Pitching My Tent: On Marriage, Motherhood, Friendship, and Other Leaps of Faith

Long before The Red Tent and Good Harbor, Anita Diamant was a columnist. For some twenty years, her columns delivered her own refreshing takes on life. Written with warmth, common bonds of womanhood, a sense of spirituality, and her own unique take on adult life, these essays are personal and yet universal. The author of several books on contemporary Jewish life as well as her two popular fiction works, Diamant shares her classic essays with readers in this new publication. Subtitled "On Marriage, Motherhood, Friendship, and Other Leaps of Faith," the book promises much and delivers even more. Ms. Diamant draws the reader into her world with a personal invitation at the end of her introduction: "My tent is filled with friends and songs and books and memories. My tent and I hope yours too, is filled with blessings. Come see." Throughout these essays, the author's passion for life reaches out and beckons her readers to look within. By interjecting aspects of her Jewish life and customs into her essays, Ms. Diamant brings a higher degree of understanding to those unfamiliar with contemporary Jewish lifestyles. Her essays speak of tolerance, acceptance, enjoying life to its fullest, and counting blessings in each of life's passages. Pitching My Tent is divided into six parts. Each section looks at an integral part of adult life and offers wonderfully enjoyable readings. My favorite essay is "Girlfriends, In Particular." Opening with a profound statement, Diamant's brief essay speaks volumes about the mystique and wonder of the bonds formed by women. "Women's friendships are, I think, one of the great secrets of the social universe." By the time I finished reading, I was so touched that I had to connect with my own dear friend and sister of my soul. It is the ability to stir such inner emotion that sets these essays apart from most I have read in recent months. This book is a gift to give yourself, your friends, your sisters, your mothers, and any other woman whose life is somehow a blessing to yours. by Lee Ambrose for Story Circle Book Reviews reviewing books by, for, and about women

I picked up this collection of essays after reading "The Red Tent" which absolutely adored. Half-way through the book I thought, "Converting to Judaism might be a good idea!" I don't mean to jest about a serious subject...and it is Diamont's friendly, heartful, down to Earth tone (and the fact that she shares her being vis a vis her judaism)that makes me want to adopt some of her ways. I zipped through this book in record time, and I know I will read and re-read and give copies to many friends.

As a long time fan of Anita Diamant's work - THE RED TENT and then GOOD HARBOR, I was thrilled to see that a new one from Ms. Diamant was on the shelves! I bought it right away!PITCHING MY TENT was a fast read but one that I can see revisiting from time to time. In this compilation of articles and musings, the reader will get a real sense of what it was like for a woman who had choices and took chances - while her faith in Judaism and living a Jewish life blossomed!Written in such an honest and personal way, this book stirred many thoughts and emotions and really made me think about life.This is a book to give to the women in your life, messages that we will all identify with. It may even enourage you to pick up a pen and jot down some of your own memories!

I picked up this book with no intention of buying it, but within a few minutes of reading Anita Diamant's honest and touching essays I was hooked, and knew I wouldn't be leaving the bookstore without it. Her essays are insightful and true without being preachy. I discovered how woefully ignorant I am regarding the Jewish faith; the passages detailing Jewish holidays and traditions were especially fascinating to me. Although the book was a quick read, I felt it was well worth the money. I know I'll return back to it again. I would highly recommend it.