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  <id>1881311</id>
  <title><![CDATA[Von der Seele geschrieben]]></title>
  <isbn><![CDATA[3471780963]]></isbn>
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  <description><![CDATA[Any book that can give voice to the voiceless should be celebrated. No one feels this more strongly than Wally Lamb, editor of <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em>, a collection of stories by 11 women imprisoned in the York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. Teacher and novelist Lamb was invited to head a writing workshop at York Correctional Institution in 1999. His somewhat reluctant acceptance soon turned into steadfast advocacy once the women in his charge began to tell their stories. Lamb maintains that there are things we need to know about prison and prisoners: &quot;There are misconceptions to be abandoned, biases to be dropped.&quot; However, as heartfelt as his appeal is, nothing speaks more convincingly in this book than the stories themselves.<p>Those collected here are disturbing and horrific. They reveal, often in graphic detail, the worst kind of abuse: incest, drug addiction, spousal violence, parental neglect, or incompetence. They're also testimony to what social workers and health care professionals have confirmed for years--that those who populate our prisons are often victims first themselves. Thus, the telling of these stories serves as a form of therapy. They are also sad accounts of the brutalities many suffer, yet few discuss: &quot;One day I figured out a dying little girl lived inside of me, so I threw her a lifeline in the form of paper and pen.&quot; Considering the degradation the contributors have experienced both in and outside prison, the courage,  candor, and honesty with which they speak truly make these stories, as difficult as they are to read, &quot;victories against  voicelessness--miracles in print.&quot; <em>--Silvana Tropea</em></p>]]></description>
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  <original_publication_year type="integer">2003</original_publication_year>
  <original_title>Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution (Testimonies from our Imprisoned Sisters)</original_title>
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        <name><![CDATA[Wally Lamb]]></name>
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        <name><![CDATA[Bettina Münch]]></name>
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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    <body><![CDATA[I have not read the well-regarded novels by Wally Lamb, but overall, I found this project spear-headed by him to be an interesting read.  True, the writing of these women was not the best examples of prose I've ever read, but the naked reality of their stories was refreshing and interesting.  This i...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/41855831">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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    <body><![CDATA[Wally Lamb hasn't come out with his next terrific novel because he has been working with woman convicts in York,CT. He has  been helping them &quot;find their voice&quot; thus helping them find themselves in the most dismal of circumstances. What amazes me the most about these stories, is the simila...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6714640">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <date_updated>Sun Jul 01 16:49:36 -0700 2007</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[Very sad book - my view of imprisoned women has changed.  I used to have no compassion for people in prison, considering they must have done something bad enough to get there, but these women's stories show that most of their problems stem from horribly abusive childhoods and if they had a healthier...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1974909">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
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  <date_updated>Sun Apr 26 12:35:26 -0700 2009</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[I was a bit leery of starting this book when I saw the subject.  It took me back to the years I dealt with dysfunctional women and heard stories like the ones related in this volume over and over and over again. After I got into it a ways, though, I couldn't stop reading.  More women live in the sha...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54027881">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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    <name><![CDATA[Robin]]></name>
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <date_added>Tue Sep 08 15:38:29 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Sep 13 16:26:01 -0700 2009</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[Over the summer I read I Know This Much to be True by Wally Lamb. The connection to the Columbine school shooting was what drew me to the book, but proved only to be the canvas for a very different story. Couldn't Keep it to Myself was supposed to be the title for Lamb's novel, but he &quot;gave&quot;...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70515684">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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    <name><![CDATA[Amy]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Long Beach, CA]]></location>
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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    <body><![CDATA[As a feminist this book is important. It's voices directly from the women that the prison industrial complex affects. It's a humanizing book that sheds light on a broken criminal justice system. Although it is not implicit that the criminal just system is broken, it is easy to infer from these women...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/61717451">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Fri Jun 05 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri May 29 04:03:53 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Jun 08 04:12:40 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This book was excellent. I was hesitant in the beginning because, although it was a &quot;Wally Lamb Book&quot; it wasn't actually written by Wally Lamb. By the end of the book I wished there was a sequel to Couldn't Keep it to Myself so I could continue reading for a long time. The women pour out t...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/57718956">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/57718956]]></url>
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <date_added>Sun Jan 27 14:46:00 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Jan 28 18:09:36 -0800 2008</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[I spent years dying for a follow up to I Know This Much Is True. When I read it was going to be a non-fiction book, I was all &quot;maaaaaan! bummer.&quot; Yeah, I was stupid. This is one of the most amazing books I've ever read. If you don't read it, you are stupid!]]></body>
    
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Nov 30 20:00:59 -0800 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat May 10 04:41:57 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Wow! I loved this book. The fact that these women were able to tell their stories is a testament of Wally Lamb's ability to reach and teach them.  Awesome book.I could not put it down, and I couldn't keep it to myself!!!]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Mar 27 06:13:03 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun May 10 20:02:25 -0700 2009</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[Every chapter (essay) made me cry. Every woman has been abused. Reading this during a holiday season probably didn't help, but there are amazing stories.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/50597363]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/50597363]]></link>
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      <review>
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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  <average_rating>3.98</average_rating>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <date_added>Mon Mar 09 01:21:34 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Mar 09 01:32:44 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I am a fan of Wally Lamb's writing and definitely a fan of encouraging all people to share their truths with the world, particularly those with voices who are not represented as often as they should be.   I applaud his work here; I found this to be an extremely moving and well-written book. I think ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48671913">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48671913]]></url>
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      <review>
  <id>59023257</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Gretta]]></name>
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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  <average_rating>3.98</average_rating>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Wed Jun 17 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Jun 09 12:28:19 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Jun 17 13:21:20 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Everyone owes it to humanity and themselves to read atleast some of these short stories. It would take a pretty cold heart to not be able to see that these women are victims, too. Wally Lamb gives so much to society through his work at York Correctional Institution. There is so much to learn from th...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59023257">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59023257]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59023257]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>42587708</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Julie]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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  <average_rating>3.98</average_rating>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Thu Dec 25 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Jan 10 12:19:52 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Jan 10 12:24:09 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I'm not sure why I want to read about people's problematic lives even after I go home from work....But I do find that reading about the lives of incarcerated women helps me to have more effectively compassion for the parents of the children I work with. It is a valuable lesson to learn again and aga...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42587708">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42587708]]></url>
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</review>
      <review>
  <id>63725736</id>
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    <id>2497423</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Susan]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg</image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.98</average_rating>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Thu Jul 16 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Jul 16 09:52:53 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Jul 16 09:59:26 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[My feelings changed about this book as I read it. In the end, I wished I'd set out with a different mindset at the beginning. I think readers should set out thinking they will not form any opinions about whether the authors (female inmates) show remorse in their writing. For one thing, they don't te...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/63725736">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/63725736]]></url>
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</review>
      <review>
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    <name><![CDATA[Melissa]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Budd Lake, NJ]]></location>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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  <average_rating>3.98</average_rating>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Sun Mar 15 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Apr 07 05:26:56 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Apr 07 05:29:11 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[love him. loved she's come undone and i know this much is true.  i liked the beginning because he explains how the protagonists from the aforementioned books are based on students that he taught.  i love that he's a teacher who started writign around age thirty.  love it!  there's hope for me yet.<br/>...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51791127">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51791127]]></url>
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Sun Nov 16 15:36:44 -0800 2008</read_at>
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    <body><![CDATA[I was amazed at how well these women wrote.  Since each short story was written by a woman incarcerated (either currently or in the past) at York Prison in Connecticut, I expected the writing to be weak, but the stories to be compelling.  I was right about the compelling part, but happy to be proven...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/36558089">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/36558089]]></url>
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      <review>
  <id>27469897</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Tony]]></name>
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    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Jul 16 17:26:41 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Sep 14 04:08:56 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I genuinely feel bad that I couldn't get more into this book, and I am going to hope it is their writing, rather than my lack of empathy for the characters and their stories. Perhaps the greatest tragedy that this book expressed was how powerfully the deck is stacked against you.<br/><br/>I am wri...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27469897">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27469897]]></url>
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      <review>
  <id>21792785</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Sandy]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Chatham, Ontario, Canada]]></location>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg</image_url>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Thu Dec 11 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
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  <date_updated>Thu Dec 11 17:18:42 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[While I was interested in reading this book, I also had some healthy skepticism about what would be written on those pages.  I was quite suprised.<br/><br/>I will admit, I had a bit of a stereotype in my head of the two types of women most often found in prison; the first being the angry, easily-e...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/21792785">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/21792785]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/21792785]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>15671881</id>
    <user>
    <id>314910</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Amanda]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Evansville, IN]]></location>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5226.Couldn_t_Keep_It_to_Myself_Wally_Lamb_and_the_Women_of_York_Correctional_Institution</link>
  <average_rating>3.98</average_rating>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Tue May 13 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Feb 17 21:35:00 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Feb 22 11:35:37 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This book was pretty amazing.<br/>Wally Lamb, author of She's Come Undone, was asked to come to York Correctional Institution to help some of the inmates with their writing.  A couple of inmates had recently committed suicide, and the institution was trying to promote writing to help the women heal...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/15671881">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/15671881]]></url>
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      <review>
  <id>1281338</id>
    <user>
    <id>88061</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Catherine]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Germantown, MD]]></location>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Couldn't Keep It to Myself:  Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg</image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.98</average_rating>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In a stunning work of insight and hope, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author Wally Lamb once again reveals his unmatched talent for finding humanity in the lost and lonely and celebrates the transforming power of the written word.</p> <p>For several years, Lamb has taught writing to a group of women prisoners at York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. In this unforgettable collection, the women of York describe in their own words how they were imprisoned by abuse, rejection, and their own self-destructive impulses long before they entered the criminal justice system. Yet these are powerful stories of hope and healing, told by writers who have left victimhood behind.</p> <p>In his moving introduction, Lamb describes the incredible journey of expression and self-awareness the women took through their writing and shares how they challenged him as a teacher and as a fellow author. <em>Couldn't Keep It to Myself</em> is a true testament to the process of finding oneself and working toward a better day.</p>]]>
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  <read_at>Mon Jan 28 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu May 17 16:26:32 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Jan 28 10:41:59 -0800 2008</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[So, I'm a big fan of Wally Lamb's book, &quot;I Know This Much is True&quot;, and when I read somewhere that he volunteered twice a month to teach writing at a women's prison in Connecticut and a book of their essays had been published, I was definitely curious.  And a little jealous.  I would LOVE ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1281338">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1281338]]></url>
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