Voluntary Madness: My Year Lost and Found In the Loony Bin
by Norah Vincent
Struggling with the psycho-emotional conflicts of being a woman living as a man
for her last book, Self-Made Man  (2006), Vincent checked herself into the
psychiatric ward of a hospital. While there, she found inspiration for her next
immersion-journalism experience. But this experience went way beyond observation
as Vincent actually wondered about the state of her mental health. For a woman
with a history of depression, what began as an investigation into psychiatric
practices and questionable diagnoses, within the broader context of modern
American culture, morphed into a personal exploration of mental stability. In
this sometimes harrowing and sometimes humorous account, Vincent recalls her
stay at three mental-health facilities: the ward of a big-city public hospital,
a rural private psychiatric hospital, and an alternative-treatment program.
Vincent chronicles not just the social and economic differences in illnesses and
treatments at the facilities but also the madness of bureaucracies that
overmedicate and dont listen enough to what patients have to say. A riveting and
enlightening look at mental-health treatment.
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That Went Well: Adventures In Caring For My Sister by Terrell Harris Dougan
 Dougan tells of the challenges, heartache, and love
that have been a part of her family's life since her younger sister was born
with mental disabilities. What is
most surprising is that the book is laugh-out-loud hilarious, while describing
the frustrations of advocating for appropriate education for her sister Irene
and others with similar disabilities.
Dougan relates the history of special education laws and progress in
community living settings. This is
a true love story, and a real education for the reader. A most enjoyable
read!
Reviewed by Gayle
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by Meryl Gordon
This new biography was featured on NPR in the past few days, promises to
be  fascinating and revealing. The poignant saga goes behind the gates of
a powerful American dynasty--the Astors--to tell of three generations' worth of
longing and missed opportunities, which ultimately led to the empire's
unraveling. The indictment in November 2007 of Anthony (Tony) Marshall, the
only child of the late legendary philanthropist Brooke Astor, for misuse of his
mother's fortune led to an unheard-of scrutiny of America's discreet
aristocracy.
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Hotel On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet |
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Now In Paperback!
by Jamie Ford
I connected with this beautiful story from the first page. The historical
setting of  Seattle in the early days of America's involvement in the war, the
conflicts and fears among the Chinese, Japanese, African-American, and
Caucasian citizens, the forced internment of Japanese families caught up in the
times. The novel, with its rich characters and cultural insights,
portrays the challenges and losses of everyone touched by the reality of war
and the resilience at life's injustice. I was deeply touched by the depth
of emotion: love, hatred, mistrust, forgiveness. This would be an ideal selection for a book club or group.
Once you have read this book, you may want to visit the Panama Hotel in Seattle and have tea in the historic site!
~Reviewed by Gayle Wingerter
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by Stephanie Kallos
Sing Them Home is a moving portrait of three siblings who have lived in the shadow of
unresolved grief since their mother's tragic disappearance when they were
children. The novel ushers us into small-town life, with all its distinctive
cultural nuances, eccentric personalities, and homegrown secrets. Stephanie Kallos, author of Broken For You, lives in Seattle.
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