Carrie Host has given us a book on how to believe in the future—a future Host visualizes as a painting made up of a multitude of tiny dots called "right now."
An intensely intimate journey into the unseen and unspoken aspects of catastrophic illness, told from the determined viewpoint of a forty-year-old stay-at-home mother of three. Packed with inspiration, advice, comfort and hope, Between Me and the River is Host's candid and uplifting love story of how she found the strength and fortitude to triumph over adversity.
When told at forty, with her youngest child only ten months old, that she had carcinoid tumor, Host felt she had been hurled into a raging river, stripped of all forms of potential rescue. The voyage of this strong-minded, open-hearted woman out of that river and onto safe shores is told with uncompromising honesty and respect for the miracles that medicine and love can work.
While dealing with practical issues such as how to find the best medical team and what to tell her children, Host experienced many spiritual and eye-opening lessons: How to forgive and how to cherish. How to see what is available rather than what is absent. How to free up energy to heal by letting go of anger and fear.
Host's unquenchable sense of humor in the midst of suffering creates poignant moments of laughter through tears. Her book conveys an enormously deep sense of understanding and ultimately delivers acceptance and peace. She offers an "emotional nightlight" for cancer patients in their time of greatest need—perspective for the soul.
Bracing, lyrical and deeply moving, Between Me and the River is a tribute to one life and all lives. This is a beautifully written book for survivors, caregivers, family members, and friends.
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"Put off reading this one for a while. I don't think my heart was ready for it. Still ended up sobbing through the entire book, but really enjoyed it. Also had the pleasure of meeting the author, a local Boulder woman, at a book reading and signing, which was a treat. "
— Kathy (4 out of 5 stars)
In this heartfelt narrative, Host attempts to simultaneously fight the disease and find peace with the possibility of death while remaining strong and hopeful.
— Publishers Weekly" Honest and compelling, helpful to any fellow traveler with cancer "
— Holly, 11/7/2013" A memoir of a woman's journey with a rare form of cancer. Poetic and lyrical, the author uses a lot of metaphor which was at times overdone for me. Click here for my full review. "
— Tricia, 10/8/2013" Honest and raw portrayal of a woman's fight against cancer. While not a 'light topic', the book reads quickly and there are some moments throughout that provide great perspective. "
— Graham, 3/27/2013" Put off reading this one for a while. I don't think my heart was ready for it. Still ended up sobbing through the entire book, but really enjoyed it. Also had the pleasure of meeting the author, a local Boulder woman, at a book reading and signing, which was a treat. "
— Kathy, 11/24/2012" A gorgeous memoir of a woman who survives a rare form of cancer. A realistic look at all of the emotional and physical struggles she deals with. Full review at One Librarian's Book Reviews. Review copy provided by online publicist. "
— melissa1lbr, 12/5/2011" Excellent book! Everyone who is touched by cancer in any way should read this inspirational book. "
— Jennifer, 6/23/2011" Beautifully yet gut wrenching book. Also inspiring..Read it! "
— Jarrah, 10/19/2010" Sitting on my next shelf. It is next month's book club selection, and according to the description by the young lady who recommended it to us, it's gonna be really good. "
— Cdoefer, 7/24/2010" I have mixed feelings about this title. "
— Lisa, 5/16/2010Carrie Host is a mother, writer, and volunteer. She currently sits on the board of directors for the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation, the only not-for-profit foundation dedicated to discovering a cure for carcinoid and related neuroendocrine tumors.
Renée Raudman is an actor and Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. She has performed on film, television, radio, and on stage and can also be heard in several video games and hundreds of television and radio voice-overs.