I loved this book. Sitting outside under a tree reading this book was like heaven. Schreiber talks about fly-fishing, nature, her precious cat, everything she writes about, she makes special. It is a thoughtful, touching book about memories, the important things in life, loss and love. I have now picked up this book to read for the second time. I want to be taken away again to where Le Anne Schreiber is. Her words are so soothing and thought provoking. There was nothing about this book that I didn't love. When I would read it at work, I found myself longing to get back to it, sneaking peeks at it whenever I could. wonderful essays on life.

I underline and make notes in my books. LeAnne's book contains as much of my ink as hers! I love the way she writes. Every line is sheer poetry...Did not know LeAnne nor the subject of her book. This turned out to be one of my top five favorites ever!

She can convey more thought in one line than some writers do in a chapter. I am now engaged in my first read of her second book. I know that I will be doing a second read as soon as I finish.

If you are a frustrated writer, you have to "study" this wonderful book. LeAnne Schreiber is simply the best!

I read Midstream three times before I began this review. This is a moving, emotion-charged book! It really hit home with me because my mother had emergency brain surgery in 1995 and the lives of all our family were changed forever. So many events in this book parallel that time in my life. Le Anne Schreiber has managed to express all the emotions associated with such a traumatic family event. She goes where no writer has dared before and just tells it like she felt at the time.

In a brief introduction, Le Anne Schreiber tells us about her life. She had a good life and had become the Deputy Editor for the New York Times Book Review. But as she reached her late thirties, she was drawn to a country life with a slower pace and to her desire to devote her time to her own writing. She located a big, older country home near a peaceful stream that was ideal for her other passion in life - fishing.

Just as she was getting her new life situated, she learned that her mother had a pancreatic tumor. She began keeping a journal for therapeutic value with no thoughts of publication. The following week, she received the news that the tumor was malignant. Her mother wanted her to come to Edina, Minnesota and stay with her through the treatments. Le Anne packed away her tranquil world in upstate New York and flew to Minnesota. Her life would never be the same.

Midstream is Le Anne's journal. It is written in journal format with the date and changes of location noted. She has grouped it into five chapters and an epilogue. Each chapter begins with a black and white photo taken during Le Anne's youth.

The first entry in the journal was on 16 April 1985 in Glenco Mills, New York. The final listing was in June 1987 in Montevarchi, Italy. During these 26 months, Lee Anne was broken down, reformed, and then remade again. She underwent a complete metamorphosis emotionally and psychologically. Her family relationships changed and her values in life were permanently altered.

This journal will rip your heart into shreds! Schreiber's writing style ranges from flowing, poetic descriptions to raw emotion. As you read her words, you will feel her emotions: pain, betrayal, love, warmth, hope, despair, resentment, and anger. Persons that have been through such an event will readily identify with this book and likely take comfort from knowing that they were not the only ones to feel this way. It has a therapeutic, healing effect and helps bring closure to lingering emotions and issues. The ones that have not experienced such family trauma should read it for understanding of the issues faced by the family of a terminally ill person. It is quite enlightening.

This is a wonderful book with a clear message of hope for traumatic family events survivors. I recommend it with all my heart.

Alicia Karen Elkins, Columnist, Reviewer, Editor

Reprinted from Gotta Write Network