For me, writing clarifies things. It gives meaning, and it makes me see the connections.

My parents are highly evolved worriers. ... If worrying were an Olympic sport, my parents' faces would have graced the Wheaties box a long time ago.

When people go to a new country, whether as refugees or immigrants, kids usually assimilate easily, but it's much harder for the grownups. Especially, oftentimes, for the mothers, because they are usually confined to the house. They're not going to school, and they're not necessarily holding down a job. It's tough. It's not easy to assimilate to a new culture when you're an adult.

Writing is such a powerful tool. I believe everyone should be writing.

In America, Christmas is the king of all holidays. To be left out of Christmas is the ultimate minority experience.

My father's motto has always been 'Room in the heart, room in the house.' As charming as this sounds, it translates into a long line for the bathroom and extra loads of laundry for my mother.

Elinor Lipman is to tweets what Shakespeare is to sonnets.