Do you remember just as school summer vacation was about to begin your teacher would hand you your summer reading list? Some kids seemed screamed with delight, others moaned in animated pain. Children loved to be read to when they are toddlers, it becomes a bedtime ritual with mom or dad or an older sibling. As children mature they learn to read and hopefully enjoy reading. But some struggle, perhaps dealing with undiagnosed issues like ADHD or dyslexia. Reading can be an acquired joy. The magic of the first book that "grabs" their imagination can start a child or adolescent on a wonderful adventure that will last a lifetime.
Last week we offered some suggestions for summer reading for adult children of alcoholics. After publishing that post, we thought we would provide some other titles written by people in recovery. Today we want to introduce you to just one of our favorite writers: Christopher Kennedy Lawford.
Symptoms of Withdrawal: A Memoir of Snapshots and Redemption was published in 2006 and according to Amazon.com it is "Lawford's unflinchingly honest portrayal of his life as a Kennedy—a journey overflowing with hilarious insider anecdotes, heartbreaking accounts of his addictions to narcotics as well as to celebrity, and, ultimately, the redemption he found by asserting his own independence."
Moments of Clarity: Voices from the Front Lines of Addiction and Recovery was published in 2010 and according to Amazon.com it "includes stories from men and women, young and old, across all barriers of celebrity, color, and class. Represented in these pages are the singer and the actress, the writer and the anchorman, the man from the movie screen and the woman who lives down the street. This book brings together a myriad of different moments, all with the common understanding of where these men and women have been and where they must go. As they bravely share their stories, they shed light not only on their own experiences but also on the journey we all take as human beings who are trying to make sense of our world."
Here is a video featuring Mr. Lawford discussing the importance of being a proponent for change...
If you are having trouble viewing the video you can see it here.
Take a break this summer, read a book. These are just two books that we think you might enjoy, as Mr. Lawford shares his experience, strength and hope.
