My So-Called Normal Life

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.