My Year with Eleanor

In this lighthearted and often funny memoir, Hancock, who was an entertainment writer at high-profile publications and Web sites like the New York Observer, US Weekly, and PageSix.com, tells of getting laid off shortly before her 29th birthday, suddenly finding herself anxious and aimless: "For the first time in my life, I had no idea what to do." Inspiration came in the form of a framed Eleanor Roosevelt quote hanging on the wall of a cafe: "Do one thing every day that scares you." Hancock makes that her mantra: she debuts at Trapeze School New York and follows up with tap-dancing, shark diving, and flying a plane at civilian mock air-combat school, and, perhaps most terrifying, performing standup comedy. In between adventures, Hancock visits with her funny, savvy therapist, Dr. Bob, and gets closer to her spiritual mentor via extensive reading about and by Eleanor. She brings her experiences to vivid life and, through her interest in and compassion for Eleanor, is kinder to herself; there is plenty to entertain and inspire. (July)