We Are the Luckiest

January 13, 2020
McKowen examines her alcohol addiction in this affecting, heartfelt debut memoir. To the rest of the world, McKowen, a marathon runner and a vice president at a global marketing agency, appeared to have a great life, but behind closed doors she had an alcohol addiction that stretched back to her teenage years. McKowen writes of casual, inebriated hookups in college, one of which resulted in her getting pregnant and having an abortion. Later in life, as a single mother, she writes that “the night of my brother’s wedding, I left my four-year-old daughter alone in a hotel room overnight because I was blackout drunk.” A year later, after an exchange with her brother, she attended her first AA meeting despite her initial skepticism (“I had to believe they weren’t idiots,” she writes), then began practicing and teaching yoga. McKowen makes the case that her addiction, while incredibly painful and difficult, ultimately made her lucky by allowing her to experience an alcohol-free life. Even as she encourages others to follow her path, she acknowledges it is excruciating (“I wish I could say I never had another drink again after that meeting”) but promises it’s worth it. McKowen’s moving story will be a boon to those seeking help with addiction.

December 1, 2019

Oncologist Hill (pediatric palliative care, Indiana Univ. Riley Hospital for Children) shares a deeply personal story of addiction, depression, hope, and recovery in an effort to improve access, treatment options, and resources for all affected by similar conditions. Writing from firsthand experience, he relates feelings of extreme turmoil as well as the disappointments he faced in seeking treatment, emphasizing throughout the important role empathy plays in the process of healing and understanding the suffering of others with addiction issues.

Former public relations executive McKowen also touches on the problem of stigma but focuses more on her journey while drinking, not shying away from her ongoing struggles with sobriety. Geared primarily toward those currently in the throes of alcohol addiction or who are new to recovery, McKowen's account limns the uncertainty, pain, and loneliness she encountered on her path to a healthier, happier life. VERDICT Hill's engaging memoir comes with lessons for students and those working primarily in the medical field, while McKowen's narrative serves to inspire and uplift the layperson battling addiction.

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.