monthly, SELF Well Read Book Club We highlight timely, entertaining and important books on topics that can help readers live better lives. to this point, The politics of running To The current state of modern motherhood.
That you must live as your most authentic self to be happy might seem like an obvious yoga studio poster cliché, but what if that authentic self feels completely out of reach?
When Suzette Mullen was 50 and writing the first draft of her memoir, she was faced with a realization that would answer both her fears and many questions: She might be gay. The problem was, she’d already built a life she loved and was at a point where she was done with raising children and husbands. Mullen decided to “write herself out,” which ultimately led to her selection as June’s SELF Well-Read Book Club. The only way out is, A collection of moments sprawled across time and space from her real, troubled life experiences, the common thread in her stories is a voice – an inner spiritual guide that tells her what’s wrong with her life and nudges her towards what feels right, until she feels like she can reach her true self.
Coming out is a deeply personal journey that inevitably involves others. In this book, Maren fleshes out the characters in her life with care, honesty, and compassion. As she comes to terms with her sexuality, she struggles with what it means for the people she loves: her best friend with whom she has had a romantic relationship for decades, her supportive and loving husband, her two adult sons, her aging mother, and the local community that only knows her as one person. Even if Maren’s story doesn’t directly resonate with you, all readers can gain something from it. She not only shows how impossible it can seem to risk the life you know in order to live a more authentic life, but also reveals what support means to someone in her position, even if it’s not easily available.
For all the painful changes and losses Maren describes, there have also been immeasurable gains: the lifeline support of Lala’s (an online community for older lesbians), the family she found in her new city, and the possibility of truly fulfilling love. This Pride Month, it’s a time to celebrate authentic self-expression in all its colorful and triumphant form.The only way out is It’s a reminder of why celebrating LGBTQ+ identities is so important: For many, like Maren, the journey to accepting one’s sexuality can be messy, scary, lonely and sad — but it’s also truly worth it.
Whether this memoir makes you feel less alone or helps you understand others a little better, it speaks to the importance of amplifying LGBTQ+ stories and universal lessons about privilege, authenticity, courage, and community. The only way out is Check it out below, and be sure to check out our Q&A with the author.
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