Looking For Normal

LeAne R. Austin's life has been filled with moments of intense joy and immense sorrow. Her work expertly captures the range of emotions she feels as she confronts major challenges in her life. Austin tackles the horrors of child abuse, the trauma of recovering after a major health emergency, and the anxieties she carries as a mother.

Even when discussing these serious topics, Austin never loses her warmth or sense of self. She shows how the traumas of her own life have given her compassion and empathy for others and allowed her to connect with people from all backgrounds. She smiles at the beauty of an older couple still in love after decades of marriage and laughs at a charming conversation with a stranger about underwear and orange juice.

In the midst of major challenges, Austin never stopped appreciating the little things that made life worth living. Even things like "hold" music never fail to put a smile on her face. This new collection asks you to do the same. Austin wants to help you slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. Her essays unfold as gentle reminders of the beauty in everyday humanity.