Author Biography

Abbi Waxman is the USA Today bestselling author of I Was Told It Would Get Easier, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, Other People's Houses, and The Garden of Small Beginnings. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and three children.

Review

Praise for The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

"Move over on the settee, Jane Austen. You've met your modern-day match in Abbi Waxman. Bitingly funny, relatable and intelligent, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is a must for anyone who loves to read."—Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of Good Luck With That

"It's a shame The Bookish Life of Nina Hill only lasts 350 pages, because I wanted to be friends with Nina for far longer."—Refinery29

"I hope you're in the mood to be downright delighted, because that's the state you'll find yourself in after reading The Bookish Life of Nina Hill."—PopSugar

"The Bookish Life of Nina Hill will put a smile on your face the entire time you're reading it. It's a light, fun summer read with a cast of colorful and lovable characters that you wish were real and that you had on your trivia team. This book is the perfect beach read or pick-me-up for a cloudy day."—Hypable

"[A] quirky, sweet story."—Woman's World

"In this love letter to book nerds, Waxman introduces the extraordinary introvert Nina Hill…. With witty dialogue and a running sarcastic inner monologue, Waxman brings Nina to vibrant life as she upends her introverted routine and becomes part of the family. Fans of Jojo Moyes will love this."—Publishers Weekly

"Waxman has created a thoroughly engaging character in this bookish, contemplative, set-in-her ways woman. Be prepared to chuckle."—Kirkus Review (starred review)

"Book nerds will feel strong kinship with the engaging, introverted Nina Hill, who works in a bookstore, plays pub trivia, and loves office supplies… Readers will be captivated by Nina's droll sense of humor."—Booklist (starred review)

"Full of pop culture references (bonus points for readers who catch the Men at Work one), and the handwritten planner entries are reminiscent of those in Bridget Jones's diary….Will appeal to chick lit fans who enjoy copious rapid-fire dialog."—Library Journal

"...charming and relatable for any introvert who would rather pass time with fictional characters than people, but will rise to the occasion with the right support."—BookTrib

"Book lovers will absolutely relate to the central character in Abbi Waxman's third novel."—O, The Oprah Magazine

"If you relate to staying in and JOMO (joy of missing out), you'll relate to Nina."—Betches

"[F]ast, light, and fun."—Modern Mrs. Darcy

Praise for Abbi Waxman

"Brilliant. Simply brilliant. The Garden of Small Beginnings is funny, poignant, and startling in its emotional intensity and in its ability to make the reader laugh and cry on the same page . . . I loved this book!"—Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of the Tradd Street Novels

"[A]summer beach read with meat. . . Waxman develops and explores the characters and their relationship in depth."—The Washington Post

"This is my favorite kind of book—hilarious, sad, joyful. Beautifully written. Fun. I dare you not to enjoy it."—Julia Claiborne Johnson, author of Be Frank With Me

"What a treat!! Abbi Waxman is one of the wittiest voices in the world today. The Garden of Small Beginnings is a beautiful book full of humor, heart, and deep insight."—Molly Shannon, actress 

"Funny and poignant. Guaranteed to make you laugh and cry. May make you want to play in dirt and grow a new life of your own."—Wendy Wax, USA Today bestselling author of Best Beach Ever

"Meet your new favorite writer."—The Daily Beast

"Waxman's skill at characterization . . . lifts this novel far above being just another 'widow finds love' story. Clearly an observer, Waxman has mastered the fine art of dialogue as well. Characters ring true right down to Lilian's two daughters, who often steal the show."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Waxman takes readers from tears to laughter in this depiction of one woman's attempt to hold it all together for everyone else only to learn it's OK to put herself first."—Booklist

"Kudos to debut author Waxman for creating an endearing and realistic cast of main and supporting characters (including the children). Her narrative and dialog are drenched with spring showers of witty and irreverent humor."—Library Journal (starred review)

"The Garden of Small Beginnings is a quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book."—HelloGiggles

"Waxman's voice is witty, emotional, and often profound."—InStyle (UK)

"This novel is filled with characters you'll love and wish you lived next door to in real life."—Bustle 

"It's impossible not to fall in love with Lilian, a young widow who is still trying to come to terms with the death of her husband four years later . . . If you are thinking to yourself, 'Forget it, I'm not reading a gardening book,' don't worry . . . THIS IS NOT A GARDENING BOOK! It is, however, a feel-good, hate-to-put-it-down kind of book!"—Chick Lit Central

Review Quote

Praise for The Bookish Life of Nina Hill "Move over on the settee, Jane Austen. You've met your modern-day match in Abbi Waxman. Bitingly funny, relatable and intelligent, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is a must for anyone who loves to read."--Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of Good Luck With That "Waxman has created a thoroughly engaging character in this bookish, contemplative, set-in-her ways woman. Be prepared to chuckle."-- Kirkus Review (starred review) Praise for Abbi Waxman "Brilliant. Simply brilliant. The Garden of Small Beginnings is funny, poignant, and startling in its emotional intensity and in its ability to make the reader laugh and cry on the same page . . . I loved this book!"--Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of the Tradd Street Novels "[A]summer beach read with meat. . . Waxman develops and explores the characters and their relationship in depth."-- The Washington Post "This is my favorite kind of book--hilarious, sad, joyful. Beautifully written. Fun. I dare you not to enjoy it."--Julia Claiborne Johnson, author of Be Frank With Me "What a treat!! Abbi Waxman is one of the wittiest voices in the world today. The Garden of Small Beginnings is a beautiful book full of humor, heart, and deep insight."--Molly Shannon, actress "Funny and poignant. Guaranteed to make you laugh and cry. May make you want to play in dirt and grow a new life of your own."--Wendy Wax, USA Today bestselling author of Best Beach Ever "Meet your new favorite writer."--The Daily Beast "Waxman's skill at characterization . . . lifts this novel far above being just another 'widow finds love' story. Clearly an observer, Waxman has mastered the fine art of dialogue as well. Characters ring true right down to Lilian's two daughters, who often steal the show."-- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Waxman takes readers from tears to laughter in this depiction of one woman's attempt to hold it all together for everyone else only to learn it's OK to put herself first."-- Booklist "Kudos to debut author Waxman for creating an endearing and realistic cast of main and supporting characters (including the children). Her narrative and dialog are drenched with spring showers of witty and irreverent humor."-- Library Journal (starred review) " The Garden of Small Beginnings is a quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book."--HelloGiggles "Waxman's voice is witty, emotional, and often profound."-- InStyle (UK) "This novel is filled with characters you'll love and wish you lived next door to in real life."--Bustle "It's impossible not to fall in love with Lilian, a young widow who is still trying to come to terms with the death of her husband four years later . . . If you are thinking to yourself, 'Forget it, I'm not reading a gardening book,' don't worry . . . THIS IS NOT A GARDENING BOOK! It is , however, a feel-good, hate-to-put-it-down kind of book!"--Chick Lit Central

Description for Reading Group Guide

Readers Guide for The Bookish Life of Nina Hill Questions for Discussion 1. At the outset of the novel Nina appears very happy, although she really prefers to be alone. How does that change by the end of the novel? What role does solitude play in your life? 2. Nina loves books and is a self-proclaimed introvert. What does she find so appealing about reading? Do you think both extroverts and introverts can be passionate about reading books? How do you think the experience is similar and different for both personality types? Why do you enjoy reading? 3. Pages from Nina's planner were included in the book. Do you feel that added to the narrative? How did Nina's planner pages reflect her state of mind? Do you find planning and organizing helps you feel more in control? 4. Nina's mind is constantly moving, filling with ideas, facts, and information. How does this help and hinder Nina? What do you think are the pros and cons of having such an active brain? 5. Nina has found a group of friends who share her love of books, trivia, and popular culture. At the opening of the novel these people are her chosen family. What interests are you passionate about? Do you have a chosen family of like-minded people, or are your friends drawn from a wider pool? 6. Nina was raised by her nanny, Louise, a woman who wasn't her biological parent, but who loved and cared for her very deeply. Does Nina consider Lou family? What part do you think biology plays in the formation of family? 7. After discovering her father, Nina realizes his personality resembles hers in many ways, something she feels conflicted about. What traits does Nina share with her father? What does she like about sharing certain personality characteristics with him? What does she find difficult about it? What attributes or flaws do you share with your parents, and how does that make you feel about yourself and about them? 8. Do you think Nina will be permanently changed by discovering her family, or will she remain essentially the same? 9. Nina struggles badly with anxiety, which is often quite debilitating. What are her coping mechanisms? Do you think they are healthy ways to deal with her stress? How do you handle anxieties and fears in your own life? 10. For Nina, a bookstore or library represents sanctuary. Why do you think that is? Do you feel similarly? What are some of your favorite bookstores and libraries? What are other happy places in your life? 11. Tom is not a bookish person, but his character complements Nina's. Why do you think Nina and Tom work so well together as a couple? How do they complement one another? In what ways have your relationships succeeded or failed because of how well you "fit" together? 12. Nina works in an independent bookstore and seems to enjoy the physical-paper version of books. Do you prefer to read physical books or ebooks? Is your enjoyment of books affected by whether or not you read them on paper? In the street battle over books that happens toward the end of the novel, which side would you be on? 13. Los Angeles is a major city, but Larchmont is clearly a very defined neighborhood, with a small-town atmosphere. Are you surprised by that aspect of Los Angeles, and does it conflict with the way the city is normally portrayed in popular culture? 14. In addition to her deep love of books, Nina also loves all forms of popular culture, including movies and TV shows. Do you think that is common, or do most people prefer one over the other? Which do you prefer?

Excerpt from Book

***This excerpt is from an advance uncorrected copy proof*** Copyright

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