Off the Record by Sara Goodman Confino @saraconfino @saraconfino.bsky.social @helenlaserwolf @brilliancepublishing #OffTheRecord #BookSky

the setup…
It’s June 1962 and Judy Greenberg is fresh out of college with her journalism degree. She’s twenty-two, still living at home and determined to get a job as a reporter for The Washington Digest. But, newspapers aren’t hiring women so she accepts a job in the typing pool, waiting for her opportunity, which seems to arise when Jack Fields hands her an article and her final product reflects her writing skills. Then she’s asked to substitute for one of the editor’s secretary, answers his private line and takes a cryptic message involving Cuba. She and Jack agree that she’s stumbled upon something and proceed to covertly investigate, hoping for a scoop.

the heart of the story…
Judy is witty, highly skilled and tenacious. Jack’s charm didn’t initially work on her but they eventually make a great team. Her family is hilarious as her mother is equally determined to find her a husband and her grandmother vacillates between helping and challenging Judy. The spy escapade was a little out there but the factual references to that era, along with the associated scandals of that administration, were entertaining. The camaraderie of the women in that typing pool warmed my heart.

the narration…
Helen Laser was fantastic in the storytelling and adeptly captured the essence of all the major characters. I especially enjoyed her interpretation of Judy.

the bottom line…
It was a gut punch to be reminded of how women weren’t accepted in working roles with men controlling most aspects of their lives. It’s a cautionary reminder for women today to not take our progress for granted. It was women like Judy who fought those battles for more equality. I liked this story with its witty banter, humor and luminous characters. That surprise twisty ending was a bonus.

Book Info

• Release Date: June 9, 2026
• Narrator: Helen Laser
• Audio Length: 8 hours, 21 minutes
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio

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(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)