Chasing Normal: Growing Up, Letting Go, and Finding Joy in Being Different

by Craig Greiwe

In a time where many feel lost, alone, or afraid—and where social media makes us think that everyone has it better, bigger, or brighter— Chasing Normal is a humorous and poignant memoir about learning to embrace yourself, along with the messy life you lived that made you who you are today.

As a kid growing up in Indiana surrounded by cornfields and deep poverty, with two emotional terrorists for parents, all Craig Greiwe ever wanted was to be normal. In his youth, he lived under the stairs in Dickensian misery. Once he managed to make it to college, things got about as weird as might be expected for a teenager who grew up reading The 1978 World Book Encyclopedia for kicks. From an emotional breakdown at the top of a mountain at one school to setting off a chain of events that nearly blew apart Columbia Law School a few years after that, his life was anything but normal. Along the way, he found a long-distance foster mom 2,000 miles away; slept his way to success in Hollywood; had his heart broken; discovered secrets about the people who raised him; and was finally adopted by Norman-Rockwell-esque parents at the age of twenty-four. Chasing Normal is the story of a man who grew up trying to be like everyone else, only to realize that being yourself is the only way forward. His stories range from wild to painful and sometimes humorous, but ultimately, they are a journey about compassion, salvation, and eventually, joy. Chasing Normal stands out as a hopeful beacon for anyone who’s ever felt “other”—which is just about everyone. Like a lighthouse on a hill, this book offers direction to an illuminating place where we can learn to embrace ourselves, no matter how messy a life we lived.

Genres: Memoir

248 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2022

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Normal is a memoir/collection of stories by the author. His childhood was heartbreaking with cruel parents who basically abandoned him as a teen. This book follows his path as he attempts to live a “normal” life. After so many attempts to fit in and find himself in this world, he begins to realize the concept of “normal” is not what he thought. The book is well written and engaging. I enjoyed the book and the message it sends regarding “normalcy.” Some parts are hard to read, particularly the first few chapters. This was a great read and recommend it to anyone who likes inspiring stories.

[Howard Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must be honest and say that on hearing of Craig's story I voted for him in his LA mayoral race. Now, having read this book, I would certainly vote for him again. This is a well written, powerful story told with great intelligence and compassion. This is what inspirational stories are all about!

[Penny lurkykitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craig Greiwe's memoir is honest, harrowing and also humorous. He grew up in rural Indiana in abject poverty, the son of two abusive, cruel and negligent parents. Craig resolved to escape and spent his youth attempting to become "normal", until he realized that "normal" is an illusion and that the people who care for you are what really matters. It is amazing that he even survived, let alone achieved graduation from law school and a successful career. Chasing Normal is intelligently written, powerful, compelling and inspiring. Thank you to BooksForwardPR for a copy to review.