What do you think?
Rate this book
Brain Candy
While fighting an aggressive brain tumor, Deirdre must care for her mother with advanced Alzheimer's, raise her teenage daughter, and help her husband chase a new dream - opening a barbecue restaurant. Her greatest defense is her sense of humor in this tender memoir chronicling life struggles that are often tragic - but can still be very funny. Grab a tissue and take a ride as one batty broad battles her way through the tragicomic trials of her most perilous adventure yet - brain cancer.
- GenresNonfiction
336 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2019
8 people are currently reading
1046 people want to read
About the author
Deirdre Timmons
1 book23 followersDeirdre Allen Timmons was born in Wichita, KS. At the age of eleven, her family moved to sunny Seattle, where she has lived most of her life. She graduated Smith College with a degree in English Literature, and a minor in discrete mathematics. For almost 30 years, she has written for newspapers, magazines, online publications, and film. Brain Candy is her debut memoir.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 19, 2019
There were many tears for me as I read this book. Tears brought on by laughter, sadness, pain, then back to laughter again. I fell in love with the authors telling of her very real and personal journey. I found myself very much relating to how she leaned on her humor to get her through the hardest of moments. Whether it was dealing with her mothers declining health, the ups and downs of raising a child in this day and age or her longtime marriage, I felt connected. I too use my humor as a way to cope with things. It's an easy way to feel lighter at that moment and deflect. I noticed that she does this for herself, but more so for those she loves. Through her words, you can feel how the various health scares her mother has or cancer she ends up with effects all those around her. It's not just a disease she battles on her own. No, its a journey she travels on with her family and friends. Their personal roles in her life are showcased well and like mo0st things, with humor. Even with its dark expectations, this books brings you over to a lighter side. Aside from hope, triumph, and positivity. I really enjoyed this book and I appreciate the humor! Laughter makes anything easier to deal with, even just a bit.
September 9, 2019
Everyone knows brain cancer is scary but I didn’t really just how scary and horrible having it was till I read this book. So be warned it will scare you. At the same time, I found it reassuring to see how despite all the terrible things that were happneing to her, she was able to get through it with the help of friends and family and trying to enjoy her life, however little of it she has left.
I was genuinely shocked at what the MRI, chemo and radiation were like. Anyone who has never gone through it or had an immediuate family member or friend go through it really has no idea. She tries eastern medicine practices as well as the typical western so if you are interested in learning about what eastern medicine says to do for brain cancer, you’ll find out.
At the same time, the author is taking care of her very confused mother who has advanced Alzheimers. My grandmother has some mild general dementia but I wasn’t prepared for how bad Alzheimer’s can get. I can’t believe she was able to pull herself together to be there for her mom with everything she was going through. What a strong woman!
The book was riveting and shocking at the same time and I read it pretty fast. Wow.
I was genuinely shocked at what the MRI, chemo and radiation were like. Anyone who has never gone through it or had an immediuate family member or friend go through it really has no idea. She tries eastern medicine practices as well as the typical western so if you are interested in learning about what eastern medicine says to do for brain cancer, you’ll find out.
At the same time, the author is taking care of her very confused mother who has advanced Alzheimers. My grandmother has some mild general dementia but I wasn’t prepared for how bad Alzheimer’s can get. I can’t believe she was able to pull herself together to be there for her mom with everything she was going through. What a strong woman!
The book was riveting and shocking at the same time and I read it pretty fast. Wow.
March 1, 2019
I read this book straight through. The author's voice is so strong, funny and interesting. I just couldn't wait to hear what happened next. Her observations are intimate while also being entertaining. You can't help falling in love with her, cheering for her and wanting her to win every battle.
August 15, 2019
This took me longer to read than 1 day. ONLY because I had been planning my wedding, and read every free moment since. That aside, what a great way Deirdre looked at things. She truly knew/knows how to self pity, dust herself off, and find a more positive plan and put into action. I can only imagine what it’s like to have brain cancer and having to care for an Alzheimer’s parent. And she was truly loving and forgiving through all of it. If nothing more I could get from the book I’d have to say it showed that through love, humor, and asking a lot of questions, things can work out. And it’s great to have a village to help you through the worst/hardest parts of life. The healing of the lesions story was one my my favorite parts. Eastern medicine...lol
Of course parts reminded me of my own mother’s short bout with cancer. Finding it in her brain was heart breaking, so there certainly was some crying a long the way.
This was an author signed book I won through Goodreads, and I also got a notecard from the author. Definitely will treasure it.
The only negative I could say about this is that I made me want more, to know how the journey is still going for Deirdre and her loving family and friends.
Of course parts reminded me of my own mother’s short bout with cancer. Finding it in her brain was heart breaking, so there certainly was some crying a long the way.
This was an author signed book I won through Goodreads, and I also got a notecard from the author. Definitely will treasure it.
The only negative I could say about this is that I made me want more, to know how the journey is still going for Deirdre and her loving family and friends.
February 12, 2019
Brave, beautiful filmmaker Deirdre Allen Timmons has written a funny (yes, funny) memoir about her successful battle against brain cancer ♋️ n Seattle. Brain Candy. Nobody could face really bad news with more style. She also deals with the failing health of her mother (a beloved Seattle madcap many people miss).The talented Annette Kraus-Raubvogel did the terrific cover art.
Having worked with Deirdre and Annette at Microsoft, I enjoyed reading this book, although it was harrowing at times. It was fun to catch up with my Microsoftie friends Kat and Julyne--and read about the simultaneous creation of Jack's BBQ (named after Jack Timmons, also in book).
Because Deirdre is honest about her treatment, this would be a good book for anyone facing cancer--or helping a loved one through it.
I, too, have lost my mother. I found Deirdre's thoughts on grief comforting, as will many others. I also laughed, as she encourages us all to do. My favorite line:
"What's a girl gotta do to get some chemo around here?"
Having worked with Deirdre and Annette at Microsoft, I enjoyed reading this book, although it was harrowing at times. It was fun to catch up with my Microsoftie friends Kat and Julyne--and read about the simultaneous creation of Jack's BBQ (named after Jack Timmons, also in book).
Because Deirdre is honest about her treatment, this would be a good book for anyone facing cancer--or helping a loved one through it.
I, too, have lost my mother. I found Deirdre's thoughts on grief comforting, as will many others. I also laughed, as she encourages us all to do. My favorite line:
"What's a girl gotta do to get some chemo around here?"
July 18, 2019
Having received the book in a Goodreads giveaway, I was a bit reluctant to start a serious topic but I am so glad I did. Deirdre Timmons writes with such humor, grace, honesty and bravery about her cancer journey and the failing health of her beloved mother that I read it straight through without stopping for anything beyond “ have-to” minutes. I would recommend this memoir to anyone who has had their life touched by cancer or Alzheimer's. That would include those battling, those watching a friend or family member’s battle...basically all of us. There were many humorous moments, and moments reading through tears, thinking of friends lost - wishing I’d known more about what they wanted or needed. There was fear, thinking that we never know what life will bring next. And there was regret, wondering what could I have done more for others. For me, the scenes with Kathy were the most moving as I have had a similar experience losing a parent although not to Alzheimer’s. Thank you Deirdre for sharing your story with us.
July 26, 2020
I’m so glad I chose to *listen* to Deirdre Timmons’ Brain Candy. Excellent narration by the author. Her sing-songy jokes and under-your-breath sarcasm made me smile and I felt like I was in her living room chatting over a cup of tea. Although the subject matter is heavy, her sense of humor inspires hope and her optimism exudes confidence and grace. It’s hard to imagine a day when a doctor could tell you, “You have terminal cancer.” Deirdre describes this day as a surreal movie scene that the real Deirdre must be watching on TV with a bag of popcorn. As a health care professional w/ oncology experience, I appreciate this detailed account of what it’s like to begin the journey of therapy. Anyone who is battling cancer or knows someone who has will appreciate this book. I enjoyed her analogies, thoughtfulness and willingness to take some people’s seemingly absurd advice! I will share this with my patients who could use a light-hearted, sincere perspective on how to approach treatment options and stay strong.
September 5, 2019
A must read
Brain Candy: A Memoir* by Deirdre Allen Timmons tellsus the story of the author's fight with brain cancer while also caring for her aging mother with Alzheimers. This should be a sad book. It should be a somber book. However, the author manages to take a somber subject and lighten it immensely. This book will give you a range of emotions. It will make you cry, but it will also make you laugh. The author fills her journey with practicality but also warmth and humor. I love the allusion to Candyland and seeing the world of cancer through it. It creates a lighter side to a heavy subject. This is a highly memorable memoir and a must read.
Brain Candy: A Memoir* by Deirdre Allen Timmons tellsus the story of the author's fight with brain cancer while also caring for her aging mother with Alzheimers. This should be a sad book. It should be a somber book. However, the author manages to take a somber subject and lighten it immensely. This book will give you a range of emotions. It will make you cry, but it will also make you laugh. The author fills her journey with practicality but also warmth and humor. I love the allusion to Candyland and seeing the world of cancer through it. It creates a lighter side to a heavy subject. This is a highly memorable memoir and a must read.
March 3, 2019
Great funny sad inspiring and very real while being surreal.
A wild and emotionally charged memoir. Irreverent and funny while also being incredibly touching and heartfelt. Reading this I can really feel the author’s walk through cancer, death, love, and ultimately life. A wonderful read. Bravo.
A wild and emotionally charged memoir. Irreverent and funny while also being incredibly touching and heartfelt. Reading this I can really feel the author’s walk through cancer, death, love, and ultimately life. A wonderful read. Bravo.
March 6, 2019
I loved this memoir about a woman who is battling a fast-growing brain tumor. She also has to deal with her mother who has Alzheimer's. Witty and inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews