Open House
By Elizabeth Berg
Random House, $23
ISBN 0375501002

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Title of your new book:
Open House

Describe your book in 50 words or less:
A woman whose husband leaves her is forced to create a new life for herself and her son. What she ends up with is something much more authentic and satisfying than she could have imagined.

Why did you choose to write about divorce?
As is usually true of my books, it chose me. (I wrote it, but the way, long before I got divorced.)

What's your favorite thing about this book?
The original title: The Hotel Meatloaf.

And the fact that it offers great hope. And the parts about Martha Stewart.

What famous person would you like to read your book?
Oprah Winfrey, let's be honest. Also Martha Stewart.

What are the best and worst jobs you've ever had?
best: writing

worst: working on a pediatrics ward as an R.N. (though I loved my other job as a nurse.)

Your most aggravating habit?
changing my mind back and forth

What one thing would you like to learn to do?
not be afraid of computers

What is the subject of your next book?
A visiting nurse falls in love with a dying patient.

Open House is the eighth novel by Elizabeth Berg, whose previous bestsellers include Talk Before Sleep, Range of Motion, and The Pull of the Moon. She lives in Massachusetts.

Author photo by Joyce Ravid.