"Somehow nobody saw the work; they only saw the results of living a life that constantly crushed you with its impossibility."

Stephanie Land's "Maid," tells the story of her trying to survive and raise her daughter in the Pacific NW on minimum wage and government assistance. I enjoyed (as best you can reading about someone struggling to make ends meet) reading Stephanie's story and cheering her on. It not only gives a window into another world, but also holds a mirror up a bit to remind me of my own privilege. I hope Mia gets to read this book one day.

I do wish she spent more time on the relationships she had with people in her life. The two points of the book that really moved me - and where I felt a real connection to the struggle she was feeling - were with her mother and grandfather. I understand a lot was likely left out for respect of those close to her, but it did seem like some things were just glossed over that would have been interesting to get deeper in to. I did enjoy hearing about the houses and people who inhabited them, but in some cases felt like these stories were filler or redundant (only slightly).

Overall, I loved Land's writing style, with many moments of prose that powerfully and beautifully spoke to how she felt and how we treat each other as people.

“Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay and a Mother’s Will to Survive” is a memoir of the time writer Stephanie Land spent as a housecleaner in Washington State, barely eking out a living in exchange for backbreaking work.
Land’s story is an important one, giving readers a glimpse of the true physical, mental and emotional strain of living in poverty. Land is a gifted writer and storyteller, and there are many poignant moments in the book — like when a private client pays her $100 in cash and she’s joyfully able to buy her daughter a Happy Meal. Her story is heartbreaking and inspiring, and gives a voice to so many millions of people fighting the same battles, unable to break free from the hamster wheel of poverty.
I highly recommend this to everyone, from those who’ve been there to those who don’t have a clue about the precarious balance so many “invisible” workers like Land must strike every day just to continue to exist.
“Maid” will be released on Jan. 22.
Thank you to Hachette Books for providing an advanced reader copy of “Maid.” Opinions are my own.

I was seeing this book floating around on Goodreads and then I happened to come across it on Netgalley as a ARC and I’m so glad I chose to review this. This book is more than just its Social Science context, it’s a deep look into the life of a woman whose life hasn’t been all peaches and cream.

Life hasn’t been very kind to Stephanie and her daughter Mia. Without the help of Stephanie’s parents and Mia’s father, Jamie, things spiral out of control for Stephanie. Maid is about her journey to provide a better life for her daughter Mia while getting bits of help from our rather broken public assistance program and the low pay she received from her being a maid. When you hear the word maid, you instantly think of the rich and their black and white starched uniforms, talking all proper. In reality being a maid is washing dirty drawers, picking out pubes from a dirty bathroom, scrubbing and cleaning every dirty crevice you can imagine. Yet, these maids are looked down upon as the lowest of lows, not treated with respect and earning a ghastly wage, on top of that looked down upon those with fancy desk jobs or who were fortunate enough to not know the word:”struggle”. Unfortunately, Stephanie was a single mother and public assistance only took her so far, constantly going through food shortages because of lack of funds, constantly wondering where she was going to leave her daughter, wondering how much she would make everyday. It’s really a grueling situation trying to figure out how to pay your next bill or figure out your next meal on a measly pay. I know exactly how it’s like, because me and my husband have found ourselves knocking on evictions door. It wasn’t because we weren’t doing what we were supposed to do, it’s more of his job not doing their part in paying him while he was on a disability leave; 3 months back pay from his disability leave company. I honestly was very upset at the fact that Stephanie’s parents (although sometimes they helped) didn’t give her that support that she needed. They were judging the hell out of her and they seemed to choose their new partners/family over Stephanie. Another thing that bothered me was how much of a piece of crap Jamie was to Stephanie while she was trying to her very best to get up everyday and go to work. He boasted about being a great parent and a better person than Stephanie, but he would be abusive and say hurtful things to the person that's supposed to be the mother of his child.
I personally don't judge anyone that needs public assistance or anything like that because there are legit people out there who need it. There's people out there who pay their taxes and work, but it still just isn't enough. Don't think because a person makes $20 an hour, that that is it. NO! You have to factor in how much taxes they're taking out, you have to factor in their bills, they food, if they have a kid etc. It's not easy, and I really hated how much of a hard time they would give Stephanie at the grocery store because the used a WIC check or EBT card; the looks given by other people because she was getting help from the government. As a former cashier for supermarkets, I always treated people with EBT and WIC checks with respect and never any differently than those who paid with a credit/debit card and cash. If I saw someone with a WIC check, I would close my lane for the time I am with the customer and I make sure to tell any other customer that approaches my line that I'm closed for the moment to do some paperwork (I know sometimes people don't like for other people to know they use it...because...duh!...Stigmas).If they get the wrong thing, I just go get it quick and efficiently, no need to shame them. I admire Stephanie for all her hard work and determination, as well as writing about her experiences. Often times people may say people who blog or write about their lives are whiners and complainers, but I beg to differ. Writing is an outlet for many; sometimes it's the only thing they have. Because of that, people got to see what she truly went through and how she felt. How everything she did and continues to do is for the well-being of her daughter. I hope that she continues being successful and she gets everything she deserves. I really enjoyed this book and it made me really open my eyes to how hard maids have it; how much they sacrifice. I would recommend this book to everyone, especially those who believe the stigmas of those less unfortunate to be wealthy.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

I was so thrilled to receive a copy of Maid. It was a compelling story and truly eye opening. You never know what struggles someone is facing. This book also challenges the negative stigma of public assistance. There are people that are trying their best and do in fact need help but would rather NOT be on it.

However, I just did not like Stephanie at times. I found her to be very whiny and I feel awful for saying it. However, her writing style is amazing and I would definitely read any other books she decides to write.

I know the author hopes for nothing but compassion and understanding from people reading her book but in truth, it's hard for me to feel that way when she spends much of the book whining about her situation and not taking the least bit of responsibility herself. Yes, she has a tough life, but she made choices that led her to it - something she never acknowledges but blames everyone else instead. Instead of being grateful for housing and food stamps she's given, she complains about not being able to buy organic milk. What?!! I was hoping for a point in the book where the author would turn from the poor me attitude and realize her own responsibility for her life but I never saw it. I'm sure my opinion will be in the minority - - or should I say I'll be in the minority of expressing this opinion even if others think it. Overall, this was just a depressing and somewhat infuriating read.

I give the book 3 stars because I did appreciate the quality of writing and hope the author will turn to something more positive in her next venture.

Maid by Stephanie Land is not only important, but very readable and I'm thrilled that it was a Book of the Month selection this month!

It's a true story about a woman who finds herself struggling for survival as a single mother, while she also striving towards her own goals. It's a stressful, frustrating read, so I can only imagine what her experiences were like in the moment.

Be kind as you never know what battles another is facing. 🧡
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While the writing of this book is very good, I was disappointed overall. The book reads like the authors journal and has a "poor me" vibe. I continued reading because I was waiting for the "ah ha" moment when the author shifted her thinking and took a more positive, uplifting approach to her situation. I understand that she wants to convey her story however, the story is very monotone and negative.

This is a very well-written memoir that reads like fiction. The author of this book, Stephanie Land, details her years working as a maid after her daughter is born. She is a single mother and during this time she used government programs to help her get by. As a working mother of 2 small children it was hard and eye opening to read about some of the author's struggles. I can't imagine doing it alone and having the financial hardships that Stephanie had. I truly believe that working mothers are some of the strongest people in the world, and single working mothers even more so. I was rooting for Stephanie and her daughter, Mia, the whole book and I would definitely read more of her work in the future.

Author Stephanie Land writes a compelling memoir of her journey as a single working mother in her book Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive. Land provides insight into the individual experience of navigating the red tape of government assistance programs and breaks down stereotypes held by many who have never experienced poverty. She describes this constant state of uncertainty, "On a couple of occasions, my income pushed me over the limit by a few dollars, I'd lose hundreds of dollars in benefits. Due to my self-employment, I had to report my income every few months. Earning $50 extra could make my co-pay at day care go up by the same amount. Sometimes it meant losing my childcare grant altogether. There was no incentive or opportunity to save money. The system kept me locked down, scraping the bottom of the barrel, and without a plan to climb out of it."

Land also describes the gritty experiences she endured in cleaning homes for very little pay. She endured physical ailments from the intense labor and cleaned in horrendously disgusting conditions at times. Though the work was hard and oftentimes thankless, she was able to connect with some of her clients in meaningful ways. She describes beautiful moments with these people who she grows to see as friends over the years she is in their homes.

The most impactful relationship in the book is that of Land and her daughter Mia. We see Land's struggle to balance the need for provision of needs and care with the desire to spend quality time with her daughter, to not miss the simple moments of joy. Land poignantly describes this struggle saying, "Every single parent teetering on poverty does this. We work, we love, we do. And the stress of it all, the exhaustion, leaves us hollowed. Scraped out. Ghosts of our former selves... I knew that at any moment, a breeze could come and blow me away."

Readers, this book will give you significant insights, warm your heart, and call you to action. Land beautifully chronicles her journey to becoming a writer and the love she has for her daughter resonates throughout the story. I heartily recommend this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC of Maid in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette. Maid is Stephanie Land's memoir of single parenthood and the poverty and hardships she endured along the way. I was a single parent for 4 years and could relate to so many of her struggles. Maid is an inspiring story about reaching the light at the end of the tunnel if you don't give up. Life is hard and curveballs come left and right, but they don't have to break you. I would love to hear more of Stephanie's story, and hope she releases another memoir someday. Thanks again for the opportunity to read and review this book!

It's one of my favorites of this month and maybe for the year. We shall see what the remainder of the year holds.
This was a very emotional read for me. Stephanie Land wrote this book surely to bring awareness to the plight of the poor single mothers out there. To show that poor people on welfare are not lazy and happy sitting on their couches eating fritos and living off the system. For me, having been in her shoes at 19 and pregnant and poor (l feel incredibly lucky to have had the family support that she did not), I read this as a confirmation of all the feelings I had (and some I still have) about that time in my life. And she describes the loneliness, exhaustion, and shame of single motherhood, the judgement you endure, the heartbreak of maintaining a parenting schedule with an abusive ex, the struggle to get out of the situation you're in, all so honestly and so well. I just hope you all read this book and get something out of it. It's the story of so many women, and it's worth hearing. I feel very thankful for this book.

Maid, by Stephanie Land. I was deeply involved in this book. I thank NetGalley for the ARC . Such a gut-wrenching and truth of life Maid is. A woman will do what she must to take make it work. Some of the works just had me in tears. Beautiful and a glimpse into another life.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I heard this book described as a book about poverty. In reality, it is a memoir that covers a lot of topics. Some of these topics are a neglectful childhood, bad parents, a bad marriage, divorce, child custody, poverty and being in the cleaning industry. This book was hard to read at times. The author was very honest which didn't always put her in the best light. I wish that she had taken more responsibility for how her choices helped cause her descent into poverty. It was nice to see that when she started using the resources to better herself at the end she ended up clawing her way out of poverty. This book gave me an insight into how hard things can be for people in the welfare system. They really are penalized at times for trying to better themselves. Overall, this book was interesting. I just wish there was a little less whining involved.

Maid by Stephanie Land. This book about a woman who works as a maid. I liked the book even though at times was sad.📖 the Maid has a Daughter Mia that she tries to keep healthy by applying for welfare. Being a single mom is never easy and for this mom things at times were horrible.

An impressive debut. And an important read for its insights into the struggles of the working poor and the overwhelming challenges of single parenting while poor. Heartbreaking at times, as well as inspiring.

This book is at times crushingly devastating and in the end joyously uplifting, In inviting us to come along on her journey of constant self-reflection in the often next-to-impossible to navigate maelstrom of life lived on minimum wage, Land skillfully disabuses readers of any preconceived notions they might be harboring about low-wage workers and government benefit recipients.

This is a remarkable work of sociology and, though not specifically intended for the academic market, I would highly recommend it in introductory undergraduate classes in that subject area. In professional schools, it would be well-suited to introductory medical school classes geared toward introducing students to the concerns facing low income patients. Professors teaching in law school (as I do) will undoubtedly find the book invaluable in clinical courses as a means of encouraging students to check their own biases, while empowering them to come to an understanding of the true value of pro bono work in the lives of their clients in both the clinical setting and in their eventual careers as licensed practitioners. The book would also be used profitably in doctrinal courses in public benefits law as supplemental reading alongside black letter law.

In Maid, Stephanie Land has written a riveting memoir detailing her experience as a single mother with no familial support system and minimal marketable skills.

Ms, Land recounts her experiences in applying for and using government assistance, and her frustration at increasing her income, only to lose a corresponding amount in government benefits. She vividly describes the experience of being a single mother who has an adversarial relationship with the father of her child. She also gives the reader a thorough insight into the mind-numbing, back-breaking work of being the unseen maid, cleaning the messes of clients and their often impossible demands and unreasonable expectations. There is a bit of whining when the author insists that she landed in this situation through no fault of her own; although everything is related to one poor choice.

I would recommend this title to anyone wanting to learn more about the working poor, as well as anyone wanting to read a different sort of memoir.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.

#Maid#NetGalley

It’s humbling when you come face-to-face with the story of someone working hard and just barely surviving. Maid is an eye-opening account of Stephanie Land’s struggle to provide for herself and her daughter as part of the working poor. Land’s honesty and transparency are refreshing while at times also heartbreaking. The juxtaposition of her lifestyle with that of the the families she serves is profound.

Maid is a well-executed narrative of what poverty really looks like in the United States and why the “just get a job” solution is horribly oversimplified.

I have been following Land's journey on Instagram and was excited to get ahold of an early copy. (Thank you, Hachette and Netgalley.) Initially, I felt a bit as though I'd been dropped into the middle of a story that began long before the opening page. For the first half of the book, I longed for the backstory to help me understand her situation. I wanted more about her childhood, the family that failed her, the nuances of her failed romantic relationships. I also wanted more of her passion for writing and how this carried her through such dark times. It felt a bit like a puzzle with missing pieces, making the entire picture difficult to comprehend. However, the second half of MAID shines -- especially when Land's self-awareness (in a particularly vivid passage about the privilege of hope) becomes clear. And it is this hope and steadfastness that, by the end, had me cheering her along. She depicts the struggles of single-motherhood in poverty with authenticity and honesty. I suspect this story will resonate with many readers who have found the rug pulled out from under them, and particularly with single mothers of young children.

People want to tell you how to live your life and, if you're poor, they feel justified to do so. Images of people in soup kitchen lines, smartphone in hand, go viral. Stories of shopping sprees or vacations after tax refunds are shared with judgement. High mobility rates are scrutinized. Parenting practices questioned. In my case, the First Edition Club that feeds my soul in this rural landscape is brought up as frivolous spending without any regard to the rest of the picture.

If random urinalysis and proof of employment is required of people accepting government assistance, then Stephanie Land's Maid is required reading for all people privileged enough to have never degraded themselves to get help. Stephanie allows readers the opportunity to explore life as a single mom, a maid, cleaning as many homes as possible just to survive. When there is hardly enough money to get by until the next paycheck, how does one manage a sick child, work cancellations, or car trouble? A better job is the obvious answer, but how do you afford the laptop or internet access required to go back to school let alone childcare, time off work, and tuition? How does one afford preventative health care when organic food and vitamins are luxuries?

"When a person is too deep in systemic poverty, there is no upward trajectory. Life is a struggle and nothing else."

Start your new year with a dose of empathy and order this book today!