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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 · 119 ratings · 89 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 — 119 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)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Nov 01, 2022 01:38PM

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Catherine’s Recent Updates

Catherine Shields entered a giveaway Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus (Goodreads Author) 25 copies available, ends on May 31, 2026 Enter to win »
May 02, 2026 03:09PM · like · see giveaway
Catherine Shields joined the group Around the Year in 52 Books
Apr 24, 2026 06:27PM · like
Catherine Shields is now following Marlon Montes and Wren Cressida
Apr 18, 2026 01:59PM
Catherine Shields made a comment on Best Friend 🧡 ’s review of The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect " Thank you so much for writing this review! It means a lot. "
Apr 07, 2026 01:26PM · see review
Catherine Shields liked Best Friend 🧡 's review of The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect: "Catherine Shields tells a raw and intimate story about raising her family while coming to terms with the emotional weight of her daughter’s intellectual disability. Through vivid snapshots of everyday life celebrations, vacations, and quiet moments a" Read more of this review »
Apr 07, 2026 01:26PM · 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 entered a giveaway Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus (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
Apr 04, 2026 05:42PM · like · see giveaway
Catherine Shields wants to read The Blue Dress by Rebecca Morrison	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
Mar 31, 2026 05:31AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Blue Dress by Rebecca Morrison. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Blue Dress by Rebecca Morrison <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Catherine Shields wants to read Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice by Virginia Roberts Giuffre Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Audiobook, Readers' Favorite Memoir	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
Mar 27, 2026 10:02AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Catherine Shields wants to read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (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
Mar 25, 2026 04:30PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid <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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Catherine’s Groups

Goodreads Authors/Readers — 56743 members — last activity 53 minutes ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more

Booktok 📚 — 228492 members — last activity 1 hour, 4 min ago
A place for booktokers to interact with each other and share the love

Author Marketing - Resources, Exchanges, & Challenges — 1701 members — last activity May 25, 2026 07:41PM
This group is for all authors who want to learn about marketing for the purpose of increasing book sales. This group will include: 1) Marketing Resou ...more

Reese's Book Club x Hello Sunshine — 175900 members — last activity 7 hours, 0 min ago
Hey Y’all, We’ve been reading together for awhile and we don’t know about you, but we’re ready to hear your thoughts and opinions. This group is a pl ...more

Oprah's Book Club (Official) — 86761 members — last activity 23 hours, 25 min ago
Welcome to the official Oprah's Book Club group. OBC is the interactive, multi-platform reading club bringing passionate readers together to discuss i ...more

Vine Leaves Press — 266 members — last activity Nov 11, 2025 03:40AM
Read one or more of our books? Want to discuss your reading experience directly with the author? We can make that happen.

Goodreads Librarians Group — 325664 members — last activity 0 minutes ago
Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more

Advanced Copies for Review & Book Giveaways — 16304 members — last activity 2 hours, 49 min ago
A place to help authors and reviewers come together to get the word out about new books as well as a group for anyone to post or enter listings for bo ...more

Around the Year in 52 Books — 11321 members — last activity 17 minutes ago
~ 2026 Reading Challenge ~ 52 books for 52 weeks. Each week, members read the book of their choice for that week's challenge requirement. ▶︎ CURREN ...more

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