Family secrets shape our lives before we even know they exist, as Carmen Rita Wong reveals in her memoir "Why Didn't You Tell Me?" After learning at age 31 that her Chinese father wasn't her biological parent, Carmen set off on a quest to uncover both her true origins and her mother's motivations for concealing such a fundamental truth. Part detective story, part emotional excavation—host Katie Fogarty and Carmen explore the layers of a story built on secrets and now told with unflinching honesty. We dive into the intricate terrain of mother-daughter relationships, cultural identity across Dominican and Chinese heritage, the pressures of assimilation in 1980s America, and why, as Carmen puts it, "when you bury the truth, you bury it alive." A powerful exploration on finding peace without forgiveness, breaking generational patterns as a parent, and how memoir brings a wide-angle lens to universal themes of identity, the tangle of family relationships, and the search for belonging and clarity in midlife.

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Bestselling author Claire Lombardo knows drama lurks behind every family's closed doors. Join host Katie Fogarty for an engaging dive into Lombardo's latest novel "Same As It Ever Was," which deftly explores long-term marriage, motherhood, and how our lives both change and stay exactly the same over decades. A writing teacher and indie bookseller turned literary star (and Reese Witherspoon book club pick), Lombardo shares her secrets for building rich characters through "emotional homework" and reveals why the most authentic relationships are often the messiest. A must-listen for readers navigating midlife transitions, empty nesting, and anyone who loves peering into the complexities of imperfect relationships and shifting family dynamics. Plus, tips for novel writing, character dialogue and how to overcome writing paralysis.

Find our midlife book content 24/7 on social @themidlifebookclub and on our website: www.themidlifebookclub.com

Shop all books: The Midlife Book Club Shop.

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What happens when we look back at our coming-of-age stories from the vantage point of midlife? Bestselling author Joanna Rakoff (My Salinger Year, A Fortunate Age) joins host Katie Fogarty to explore how we define and find our way in the world through the dual lenses of memoir and fiction. The conversation sparkles with insights about the electric, messy brilliance of being young and how time reshapes our understanding of our younger selves. We dive deep into the creative process, examining how writing from a place of love shapes authentic characters and why some stories are better told as memoir while others flourish as fiction. Plus, Rakoff shares an insider's view of the literary world and explores how J.D. Salinger's influence ripples through her work and life. This show proves that while youth may be fleeting, brilliant stories, beautifully told are forever.

Find our midlife book content 24/7 on social @themidlifebookclub and on our website: www.themidlifebookclub.com.

Shop all books: The Midlife Book Club Shop.

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