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Able to Be Otherwise: A Memoir
A true story about love, grief, resiliency, faith, and transformation despite daunting odds.
California wildfires burned more than 4.2 million acres in 2020—more than double the previous record. Approximately 500,000 people have died from an opioid-involved drug overdose since the opioid epidemic started over two decades ago. Millions of children live in food-insecure households, and tens of millions of American families live paycheck to paycheck.
These startling statistics are interwoven and, for author Anna Lenaker, very personal.
Able to Be Otherwise is an intimate account of Lenaker’s experiences and encounters with poverty, addiction, and climate change. In sharing her story, Lenaker inspires greater compassion and understanding towards the poor, those struggling with addiction, and the Earth.
In Able to Be Otherwise , you’ll encounter stories
Readers will walk away with the conviction that a more gentle and compassionate world is on the horizon if only we act with the belief that change is possible—or, in other words, with the belief that things are able to be otherwise.
California wildfires burned more than 4.2 million acres in 2020—more than double the previous record. Approximately 500,000 people have died from an opioid-involved drug overdose since the opioid epidemic started over two decades ago. Millions of children live in food-insecure households, and tens of millions of American families live paycheck to paycheck.
These startling statistics are interwoven and, for author Anna Lenaker, very personal.
Able to Be Otherwise is an intimate account of Lenaker’s experiences and encounters with poverty, addiction, and climate change. In sharing her story, Lenaker inspires greater compassion and understanding towards the poor, those struggling with addiction, and the Earth.
In Able to Be Otherwise , you’ll encounter stories
Readers will walk away with the conviction that a more gentle and compassionate world is on the horizon if only we act with the belief that change is possible—or, in other words, with the belief that things are able to be otherwise.
218 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2021
3 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 6, 2021
Well Written & Interesting
The Author shows that no matter what has happened in your life, you can overcome the circumstances. Just by putting the past behind and going forward. She shows you don't have to stay down in the valley, but you can climb the Mountain to the top so you can fly with the Eagles. Which the author Anna most certainly did.
The author, also touches on her education. Also on the subject of Drug abuse, and mental health issues, and the lack of help that could have helped her mother.
Yes, there should be more state and city as well as churches with trained personel to help those addicted to Drugs, whether they be perscription drugs, or street drugs. I agree with the author of this book.
This book is a very interesting book to read.
The Author shows that no matter what has happened in your life, you can overcome the circumstances. Just by putting the past behind and going forward. She shows you don't have to stay down in the valley, but you can climb the Mountain to the top so you can fly with the Eagles. Which the author Anna most certainly did.
The author, also touches on her education. Also on the subject of Drug abuse, and mental health issues, and the lack of help that could have helped her mother.
Yes, there should be more state and city as well as churches with trained personel to help those addicted to Drugs, whether they be perscription drugs, or street drugs. I agree with the author of this book.
This book is a very interesting book to read.
October 24, 2024
A truly inspiring life journey. According to statistics, the author should not have ended up an Ivy League educated success story, but she has.
It did seem strange to me that in this age of easily accessible DNA tests, Lenaker has made no effort to find out who her father is, or to see if she has additional half-siblings. He can not be expected to make the effort to find her, since he was never informed of her existence. Also, Lenaker claims her mother had a third child at age 58 while living in Mexico—that seems very unlikely. And if true, why hasn’t the author made any effort to see her half brother during her trip/s to Mexico?
It did seem strange to me that in this age of easily accessible DNA tests, Lenaker has made no effort to find out who her father is, or to see if she has additional half-siblings. He can not be expected to make the effort to find her, since he was never informed of her existence. Also, Lenaker claims her mother had a third child at age 58 while living in Mexico—that seems very unlikely. And if true, why hasn’t the author made any effort to see her half brother during her trip/s to Mexico?
May 10, 2021
This is the amazing and inspiring story of one young woman overcoming incredible odds. Her journey from the streets of Tijuana to Brown University and beyond is mighty impressive -- but so are the copious amounts of generosity, mindfulness, and hope with which she regards the world. Written with grace and clarity, it's a relatively short read that provides an uplift, a reminder of the good people are capable of. Anna Lenaker will convince you that we can, and should, do better for each other.
May 6, 2021
I am currently reading this and it is truly such an impactful memoir! Anna Lenaker perfectly conveys the profound by boldly conveying the personal. I highly recommend Able to be Otherwise!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews