Rachel Levy Lesser can relive almost every significant life event through an accessory. A scarf, a pair of earrings, a bag, even a fleece pair of socks—each contains the elements that put together the story of a life. Life’s Accessories is a funny, sad, touching, relatable, shake-your-head-right-along-as-you-laugh-and-wipe-away-tears, coming-of-age memoir. In fourteen essays, Lesser tackles … tackles sensitive issues like anxiety, illness, and loss in a way that feels a bit like having a chat with a good friend. Out of the stories comes solid life—and fashion—advice. About far more than just a hair tie, a bracelet, or a belt, Life’s Accessories is a window into the many ways in which Lesser has come to understand life—in all of its beauty, its joys, its sorrows, its heartaches, its challenges, and its absurdity.
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I just finished reading Life’s Accessories, by Rachel Levy Lesser, and I feel like I have been on a girl’s weekend with my new best friend. This collection of essays and mom musings is heartfelt, authentic, poignant, heat breaking and lovely all at the same time. Rachel takes her readers on a journey through her own adolescence through parenting her own teens— complete with embarrassing moments that we may all want to bury in our pasts — and shares her truth unabashedly (and also apologetically). She themes each chapter around an accessory — a piece of clothing, jewelry, handbag and such — and finds creative way to weave their symbolic meaning into her life. I laughed out loud and I also cried a bunch. Relationships can be wonderful, invigorating, painful, and gut-wrenching, and Rachel’s stories remind us all of that. And I also read several passages aloud to my husband, especially page 87 and 88 when she gets into her observations on parenting. They are really good! Rachel feels to me like Kelly Corrigan – someone who you want to be friends with, invite on a walk, or to dinner and who will share her truth with you no matter what. Rachel, will you be my friend?
I gotta say it. Twenty Twenty is turning out to be a year of branching out of my reading comfort zone……and falling in love with what I try. Again, I’m not a big memoir reader but I’ve read a few recently that just instantly grip me and make me feel better about myself. This one…..this one is a phenomenally written and absolutely captivating. I loved it!
As some who has dealt with the death of my own mother, helping my father through his own cancer battle, and struggling with my own severe anxiety and depression, I felt an absolute connection to Lesser as I read this. I felt as if each essay was written just for me. Her inclusion of fashion was wonderfully down.
The writing style of Lesser is superbly unique. Again, I don’t normally read Memoirs but lately, I’m falling in love with them. Lesser’s memoir left me in tears, wishing my mama could have read this with me. But, it did more than that. It gave me hope. It gave me a new friend. It gave me laughs and lessons I’ll cherish for ever. Grab a copy of this book now! You won’t be sorry.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
I’m a pretty big minimalist who doesn’t like a lot of clutter. My rule is if it isn’t functional or sentimental, it goes, so I really enjoyed this memoir shared in the form of essays about how Rachel Levy Leaser ended up with the items that have meant the most to her.
It was fun getting to know Rachel through this book. Her writing style, witty, humble and honest reminded me of Nora Ephron. Her stories were very thought-provoking and left me thinking about the things in my life and the meaning behind them.
This was an easy one to read in pieces and I recommend it when you’re in the mood to reminisce.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Today I am on tour with Suzy Approved Book Tours, author Rachel Levy Lesser and She Writes Press.
I do not tend to gravitate towards memoirs. For me, reading about other people’s struggles is sometimes too much to take. However, this memoir is different from any I have ever read. Lesser doesn’t mess around! I like her get to the point, not go into too many details, tell it like it is type of writing.
It’s so interesting how she relates an article of clothing, a piece of jewelry, a purse to a certain memory in her life. This got me thinking about my own possessions and the type of memories I have related back to them. When I looked in my closet I remembered the earrings my girlfriend got me from Australia, the wrap she got me from another one of her travels, the jewelry I got after both my grandmas passed, and the handmade jewelry I received from my kids.
I would highly recommend this memoir. It’s only 149 pages which makes it a quick and easy read. I was able to read this in one setting.
This book is available now.
Life’s Accessories by Rachel Levy Lesser is a wonderful memoir and a collection of anecdotes and essays that documents her journey from adolescence to adulthood.
The stories ponder on the lessons learned in poignant periods of her life, while creatively using accessories from a ring, scarf a belt or a handbag to weave those memories she shares.
I found the voice in her writing to be bold, kind, humble, witty and funny! It was relatable and truly heartwarming, sometimes sad but always honest and definitely stylish!
I enjoyed this quick read very much.
Everyone has an article of clothing that they can place with a memory. For me, it is the ruby ring my Gran gave me before she passed away. To her, she was passing down a piece of jewelry she loved to a granddaughter to enjoy just because “red looks good on you.” About six years later, rubies are my first child’s birthstone. It is funny how things like rings, handbags, even pairs of jeans solidify themselves in our lives as significant learning objects.
In Rachel Levy Lesser’s memoir, Life’s Accessories: a Memoir and Fashion Guide, she recalls a time when rings, belts, and other objects spoke to her in certain aspects of her life. Her small stories are gems about life, love, and loss all the while accessorizing with a hair tie, handbag, or trendy piece of jewelry.
Although I am an avid reader, I rarely choose to read memoirs or nonfiction in general. I am glad I picked up Lesser’s newest book. Her memoir strongly describes times in her life like she is speaking to an old friend while chatting over coffee and marveling over the latest trendy bag. It is easy to think that clothing and accessories are fluffy and unimportant, but these items sometimes are the hardest things to part with if they tie to a memory you do not want to forget. I found her stories to be touching at times and gloriously funny at other times. I specifically enjoyed her chapter about wearing a belt to her son’s bris. It spoke honestly about loss while handling new motherhood.
Thank you Rachel Levy Lesser, She Writes Press, and Suzy Approved Book Tours for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Life’s Accessories A Memoir and Fashion Guide” by Rachel Levy Lesser, She Writes Press, 11/19, for Suzy Approved Book Tours
“Life’s Accessories A Memoir and Fashion Guide” by Rachel Levy Lesser is a unique and creative memoir. I enjoyed reading the different essays or chapters about the author’s life, each noted by a different token or accessory that was so meaningful.
The author writes about her wanting to fit in with the other students in her new school. She wears the same clothing as the other students and has a signet ring created that isn’t an heirloom, but is significant to her and makes her feel part of the student community.
Rachel Levy Lesser mentions that when she gets engaged, it is important to her that her ring looks the same as her mother’s ring. Her then-fiance makes her wishes come true and produces a ring that makes her dreams come true.
Another memorable moment is when Rachel is given a promotion in an important job, she decides to treat herself for a Kate Spate Bag for her papers.
It seems as the author gets more mature, she strays away from what everyone else has, and creates what is meaningful to her. It could be an “inside scarf” or a “Happy Scarf”.
I appreciate that the author often remembers the accessories as either gifts or tributes to and from loved ones and her living experiences. I found this memoir entertaining, witty and enjoyable and started to think of special accessories and mementos that I have. I would recommend this memoir to readers who enjoy memoirs, and fashion and accessories.
Rachel Levy Lesser recalls fourteen stories from her past while weaving in one significant object acquired during that period. The events surrounding these objects are significant and help the author reflect back in time.
Each vignette touches on everyday life experiences and includes dating, work experience, and getting through motherhood. These stories were very relatable and I found myself nodding my head while reading the book.
Rachel has a sharp introspection and she carefully teases out many of the funny truths that we often keep to ourselves. She brings to life many of the mundane issues while keeping the reader engaged. I look forward to future works from this author.
Life’s Accessories is a tasteful, relatable, and honest memoir that speaks to us all. We all have certain memories that have stayed with us through the years and made us who we are. It was compelling the way Rachel Levy Lesser used her ‘life’s accessories’ to help write this story.
One of my favorite parts of the story is how relatable this book is. After reading this book, I made a list of some of the most impactful memories and I too remembered a certain shirt, ring, or even scarf I was wearing.
I give Life’s Accessories 3 stars. It’s an enjoyable memoir that was honest and heartfelt. Life’s Accessories