The Reader's Shelf

From Library Journal Women in Transition:  Life-Changing Memoirs

A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman By Anderson, Joan 2000-08 - Broadway Books 9780767905930 Check Our Catalog Now available in paperback, the entrancing story of how one woman's journey of self-discovery gave her the courage to persevere in re-creating her life. Life is a work in progress, as ever-changing as a sandy shoreline along the beach. During the years Joan Anderson was a loving wife and supportive mother, she had slowly and unconsciously replaced her own dreams with the needs of her family. With her sons grown, however, she realized that the family no longer centered on the home she provided, and her relationship with her husband had become stagnant. Like many women in her situation, Joan realized that she had neglected to nurture herself and, worse, to envision fulfilling goals for her future. As her husband received a wonderful job opportunity out-of-state, it seemed that the best part of her own life was finished. Shocking both of them, she refused to follow him to his new job and decided to retreat to a family cottage on Cape Cod. At first casting about for direction, Joan soon began to take plea-sure in her surroundings and call on resources she didn't realize she had. Over the course of a year, she gradually discovered that her life as an "unfinished woman" was full of possibilities. Out of that magical, difficult, transformative year came A Year by the Sea, a record of her experiences and a treasury of wisdom for readers. This year of self-discovery brought about extraordinary changes in the author's life. The steps that Joan took to revitalize herself and rediscover her potential have helped thousands of woman reveal and release untapped resources within themselves. …More

The Feast Nearby: How I Lost My Job, Buried a Marriage, and Found My Way by Keeping Chickens, Foraging, Preserving, Bartering, and Eatin By Mather, Robin 2011-05 - Ten Speed Press 9781580085588 Check Our Catalog A charming ode--with 150 recipes--to eating well and locally, on $40 dollars per week, from a recently unemployed food-journalism veteran. …More

Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put on My Pajamas, and Found Happiness By Browning, Dominique 2011-08 - Plume Books 9780452297500 Check Our Catalog Browning's witty and thoughtful memoir has already touched a chord with reviewers and readers alike. While untold millions are feeling the stress of modern life, "Slow Love" eloquently reminds us to appreciate what we have--a timely message that we all need to hear. …More

And I Shall Have Some Peace There: Trading in the Fast Lane for My Own Dirt Road By Roach, Margaret 2012-02 - Grand Central Publishing 9780446556101 Check Our Catalog Margaret Roach worked at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia for 15 years, serving as Editorial Director for the last 6. She first made her name in gardening, writing a classic gardening book among other things. She now has a hugely popular gardening blog, "A Way to Garden." But despite the financial and professional rewards of her job, Margaret felt unfulfilled. So she moved to her weekend house upstate in an effort to lead a more authentic life by connecting with her garden and with nature. The memoir she wrote about this journey is funny, quirky, humble--and uplifting--an "Eat, Pray, Love" without the travel-and allows readers to live out the fantasy of quitting the rat race and getting away from it all. …More

Gardening for a Lifetime: How to Garden Wiser as You Grow Older By Eddison, Sydney 2011-04 - Timber Press (OR) 9781604692662 Check Our Catalog …More

Learning to Breathe: My Yearlong Quest to Bring Calm to My Life By Warner, Priscilla 2011-09 - Free Press 9781439181072 Check Our Catalog "A funny memoir of Faith Club coauthor's serious attempt to change her brain from panic to peace in a year-long spiritual quest"-- …More