A Little Off. Always On.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
A Little Off. Always On
by Mora Brinkman
Giveaway ends June 21, 2023.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
A MEMOIR
Early Praise
"This book is warm and funny and comforting, just like sitting down for coffee with an old friend." — Ann Friedman, Journalist and Co-Author of Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close
“Mora's writing is charming, heart-felt, and deeply honest. In a world where people try so hard to present the most perfect version of themselves, Mora shows that our authentic self is the one most worth sharing. This memoir is a perfect blend of laugh-out-loud funny, yet completely relatable. I'm rooting for Mora to develop a new, authentic Life Goal list in her next four decades.” — Nicole Chilton, Author and Artist of How Dreams Speak
“Reading A Little Off. Always On. feels like you’re chatting with a friend you’ve known for years. Mora is a talented storyteller with an authentic, relatable, and honest voice that will resonate with many.” — Lauren Bartleson, Author of Behind the Facade
“A triumph!” - Maureen Thompson, Mora’s Mom
“Not too bad.” - Wade Thompson, Mora’s Dad
Listen up.
Check out the playlist inspired by my new memoir, A Little Off. Always On. Tales of Authenticity and Acceptance.
WARNING: Some musical sequences may be jarring. Then again, so was high school.
About A Little Off. Always On.
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I wrote this book because I am a person who spent most of her life trying, unsuccessfully, to fit in. Whether it was at a less-than-perfect internship, on the wrong side of a stage, or at a birthday in a barn, I strove toward a version of myself that was anything but me. I want these cringe-worthy experiences to communicate that our differences ultimately lead us to where we belong.
When reading this book, I hope you discover how living authentically and owning your personal brand of weirdness leads to rich and beautiful experiences. I hope you relate to those moments when I grappled with a fear of rejection, judgment, and shame. I hope you smile when you note my insane ability to attract (and participate in) embarrassing situations. I hope this book feels like a familiar friend who earnestly shares stories with you while you each sip a great cup of coffee.
In this book, you'll encounter stories of authenticity and acceptance that only my therapist, priest, and mother have heard including:
I felt professional and academic pressure to find a journalism internship in the city like my Journalism School college classmates; however, I couldn’t afford to live away from home. I found a “mentor” in my hometown of Springfield, Missouri, in the copywriting and advertising business. After writing his tax abatement letters and coordinating his tanning appointments in a 90-degree warehouse, I decided to make alternative plans.
Determined to pursue academic greatness at any cost, I planned the ultimate History Day presentation in my freshman year of high school. Dressed as Mother Theresa and determined to win, I learned I misunderstood the assignment with embarrassing results. While I did not win, I made history by having the “most memorable” History Day entry.
When the road to starting a family looked vastly different than expected, I learned to navigate heartbreak and mourn the perfect nuclear family suburban life I had planned. Through a community of women, unexpected friendships, and the willingness to look at life differently, I found my footing and reclaimed a different future for myself and my family.
You will love this book if you ever felt a little lonely, different, or “other.” Whether you never fit in or briefly lost your way, I hope this book feels like a familiar friend.
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The book is written in 2 parts:
Part 1 contains short essays about moments from my childhood into adolescence when I confronted feelings of feeling left out and how I determinedly adapted to another’s needs or accepted who I was. Spoiler alert: results varied.
Part 2 contains a collection of essays chronicling my teen years into adulthood when the stakes were higher, and situations were more complex. In these chapters, I balanced the primal need to belong and live authentically while managing my perfectionistic tendencies and others’ expectations.