Have you ever stressed out about your breasts? Are they too large, too small, too high, too low, tough to fit into a bra or in need of a push-up? If so, you’ll enjoy reading Leslie Lehr’s new memoir, A Boob’s Life: How America’s Obsession Shaped Us. It’s all about our sexy and sacred body part, our breasts. Or as she likes to call them “our boobs.”
Women’s most popular body part
I learned a lot about “boobs” while reading Leslie’s informative and deeply personal account of her relationship with her boobs, how they shaped her life, how she enhanced them, and how she eventually dealt with and survived breast cancer.
A memoir about our most popular body part
Leslie is a prize-winning novelist and non-fiction writer whose books include What A Mother Knows, a Target Recommended Read, Wife Goes On, and 66 Laps, winner of Pirates Alley Faulkner’s Prize. Her non-fiction books include Club Mom, Club Grandma, and Wendy Belissimo: Nesting featured on Oprah. Plus, her personal essays appeared in The New York Times Modern Love Column and other publications.
After reading Leslie’s new chronicle, I was curious to learn more about why she wrote it and see what other wisdom she has to share with fellow boomer girls. Here are excerpts from my interview. Also be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of the interview below. One lucky reader will win a copy of A Boob’s Life!
Take it away Leslie…
Leslie Lehr is author of the new memoir “A Boob’s Life”
I just finished your memoir which at times made me laugh and at times brought a teary eye. I learned a lot about boobs. What inspired you to write this memoir?
Leslie: “I got out of the shower one night and notice that my nipples were cross-eyed. My husband and I had just moved into a beautiful condo in Malibu, kind of as a reward since I had survived breast cancer, and this was supposed to be our first romantic evening. But I was too upset at the sight of my boobs. My husband accused me of being obsessed. First, I was insulted. Then I realized I could connect every part of my life – an average woman’s life – with my breasts. So maybe it was true. Then a comedian on TV made a boob joke, confirming that I wasn’t the only one who was obsessed. I had to learn why to explain it to my husband and everyone else. There was no other way than to dig deep. A Boob’s Life was born!”
You write about having implants. What made you want to enlarge your breasts? (BTW I’ve always been an A, but after I went for a bra-fitting at Nordstrom I became a C! Amazing overnight with no implants! Although now that I’m post 60 for the first time in my life, thanks to sagging breasts, I have cleavage.)
Leslie: “Cleavage is always fun! After nursing, my breasts were empty sacks with nipples hanging down like Eeyore, the sad donkey from Winnie the Pooh. I hid them under camisoles, even at night. Of course, I had always been envious of women with beautiful breasts. My mom was one of those – she never breastfed. When I was divorced, she offered to pay for implants as a gift. I refused for years, thinking it would make me a bimbo. Then she caught me at a moment of weakness…”
What are some of the insights you learned about this body part from writing your memoir?
Leslie: “They are more than just a body part. They are the whole game! We can’t fight biology, but we can be aware of how the culture co-opts our natural instinct in ways that hold both women and men back.”
Looking back on your bout with breast cancer, how did having cancer change the way you think about your body?
Leslie: “You know that expression, your body is a temple? It’s true. And stress is a big deal, so we need to take self-care seriously.”
I understand Salma Hayek optioned your memoir for HBO Max. Congrats! Who would you like to play you in the series?
Leslie: “Rose Byrne.”
Looking back on your personal and professional life, what wisdom would you like to share with post 50 readers?
Leslie: “It would be nice to stop judging ourselves and each other. Life throws curveballs. Let’s enjoy every moment.”
Anything else to share?
Leslie: “Love your boobs!”
Thanks Leslie!
Enter the giveaway to win a copy of A Boob’s Life
Leslie’s memoir is being published by Pegasus Books and the release date next week, March 2nd. One random reader (only USA residents are eligible) will win a copy of A Boob’s Life. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter giveaway below or leave a comment about what you’ve come to love about your boobs during your life after 50. As I stated above, for me, I love that post 60, I finally have a cleavage because my size A boobs (that once matched my Type A Personality) are now settled into a supportive 32C Spanx bra (perhaps aligning better with my post 60 more Compassionate Personality).
Be well.
Judi
