This summer, Judy Blume’s In the Unlikely Event, hit bookstore shelves, and not surprisingly, The New York Times best-seller list, as well.
Set in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Blume’s newest tale arises from real-life events experienced by the author herself as a teen – a series of plane crashes in the northern New Jersey town during the period of 1951- 1952. Focusing on Miri Ammerman, a ninth-grader at the time of the crashes, and looking at all of the characters’ journeys over the next 30+ years, Blume’s novel unravels secrets and emotions in a way that will not be unfamiliar to readers who have been fans of Blume for the last 30+ years themselves.
In the Unlikely Event has been called “characteristically accessible, frequently charming and always deeply human” by Publishers Weekly. Reviewing for the New York Times, Caroline Leavitt says: “Blume nails every 1950s detail, from the refinished basements with wet bars and knotty-pine walls to Elizabeth Taylor haircuts and mentions of Bogart and Bacall.”
Some have noted that while In the Unlikely Event is targeted at adults, its central teen character makes it also a book for Blume’s earliest audience: teens, despite its mature themes.
Of course, Blume is well-noted for blending mature themes into her books written specifically for teens, and she has never shied away from the ensuing challenges that resulted. Because of the controversy that surrounded Blume’s early career writing books for teens touching on topics including racism, bullying, masturbation, sex , and birth control in the 1970’s, Blume has become a fierce advocate against book-banning and censorship.
Blume’s writing style has always been bold, rather than gratuitously provocative. Says Blume: “When I began to write … I didn’t know if anyone would publish my books, but I wasn’t afraid to write them.”
Fierce indeed.
Amy Impellizzeri
Amy Impellizzeri is a reformed corporate litigator, former start-up executive and best-selling author. In 2009, she left her 13-year litigation career to write and advocate for working women, later joining the executive team of the award-winning website, Hybrid Her (named by ForbesWoman as a “Top Website for Women” in 2010 and 2011). Through her work at Hybrid Her, and as Vice President, Community & Content, for its later re-brand, ShopFunder, Amy worked closely with hundreds of creative and inspiring entrepreneurs and fundraisers, writing and marketing their stories to new audiences.
In October 2014, Amy transitioned to full-time writer, with the publication of her first novel,Lemongrass Hope (Wyatt-MacKenzie 2014) which debuted as an Amazon best-seller (Romance/Fantasy and Romance/Time Travel). Oprah’s very first Book Club Selection author and New York Times #1 Best-Selling Author, Jacquelyn Mitchard, has called Lemongrass Hopea “fine and fresh thing – a truly new story.”Lemongrass Hope was featured by Library Journaland Foreword Reviews Magazine, and has been a favorite with Book Clubs and numerous Book Bloggers (including as the #1 favorite reviewed selection in 2014 by The Literary Connoisseur).
Amy’s first non-fiction book, Lawyer Interrupted (ABA Publishing 2015), is due out this Spring. Her essays and articles have appeared in The Huffington Post, ABA Law Practice Today, The Glass Hammer, Divine Caroline, Skirt! Magazine, among more.
Meet Amy here… amyimpellizzeri.com or on Facebook or Twitter
Judy Blume is one of my favorites. I grew up reading her books, and was lucky enough to meet her as a child at a book signing in Atlanta. When a friend’s mother threw out “Are you there God, it’s me Margaret?” (a signed copy, no less!) because she didn’t approve of it, I wrote Ms. Blume a letter. She sent me a new signed book as well as a note. I can’t wait to read her latest book.