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Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
When love isn't enough: Why I left my ‘perfect' relationship
I walked out of my 'perfect' relationship. While it lasted — all of eight years — it looked like a match made in heaven. He was patient, kind, and loyal. Our relationship was supported and celebrated by our families and friends. But with time, I became aware of the vast gap in our perception of the world, which only grew larger by the day. There was not much drama or conflict, but the truth was undeniable and stark. Break-ups are usually messy, often a result of cheating or dishonesty. There's shouting, tears, blocked numbers, and divided friend groups. At least that's what social media, movies, and even our own fears would have us believe. It's almost as if a relationship can only end for explicit, solid and explosive reasons. But separations need not necessarily be about betrayal, disappointment, and anguish. They can happen when two people, who still love each other, stop moving in the same direction. For me, there was no single, seismic moment that marked the end. It was rather a slow unravelling, and here's how it possibly began. For quite some time, I wanted to have deeper conversations with him that challenged our social conditioning and pushed our boundaries of comfort. I wanted to interrogate the world and my place in it. He chose the comfort of certainty and was content with how things were, and I was not. One day, I asked myself: if this continues, what will I become? At first, it was just a niggling restlessness. Eventually, I understood that I was growing. Not away from him, but into myself. We often confuse love with compatibility, but are they the same? You can love someone deeply and still find yourself fundamentally out of sync. Love is not a guarantee of forever. It is a powerful bond, but it doesn't erase the need for shared growth, intellectual connection, or mutual curiosity about the world. I found myself thinking often about The Way We Were, starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford. In one unforgettable scene, Streisand's character Katie says to Redford's Hubbell, 'If I push too hard, it's because I want things to be better.' That line helped me with the realisation: I wasn't trying to break us. I was trying to make us expansive enough to hold everything I was becoming. When that couldn't happen, I chose not to contort myself to fit into that limiting tent. Or take Eat Pray Love, where Julia Roberts' character, Liz, leaves a marriage not because it was terrible, but because it was stifling in its sameness. She says, 'I want to marvel at something.' That desire, to marvel, to stretch, to be wide open to the world, is not a rejection of love, but a reaching toward selfhood. She knew she was built for something different, something wider — that recognition is liberating. Then, there's Tamasha, where Deepika Padukone's character, Tara, falls in love with Ved in Corsica, only to be heartbroken when she realises the man he becomes in his routine life is far different from his inner light, his own self. Even in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Abhay Deol's character, Kabir, begins to confront the emotional weight of fitting into his relationship with Natasha, played by Kalki Koechlin. He has to decide if his own desires fit into her expectations. These are not stories of betrayal or failure. They are stories of truth. And the truth is, we can love someone and still choose ourselves. We can walk away from something that looks whole because we recognise a deeper ailment: one that is not about who the other person is, but who we have become. Relationship dynamics shift as people evolve. And staying in something you know will eventually shrink your spirit is one of the quietest, yet riskiest, things you can do — to yourself, and to the person you love. Because when alignment fades, love can curdle into resentment. And no one deserves that. So, I made the hardest, but perhaps the kindest choice I could. I walked away from my 'perfect' relationship. Our final conversations were quiet and gutting. He asked me if I was sure, and I said I was. He asked if I still loved him. I said yes, but added that I loved myself differently now. I could not shrink my curiosity, ambition, or shifting worldview to make someone else comfortable, even if it was someone I adored. He deserves someone who finds joy in the life he wants, and I deserve a life that reflects the depths of who I am becoming. When I tell people I ended a 'perfect' relationship, their first reaction is confusion. 'But everything was fine,' they say. And they are right. Everything was fine. But 'fine' is a dangerous trap. 'Fine' convinces us that comfort is the same as compatibility. 'Fine' is what keeps people captive in unspoken misery for years, trading depth for predictability. When it comes to growth, it doesn't always follow the same timeline. Sometimes, people evolve in parallel directions. Sometimes they don't. My decision underscores identity and autonomy, and not rebellion. I chose a real life, not one of labels. Shruti Kaushal is a social media sieve and catches'em trends before they grow big, especially cinema. She has been a journalist for 4 years and covers trends, art and culture, and entertainment. ... Read More
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Why do people disappear from society? These travel stories hold the answer
Shreyansha Ghosh For Namrata, founder of Keemiya Creatives, 2014 was the year that changed everything. She quit her job and embarked on a solo journey across continents, severing all ties with her old life. 'For the next three years, I wandered – physically, mentally, and emotionally. I found solace in solitude, and a sense of freedom in being unreachable,' she told 'Every city, every village had a story. The chaos of foreign capitals, the silence of remote mountains, the wisdom of ruins, they all shaped me.' Eventually, she relocated to a Tier-3 city, where she knew no one. 'Starting from scratch was both exhilarating and humbling. I had no job, no network. But in rebuilding, I discovered the true meaning of independence,' she said. The weight of the world is a silent killer. It creeps in like dust collecting in corners you forgot to clean. Your mind hums with doubt about every decision you've made. Slowly, you start resenting the life you've built. You carry on with that weight until you snap. You retreat from the world, hoping to come back transformed. For many, travel becomes the escape of choice. People disappear because, sometimes, it's the only way to stay sane. They seek complete detachment from jobs, responsibilities, and endless to-do lists. To outsiders, this disappearance may appear to be escapism. However, it's often a necessary act of survival. Remember Liz Gilbert, played by Julia Roberts, in the movie Eat Pray Love? After a breakdown, she walks away from her marriage, a rebound relationship, and her job, setting off on a year-long quest through Italy, India, and Indonesia. Driven by desperation, she searches for happiness and finds peace instead. In a hyper-connected world where expectations are relentless, Gilbert's story resonates. Today, many people are choosing to disappear from society for psychological survival. 'According to the Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan), human beings are driven by autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When these needs go unmet, when life becomes overly controlled, disconnected, or draining, people seek out radical change. Disappearing can feel like reclaiming autonomy. It's not just about running away; it's about returning to the self,' Shruti Padhye, a senior psychologist at Mpower, told This behaviour is depicted in Nomadland (2020), the Oscar-winning film about Fern, a woman who embraces a nomadic life after personal loss and financial ruin. 'Many aren't just fleeing society,' said Padhye, 'They're looking for authenticity, for space to grieve, and for simpler ways to live.' She also said that these disappearances are often driven by emotional exhaustion, identity crises or burnout. Travel, in such cases, offers a reset, a chance to reconnect with one's true self. Chirag, a student of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), shared his story of a monsoon road trip through Meghalaya. 'We drove from Guwahati to Shillong, Cherrapunji, Laitlum Canyon, Mawlynnong, Dawki; the clouds and rain never left our side,' he said. One night, past 1 AM, they found themselves deep in a forest. Heavy rain. Zero visibility. The brakes slipped. 'No signal, no help. But we didn't panic. We trusted each other and inched forward until we found a tiny rest stop. We cooled the car, fixed the brakes, and drove on, almost laughing at the madness of it all.' When asked if this break from society was worth it, he said, 'Moments like that crack you open. They strip life down to its raw edges — survival, trust, awe. Stepping away from the world, even briefly, reminded me how alive I could feel. Out there, lost in the rain, I found something real. Was it worth it? Every drenched, broken, breathtaking second.' 'It's a natural response,' said Padhye. According to her, 'It's the mind's way of hitting pause; a reset mechanism that reflects a need for emotional recalibration. Disappearing into nature or travel can lead to higher psychological fulfilment.' 'Travel can not only offer a change of scenery, but also push a person to step out of their comfort zone to adapt and reinvent,' said Vaishali Arora, a clinical psychologist at LISSUN mental health platform. But is it healthy? 'If the decision is conscious and reflective, it can represent post-traumatic growth. But if it's impulsive or sudden, it may point to underlying mental health challenges—chronic stress, anxiety, or trauma,' said Padhye. Shreyansha Ghosh was an intern at
Time Out Dubai
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Why you should check into Shangri-La Dubai to Eat, Play, Love this summer
You deserve a treat, and this summer it's time to head out on a gorgeous city escape at Shangri-La Dubai. Ready to whisk you off on your dream adventure, for this summer, the plush hotel has themed your next trip entirely around the movie Eat Pray Love with its new Eat Play Love experience. From MICHELIN Guide-recommended dining to soul-soothing spa sessions, you're going to leave feeling like a whole new you. Seven irresistible reasons to check into Shangri-La Dubai Begin your journey by checking out all the incredible dining deals under Eat. Tuck into regional Chinese flavours at Shang Palace Start your culinary journey at the MICHELIN Guide-recommended Shang Palace, known for its signature Cantonese dishes, from rich Peking duck to bold Sichuan flavours. The restaurant has just launched an exciting new menu that dives even deeper into regional Chinese cuisine, showcasing the elegant artistry of Huaiyang dishes alongside the bold, comforting flavours of Lu (Shandong) cooking. If you're not sure where to begin, the all-you-can-eat dim sum brunch is a great introduction. Held every Saturday, it's a full-on experience with live cooking stations, beautifully crafted dumplings and refined spins on classic Cantonese plates. Prices start at Dhs288. Take a dim sum masterclass Roll up your sleeves and get hands-on with dough as you learn to make your own dumplings from scratch. A culinary expert will guide you through all the nitty gritty, so next time you're cooking for someone special, you can impress with their favourite dish made by you. Brunch like you're in Hanoi Or if your taste buds are itching for authentic Vietnamese plates, be sure to book your table at the Hanoi social brunch at Hoi An every weekend. It's a lively, sharing-style brunch inspired by the energy of Vietnam's buzzing street food culture. Running Saturdays and Sundays, the Hoi An brunch starts at Dhs228 per person. Explore the city in Play As well as tucking into your favourites, the staycation will also give you the chance to explore some of the best Dubai has to offer. Dive into the tropical rainforest that is Green Planet Dubai. With over 3,000 species inside the dome, you're about to stroll into another world. Or for a slice of Dubai from years gone by, take a guided tour of Al Fahidi and Old Dubai, ending at the stunning Diwan Mosque. Soak up Burj Khalifa views from the pool Soak up Burj Khalifa views as you lounge by the pool with a Kindle and your phone out (for those glamorous Insta shots). The Dhs150 pool passes are fully redeemable on food and drinks. Or you can unwind with a serene daycation in a deluxe sea view room which is available from 9am to 6pm. And our favourite part is that this Dhs400 package comes with pool access. Time to Love yourself Any time is a perfect time to pamper yourself till you're on cloud nine. Especially considering CHI, The Spa's itinerary. Here, you can sign up for a range of summer-exclusive treats that incorporate ancient healing traditions from Asia. Time Out tip: Book a 60-minute massage of your choice and enjoy a complimentary upgrade to a 90-minute session. Find your flow with sunrise yoga Start your morning on the right note with a flow and glow yoga session, because nothing says Dubai quite like stretching it out against a backdrop of the Burj Khalifa and that dazzling city skyline. Bonus: Personalise your summer staycay Ticking all the boxes this summer, you can opt for the full Eat Play Love package or mix and match the experiences. The Summer Staycation package includes early check-in at 10am, late check-out at 3pm and a sweet 15 percent off on dining and spa treatments. Book your experience at Shangri-La Dubai today. Book now:
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Nozipho Ntshangase's 40th birthday: a healing escape to Bali inspired by 'Eat Pray Love'
Nozipho Ntshangase, a mom of eight, opened up about plans to celebrate her 40th birthday in Bali on a solo healing journey. Celebrated recently, this landmark birthday has catalysed Ntshangase to reflect and embark on a new chapter in her life, moving forward with intent and purpose. In a heartfelt interview marking her recent milestone 40th birthday, Nozipho Ntshangase , a familiar face from "The Mommy Club", shared her deeply personal plans for a solo journey aimed at healing and self-discovery. Inspired by the film 'Eat Pray Love', Ntshangase revealed her aspirations for a transformative experience in Bali - a destination that holds significant meaning for her. Although she had to postpone her trip, the allure of Bali remains strong in her heart. She explained, 'I think I need to do my own 'Eat Pray Love'. I also just feel like it's something that I didn't do in my 30s and my 20s. For me, Bali is such a special place.' Her emotional connection to Bali runs deep. It was the backdrop of her honeymoon and the site of her first international voyage. As she expressed, 'I don't want to not have great memories because every time I think of Bali, I'm thinking 'Oh my God, what could have been?' I want to create new memories for myself in the place where I went when I was in love and had just gotten married.' This yearning underscores her desire to shed the weight of past experiences and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. 'Actually, it was my first international trip. I intentionally selected Bali for those reasons, to just create new memories and set the tone for the next decade of my life. My rules, my way,' she added. The story of 'Eat Pray Love', both as a book and a film, has inspired many to pursue their own paths to self-discovery.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
34 Fascinating Memoirs You Won't Be Able to Put Down
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Whoever may have told you that nonfiction is boring was either A) reading the wrong books or B) just plain wrong. Autobiographies and memoirs, for instance, are some of the most captivating reads—and we're here to set the record straight by recommending some of the best memoirs about and by women that will remind you that true stories are both addictive to read and extremely vital. They'll also remind you that women are undeniably resilient. These stories are motivating, funny, powerful, sad, and evocative. From gripping celebrity memoirs by iconic role models to compelling books by authors from the LGBTQ+ community to other personal anecdotes of overcoming one's upbringing or adversity, these are stories you never knew you needed. Below, find the best memoirs by women authors of all time that you should add to your reading list, bedside table, and tote bag immediately. The 2010 film in which Julia Roberts plays a 30-something woman who embarks on a whirlwind world tour after her divorce may seem like the stuff of deliciously dreamy fiction, but Eat Pray Love was actually based on Elizabeth Gilbert's 2006 memoir of the same name. The real story is a powerful (and empowering) tale about the writer's decision to leave behind what seemed from the outside like a perfect life to seek truer fulfillment in food, romance, and spirituality during a yearlong journey around the world. $16.74 at Bookshop Yes, that's Alison Bechdel of the now-ubiquitous pop culture-assessing Bechdel test. Her 2006 memoir takes the form of a graphic novel, charting her upbringing in rural Pennsylvania as the daughter of a funeral director. Central to the book is the story of Bechdel's journey toward coming out as a lesbian in her late teens, as well as an exploration of her complex relationship with her father, who remained closeted until his untimely death. A Broadway adaptation of the book won the Tony for Best Musical in 2015, and a movie version of the musical is reportedly now in the works. $18.55 at Bookshop A photo of Wangari Maathai should be next to the definition of "persistence" in dictionaries around the world. Here, the Nobel Prize winner, who died in 2011, recounts her life's story: Raised in rural Kenya, Maathai developed the transformative Green Belt Movement in 1977, empowering women and combating food instability in the country. Despite being jailed, beaten, and bruised, Maathai remained unbowed, making it a fitting title for her memoir. $8.22 at Amazon In the final days of 2003, Joan Didion lost her husband, John Gregory Dunne, to a sudden heart attack. His death came in the wake of their only daughter's serious health issues, which returned with a vengeance just a few months after Dunne's death. This book is Didion's description of the nearly unbearable work of simultaneously grieving her lifelong partner and caring for her daughter, whose own death in 2005 was later the subject of another incredibly moving book from Didion, 2011's Blue Nights. $9.91 at Amazon Calling all English majors: This is the memoir for you. Katharine Smyth manages to entangle her personal experience of grief with—wait for it—Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse. Smyth's memoir is an ode to her father and favorite writer, whose words brought her comfort and clarity in a time of loss. $11.31 at Amazon True tales from the White House never get old—especially when told by someone as remarkable as Michelle Obama. Her memoir, Becoming, is a candid reflection of her journey to the White House, from a little girl on the South Side of Chicago to an accomplished lawyer, mother, and First Lady. $11.48 at Amazon You know those fundamental childhood classroom experiences: raising baby chicks, being named line leader, scooting over to your best friend's desk when the teacher tells you to "find a partner" for a project? Tara Westover never had those. She was raised a survivalist, spending most of her childhood preparing for the end of the world. But at 17, when she first stepped into a classroom at Brigham Young University, everything changed. Her testament to that time is moving and beautiful. $16.50 at Amazon Platonic friendships are rarely given the recognition and weight they deserve, often falling after romantic and familial relationships in society's ranking of life's most important ties. Dolly Alderton sets that straight in this memoir of her life up to age 30, meticulously and lovingly documenting the female friendships that have made up the most important relationships of her life so far. $8.52 at Amaozn Everyone knows a likable plot depends on perspective. Who's telling the story? Well, how about this point of view: A 20-something stenographer in the Obama White House details her life and career at 30,000 feet in the air, aboard Air Force One. If that sounds interesting, you'll want to check out Beck Dorey-Stein's From the Corner of the Oval, detailing her spur-of-the-moment decision to quit her five part-time jobs, buy a microphone, and become Barack Obama's shadow. $15 at Amazon Clemantine Wamariya is a survivor. Following the Rwandan genocide, she and her sister spent six years as refugees migrating through seven different African countries, never knowing if their parents in Rwanda were even alive. Eventually, she and her sister were granted refuge in the United States, where Clemantine stumbled into a life of privilege. Taken in by a family, she attended private school and eventually Yale University. Even so, she struggled to rationalize the life she'd been given with the life she'd run away from. This is the story of that struggle. $17.38 at Amazon She's the actress who brought you some of the most iconic movies of all time, like Gidget and Not Without My Daughter, but Sally Field's memoir really bares it all. She discusses her struggle with self-esteem, the controlling relationship she had with Burt Reynolds, and even her own childhood experience of sexual assault. The memoir, seven years in the making, is an honest, occasionally chilling look at the life of one of Hollywood's most timeless actors. $16.53 at Amazon Inheritance tells the story of Dani Shapiro, who learns that the man she called Dad for 50 years isn't her biological father after taking a genealogy test. And the family secrets just keep on coming from there. Shapiro's novel is a poignant examination of identity and what happens when one's wholeness and understanding of who they are is completely uprooted. $15.23 at Amazon Chanel Miller was originally known only by the pseudonym Emily Doe in her infamous 2016 sexual assault case against Brock Turner, after which her incredibly powerful victim impact statement was released and quickly went viral. In 2019, however, Miller revealed her identity, releasing this memoir about her courageous journey to build a life separate from that traumatic experience. $17.67 at Amazon If the saying "laugh to keep from crying" is true, then it's no wonder that Tiffany Haddish became a comedian. Her biography recounts plenty of opportunities for a reasonable person to break down in tears, from Haddish's experience in foster care to her encounter with sexual abuse. But instead, the comedian finds a reason to smile and to make others laugh with her. It's a painful story, but told with pure hilarity. Haddish truly is a unicorn. $12.46 at Amazon Maid is both a moving personal story of resilience and a broader exploration of the often untold story of what it means to be poor in America. The memoir follows Stephanie Land, a single mother, as she went from cleaning houses and moving in and out of homeless shelters and other temporary housing to, eventually, earning her college degree and finding stable work as a journalist. As a bonus, her important story has since been brought to life on screen, in a critically acclaimed Netflix series starring Margaret Qualley. $10.03 at Amazon Natural disasters can do serious damage, but so can disasters caused by human error. Cinelle Barnes has experience with both. Her memoir, Monsoon Mansion, takes place in the Philippines and details her lavish lifestyle in the Mansion Royale. But when a monsoon hits, her beloved home deteriorates, her wealthy father bails, and she's left to be raised by an abusive stepfather and a mother in denial. Somehow, Cinelle survives. $14.20 at Amazon No matter what role she plays, Jenifer Lewis exudes confidence. You don't go from Kinloch, Missouri, to Hollywood without that. But her telling memoir, The Mother of Black Hollywood, reveals how life for the Black-ish actress is more complicated than it looks. She opens up about her battle with bipolar disorder and her recovery from sexual addiction—proving that even some of the greatest divas have to overcome a lot. $11.60 at Amazon This is not your mother's autobiography. Author and neuroscientist Judith Grisel takes a no-holds-barred approach to the topic of addiction, tackling the subject through a mix of science, her own experiences, and a little bit of humor. Grisel is determined to help readers better understand the way addicts think and, in turn, to hopefully find a solution to the epidemic of drug abuse. $12.93 at Amazon Black turtleneck and glasses. You could describe Steve Jobs by just those four words, and everyone would know who you were talking about. But for Lisa Brennan-Jobs, her father was never that simple. Small Fry details the complicated relationship between the tech mogul and his eldest daughter, and how Silicon Valley shaped her life. $5.99 at Amazon Government policies can seem abstract, especially if you don't think they affect you personally. Tomorrow Will be Different gives readers the dose of empathy they need to understand them. Sarah McBride was the first transgender person to speak at a national convention in 2016. Through heartbreaking personal stories, McBride sheds light on the constant struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. Bonus: Her foreword was written by Joe Biden. $11.55 at Amazon Former New York Times reporter Karoline Kan tells the story of three generations of women in Beijing, all willing and ready to defy the odds. Kan's grandmother survived the Great Famine, and her mother knowingly ignored the One-Child Policy when she gave birth to Karoline. Now, it's up to Kan herself to reach for the dreams society told her she could never achieve. $14.99 at Amazon Kathleen, the birth name of author Keele Burgin, which she uses to identify herself in her memoir, lived a life of fear: of her father, her religion, and even how she dressed. Wholly Unraveled is her memoir detailing one Catholic cult escapee's journey to a life of normalcy, self-worth, and belonging. $12.87 at Amazon Reese Witherspoon earned an Oscar nomination for her lead role in the 2014 film adaptation of Strayed's bestselling 2012 memoir—obviously, a major credit to the source material. It follows the writer's decision to hike the storied Pacific Crest Trail solo in her 20s following her mother's death, her divorce, and heroin addiction, ultimately resulting in a powerful physical and emotional journey of self-discovery and healing. $17.67 at Bookshop Sarah M. Broom won a National Book Award for this 2019 memoir, an ode to the concept of home, which details her family's long history in pre- and post-Katrina New Orleans and the issues of class, race, and inequality that have long shaped the city. $18.98 at Amazon So often, stories of surviving cancer end with the doctor's pronouncement of remission, but that's not where the story actually ends for the survivors themselves. Suleika Jaouad details the difficult process of rebuilding her life and finding her place in the world after spending years in hospital beds being treated for leukemia—a process that she began by traveling the country, meeting with fellow cancer survivors, grieving relatives, and others grappling with the chasm between sickness and health. $12.06 at Amazon Chloé Cooper Jones, who has the rare congenital condition sacral agenesis, spent much of her life learning to deal with ableist remarks, attitudes, and policies by retreating into herself and her work. But after having a child and becoming a mother, she found herself emboldened to reclaim the spaces she'd never felt permitted to enter, setting up a whirlwind journey that she mapped out in this powerful 2022 memoir. $15.49 at Amazon The title of Jessica Hoppe's 2024 memoir refers to her status as the first in many generations to break the cycle of addiction and get sober. While looking back over that difficult journey, she also dives into the generational quality of addiction and how addiction specifically impacts communities of color like her own. $21.07 at Amazon After years spent in sex work, Charlotte Shane is something of an expert on intimacy, desire, and the general ins and outs of heterosexual relationships. Her deep dive into her own history in that area is cast through a feminist lens, with a thorough exploration of the pervasive misogyny that looms over many women's pursuit of intimacy with men. $17.99 at Amazon Nearly 30 years after her older sister was killed by an abusive ex-boyfriend in 1990, Cristina Rivera Garza traveled to Mexico to unravel the case. She documented that months-long journey in this Pulitzer Prize-winning true-crime book, piecing together the evidence to paint a loving, long-unseen picture of her sister. $13.98 at Amazon Ketanji Brown Jackson made history in 2022 as the first Black woman ever to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. This 2024 memoir is the incredible story of how she got there, from growing up in the South as the daughter of educators to breaking barriers as a Black woman and mother in the high-powered field of law. $20.34 at Amazon The nickname in the title of this 2023 memoir was one Hardin earned while serving time in jail after being convicted of 32 felonies. The book starts well before that—as Hardin hid her growing opioid addiction under the outward guise of a perfect suburban soccer mom—and also stretches long after, as she continues to grapple with her demons even after getting clean, getting out of jail, and starting a new life as a ghostwriter. $16.73 at Bookshop Cathy Park Hong defines 'minor feelings' as those that crop up when you're faced with lies about your own racial identity and lived reality. That dissonance is at the core of her 2020 book of essays, which documents her own upbringing as the daughter of Korean immigrants and her musings on the current state of race in America. $10.50 at Amazon Daniella Mestyanek Young grew up in the Children of God cult, in which physical, emotional, and sexual abuse were the norm. She escaped as a teenager, excelled in college, and proceeded to join the military—only to find, as she describes here, that the patriarchal confines that defined her upbringing aren't unique only to outright cults. $13.88 at Amazon Deborah Jackson Taffa was born on the California Yuma reservation and grew up in Navajo territory in New Mexico, where she was encouraged to assimilate into American culture outside of the reservation. In this gripping memoir, she revisits not only her upbringing but also the long history of the mistreatment of Native populations at the hands of the American government and its promise of so-called assimilation. $18.99 at Amazon
