Even though you may have seen the Netflix show, this book is an autobiographical account of author Piper Kerman's experience of spending a year in prison. She has an 'outsider' view of her imprisonment and the prison system, as she is from a family and community where few people spend time in jail.
What is it similar to? This book is just some great, reflective writing about personal experience. Might be comparable to Jeanette Walls' The Glass Castle . There is almost a feel that it is a series of short stories or blog posts with a running theme. Because it is a memoir of a single year in the author's life, the characters she encounters make up a lot of the story.
Am I in the mood? If you like funny, dramatic, introspective and honest all in one package, you might be in the mood. This is not a challenging book to get through, but has lots of interesting insights into the U.S. prison system and the impact of mandatory minimum drug laws on American women.
Find the book? Anywhere- I listened to the audiobook through the public library online system.
Listen to an NPR interview with the author
Watch the author on HuffPost live
Read a comparative interview that contrasts the TV show and the author's experiences on Huffington Post
Can't get enough? You can always watch the fictionalized version on Netflix (it was made by them, so is their exclusive content, not going to show up on your local cable network).
Would you recommend this book to a friend? I would recommend this book if you want a few good laughs and a compelling personal story. I think it is worth a read, and will likely re-read it in the future.
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