Still Alice, Lisa Genova (Early Onset Alzheimer’s)

February 6th, 2009 • Related • Filed Under
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Listen NowTo enter to win a free copy of STILL ALICE:

  • Be sure to subscribe to the Words To Mouth e-newsletter ~ That’s how I announce winners!

  • Leave a Comment Below (if you’ve read the book, tell us who you see playing Alice or any of the other main characters)

  • Call 206-309-7318 and leave a voice mail message sharing something I can play on-air

  • Subscribe to Words To Mouth via the link on my website or on iTunes

  • Deadline for entry – February 30th, 2009 midnight, EST

  • U.S. & Canada residents only; No P.O. Boxes

Still aliceSTILL ALICE Synopsis:
Still Alice is a compelling debut novel about a 50-year-old woman’s sudden descent into early onset Alzheimer’s disease, written by first-time author Lisa Genova, who holds a Ph. D in neuroscience from Harvard University. Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children and a house on the Cape, is a celebrated Harvard professor at the height of her career when she notices a forgetfulness creeping into her life. As confusion starts to cloud her thinking and her memory begins to fail her, she receives a devastating diagnosis: early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Fiercely independent, Alice struggles to maintain her lifestyle and live in the moment, even as her sense of self is being stripped away. In turns heartbreaking, inspiring and terrifying, Still Alice captures in remarkable detail what’s it’s like to literally lose your mind…

“The book is about a young woman’s descent into dementia.  And of course, we see her struggle against this horrifying and inevitable descent.  But interestingly, as her cognitive capabilities diminish, we also get to see her grow.  As her symptoms worsen, Alice loses her cerebral life at Harvard, where she’d placed her worth and identity, where she’d been valued and respected.  Without it, she embarks on a desperate search for answers to questions like ‘Who am I now?’ and ‘How do I matter?’ and is forced to search for meaning and intimacy beyond career success in her relationships with her husband and children, relationships previously neglected or on autopilot.  But has too much time and distance passed in those relationships, and has Alice already lost too much of herself to reconnect before she dies?” Lisa GenovaLisa genova

Lisa Genova’s Bio:
Lisa Genova graduated valedictorian from Bates College with a degree in Biopsychology and has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University.  She has done research on the molecular etiology of depression, Parkinson’s Disease, drug addiction, and memory loss following stroke.  She is a proud and active member of the Dementia Advocacy & Support Network International and DementiaUSA and is an online columnist for the National Alzheimer’s Association .  She spends a considerable amount of time acting on stage in Boston and in local independent films.  She is currently working on her next novel, LEFT NEGLECTED.

Click HERE to read an excerpt of STILL ALICE

For questions or comments about STILL ALICE or if you’d like to invite Lisa to attend your book club by phone or in person, email Lisa at:  Lisa@StillAlice.com

Books Lisa Mentioned:

**Thanks, as always, to Natalie Brown for her song You Gotta Believe from the Podsafe Music Network.

There Are 33 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Julie P. on 6 February 2009:

    I haven’t read the book yet, but I’m sure Meryl Streep would be excellent in this role! I would love to win this book!

  2. Comment by Kathy on 6 February 2009:

    I haven’t read the book yet – that’s why I want to win a copy. I subscribe in Google Reader. Thanks for the giveaway!

  3. Comment by Sandra on 6 February 2009:

    I’d love to read this book. I am already a follower in Google reader. Please enter me, thank you.

  4. Comment by Darby Lohrding on 6 February 2009:

    I have not read this book yet; I can tell it is one of those great reads that we all will read. I’d love to read my own copy!!!
    Thanks Carrie,
    Darby
    darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

  5. Comment by Karen on 7 February 2009:

    Thanks so much Carrie. First I never would have read a science fiction book but I have read/listened to several since listening to your podcast.

    This too would not be the type of book I would have read on my own but I can hardly wait to read it.

  6. Comment by ruth on 7 February 2009:

    I haven’t read the book. Thanks for featuring this novel for your giveaway. I would appreciate this chance greatly.

  7. Comment by anne on 7 February 2009:

    This book is receiving a great deal of coverage and interests me greatly. Thanks for the opportunity.

  8. Comment by Staci Taylor on 7 February 2009:

    I’ve heard nothing but praise for this book. Would love to win it!! but even if I don’t I’m still going to read it this year!!!

  9. Comment by Cindi on 8 February 2009:

    When I first started reading the review about this book, I became somewhat depressed, but when you mentioned how Alice grows outside of
    her academic life, then I became more hopeful! Please enter me in this book drawing. Many thanks, Cindi

  10. Comment by Angela on 8 February 2009:

    I first heard of Still Alice while it was a self-published book with iUniverse. I’m happy to see the book has garnered national attention. I am looking forward to reading this new edition.

  11. Comment by Julie on 9 February 2009:

    This one has been on my wishlist for a while. I’ve heard so many great things about it. I’m really looking forward to reading it

  12. Comment by Mari on 9 February 2009:

    I just loved this book. I was hoping the MMBC selected this to read/discuss but listening to your interview replaces the discussion.

    This book will stay with you for years.

  13. Comment by Nathalie on 10 February 2009:

    Loved your interview with this author Carrie! The book sounds fantastic but I really loved when she told her publishing story. I really thought that the agent that called her and insisted that she not self-publish would’ve offered her a deal but in the end it’s clearly his loss!

    Thanks again for the great interview!

  14. Comment by Margaret Deehr on 11 February 2009:

    Saying that a book has changed your life is such a cliche, but this book has changed my life.It will make you ask yourself who you really are,how others define who you really are & teach you to appreciate every day you have.This book will make you cry but it is,ultimately, uplifting.I simply cannot praise this beautiful,empathetic jewel of a novel enough.

  15. Comment by avisannschild on 11 February 2009:

    Please enter me in the giveaway too, Carrie. I’ve heard good things about this book!

    I subscribe by email (and am a Google follower).

    Thanks!

  16. Comment by Bonnie on 13 February 2009:

    This books sounds fascinating, it’s been on my wishlist so I would love to win a copy! I have several family members with later onset Alzheimers and I have a medical background so this book truly interests me.

    I subscribe to the Words to Mouth Newsletter and through my google reader.

    Thanks Carrie!

  17. Comment by Michael J. Baron on 13 February 2009:

    Dear Lisa
    I am 52 years old, married for 27 years and have two children, 19 and 21 years of age. My mom was diagnosed with dementia nine years ago. My father past away in 2003. She now has been diagnosed with alzheimers in 2007. I am her POA. POA was activated 18 months ago. I cared for her on a daily basis for four years until she needed better care. She is now in a RCAC. Your novel touched me. I can relate so well to it. I read it in three days. I will never forget Alice and her Family. Thank You

  18. Comment by kristi (supermomx3) on 13 February 2009:

    I can’t wait to read this book! Please enter me to win. Your interview was wonderful Carrie.

  19. Comment by Ann on 14 February 2009:

    I just finished listening to the podacast with Lisa’s interview. I had a grandfather that had alzheimers….I watched a man who I loved go to a man that I loved but didn’t have a clue who I was. I think this will be a tough read, but have it on my to be read list. Great interview, I really enjoyed it.

  20. Comment by Katy on 19 February 2009:

    Would love to read this book! I love words to mouth & the divacast

  21. Comment by Meghan on 20 February 2009:

    This sounds like a wonderful book- from a totally different perspective. My grandmother had Alzheimers and it was a difficult process to wrap my mind around at a young age. Would love to win this book!

  22. Comment by Sue W. on 21 February 2009:

    I am glad to say that so far no family members have had or been diagnosed with alzhiemer. But I do have two good friends with it and see them slipping away. I just read the synopsis of Still Alice and feel it is a book well worth reading. I would like to learn more about this disease and although it doesn’t seem that it can be prevented, maybe it can be slowed down. Thank you for writing this book Lisa

  23. Comment by Sharon Walling on 21 February 2009:

    I would definitely love to win this book. I have known several people who had alzhiemers.

    Thanks for another great giveaway.

    sharon54220@gmail.com

  24. Comment by Darby Lohrding on 22 February 2009:

    I have heard so many good things about this book, I would love to win a copy of this book! My guess for an actress to play Alice would be Angela Lansbury .
    Thanks so much,
    Darby
    darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

  25. Comment by janeh on 22 February 2009:

    I see Sharon Stone or Frances McDormand as Alice…….I’d love to win the book AND see the movie!

  26. Comment by Carol Weigel on 25 February 2009:

    This story seems to be getting a lot of buzz. Certainly Barnes & Noble are giving it prominence in their book displays. Must be an interesting read.

  27. Comment by K Peters on 28 February 2009:

    This book is a definite must-read for everyone not just who have older people in their lives.

  28. Comment by Tina on 3 March 2009:

    This sounds really interesting!

  29. Pingback by Calling ALL Authors!! | Words To Mouth on 3 April 2009:

    [...] Audio Interview – A minimum fifteen minute audio interview in the standard WTM format. For sample, CLICK HERE to LISTEN (See Authors Page for template questions, but you will have the opportunity to add/tailor [...]

  30. Comment by Nathalie on 14 April 2009:

    Just finished the copy of “Still Alice,” that I received through the WTM book giveaway. What a great book!

    I read it in two nights. I couldn’t put it down. Alice was instantly a best friend. My heart broke for her as I read about her diagnosis and progression through this disease but at the same time I couldn’t step away from reading and finding out more. The portrayal of her family, especially her relationship with her daughter, “the actress,” was captivating and added a lot of perspective and dimension in this novel.

    Thanks so much Carrie for your great show and thanks to Lisa Genova for the wonderful book!

  31. Comment by Marion G. on 1 May 2009:

    Hi. Unfortuneately I have the problem of dementia in my family. Several relatives have been diagnosed. It’s a very sad and heart rendering disease. There is not enough understanding given to individuals suffering from this devastating disease.
    Thanks for the giveaway. I’d enjoy this book.
    Cheers

  32. Comment by Peter Yexley on 4 August 2009:

    A beacon of light for anyone with the slightest connection to Alzheimer’s disease.

    It is important not to close the door because somwhere out there is light.

  33. Comment by Ali Adcock on 23 May 2010:

    I’d love to win this book! My grandmother just died from alzhiemers, and her name was Alice also. How ironic! It’s an awful disease..people don’t realize how devastating it really is. I hope to win the give away!
    Thanks!

    Ali

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