Not Becoming My Mother: And Other Things She Taught Me Along the Way

5:00 pm 9 March 2009
Not Becoming My Mother: and Other Things She Taught Me Along the Way - Ruth Reichl This tiny gem stemmed from a speech given to celebrate what would have been the author's mother's 100th birthday. Reichl reflects on womanhood in mid-20th century America and the social pressures that nearly crushed her mother. Digging through the basement on a quest to write her mother's story, she realizes that much of her mother's flamboyant behavior was orchestrated to teach her daughter how to be independent and love herself above all. While her stories are funny and unique, the sentiment and circumstance ring true. We've come a long way.