Two-time Pulitzer finalist Sarah Ruhl shares her most valuable ‘Lessons’

On May 6 and with impeccable timing, dry humor, and under-the-table profundity, playwright and author Sarah Ruhl released her latest book Lessons from My Teachers (Simon & Schuster/Marysue Rucci Books, $28.99). The collection of short essays describes decades of learning courtesy of family members, classroom instructors, colleagues, and professional role models. But Ruhl also writes of unexpected mentorship found in cranky neighbors, a headless gerbil, two bookstore owners, luck, bleeding, writer’s block, big questions, solitude, a felafel maker, and more.

Lessons is a perfect end-of-academic-term gift for anyone else deserving of thanks for the indelible mark they’ve left on your life.

Ruhl is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, Tony Award nominee, MacArthur Genius, and writer of 15 pla