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Janet Nichols Lynch

Goodreads Author

Born

in Sacramento, The United States

Website

http://www.janetnicholslynch.com

Twitter

JanetNicLynch

Genre

Literature & Fiction, Young Adult, Nonfiction

Influences

Jane Smiley, Jane Austen, Lorrie Moore, Anne Tyler

Member Since

January 2009

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/janetnicholslynch

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Janet Nichols Lynch’s most recent novels are COMMIE PINKO, about the McCarthy era and teen life in Berkeley, CA, in the 1950s; WHEEL OF FIRE, about a teen trying to free another teen from a destructive cult; MY BEAUTIFUL HIPPIE, about growing up in San Francisco in the late 1960s, and RACING CALIFORNIA, about the Amgen Tour of California. She is the author of the novels ADDICTED TO HER, MESSED UP, CHEST PAINS, and PEACE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD.

Janet is available for book readings and signings, writer workshops and conferences, and school visits.

In COMMIE PINKO, it’s 1958, the era of the Cold War and McCarthyism. In Berkeley, California, fourteen-year-old Donna is happily organizing the Richie Valens Fan Club, when her father, a physics p Janet Nichols Lynch’s most recent novels are COMMIE PINKO, about the McCarthy era and teen life in Berkeley, CA, in the 1950s; WHEEL OF FIRE, about a teen trying to free another teen from a destructive cult; MY BEAUTIFUL HIPPIE, about growing up in San Francisco in the late 1960s, and RACING CALIFORNIA, about the Amgen Tour of California. She is the author of the novels ADDICTED TO HER, MESSED UP, CHEST PAINS, and PEACE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD.

Janet is available for book readings and signings, writer workshops and conferences, and school visits.

In COMMIE PINKO, it’s 1958, the era of the Cold War and McCarthyism. In Berkeley, California, fourteen-year-old Donna is happily organizing the Richie Valens Fan Club, when her father, a physics professor at the University of California, is subpoenaed by the House Un-American Activities Committee. At the hearing, Donna is caught between angry demonstrators and militant police in a dangerous conflict that ignites a decade of protest.

In her YA thriller, WHEEL OF FIRE, seventeen-year-old, aspiring detective Kori Lawton has been fascinated since girlhood by the Church of Wheel of Fire, whose raging bonfires light the night sky near her small town located in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Kori assumes that the cult’s members are burned-out aging hippies, until she meets Flicker, a desperate young woman near her own age, whom she is determined to free. Despite being repulsed by the enigmatic cult leader Promus, Kori falls under his hypnotic spell as he plots a deadly doomsday scheme. In the gripping climax, it may be up to Kori to save not only Flicker, but all the members of the cult.

In RACING CALIFORNIA, Evan Boroughs is shocked when his idol Tour de France winner Dash Shipley asks him to join his team for the Amgen Tour of California. He accepts the offer and wins sudden fame as the youngest rider in the event. Racing 800 grueling miles, at top speed, in bitter weather over some of the toughest terrain in California, Evan experiences spectacular triumphs and bitter disappointments. He is further challenged by an aggressive media, allegations that Dash is using performance-enhancing drugs, and pressure from his family and girlfriend to quit the race and return to his college-prep classes. There’s thrilling sports action in this novel about a gifted athlete who realizes that it takes more than talent to succeed in his first pro event.

Janet, born and raised in Sacramento, California, is the author of ten books. In 1984 her first published short story appeared in THE NEW YORKER, and since then her fiction has been included in SEVENTEEN, SAN JOAQUIN REVIEW, BALTIMORE REIVEW, CONFRONTATION, WRITER'S FORUM, and the anthology of California writers HIGHWAY 99: A LITERARY JOURNEY THROUGH CALIFORNIA'S GREAT CENTRAL VALLEY. For the past fifteen years, Janet has read her fiction on Valley Public Radio’s (KVPR, Fresno and KVPX Bakersfield FM 89.3)VALLEY WRITERS READ, hosted by Franz Weinschenk.

Janet received a B.A. in Music from California State University, Sacramento, a Master of Music Degree in Piano from Arizona State University, and a M.F.A. in Creative Writing from California State University, Fresno, where she won the 2003 Outstanding Thesis Award in the College of Arts and Humanities for her short story collection WHERE WORDS LEAVE OFF MUSIC BEGINS. She has taught music at De Anza College, Cupertino, and Skyline College, San Bruno, and music and English at College of the Sequoias, Visalia; and history and English at Divisadero Middle School and El Diamante High School. Currently, she teaches piano in her own studio. She competes in runs and triathlons, and once rode her bike from Phoenix, AZ to Washington, D.C. She lives in Visalia with her husband, composer Timothy Lynch, and they have two grown children, Caitlin and Sean.

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Average rating: 3.95 · 884 ratings · 151 reviews · 18 distinct works • Similar authors

	Messed Up 4.14 avg rating — 580 ratings — published 2009 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	My Beautiful Hippie 3.64 avg rating — 116 ratings — published 2013 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Addicted to Her 3.36 avg rating — 104 ratings — published 2010	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Racing California 3.79 avg rating — 24 ratings — published 2012	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Peace Is a Four-Letter Word 3.18 avg rating — 22 ratings — published 2005	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Chest Pains 3.83 avg rating — 12 ratings — published 2009 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Wheel of Fire 4.14 avg rating — 7 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Commie Pinko 4.75 avg rating — 4 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fresh Ink: Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry by Young Adult Writers 3.67 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2010 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Where Words Leave Off Music Begins it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2004 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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CHEST PAINS excerpt (Literature & Fiction)

1 chapters — updated Jan 30, 2009 06:18PM

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Janet is Currently Reading

Janet Lynch is currently reading

The Heart of a Woman: The Life and Music of Florence B. Price

by Rae Linda Brown

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Fake Accounts

by Lauren Oyler

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Apr 04, 2021 04:08PM

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Clara Schumann, Pianist and Composer

by Janet Nichols Lynch (Goodreads Author)

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Janet Lynch is currently reading The Heart of a Woman: The Life and Music of Florence B. Price by Rae Linda Brown	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Janet Lynch is currently reading Fake Accounts by Lauren Oyler	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 04, 2021 04:08PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Fake Accounts by Lauren Oyler. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Fake Accounts by Lauren Oyler <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janet Lynch is currently reading Clara Schumann, Pianist and Composer by Janet Nichols Lynch (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 04, 2021 04:05PM · 1 like · like
Janet Lynch rated a book liked it The Other Boleyn Girl (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #9) by Philippa Gregory (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I admire what Gregory has done here, but I have mixed feelings. I understand the "fiction" part of historical fiction, and certainly the author researched her subject more than I have. Still, I can't help thinking Anne Boleyn has been dealt too low o ...more
Mar 27, 2021 04:06PM · like · see review
Janet Lynch is currently reading Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 23, 2021 05:46AM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janet Lynch is currently reading The Other Boleyn Girl (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #9) by Philippa Gregory (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Janet Lynch rated a book it was amazing Truly Like Lightning by David Duchovny	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 23, 2021 05:45AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Truly Like Lightning by David Duchovny. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Truly Like Lightning by David Duchovny <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janet Lynch rated a book it was amazing Old in Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over by Nell Irvin Painter	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I love the books the most which I relate to best, and I honestly feel I found a soulmate in Nell Painter. Just as she earned an MFA in Art at an advanced age, I earned an MFA in Creative Writing. Just as her art professor told her, "You can't draw an ...more
Mar 11, 2021 03:22PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Old in Art School by Nell Irvin Painter. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Old in Art School by Nell Irvin Painter <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janet Lynch rated a book liked it Kindred by Octavia E. Butler	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 11, 2021 03:18PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Kindred by Octavia E. Butler. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Kindred by Octavia E. Butler <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Janet Lynch rated a book really liked it Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Healey does an excellent job telling the story of two mysteries, seventy years apart, through the befuddled viewpoint of Maud, who is stricken with dementia. This is one of those rare instances in which I enjoyed the film adaptation more than the nov ...more
Mar 11, 2021 03:03PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey <iframe id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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Janet’s Quotes

“During our lives...we experience so many setbacks, and fight such a hand-to-hand battle with failure, head down in the rain, just trying to stay upright and to have a little hope.”
― Lance Armstrong, It's Not about the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

tags: go, lance-welcome-to-visalia

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“Standing amid the tan, excited post-Christmas crowd at the Southwest Florida Regional Airport, Rabbit Angstrom has a funny sudden feeling that what he has come to meet, what's floating in unseen about to land, is not his son Nelson and daughter-in-law Pru and their two children but something more ominous and intimately his: his own death, shaped vaguely like an airplane.”
― John Updike, Rabbit at Rest

6 likes

“excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. you are what you repeatedly do”
― Shaquille O'Neal

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Janet’s Year In Books

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