Tell us about your book:

200 Love Lessons from the Movies: Staying Moonstruck for Life. The focus of the book is accessible and adaptable lessons from the movies, i.e., the specific takeaway concepts relating to love (romantic, platonic, and self) that readers can use in their own relationships. The book analyzes 200 love lessons found in a variety of movies from all different genres, and includes at-home exercises inspired by the films that will help people connect with each other.

What inspired you to write your book?

I found that often after I watched a movie, I wanted to discuss its deeper meaning with people. I realized that nearly every movie has an important message about life and love if you’re willing to look for it. However, sometimes the kernel of truth hidden in a movie gets lost because of the filmmaker’s poor implementation of a good idea or other factors. So I wrote 200 Love Lessons from the Movies to explore crucial concepts about love that viewers might have missed (or don’t know about if they haven’t seen the movie).

200 Love Lessons from the Movies (book cover)What are the key takeaways readers will get from your book?

This book shines the cinematic spotlight on what’s really important in on-screen and off-screen romances: emotional, intellectual, and physical connection. Although readers in long-term and committed relationships (and even singles) can benefit from these general love lessons and exercises, the selected movies portray dating, engaged couples, and newly wedded couples.

What else would you like readers to know about you and your book?

Rather than a guide to romantic movies or a compilation of reviews, this book offers a playful and informative guided tour through romance using many movies from different genres as the vehicle. The ease of obtaining movies for home viewing makes this book a fun source of knowledge and entertainment for those seeking practical solutions to romantic dilemmas and a closer connection to others.

Where can readers get your book?

200 Love Lessons from the Movies: Staying Moonstruck for Life is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online booksellers, or ask your favorite bookstore to order it for you.

What other books have you published?

Reel Romance: The Lovers’ Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies
A fun guide for lovers of romantic movies to find films to watch together as a couple.

Passionate About Their Work: 151 Celebrities, Artists, and Experts on Creativity
Quotes and anecdotes about the entire creative process from those who do it professionally.

Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science
An in-depth analysis of the depiction of sleeping and dreaming in the movies.

Poodles & Doodles: Poems About Dogs
A collection of funny poems about our adorable furry friends.

Silly Sleepytime Poems
A fun children’s poetry book about napping, sleeping, and dreaming.

All available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com 

About Leslie C. Halpern

Leslie C. Halpern is an award-winning poet, essayist, and entertainment journalist with more than 4,000 published articles, and author of several books of nonfiction and poetry. Her work has appeared in hundreds of print and online publications, including The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, Orlando Sentinel, Storytelling Magazine, The Journal of Graduate Liberal Studies, Encore Prize Poems 2018, Revelry, Haikuniverse, and Other Orlandos. She wrote a pop culture and entertainment blog called “Seen It, Done It, Reviewed It: The Blog” at www.lesliehalpern.com/blog, and served as president of Orlando Area Poets, the local chapter of Florida State Poets Association. Leslie earned a Master of Liberal Studies degree from Rollins College and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Kentucky. She has won dozens of awards for her writing, including a Gold Medal for Humor from Florida Authors & Publishers Association, First Place Humorous Poetry Award from the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Editor’s Award for Poetry from The Gwendolyn Brooks Writers Association of Florida, Distinguished Service Award from Florida Literacy Coalition, and Outstanding Contribution to Literacy Award from Seminole State College.

Update:

We are saddened to report that Leslie C. Halpern passed away unexpectedly in December 2019. Her kindness, generosity and beautiful nature made this world a better place. We are fortunate that she left the legacy of her work.

Jacquelyn Lynn
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