Blog Archives
Mommy, Can Boys Also Be Doctors?: A Message to Young Scientists and Other Humans
Marlene Belfort’s Mommy, Can Boys Also Be Doctors? is a memoir as layered as the life it chronicles. At once deeply personal and sweeping in scope, it traces the author’s journey from a girl growing up in apartheid South Africa to a pioneering molecular biologist in the U.S. The book is divided into five thematic sections, each tackling different life chapters—from her immigrant upbringing and the devastating loss of her father to her rise in science, balancing motherhood, coping with depression, and reflecting on aging. Belfort writes with unflinching honesty, sharing hard-won lessons and posing tough questions about resilience, ambition, gender equity, and the messy but beautiful reality of being human.
What struck me most about this memoir was how real it felt. Belfort walks us through tragedy with grace—her father’s suicide, her battles with depression, the push-pull of ambition and parenting—without ever wallowing. Her prose has a kind of raw elegance to it. You feel her warmth and intellect, her insecurities and boldness. She calls things what they are, even when they’re ugly. There were passages that made me laugh and others that left me aching. Her reflections on scientific ambition and gender bias hit hard, especially the contradiction of being celebrated professionally and doubted personally. She talks about the guilt, the exhaustion, and the benign neglect of parenting with honesty that’s rare and needed.
There’s also an unexpected charm to the writing. Belfort’s tone is smart and vulnerable without being sentimental. She’s both a scientist and a storyteller and that dual-lens makes for something really special. The book bounces between continents, decades, and disciplines with a rhythm that kept me engaged. Her love story with her husband Georges, whom she met as a teen, is a quiet backbone throughout, and their lifelong partnership feels like a rebellion in its own right. But this book isn’t just about her life. It’s about the lives she’s touched, the systems she’s challenged, and the next generation she’s talking to. It feels like a letter, a warning, and a gift, all at once.
Belfort’s memoir is for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, who has chased meaning in both career and family or who’s been caught between survival and growth. It’s especially for young scientists, women in academia, and anyone juggling big dreams with real-life mess. It’s not a self-help book, and it’s not a typical memoir—it’s something braver and harder to define. And that’s what makes it powerful. I recommend it without hesitation.
Pages: 243 | ASIN : B0F43DHBD1
A Story of Self-Reflection
Blood Flow is a raw, unfiltered memoir that stitches together decades of family trauma, personal ambition, health battles, and the relentless search for meaning. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I believe that almost all people endure a significant trauma at least once in their lives. Mine was the suicide death of my father, soon after I turned thirteen years old. Parent loss is trauma, especially to the young, who may lack the information or understanding of why such tragedies happen. In my case, I began interviewing family and obtaining three sets of hospitalization records when my dad was admitted for severe depression and suicidal ideation. I traveled to Trieste, Italy, where he was stationed as an army doctor, and to the Eastern European town where he was born and emigrated from with his family when he was three years old, already fatherless himself. This decades-long search provided a deep understanding of my dad’s history and an appreciation that he was in my life as long as he was.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Sometimes, people need to make a concerted effort to overcome trauma and see life as a great gift. It’s good for adult children to learn what they can about their parents because that knowledge will inform their understanding of their childhood. As a writer, I think that a memoir should not just be a story of victimhood and blame, but rather a story of self-reflection and knowledge, realizing that most people do the best they can with what they have.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of writing my memoir was twofold. One was trying to stay objective while remaining compassionate and emotionally attached to events that radically changed my life. Two was repeatedly redrafting and revising the writing until I found a narrative structure, voice, pacing, and succinct narrative style to engage readers.
How has writing your memoir impacted or changed your life?
Completing my memoir and having it published brought closure to a writing project that took me decades to “get right.” Revisiting the traumatic events and aftermath of my father’s suicide eventually helped me understand and practice compassion, love, and a full appreciation of life.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Life is Fragile
The Blank Journal is a heartfelt travel memoir that follows your journey together riding a tandem bike in all 50 states, and sharing your experiences of healing from deep grief, rediscovering joy, and making the most of the time you have left in life. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Because we understand life’s fragility, our goal in writing this book is to inspire and encourage others, especially those starting over after having experienced setbacks or loss.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
By being vulnerable, we shared emotions, hope, and the importance of resilience. We also shared the raw ups and downs of our lives while achieving this goal.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir and what was the most rewarding?
It was challenging to decide which stories to include in various chapters in an effort to keep the book inspirational and motivational, as opposed to being a purely historical record. The most rewarding aspect was being authentic while reminiscing and focusing on lessons learned about life, ourselves, and each other.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Life is fragile and unpredictable. For readers who have gone through difficult circumstances, we hope the book will encourage them to stay engaged in life. For readers longing to pursue dreams and goals, we hope the book will ignite passion and persistence.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
The Opioid Epidemic
Flirting With Extinction is a raw and unapologetic mosaic of personal essays and stories that chart a life punctuated by grief, recklessness, resilience, and searching. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I needed to process my grief in some way, and I thought that by analyzing it and finding the life lessons in all that had transpired and writing about it would help me navigate my pain as well as the pain of others who have lost cherished loved ones to the opioid epidemic sweeping America’s youth.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
My love for my sons was not as powerful a motivating force in their lives as the cultural zeitgeist they lived with. They had moved away from their Land Before Time and Pokémon mindset into what their peers were doing in the Seattle music scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The 1960s bohemian fashion was in style along with designer drugs I had never heard of until one of my sons died after using the latest drug on the scene, fentanyl. And then even after rehab, the other one followed suit several years later, killing himself on meth. I was absolutely devastated.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The deaths of my sons, I cried every time I worked on that aspect of the story. It took multiple edits with my tears running into my coffee and ruining the taste.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
If you value life, and even if you believe in an afterlife, after experiencing the death of a loved one, it’s important for one’s sanity to find the positive in the negative and nurture those seeds of positivity in everything, to make the pain more bearable. In my sons’ memory, I wear the Jewish Chai symbol that serves as a reminder to embrace life’s inherent beauty, to cherish the present moment, and to recognize the profound interconnectedness of all life.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
After converting to Judaism and adopting her new husband’s name, she moved to Washington state and together with her husband, Joanna helped create a utopia on their island home, far from family feuds. As a family they explored the Pacific Northwest wilderness and played sports. Their children thrived in an environment filled with art, music, and freedom. But the idyllic life they built took a dark turn when their teenage son Micah, along with his friends, defaced a yeshiva, with one drawing swastikas and the chilling message, “this way to the gas chambers”—a reckless joke that would lead to devastating consequences.
As the law came down hard on Micah, the family faced the unbearable loss of their other son, Seth. In Flirting with Extinction, Joanna Kadish explores the deep-rooted trauma inherited from Holocaust survivors. Micah’s great-grandfather was killed in a German labor camp, and Micah’s grandfather, with his mother and sister, fled Germany shortly before Kristallnacht. Decades later, that trauma continues to haunt the family, proving that the wounds of history are not so easily healed.
These are Joanna’s stories of survival, loss, and the enduring impact of generational trauma.
The Blank Journal: Biking in All 50 States and So Much More
The Blank Journal is a heartfelt travel memoir that follows Bob and Tammy Cranston, a remarried couple in their fifties, as they bike together through all 50 U.S. states—on a tandem bike, no less. But this book isn’t just about biking. It’s about healing from deep grief, rediscovering joy, and making the most of the time we have left. With each chapter, they unfold stories of adventure, misadventure, love, laughter, and the unexpected moments that stitched their lives back together after both lost their first spouses to cancer.
I really connected with the raw honesty in the opening chapter, “CHANGE,” where they describe their grief journey and how dance lessons became a surprising first step toward healing. I didn’t expect a memoir that starts with ballroom dancing to make me tear up, but there I was, feeling it all. There’s something deeply human about their story—two people learning to laugh again, stumbling through box steps, dealing with doubt and guilt, and ultimately choosing joy. It’s not written like a polished memoir with literary pretensions. It’s more like sitting across from two kind, chatty friends over coffee while they tell you their life story—complete with a few photos and some goofy mishaps.
That down-to-earth vibe continues throughout. I laughed out loud at their “Murphy’s Law” chapter, especially the part where they get locked out of their RV with their dog Zoey while being swarmed by mosquitoes in Arkansas. And don’t even get me started on the moose encounter in Alaska or the unexpected act of kindness from a stranger who helped guide them down a dangerous trail in Hawaii with just a flashlight and a whole lot of grace. The writing is simple but warm. Even their faith—woven throughout—is shared in a gentle, conversational way. No preaching, just quiet reflections on how their belief in God carried them through the valleys.
This isn’t just a book for cycling lovers, though fellow bikers will definitely enjoy the tales of scenic trails and the occasional tire mishap. This is for anyone who’s ever had to start over. Anyone navigating grief, or retirement, or just itching to pursue a dream later in life. It’s for the hopeful, the sentimental, and the road trip romantics. If you like stories that make you laugh, tear up a little, and want to hug your person tighter—or maybe get back on a bike again—this book’s for you.
Pages: 97 | ASIN : B0DC4PF97R
Aching Hope
Losing Austin follows a teen boy with a reputation for being a hothead whose nonverbal older brother mysteriously vanishes during a rainstorm, and he spends years searching for an answer. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was a high school teacher for many years and so often I’d hear one kid say something nasty or hateful to someone I knew to be his/her friend. I also recall many times kids would shout or scream at their parents or siblings. If they were students I knew well, I’d suggest they make it right with their friend or parent because we never know if we’ll have the opportunity. The unexpected always intervenes in life. This thinking was the seed that begat Losing Austin, and it’s the essential premise of the book. I also worked with nonverbal students and always wondered what they were thinking and what they would say if they could, which provided me with inspiration for the character of Austin.
I found Colton to be an intriguing character. What was your inspiration for this character?
I worked with many kids over the years labeled special education and some required a lot of extra attention on the part of parents and teachers. I also came to know the siblings of these kids and sometimes there was resentment that their brother got all the attention. They knew he needed the attention—even from them—but resented not getting what they needed themselves. These experiences begat Colton, a boy who is forced to be independent from a young age and feels he’s been cheated out of nurturing that should have come to him because his brother is “different” and takes up the lion’s share of his parents’ time. From resentment comes anger, and anger becomes all Colton is in the eyes of teachers, his parents, and other kids. That’s his label and once kids have been labeled, it’s difficult to shed that label.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Losing Austin is about grief; about the way loss fractures a family, leaving jagged edges that don’t quite fit together anymore. It’s about guilt and redemption and desperate, aching hope, the hope Colton feels that Austin is alive and will be found. It’s also about regret, the regret Colton feels for his anger towards Austin and his frantic need for forgiveness. It’s about letting go, about accepting that some people aren’t ours, no matter how much we love them. It’s about redemption and the ability to overcome one’s past. And it’s about the need for parents to love their children equally—no matter that one child might need more of their time—because all children need to be nurtured.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I have completed my first foray into middle grade territory and that book should be out by April of 2026. I’m also writing the two sequels to my award-winning Forever Boy that will complete the trilogy, and I’ve mapped out a cozy mystery to tackle after those are finished, so I’ll be busy.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Riddled with guilt, Colton spends every waking moment trying to find Austin. Searching online for similar missing kids, he meets Keilani, a girl from Hawaii whose younger brother vanished the same day as Austin. Internet explorations reveal other kids who also disappeared, always on rainy days. Since none of these kids have been heard from since, alien abduction seems the most likely answer.
Colton endures years of frustrating dead ends and high school graduation beckons. Then something so shocking occurs that the world descends on the Bowman home in the form of media, law enforcement, even Homeland Security, and Colton’s life will never be the same.
The Suicide Prevention Family Handbook
The Suicide Prevention Family Handbook, by Brett Cotter, is a deeply compassionate and practical guide for those facing the realities of depression, suicidal ideation, and grief. The book serves as a roadmap for families and individuals navigating these challenges, offering step-by-step techniques to provide support, regain emotional balance, and rebuild life after loss. While it does not replace professional medical or psychological treatment, it complements traditional approaches by focusing on mindfulness, emotional release, and effective communication strategies.
One of the most powerful aspects of this book is its emphasis on the role of emotional pain in suicidal ideation. Cotter explains that emotional pain is seeking to be “seen, heard, and loved.” This perspective shifts the focus from simply preventing suicide to addressing its emotional root causes. The techniques he provides, such as the 5 Prompts, which encourage open-ended, compassionate listening, are practical and immediately useful. His step-by-step breakdown of how to hold space for a loved one, particularly the sections on body language and tone, make this guide stand out. It’s not just about what to say but how to be with someone in pain, and that nuance is essential.
Cotter’s personal anecdotes make the book feel intimate and real. His description of working with veterans struggling with PTSD and suicidal ideation, along with his own past experiences with emotional pain, add authenticity to his methods. The story of how he guided someone out of suicidal ideation in 2003 by simply listening, grounding himself, and asking, “Please tell me more,” is a striking example of how small shifts in approach can make a life-saving difference. It’s one thing to discuss theories of emotional healing, but Cotter’s book is packed with real-life examples that prove the effectiveness of his techniques.
Another strong point is his approach to grief. He acknowledges that loss, especially from suicide, can be overwhelming, but he doesn’t offer empty platitudes. Instead, he provides tangible exercises, like the Letting Go with Love Visualization and Calling Loved Ones Into Our Dreams, which allow people to continue their relationship with lost loved ones in a meaningful way. His insight that guilt after a loved one’s suicide is a natural survival mechanism, rather than an indicator of personal failure, is a revelation that could provide comfort to many struggling with loss.
The Suicide Prevention Family Handbook is for anyone who has a loved one struggling with depression, those dealing with their own suicidal thoughts, and individuals grieving a tragic loss. It’s not just for mental health professionals; it’s written for everyday people who want to learn how to truly support those in pain. Cotter’s writing is clear, heartfelt, and filled with empathy, making it an accessible and invaluable resource. If you’re looking for practical tools to help yourself or someone you care about, this book is well worth the read.
Pages: 58 | ASIN : B0DPJKWXDT
Be Deeply Honest with Yourself
Embracing the Unknown is the candid and deeply moving story of a woman’s journey through heartbreak, grief, and self-discovery as she rebuilds a life aligned with her truest self after the death of her husband. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Any book I have ever written has been for my own healing. Writing is a way for me to deeply process and honor whatever has happened in my life – good and bad.
How did your perspective on grief and healing evolve as you wrote the book?
That perspective is an ongoing exploration and so much has continued to unfold. I can’t specifically comment on the approximately ten-month period when I wrote the book.
Was there a particular moment in the writing process that felt especially cathartic or challenging?
There was a poem I wrote about my husband’s death that was really raw and brought up a lot for me. I had initially planned to include it but eventually decided to keep it private. I reveal a lot in this book, but some things aren’t meant to be shared.
What advice would you give to someone afraid of stepping into the “unknown” in their own life?
Be deeply honest with yourself about where you are in your life and trust your heart.
Author Website
READERS’ FAVORITE FIVE-STAR SEAL RECIPIENT
This book is the tale of two selves.
We have two identities. One is the individual person who is born, lives and dies. We are also something greater. We are an Aware, Conscious Presence that is the source of true Intelligence and Creativity and is What We Truly Are. These two selves are seamlessly interconnected, yet only our True Self is ultimately real and ultimately lasts.Some of us are content with only knowing and living from our limited personal story, but others of us are drawn to more deeply know this greater dimension of our identity. This is the story of one separate self with a powerful longing to know the Truth and what happens when Truth is put as the primary desire—because when Truth becomes the primary desire, the game changes.
If you like strong women, transparent stories of endurance and spiritual awakening, then you’ll love Julie Maurer’s liberating tale of resilience and discovery.
LITERARY TITAN 