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Living in the Gray

By: Katie Weber
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Publication Date: July 2022
ISBN: 978-1639883851
Reviewed by Lynette Latzko
Review Date: June 19, 2022

Living in the Gray is a memoir about living life despite all its uncertainties by blogger, author, and two-time (sort of) cancer survivor, Katie Weber.

In her early 20s, Katie was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. After successful treatment, her life seemed to return to normal for several years - she was able to finish school, start a career, and get married. Unfortunately at the age of 29, her cancer returned, and with it a whole host of life-changing events with effects that remain with her to this day in her mid-30s.

In Living in the Gray, the author shares with readers her experiences, feelings and insights of both the positives and many difficult struggles of living in a new reality as a disabled person. Living in the Gray also includes previously posted entries from the author’s blog, Cancer Thoughts and More, with an added recent commentary updating each post with her current thoughts in 2022.

Readers be forewarned, if you are in search of a fuzzy, feel-good read about a young woman overcoming cancer and flourishing despite the setbacks, you won’t get it in this book (even the author openly admits this in the introduction). However, this book will bestow honesty - sometimes life is terrible and unfair, sometimes there are good parts, and quite often there are even gray areas filled with uncertainty. The task then becomes finding a path towards happiness, despite the grays and limited choices. While Living in the Gray is a short read (despite the heavy topics discussed, the author’s writing is clear, flows well and is sprinkled with a bit of humor so that you may find yourself wanting to read more), it is quite impactful because it not only delivers thoughtful insights into the author's world, but it also encourages readers to think about their own lives, and that to me is inspirational.

Quill says: Living in the Gray is a short yet complex memoir that offers a good combination of honesty, and food-for-thought for everyone.