A truly singular book in both style and subject, Belc's "Natural Mother of the Child" delves into deep questions of parenthood and selfhood—especiallyA truly singular book in both style and subject, Belc's "Natural Mother of the Child" delves into deep questions of parenthood and selfhood—especially the ways in which the former informs the latter. ...more
When a young Katherine E. Standefer was suddenly diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome—the same congenital heart condition as her younger sister—she was facWhen a young Katherine E. Standefer was suddenly diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome—the same congenital heart condition as her younger sister—she was faced with what felt like an impossible choice: implant a cardiac defibrillator and be forever tied to the American Medical System, or take a chance with death. In Lightning Flowers: My Journey to Uncover the Cost of Saving a Life Standefer explores this system as both a patient and a consumer, visiting factories in California as well as mining communities in Rwanda and Madagascar where the metals in her defibrillator were sourced to learn more about the true human cost of the device that was meant to save her life. Throughout, Standefer wonders whether her life is worth this price, and asks us to reimagine approaches to care—both in medical and environmental. The result is an incredible story that will resonate with readers for many years to come, teaching us as much about Standefer's condition as the world we live in....more
KB Brookins' poetic prose and keen sense of justice make this one of the best memoirs of the year, and a much-needed addition to the trans memoir canoKB Brookins' poetic prose and keen sense of justice make this one of the best memoirs of the year, and a much-needed addition to the trans memoir canon. Listening to the audiobook (narrated in the author's own voice) adds another layer of poignancy to the reading experience....more