Inspirational Memoir

"Regardless of how much money you have, your race, where you live, what religion you follow, you are going through something. Or you already have or you will. As Momma always said, Everybody's got something." So begins beloved Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts' new memoir Everybody's Got Something (written with Veronica Chambers) in which she recounts the incredible journey that's been her life so far, and the lessons she's learned along the way.

With grace, heart, and humor, she writes about overcoming breast cancer only to learn five years later that she will need a bone marrow transplant to combat a rare blood disorder, the grief and heartbreak she suffered when her mother passed away, her triumphant return to GMA after her medical leave, and the tremendous support and love of her family and friendsthat saw her through her difficult times. Following her mother's advice to 'make your mess your message,' Robin taught a nation of viewers that while it is true that we've all got something--a medical crisis to face, aging parents to care for, heartbreak in all its many forms--we've also all got something to give: hope, encouragement, a life-saving transplant or a spirit-saving embrace. 

Dancing Fish and Ammonites

Penelope Lively, the beloved, bestselling and award-winning author of Moon Tiger reflects on the influences that have shaped her literary life in Dancing Fish and Ammonites.  Lively traces the arc of her life, from her early childhood in Cairo and boarding-school education in England to her love for archaeology and the sweeping changes in 20th-century Great Britain.

"An insightful book of self-reflection from the acclaimed novelist--"not quite a memoir," she writes, but "the view from old age."" - Kirkus Reviews

"Overall, these reflective essays offer a wealth of riches for further study, and help to dispel many of the stereotypes about the aged, from the "smiling old dear to the grumbling curmudgeon," which she abashedly admits are frequently ossified in fiction."- Publishers Weekly Reviews

Brave Memoir by Elizabeth Heineman

Ghostbelly is Elizabeth Heineman's wrenching account of giving birth to a stillborn baby baby and subsequently dealing with the loss. Heineman was in her mid-forties when she and her partner decided to try for a baby.  She conceived without difficulty and her pregnancy was uneventful. However, she knew that she was taking a risk when she made the decision to deliver at home with only a midwife in attendance, and not in a hospital. An unexpected placental abruption occurred right before she gave birth and the reader is taken through the painful stream of events that ends up with her losing her child. The amount of courage it took for her to share her painful story and the impossible task of saying goodbye to a child is astonishing.

"As Heineman admits, "there is nothing happy about a dead baby.  Not beginning, not middle, not end." Her story reveals the depths of emotional pain associated with stillbirth and reveals that parental love has no boundaries." - Publishers Weekly Reviews

How well do YOU know NYC?

As a New York City native, William Helmreich felt that he knew the City pretty well; as a child he and his father would play a game they called "Last Stop." Last Stop entailed picking a subway line, riding it to its final stop and getting out and exploring the neighborhood.  As an adult, Helmreich, a true explorer at heart, felt that the only way to truly understand his beloved NYC would be to walk every single block of every single neighborhood in all five boroughs.  So he did.  Helmreich's epic journey was an astonishing 6,000 miles long on foot.  It took four years to complete.  The book he published after his life-changing adventure, The New York Nobody Knows, is his story.  Let us know your thoughts - does this epic memoir change the way you view the big City?

Per Kirkus Reviews, "The author exudes great love and admiration for his hometown on every page, and this collection of anecdotes brings New York to life with unprecedented humanity and detail.  This book is a pure joy; even the most dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker will learn something new about this vibrant city." 

Haunting, Unforgettable Memoir

Sophie Hayes willingly traveled to Italy, with her supposed lover, Bledi. Little did Sophie know that Bledi would force her to sell her body to help him pay off a debt.  Sophie worked the dangerous streets night after night, she was trapped with no money, friends or family.  There were nights were she would see as many as 30 clients.  Sophie was completely at Bledi′s mercy for food, clothes and shelter, however, she refused to give up; she believed that she would find a way to escape.

"Her disturbing look at sex slavery starkly raises awareness and should achieve her stated goal that the story "might help to keep other girls safe."" - Publishers Weekly Reviews

Uplifting New Memoir: I'll Stand By You

Fourteen years ago Elissa Montanti was a part time singer/songwriter living in Staten Island.  After the deaths of her mother, grandmother, and first love, she found herself crippled by anxiety and panic attacks and unable to write or perform music.  When a friend asked Montanti to help with a fundraiser for Bosnian children, Montanti was so moved that she quit her job and started a charity to help bring wounded children to the United States to receive prosthetic limbs.  As Montanti opened opened her heart to these children, she was able to heal herself.  I'll Stand By You is an inspirational story of compassion and determination.