Most Popular Books by Rachel Simon

A "heartwarming, life-affirming" memoir of a relationship with an intellectually disabled sibling: "Read this book. It might just change your life" ( Boston Herald). Beth is a spirited woman with an intellectual disability who lives intensely and often joyfully, and spends most of her days riding the buses in Pennsylvania. The drivers, a lively group, are her mentors; her fellow passengers, her community—though some display less patience or kindness than others. Her sister, Rachel, a teacher and writer, camouflages her emotional isolation by leading a hyperbusy life. But one day, Beth asks Rachel to accompany her on public transportation for an entire year—and Rachel accepts. This wise, funny, deeply affecting book is the chronicle of that remarkable time, as Rachel learns how to live in the moment, how to pay attention to what really matters, how to change, how to love—and how to slow down and enjoy the ride. Weaving in anecdotes and memories of terrifying maternal abandonment, fierce sisterly loyalty, and astonishing forgiveness, Rachel Simon brings to light a world that is almost invisible to many people, finds unlikely heroes in everyday life, and, without sentimentality, wrestles with her own limitations and portrays Beth as the endearing, feisty, independent person she is. "With tenderness and fury, heartbreak and acceptance . . . Simon comes to the inescapable conclusion that we are all riders on the bus, and on the bus we are all the same." —Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean

Rachel Simon’s debut, originally published in 1990, is a collection of stories about the struggle for love and intimacy, told from the point of view of adolescent girls, young mothers, and elderly women. Some are rooted in reality, others in magical realism, with tones ranging from serious to comic, sunny to dark. Throughout, Simon employs such a wide range of voices—sweet, shrewd, wistful, irascible, vulnerable, sensual—the Philadelphia Inquirer hailed her as “a literary ventriloquist.” Among the highlights are “Little Nightmares, Little Dreams,” in which an elderly couple enters the unknown by trying to dream the same dream; “Paint,” in which a runaway-turned-artist’s-model provokes protests after her naked body becomes the canvas; “Afterglow,” in which a plucky thirteen-year-old playing hooky is held hostage by an escaped convict; “Grandma Death,” in which an overbearing grandmother can’t seem to go anywhere without someone dropping dead; and “Better Than A Box of Dreams,” in which a maid irritated by her boss’s dream therapy sessions dreams her own fondest wish back to life. Little Nightmares, Little Dreams was presented on NPR’s Selected Shorts and the Lifetime program The Hidden Room. “Paint” and “The Speed of Love” were adapted by the Arden Theatre Company, and “Better Than A Box of Dreams” for InterAct Theatre, both in Philadelphia. This 2014 ebook rerelease includes four previously uncollected stories. It also includes a new introduction that tells the story of the book’s astonishing path to publication, reveals the inspiration behind several stories, and offers wisdom from a seasoned writing friend that writers everywhere will treasure.

It is 1968. Lynnie, a young white woman with a developmental disability, and Homan, an African American deaf man, are locked away in an institution, the School for the Incurable and Feebleminded, and have been left to languish, forgotten. Deeply in love, they escape, and find refuge in the farmhouse of Martha, a retired schoolteacher and widow. But the couple is not alone-Lynnie has just given birth to a baby girl. When the authorities catch up to them that same night, Homan escapes into the darkness, and Lynnie is caught. But before she is forced back into the institution, she whispers two words to Martha: "Hide her." And so begins the 40-year epic journey of Lynnie, Homan, Martha, and baby Julia-lives divided by seemingly insurmountable obstacles, yet drawn together by a secret pact and extraordinary love.

This inspirational guide for aspiring and experienced writers was originally published in 1997. Written in a friendly, hopeful, and gently humorous tone, it focuses on the creative process and emotional ups and downs of the creative life, providing insights into how to persist in the face of rejection, frustration, feelings of inadequacy, lack of support from loved ones, and more. It also offers practical how-to advice, from organizing your time so you actually sit down and write to reading as a writer. This ebook’s rerelease of The Writer’s Survival Guide includes a new introduction that discusses the origins of the book and how, in spite of the many changes in publishing and technology, it remains relevant today.

The bestselling author of Riding the Bus with My Sister shares an illuminating and beautifully woven memoir about the unexpected ways a home renovation can repair a heart. When Rachel Simon and her architect husband begin to renovate their house on Teacher''s Lane, she braces herself for the ups and downs that often accompany such projects. But to her surprise, as the old walls fall and new paint appears, she is propelled into a transformative journey as she confronts forgotten memories and repairs fractured bonds with those closest to her. This compassionate and humorous book shimmers with insights into the healing power of forgiveness, the struggle to find meaning and purpose, the compatibility of imperfection and happiness, and the ways that lost relationships—with friends, parents, siblings, spouse, and even self—can be rekindled. Fans of Riding the Bus with My Sister and new readers alike will be drawn to Simon''s masterful storytelling and profoundly life-affirming tale. Her story will resonate with anyone who''s ever experienced the most universal human emotion—love, in its many forms—and wrestled with its hardest questions.

The new memoir from the author of Riding the Bus with My Sister describes the unexpected emotional journey resulting from her and her husband''s decision to renovate their small, historic home.

This wild, magic-realist ride of a novel, originally published in 1994, is funny, sexy, satirical, linguistically exuberant, and utterly unique. Written as a fictional biography, it tells the life story of a woman with magical sexual powers that she uses to heal people. The story follows our heroine from her miraculous birth through her childhood in a magical orphanage to adulthood, when she uncovers sinister conspiracies among political and well-hidden foes. Woven into The Magic Touch is that of her grandmother, whose mysterious background propels the story forward in ways that begin as Faustian and end up as spiritual. The story culminates in a spectacular—and hilarious—showdown between the forces of good and evil. This ebook re-release of The Magic Touch includes a new introduction that should be a must-read for fans of this book and aspiring writers everywhere. It reveals how Rachel stumbled on the idea for the heart of the story, the long journey she took in producing the book, and the kind words given by a respected professor that inspired her, at her lowest moment, to pick herself up and keep going. The Magic Touch was Rachel Simon’s second book and first novel. It was a 1994 selection of the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers program, which highlights books of exceptional literary quality from authors at the starts of their careers.

This study of the folktales of Libyan Jews examines their views regarding a wide range of social and cultural issues, some of which could not be expressed openly due to social and cultural inhibitions as well as the fear of the reaction of the surrounding Muslim majority. The study examines relationships between couples (how they got married and relations between the spouses), within the family (between parents and children and among siblings), the position of women, and attitudes towards the “Other” (mainly Muslims, as well as Christians, Jews from other locations, and non-humans).

An entertaining and comprehensive look at America’s fastest growing sport, Pickleball for All is the ultimate primer for any level of player interested in the wacky history, unique rules, and exciting future of pickleball. Bainbridge Island, Washington State. On a sleepy summer vacation, three dads with bored kids started a game with handmade equipment and rules that were even more hastily constructed. Pickleball—an accessible and engaging combination of sports like ping-pong and tennis—was born, and a rich history began to take shape. Fifty years later, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world to quarantine and hunt for new activities, Americans of all ages and athletic ability discovered pickleball, turning to the rapidly growing phenomenon as a way to stay active, safe, and entertained. With its unique rules, wacky terminology, and inclusive gameplay, pickleball caught the attention of the likes of the Kardashians, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Leonardo DiCaprio, and quickly became the world’s fastest growing sport with Olympic games potential.Few have followed pickleball’s ascent in American life as closely as New York Times writer and pickleball enthusiast Rachel Simon. Now Simon shares her fascination with the world in this lively, energetic primer for anyone wondering what in the world a dink is or why their neighbors have had a net up in their driveway since May 2020. From the history of the game to the basic rules (hint: you do not want to be caught in the “kitchen” during a volley), Simon offers a complete overview for casual and expert players alike. With easy-to-follow steps and expert advice, readers will learn everything they need to know, including information like: Where and how to set up a court Scoring, gameplay, and equipment Strategies to win at any skill level The difference between a dink, a drive, and a drop shot In addition, Simon weaves in inspiring stories from the world’s top players during their most exciting pickleball moments. An immersive look at a global phenomenon that’s only gaining momentum, Pickleball for All paints a vivid portrait of a new American pastime.

In de bekrompen jaren zestig in Amerika worden een dove, zwarte man en een blanke, stomme vrouw verliefd op elkaar. Ze ontsnappen samen uit de inrichting waarin ze leven, maar raken elkaar – en hun baby - op noodlottige wijze kwijt. Veertig jaar lang blijven ze van elkaar gescheiden door ogenschijnlijk onoverkomelijke hindernissen, maar een gedeeld geheim, een onverklaarbare aantrekkingskracht en een buitengewone liefde trekken hen naar elkaar toe... Zullen ze ooit herenigd worden?

1968. In una notte di tempesta, qualcuno bussa alla porta della fattoria dove vive Martha, vedova, senza figli e maestra in pensione. Sono un uomo di colore e una ragazza bianca, fradici e spaventati, in fuga da un famigerato Istituto nella contea vicina. Senza pensare alle possibili conseguenze, Martha li fa entrare in casa e offre loro tè caldo e abiti asciutti. Ma la polizia non tarda ad arrivare, e se l’uomo riesce a fuggire facendo perdere le proprie tracce, la ragazza viene presa in consegna e portata via dagli agenti. Prima di andare, però, la giovane sussurra una preghiera – «Nascondila!» – che sconvolgerà per sempre la vita di Martha. Perché ad attenderla in un angolo della soffitta l’anziana vedova trova una neonata della quale accetta di prendersi cura, in attesa che la madre, un giorno, possa tornare a riprendersela. Passeranno quarant’anni prima che ciò avvenga, e che i protagonisti di questa struggente, avventurosa storia d’amore tornino a incontrarsi. Premiato dall’Associazione dei librai indipendenti americani, Il respiro leggero dell’alba ha scalato le classifiche e conquistato il cuore dei lettori in tutto il mondo.

En historie man sent glemmer, om et barn på avveie og et elskende par med verden mot seg. 1968, Pennsylvania, USA Regnet pøser ned, og vinden uler gjennom trekronene. Det har allerede vært mørkt lenge da det plutselig banker på døren til Marthas hus. Hun bor alene, og tvilende bestemmer hun seg for å åpne. Utenfor står to fremmede. De sier ikke et ord, men skjelver av kulde og utmattelse, og det er noe ved dem som er annerledes. Martha tar mot til seg og lar den vakre jenta og den mørkhudede mannen komme inn, og det er først da hun oppdager at kvinnen holder rundt et nyfødt spedbarn. Martha vet ikke at både kvinnen og mannen har rømt fra en institusjon i nærheten og blir forfulgt. Da vaktene kommer til huset, gjemmer paret barnet uten at Martha merker det. Mannen klarer å flykte og forsvinner i stormen, mens den unge moren føres brutalt bort. Før hun slepes av sted, rekker hun å hviske én ting til Martha: ”Hold henne skjult ...” Historien om Vakre jente er en bok du kommer til å lese med hjertet, en roman full av varme følelser, en beretning om det onde i menneskene, men også om godhet – og en påminnelse om at vi aldri skal dømme før vi forstår. «En fengslende kjærlighetshistorie ... Boken griper leseren langt inn i sjelen og gir et følsomt innblikk i en kompleks verden som vi ’normale’ ikke kjenner til» Publisher’s Weekly Rachel Simon (født 1959) er fra New Jersey i USA. Hun har mange utgivelser bak seg og har mottatt flere utmerkelser for sitt forfatterskap. Rachel Simon ser som sin oppgave å vekke lesernes oppmerksomhet om urettferdighet og skjulte mekanismer vi alle burde kjenne til. Hun har vakt stor oppmerksomhet med den selvbiografiske skildringen Riding the Bus with My Sister, der hun forteller om sin psykisk utviklingshemmede søster Beth, som elsker å reise med buss. Den kjærlige boken er populær lesning i mange skoler og har havnet på pensumlister i sykepleierutdanningen. Anjelica Huston har regissert en TV-film basert på fortellingen, med Andie McDowell og Rosie O’Donnell i rollene som Rachel og Beth. Rachel Simon er en etterspurt foredragsholder med en svært populær hjemmeside: www.rachelsimon.com. Hun bor i Wilmington i Delaware i USA sammen med sin ektemann, arkitekten Hal Dean. Historien om Vakre jente er en New York Times’ bestselger.

Ein geheimes Versprechen und eine außergewöhnliche Liebe. Amerika im Jahr 1968: Die Witwe Martha lebt in ihrem abgelegenen Haus ein einsames Leben. Nur an Weihnachten erhält sie von ehemaligen Schülern Besuch. Dann jedoch stehen zwei wildfremde, verzweifelte Menschen vor ihrer Tür: das Mädchen Lynnie und Homan, ein tauber Afroamerikaner. Beide sind aus einer nahen Anstalt geflohen. Wenig später tauchen ihre erbarmungslosen Wächter auf. Während Homan über den reißenden Fluß entkommen kann, wird Lynnie in ihr trostloses Dasein zurückgebracht. Doch was ihre Häscher nicht wissen: Lynnie hat kurz vor ihrer Flucht ein Mädchen geboren und in dem Haus der Witwe verstecken können. In einem geheimen Augenblick verspricht Martha sich um den Säugling zu kümmern. Eine große epische Reise beginnt, die über vierzig Jahre währt ...