"Explore Two Must-Read Nonfiction Releases for June 2023"

1. The Elissas: Three Girls, One Fate, and the Deadly Secrets of Suburbia by Samantha Leach (June 6th)

In a poignant and deeply personal memoir, Leach recounts the harrowing journey of her childhood best friend, Elissa, and the tragic events that ultimately led to her untimely death. Bound by a bond forged in the fires of youth, Leach and Elissa shared a camaraderie that knew no bounds, navigating the trials and tribulations of adolescence together with reckless abandon.

But their idyllic partnership took a dark turn when Elissa was abruptly expelled from their private school and sent away to a program for "troubled youth." It was a decision that would irrevocably alter the course of their lives, thrusting Elissa into a world shrouded in secrecy and devoid of oversight. As Leach grapples with the shock of her friend's expulsion and subsequent confinement, she embarks on a quest for answers—a journey that will lead her to uncover the dark underbelly of the Troubled Teen Industry.

With a keen eye for detail and a relentless determination, Leach delves deep into the shadowy realm of these unregulated programs, shining a light on the systemic abuses and institutional failures that plague their corridors. From coercive tactics to psychological manipulation, she exposes the myriad ways in which vulnerable youth are exploited and marginalized, their voices silenced and their rights violated in the name of "treatment" and "rehabilitation."

But amidst the darkness, there also emerges a glimmer of hope—a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of collective action. Through her unwavering commitment to justice, Leach seeks to honor the memories of Elissa, Alyssa, and Alisa—three young women whose lives were tragically cut short by a system that failed to protect them. In their names, she vows to confront the injustices that perpetuate the cycle of abuse and neglect, advocating for reform and accountability with unwavering resolve.

In the end, Leach's memoir is more than just a story—it is a call to arms, a rallying cry for change in a world that too often turns a blind eye to the suffering of its most vulnerable members. It is a testament to the power of friendship, resilience, and the enduring bonds that unite us in the face of adversity. Through her courageous storytelling, Leach invites readers to bear witness to the untold stories of those who have been silenced by injustice—and to join her in the fight for a brighter, more equitable future for all.

2. My Hijacking: A Personal History of Forgetting and Remembering by Martha Hodes (June 6th)

In 1970, on September 6th, Hodes and her elder sister were returning to the United States after visiting their mother and grandparents in Israel. Their journey took a harrowing turn when their plane was hijacked by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Forced to land in the Jordanian desert, Hodes found herself held captive for six agonizing days and nights. Over 50 years later, she grapples with the realization that her memories of the ordeal are hazy, prompting questions about whether it was trauma, repression, or some other psychological mechanism at play.

Through meticulous exploration, drawing from archival records, conversations with friends, family, and fellow hostages, as well as personal diaries and childhood recollections, Hodes endeavors not only to reconstruct her own experience but also to shed light on the profound impact it had on her family and the enduring effects of such traumatic events.

3. A Flat Place: Moving Through Empty Landscapes, Naming Complex Trauma by Noreen Masud (June 6th)

In her captivating blend of memoir and nature writing, Masud delves into the often-overlooked landscapes of flat places, drawing striking parallels between these seemingly mundane terrains and her own internal landscape shaped by complex post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from a profoundly traumatic childhood. Much like the unassuming flatlands, Masud's emotions are at times flattened, and her memory is distorted, mirroring the characteristic stillness and uniformity of such terrain.

Through poignant reflections on her personal journey, Masud bravely confronts the ways in which trauma has intricately woven itself into the fabric of her life, shaping her experiences and relationships. With a keen eye for detail and a lyrical prose style, she navigates the intricate interplay between external landscapes and internal struggles, offering profound insights into the nature of healing and emotional resilience.

In this deeply introspective narrative, Masud invites readers to accompany her on a journey of self-discovery, weaving together introspective musings on the impact of trauma with evocative descriptions of the natural world. At its heart, her work is a testament to the transformative power of place, offering a rich tapestry of observations that illuminate the intricate connections between geography, memory, and the human psyche.