Hi, everyone. My name is Erika, and I'm the Disabled Maven Book Reviewer. This week, I'll be reviewing LATE BLOOMER, by Catherine Anderson.
Twenty years after a childhood accident left a permanent shadow over her life, Cady Jordan has returned to her Pennsylvania hometown. Her beloved grandmother, Lola, a retired movie star needs Cady's care--but soon after arriving at Lola's lavish estate, it's clear that the colorful actress will be Cady's mentor to living life to the fullest. Cady wants nothing more than to come out of her shell, but to do so means resurrecting her lost memories of the day when a foolish stunt ended with a bully's death and Cady's serious injury--a tragedy for which her friends held Cady responsible. They're adults now--a lawyer, a businessman, a stay-at-home-mom.
And a police chief: Boomer Ward, whose flaring attraction works on Cady's guarded heart. Now, Cady must determine who can be trusted as she draws closer to Boomer and confronts those who wish she'd never returned. Old wounds may be healed, but can Cady close the door on her heartache and embrace a new life?

I think her perspective provides a nice balance. She tells it like it is, with all of the ups and downs.

By the way, since you like her blogs on Psychology Today, be sure to comment on them so that they keep blogs about chronic illness a part of such a major publication. If they don't know we are interested, they won't keep our issues at the forefront.

Hope you like Dancing at the River's Edge!

Laura O (in the metro Atlanta area)

I'm so glad you posted this, Laura. I liked what Alida had to say over at Psychology Today, and I liked reading her blog over on her home page, too.
I'll definitely read more of her, and will see if I can get her book from the library.
There have been few books about chronic illness that I've liked; too many I read were too "cheery and happy." I think some are so overly cheerful because they're trying to 'give hope' to those newly diagnosed. And some are just... too over the top for me. I'm pretty sensitive to it; it's my personality and baggage.

But I think that Alida might have the right balance for me. Thanks again for posting so we all have the chance to know about her book & writings.
- ashley e (in the Pacific Northwest)

Hi, all! This is just a quick post about Alida Brill's book, Dancing at the River's Edge: A Patient and her Doctor Negotiate Life with Chronic Illness. Alida is an author, social critic, and advocate for women, girls, and people with chronic illnesses. This is an amazing book and I wrote a review of it on my website, which was a guest post at the FWD/Feminists with Disabilities blog. Alida just revamped her website, she has a blog at Psychology Today, a Facebook page, and a blog on her website. This is a fantastic book and we can all relate as women!

Check out these links for more info:
Alida Brill: http://www.alidabrill.com
Alida's Psychology Today Blog: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/chronic-healing
(Be sure to comment to show your support and let Psychology Today know that we value blogs on chronic illness and disability!!)
Alida's Blog on her website: http://www.alidabrill.com/blog/
My review of Dancing at the River's Edge:
http://www.leftybydefault.com/2010/05/03/book-review-dancing-at-the-rivers-edge/
Alida's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alida-Brill/89891528854?v=wall&viewas=0