications of being Jewish. They went by too fast, really. Diamant has a good sense of humor and relatability -- she never puts anyone down or holds up her own experiences as definitive and universal, but somehow they work on a really gut level. She just seems to have a faith and hope in the goodness and richness of life and the power that our families and friends and traditions and histories have to sustain us through the hard times -- which she doesn't mince words about. Birth and children are ever-present in her essays -- but so is death and loss. Sometimes there is no silver lining. Sometimes we just have to keep going. She's not a hippy optimist by any stretch, but she's not a calculating rationalist either, and her gentle realism is refreshing.
Some great observations.
"Despite the endless political posturing about the importance of marriage and family values, everything around us venerates romantic love, which is self-centered and deliciously anti-social." (This seems like a big duh I had never quite put together before)
On Rosh Hashanah "It is the birthday of the world every minute.Tonight we come to remember and rejoice. My cantor opens her mouth to sing and we catch fire."
On being a part of a congregation "I can always throw up my hands and go somewhere else, but that would only mean I'd have to find myself a parallel universe with its own cast of characters and confrontations. So Beth El will remain my spiritual home, my sacred mess."
On holidays: "Holidays drop an anchor in time... Holidays grab time by its invisible hand and invite it to the table, where it seems almost palpable."
and "Hope - no less than monotheism itself - is a normative and non-negotiable pillar of the Jewish mandate."
I read a couple books this fall that really called into sharp relief the harsh differences between Judaism and Christianity, and Catholicism in particular. While it's good to learn about those, and think about the differences, there's also a big swath of common ground that this book reminded me of, as well as a lot of particularly Jewish lessons and attitudes that resonate with and fascinate me. Diamant stressed, without ever actually saying it (secret, this book wasn't structured around Judaism entirely, but as a religious person it was unapologetically interwoven into her view of the world), that Judaism is a very earthly and even somewhat earthy religion, that faith in other people and in our own world is essential, and that there is a real positive power to continuing to wrestle with and fill in the blanks of and apply faith to contemporary life (yeah midrash! et. al.). So thanks, Anita. I didn't quite know how much I needed this.
June 9, 2009
I wasn't terribly impressed by "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant, but had heard many good things about this essay collection, so I thought I'd give her another try. I'm glad I did, because it was a very enjoyable read. Being neither a mother nor a Jew, there were many essays I couldn't relate all that much to, but being a wife and religious (even if it is Christianity rather than Judaism) there were many others that I could. Not a book that "rocked my world", but a pleasant pass-time.
I did enjoy this quote from it though: "Friends [...:] are as essential as bread; as crucial as chocolate." Too true!
I did enjoy this quote from it though: "Friends [...:] are as essential as bread; as crucial as chocolate." Too true!
October 31, 2009
Compilation of essays about the author's life and family. I particularly enjoyed her references to observing the Sabbath, lighting the candles every Friday night, sharing a moment of warmth and affection with her family.
In the chapter "Joyful Noise," she writes about the importance of music in religious life. "Music can be transforming, transfixing, transcendent. It can break your heart and it can heal you." "Music speaks to the spirit unmediated. Its magic is undeniable . . . As lovely as the letters are on the page, when they are married to melody they have the power to reshape the whole universe, atom by atom, breath by breath."
In the chapter "Joyful Noise," she writes about the importance of music in religious life. "Music can be transforming, transfixing, transcendent. It can break your heart and it can heal you." "Music speaks to the spirit unmediated. Its magic is undeniable . . . As lovely as the letters are on the page, when they are married to melody they have the power to reshape the whole universe, atom by atom, breath by breath."
September 23, 2016
A collection of essays from various magazines she has written for in the past by the well-known author of The Red Tent. Many of these essays pertain to various holidays, celebrations, observances, perspectives of being Jewish which Anita Diamant wears proudly. However many of the essays can also be of interest to anyone as she speaks to stages of life: courting, becoming a parent, parenting, middle age, etc. The essays are for the most part short and her style is easy to read making this book convenient to pick up and put down without losing a flow of a full-length narrative.
March 22, 2017
I WANT THIS BOOK!!! Really badly. I have it checked out from the library, and quite frankly, had to quit reading as I really need my own copy that I can notate places in the book!
3 pages in and already decided!!!! EEEEEKKKKKSSSS!
Friday, July 18, 2008:::::Returned it to the library yesterday, didn't want to, wonder if I could sneak it out and keep it, LOL! Just kidding. But definitely on my Wish List!!!
3 pages in and already decided!!!! EEEEEKKKKKSSSS!
Friday, July 18, 2008:::::Returned it to the library yesterday, didn't want to, wonder if I could sneak it out and keep it, LOL! Just kidding. But definitely on my Wish List!!!
July 15, 2009
You would have to be a stone not to be moved by the quotidian and the spiritual as described by Anita Diamant in her memoir. I wish she were my best friend. Don't miss out on this beautifully written collection of essays about a life of humble milestones and Jewish faith. If after reading you declare you can't relate, then do as Anne Sexton admonishes us in her "Words for Dr.Y": 'As Ruth said, "Enlarge the place of thy tent."'
September 17, 2009
Diament offers a journal style non-fiction work of her thoughts and views on her own life. The book covers her religious choices, her views on marriage and parenting and other topics relevant to her life. My favorite chapter was her discussion of "The Red Tent". The only reason I read this book was my love of "The Red Tent". I would not recommend this book as a must read, but if you loved "The Red Tent" you might find Diamant's personal story interesting.
September 7, 2010
I really enjoyed this collection. Some were a little harder to relate to, especially those about Jewish life but even those were informative and a quick read besides.
All were worth the read, but I did have a few favorites. They include: "Reading Material" in which the name of a dear family friend popped off the pages as the author of the book Ms. Diamant's daughter chose as her first read. The other is "Heaven on Earth" and ode to raspberries, my favorite fruit.
All were worth the read, but I did have a few favorites. They include: "Reading Material" in which the name of a dear family friend popped off the pages as the author of the book Ms. Diamant's daughter chose as her first read. The other is "Heaven on Earth" and ode to raspberries, my favorite fruit.
July 20, 2010
The book is a compulsively readable collection of essays, many about Jewish life. In some, her honesty and wonder at life's difficulties inspired me. In others, I felt she tried too hard to make American life "Jewish." Jews do not need to read how Thanksgiving can be celebrated "Jewishly"--we already have Sukkot. Thanksgiving is time to be American! She did, however, make me want to celebrate Sukkot. Someplace warm.
July 3, 2011
I wanted to read this book because we used an excerpt from it in our wedding ceremony. (It's called Why Marry? and it's very moving. Read it!) I loved some of the things Diamant said about dogs and also loved the portion about women's friendships, but the book was largely based on her religion and I did not relate to it so much. I like her voice and she portrays herself as a kind and compassionate woman. I just think the book was not exactly a match for me.
December 7, 2015
I stumbled across this book by accident and am so glad I did. Loved The Red Tent, of course, but was unsure what to expect from this little book of essays. What I found was beautiful writing on motherhood, friendship and religious traditions. Its a sweet book that I want to share with friends when they have babies, or are in mourning, or just because we're friends. She says much of what I want to say, if I could find the words. This book was a treat!
August 24, 2007
This is a book of essays that the author wrote over a period of 20 years for various publications. It's a VERY fast read and most of the essays are less than 5 pages. She focuses a lot on her faith (Judaism) and it's relationship to other aspects of her life. Nothing super profound, but I like her perspective on most issues.
May 18, 2013
This was an easy read that covered a lot of topics familiar to women, most especially moms and wives. There were many that referenced Jewish life, and not being Jewish they didn't have as much of an effect on me as they likely would a Jewish reader. But I still enjoyed reading it. Probably a good choice for readers familiar and a fan of Diamant's work, and not a first intro for new readers.
March 28, 2015
Love her essays, especially "Girlfriends in Particular" and this quote: "We all love our families, but the truth is, they drive us nuts. ... Our friends listen to us complain about our families. They validate and sympathize with the problems that are genuine, and help us see when we’re overreacting. Friends don’t nag. I think that may be the definition of a friend."
May 26, 2016
I love the way that Anita Diamant writes. It is so simple, clear, string, decisive, and illuminating. These essays are short, sweet, varied, deep and light all at once. I would love to take my opinions and observations about the world and put them out there in such a readable and entertaining way.
March 5, 2008
I love Anita Diamante's writing so much, I'd probably find a way to be inspired reading her grocery list. There's just something about her insight and the thoughtful way she puts words together . . . this book was a treat.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews