Left on Tenth: A Second Chance at Life by Delia Ephron

As a big fan of memoirs, I have spent years selecting and following my favorite non-fiction writers. And then they began to die. First there was Nora Ephron's death in 2012, then Maya Angelou’s passing in 2014, and most recently, we lost Joan Didion in 2021. Of course, I still have David Sedaris, but the man really cannot write more than one book a year, so I always find myself clamoring for more memoirists. I am thrilled to say I have found someone new, and she is alive. Her name is Delia Ephron, the younger sister of Nora, and her new book "Left on Tenth" is a page turner, and just the kind of book I love. Delia grew up, like Nora, Hallie and Amy, in a household with two screenwriters who told their daughters "everything is material," meaning anything that happens in this house is “fair game.” So, it is not surprising that Delia is a master storyteller, who has written such books as "Siracusa" and screenplays "You've Got Mail," and "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." This time Delia turns the pen upon herself and writes about the death of her beloved husband Jerry, and how she rebuilt her life after his passing. Connecting immediately with a man online named Peter, Delia feels an instant connection to him and finds a reason to live again. Dry, witty yet some how softer than Nora, Delia describes dating, friendships, and even fighting on the phone with Verizon’s support, like a real master. However, just as she is getting on her feet again and thriving in her relationship with Peter, she is diagnosed with leukemia. "Left on Tenth" describes her life after Jerry's death, her fight against her disease, and her dream of a future with the kind and nurturing Peter. I am the kind of person who does not find cancer books depressing. Rather, I find them life affirming, inspirational, and often a road map on how to live with or without a disease. I am a big fan of Delia Ephron’s, and her leukemia is now in remission. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. To buy this book on Amazon click here.