Book Report: The Heart of the Matter

By Amy Flurry
May 25, 2010

She’s been dubbed a “modern day Jane Austen,” penning four New York Times bestsellers—Something Borrowed (2004), Something Blue (2005), Baby Proof (2006) and Love the One You’re With (2008)—in almost as many years. This month, her long-awaited fifth novel, Heart of the Matter, hit shelves with similar rocket-like trajectory.

The prolific novelist who at 30, bid adieu to a career in law to pursue her dreams of writing novels, is also a mother of three young children (twin six-year-old boys and a two-year-old daughter) and shares the plight of every working mom—the restrains on time, the guilt of traveling and the constant juggling of the personal and professional. “I always had a sense that writing would be such a peaceful pursuit—and there are times when I am quite cozy in my attic office, writing away with a steaming cup of coffee,” says Giffin. “But it is also incredibly demanding, especially when I’m launching a new book. In some ways, writing professionally is like running a small business.”

Time and again, the Atlanta-based Giffin has turned to eBay to clear the hurdles of her hectic schedule (and to right the calamities of toddlerdom). When Volume seven of her 1974 Childcraft encyclopedias was left out in the rain, Giffin found a replacement on eBay. For her daughter’s farm-themed birthday, she bid on and won dishes from Pottery Barn with farm animals painted on them. “Our biggest score was a vintage Fisher-Price little person for my son who could not live without a certain golden-haired, green frocked girl,” she says. “I was on a book tour when I got the frantic call from my nanny who said 'Goldie' was missing and my son was inconsolable. We looked everywhere and even posted signs in the neighborhood park where she was lost.” Goldie was never recovered, but Giffin found a replacement on eBay within 24 hours. “eBay saved the day!”

Family emergencies aside, Giffin has purchased things like a 1982 Sports Illustrated cover to complete her Ralph Sampson collection. “He’s a childhood idol land current close friend,” she says. She also scored tickets to a U2 concert, Jimmy Choo sunglasses and a Mrs. Beasley doll as a gift for her sister. Currently on tour for Heart of the Matter and working on her sixth novel, Giffin doesn’t see giving up her eBay dependency any time soon. “I don’t know what people used to do before eBay—other than despair!”

www.emilygiffin.com.

Here’s what’s on Giffin’s current eBay search list:

1. Final Four poster or program from 1982 (winning bid, $179.99) “Or any memorabilia from the Jordan days at UNC for my best friend, Brian, a huge Carolina fan and soon turning 40.”

2. New Hello Kitty collectibles (starting bid, $1.99) “I like to look for kooky things for my daughter, Harriet, that might not be available in stores.”

3. Children’s illustrated classic books and vintage toys (buy it now price, $28.80) “The older the better.”

4. NEW Chanel Quilted Bag (buy it now price, $2,199.99) “Always a classic.”

** Images provided by subject. **

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