Jane M B

Professor of psychiatry Elyn R. Saks writes about her struggle with schizophrenia in this unflinching account of her mental illness. In The Center Cannot Hold, Saks draws readers into a nightmare world of medications, a misguided health-care system, and social stigmas. But she would not be defeated. With a strength and force of will that most can only imagine, Saks reclaimed her life and went on to achieve great success.

In the late 1950s, when a shy, 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old, outgoing boy fall in love in a small Midwestern town, population 695, their happiness is short-lived when they discover she is pregnant. Forced by their very young ages and family expectations, they place their child up for adoption and separate—each living their lives apart for 53 years. But a corner of Dennis' heart still belonged to Karen. Despite the many passing years, he searches for and finds his lost love, and later, together they find their daughter. Love is not what you say; love is what you feel.