LITERATURE + LECTURES

Blue Willow Bookshop presents  Francine Friedman.  We welcome Francine Friedman, author of MatchdotBomb: A Midlife Journey Through Internet Dating.

It's been called a "true, touching, and hilarious return to singlehood. Filled with unforgettable characters, MatchDotBomb is the thinking woman's Bridget Jones's Diary and an indispensable guide for smart men who want to know what's really on a woman's mind.

This story is true. It is my story, and although the fellow travelers with whom I shared my journey are real, I am sure the colors of their characters became more vivid with my memory. Obviously, I have changed their names and identifying details and have altered even my memories to protect the people of whom my recollections remain pure.

There are 78 million baby boomers in this country, more than 89 million single adults, and over one-third of all the dates in the United States are generated online. I never thought that I would become a member of that triple statistic simultaneously.

The trip taught me a lot: Be open to new adventures; respect other voyagers; leave previous passengers behind; and stow your baggage at the back door. For these valuable lessons and countless other travel tips, I thank the wayfarers I met along the road.

Francine Pappadis Friedman

Francine Pappadis Friedman is a fundraising and communications consultant in Chicago. A former English and journalism teacher, she is an author of short stories and magazine articles.