Couldn't Keep It To Myself

[Lilith]

Hey guys! Get ready for Couldn't Keep It To Myself, by Wally Lamb (on January 31st.) I think it's going to be a very good book. I'm looking forward to reading about all the inmates stories, about their histories and how they ended up in prison.

If you're ever looking for extra reading material, check out She's Come Undone, by Wally Lamb and I Know This Much is True, by Wally Lamb. He is a superbly talented author!

[Deborah]

Yes, I have to agree he is. She's Come Undone is a must. You will fall in love with Dolores Price.

[Lilith]

I think I'll have to vote for I Know This Much is True!

[Deborah]

That is a really good question. There isn't really any protocol. If you see something interesting and want to start a conversation go for it. The only thing we request is that you don't trash a book before everybody has had a chance to read it. I know you won't do that. We had a situation a while back where it happened and it took away from the discussion.

[Deborah]

Interesting intro. Wally discusses his inspiration for Dolores Price.

[Deborah]

I like how at the end of each essay you get an update on the inmate. Sorry I started a few days early.

[Lilith]

Impressive writing style! I liked the story about Izzy...so far on page 68

[Deborah]

Lilith wrote: "Impressive writing style! I liked the story about Izzy...so far on page 68"

Oh nice that was one of my favorites.

[Deborah]

I am glad you like it. I dm also enjoying it. I love the updates at the end.

[Deborah]

I just read the essay by Brenda Medina starting on page 144. She was so young when she got arrested. I am glad these women made use of their time in prison. The writing is so moving. Seems like these women were influenced by others to commit these crimes.

[Deborah]

Okay I am going to plug along and finish the rest of the book this weekend. I am excited to read the second book after out next book. I just love Wally Lamb. Even though he never responded to my tweet I still adore him and his writing.

[Deborah]

Kara wrote: "I love every story. Everything is just so much more intimate than I expected. Some of these women's upbringings or lack there of, are crazy but okay a crucial part into the reason they ended up in ..."


I really enjoyed the story on Caroline Adams. It sucks how mental illness is diagnosed too late in life. I really liked the one on Brenda Medina as well. She reminded me of Flaca on Orange Is The New Black. She as so young when she committed the crime. She barely had a chance.

I agree with you on part about the women's upbringing. It has such an impact on so many things from the type of crimes they commit to how the justice system views them.

[Lilith]

I'm reading "Hell and how I Got There" by Brenda Medina now. It's good so far. I've enjoyed all the stories so far, except for Nancy Birkla's (Three Steps Past the Monkeys.) I found there were interesting parts, but overall I didn't get into her story much. Each one is pretty unique in its own way. I'm still freaked out about the earlier story about the woman who was impregnated by her father at 12-13 years old. Ughhh. HE should be the one locked up.

[Deborah]

I just finished the book. I did notice a theme of domestic violence throughout the book. I also wonder if these women's financial situation had been different if their sentences would have been less. I also noticed a theme of self defense and even with that they still got pretty harsh sentences. Just a thought.

[Deborah]

Does anybody know if Wally still mentors the inmates?

[Lilith]

oh my gosh...having one of your children killed while you're locked up in prison, being impregnated by your own father...what a heavy book! I'm dying to see how the second one compares!

It took me a while to get into it, but by the time I did, I was reading non-stop. Almost done!

[Deborah]

That was sad about her son dying while she was in prison and had to be shackled at the funeral homr

[Lilith]

and the woman whose mother committed suicide by jumping off a building...oh these stories...