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Catherine Shields

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

Website

http://www.cathyshieldswriter.com

Twitter

Catshields1

Genre

Memoir, Nonfiction, Parenting

Member Since

October 2016

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/60915900-cathy-shields

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Catherine (Cathy) Shields writes about parenting, disabilities, and self-discovery. In debut memoir, The Shape Of Normal, A Memoir Of Motherhood, Disability And Embracing A Different Kind Of Perfect, Cathy explores the truths and lies parents tell themselves. Her book was named a category WINNER in the 2023 American Writing Awards, and her writing has twice been nominated for a Pushcart. Her essays have been published in NBC Today. Newsweek, Bacopa Literary Review, Grown and Flown, Brevity Blog, Mother Magazine, U Revolution, and Write City Magazine. Cathy resides in Miami, Florida with her husband. They enjoy taking long bike rides and kayaking. Follow her on her Instagram @cathyshieldswriter..

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Catherine Shields’s books

Average rating: 4.82 · 95 ratings · 75 reviews · 1 distinct work • Similar authors

The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect

4.82 avg rating — 95 ratings — 2 editions

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Catherine Shields's Blog

Here’s an excerpt from my book, a story published in Bacopa Literary Review

Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/Bacopa-Literar...

The Messenger

My cousin Charlie and I stand six feet apart in my living room. I imagine he has already calculated the prescribed distance before he even stepped over the threshold. He hasn’t changed. Not since I saw him ten years ago when he came to my wedding and wore what seemed to be an exact replica of that long, black coat.

When he call

Catherine is Currently Reading

Catherine Shields is currently reading

But I'm Still Here: Shaking the Tree - brazen. short. memoir. (Vol. 5)

by Marni Freedman

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jan 29, 2024 02:01PM

Catherine Shields is currently reading

The Book Bible: How to Sell Your Manuscript—No Matter What Genre—Without Going Broke or Insane

by Susan Shapiro (Goodreads Author)

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Nov 01, 2022 01:38PM

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Catherine’s Recent Updates

Catherine Shields made a comment on Diana Iverson’s review of The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect " Thank you so much! "
23 minutes ago · see review
Catherine Shields made a comment on Visionary Impart’s review of The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect " Thank you for that wonderful review! "
30 minutes ago · see review
Catherine Shields made a comment on Meagan Briggs’s review of The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect " Thank you so much! "
1 hour, 39 min ago · see review
Catherine Shields made a comment on Keeley Norton’s review of The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect " Love it! Thank you so much! "
1 hour, 40 min ago · see review
Catherine Shields made a comment on Alice Marry’s review of The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect " Thanks so much! "
1 hour, 41 min ago · see review
Catherine Shields liked Wren Gray's review of The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect: "This book shattered my heart and gently put it back together. Catherine Shields writes with a raw honesty that feels almost sacred. Every page carries the weight of love fear denial and fierce devotion. As a parent or even as a human being you cannot" Read more of this review »
1 hour, 43 min ago · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Shape of Normal by Catherine Shields. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Shape of Normal by Catherine Shields <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Catherine Shields liked Wren Cressida's review of The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect: "I found myself pausing often while reading, not because it was difficult to follow, but because it made me think deeply about my own assumptions."
1 hour, 51 min ago · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Shape of Normal by Catherine Shields. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Shape of Normal by Catherine Shields <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Catherine Shields liked Rowan Carter's review of The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect: "The Shape of Normal is a memoir that doesn’t rush to comfort you, it asks you to sit with discomfort, uncertainty, and truth. Catherine Shields writes about motherhood and disability with remarkable honesty, allowing the reader to see her fear, denia" Read more of this review »
1 hour, 52 min ago · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Shape of Normal by Catherine Shields. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Shape of Normal by Catherine Shields <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Catherine Shields is now following Rose Brown's reviews
Jan 07, 2026 02:20PM · like
Catherine Shields rated a book it was amazing Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor's Unlikely Adventure by Mimi Zieman (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
what a wonderful story! I enjoyed reading about Mimi's adventures and the challenges she faced! Agreed with everyones assessment. ...more
Jan 06, 2026 07:11AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Tap Dancing on Everest by Mimi Zieman. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Tap Dancing on Everest by Mimi Zieman <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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Catherine’s Quotes

“For years, I struggled to resist the diagnosis, trying to make Jessica normal, trying to fit her into the mold of my imagined future. But what I now see is the valuable lesson Jessica taught me. I was the one who needed to change.”
― Catherine Shields

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