What We Don't Talk About with My Mother. 16 Very Personal Stories Familiar to Many

Articulating everything we have been unable to say for so long is one way to heal our relationships with others and, most importantly, with ourselves.

On the pages of the book, sixteen talented writers share experiences and thoughts they have not dared to discuss with their mothers and the significance this held for them in the end.

The author of the book, Michelle Filgate, began writing an essay about her stepfather while still a student. It took her over ten years to understand what she truly wanted to share and explain: how his behavior affected her relationship with her mother. Right after its publication, the essay went viral, being shared on social media by Anne Lamott, Rebecca Solnit, and many others. This inspired the author to create a collection of heartfelt essays about relationships with mothers.

While some authors in this book no longer communicate with their mothers, others, on the contrary, are very close. Leslie Jamison writes about trying to figure out who her seemingly perfect mother was before she became a mom. In a humorous story, Katie Hnanauer finally gets a chance to talk to her mother, who is constantly interrupted by her bossy (but sweet) father. Andre Aciman writes about how one's view of the world changes when mom is deaf. And Julianna Baggott tells about a mom who shares everything with her.