Lift

Penned as a letter to her two young daughters, the latest from author Corrigan is an attempt to illuminate their particular relationship (""I want to put down on paper how things started with us""), and an ambitious, inspirational meditation on parenthood in general. A slim volume, it perhaps suffers for its brevity but recounts engagingly events like Corrigan and her husband's decision to start a family, and baby Claire's bout with viral meningitis, ""the beginning of how I came to know what a bold and dangerous thing parenthood is."" She also examines the gifts all mothers hope to present their kids: ""a decent childhood, more good memories than bad, some values, a sense of a tribe, a run at happiness."" Fans of Corrigan's The Middle Place, a memoir of her fight with cancer, will welcome the return of figures like Corrigan's father, Greenie, and should appreciate her wistful but down-to-earth thoughts on parenthood. Newcomers might be less inspired, but should appreciate Corrigan's charm and honesty.