I am so glad that Diane Dweller wrote Mom, Mania, and Me: Surviving and Changing a Volatile Relationship. I have something big in common with her. Her mother and my father both had Bipolar Disorder. While her mother Dixie had more mania than depression. My father had more of a fifty-fifty balance.

This book is a true gift from the author to all who have had a bipolar parent. There is great comfort in knowing that there are others out there going through the same things. Usually I jot down a few notes when I read a book but this one kept me reading the story and thinking to myself. I thought about how our parents were alike like going on robust shopping sprees. There were a lot of differences too. My father gave me plenty of affection and made me feel good about myself. Diane's mother had never learned the importance of hugs and seemed concentrate on correcting Diane constantly and wanted total control.

Diane's childhood was not happy. Her mother made her scared all the time and her father gave affection sometimes, but he was usually away from Diane, working. I really loved what she wrote about the ways that we communicate love. Like Diane, I am a hug giver and would love to give the author a great big warm hug right now.

Besides having to tell her very painful story with courage and truthfulness, she includes a section in the back with questions and answers and a list of resources for families with bipolar disorders. There is also an appendix that is very helpful. Although concisely written, it is so informative.
I received this finished copy, signed by the author of the above book by a win from FirstReads. My thoughts and feelings in this review are totally my own. ( )