Frontal Matter: Glue Gone Wild

by Suzanne Samples, Barbara Lockwood (Editor)

A fun, funny, and heartbreakingly real memoir of a woman's fight against terminal brain cancer. The writing is honest, charming, and full of cuss words. Suzanne Samples teaches English at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She was diagnosed with a frontal lobe glioblastoma multiforme at 36. She loves roller derby and lives on the side of a mountain with her pets Gatsby, Prufrock, and Duffles. Featured in swag bags for the 2019 Golden Globe presenters and nominees.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2018

Reviews

[V. Sykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to write a review for this since I heard the news recently.

This was written by a creative writing teacher who worked at Appalachian State. She was also on our local roller derby team (which I tried to join). She had to quit teaching after being diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma.

I followed her on instagram, and we dmed. She had beat the cancer. She sent me a free book.

I checked her instagram and it came back. She entered hospice and has not posted in three years.

I think what I loved about this book was how it shows the raw and unattractive parts of cancer. If you went to App, you should read this.

[Linda Palazzolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One day you’re working, teaching and writing, competing at Roller Derby, all packed for a holiday visit. You stop to meet a friend for coffee. Your leg leaves your control, you fall. Suzanne finds out she has a brain tumor, cancer. There is no cure. Yet she fights, she goes through treatment she calls on family to help. She tells it like it is. Well written honest.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me longer than it should have because it was difficult to read while my mom was dying of the same disease. I turned 36 while reading, the same age as SZ when she gets her diagnosis, which somehow made everything even more personal than it already was.
Though I chose this for the subject matter, I kept reading because it is the most honest and relatable book of all that I have sought out about cancer, death, and dying. I enjoyed it and the diary structure of it. My favorite moments were the very honest depictions of her relationship with her family, especially her sister.
I have randomly checked the internet numerous times over the past two years to see how SZ is doing and I breathe a sigh of relief each time I find evidence that she is still alive, still kicking. She currently has an internet fundraiser to help pay for her continual MRIs. I keep meaning to donate. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-suzan.... I realize this is sort of a weird reaction--why do I care that this stranger is alive when my mom is dead? Why does it give me some weird form of hope? I guess you could accuse me of growing too fond of anyone I read, but I think it would be hard to read this and not want to root for her and hope she might get to knock some girls out in derby soon.
So glad you wrote this, SZ, and so glad I found it and read it. It really changed my perspective of what my mom went through. I wish I could have been brave enough to finish it while she was alive. It may have helped me.

[Kacee Windsor · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2022 at the age of 30, I was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor of my left frontal lobe. Just like SZ. Many of her experiences in this memoir, I have experienced/am experiencing. I love her writing style because it literally feels like your thoughts are all over the place and you’re not sure what to feel. Just random memories from the past, reflections about relationships, and imagining what the future will bring. And feeling like you just want it to be over because anticipating the tumor’s return (because it will) is really fucking hard to live with. If she was here, I’d thank her for sharing her story 💕

[Kristen Byers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I both liked and disliked this book. Memoirs are not usually my genre of choice, but this one was of personal interest to me. It's about a 36-year old roller derby skater who discovers she has terminal brain cancer. The stream of consciousness writing style suited the content very well, but there is nothing about this book that leaves you feeling good. I am still happy that SZ put this story out into the world.

[ArchaeoLibraryologist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read. Not in the style I typically read but perfect format for the emotions and stream-of-consciousness that this book contained. I could never begin to understand what Suzanne is going or has gone through, but I appreciated a chance to see this experience through her perspective. It gave me a lot to think about in my own life.

[Nicole C · Rating 3 out of 5]

An insightful first person account of a person going through cancer and all the intricacies of relationships that come with it. While this book focuses on the issue of finding out she has brain cancer, it is also so much more than that, and reading it from a first person point of view really allows the reader to feel it rather than just see the words.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend wrote this book, but even if I didn't know the remarkable author personally, this book would be one of the most impactful reads of my lifetime. It is painfully honest and beautifully heart-wrenching.

[Amber Tidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzanne Samples is diagnosed with brain cancer, and having a strong background in English and writing, she decides to write about her experiences. This book is a gut punch over and over again. The awareness that Samples has of her terminal condition while trying to live her life is inspiring. She talks about dating, friends that come and go, the way her body changes, and the reader gets a glimpse of her transparent inner monologue as she struggles to digest her new state of living.

Samples was an acquaintance of mine from a job we shared in 2011. Her death in the Fall of 2022 pushed me to read her books. I regret not doing so before she was gone.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzanne was heartbreakingly open and honest with her readers regarding her diagnosis and initial treatments of her brain cancer. Knowing Suzanne and her outcome, this book certainly helps you put your life and health into perspective a little better.

[Kortney · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a must read. I really can't express how muxh I love this book.

[Denese Lamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Explains the feelings and events of being Dx and living with brain cancer by someone currently surviving this horrible disease.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I don't remember how I found it, but it was very timely given that my daughter, Maggie Mae (27) is also dealing with a brain tumor.

SZ's style of writing and the persona she portrays is very much like Maggie's. Raw, sarcastic, honest and insightful. SZ doesn't pull any punches.

FWIW, my daughter Maggie loved this book. She really identified with the experience and the feelings, reacting with both laughter and tears.

I am looking forward to reading SZ's follow-up book, Stargazing in Solitude.

[Pamela Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brutally honest account of this young woman’s reaction to getting the devastating news that no one wants to get..you have terminal brain cancer. Through her own words, the reader feels the grit and dogged determination to not be defined as a cancer patient, but as the witty, intelligent, accomplished professional that she is.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend wrote this book, but even if I didn't know the remarkable author personally, this book would be one of the most impactful reads of my lifetime. It is painfully honest and beautifully heart-wrenching.

[Gaea Polanik · Rating 5 out of 5]

it’s an honor to play on the same roller derby team as you did all these years later