Book Review: Hillbilly Elegy
I am a Scots-Irish hillbilly at heart. – J.D. Vance, Hillbilly Elegy J.D. Vance calls “bullshit” on the theory that he’s successful because he’s brilliant: People look at me, at […]
Tag Archives: survivor stories
Cara Brookins’ House Built a Family
A challenging quest is a phenomenal way to transform from barely surviving to thriving and finding joy. If you are lucky, write well, and know how to promote yourself, you […]
Book Review: The Dress in the Window
Y’all know how much I love Sophie Littlefield‘s books (A Bad Day for Sorry and A Bad Day for Pretty). She’s done it again with The Dress in the Window […]
Book Review: Born A Crime
How do we end the cycle of violence? Love. Trevor Noah‘s memoir, Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, is rich with humor, inspiration, wisdom and compassion. It also […]
Book Review: They’re Playing Our Song
Carole Bayer Sager wrote the soundtrack for my life. “It’s My Turn” was my theme song for decades. “Nobody Does It Better” conjures up sizzling romantic memories from my law […]
RIP: Pat Conroy
Pat Conroy was one of my most favorite authors. He gave voice to everyone who ever experienced abuse. Sadly, he passed away on March 4, 2016. His widow, Cassandra King, […]
Bravo: Deanna Gayle Walters Graduated with a BSW Today!
Guest column by Kit Gruelle Today is Deanna’s Big Day! She’s graduating from Appalachian State with her BSW, and I (we!!) could not be more proud of and happy for […]
Book Review: The Civil Wars of Julia Ward Howe
The Broadway play Hamilton has set me off on a frenzy of books about First Lady Louisa Adams (wife of John Quincy), Alexander Hamilton, and Julia Ward Howe (“Battle Hymn of […]
Book Review: Untied by Meredith Baxter
Meredith Baxter’s memoir, Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering, is a refreshingly candid examination of the cost of shame. Shame has been a powerful weapon of control since the days […]
“Breaking the Silence” on TLC on 8/30 at 10 PM
TLC seems to have recalled that it is The Learning Channel rather than a repository for reality crap. To pay penance for the Duggar debacle, TLC will air “Breaking the […]
Anne Caroline Drake 