This is a quick read. It surprised me as to how frank she was in her writing. I think Brooke Shields was very open in her story of trying to get pregnant, her emotions experienced, the birth followed by her depression. She was very revealing, not sugar coating anything, her inner thoughts or mistakes to save face. Happily, it ends well. She really opened up and wasn't at all guarded. She writes better than I had expected. It is a good read.

Before I could even release this book, my daughter visiting from Tempe saw it and grabbed it. As it is a quick read, she will read it and pass it on to another.

As I have had a few requests for this book already, I've decided as soon as I get it back from my daughter (in about a week)I'm going to start it on my first bookray. I hope it travels far and wide. Maybe I'm getting requests as it seems Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields are currently at odds over some issues covered in the book. He is publicly criticizing Shields about some things she said in her book. He is promoting his Scientology 'cure'. My feeling is: where the heck is Tom Cruise coming from? He's no doctor, nor has he been there, done that. But read this book and let me hear what you think!
I did really enjoy reading it and I look forward to seeing what my daughter thinks of it. And my fellow bookcrossers too!

BOOK RAY PARTICIPANTS (***Book is here now)
1.PrincessJCM, Ireland, book sent 6/23 Enjoy!
2Mirp, Dublin, Ireland.
3.Mysteryfan03, Missouri USA
4.EMB, Michigan USA
5.Booklady2005, Washington USA
6.Sabeena29, Massachusetts USA
7.Minniehaha, Massachusetts USA (skipped)
8.Tempestsans, Georgia USA
9.Ruthwater, England
10.Sleepymom, Colorado USA
11.Hfitz5051 Florida USA
12.Sweetpea0678, Fla. USA, (wants near the bottom)
13.Susanmrz, New Jersey, USA***
14.Moops, Arizona, USA

The book arrived today! Wow that was fast! It came at the perfect time too b/c I just finished reading a book this morning and I was wondering what to read next. I will get this one started today and send on asap! Thanks for sharing :-)

I finished this book a couple of days ago. I thought it was very well-written and Brooke Shields was very honest and open about all her dark thoughts. I identified with parts of the book such as her traumatic labor & delivery. I know other women that also suffered from PPD and medication helped them too. I hope this book does bring to light the issues of PPD and that people do NOT take Tom Cruise seriously. I've PM'd Mirp for her addy b/c she's in the same country as me and it will help to keep the book moving quickly :-)

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed to Mirp :-)

received this book today from princessjcm. I'm really looking forward to reading it as it's something I have a real interest in.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Maybe enjoyed isn't the best word to use! I found is extremely easy to read, very honest and full of hope. As I suffer from Depression I am a prime candidate for postpartum depression and I found it extremely useful to get a glimse at what I might expect should it happen to me.

I will be sending this on to Mysteryfan03 as soon as I get their address.

This was sent off to mysteryfan03 today.

This book arrived safe and sound from Ireland today! I am anxious to read this story, but I do have a couple of rings in front of it. Thanks

I think that Brooke did a good job of writing this book and sharing some very personal thoughts. However, she admittedly was way too attached to her mother growing up and never learned who she was. Thke only spot in the book that I had to read twice (because of surprise) was how she so lightly mentioned that her favorite nanny was going to spend 2 months with her to take care of her baby and nanny's son would stay with other relatives so his mom could stay with Brooke. I guess it is not unusual, but it just seemed callous to not have any qualms about how the nanny felt about leaving her own little boy.

Anyway, I really am glad that she wrote this and shared her story. Thanks for sharing this.

I will quickly read the book ( maybe done by the end of this weekend) and will sent out.

interesting. She's very real in this book and really exposes herself. I will contact booklady2005 and send out the book asap

I am so sorry this is so late in going out. I've had the flu and got behind on my paperwork. The book was sent out today. Again, I apologize.

eve

Arrived today and I'm most anxious to read this book!

Description: In this compelling memoir, Brooke Shields talks candidly about her experience with postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter, and provides millions of women with an inspiring example of recovery.

When Brooke Shields welcomed her newborn daughter, Rowan Francis, into the world, something unexpected followed -- a crippling depression. Now, for the first time ever, in Down Came the Rain, Brooke talks about the trials, tribulations, and finally the triumphs that occurred before, during, and after the birth of her daughter.

In what is sure to strike a chord with the millions of women who suffer from depression after childbirth, America's sweetheart Brooke Shields shares how she, too, battled this debilitating condition that is widely misunderstood, despite the fact that it affects many new mothers. She discusses the illness in the context of her life, including her struggle to get pregnant, the high expectations she had for herself and that others placed on her as a new mom, and the role of her husband, friends, and family as she struggled to attain her maternal footing in the midst of a disabling depression. And, ultimately, Brooke shares how she found a way out through talk therapy, medication, and time.

Exhibiting an informed voice and a self-deprecating sense of humor, this first memoir from a woman who has grown up before the eyes of the world is certain to attract the attention and empathy of many new mothers and fans alike.



Wow! Shields is amazingly candid about her feelings and thoughts while suffering PPD. This is definately a book to read if you know someone or are suffering from PPD yourself. Unfortunately I saw a lot of myself in this book. I never quite got over my feelings from my first child and didn't know at the time that it was PPD. So I can totally relate to Brooke in her feelings of not being connected to her daughter, I still only feel a small connection to mine. After my son my PPD was in full swing and after a year I had to be put on medication. Fortunately I felt connected to my son right away and he was the only thing that made me smile for a whole year. He was my saving grace. I sympathized with Shields about not wanting to be medicated and feeling a bit embarrased by it. But I had a melt down and realized that it was the best thing for me and it was and has been. I wish I would have done it sooner so that I could have been a bit happier with my daughter but I guess that just gives me a bunch of time to make up for. After reading this I really have a hard time respecting Tom Cruise because of the remarks he made about medication and Shields decision to write this book and come out to the public about PPD. Part of me thinks that it would serve him right if little miss Katie Holmes suffered from PPD after her baby, but I would never ever wish that kind of devastaion or hopelessness on any woman.

Overal this was a facinating read and a very good look into the life of a woman with PPD.


Will PM the next person on the list and hopefully get it sent out after Thanksgiving weekend.

I'm soooooo sorry about the delay!!!! A ton of things came up including a broken computer so I didn't have any way of accessing BC or my e-mail to get Sabeena29's address. The book will go out today. Again I'm terribly sorry!!!!

received this today- happy to get it- I was hoping this ring wasn't stalled- thanks booklady2005 for sending- hope you computer is feeling better :)- will start reading soon and pass on to next participant- thanks Moops for staring this ring.

I found this to be a well-written book and think Ms. Sheilds is quite brave for sharing all the intimate details of her motherhood experiences as well as insight into her relationship with her husband and parents. When I was born my mother had PPD but back then not much was known about it. I hope this book and Ms. Sheilds speaking out will help other women.

With regards to Tom Cruise I used to like him but lately he has become such an idiot- it will be interesting to see how his girlfriend does with her pregnancy and new motherhood and if this affects him in anyway.

Thanks Moops for offering this ray- sending on to Tempestsans tomorrow as Minniehaha has not responded to my pms.

book arrived safe and sound 24 hours ago and i'm about 1/3 of the way through already. am impressed with the written account and am seeing my last pregnancy in many of the things ms. shields describes....should be done with this one probably in the next 24 hours and will get it back on it's way again...gotta second sabeena29's sentiments in her journal entry too "With regards to Tom Cruise I used to like him but lately he has become such an idiot- it will be interesting to see how his girlfriend does with her pregnancy and new motherhood and if this affects him in anyway."

RELEASE NOTES:

this bookray/ring released to the next person on the list - ruthwater - by post this morning. i thought the subject matter was excellent but got a bit bored about 3/4 through as a lot of the things she was saying seemed to be repetitive. still think Cruise is an idiot and hope he comes back as a woman in his next life to help him get a clue!

Just received this from tempestsans - started reading it. She writes better than expected - obviously a very bright lady, and her account of her very traumatic labour and birth is certainly graphic. Shows that even with access to the very best of medical care, motherhood is an assault on your self-confidence and self-image in every way. And most of us don't have to worry about the press camping out on the hospital doorstep, and what we're going to wear when we come out!

They are very brave to be having another child after all this with the first. Best of luck to them.

This was better written than I was expecting from a celebrity biog - she is an intelligent woman with something to say. Her account of her traumas was very compelling and took me right back to the dark days 15 years ago when I was in a similar situation. I think she's particularly good on the difficulty for a high-achieving woman to come to terms with the change in identity brought by even the most wanted baby and the pressure to return to work when your emotions really are very conflicted.

Obviously Brooke is in a very privileged position, able to afford the very best of medical and domestic care, but I didn't resent her - you can only write about the person that you really are, and having more choices doesn't necessarily make tough decisions easier, it can have the opposite effect. I was impressed by how hands-on she and her husband were as parents, and she's accepted that her celebrity gives her the influence to tell her story in a way that will draw attention to important issues.

The last couple of chapters did get somewhat repetitive - there is only so much you can say about the joys of parenthood without laying it on a bit too thick, but really nobody (except Tom Cruise) could begrudge her such hard-won happiness. This is much better than most empty celebrity biographies - she's articulate and bright, and has important things to say.

received yesterday in the amil. Will read ASAP

I don't know what I expected from this book but it was quite good. I could relate to some of her feelings. I had them a bit with my 2nd child. I applaud her for writing this book and being so open and honest about things. I was suprised at how much I liked her. She doesn't come across as a woman that has been priveleged all her life. I definitely hope with this new baby, she has things easier.

Already have the address for the next in line. Will get it out on Wednesday.

Came today! I'll get started on it later. Thanks!

This book was a real eye-opener. She really did a great job sharing all of her emotions. I don't think I could be that open and honest with so many people! I have pmed the next in line.

Sweetpea0678 has found another copy, so I pmed the next in line for an address. It will be on its way somewhere soon.

Received as part of the ray. Brooke Shields was very open and honest in her book. I can only echo what previous people have journaled about the book. I worked many years in mental health and it is amazing how long it took for PPD to become a truely recognized condition that needs treatment.

update: Book will be traveling back tp Moops . Thanks for starting this book ring

I received this back. This book has been around and I think it shared an important message. I'm making it part of my permanent collection now. I saw the new map idea in the current BC email letter. I'm going to try this one to produce a map of its travels.