"Sometimes I'll take a book and put my credit cards and cash in it" and use that as a purse, she says.

WSJ: Summer Evening Wear That's Both Light and Chic

To test out reaction, I take a copy of the book to an ultra-Orthodox Jewish study centre, where I meet a 22-year-old man in signature black hat and beard.

BBC: The sex manual for ultra-Orthodox Jews

And one of the things I'm working on - I have a lot of things sort of going on, but one of the things I'm working on is a book, which always seems to take the backseat to my current activities but I'm getting through it.

NPR: Rocky Mountain Activist Carole King

Take for example an e-mail I received from a California firefighter who read my book about the optimism bias.

CNN: Why we fool ourselves into optimism

My son is a Hip Hop guy, and he is going to take this book from me, I know, as soon as he gets the chance.

NPR: Encyclopedia Surveys World of Hip Hop

Years ago I wanted to write a book, Another Woman: From Cleopatra to Marla, but now that seems to take us only halfway through the evolution of the mistress.

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