Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What an interesting book. It covers a sensitive but necessary topic. The book is beautifully written. You won't regret reading it.

RESURRECTION LILY: A Memoir of the BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer and Lifesaving Whispers From the Grandmother I Never Knew by AMY BIER SHAINMAN is a heart wrenching read, but THIS BOOK MIGHT JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE
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Before reading this memoir I had some small knowledge regarding the BRCA gene. If I had been asked before reading this book whether I felt I was fairly well informed on the subject of breast cancer and the BRCA Gene, I would have confidently said that I was. Now, upon completion of Amy Byer Shainman's memoir, I know I was mistaken.

The reason I am including the above fact is that, I think many people will feel that they already have enough knowledge on Breast Cancer and on the BRCA Gene. I urge those of you who are thinking along those lines, to trust me and to pick up a copy of this memoir (and one for each of your friends and family members.) I guarantee that if you do, you will be grateful that you did. IT MIGHT EVEN SAVE YOUR LIFE - OR THE LIFE OF SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU.

I do not want to misrepresent this book. It is NOT a dry, medical text full of facts, figures and survival rates. Instead, first and foremost it is the story of Amy and her family. It is a memoir, but is not JUST a memoir. Amy's story is an interesting one and what struck me the most was the utter normality of her life before her unasked for trip into the world of Breast Cancer and gene studies. She could have been anyone. In fact, she could have been you. She could have been me.

When Amy's sister is diagnosed with cancer, it changes Amy's whole life. Then, her husband's co-worker and close friend to both him and to Amy, is diagnosed with breast cancer as well.

Amy began looking into these cancers and discovered that there are some genetic components to breast cancer and especially to having the BRCA gene.

This book also contains quotes by specialists as well as short anecdotes written by other people who have had their own personal experiences with the BRCA Gene.

Because Amy I a "regular" person and not a doctor, this story as well as the information contained within, is written in easy to understand prose and is NOT written too technically.

Amy does a fabulous job of conveying the conflicting emotions she experienced while worrying about her sister and her friend, as well as while making difficult decisions regarding her own medical issues. Readers will find themselves invested in the decisions and I even cried a few times.

Maya Angelou once said "When women take care of their health they become their own best friend." I firmly believe this and reading this memoir has served to strengthen that belief even further.

This book is all about Maya's message which has become Amy's mission in life. She has become the BRCA RESPONDER and is dedicated to helping other BRCA positive people to navigate through the health care system.

Simply put, this book might save your life, and because of that fact, to me, it is a "No-brainer." You should not only want to read this book, you NEED to read this book.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There was a lot of interesting information in this book and it would be very useful for others facing the choices that must be made when discovering they have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation.

I did however find much of the narrative and information repetitive which made it a little cumbersome.