The Authenticity Project is the story of a solitary green notebook that brings together six strangers and leads to unexpected friendship, and even love

Julian Jessop, an eccentric, lonely artist and septuagenarian believes that most people aren't really honest with one another. But what if they were? And so he writes--in a plain, green journal--the truth about his own life and leaves it in his local café. It's run by the incredibly tidy and efficient Monica, who furtively adds her own entry and leaves the book in the wine bar across the street. Before long, the others who find the green notebook add the truths about their own deepest selves--and soon find each other In Real Life at Monica's Café.

The Authenticity Project's cast of characters--including Hazard, the charming addict who makes a vow to get sober; Alice, the fabulous mommy Instagrammer whose real life is a lot less perfect than it looks online; and their other new friends--is by turns quirky and funny, heartbreakingly sad and painfully true-to-life. It's a story about being brave and putting your real self forward--and finding out that it's not as scary as it seems. In fact, it looks a lot like happiness.

The Authenticity Project is just the tonic for our times that readers are clamoring for--and one they will take to their hearts and read with unabashed pleasure. Book groups will want to take special note of our event with Clare Pooley. The Authenticity Project -- now out in paperback! -- ticks all the boxes for us: it's got great characters; a compelling and discussable story; and it's a pleasure to read! Pooley will be joining us from her home in Great Britain on Saturday, 30 January 2021 at 9:30 AM (PST).  She will be joined in conversation by novelist Georgia Hunter. Tickets are $5 (includes a $5 coupon to rakestrawbooks.com).

Morning Coffee with Clare Pooley