BOOK REVIEW: "Dear Mr. You"

Mary-Louise Parker may be best known for her roles in "Weeds" and "Angels in America," but she also has a pretty impressive byline. Her writings have appeared in numerous publications, and "Dear Mr. You" is her first book.

Parker takes readers on a biographical journey through a series of letters written to the men in her life. The collection of men includes family members, co-workers, friends - and strangers. Each character represents a significant time in Parker's life. She shares intimate details of lost love, the beginnings of her acting career and cherished moments with her children. Whether it's a loin-cloth-wearing surfer dude or a New York City firefighter, Parker is able to introduce another piece of her personal timeline in a creative way.

Readers will be drawn into her epic tale of the day her son was born. Hearts will melt when The Neighbor shows up for a visit. Tears will flow when the details of her daughter's adoption unfold after a trip to Ethiopia. And you can bet your heart will race when you read about the great lengths a daughter went through to secure oysters for her ailing father.

"Dear Mr. You" is a colorful anthology of funny, lonely and poignant moments from one woman's life. Her biographical approach is extremely innovative. Parker takes a hard look at the men in her life in order to analyze their impact on the woman she is today. And that woman is complex, compassionate, loving and talented.