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The Rough Side of the Mountain: A Memoir
Not yet published
Expected 21 Apr 26A poignant and inspiring memoir from the former mayor of Atlanta about her modest, hardscrabble upbringing, and fully appreciating the selfless, loving, fierce, and altogether Southern-twinged lessons her family taught her.
Long before Keisha Lance Bottoms rose to prominence in politics, she was a daddy’s girl from the Westside of Atlanta—the baby of her family who did well in school, though she talked too much in class; an outgoing kid who dreamt of growing up to be elegant and charismatic like her parents, cool like her older siblings and big cousins, and the pride of her very large, Southern family.
After law school, Bottoms worked as an attorney, served as a judge, and was elected to City Council and the mayorship, where she garnered national attention for her leadership during the pandemic and George Floyd protests. Later, she was appointed senior advisor in President Joe Biden’s administration.
Yet Bottoms felt disquieted internally. She was in her early fifties and approaching the age her beloved father was when he died. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something in her life was missing, like she’d forgotten to bring an essential element of herself along for her ascension. Stepping away from the daily political grind, Bottoms realized how much she’d sanded down parts of herself in her path to professional success. She’d tucked away the fuller details about her dad’s drug abuse and prison stint for dealing; the sexual abuse she endured; the eating disorder she developed; the close-knit, utterly unpolished family who doted on her and gave her an incredible foundation of love and confidence but whose influence she’d pruned to a sleek, charming, campaign-ready sheen. She thought that was the price of upward mobility. Then she realized she was wrong.
The Rough Side of the Mountain is about this excavation. It’s Bottoms’s deeply affecting journey to rescue a version of herself that she thought she had to leave behind to succeed. An honor to the lessons from kinfolk plainly told, hers is a timely and heartfelt memoir about unmasking oneself, the joys of authenticity, embracing what you see, and spreading that powerful message.
Long before Keisha Lance Bottoms rose to prominence in politics, she was a daddy’s girl from the Westside of Atlanta—the baby of her family who did well in school, though she talked too much in class; an outgoing kid who dreamt of growing up to be elegant and charismatic like her parents, cool like her older siblings and big cousins, and the pride of her very large, Southern family.
After law school, Bottoms worked as an attorney, served as a judge, and was elected to City Council and the mayorship, where she garnered national attention for her leadership during the pandemic and George Floyd protests. Later, she was appointed senior advisor in President Joe Biden’s administration.
Yet Bottoms felt disquieted internally. She was in her early fifties and approaching the age her beloved father was when he died. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something in her life was missing, like she’d forgotten to bring an essential element of herself along for her ascension. Stepping away from the daily political grind, Bottoms realized how much she’d sanded down parts of herself in her path to professional success. She’d tucked away the fuller details about her dad’s drug abuse and prison stint for dealing; the sexual abuse she endured; the eating disorder she developed; the close-knit, utterly unpolished family who doted on her and gave her an incredible foundation of love and confidence but whose influence she’d pruned to a sleek, charming, campaign-ready sheen. She thought that was the price of upward mobility. Then she realized she was wrong.
The Rough Side of the Mountain is about this excavation. It’s Bottoms’s deeply affecting journey to rescue a version of herself that she thought she had to leave behind to succeed. An honor to the lessons from kinfolk plainly told, hers is a timely and heartfelt memoir about unmasking oneself, the joys of authenticity, embracing what you see, and spreading that powerful message.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 21, 2026
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November 28, 2025DNF. I grabbed this one because she's probably running for Governor and I wanted to know more about her, but I'm bored at over 20%, so I'm out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Before reading this memoir, I only knew Keisha Lance Bottoms through her public role, but this book truly introduced me to the woman behind the title. From the beginning, her honesty pulled me in, especially as she shares the story of her father’s arrest and the lasting impact it had on her family. Learning that she is the daughter of a well-known musician was surprising, but what moved me most was the loving, close-knit network of relatives who helped raise her and supported her every step of the way.
As someone who also grew up in the South, that part of her story really resonated with me. When my parents divorced, our extended family stepped in to support my mother and help raise my sisters and me. Seeing that same sense of community reflected in her story made it feel deeply personal and familiar. Even without a background in politics, I found her journey very relatable. She speaks honestly about what leadership requires—the rewards, the sacrifices, and the emotional weight of responsibility. From her first day in office as mayor, she knew there were people who did not want her there, so she committed to initiatives centered on transparency and accountability. That decision clearly set the tone for her entire term. She governed during deeply complex and challenging times for the city, the state, and the country, and she does not shy away from acknowledging that reality.
This memoir is thoughtful, heartfelt, and deeply moving, and it gave me a new appreciation for Keisha Lance Bottoms not just as a leader, but as a person. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in leadership, public service, or meaningful stories of resilience, family, and personal growth.
A huge thanks to NetGalley, the author & the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy!!
As someone who also grew up in the South, that part of her story really resonated with me. When my parents divorced, our extended family stepped in to support my mother and help raise my sisters and me. Seeing that same sense of community reflected in her story made it feel deeply personal and familiar. Even without a background in politics, I found her journey very relatable. She speaks honestly about what leadership requires—the rewards, the sacrifices, and the emotional weight of responsibility. From her first day in office as mayor, she knew there were people who did not want her there, so she committed to initiatives centered on transparency and accountability. That decision clearly set the tone for her entire term. She governed during deeply complex and challenging times for the city, the state, and the country, and she does not shy away from acknowledging that reality.
This memoir is thoughtful, heartfelt, and deeply moving, and it gave me a new appreciation for Keisha Lance Bottoms not just as a leader, but as a person. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in leadership, public service, or meaningful stories of resilience, family, and personal growth.
A huge thanks to NetGalley, the author & the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rough Side of the Mountain by Keesha Bottoms is a powerful and deeply personal memoir that blends resilience, faith, and determination into a narrative that stays with you long after the final chapter. Bottoms writes with a voice that feels both intimate and steady, guiding readers through the challenges, triumphs, and defining moments that shaped her journey. What stood out most to me was how candidly she shares the obstacles she faced the unexpected setbacks, the quiet moments of doubt, and the hard‑won victories that ultimately strengthened her resolve. Her reflections never feel performative; instead, they read like wisdom earned through lived experience.
The memoir shines brightest when Bottoms explores the intersection of personal identity, public service, and purpose. Her storytelling is grounded, honest, and often inspiring, especially when she opens up about the emotional weight of leadership and the responsibility of showing up for others even when the path is steep. If you enjoy memoirs that balance vulnerability with strength, this one delivers. It’s a thoughtful, motivating read that reminds you that climbing the “rough side of the mountain” can shape you in ways smooth paths never could. #netgalley #theroughsideofthemountain
The memoir shines brightest when Bottoms explores the intersection of personal identity, public service, and purpose. Her storytelling is grounded, honest, and often inspiring, especially when she opens up about the emotional weight of leadership and the responsibility of showing up for others even when the path is steep. If you enjoy memoirs that balance vulnerability with strength, this one delivers. It’s a thoughtful, motivating read that reminds you that climbing the “rough side of the mountain” can shape you in ways smooth paths never could. #netgalley #theroughsideofthemountain
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC from NetGalley. Thank you Tavia for providing the opportunity to learn and understand Keisha Lance Bottoms.
In this biography Keisha shares her family history from slavery all the way through Joe Biden’s presidency. Reading this made me feel as if this was written especially for me. I needed the words of wisdom from othermama, her grandma, mom, and dad.
The fears that she has as a mother to black boys are my own fears. The conversations we must have with our children about police stops. I could see myself in so many pages of this book.
There were many highlights made but the one that stood out to me had to do with ambition. The way society paints this word has different meaning for men and women
Ambition is often weaponized and used as a dirty word, causing women and girls to believe that somehow wanting more for ourselves is something to be ashamed of. Unlike with men, in whom it is hyped and rewarded, ambition is sometimes treated like a stain in us—something to be cleaned up or toned down, or worse, it is rejected as tacky and unbecoming behavior.
This book will be released on April 26th. Please add this to your library.
In this biography Keisha shares her family history from slavery all the way through Joe Biden’s presidency. Reading this made me feel as if this was written especially for me. I needed the words of wisdom from othermama, her grandma, mom, and dad.
The fears that she has as a mother to black boys are my own fears. The conversations we must have with our children about police stops. I could see myself in so many pages of this book.
There were many highlights made but the one that stood out to me had to do with ambition. The way society paints this word has different meaning for men and women
Ambition is often weaponized and used as a dirty word, causing women and girls to believe that somehow wanting more for ourselves is something to be ashamed of. Unlike with men, in whom it is hyped and rewarded, ambition is sometimes treated like a stain in us—something to be cleaned up or toned down, or worse, it is rejected as tacky and unbecoming behavior.
This book will be released on April 26th. Please add this to your library.
November 29, 2025
The ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Comes out April 21, 2026.
I was aware of Keisha Lance Bottoms as an Atlanta politician, but didn’t know anything about her as a person. I love a memoir, and I really wanted to like this. I can’t put my finger on what made it boring, because her story is interesting. For long periods of time it just felt like “the begats” in the Bible. I think if she had honed in on specific stories and people instead of covering lots of people at a superficial level I might have been more engaged. By the end, I wanted to be listening to it so I could increase the speed. I did finish it, but I put it down for long chunks of time.
I was aware of Keisha Lance Bottoms as an Atlanta politician, but didn’t know anything about her as a person. I love a memoir, and I really wanted to like this. I can’t put my finger on what made it boring, because her story is interesting. For long periods of time it just felt like “the begats” in the Bible. I think if she had honed in on specific stories and people instead of covering lots of people at a superficial level I might have been more engaged. By the end, I wanted to be listening to it so I could increase the speed. I did finish it, but I put it down for long chunks of time.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This read as much more autobiography than memoir. It felt a little bit like reading a list as she moved from one time period of her life to the next - touching on this or that but never diving real deep. For example the chapter about her undegrad years read like promotion material - lots of generalizations rather than a look at her unique, specific experiences.
Overall a boring but alright read - perhaps better suited for readers who are familiar who her political career.
Overall a boring but alright read - perhaps better suited for readers who are familiar who her political career.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Incredible memoir by an incredible and well-respected political figure. Ms. Lance Bottoms has been an impressive city councilor, mayor, and Senior Advisor to the president, and this book is hard-hitting at telling her story. It is timely, too, with her current campaign for Governor of Georgia. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
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February 21, 2026I received a NetGalley widget from Tavia Kowalchuk at Mariner Books today.
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