Welcome to Family Matters!

I’m so glad you are here. 

At last, the world has opened up again, and I’m scheduling visits to bookstores and book groups. 

If you belong to a book group and would like me to visit, virtually or in person, please contact me using the Contact or Events tab, or at marlenebumgarner@gmail.com. If you scroll to the bottom of the page you can see what I’ve posted lately on my blog. Look around, and please leave a comment so I know you’ve been in the building.

My latest book, Back to the Land in Silicon Valley (Paper Angel Press)

 is available in hardback, paperback, audio and e-book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and by order from independent bookstores everywhere.

A revised version of my 1982 book, Organic Cooking for (not-so-organic) Families, has been at the publisher for four years, but hopefully will be released soon.

Meanwhile, I am trying to find a publisher for Grandparenting Matters: Strengthening Relationships in the Modern Family. (Are you a grandparent? Join my Facebook group!) 

I’m also working on a cozy mystery, Death on a Sunny Morning. The main character is a grandmother, Harriet Palmer, and my loyal canine companion will join her halfway through the book!

Marlene

MY BOOKS

My first book, The Book of Whole Grains (St. Martin’s Press, 1976), grew out of teaching cultural history to fourth graders. After opening a natural food store, I wrote a food column for the San Jose Mercury News and a feature for Mothering Magazine, where I was a contributing editor. A series of cooking classes followed, and a second book, Organic Cooking for (not-so-organic) Mothers (Chesbro Press, 1982). In 1997, St Martin’s Press revised and republished my first book as The New Book of Whole Grains. While teaching developmental psychology to undergraduates, I wrote Working With School-Age Children, (Pearson, 2013, 2017). My most recent book, Back to the Land in Silicon Valley (Paper Angel Press, 2020), is a memoir of the decade my family and I lived on the land in the 1970’s in California’s Silicon Valley then known as The Valley of Heart’s Delight. I am currently revising both Organic Cooking and The Book of Whole Grains for a summer release.

RECENT ADVENTURES

I treated myself and a high school friend to a short cruise to Ensenada in November to celebrate my birthday. In December I flew to Italy with Road Scholar’s Christmas in Sorrento. My return was quickly followed by the horrendous southern California fires, which required me and my nearby son’s family to evacuate for several weeks. 

Each time I return from an adventure, I transcribe my travel journal and post excerpts on my blog, so be sure to check back for updates (or subscribe to my newsletter if you want to receive articles by email.)

These web pages are where I post excerpts of my latest work, share peeks at new projects, and connect with my readers. I no longer teach Child Development online, but I occasionally do some consulting and public speaking. Mostly I write about my experiences as a teacher, mother, grandmother, gardener, and cook. Please check out my blog, subscribe to my newsletter, buy my books, and drop in often.

Marlene