Overcoming Adversity

Here are a few books that have strong female characters who are struggling to overcome the adversity in their lives. They don't all have happy endings but should all have an impact on you.

The Breakdown Lane by Jacqueline Mitchard
This is the story of Julieanne Gillis, a wife and mother whose seemingly idyllic life is turned upside down almost overnight. First, her husband Leo, decides to take early retirement and move to upstate New York to live in a commune. He essentially disappears and she is left explaining things to her three children and struggling to make ends meet on her meager salary. Second, she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and has to deal with everything that entails. And as if that weren't enough, her kids take off over spring break to try to find their "lost" father. The
story alternates points of view between the characters in the book which is a storytelling technique I personally like. The story is very emotionally moving and while slightly over the top, it will still make you think about your own life and relationship, in a sort of "could this happen to me?" kind of way.

You're Not You by Michelle Wildgen
Wildgen's debut novel will pull you in from page one with the relationship between Bec, a college student drifting through school, and Kate, a young married woman suffering from final stages of ALS. Becca is hired as a caretaker for Kate and over time takes on more and more responsibilities for Kate's care from her husband, Evan. Despite her paralysis and limitations, Kate is spunky, sarcastic and at peace with her life; much more so than Becca who is floating through life, having random affairs with her professors and with no clear idea of where she wants to end up in life. Over their time together, Kate teaches Bec how to cook fancy meals and gets her involved in raising money for ALS research. Bec is forced to move into the house when Kate kicks out her husband after she learns that he's cheating on her. This is almost a taboo subject - what are the moral and ethical responsibilities of family members of the terminally ill. While Wildgen strikes a hard line, and whether or not you agree with her, at the very least it will get you talking.