Literacy and Longing in L.A.

One woman's passion for books and search for romance lie at the heart of this touching and funny novel about literature and longing in Los Angeles. 'Women do different things when they're depressed. Some smoke, others drink, some call their therapists, some eat!And I do what I have always done -- go off on a book bender that can last for days.' Whenever she's in crisis -- her marriage ends, her career stalls, her fantasy man shows signs of human frailty -- Dora (named after Eudora Welty) escapes into not one, not two, but a carefully selected stack of books, shutting the door on the outside world until she emerges from her book binge strong enough to face her problems. Books have always been her saving grace, sheltering her during a difficult childhood and arming her with lessons and epigrams that are right for nearly every situation. But life is more complicated than a-book-a-day, and people -- like her ex-alcoholic mother and judgmental sister -- aren't as compliant as beloved characters in a novel!

Whether she's being seduced by a quotation-quipping Quixote, or explaining death to a child by reading from 'Charlotte's Web', Dora is Every-reader, and her charming story, shot through with humour and humanity, will delight anyone who's ever sought solace in the pages of a book.

Genre: General Fiction

"A wonderful story that completely won me over - insecure bookish Dora will appeal to anyone who has ever found solace or inspiration in reading. This is chick lit for bookworms, at times breezy, sexy, profound..." - Denise Hamilton

"A delightfully stylish romp through life and love in Southern California in which our heroine offers irrefutable proof that literacy and L.A. are not mutually exclusive." - Judith Ryan Hendricks

"A poignant and witty tale of life, love and letters in Los Angles... [a] brilliant debut novel." - Karen Quinn

"I'm absolutely crazy about Literacy and Longing in L.A., which deftly serves up all the best elements of so-called 'chick lit,' lovingly larded with light-hearted, quick-witted, absolutely astonishing learning!" - Carolyn See