The Story Within Us: Women Prisoners Reflect on Reading

Contents

Contents Acknowledgments ix Introduction: “All us women have a story within us” 1 1 Mildred Life Narrative: “Society is coming to prison” 11 Reading Narrative: “I have discovered a love for the law” 16 2 Sissy Life Narrative: “There’s a time to be silent, and there’s a time not to” 23 Reading Narrative: “If you can’t relate to it, then read about it” 33 3 Olivia Life Narrative: “It was a bad road that I was on” 45 Reading Narrative: “If I’m going through a struggle, I know that’s the book to go find” 50 4 Denise Life Narrative: “I can’t even imagine my day without a mall” 59 Reading Narrative: “Who is this writing books that knows the things I know?!” 73 5 Bobbie Life Narrative: “I’ve been overcoming all my life” 92 Reading Narrative: “Everybody don’t end up with a prince” 97 6 Melissa Life Narrative: “They’re trying to brainwash me and rebuild me” 105 Reading Narrative: “From her life story to mine is not that much difference” 118 7 Valhalla Life Narrative: “I’ve been like a ball that someone threw and I’ve been bouncing around ever since” 129 Reading Narrative: “The books I’ve read are like my friends” 139 8 Jacqueline Life Narrative: “I refuse to be another statistic” 147 Reading Narrative: “I wanted his strength to jump out of the pages into my life!” 154 9 Audrey Life Narrative: “That’s a chapter that’s closed” 161 Reading Narrative: “What fueled this fire for the fire to come all the way over to here?” 176 10 Deven Life Narrative: “Society, it’s a boys’ club still” 180 Reading Narrative: “I need to know what’s gonna happen next!” 184 11 Solo Life Narrative: “That’s a soul that you’re stepping on” 197 Reading Narrative: “Freedom for me was an evolution, not a revolution” 211 Afterword: True Stories about Prison 227 Appendix: Study-Related Materials 241 Notes 249 Bibliography 259 Index 263 ...