Laurie Gwen Shapiro
 
 

New Essay "Phone Buddies" in Mira anthology Because I Love Her: 34 Women Writers on the Mother Daughter Bond

Out in April.

Laurie coproduced (with her brother David)  and shares A FILM BY credit (with David and Mark Mann) for the new hilarious documentary

FINISHING HEAVEN - On HBO Summer, 2009!

  

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Buy from Amazon:
THE ANGLOPHILE

Oct 2006

Brand X: The Boyfriend Account (RANDOM HOUSE 2006)

"BRAND X: THE BOYFRIEND ACCOUNT takes a typical internship and adds high school drama, creating a book not to be missed. In a strictly science and math school, Jordie struggles to fit in and accept her differences. In understanding herself better, Jordie's outlook on life gains a fresh perspective."
Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel  Teens Read Too

"In Brand X Shapiro expertly marries chicklit with Young Adult literature, creating an amusing romp which shows Jordie blossoming and coming into her own."
Edge of the Forest (Young Adult Reviews)

August 2005
THE ANGLOPHILE (Red Dress
Ink)

reviews

The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Smart characters make for interesting conflicts and clever scenes. Our linguist even offers an intellectual analysis of Orkan, the language spoken by Mork and Mindy. Running into Ringo and visiting "The Secret Garden" are rich highlights.
Grade: A-
-- Marci Pelzer

From BOOKLIST/American Library Association
Anglophiles will enjoy the British references and the romp through England in this charming tale from the author of The Matzo Ball Heiress (2004). Kristine Huntley

Ms. Shapiro has composed an enchanting story that will not only charm the mind, but also warm the heart in many ways. This is a cute, chic book between the rivalry of an
American and a Brit for the love of one woman. It has a thought provoking story line that is certain to fascinate the reader.

From ROMANTIC TIMES
"Shapiro's latest is a well-written story about fantasies coming true.....Poignant and hysterical moments cement this story. The diverse characters that surround them enliven the action of this enticing tale."

"A fine thought-provoking tale"

"Readers will laugh, cry, and laugh some more with this one."

"The writing is light-hearted and humorous, and Shapiro manages to write a story that is neither tired nor trite. "The Anglophile" is a tale of romance and its twists and turns, and is perfect for anyone who's optimistic about love."
Chicago Flame

[COMING UP in September 2006
BRAND X: THE BOYFRIEND ACCOUNT (Random House)]

What people are saying about
THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS (2004)

Through Heather's identity crisis and awakening to religious tradition, readers experience a fun romp through Jewish New York - with some very unusual guests. The character writing is flamboyantly creative, yet always remains just this side of credible, making for a fantastic voyage into one woman's hilarious personal hell.
—Jerusalem Post, AMANDA BORSCHEL-DAN

PICK OF JEWSWEEK SHORT STACK
Summary in a sentence: A smart and funny novel about the Food Channel asking the non-kosher Heather Greenblotz, a member of the most famous Jewish food family in the world, to air her seder as a live special.
Why you should read it: It's a refreshing look at the crossroads of faith, family, and fame that'll keep you laughing out loud.

Check out a nice article by Corey Kilgannon on the genesis of The Matzo Ball Heiress in the April 5 The New York Times - print edition has some fun photos...
See links page for hyperlink

"Matzo Ball" chosen as a Boston Herald's hot read... See links page for hyperlink

"A lighthearted and fun read from the author of The Unexpected Salami" —Booklist

"THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS is funny and sassy, and because it focuses on a Jewish family's traditions (or lack thereof) and issues, it is also unique. Heather Greenblotz is more than a typical Manhattan socialite; she has depth and intelligence. Thus, Shapiro's novel moves beyond the simple classification of Chick Lit, although it retains the romance, sex and attitude. The writing here is light and natural, a pleasure to read."
—Bookreporter.com

"A fast read with crackling dialogue and likeable characters, which gives new meaning to the word family."
—Detroit Jewish News

"Shapiro, author of ALA Notable Book The Unexpected Salami, deftly manages to keep her heroine above the fray...amusing, irreverent"
—Publishers Weekly

“The Matzo Ball Heiress” has me giggling through this week’s celebration...The assemblage includes her divorced father and his gay lover (Mom declines as she has a scuba diving date), a young lady with the unfortunate last name of Hitler and an Egyptian diplomat. And that’s just for starters."
—The Orange County Register

"Hyperkinetic…frothy…mordantly witty"
—Naomi Pfefferman, The Jewish Journal of Los Angeles

"Shapiro's book is a charmer."
—New Jersey Jewish News

"I love this book! Shapiro combines a New Yorker’s two greatest loves (humor and food) with two universal afflictions (wayward families and romantic woes). The result: A ten-course nosh of comedy, where every character gets his or her just desserts."
—Valerie Frankel, author of The Accidental Virgin

"Excellent storytelling...an intriguing look at a Jewish family fully assimilated into the American culture...there is more to being Jewish than chocolate matzo"
—Harriet Klausner

"A fun page turner!"
—San Jose Mercury News

"As you'd expect from somebody whose debut got noticed by folks like Ruth Ozeki and Tom Perrotta, Shapiro's got the total package--character, plot, and voice."
—Beatrice.com

"The Matzo Ball Heiress will speak to you of the power of love, family and traditions...will have you giggling on every page"
—ROMANCE REVIEW



THE UNEXPECTED SALAMI REVIEWS

The New York Times Book Review, Anthony Bourdain
“Endearingly quirky...Despite the risks, The Unexpected Salami winds up being unexpectedly delightful.”

Booklist
“A charming romantic comedy. Deftly done!”

Library Journal
“Hilarious...Recommended!”

Time Out New York
“Laurie Gwen Shapiro's romantic, hyperkinetic first novel trips along with a frank comic energy much like the author herself.”

Kirkus Reviews
“Shapiro's engagingly breezy first novel describes, in parallel first-person narratives, the cultural collision of a sort of Out-of-Australia feisty American woman and the Aussie rock musician that sends her away to save her life. Shapiro’s high-concept premise pays off in a truckload of enjoyable gags, hilarious characterizations, and irresistible non sequiturs…marches along smartly to its own arrhythmic offbeat, beat.”

Publishers Weekly
“Imagine a novel that tries to combine the spirit of Rob Reiner’s classic rockumentary spoof This is Spinal Tap with a coming of age novel. Shapiro makes the mix work.”

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Buy from Amazon THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS

There is an extensive site dedicated to Keep the River on Your Right: the documentary I codirected with my brother David.

KEEP THE RIVER link Please note: it hasn't been updated in a long while but it is chockablock with biographical info on Tobias Schneebaum and the making of the film, awards, reviews, etc....

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Buy from Amazon: THE UNEXPECTED SALAMI
Also available in hardcover edition.

In development as a feature film
directed by Alan White.

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BUY FROM AMAZON: KEEP THE RIVER ON YOUR RIGHT DVD
Also available in VHS format.