Memoir

[close] a "safe" space for girls and gays who (used to) listen to red scare and unfortunately also have opinions about books. the vibe: ♡ wwssd; what would Susan Sontag do? ♡ literary girlies with commitment issues ♡ gays with a concerning knowledge of 19th-century russian literature ♡ pretending our tbr is aspirational rather than a sign of being manic ♡ overanalyzing fictional women ♡ having a favorite author and making it your personality ♡ reading books so you can develop a new personality for 2–3 business weeks ♡ we love niche recommendations we here at the g+gs lit club recognize the following: ♡ there is merit to separating the art from the artist, but like, bad actions can overshadow the merits of their contributions ♡ YA is for children ♡ booktok vibes are atrocious ♡ we try not to be too corny w/ "alt-girl" slop ♡ people should talk less about Lena Dunham's controversies ♡ Yesteryear is mid at best ♡ Fitzcarraldo does have pretty book covers (it's International Klein Blue) anyway, welcome. read something. have an opinion. make it everyone’s problem. 💌

[close] A welcoming community for genuine readers and authors to discover books, exchange perspectives, and connect through meaningful conversations. We bring readers and authors together to explore stories, share ideas, discuss the inspiration behind books, and create genuine connections beyond the pages. Whether you are here to discover your next favorite book, share your reading experience, or connect directly with readers who appreciate great storytelling, there is a place for you at Joy Global Connect. Discover books. Share perspectives. Connect through stories.

[close] Welcome to The Open Book Reading Circle, a friendly place for people who simply love books. We read across genres, swap recommendations, talk about the stories that stay with us, and make room for different opinions. You don't have to be an expert reader, read every month, or stick to one particular genre. Bring the book you're enjoying and join the conversation. Each month, we'll have a new reading challenge to give members something fun to explore. Some challenges may take us into a genre we rarely read, introduce us to a new author, send us back to a classic, or simply encourage us to pick up that book that's been sitting on the shelf for too long. You'll also find: • Monthly reading challenges • Book-of-the-month conversations • Genre discussions • Reader recommendations • Reading updates and check-ins • Polls and community questions • Author and book conversations when they naturally fit the discussion This is a reader-first community. We welcome authors and publishing professionals too, but the heart of the group is conversation, discovery, and a genuine love of books. There is no pressure to finish every challenge and no expectation that members agree about every book. A thoughtful "I loved it" and a thoughtful "it wasn't for me" are both welcome. Come as you are, bring your current read, and let's see where the next page takes us. Read widely. Talk openly. Discover something new.

[close] Many memoirs tell stories of success, but I'm often more moved by stories of struggle, failure, and redemption. I've recently published a memoir titled Coping to Survive, in which I share the painful reality of living with alcoholism for 40 years, the damage it caused to my family, and the incredible grace God showed me when I thought there was no way back. One question has stayed with me throughout this journey: Can someone who has spent decades trapped in addiction truly change, or are some wounds simply too deep to heal?