First published 2019
Anna Quindlen steps into her newest role as Nana to her grandson Arthur. She discovers the pure magic in small moments: Arthur's tiny hand slipping into hers, soft as feathers, or his delighted shout of "Nana!" delivered with the enthusiasm most people reserve for ice cream or shoe sales. No one has sounded that happy to see her in years. But grandmotherhood requires a fundamental shift. Quindlen must learn to follow where she once led, becoming a secondary character rather than the primary decision maker. She navigates the delicate balance of supporting her grandson's parents while finding her own place in this new family dynamic. A friend offers crucial wisdom: "Did they ask you?" The question becomes her guide for knowing when to step in and when to step back. Through personal stories and honest reflection, Quindlen examines how women reinvent themselves across different life stages, from mother to mother-in-law to grandmother, finding unexpected joy in each transformation.
Genres: family, family-life, non-fiction, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
Period: 21st-Century
162 pages · Hardcover · Random House