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Find me at jodishdoff@substack.com.
I take two minutes out of my day to tell you everything about a book—based solely on the cover art, cover lines, and title. Why? Because I can resist anything1 but a good-looking book cover.
Short Attention Span Reader presents
Widow in the City by Amy Gabrielle
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TL;DR: Widow in the City: A memoir of Heartbreaks and Hookups : After her husband’s death, the author grapples with the duality of loss—mourning her husband while embracing her newfound freedom and sexuality—she discovers that grief and pleasure can coexist in surprising ways.
May 1, 2026: Editor on Board with Jennifer Silva Redmond- “I can safely state that I haven’t ever read a memoir written so honestly…I finished reading it less than two days.”
December 16, 2025: Kirkus Reviews “Engaging, personal, and sometimes-disturbing recollections of passion and grief.”
December 2025 Los Angeles Book Review: “(S)o much more than the salacious title suggests. It’s a raw, unflinching look at what happens when your entire life structure collapses, and you have to rebuild everything from the foundation up.”
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Totally untrue. I can’t resist anything at all. At one time or another I have been unable to control myself around just about everything: booze, drugs, men, spending, food, the list grows and boggles the mind.
Short Attention Span Reader
I see book covers.
August 18 - Michael Lowenthal & Place Envy - Essays in Search of Orientation
September 15 - Aimee Noel & Slag
October 13 - Jill Swenson & The Land of Everlasting Sky
November 17 - Irena Smith & Troika
December 15 - <Mary L. Tabor> & Honeymoon at Sea
If you’re interested in being part of this mild case of less than literary insanity, and have a book currently out or about to launch, let me know. Contact form here.
COMING SOON: August 8 at 2pm
Caring for Elderly & Aging Parents
Conversations with Caregivers
Caregiver was never, ever what we wanted to be when we grew up.
Caregiving tends to fall to women—for aging parents, special needs kids, incarcerated family members, spouses and friends. Through illness, life, end of life, and next chapters. Let’s get real about it,
my babies. Love & resentment can exist at the same time.
The second Saturday of each month, at 2:00 pm Eastern Time, 1pm Central, 11am Pacific, sharing our stories, along with tips, hope, silliness, and struggles.
August 8 - Caring for elderly & aging parents with Sue Fagalde Lick of Can I Do It Alone & Karen Wesley of I Write the Hard Things.
September 12 - Housing options. My house, your house, assisted living, or memory care? with Tina Madras of Dad Lives with Me and Pam Johnston of the Middler.
Upcoming Topics
Caregiving a loved on with dementia
Caregiver daughters and narcissistic mothers
Life after caregiving, when you’ve lost your central focus
End of life decisions and choices
Caring for the caregiver, but really, how does that actually work?
If you’re a current or former caregiver, if your life has been touched by dementia, illness, addiction, death, or incarceration, and you’d like to be part of this project, get in touch with me here.
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