"For a woman who thinks of herself as a New Yorker at this point, I buy a lot of clothes from companies named things like Shrimp & Grits. Why? Because identity is complicated."
Elizabeth Passarella is content with being complicated. She grew up in Memphis in a conservative Republican family with a Christian mom and a Jewish dad. Then she moved to New York, fell in love with the city--and, eventually, her husband--and changed. Sort of. While her politics have tilted to the left, she still puts her faith first, and argues that the two can go hand in hand, for what it's worth.
Whether you have city lights or starry skies in your eye, Good Apple will show you that:
In this sharp and slyly profound memoir, Elizabeth upends stereotypes about Southerners, New Yorkers, and Christians, making a case that we are all flawed humans simply doing our best.
Praise for Good Apple:
"With sly humor, ecumenical warmth, and disarming frankness, Elizabeth Passarella builds bridges between red and blue and North and South. Good Apple makes a strong case for New York City as the kingdom of God--and for handwritten thank-you notes."
--Ada Calhoun, author of St. Marks Is Dead, Wedding Toasts I'll Never Give, and Why We Can't Sleep
Elizabeth Passarella is a singular voice--a smart, hilarious New Yorker with deep Southern roots. Her essays range from profound to absurd to hopeful, but they always make the reader laugh, cry, and feel less alone. She has spent more than twenty years as a writer and editor in New York, with positions at InStyle, Vogue, and Real Simple. Elizabeth is currently a contributing editor at Southern Living and continues to freelance for many national publications. She has written about food, home design, parenting, and faith, as well as humor columns and personal essays for outlets including The New York Times, Parents, Martha Stewart Weddings, Coastal Living, and Airbnb Magazine. Elizabeth's voice is that of the wry best friend you wish you had, a mix of Anne Lamott, Nora Ephron, and Mary Laura Philpott.