Author: Joan Cusack Handler

Joan Cusack Handler is a poet and memoirist, and a psychologist in clinical practice. Her poems have been widely published and have received awards from The Boston Review and five Pushcart nominations. More »

Why CavanKerry is publishing memoirs

CavanKerry has a wonderful new video that explains the reasoning behind our new Memoir imprint, of which Confessions of Joan the Tall is the inaugural title. [vimeo 55330570]

Sharon’s Garden on “Confessions”

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Joan Cusack Handler’s life growing up. Her stories is divided up into short segments that are easy to read in short spurts of time or just as enjoyable sitting down and devouring her tales all at once. Read the full article on Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews

“Confessions” highly recommended on She Treads Softly

Confessions of Joan the Tallis an extraordinary memoir that recounts a year in the life of author Joan Cusack Handler. In a seemingly simple style, Joan Cusack Handler manages to capture the anxiety she felt over her perceived lack of piety and her way above average height. Read more at She Treads Softly

“Confessions” gets 4 out of 5 stars on Bookchickdi

Handler perfectly captures the angst of being twelve; the uncertainty, the need to please your parents, the desire to fit in with other students and have friends, to be just like everybody else. The funny thing is, no one ever was like everybody else. Reading it brought all those feelings right back to me. Read […]

“Confessions” on the blog A Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars

“Nothing is perfect, nothing can be, but Joan was able to put a bit of humor on it and the innocence of a young child growing up amid the trials of  being good, staying good, and being surrounded by a good family to do it in.” Visit A Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars for the […]

“Confessions” on Fiction Addict

I really enjoyed this book because even though times have changed, the topics still ring true.  Joan, despite being teased and ridiculed, has a good heart and experiences many of the same things as we do.  She is a funny, thoughtful girl that makes me laugh with her ramblings and worries.  We can see the […]

“Confessions” on Pingwing’s Bookshelf

I liked reading about Joan’s journey towards self-acceptance – it’s not an easy one, but hopefully we all get there! I was also interested in reading about her faith. While I’m not a religious person now, I attended church as a child and when I was around Joan’s age I found myself questioning what I […]

Family

Last Thursday was Thanksgiving and we, the Handlers–Alan, David, Marlene and I– spent it with our favorite family –best friends, Carol and Fred Snyder, and their sons, their wives and children. And their friends. And their children. Usually Marc, David’s best friend, accompanies us; when he was alive my Dad did; when she’s not headed […]