A compellingly inspirational memoir of a young woman confronting the battle of her life with hope, humor, and style.
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Review
Zammett tells her story as if she were recounting it to a girlfriend...her humor is the book's strength. -- Publisher's Weekly, March 7, 2005
From the Publisher
Twenty-three years old and fresh out of college, in love with her boyfriend Nick, and having just started a great new job as assistant editor at Glamour magazine, Erin Zammett was looking forward to a future of unlimited promise - until she was confronted by the one experience that no person, young or old, is ever prepared to face. A routine checkup by her doctor seemed to indicate that she was in perfect health, until she was called back just a day later to be told that a blood test revealed she had a type of cancer, Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, the only known treatment for which was a bone marrow transplant; without treatment, she had roughly five years to live. After the initial shock wore off, and with the support of her family and friends, her own inner strength, and a recently approved experimental drug, Zammett immediately began the journey that would lead to her recovery. She began to document her experiences to provide an outlet for the thoughts that came rushing to confront the brave new world she had entered, and the result, My So-Called Normal Life, is a memoir of unparalleled candor and poignancy, encompassing much more than leukemia and the battle to overcome it. Above all, it's the story of a twenty-something living her dream life amid the unlimited excitement and adventure of Manhattan and confronting the challenges of life and her new job - battling cancer - with unbounded courage and optimism.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By BuzS
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
Erin's story of how she handled her leukemia diagnosis at age 23 is written with an almost unbelievable take-no-prisoners attitude-- "I should be doing shots of tequila not shots of chemo. Bartender, gimme another" she remarks about one fund-raising event. "Cancer made me feel special in a weird way... I didn't feel bad for myself and I didn't want other people to either." The woman's insouciance is breathtaking (and could well be offputting to those who, unlike Erin, are losing their battle against the disease); love her or deplore her, it's hard to dispute that her brazen disregard for tactfulness reveals a most distinctive voice. Barbs fly in all directions -- including zingers at her adored mom, dad, and 2 sisters -- and she holds nothing back about her own motivations, e.g. "I hadn't really done much volunteer work since high school and even then it was fueled by my desire to look well-rounded on my college applications -- and because all the cool kids did Key Club." It may not be the prettiest picture, but it comes across as very real.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Barjakgirl
Format:Hardcover
I read all of Erin Zammett's columns in Glamour magazine, so when I came across this book I hesitated to read it - I didn't want to re-read everything that was in the columns. Plus, I thought, how interesting could reading about someone's cancer treatments be? Turns out, very interesting.
That's because this book is about much more than just Erin's cancer treatments. It's about her life as a whole, while going through some unusual and hard cirumstances. Ms. Zammett has a great writing style and manages to keep things interesting and fast-moving while instilling humor into the book and telling it like it is. It's obvious that she's very honest and makes no attempt to stay "PC." (She openly states that she lost weight while undergoing treatment, and still loves how she looks in pictures from that time period.)
This book is an easy, interesting read, and after finishing it you can't help but admire Erin and her family for what they've been through and feel a little bit grateful for your life as it is.
That's because this book is about much more than just Erin's cancer treatments. It's about her life as a whole, while going through some unusual and hard cirumstances. Ms. Zammett has a great writing style and manages to keep things interesting and fast-moving while instilling humor into the book and telling it like it is. It's obvious that she's very honest and makes no attempt to stay "PC." (She openly states that she lost weight while undergoing treatment, and still loves how she looks in pictures from that time period.)
This book is an easy, interesting read, and after finishing it you can't help but admire Erin and her family for what they've been through and feel a little bit grateful for your life as it is.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By winning
Format:Hardcover
I'm actualy Steve's wife, Jodi who's writing this review. I had been following Erin Zammett's story in Glamour magazine since her diagnosis. Every three months I would look forward with anticipation and hope about her latest entry. Her writing style was so real, and she wore her emotions and feelings on her sleeve. She had nothing to hide from her readers. Cut to this summer, I was vacationing in Maui with my husband, right there, at our hotel was the girl from the pictures that I had read about for all these years. We spoke and she told me that she was on her honeymoon and that she was doing and feeling great. I told her that I loved her articles in Glamour. She then told me she had written a book. I quickly bought it, and didn't put it down til I had finished it.(I even tried to read while driving) This book is a must read. Erin is truly an inspiration to many people. Keep fighting and stay strong!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By MaggieMay
Format:Hardcover
I am only halfway through this book, but I am already so impressed and cannot say enough good things about it! Erin Zammett is one of the most honest, witty writers I have seen, and her spunky attitude showcases itself all throughout the book! She is an amazing young woman with a zest for life that cannot be wiped out, not even by cancer. I strongly recommend reading this book, and I hope to see a lot more books from this talented young author!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
An amazing account of reality in a young woman's life; told as it is. The author offers readers the upside and downside of life with cancer. An inspiring book to those who suffer similarly and shows them that life must go on and may still have much to offer. Instead of letting cancer ruin and run her life, the author demonstrates that even a dreaded disease can have positive effects. Any reader of this book should walk away with a better appreciation of family, friends and the knowledge that life is what you make of it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Luv2Shop
Format:Hardcover
I first fell in love with Erin's writing style when I read her column in Glamour magazine. She's very witty and funny. I remember thinking I had to tell my best friend that she had to read it. I always looked forward to her next one. When I found out she had written a book, I quickly looked for it and purchased it. At first I thought I might just be reviewing what I had already read in the magazine, but obviously the book goes into much more depth and I really enjoyed learning about and "getting to know" her family. I really feel like I know them and it made me want to be one of the many houseguests at her parents' home! I could not put the book down and was very sad when I finished it because I wanted to keep reading more. I hope Erin writes another book giving us an update and telling us all about her wedding to Nick.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A memoir about a 23 year old girl who finds out she has cancer while she works at glamour magazine. She learns to soak in life, to love those around her, and distill the important things in life from the vain and insignificant...although she still cares about her weight! She turns her tragedy into good work and action by starting to fund raise for the cancer society and with the help of glamour magazine raises 25,000+ dollars. There is another twist in the story. Completely unrelated her sister gets cancer as well, Hodgkin's lymphoma. Unlike leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma is curable. Leukemia is not...Erin will either need a bone marrow transplant or take this new medication for the rest of her life. They struggle with issues of mortality, fertility, and love - issues that many of us are not forced to deal with until much later. Interesting, quick read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed very much
The writing was as if you were there. You get a warm feeling just seeing how some people can be so strong when going through such a difficult time.
Published 10 months ago by EL
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read
I found out about the author watching the Kris Carr documentary "crazy, sexy cancer." Unlike the author, Erin Zammett, I did not have myelogenous leukemia, but I had breast cancer. Read more
Published on May 1, 2010 by Melle P.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed
I guess I'm the only one who wasn't totally insired by her story. I did not follow her stories in Glamour, but I am a young woman who was diagnosed with cancer in her 20s. Read more
Published on July 4, 2006 by RubyTue
4.0 out of 5 stars
easy to read, very informative...
It was written with warmth and honesty...
I would highly recommend it for people who were diagnosed with leukemia or for the ones who weren't but still don't know how... Read more
I would highly recommend it for people who were diagnosed with leukemia or for the ones who weren't but still don't know how... Read more
Published on December 23, 2005 by Bihter Iskender
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not your typical sappy cancer story
I was laughing & crying hysterical at the same time. I couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end. A fabulous easy read. Erin has a great outlook and is a very funny writer. Read more
Published on August 26, 2005 by Sherry Cesare
4.0 out of 5 stars
multi faceted reading
Erin has the rare ability to simultaneously be candid, funny, endearing and intelligent while recounting the amazing story of facing her worst nightmare. Read more
Published on August 24, 2005 by L. V. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truth and Circumstance
Amazing story about truth and circumstance. What does happen to a family when not only one, but two sisters are diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease? Read more
Published on August 22, 2005 by Tybrook
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