Whatever Doesn't Kill You: Six memoirs of resilience, strength, and forgiveness

by Laura Fraser (Editor)

Shebooks, a publisher of short e-books by and for women, has compiled its best memoirs into this print anthology. In “ Two women war reporters and a friendship under fire,” award-winning journalist Mary Jo McConahay explores the personal toll of war reporting in Central America. Playwright and author Barbara Graham’s delicate “Camp Paradox” takes on the taboo topic of women abusing younger girls. Susan Ito’s “The Mouse Room” is the quirky tale of a young woman working in a genetics lab trying to find her own birth mother. Author Faith Adiele’s “The Nigerian-Nordic Girls’ Guide to Lady Problems” makes a trip to the gynecologist’s office funny, while exposing racial disparities in women’s health care. Award-winning short story writer Ethel Rohan’s “Out of Dublin” is an exquisite tale of emotional survival. In the gorgeous “Nest. Flight. Sky.” memoirist Beth Kephart muses on her mother’s death and her new-found obsession with birds. All these memoirs are brave and beautifully written. These women use the power of writing to understand and overcome challenges in true life stories that are an inspiration for all of us. “Shebooks are essential for a well-read life”-- Caroline Leavitt, author of Pictures of You

196 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2014

About the author

I am a long-time journalist and San Franciscan who loves travel and books. I'm the author of the NYT-bestselling memoir An Italian Affair, and its sequel, All Over the Map. I also wrote a book about the diet industry, Losing It. I am the co-founder and editorial director of Shebooks.net, which publishes short, top-shelf ebooks by women. My own Shebook, The Risotto Guru, is all about eating in Italy.
I'm passionate about reading, and have kept a list of all the books I've read since I was about ten, which you can find on my website: http://www.laurafraser.com/booklists/. I teach and coach writing, particularly memoir and personal essay.

Reviews

[Sher Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology of stories by women who have experienced life threatening events and lived to tell about them is inspiring.