Ayelet Waldman is an accomplished American-Israeli author, known for her essays, novels, and personal narratives. She was born in Jerusalem to parents who had immigrated from Ukraine at the beginning of the 20th century. After spending her childhood in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Waldman attended Wesleyan University. Following her graduation, she moved to Israel but returned to the United States after finding the cultural norms of her Kibbutz too restrictive.
Waldman later pursued a law degree at Harvard University and embarked on a career as a criminal defense lawyer in California. In addition to her legal work, she served as an adjunct professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law from 1997 to 2003. However, she eventually left her academic position to focus on motherhood and writing.
Waldman's work often explores themes of family, motherhood, and personal growth. She has written several novels, including the Mommy-Track Mystery series, as well as essay collections like Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities and Occasional Moments of Grace. Her writing combines humor, honesty, and insight to create engaging narratives that resonate with readers.
Apart from her books, Waldman has contributed personal essays and profiles to various publications, including The New York Times, Vogue, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. She has also made appearances on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" and "The California Report." Her novel Love and Other Impossible Pursuits was adapted into a film starring Natalie Portman.
Waldman is married to author Michael Chabon, and they have four children together. She currently resides in Berkeley, California. Her latest book, A Really Good Day: How Microdosing Made a Mega Difference in My Mood, My Marriage, and My Life, chronicles her experiences with microdosing psychedelics to manage her mood and anxiety.