A Life Worth Living

by Nick Rogen

Can a baby who's been forsaken half a world away save a wayward teen from self- destruction? Nick Rogen is your average small-town teenager until his mother's bipolar disorder interrupts his youth and forces him into a world full of suicide attempts, doctors, and memory-erasing electroshock treatments. When a battle with substance abuse leads him to a dead-end job twisting off bottle caps from expired soda bottles, he gives up on his childhood dream of becoming a writer. He tries everything from backpacking around Europe to winning a fridge on The Price is Right to help find meaning in his crumbling life. It isn't until his family drags him across the world to China that he begins to find hope and the inspiration to clean up his life through their adoption of an abandoned Chinese girl. Life isn't always fair though, and an unexpected death back home challenges him to finally face the life he's been trying to leave behind.

220 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Potato · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

A beautiful book. I personally can relate to many experiences you mentioned. You were so very brave for talking about these things. I hope you are doing well in life.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a deep insight into the nature and history of ones self and what it takes to strive for happieness in this ridiculous world we live in. Written in wry and lyrical humor, etched with deep heartache, this memoir is a shining gem, gleaming brighter than others of it's kind. I just read this book straight through in one sitting, my eyes are swollen and red from crying, my heart is swelling from all the places it's moved me. I look forward to Nick Rogen's sophomore publication with giddy, child-like anticipation!

[Margaret Kumma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book that is extremely well written. I've been friends with Nick's parents since I was a teenager, so I was familiar with much of his book. It was really interesting for me to read his perspective, especially about his Mom, who remains one of my best friends. I so admire Nick for his bravery in writing this because it couldn't have been easy. I highly recommend it!