The Rest of Us: Dispatches from the Mother Ship

Mitchard, a speechwriter, editor and novelist (The Deep End of the Ocean), has collected selections from her weekly newspaper column written for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel over the last 12 years. Her entertaining and thought-provoking commentaries on life as a working mother of five cover a variety of subjects. Women will identify with her witty essay ""Giving Holidays to the Turkeys,"" on celebrations like Thanksgiving, which men regard as ""relaxing"" while their wives toil in the kitchen. Many pieces discuss experiences inherent in motherhood, such as whether, or when, to lie to one's children. Mitchard also presents her strong opinions on current topics, including assisted suicide, adoption, meat eating and gun control. Of particular interest, however, is a moving article, ""A Star to Steer By,"" written after the death of her 45-year-old husband from cancer. Author tour. (Nov.)